Chapter 189: Truly Felt Blessed

Only Empress Zhang and Zhu Xiurong remained in the stately and magnificent hall, and Zhu Xiurong’s attention was still fixed on the sky outside the window.

At that moment, Empress Zhang said with a smile, “Xiurong, it seems your illness has been cured these past days. That Brain Illness doesn’t seem to trouble you anymore. This mother is truly happy for you.”

“Yes, Empress Mother.” Zhu Xiurong still had her back turned, as if waiting for something.

Empress Zhang remarked, “That’s splendid. In this mother’s view, there’s no need to have Fang Jifan examine you anymore.”

After speaking, Empress Zhang looked meaningfully at Zhu Xiurong’s back with her phoenix eyes.

Zhu Xiurong was silent for a long time. She did not turn to look at Empress Zhang, but timidly said, “It’s not completely gone yet. Your Son and Servant felt dizzy a few days ago and didn’t know the reason…”

“Oh.” Empress Zhang slightly frowned and smiled without showing any expression. “Then we must be careful. In a couple of days, when there is time, we will summon Fang Jifan to take a look.”

“Thank you, Empress Mother.” Her daughter’s voice seemed to carry a different tone.

Empress Zhang’s phoenix eyes shifted, and it was impossible to tell if she was pleased or displeased.

But at that moment, a clap of thunder roared.

Empress Zhang snapped out of her thoughts, her face turning pale with fright.

Thun… thunder!

“It’s raining.” Zhu Xiurong laughed with a sound like tinkling silver bells.

Then, she stepped down from the windowsill, lifted her skirt, tiptoed, and hurried away with quick, small steps. Her walking posture was like dancing on a tightrope. “Empress Mother, Your Son and Servant is going out to take a look. It’s going to rain. Empress Mother, did you hear it…”

Finished speaking, she dashed off like a streak of smoke.

“You… mind your posture! Have you forgotten the etiquette I taught you?” Empress Zhang was also a bit flustered. In truth, she had no time to tend to her daughter, as she too had been startled by the sudden clap of thunder.

It truly… was raining…

What a coincidence this was.

But no matter what, the Emperor would have one less worry.

Every day, seeing him frowning and deeply troubled by the prolonged drought broke Empress Zhang’s heart. Now… Empress Zhang felt relieved. Was this rain that had been prayed for?

Outside the hall, Zhu Xiurong stood under the ornately carved and painted eaves, opening her eyes wide to watch the rolling dark clouds. She revealed her pearly white teeth, and her smiling eyes seemed to sparkle. She stretched out a slender hand and said to a eunuch nearby, “Look, look! They really prayed for rain. Fang…”

Seeming to realize she had spoken out of turn, she instead continued proudly, “This Palace’s Imperial Elder Brother prayed for it. He even knows how to pray for rain.”

…

In the Longquan Taoist Temple, the bell tolled.

At that time, led by Eldest Martial Brother Zhang Chaoxian, a group of Taoists was conducting the midday scripture recitation in the Ancestor Lü Hall.

Dozens of Taoists of the “Chao” generation were there, each kneeling in meditation, so that the Ancestor Lü Hall was completely silent.

Zhang Chaoxian occasionally opened his eyes to glance at his fellow junior disciples, and he couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride.

But at that moment, a young Taoist took off his shoes and crept into the hall like a ghost. He went up behind Zhang Chaoxian and whispered, “Master, at the Ministry of Rites, Director Liu says that this time the price should be increased. It’s hard for him to handle all the necessary bribes.”

Zhang Chaoxian frowned, his face showing displeasure.

He was eager to expel Li Chaowen from the daoist registration, but unexpectedly, someone seemed to have noticed this and decided to raise the price.

Since Zhang Chaoxian took charge of Longquan Taoist Temple, he had frequently bribed people in the Capital. The usual Ice Respect and Charcoal Respect were always delivered on time, but now…

He thought for a moment but still appeared calm and said in a low voice, “We’ll talk about it later.”

The young Taoist nodded and was about to retreat.

Zhang Chaoxian tried to meditate, but his mind couldn’t settle. The urgent matter now was to expel Li Chaowen from the daoist registration. Suddenly, Longquan Taoist Temple had gained a Martial Uncle, and he was the Newly Established Count—someone he didn’t dare provoke!

Since the other party came with ill intentions, the best approach naturally wasn’t to confront Martial Uncle directly. If it came to a fight, he, Zhang Chaoxian, knew his own limitations. How could he compete with such a person?

But not daring to confront Martial Uncle didn’t mean Zhang Chaoxian couldn’t make an example of someone. By removing Li Chaowen, which of his junior disciples would dare to cozy up to Martial Uncle in the future?

As long as Longquan Taoist Temple remained united like a solid iron plate, and he maintained firm control over it, he wouldn’t need to fear anyone causing trouble.

So… his mind settled. Martial Uncle was, after all, just a young upstart. He might have some cunning tricks, but in Zhang Chaoxian’s view, such petty skills weren’t even worth mentioning. He had managed Longquan Taoist Temple for many years—it wasn’t for nothing. This Martial Uncle… was still too green.

The bribe to the Ministry of Rites had to be paid!

No matter the cost.

He coughed and opened his eyes. Hearing the cough, the junior disciples quickly opened their eyes. When they saw Eldest Martial Brother’s gaze sweeping over them, none dared to meet his eyes, and all trembled with fear.

How could they not know about Li Chaowen’s impending misfortune? It was said that in a desperate attempt to save himself, he had recklessly performed a Rain Prayer Ritual. Wasn’t that seeking death? It was clear… that Eldest Martial Brother must not be offended.

Everyone bowed their heads, and some forced smiles toward Zhang Chaoxian.

Zhang Chaoxian just had a stern face and glanced at them dismissively.

As for Martial Uncle… although they couldn’t confront him directly, they still had to take precautions…

As he thought of this, suddenly…

Boom…

A clap of thunder shook the heavens…

Instantly, the Ancestor Lü Hall erupted.

Some whispered among themselves, some were stunned, and some stood up and walked to the door, looking up at the sky.

“It’s thundering. It’s going to rain.”

Someone shouted.

It’s… go… ing… to… rain…

Zhang Chaoxian couldn’t believe it. He thought he had misheard.

No, that couldn’t be. It must be an illusion.

It hadn’t rained for over two months. How could it just happen to rain today?

But after the first thunderclap, the thunder outside continued without stop, and it grew even darker outside the hall.

Clearly, dark clouds were pressing down.

Even if Zhang Chaoxian didn’t want to accept the fact, what was happening left him no choice but to believe.

Suddenly, he felt as if his chest had been struck hard by a heavy hammer.

Pfft… Overwhelmed by rage, he spat out a mouthful of old blood.

“Master, Master…” The young Taoist panicked and rushed forward.

But the other Taoists’ expressions turned oddly strange. It seemed… they had realized something. Suddenly, they became indifferent to Eldest Martial Brother’s condition.

If it were any other day, they would have been fawning over him, asking if he was cold or warm, showing utmost concern. But now… most were just cold.

“How could it rain… This is simply… simply…” Zhang Chaoxian clutched his chest unwillingly, blood still on his lips. The final words, ‘Heaven has forsaken me,’ were never spoken.

…

The downpour came swiftly, pouring like a waterfall.

Li Chaowen, atop the High Altar in the House of the Crown Prince, was completely stunned. He was already drenched like a drowned rat. He cautiously climbed down the ladder from the High Altar, staggering as he stepped into puddles. Just as he reached the ground and looked around, he saw Crown Prince standing in the rain. The officials and Eunuchs of the Eastern Palace were kneeling at Zhu Houzhao’s feet, shouting phrases like “Long live Your Highness.”

Li Chaowen was dazed, his eyes searching for something.

Finally, he spotted Fang Jifan under the eaves.

Fang Jifan, seeing that it was about to rain and thinking that his clothes shouldn’t get ruined, had gone under the eaves to take shelter.

Compared to this Martial Uncle’s shrewdness, the others seemed rather foolish, standing in the rain as if enjoying the sensation the rain brought.

Li Chaowen walked unsteadily, step by step, to just outside the eaves. With a thud, he knelt down, his eyes red, and let out a wail: “Martial Uncle…”

He was convinced.

Truly convinced, completely and thoroughly.

Others might not know the inside story, but he, Li Chaowen, knew exactly what it was.

How could he possibly know how to pray for rain? It was all just an act.

But the day for the Rain Prayer Ritual was chosen by Martial Uncle.

Wasn’t it obvious? The rain… was related to Martial Uncle.

Martial Uncle’s Taoist skills were extraordinary.

He… had chosen the right person to follow.

With Martial Uncle on his side, what was Zhang Chaoxian? He could crush him with a single finger.

Li Chaowen panted heavily. Despite being over forty and no longer young, he had unusually thick skin. Now, kneeling sincerely at the feet of his young Martial Uncle, there wasn’t the slightest hint of awkwardness.

“Disciple will forever remember Martial Uncle’s life-saving grace.”

As he spoke, his eyes turned red, and tears mixed with rain fell down his face.

Just one day ago, he had been in dire straits, with Eldest Martial Brother determined to crush him. Even a month ago, what was he? In Longquan Taoist Temple, he was nothing.

But today… with just a flick of his hand, Martial Uncle had turned the situation around. From this day on, he would live a life of luxury. Why fear a mere Zhang Chaoxian?

Overwhelmed with emotion, he kowtowed again in the puddle. “This humble Taoist had no father or mother since childhood. It was my master who raised me. But today, Martial Uncle is like a second parent to this humble Taoist. Even being Martial Uncle’s dog would be a willing choice.”

This was a pledge of loyalty.

This Martial Uncle had high seniority, connections at court, a good relationship with Crown Prince, and could even pray for rain successfully. His Taoist skills were profound and unfathomable. Being his dog truly felt blessed.

“…”

“An oral decree! His Majesty has an oral decree!”

Amid the heavy rain, a voice disrupted the harmony.

A eunuch came running through the rain, already drenched like a drowned rat, but he shouted hoarsely, “His Majesty has an oral decree! Crown Prince and Newly Established Count are to enter the Imperial Palace for an audience immediately. Do not delay!”

His voice was heavy with panting, clearly having run in great haste.

Zhu Houzhao was delighted.

He was enjoying the current moment.

He felt a great sense of accomplishment. This time, it seemed no one treated him like a child anymore. So he let the pouring rain soak him, wanting to savor a little longer the feeling of Tutor Yang and Tutor Wang kneeling at his feet, praising him.

In the past, any summons from his Imperial Father made Zhu Houzhao feel uneasy.

But today…

He raised his head, puffed out his chest, and strode forth with the vigor of a triumphant general. With a slightly excited voice, he said, “Old Fang, let’s go! To the Imperial Palace!”

As the carriage left the Eastern Palace, they could see distant streets seemingly crowded with masses of people. Zhu Houzhao lifted the curtain and heard the distant uproar and clamor. Though he couldn’t make out what they were shouting, he could guess.

He smiled from the bottom of his heart. This feeling… he had only ever dreamed of it.