“Father has been so worried about the drought in Yunzhou that he’s lost a lot of weight. I think I have a way to ease his burden.”
That day, the Third Prince had deliberately sought out the right moment. Didn’t they say the Heavenly Maiden and the Grand Tutor had magical powers? Didn’t they say they could bring good fortune? Well, now it was truly time for them to make their appearance.
“Oh? And what method do you propose?”
The emperor had indeed been busy to the point of exhaustion with these matters. He rarely even went to the Heavenly Mechanism Palace. But no matter what, he was a diligent ruler. He couldn’t simply watch his people suffer from a drought and continue to live comfortably without a care.
“Father may have forgotten that the two in the Heavenly Mechanism Palace are said to be the Heavenly Maiden and Grand Tutor, bringers of good fortune. You personally invited them back and spent so much money and effort to build this magnificent Heavenly Mechanism Palace. Surely, their presence in the palace must be to help you, Father, and to withstand your test as well.”
The Third Prince clasped his hands in a respectful gesture. In truth, he was simply seeking the right opportunity. Who could say whether a rain-invoking ceremony would succeed?
He did not believe the Heavenly Maiden and the Grand Tutor had any true magical powers. It was all just superstitions that his father chose to believe in.
Now, his goal was to expose the false faces of the Heavenly Maiden and Grand Tutor. If they could not summon rain, their importance in the emperor’s eyes would surely diminish.
Later, by using a few small incidents, they might even be entirely driven from the palace.
Don’t think he hadn’t noticed how close the Fifth Prince had become to the Heavenly Maiden and Grand Tutor. They might be trying to cultivate friendship and sway their loyalty. His plan now was to eliminate future trouble entirely and drive them out once and for all.
The emperor naturally agreed. If they could summon rain for the people, that would solidify the Heavenly Maiden and Grand Tutor’s reputation completely. And in turn, it would make his initial decision to bring them into the palace seem even more wise and farsighted.
When the news reached the Heavenly Mechanism Palace, everything was just as Yun Shang had expected. In fact, many in the palace were simply waiting for a laugh.
They didn’t really believe the Heavenly Maiden or the Grand Tutor had any real power. They thought the emperor had merely been curious and wanted to bring them back.
Now it was time to test them: could they really summon rain for the people?
When Wei Yao heard the news, of course she was overjoyed. They claimed it was for the people, but whether rain would actually come—no one knew.
If it were so easy, why would there have been such a severe drought in the first place? Didn’t His Majesty frequently hold rain ceremonies? How many actually succeeded? Whether it rained or not depended on Heaven.
She didn’t believe the Heavenly Maiden could really have the ability to summon rain for the people.
“Your Majesty, why do you keep furrowing your brow? I know you worry for the people. But now, with the Heavenly Maiden and Grand Tutor here, they will surely relieve Your Majesty’s worries. Didn’t you say they were auspicious stars, able to bring fortune to you and the people?”
Wei Yao coquettishly nestled in the emperor’s arms, her words carrying a faintly sarcastic tone.
Whether intentional or not, she felt that the Heavenly Maiden seemed to harbor some hostility toward her. And that Grand Tutor—those eyes were so dark and sinister that one glance felt like being stared at by a venomous snake.
In short, the pair were peculiar and strange. If they could be driven from the palace, all the better.
“I brought them back precisely because I hoped they would help safeguard my realm. But the matter of summoning rain is urgent. I wonder if the Heavenly Maiden and Grand Tutor are truly prepared.”
The emperor held Wei Yao close, a hint of uncertainty in his heart. The matter had come so suddenly that he worried they might not be ready.
“Your Majesty, that’s where you’re mistaken. The less prepared they are, the more it highlights the Heavenly Maiden and Grand Tutor’s miraculous abilities. They can achieve what ordinary people cannot, which is why they enjoy such fame and privileges. Otherwise, why did Your Majesty build the Heavenly Mechanism Palace for them? Why bring them into the palace to be admired and respected? It wouldn’t do to deceive Your Majesty for nothing!”
Wei Yao spoke softly and sweetly, trying to soften her tone. Certain words could be said, but the tone was crucial—after all, the inner palace mustn’t meddle too much, lest it displease the emperor.
Her reasoning made sense: the less prepared they appeared, the more their abilities would be showcased. It was the perfect time to let them demonstrate.
If they could truly summon rain for the people, their status as Heavenly Maiden and Grand Tutor would become even more convincing.
The emperor had already been thinking along these lines. With Wei Yao fanning the flames beside him, the idea became even more obvious.
When Yun Shang received the news, she remained calm and unhurried. After all, everything was as expected. People she disliked were still as annoying as ever.
Even without much interaction, she could sense the subtle hostility. Wei Yao had not been shy about adding her own spin, eager to exaggerate and mock her and Ah Du.
“Are you not worried, sister? Not anxious at all? If they can summon rain, that’s wonderful. But if they fail, His Majesty will surely blame us. What will you do then?”
Having spent so long in the palace, Ah Du had come to understand a bit: the emperor was the master here. What he said must be followed.
But summoning rain was hardly something humans could control. If it succeeded, all the better. If it failed, what then?
If the emperor were to blame someone, he’d rather it be him alone. He would bear it, whatever the consequence, as long as his sister was not punished.
“Ah Du, why do you think we cannot summon rain? Don’t you see this is the perfect opportunity? The point of this is to show everyone that we are the bearers of fortune. We need to silence all doubters. Most importantly, the An Duke’s household has been far too restless lately.”
Yun Shang frowned slightly. “Wei Yao dares to incite trouble because she knows the Duke’s household has been digging up information about our past. They’ve discovered where we came from. She is confident that we are not truly miraculous outsiders with mystical powers, but merely ordinary mortals. That’s why she dares to act so recklessly. She wants to use the emperor’s hand to get rid of us. Their hostility doesn’t even need hiding—they are openly revealing it.”