The rain had been relentless for days. During the morning court session, reports came in of local flooding. Due to the continuous heavy downpour, several areas were experiencing severe water damage.
"Your Majesty, General Nan's return journey has also been delayed by this matter. He will likely not be back anytime soon. General Nan has requested an imperial decree, stating his willingness to stay and resolve the local flood situation," Xing Lai said to Yu Jingchen. According to the original schedule, Nan Su should have returned within a month, but with this delay, his return date was now uncertain.
"Let him be," Yu Jingchen said, rubbing his temples. He couldn't be bothered with these trivial matters.
"Keep a close eye on the Imperial Advisor these days. If there's any unusual activity, report it to me immediately." Yu Jingchen's current primary concern was Gu Yin, as the words he had spoken had indeed unsettled him.
"Yes," Xing Lai replied. He himself had been somewhat confused by the conversation between the Imperial Advisor and His Majesty, but having served at the Emperor's side for so long, Xing Lai knew that some things didn't require complete understanding.
After finishing his work, Yu Jingchen went straight back to Zichen Palace. Nan Zhiyun was currently lounging on a soft couch, reading a storybook. Because it was raining, she was all bundled up, resembling a small kitten.
As Yu Jingchen entered, he saw her. The corner of his lips curved slightly as he walked towards her. "Did the imperial physician examine your pulse today?" he asked. Yu Jingchen had always been worried about Nan Zhiyun's health, so he had specifically instructed the imperial physician to check her pulse daily.
Nan Zhiyun put down the book she was holding. "The imperial physician has already seen me," she replied obediently.
Hearing her answer, Yu Jingchen gently stroked her head. "Due to the heavy rain these past few days, many places have experienced floods. Your father happened to be in the vicinity, so his return will be delayed by a few days." He informed Nan Zhiyun of the situation.
At first, Nan Zhiyun was a little stunned by the news, and then her heart was filled with disappointment. Yu Jingchen sensed the change in her emotions and felt a pang of sympathy.
"It's alright, it's only a few days. It's been raining continuously, so a slight delay on the road is quite normal," Yu Jingchen comforted her gently.
Nan Zhiyun was indeed quite disappointed. After all, she had been eagerly anticipating her father's return to the capital, and now he couldn't come back. However, despite feeling a little upset, she didn't show it too obviously.
Nan Zhiyun composed herself and looked at Yu Jingchen, nodding obediently. "I'm fine..."
Sometimes, Yu Jingchen felt that Nan Zhiyun's docility was almost heartbreaking. However, these things couldn't be changed overnight, so it had to be a gradual process. He would help the young girl regain her former vibrant and unrestrained self.
Yet, some things seemed beyond control…
Just like this rain, it had been pouring for almost half a month now, with no sign of stopping. If it were intermittent, it would be one thing, but continuous rain for half a month without respite was another.
Because of this rain, there had already been considerable casualties and losses, and the common people were complaining bitterly. Rumors even began to circulate, claiming that this torrential rain was a natural disaster, a punishment and warning from the heavens. The reason for this calamity was… Yu Jingchen, the Emperor… and that to appease the heavens' wrath, he must issue a decree of self-blame.
Hall of Diligent Governance
When Yu Jingchen heard these claims, he found them laughable. Xing Lai knelt beside him, not daring to even breathe loudly. What kind of rumors were these?
"Your Majesty, this servant has already dispatched people to investigate and will surely uncover the origin of these words," Xing Lai said.
Yu Jingchen remained silent, leaving Xing Lai momentarily unsure of His Majesty's intentions.
"Isn't it quite obvious?" Yu Jingchen suddenly remarked after a long pause.
But... was it obvious? Xing Lai's mind hadn't caught up yet.
"For now, do not interfere," Yu Jingchen uttered another shocking statement. Do not interfere? In his eyes, such words spreading now were clearly the work of malicious intent! How could His Majesty stand by and let it fester?
However, since His Majesty had spoken, Xing Lai had no room for rebuttal. He could only agree, believing that His Majesty must have his own plans. What kind of person was His Majesty? If he were easily fooled, he wouldn't be in this position now.
Soon, the matter became the talk of the town, and as Yu Jingchen consistently allowed it to unfold, no one intervened in the spread of such rumors.
But unfortunately… even if Yu Jingchen didn't care about his reputation, there were others he did care about. For example…
Bang!
Yu Jingchen violently overturned the memorials on the table. Xing Lai and all the palace servants immediately knelt down.
"Your Majesty, please calm your anger!" the people below cried out. Xing Lai hadn't seen His Majesty so distraught in a long time.
"These people are truly impatient to find death!" Yu Jingchen's face was dark.
In the past two days, in addition to the rumors that the continuous rain was due to Yu Jingchen's incompetence as a ruler, a new theory had emerged. It claimed that the child in Nan Zhiyun's womb was a jinx, and it was because of this child that it was raining. They urged Yu Jingchen to deal with the child swiftly.
Even some court officials had begun to submit memorials, and someone had even presented a petition signed by ten thousand citizens.
"They can even blame a child for a rainstorm, what capable people they are!" Yu Jingchen's every word was laced with a sense of gritted teeth.
"Keep a close watch on Consort Shu these days. Don't let her hear these gossip and rumors." Yu Jingchen was still concerned about Nan Zhiyun. If she were to learn of this matter, she would likely start to worry again.
"Yes, this servant had people instructed early this morning. Consort Shu will not be made aware of this matter," Xing Lai also understood the gravity of the situation.
Yu Jingchen's expression did not improve. The person behind this had indeed managed to grasp his psychology... Gu Yin, had he started making his move so soon?
However, was this all he had said? Yu Jingchen certainly didn't believe it. So, what was Gu Yin's ultimate goal? And why was he doing this?
Gu Yin in this life had changed significantly. Yu Jingchen didn't know the reason for this transformation. But he knew that Gu Yin's feelings for the Empress Dowager had likely not changed, so he shouldn't be targeting Nan Zhiyun, yet here he was…
Imperial Advisor's Residence
Gu Yin was dressed in a magnificent purple robe, his hair unbound and unadorned. The ends of his eyes were elongated and a little scarlet. Gu Yin… seemed much younger?
He had just finished bathing and was walking barefoot on the floor in his purple robe, exuding a certain languid air.
"Have the things you were asked to deliver been sent?" Gu Yin's voice held a hint of coldness.
"Replying to your Excellency, the items have been delivered to the Empress Dowager," his subordinate replied.
"Mm," Gu Yin responded with a single syllable. Just an "mm"?
"And what about the tasks you were assigned? How are they progressing?" Gu Yin walked slowly to one side, and the subordinate had no choice but to follow.
"Everything has been arranged," the subordinate replied. However, just thinking about the tasks the Imperial Advisor had assigned him sent shivers down his spine. The Imperial Advisor… wasn't like this before, and he would never have done these things.
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Two days later, news arrived from Nan Su's men. Due to the heavy rain in the past few days, floods had occurred in the area they were traversing, and the dam had also been breached. Nan Su led his men to repair the dam and control the flood, but he accidentally fell into the river… his fate unknown.
They had sent people to search, but there was no trace. Moreover, with such a vast flood, there was no possibility of survival…
Yu Jingchen was stunned when he heard the news. Such a thing had never happened in his previous life. In fact, even this heavy rain had not occurred.