HomeAfter I Bloom Hundred Flowers DieChapter 622: I Will Help You Achieve Your Wish

Chapter 622: I Will Help You Achieve Your Wish

“Let’s see if it rains in Deng Prefecture today.” Shen Xihe understood Xiao Huayong’s concerns. If even the Imperial Astronomers could be wrong, this mysterious person she’d found, whom he knew nothing about, might also err.

Shen Xihe planned to use the rainfall as grounds for pardoning the palace women and releasing the servants. If the prediction proved wrong and there was no rain after releasing people, it would severely damage her authority, and His Majesty might exploit the situation.

She was reluctant to give up such an excellent opportunity to swiftly clear out the palace.

Missing this chance, having already shown her claws to His Majesty, once the Deng Prefecture matter was resolved and he had time, he certainly wouldn’t easily let her firmly control the palace.

Xiao Huayong turned slightly, his dark eyes watching her, remaining silent after a long pause.

As drizzling rain began falling, Shen Xihe’s expression softened. She couldn’t help walking outside, standing under the eaves, feeling the cool breeze carrying moisture, listening to the soft patter of rain. Her mood inexplicably improved.

Following behind her, Xiao Huayong had never liked rainy days before. For a long time, rain meant poison attacks, his body growing cold with the damp air. After experiencing so much, he’d come to view it neutrally, neither liking nor disliking it.

Seeing her standing against the wind in the misty rain, features relaxed and visibly happy, he unconsciously began to like rainy days too. Accompanying her in brewing tea, playing chess, playing the qin, painting, and quietly listening to the rain – it seemed to become a unique kind of enjoyment.

This rainfall brought joy not just to Shen Xihe but to many others. Though Deng Prefecture was hundreds of miles away and rain here didn’t guarantee rain there, wasn’t it still something to hope for?

However, these people were destined for disappointment. By midnight, no rain had fallen in Deng Prefecture, and news of unrest among its people urgently reached the imperial desk. Except for the frail Crown Prince Xiao Huayong, His Majesty summoned several princes and ministers to Taiyun Hall to discuss countermeasures through the night.

Though not summoned, Xiao Huayong was disturbed. Getting up and dressing, he looked at the night sky after the rain, which seemed washed clean, particularly dark and bright: “No rain in Deng Prefecture.”

“The person Father sought help from is a highly respected recluse. He wouldn’t speak carelessly without knowing. Since he gave a specific date, he must be certain of rain.” Shen Xihe had been waiting for results without rest.

She didn’t want to miss this opportunity, trying to convince Xiao Huayong.

His long lashes lowered like gauze, half-hiding his bright eyes which lost some depth and gained an indulgent smile: “I understand.”

“Hmm?”

Understand? Understand what? Such an abrupt statement left Shen Xihe puzzled.

“Leave the rest to me. You need not concern yourself further with this matter. I will surely help you achieve your wish.” Xiao Huayong squeezed Shen Xihe’s shoulder, then turned and walked along the corridor.

Rain splashed from the eaves, water droplets disappearing into the hem of his robe as he walked.

Shen Xihe slowly turned but didn’t follow. After pausing briefly, she withdrew her exposed shoe, hiding the pearl-tipped slipper back under her gauze skirt. Her slender neck tilted up, glowing white beyond the misty rain. Her calm gaze fell on the fine rain curtain, unblinking for a long while, lost in thought.

The heavy rain at the temporary palace continued for a day and night, still drizzling by dawn the next day. But Deng Prefecture remained scorching. The thread holding the people’s patience snapped completely. Their dry eyes, bloodshot like spider webs, lost all light. Everyone became desperate. Starting with Wending and Qingyang counties, riots quickly spread to Mouping, Huang, and Penglai counties.

The speed caught Prince Jing Xiao Changyan, who governed Deng Prefecture, off guard. Though strict and decisive in military matters, and brave in battle, he now faced civilians – an entire prefecture’s worth.

Xiao Changyan planned to harshly suppress the largest riot that started in Wending County but was stopped by the Eleventh Prince, Prince Yan Xiao Changgeng: “Eighth Brother, you must not.”

“The people seek survival, they’re not vicious bandits. Wending led this – capture the leader first, take Wending and it will surely intimidate the other rebels!” Xiao Changyan said coldly.

“Eighth Brother, something’s amiss here.” Xiao Changgeng hurriedly explained. “If these were ordinary civilian riots, your method would work. But someone must be manipulating this. Previous dynasties had droughts lasting up to two years without such unrest. We brothers have been in Deng Prefecture for over a month, if not handling everything personally, at least doing our best. The people see this, even with the Imperial Astronomers’ prediction spreading.

Yesterday’s lack of rain disappointed and angered people, but as you said, they seek survival. How could they riot unless truly desperate? If you suppress them militarily now, they might think the court is abandoning them. They’ll only resist more desperately, making the chaos uncontrollable. How would we explain that to His Majesty?”

Xiao Changyan’s grip on his sword tightened, veins standing out. How could he not see the deception? But the instigators were cunning, inciting all of Deng Prefecture overnight, like arsonists setting fires everywhere, throwing the entire prefecture into chaos.

Without swift suppression, the unrest would snowball.

“We have troops everywhere. The people are just gathering to protest. Since they seek survival, why not release grain? Give them the means to live, and it will temporarily calm their anger while we investigate who’s causing trouble behind the scenes,” Xiao Changgeng suggested.

“Is there enough grain?” Xiao Changyan asked.

“Don’t worry, Eighth Brother. I’ve counted the population of each county. The grain we requested from the Ministry of Revenue has been gradually delivered to county granaries. It’s enough to feed each county for several days.” Xiao Changgeng nodded.

Xiao Changyan clapped Xiao Changgeng’s shoulder, saying gratefully: “Fortunate we followed your suggestion to send grain to the counties early, otherwise… I leave the rest to you. I’ll see who’s trying to trip us up!”

With that, Xiao Changyan strode off, sword at his waist.

Standing there, Xiao Changgeng’s lips curved slightly, though his smile held a touch of bitterness.

Back then, his suggestion to publicly send grain to Deng Prefecture’s counties was merely to reassure the people. How could he have known he’d become another piece in the Crown Prince’s game?

This Crown Prince brother of his could always use everything available, staying above it all, profiting quietly, doing evil yet leaving no trace of his hand in it.

“You caused the unrest in Deng Prefecture?” The news reached Shen Xihe quickly.

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