Shen Si's cold eyes were deep, and he couldn't help but sneer.
He was back, and no matter how many schemes and tricks she had, she wouldn't succeed.
She wanted to perform a ritual for rain, fine! But he had to make it clear beforehand, to let the Emperor know that their relationship was long severed, and no matter how much trouble she caused, it had nothing to do with him!
So, he had Lou Qing tell the Emperor that he had important matters to report. Before long, the Emperor summoned him.
"Your servant pays his respects to Your Majesty, long live Your Majesty!" Shen Si knelt on one knee, his demeanor neither servile nor overbearing, filled with pride.
"Shen Si? Your leg has healed? Truly heaven's assistance to me. First, the new State Preceptor entered my dreams, and then a fierce general has recovered. What a blessing for our Chu Yun Kingdom." The Emperor was in very good spirits upon seeing Shen Si's leg injury healed.
Shen Si looked at the Emperor, somewhat hesitant to speak.
"My esteemed minister, speak freely if you have anything to say." The Emperor, who could see his hesitation, smiled, being in a good mood today.
Shen Si chose his words carefully before speaking, "Your Majesty, is the new State Preceptor on the high platform named Qiao Ci?"
The Emperor's gaze was obscure as he retorted, "Indeed. Could it be that Shen Si knows State Preceptor Qiao?"
Shen Si actually didn't want to reveal his relationship with Qiao Ci, but to prevent the Emperor from being deceived, he confessed, "Yes! She was the stepmother I married for my children after I returned to my hometown. A while ago, she suddenly abused my six children, so I divorced her."
Upon hearing this, the Emperor's expression immediately turned grim, "What do you mean?"
Shen Si looked solemn, "Qiao Ci abused the children, and only then did I divorce her. I suspect Qiao Ci, in order to retaliate against my family, boldly came to the capital to deceive Your Majesty. She is merely a liar who has read a few books but possesses no real divine abilities. I hope Your Majesty can have her executed on the spot, lest the ritual fail to bring rain and cause a decline in the people's hearts, leading to even greater despair!"
The repeated mention of "divorce" almost made the Emperor laugh.
The Emperor looked at Shen Si with displeasure. Just as he was about to scold him, Lou Qing also stepped forward.
"Father Emperor, Shen Si speaks the truth. I, your daughter, have also inquired about that Qiao Ci. She is indeed just an ordinary village woman. I heard she was driven mad because she was disliked by Shen Si and his stepchildren. I never imagined she would dare to deceive Your Majesty! If this ritual fails, Your Majesty will also be implicated and cursed by the common people. I hope Your Majesty can cut losses promptly and have Qiao Ci executed!"
The Emperor was amused by their synchronized act.
"Heard, you say?"
He was aware of every move Lou Qing and Shen Si made. Did they really think they could deceive him by using a substitute palace maid recuperating in the palace?
Ever since Shen Si went to the countryside, he had sent people to follow him. Qiao Ci had a good reputation in the village. As for Lou Qing, the dignified princess consorting with a married man without a proper match, if she weren't his own daughter and Shen Si's healed leg wasn't useful, would she still be living so well?
As for Qiao Ci, he had investigated her background long ago. He had his doubts initially, but the moment he met the young girl, he believed what was in his dream.
Later, during their conversations, he was won over by her eloquent discourse.
Seeing the Emperor's dark expression as he looked at Shen Si and himself, without any intention of stopping Qiao Ci, Lou Qing felt a pang of displeasure.
She didn't know what kind of enchantment Qiao Ci had cast on Father Emperor to make him believe her nonsensical talk.
She knew this rain ritual would fail. In any case, she had already warned Father Emperor. If the people became unruly out of disappointment later, she wouldn't be responsible!
All six siblings, except for Shen Sisi who was still recovering from her facial injury, had secretly come to join the fun.
Lu Wu, with her sharp eyes, widened them in surprise when she saw that the revered new State Preceptor was Qiao Ci.
She tugged at Lu Yi's sleeve and exclaimed loudly, "Isn't that State Preceptor above our wicked stepmother? How did she become State Preceptor?"
Lu Er chimed in, "It's her! How did she become State Preceptor? If she's so powerful, will she take revenge on us?"
Shen Yi looked at Qiao Ci with hatred in his eyes. He had studied and knew what a State Preceptor was, and more importantly, what it meant if rain was brought forth.
Of course, he didn't believe his former stepmother could bring rain, but what if a blind cat stumbled upon a dead mouse?
The surrounding commoners heard them and began asking the children what was going on, and how the State Preceptor became their stepmother.
Shen Wu, who disliked Qiao Ci the most, pointed at Qiao Ci with her little finger and huffed, "She's our stepmother! My father divorced her. She also abused us siblings, she's a bad person!"
Shen Er seconded, "That's right, she's very bad! She's just a village girl, she doesn't know anything. Uncles and aunts, don't be fooled by her!"
The commoners immediately started discussing. Lu Li, who was not far away, heard them and squeezed through the crowd.
Looking at the children, he couldn't help but frown, "Don't speak carelessly. A girl's reputation is so important, and you're all shouting about it in public. How were you raised by your parents and elders?"
Having been with Qiao Ci for so long, he absolutely wouldn't believe she was a wicked stepmother. She was so mysterious, beautiful, and had such a powerful aura. It was hard to imagine what kind of outstanding man could be worthy of her, let alone her being a stepmother!
Shen Wu knew that children's words were innocent. She had initially been attracted to the handsome young man, but hearing him lecture her made her unhappy. "She really is a wicked stepmother! She didn't cook for us, didn't wash our clothes, and made us kneel. She's just bad!"
Lu Li's expression instantly turned unpleasant. He found it truly difficult to tolerate others insulting Qiao Ci, even if it was just a seven or eight-year-old girl.
"I don't know how you all concluded she is your stepmother. Just by the smug expressions with which you speak ill of your stepmother, it shows you lack upbringing." After saying this, Lu Li glanced around and said sternly, "Who is the father of these children? Isn't anyone going to manage them?"
Shen Wu, seeing that such a good-looking young man was questioning her upbringing again and again, became defiant. "You're the one who's uncultured! I'm not smug, na-na-na-boo! You've all been fooled, the new State Preceptor is a liar!"
Shen Wu was undoubtedly cute and adorable, and with her soft voice and playful expressions, it was easy to soften hearts. However, Lu Li only felt disgusted.
If she weren't so young, he really would have wanted to punch her smug face!
The commotion here was too loud, the Emperor noticed, so Lu Li and the five siblings were brought before the Emperor.
"What is this commotion about?" The Emperor looked at the chattering siblings with displeasure. He then looked at Lu Li, who was favored by the new State Preceptor, with a gentler expression and asked.