The Emperor's veiled threat was clear.
Shen Muzhou clenched his fists, then after a moment, said, "This son obeys."
---
Two days passed quickly. Everyone in the manor, except for Lin Yanxi, was visibly nervous.
Lin Ze visited the prince's manor almost daily to check on Lin Yanxi.
"Zhaozhao, Father has prepared a carriage for you. You should go to the estate and hide."
"Zhaozhao, Father has found a great sorcerer who claims he can pray for rain and bless you with a child. He's very effective. Let him ascend the sacrificial altar in your stead."
Lin Yanxi rejected all these suggestions. As the day for the sacrificial altar approached, Lin Ze paced back and forth in the courtyard of Yue Luo Pavilion early in the morning.
Upon seeing Lin Yanxi, tears streamed down his face. He pleaded with her, using both soft and hard tactics, "Zhaozhao, you are Father's most beloved. I cannot stand by and watch you walk to your death. Don't worry about the Grand Tutor's manor. You and Yan'er should leave this place together."
"Whatever the consequences, Father will bear them."
Lin Yanxi felt helpless. She had repeatedly assured him that she would be safe today, yet Lin Ze remained worried.
After all, Nan Min had been experiencing drought for a year. Every method to summon rain had been tried, but not a single drop had fallen from the heavens.
What hope did a mere young girl have?
Shen Muzhou strode into the courtyard from outside. Lin Ze, upon seeing him, became furious and simply turned his back, not even bothering to greet him.
However, Shen Muzhou respectfully greeted Lin Ze, "Grand Tutor."
"Actually, Grand Tutor need not worry. Since Yanxi is confident, perhaps you should let her try."
Lin Ze retorted sharply, "Let her try? If she fails, her head will roll. It's not your daughter, so of course, you speak lightly."
"Father..." Lin Yanxi tugged at Lin Ze's sleeve.
Lin Ze stopped talking and continued to glare at Shen Muzhou.
He looked around and said in a low voice, "Grand Tutor, rest assured. I have already stationed people from the Dark Night Guard near the sacrificial altar. If any unforeseen event occurs, the Dark Night Guard will escort Lin Yanxi safely out of the capital, even at the cost of their lives."
Only then did Lin Ze grudgingly nod, "Mm, my Grand Tutor's manor will arrange for a reception."
Seeing that the relationship between the two had somewhat eased, Lin Yanxi secretly smiled.
She returned to her room with Li Zi. Li Zi's tray held a gilded, wide-sleeved fairy dress. The base color was a deeper smoky pink, which made her skin appear even fairer and more delicate when worn.
"Miss, the Prince specifically ordered this to be sent."
Lin Yanxi's fingertips brushed the long dress as she smiled, "His taste has always been good."
"Greetings, Your Highness, greetings, Grand Tutor. We are here to escort the lady." Eunuch Li flicked his horsetail whisk, waiting outside Yue Luo Pavilion.
After a short wait, the door opened, and Lin Yanxi emerged.
Her porcelain-white face was lightly powdered, her lips a perfect vermilion, and a floral embellishment adorned her brow. She walked up to Shen Muzhou, spread her arms slightly, and turned around, asking, "Does it look good?"
He was momentarily lost in her smile. "Beautiful."
She tilted her head and pressed, "Truly beautiful?"
He blushed slightly. She was so beautiful that one dared not look directly at her. He averted his gaze and nodded, "Mm, beautiful."
Beneath the parasol tree, the maiden's smile was radiant, like a beam of light piercing the darkness and illuminating his heart.
Eunuch Li stepped forward and praised, "I have been in the palace for many years and have seen all sorts of beauties, but only today, the second young lady of the Lin family, do I know what it means to be breathtakingly beautiful."
Lin Yanxi lowered her head shyly, "Eunuch Li flatters me."
"Is it time? Let's go."
Eunuch Li nodded, a hint of regret in his eyes. Such a beautiful and intelligent young woman, alas...
"Follow me, the imperial carriage is waiting outside."
The group walked through the prince's manor and arrived at the main gate. Shen Muzhou stepped past the others and helped her into the carriage, whispering, "Don't be afraid, I'm by your side."
Lin Yanxi always felt that his peach blossom eyes possessed a magical power, drawing one in with a single glance, making them sink into its depths.
The carriage moved slowly forward, with Shen Muzhou riding a tall horse beside it. On both sides of the street stood crowds of citizens and refugees. Upon seeing their carriage, they all knelt in reverence and then stealthily peeked inside.
The sight was astonishing. The woman in the carriage was as beautiful as a banished immortal descending to earth.
On either side of the sacrificial altar, several seating arrangements were laid out. The central high seats were for the Emperor and Empress. To their sides sat ministers with great power in the court, and members of the imperial family.
Shen Yu leaned back in his seat and yawned. Beside him sat Luo Wanwan, nervously fiddling with a handkerchief. Her small face was contorted with worry.
She whispered, "If... if she fails to pray for rain, Yanxi won't be alright, will she?"
Shen Yu's gaze was fixed on Luo Jingxin in the row ahead, and he was so engrossed that he completely ignored Wanwan's anxious emotions.
He replied perfunctorily, "With Xiao Jiu there, what can happen?"
Luo Wanwan saw his impatient reply and didn't bother him further. However, the grand setup of the sacrificial altar, with the Emperor and Empress in attendance, did not seem like it would end well.
Her brow furrowed, and she anxiously peered outwards.
Luo Jingxin sat in the front row, her hair adorned with pearls and jewels, which did not appear ostentatious. Her demeanor was dignified and outstanding, her every smile and glance exuding gentleness and nobility.
"Sister Jingxin, do you think Yanxi can truly pray for rain?" Shen Huajun asked, sitting beside her.
Luo Jingxin's smile was slightly stiff. A glint of malice flashed in her eyes, but her expression remained unchanged. "Who knows? Sister Yanxi has always been very capable."
Shen Huajun scoffed dismissively, "Tch, I think her talent for seducing men is quite impressive. Does she really think she's a living goddess, praying for rain?"
Luo Jingxin smiled with satisfaction. Shen Huajun was brainless; give her a slight hint, and she would spill everything.
As they spoke, Luo Qizhe stepped forward and bowed, "Greetings, Your Majesty. May the Emperor live ten thousand years."
He had refused to share a carriage with Shen Huajun, which led to Shen Huajun throwing a tantrum and forbidding the imperial carriage from picking him up, causing him to be delayed.
After offering his greetings, he took a seat several places away from Shen Huajun.
Shen Huajun's usually arrogant face lost its spirit upon seeing Luo Qizhe and became deflated.
People around them discussed the matter of praying for rain today.
"Is it true that this Lin Yanxi can pray for rain?"
"Tch, she's just an overconfident little girl. I heard the Empress taught her a lesson, and she's not happy, so she's staging this show."
"Does the rain in the sky listen to her? I think she's just a crude, ignorant woman confined to the inner chambers, who doesn't even know how to write the word 'death'!"
Luo Qizhe sat to the side, gently fanning himself. His demeanor stood out most among those around him. He said leisurely, "I believe she has that capability."
"You few are not shallow women who have lived only within the inner chambers, yet why are you more prone to backbiting than gossips?"
The few people, hearing Luo Qizhe's words, were about to retort when one of them pulled him back, shook his head, and whispered in his ear, "This is the Prince of Dongyang."
Dongyang had been very prominent in Nan Min these past few days. His Majesty had bestowed many favors upon the prince, showing his regard for Dongyang. They were merely distant members of the imperial family and could not afford to offend this prince.
The group was stumped and fell silent. The seats became quiet.
Shen Huajun watched this scene and angrily slammed a porcelain cup, letting out a muffled "bang."
She understood Luo Qizhe best. He had always been cautious, yet he had been involved with Lin Yanxi multiple times, helping her resolve matters of disaster relief funds, and today he spoke up for her.
How could she say they had no connection!
"Lin family's second young lady, Lin Yanxi, arrives—"
Eunuch Li announced from the front. Shen Muzhou reined in his horse, dismounted, and personally helped Lin Yanxi out of the carriage.
A dense crowd of citizens surrounded the altar. Seeing the imperial carriage arrive, they parted to create a path.
Lin Yanxi slowly walked towards the sacrificial altar. Everyone's gaze was drawn to her beauty. When she appeared without makeup in the past, people mostly saw her as a delicate and lively young girl.
Today, she wore a gilded dress, and the sunlight shone upon her, making her dazzling. With a touch of makeup on her face, her porcelain-white skin gained a rosy hue, her lips were red, and her almond-shaped eyes were captivating and alluring.
She possessed a charm that could make men fall for her with a slight smile, yet her demeanor was ethereal, making her seem like a celestial maiden descended to earth, to be admired from afar, for even to covet her would be to defile a deity.
She walked beside Shen Muzhou, and together they proceeded to the sacrificial altar to pay their respects to the Emperor and Empress before commencing the prayer for rain.
The dress today was rather elaborate, with a long train trailing behind that lay on the ground, making her seem a little clumsy.
Shen Muzhou deliberately slowed his pace, walking behind her, and gently lifted the trailing hem of her skirt.
Eunuch Li watched from the side and said, "Time is up, pray for rain—"
During the nearly year-long drought, several masters who claimed to have received divine assistance had been invited to the sacrificial altar to pray for rain. These individuals danced and jumped around the platform, even using the blood of newborn infants for sacrifices.
Yet, none of them succeeded. Those so-called 'masters' were all executed on the spot.
As a result, no one dared to come to the sacrificial altar to pray for rain. Today, Lin Yanxi had come, even voluntarily requesting the imperial decree.
"Then this humble subject will begin."
She bowed, her expression still smiling, but her small hands in her sleeves involuntarily clenched. She looked at the crowd gathered below and the people seated on the sides.
Lin Ze and Luo Wanwan looked at her worriedly, their brows tightly furrowed. Only Shen Muzhou stood behind her, nodding at her resolutely.
Lin Yanxi put on a show, sitting cross-legged on a futon on the ground. Before her were placed an image of Guanyin and three sticks of incense.
She deliberately raised her voice and asked, "Guanyin Bodhisattva above, Lin Yanxi, legitimate daughter of the Lin clan of Nan Min, has come to pray for rain."
Everyone present watched Lin Yanxi's actions in silence.
But after a long wait, no rain fell.
Shen Qingyun, seated closest to the Emperor of Nan Min, gave a sarcastic laugh. "A clown."
He cursed inwardly, "Seeking death."
The drought in Nan Min was a matter that concerned the hearts of the people and was the most pressing issue to be resolved. At this critical juncture, when public sentiment was unstable, he used this incident, linking it to Lin Yanxi's fate, clearly intending to condemn her to death.
He sat there composedly, looked up at the sun hanging high in the sky. Even though it was autumn, the sun was still scorching hot, with not a single dark cloud in sight.
He was simply waiting to see how Lin Yanxi would die.
After waiting for a while longer, the sky showed no change. Whispers began to spread around.
"The sky doesn't look gloomy at all. There's no sign of rain."
"I think it would have been more believable if that charlatan had danced a bit."
"Exactly. This Lin Yanxi really thinks she's omnipotent. Now let's see how she ends this."
The murmurs grew louder. Luo Wanwan and the Lin family members, seated at the banquet, were all sweating for Lin Yanxi.