tallest building

Chapter 334 The Emperor Prays for Rain

Due to the drought, the capital region is facing severe famine.

The emperor was also worried about this. After discussing it with the ministers in the court, they decided to go to the Water Dragon Temple on the outskirts of the capital to pray for rain.

"Your Majesty, I should accompany you to the Water Dragon Temple to pray for rain."

On this day, the Emperor came to the Empress's palace for a meal. The Empress, having learned of the news from the previous court, spoke in this manner.

The Emperor was drinking tea when he heard the Empress's words, but he did not rush to answer.

After taking a couple of sips of tea, he said, "It's too hot these days. You've always been most afraid of the heat, so you shouldn't go."

"This...this is unacceptable. Although Your Majesty is understanding, as the mother of the nation, I should also fulfill my responsibilities."

The Queen was naturally unwilling to go; the rain-seeking ceremony was tedious and complicated, and besides, the weather was so hot that it was hard to breathe.

Even with the water curtains and ice-cold treatments in the palace, she still found it difficult to endure; how much more so when she went to the outskirts of the city.

A group of people were kneeling, praying, and performing rituals under the sun, burning incense and paper money. Just thinking about it made her tremble with fear.

However, she really couldn't show the slightest unwillingness, as that would be too improper.

"Of course I know you are worried about the country, but I am truly concerned about your health. I have discussed this with several officials from the Ministry of Rites, and it is in accordance with the rites if I go in person, fasting and praying for three days in advance." The Emperor's tone was very concerned. "Therefore, there is no need for you to go. What would be the point if you fell ill as a result?"

"Your Majesty is so considerate to me, which makes me both grateful and ashamed." The Empress's eyes were slightly red.

The Emperor's words warmed her heart, showing that he still cared for her as much as before. But she was saddened that her family was no longer what it used to be; otherwise, she wouldn't have been so deeply moved by those words.

"You and I were husband and wife when we were young, and we have been together for more than twenty years. Even though you are the emperor and empress, you still have the companionship and understanding of an ordinary couple. In recent years, your health has been deteriorating, and I have been busy with the affairs of the court and have not been able to take care of you much. I will do my best to take care of the sacrificial rites for you. As for the other things that I cannot take care of, I have no choice but to do so."

"Your Majesty understands your heart. But please be very careful when Your Majesty goes to the outskirts to offer sacrifices for three consecutive days."

"It's nothing. I'll stay there for the next three days to avoid disturbing the people and save myself a lot of trouble."

"Your Majesty will be staying there, so please be careful about your diet and daily life. Other things are fine, but your food and drink these days are especially important. In my opinion, let Zhang Ma accompany you. She has been taking care of His Majesty's meals these days, which is to His Majesty's liking. Moreover, she can prepare vegetarian dishes very well, which is better than the chefs currently in the palace."

"Since the Empress says so, then let her go with her." The Emperor did not refuse.

"Someone go and tell Zhang Ma that from today onwards she must not touch meat. She will be leaving the palace with His Majesty the day after tomorrow. Tell her to prepare well in advance," the Empress immediately ordered.

Two days later, the emperor, accompanied by all his ministers and entourage, made a grand procession to the Water Dragon Temple on the outskirts of the capital.

When we set off, it was still dark. When we arrived there, we performed the first sacrifice at the appointed time.

By the time the ceremony was halfway through, it was already very hot. There hadn't been a single cloud in the sky these past few days, and everyone was suffering terribly under the scorching sun.

Zhang Ma was in charge of the Emperor's three meals a day, and she prepared cooling and heat-relieving foods in advance.

That night, the Emperor was reviewing memorials until midnight when he ordered someone to summon Zhang Ma.

Everyone assumed the emperor was hungry and wanted a midnight snack.

Zhang Ma then ordered someone to bring a small stove, a copper pot, and a copper basin for rinsing water.

"Your Majesty must be hungry. How about I make you some cold fish noodles? Seasoned with pickled cucumber, it'll be very refreshing," Zhang Ma said as soon as she entered the room, without waiting for the Emperor to give any instructions.

"This sounds good, you can make it." The Emperor put down his imperial brush and dismissed the servants.

The noodles used for the fish noodles were prepared in advance by Zhang Ma. She mixed refined wheat flour, lotus root starch, and rice flour in a predetermined ratio, added water, and then left them in a cool place for about half a day. The batter would then become slightly sour.

After boiling the water, carefully strain the batter into the boiling water using a special strainer; it will quickly set.

Once fully cooked, it will float in the water. Take it out, rinse it in cold water, and then add seasonings.

From the moment it's put into the pot to when it's ready, it only takes about half an incense stick's time, making it extremely quick and convenient.

"I haven't eaten this noodle dish since you left the palace," the Emperor said wistfully, looking at the bowl of noodles. "These days, I often dream of Jade Plum Palace, and of Consort Shen welcoming me under the plum tree..."

“Your Majesty, the Empress is long gone.” Zhang Ma knelt on the ground, tears soaking her clothes. “She and Commander Bu both died in pursuit, and this servant couldn’t even collect their bodies…”

"Not only can you not, but I can't either." The Emperor gently shook his head. "Back then, when there was a rebellion in the southern border, the Empress's uncle, Bian Qi, led troops to suppress it. Although the southern border was pacified, Bian Qi died for his country. The Empress's mother heard the news while she was ill and soon passed away as well."

"I can only posthumously honor meritorious officials and appease the Dong family. Therefore, the matter of the Imperial Concubine cannot be investigated thoroughly, otherwise the Bian family army stationed in the southern border might rebel."

"The Consort knew His Majesty was in a difficult situation, so she always avoided the Empress's sharp edge. She originally thought she could escape without being found by the Empress's people and give birth to the prince safely. She planned to find a way to return to the palace when His Majesty returned to the capital. Unfortunately, she ultimately failed to escape."

"Then how did you escape? That child... didn't that child also die in the chaos of battle?" The Emperor had understood Zhang Ma's hint and knew that Gong Chang'an was Shen Fu's child. Moreover, upon closer inspection, he did resemble Shen Fu very much.

But he couldn't quite understand what had happened in between. So, taking advantage of the opportunity to leave the palace to pray for rain, he brought Zhang Ma out to ask her for details.

"Your Majesty, please allow this old servant to tell you the story..." Zhang Ma then recounted their experiences along the way. "It was truly a blessing from heaven. If we hadn't met Lady Wen in the dilapidated temple, it would have been a dead end."

"You mean Wen Mingqian switched the prince with her own son? The one who died in the chaos was the palace's child..." The emperor was both shocked and impressed when he heard this. His previous impression of Wen Mingqian was nothing more than a gentle and dignified young lady who was good at perfumery.

They were unaware that she had performed such a righteous act.

"Yes! Her Highness the Consort never knew that the two children had been switched. Lady Wen told me that, given the Consort's temperament, she would definitely disagree. She told me to switch the two children while the Consort was asleep. Later, the Consort urged her to leave quickly to avoid being implicated. So she asked the Consort for an old servant, saying that she didn't have enough servants and they were all young. The Consort agreed, and she told me to serve Lady Wen well, and that it was very likely that I could escape with my life because of this." Zhang Ma recalled the situation from that year, sobbing as she spoke.