tallest building

Chapter 347 Fate Arrives

Within half a month, rumors began circulating in the capital that the Dong family was about to make a comeback.

The reason was that the emperor had issued an edict appointing Dong Siyue as the chief inspector to patrol the southwest.

This is clearly a way to let him gain merit, so that he can be further rewarded with honors upon his return.

The Empress was also very pleased to know this, as Dong Sicheng was her elder brother and Dong Siye was her younger brother.

Originally, her younger brother was quite useless and even somewhat hopeless; otherwise, he wouldn't have only reached the rank of a fourth-grade official when the Dong family was at its peak.

However, times have changed, and Dong Sicheng cannot be reinstated anytime soon. The emperor and his ministers are well aware of this, as are the Dong family members.

However, Dong Siyue was still considered clean, which shows that the Emperor still had feelings for the Dong family.

"Whenever I think of the kindness of the Grand Tutor in supporting my ascension to the throne, my heart is filled with sorrow. I also cannot bear to see the Empress worrying about her family and wasting away her life." This is what the Emperor said to the Empress.

This was naturally a great comfort to the Empress, and her mood improved considerably.

On this day, Wang, the wife of Dong Sicheng, and Mao, the wife of Dong Siye, came to the palace to pay their respects, both with beaming smiles.

"His Majesty specially ordered people to bestow many gifts upon the Grand Tutor yesterday, and said that the Grand Tutor is old and there is no need for thanks, so I thought I had to go to the palace no matter what," Wang said with a smile.

Rewarding the Grand Tutor was essentially rewarding the Dong family; the sheer amount of valuable gifts clearly demonstrated the high regard in which they were held.

“Yes, it’s all because His Majesty cares for the Empress so much that he’s so considerate of the Dong family. The Second Master has been talking about it every day these days, saying that he must be on his best and do his job well to repay His Majesty and the Empress,” Madam Mao added hurriedly.

"The Dong family has always been grateful for the Emperor's favor," the Empress said, her tone tinged with pride. "His Majesty is well aware of this and will not forget the Dong family's contributions."

“This is all thanks to Her Majesty the Empress and the Grand Tutor,” Wang said, her eyes reddening. “That good-for-nothing Gang’er has brought trouble to the Dong family and saddened Her Majesty the Empress.”

"Don't say that. He was tricked." The Empress trusted her relatives. "We were all deceived by Chen at first, thinking she was on our side. Later we realized that she was very cunning. She ruined the Dong family and then tried to scheme against me, but she didn't expect that those who do evil will surely perish."

"But how can people know these things? Gang'er has already been convicted, and who knows when he will be able to get out of this predicament." The thought of her son suffering in exile was like a knife to Wang's heart.

"Sister-in-law, don't be sad anymore. There was nothing we could do before, but now it's up to us." Mao deliberately dragged out the words "it's up to us."

"Yes, Your Majesty, we have come to the palace firstly to express our gratitude, and secondly, we have something important to discuss." Madam Wang knew that if things went well today, her son would most likely be pardoned.

"What important matter is making you so solemn?" the Empress asked, somewhat curious.

"A Taoist master named Qingxuzi has come to the capital. He's truly amazing!" Madam Wang's eyes lit up when she mentioned Qingxuzi. "It was Lady Yunyang who told us about him. At first, we didn't quite believe it, but we thought it would only cost us some money, so we invited him. As soon as he entered the door, he didn't say a word. He only asked for a bowl of water. After walking around in front of the second gate, the water became murky."

They said our family was being plagued by bad luck, and the best thing to do was to set up an altar and perform a ritual. After seven days, it would be effective.

Your Majesty knows that the Grand Tutor has been ill these days, and my husband and I are also feeling unwell. We've probably taken a whole cartload of medicine in the past few months.

But after the procedure, he felt incredibly light, and even the Grand Tutor's appetite improved considerably.

"Yes, yes, and then the Emperor bestowed gifts and issued an imperial decree," said Madam Mao. "Isn't that a miracle? How could it have come true so effectively if it weren't?"

"That Taoist priest said that the Dong family's bad luck can only be resolved to this extent. If they want their fortune to improve, the key lies with Her Majesty," said Madam Wang. "We thought about it and it's true. Only when Her Majesty is well can the Dong family be well. Her Majesty has been working very hard these days, but we can only feel sorry for her and can't do anything useful." Madam Wang said earnestly, "Why don't we ask that Taoist priest to come to the palace to offer a prayer? Even if it doesn't work at all, Your Majesty won't lose anything."

The two women, one on each side, tried to persuade him, repeatedly saying that Yu Xuzi was incredibly capable.

How could the Empress not be tempted? She had been through so much trouble these past few days, and was constantly filled with suspicion.

When a person is physically and mentally exhausted, their will can no longer be firm.

If at this time a trustworthy person tells him that they can help him through magic, he will most likely be tempted.

“Your Majesty, now I’m thinking about how Chen and the eldest princess prayed for our Dong family at Yuqing Temple back then. I’m afraid it wasn’t a good thing.” Wang couldn’t help but feel resentful when she mentioned the two of them. “If they can pray for blessings, then they can also curse. Chen is good at cursing, so I’m sure she has cursed Your Majesty the Empress quite a bit.”

“Yes! Since she dared to curse the Crown Prince, how could she not curse you? In my opinion, we must help to remove the curse, and perhaps Your Highness will be at peace from now on,” said Madam Mao.

“In that case, let’s choose a day to summon him to the palace.” The Empress had no objection. “They say that when you’re desperate, you’ll try anything. Just like you said, at most it’ll just cost some money, and the losses will be limited.”

“Your Majesty is right,” said Madam Wang and Madam Mao. “Besides, it’s not just our family that thinks he’s effective; the news has spread throughout the capital. Now, people who want to invite him are lining up, but he says he only helps those who are destined to be with him!”

“We think this Qingxuzi is truly capable. No matter who he helps, he doesn’t ask for much money, and he even returns any extra money he receives. If he were really a greedy and unscrupulous person who only cares about money, he would be eager to ask for more,” Wang said.

"I also heard that he didn't use the money he took for himself; he gave it all to beggars outside the south gate," Mao said.

People often think that truly capable people are aloof and unconventional, and their actions are unpredictable and cannot be judged by common sense.

"If it really comes true, that would be good. I've been gritting my teeth and enduring it all these years." The Empress sighed deeply. "I didn't believe in ghosts and gods before, but since the Emperor and I both had the same dream this year, I have no choice but to believe!"

"It is said that sincerity brings results. Her Majesty the Empress is sincere, so the time is right. Otherwise, why would the Taoist priest come to the capital at this particular moment? That's why there's the saying 'when the water is ready, the channel is formed'!" Madam Wang and Madam Mao sincerely hoped that the Empress would let Yuqingzi enter the palace.

If the Empress recovers, then they will naturally recover as well.