Chapter 54: Heavy Rain
After her rank was elevated to Shuyi, the Inner Court Administration sent several more palace maids to Longyu Pavilion.
Lan Wu had been listening idly as the names were read out, but when she heard those two familiar names at the end, she slightly raised her eyes to glance over.
These two, one named Lian Qiao and the other Mujin, were different from her previous life—now they had only arrived at her palace after she was promoted to Shuyi.
There was nothing to fault in their work.
But in her previous life, she had inexplicably fallen asleep and woken up in Luoying Court, and neither of these personal palace maids was by her side.
Had they been bribed long ago, or were they someone else’s servants from the start?
Lan Wu’s gaze was heavy, falling upon those below with an intensity that made them tremble with fear. Even the eunuch from the Inner Court Administration who had come seeking rewards grew suspicious, looking at these palace maids and wondering which one this imperial consort was dissatisfied with.
So he cautiously asked, “If Your Highness is dissatisfied with them, please tell this servant. I will immediately go and select others, ensuring to choose palace maids who will satisfy Your Highness.”
Lan Wu watched quietly and said indifferently, “Let them stay. I am not a particularly demanding mistress. As long as they work diligently in my palace and remain obedient, rewards will not be lacking.”
As soon as she finished speaking, the eunuch hurriedly reminded them, “Why haven’t you thanked Her Highness for her grace?”
The palace maids and eunuchs thanked her in unison.
Lan Wu looked at Lian Xi, signaling her to give out the rewards.
Since these people had the audacity to come before her, she would naturally play along. If she were to drive them away like this, who knew if others she didn’t recognize would be planted in their place?
Having Lian Qiao and Mujin here was just right—it would allow her to follow the clues and see exactly whom these two servants served.
After the palace maids withdrew, Lan Wu called Lian Xi over.
“Have more people keep an eye on them, especially those two named Lian Qiao and Mujin. Watch them closely.”
Lian Xi’s expression turned serious. Without asking further questions, she replied, “Yes.”
In early June, a clap of thunder from the horizon interrupted Lan Wu’s thoughts as she was reading.
The sound came suddenly, a startling thunderclap that made her drop what she was holding, a surge of unease and panic welling up in her heart.
The palace maids were busy outside, sweeping away the leaves blown down by the wind. The sky outside darkened, and distant black clouds gradually drew closer.
Lian Xi had just entered the hall intending to light the candles, as once the sky grew dark, Her Highness might strain her eyes if she continued reading.
But after lighting the candles, she noticed Her Highness was no longer reading.
Lan Wu stood up and walked to the entrance of the hall. Outside, a fierce wind howled, and the draft through the hall dispelled the summer heat.
“Your Highness, be careful not to catch a chill from the wind,” Lian Xi said, about to fetch a cloak for her.
Lan Wu gently shook her head.
She looked up at the sky with a slightly strange expression, feeling as though she had forgotten something important.
Seeing this, Lian Xi said, “It’s likely going to rain heavily soon, Your Highness. But summer rains usually don’t last long, so there’s no need to worry.”
Hearing these words, Lan Wu’s eyes suddenly widened as she finally remembered what she had forgotten.
Heavy rain.
Days of continuous heavy rain.
In her previous life, in late August, the regions of Wenzhou and Shuozhou in Qiunan experienced half a month of relentless heavy rain. The downpour caused riverbanks to swell, and the floodwaters breached the embankments that had just been repaired the year before. The flood disaster resulted in immense casualties, with refugees scattering in all directions.
After heavy rains came plague, but fortunately Chu Mingheng had anticipated it. The imperial decree was issued swiftly, and the officials dispatched were competent, preventing the plague from spreading and promptly controlling the situation.
Lan Wu only knew that during that period in her previous life, she often heard Your Majesty discussing matters with court officials in the Imperial Study. Not only did she dare not approach, but everyone in the rear palace also refrained from causing trouble during that time, allowing peace to prevail for quite a while.
When everything was finally settled, Chu Mingheng held each person accountable, issuing decrees to behead many, leaving the entire court in fear.
Perhaps it was precisely because of this flood that, by the following year, Chu Mingheng would journey to Changyong Mountain to perform the sacrificial rites to heaven.
Now, there were still over two months until that flood.
If she could inform Chu Mingheng in advance, allowing him to send people to prepare and prevent it, perhaps so many lives wouldn’t be lost in that flood. However, the emperor’s heart was unfathomable. How could she subtly hint at this matter to Chu Mingheng?
If her attempt failed and she was instead accused of witchcraft or nonsense, she wouldn’t be able to explain herself even if she had reason on her side.
Lian Xi watched as Lan Wu tightly gripped the doorframe, her body trembling, and softly whispered, “Your Highness, are you cold?”
Lan Wu snapped back to reality and shook her head hurriedly, pacing back and forth in the hall.
Since she already knew about this matter, she couldn’t just stand by and do nothing. So many lives were lost, and she wasn’t heartless enough to watch it happen without taking action.
She knew nothing about court affairs, but she understood best how to make Chu Mingheng feel for her.
Lan Wu stopped and gazed intently at the dark clouds gathering outside.
“I’m going to see His Majesty.”
Lian Xi followed her in confusion, anxiously trying to dissuade her. “Your Highness, it’s about to rain. If you get wet, this servant would be guilty of a grave offense.”
But Lan Wu shook her head, instructing Lian Xi to stay in the hall. She glanced at Lian Qiao, who was sweeping outside, and called her over.
Since entering Longyu Pavilion, Lian Qiao and Mujin had been assigned only menial tasks. Now that Her Highness was calling her to go out together, she was more than willing.
“Your Highness, please wait a moment. This servant will go fetch an umbrella.”
Lan Wu nodded, urging her to hurry.
Lian Xi, however, glanced uneasily at the sky again. Although the Imperial Study wasn’t far from Longyu Pavilion, traveling by procession would still take some time. Moreover, Her Highness didn’t seem to intend to use the procession.
“Your Highness, should we bring a cloak?”
It was still summer, and though the wind had picked up, it wasn’t that cold. Lan Wu declined. When Lian Qiao returned with the umbrella, she led her out of the palace gate.
Walking briskly along the palace path from Longyu Pavilion, the rumbling thunder overhead grew closer.
Lan Wu’s expression remained calm as she pondered how to bring up the matter of the flood in front of Chu Mingheng.
On the palace path, there were fewer palace maids and eunuchs moving about.
But upon seeing Lan Wu walking hurriedly, they quickly stopped and bowed in greeting, though they couldn’t help but wonder where she was headed.
Such were the palace rules—no one dared to look too closely.
Almost as soon as Lan Wu arrived at the Imperial Study, the heavy rain began to fall.
The wind carried the rain, and Lan Wu couldn’t help but sneeze softly.
Chen Kangan, sharp-eyed, recognized her from afar and hurried forward.
“This servant greets Your Highness. Your Highness, this is…”
Lan Wu stood under the corridor, slightly out of breath from the hurried walk. “I’ve come to see His Majesty. Can he see me?”
“Your Highness, please wait a moment. This servant will go and announce you.” With that, Chen Kangan quickly turned and headed toward the main hall.
Lian Qiao shielded Lan Wu from the wind and suddenly spoke up, signaling to Lan Wu: “My lady, that is Yunqing, the palace maid serving Lady Shufei.”
Following her gaze, Lan Wu saw Yunqing waiting under the corridor on the other side.
Yunqing stood tall to one side, her face expressionless as she lowered her head, watching the raindrops fall.