Qiao Ci shook her head, her foster child was so pitiful in every life.
"Why do you shake your head?" Lu Li was greatly alarmed. Had his father and brother met with misfortune, and was there no way to resolve it?
"It's nothing. Just wait at home. Your father and brother will return in triumph." Qiao Ci looked at Lu Li, who had peach blossom eyes but a very serious demeanor, and smiled.
In the plot, his father died because the Di tribes, suffering from years of drought, could no longer survive and had to fight to the death to achieve victory.
This time, with her present, such a thing would not happen again.
"Truly?"
"Truly."
Perhaps it was the psychology of people wanting to hear pleasant things, but Lu Li chose to believe Qiao Ci.
"I thank you for your kind words. It is getting late, so I shall not disturb you further." Lu Li left happily.
Everyone said that the young Daoist girl from the capital was very accurate at fortune-telling. If she said his father and brother would return safely, they surely would!
At night, Qiao Ci observed the celestial phenomena and calculated, "It's time."
Little Spoon saw that she was still pretending to be genuine even when no one was around and covered her mouth, stifling a laugh.
However, this time it was clever enough not to voice its thoughts.
On this night, the current Emperor had a dream that lasted all night. He dreamed of a young Daoist girl who could save all people from suffering, and this little Daoist had already arrived in the capital.
Upon waking, the Emperor savored the dream and found it exceptionally real.
He immediately prepared to leave the palace in disguise to see if such a person truly existed.
With two consecutive years of drought, the national treasury was empty, and the people were suffering. On top of that, the Di people were invading. He was so worried that his hair had turned quite white!
This diligent and benevolent ruler, accompanied by only a trusted eunuch, bought some steamed buns and squatted by the place mentioned in his dream, eating buns and waiting.
The eunuch beside him, clearly understanding the Emperor's temperament, was startled by his peculiar behavior and asked cautiously, "Your Majesty, what are you doing?"
"Don't ask, just wait." The Emperor couldn't explain his absurd actions prompted by a dream, so he could only glare at the eunuch and tell him to be quiet.
Upon hearing this, the eunuch obediently squatted with him. The Emperor shoved a steamed bun into his hand, "Eat."
"Oh, thank your Majesty..." The eunuch was about to kneel upon receiving the favor, but the Emperor quickly covered his mouth.
"No need for thanks. This is a secret visit!"
"Yes!"
"..."
Around the time the sun rose, a young girl came out to set up her stall. By then, many people had already gathered.
They had all heard that the young girl was adept at fortune-telling and were preparing to secure their spots to seek peace and inquire about the future for their elders and children.
When the Emperor saw Qiao Ci's face, his eyes brightened greatly!
It was her!
She looked exactly like the one in his dream!
He knew that true masters had their own demeanor, so he did not disturb her easily and watched quietly from the side as she told fortunes for the person at the very front of the queue.
The Emperor was somewhat taken aback when he heard she would only tell fortunes for two people.
Ah, this, his dream hadn't mentioned that.
Perhaps, since he had arrived the earliest, he was at the front of the line.
If he went up now, would it seem too abrupt?
However, the people could not wait any longer.
He asked the eunuch to wait nearby, then brazenly walked up, doing his best to appear approachable with his usually stern face: "Young girl, I'm not here for fortune-telling, but may I ask a question?"
Qiao Ci knew his identity and that meeting him was one of her objectives in coming to the capital, so she replied, "You may."
"I would like to ask, is there any hope for this drought?"
"There is."
Hearing the young girl's resolute answer, the Emperor felt that his dream was likely true.
After asking, he placed a gold ingot and left. He still had to rush to the imperial court. It was only because of a dream that he had postponed the morning court. Now that he had an answer, it was time to return to the court and make preparations.
"Your Majesty, where did you get this gold ingot?" On the way back to the palace, the eunuch was full of curiosity.
How could His Majesty carry such a large gold ingot himself? What if he got tired!
"Heaven's secrets cannot be revealed."
During the morning court, the Emperor directly issued an imperial edict, ordering Qiao Ci to be welcomed with the ceremony of a national preceptor, as indicated in his dream.
Qiao Ci had only returned to the inn not long before the imperial edict arrived.
When receiving the imperial edict, the eunuch who delivered it specifically stated that she could receive it without kneeling.
Qiao Ci was conferred the title of the first National Preceptor of the Chu Yun Kingdom, responsible for observing celestial phenomena and divining fortune and misfortune for the nation.
Qiao Ci was welcomed into the palace. The National Preceptor's mansion was still under construction and would soon be ready for her to move in.
Everyone was quite bewildered by the Emperor's actions, unsure how a quietly unknown young girl had caught his eye and was directly appointed as the National Preceptor!
However, the Emperor had strictly forbidden them from discussing the new National Preceptor, threatening severe punishment for any who did. Thus, everyone dared not say more.
Around the same time as yesterday, Lu Li came again.
However, he was informed that the female Daoist had already left, and he was immediately disheartened.
Following that, the innkeeper told him that Qiao Ci had been welcomed into the palace and had become the National Preceptor.
Lu Li was stunned, and in the next second, his eyes were filled with joy.
Did this not mean that what she said was highly credible? Even the Emperor was impressed by her and conferred an official title upon her. kuAiδugg
However, it was unrealistic to go to the palace to find her now. He would wait until the National Preceptor's mansion was completed before visiting.
On Shen Si's side, his leg could now walk normally.
Upon learning that the Di people were constantly harassing the border, Shen Si reignited his ambition, determined to return to the capital and reclaim the glory that belonged to him!
He was an invincible general, except for that one misjudgment!
He was determined to regain command of the army, drive the Di people back to their lairs, and restore peace and prosperity to the people!
Lou Qing believed in him.
Looking at Lou Qing, who had healed him and accompanied him throughout, Shen Si's eyes were full of love: "Qing Qing, I will return to my peak, and then I will marry you gloriously. I will give you a grand wedding, with ten miles of dowry, and I will be the betrothal gift. Qing Qing, I love you."
Looking at this tall and handsome man, Lou Qing was filled with adoration. She finally understood why she felt indifferent to other men in the twenty-second century.
Because her destined one was here.
Shen Si was her destined one.
He was a great hero and would be recorded in history.
He would go to the battlefield to fight, and her profession was a military doctor. Together, they would conquer the world!
At this moment, her heart was filled with immense ambition, feeling that coming here was for the purpose of accomplishing something great.
As Shen Si and Lou Qing returned to the capital, they heard that the Emperor had appointed a female National Preceptor.
It was said that the female National Preceptor would soon perform a ritual to pray for rain for the Chu Yun Kingdom!
Lou Qing chuckled lightly: "What female National Preceptor? My father, the Emperor, is old and muddle-headed. He's been deceived and doesn't even know it."
She did know about artificial rain, but she didn't quite understand the principle. Otherwise, she could definitely showcase her abilities, resolve the drought, and make the entire world fall for her.
"Qing Qing, that's your father! You mustn't speak like that." Shen Si frowned and quickly covered Lou Qing's mouth, preventing her from speaking further disrespectfully.
Lou Qing was unfazed: "Heh, if Father continues to believe the National Preceptor's flattery, then I don't need such a father!"