Lu Li also knew that arguing with a few children was somewhat shameful, but the moment he thought of these children spreading malicious gossip about Qiao Ci everywhere, he couldn't help but feel indignant.
After paying his respects to the Emperor, he spoke, "Your Majesty, this subject wishes to know whose family these children who have spoken ill are from..."
"Daddy!"
"Daddy, Aunt Qing, this handsome older brother is bullying us."
Lu Li looked up and saw that the children had already gotten up and were surrounding Shen Si.
He recognized Shen Si. The man was arrogant and self-important, causing the annihilation of a hundred thousand troops, yet he simply resigned from his post and left.
It was his father and brother who had sent people to comfort the families of the deceased soldiers one by one!
How could he still have the nerve to return?
Seeing him, Lu Li's impression of these children worsened. Like father, like son, it meant these children were not easy to deal with either.
Shen Si shot Lu Li a cold glance, "I don't know what my children have said that warrants young Master Lu's personal guidance?"
Lu Li was not afraid of him. "I was just saying, which family's children are so ill-bred? It turns out to be General Shen, who ran away after a defeat! I wonder if you've had vengeful spirits demanding your life in your dreams all these years, General Shen!?"
Shen Si clenched his fists. The Emperor felt that arguing in public was undignified, so he interjected, "Lu Li, do not be rude."
With this single sentence, whose side he was on was evident.
Shen Wu looked at the old man in imperial yellow clothes in front of her. Her eyes rolled. She stepped forward and knelt respectfully, "You must be Grandpa Emperor. My Daddy told me about you. You're very powerful~"
Hearing her call him Grandpa, the Emperor looked at Shen Si with an unreadable expression. "Did you teach her this?"
Shen Si knew the Emperor was displeased and quickly knelt. "Children speak without guile. I hope Your Majesty will forgive her."
Lu Li pouted from the side. "There are many who speak without guile, but others are cute and innocent. Yours, tsk tsk..."
"Lu Li, what do you mean?" Shen Si could not stand hearing anything negative about his children and immediately glared at Lu Li.
Lu Li ignored him and cupped his hands towards the Emperor. "Your Majesty, when I was downstairs, these little ones were slandering the new Imperial Tutor's reputation with their unrestrained mouths, which is why I argued with them. They falsely accused the Imperial Tutor of being their stepmother, using words like 'vicious' and 'tormenting.' In my anger, I didn't realize I had disturbed Your Majesty. I beg for Your Majesty's punishment."
"Do you know that Imperial Tutor Qiao was indeed their stepmother?" The Emperor looked at Lu Li with great interest. Qiao Ci only allowed him alone into the Imperial Tutor's manor, which suggested she had some intentions. Now, he would test Shen Si's attitude on behalf of Qiao Ci.
That's right, the Emperor believed in Qiao Ci from beginning to end. Although he was old, he was not foolish. Judging by her words, actions, demeanor, and cultivation, Qiao Ci was definitely not an ordinary person.
Furthermore, the few skills she had shown him had already earned his deep respect.
He never doubted that the prayer for rain today would be successful. That woman was so dazzling that even an emperor felt inferior. He wondered what Shen Si's taste was like, picking up sesame seeds and discarding watermelons.
"This subject does not know, but I do not believe what they say." Lu Li's expression faltered for a moment upon hearing this, but he quickly became resolute. He only believed what he saw.
"Why do you trust Imperial Tutor Qiao so much?" The Emperor's smile was almost overflowing. Lu Li had always had good judgment since he was young, just like him, hah.
"Firstly, I have some acquaintance with Imperial Tutor Qiao, and I trust her character and integrity. Even if she did torment these children, there must be a reason.
Secondly, and this is what I wanted to mention, when these children spoke of Imperial Tutor Qiao being vicious just now, their smug expressions truly startled me. Children should be innocent and lively, but not this sort of foul-mouthed and self-satisfied behavior.
Therefore, I believe these children have significant problems, and I trust Imperial Tutor Qiao!" Lu Li did not hold back his words just because they were children; instead, he analyzed them logically.
"Alas, it is fortunate that you, this child, are always thinking of Qiao Ci, and it is not in vain that she favors you." The Emperor said with emotion.
Shen Si: ...
Lou Qing: ...
Shen Wu: ...
Including the others, they all looked at the Emperor, confused as to what he meant.
Lou Qing, seeing that the Emperor was clearly siding with an outsider, was unhappy. "Father Emperor, why do you always speak up for Qiao Ci? This daughter has also investigated her. She is indeed just an ordinary woman. I was worried that you would be deceived, and if the rain did not come, it would affect your prestige among the people."
The Emperor glanced at her faintly. "Are you implying that I am old and foolish, unable to distinguish good from bad?"
Lou Qing knew the absolute nature of imperial power and quickly knelt. "This daughter dare not."
"My mind is made up, and there is no need for further persuasion. Even if it does not rain, I will give an account to the world, and it is not your place to worry about it. You should focus more on your matters with Shen Si." The Emperor almost revealed that she and Shen Si were involved.
Lou Qing understood. She thought her actions were secret, but they were all under the Emperor's surveillance. Her face turned red and pale. Only then did she comprehend the terror of imperial power and said nothing more.
The five siblings were also perceptive and all kept silent, waiting to see if Qiao Ci could bring the rain. At that time, the Emperor would surely punish her, and he would also know that they were telling the truth. Perhaps he would even reward them.
Qiao Ci gazed intently at the eastern sky, as if truly communicating with the gods.
"Host, it's quite lively over there. Your cub is speaking up for you, hehe. It seems he wasn't doted on in vain," Little Spoon reported to Qiao Ci after watching the show.
"Mm," Qiao Ci replied, her movements unchanged.
"Host, what are you doing? When will it rain?" Little Spoon was getting a bit bored and prepared to steal some techniques to see how the Host brought the rain.
"I am checking what is wrong with the Heavenly Dao of this small world," Qiao Ci did not conceal it.
Little Spoon looked at the sky through the system and saw no changes.
Not long after, dark clouds obscured the sun, and a strong wind began to blow.
Immediately after, one drop, two drops, three drops, cold raindrops fell onto everyone's faces and bodies.
A keen-eyed eunuch quickly held a large umbrella over the Emperor. The umbrella instinctively tilted towards Lu Li's direction. Shen Si, standing on the other side, was thoroughly drenched.
The children quickly huddled under the umbrella. Seeing their father looking dazed, Shen Wu pulled him under.
However, the large umbrella was ultimately limited in space. With so many people together, it instantly became crowded. But even in the cramped space, everyone had to leave enough room for the Emperor. Thus, Lou Qing stood close to Shen Si, their posture intimate, which made the Emperor frown.