Kyoto.
Zheng Wei, the chief guard of the Eastern Palace, knelt before the Empress. His cheeks were swollen like steamed buns, with deep bloodstains on the skin.
These were inflicted by the Empress moments ago with her tender hand, adorned with finger sheaths.
Currently, the Empress, rubbing her hand which ached from the slapping, stared coldly at Zheng Wei. She tried to speak in a gentle tone, "Although the last mission failed again, it is fortunate that you investigated the background of that family, which counts as a small merit. I shall, for now, spare your life."
Zheng Wei's left and right cheek-buns pulsed as he spoke, his words slurred, "Your Majesty Empress, spare your servant's life. This subordinate will personally undertake the mission to atone for past failures and ensure its success."
The Empress nodded. "The news from Magistrate Guo of Tashah Prefecture indicates that the ones who harmed my son this time are primarily a couple surnamed Lu. These two seem to be the leaders of that Hong something Slope. If they are eliminated, the rest will naturally scatter like loose sand. This time, you only need to bring me the heads of this Lu couple. Should you fail, you are to… take your own life."
"Your subordinate obeys!" Zheng Wei said respectfully. This time, he only needed to procure the heads of a couple. How simple! Although Hong something Slope was heavily guarded and difficult to infiltrate, he would wait outside for them to emerge. He refused to believe they would never leave that wretched place.
The Empress had not given him a deadline; as long as he brought their heads to her, it would suffice. Zheng Wei was full of confidence. He was among the first batch of death guards personally trained by Black Face Fox, a master among masters. Taking the heads of two commoners was as easy as picking something from one's pocket.
In any case, Magistrate Guo had sent people to watch from afar, so he was not in a hurry. He would first let his facial injuries heal before departing. Going out with a swollen face would truly damage his male dignity and would not be conducive to putting on airs before Magistrate Guo.
He never expected the Empress, who appeared so delicate, to be so ferocious when striking. Zheng Wei raised a hand to caress his bun-like cheeks, immediately hissing in pain.
Regardless, his face was struck by the Empress, and he felt quite proud. Many people wished for the chance to be struck by the Empress, but they never had the opportunity. Yet, he could go to the Empress for a beating anytime, which could be considered a kind of… honor.
Clinging tightly to the Empress and the Crown Prince, when the Crown Prince ascended the throne, it would be the Empress Dowager who would strike him. That would certainly make a lot of people envious!
This morning, Red Tree Slope, training ground.
Bai Sheng, having finished her run, stood by the edge of the training ground, wiping her sweat and looking up at the sky.
Lu Ye saw her looking at the sky and followed her gaze upward.
Yang Ming and other members of the guard team saw their elder and madam looking at the sky, so they all looked up too, following their direction.
Everyone else, seeing the elder, madam, and the guard team all looking at the sky, also synchronously tilted their heads back to gaze upward.
After a long while, Bai Sheng shifted her gaze from the sky. Her eyes inadvertently swept across the众人, who were looking at the sky with synchronized movements, and she couldn't help but tremble, "Damn!" She had merely looked up at the sky, and it had caused such a widespread effect. In the future, if she were to look at the sky again, she would have to find a deserted place.
Lu Ye withdrew his gaze. "My dear, what is in the sky?"
Just as Bai Sheng was about to answer, she saw everyone staring at her with wide eyes, also wanting to know what was in the sky.
"Clouds."
Lu Ye and the others: "Clouds?"
"Yes, clouds," Bai Sheng nodded.
The crowd was puzzled: Isn't it normal to have clouds?
"Yes, it's very normal. Is there anything abnormal about looking at clouds? And what are you all doing?" Bai Sheng spread her hands towards them.
The crowd exchanged glances: Uh… hehe… haha…
Alas, it was a misunderstanding. Everyone dispersed. From now on, it's best not to easily follow others to look at the sky; it makes one seem… lacking in grace.
Only Lu Ye noticed the abnormality in Bai Sheng's expression. He asked with concern, "My dear, is there something wrong with these clouds?"
Bai Sheng glanced around. Seeing everyone resuming their exercises, she lowered her voice. "Previously, when I was confined in the slave quarters, I met an experienced old slave from the Qinghuang Kingdom. The old slave taught me a lot of common knowledge about observing celestial phenomena. He said there's a folk proverb in their Qinghuang Kingdom: 'Cotton clouds, rain is near.'"
To the non-existent old slave, she apologized. Her meteorological knowledge needed to be officially recognized.
"This… what does that mean?" Lu Ye felt his heart race because he heard the word "rain," the "rain" of "raining," which he hadn't heard in a long time.
Bai Sheng pulled Lu Ye aside and leaned closer to him. "Husband, look at the clouds in the sky. Do they resemble the cotton we grow in our space? White and fluffy?"
Lu Ye squinted and looked up at the sky. "They do, very much so."
Bai Sheng smiled. "That old slave said these are cumulus congestus clouds in the sky, also commonly called 'cotton clouds.' Once they appear, they usually indicate localized rainfall. If they appear in the morning or late morning during summer, they are usually a precursor to afternoon showers or thunderstorms."
Lu Ye looked at the training ground, grabbed Bai Sheng's hand, and led her further aside. He said excitedly, "My dear, are you saying it might rain this afternoon?"
Tashah Prefecture had not seen rain for over two years. If it truly rained, it would be a miracle. However, even a folk proverb couldn't guarantee rain. For now, it was only a guess from Bai Sheng, so it couldn't be publicized.
Bai Sheng nodded. "Very likely. However, it's a bit strange that most of those cumulus clouds are concentrated above Red Tree Village. There are almost no clouds above other areas."
Lu Ye looked up at the sky again. "Indeed!"
Bai Sheng said faintly, "Husband, do you still remember the virtuous climate cycle system I told Brother Ji about?"
"Yes, I remember," Lu Ye's eyes brightened.
Bai Sheng smiled. "I suspect that because Red Tree Village is planted with trees everywhere, it has gradually begun to have water vapor circulation. When we plant more trees and they grow larger, the climate of Red Tree Village will truly change and enter a virtuous water cycle system. It will be less arid like this in the future."
"This… this is wonderful!" Lu Ye was incredibly excited. "My dear, we must plant more trees in the future and turn the entire desert into an oasis!"
Bai Sheng smiled. "The desert is vast. Our efforts alone are far from enough. We will also need the support of Zuo Jing and Brother Ji."
Lu Ye snorted. "Then let that conceited king contribute more money."
"Hey! Lu Ye, are you still going to train?" Zuo Jing, the conceited king, shouted at Lu Ye from the side. He couldn't stand this fellow pulling the gloomy-faced Bai Sheng aside to openly show affection and poison their eyes and hearts with PDA.
Lu Ye gave him a cold glance, then slightly curved his lips and gently kissed Bai Sheng on the forehead with tender affection.
Provocation! This was an absolute, naked provocation! Prince Yu was so angry he stood with his hands on his hips, his nostrils flaring as he panted heavily.