527 Flood
Zhang Yufei had always taken pleasure in stepping on Zhang Shuangshuang. Originally, her engagement to Li Jing was a joyful occasion.
But now, with Zhang Shuangshuang doing this, she could not even afford the embroiderer to make clothes for her, and the dowry she got was very little. All of this was a slap to her face.
Without a generous dowry, it would not be easy for her to gain a foothold in the Li family. Her future was shrouded in darkness. Other than crying, Zhang Yufei cursed Zhang Shuangshuang vehemently in her heart. She even made a voodoo doll to vent her anger on, but what was the use?
…
In late September, many refugees surged into the capital.
The entire capital fell into a tense atmosphere.
From August to September, it continued to rain in Jiangzhou, drowning many villages. The grains were all soaked in the rain.
Some people said that it was a demon causing trouble.
The crown prince, Xia Hongyuan, requested to go to Jiangzhou to help with the disaster. The emperor allowed it.
Xia Hongyuan left the capital with Xia Qiluo and the two elders, Xu Qing and Xu Ran.
Third Prince, Xia Hongming, lost a good opportunity to prove his ability and accumulate merits. After returning home, he flew into a rage.
He wanted to get someone to invite Wu Ju over, but the servant said that Wu Ju had left the mansion. Xia Hongming kicked him a few times in anger. “Useless trash, don’t you know that you should follow him at all times? If he leaves just like that, where am I supposed to find him?”
Wu Ju had no interest in women. Even the top courtesan of Yuqiong Pavilion could not seduce him.
He was not greedy for money. No matter how much money Xia Hongming promised him, it would not change his mind.
Wu Ju did not like fame or fortune either. Xia Hongming did not know what he wanted.
The more Xia Hongming thought about it, the angrier he became. The servant trembled. “We followed, but Master Wu Ju seemed to have noticed it and shook us off. Master Wu Ju is a capable person…”
If Wu Ju did not want anyone to follow him, ordinary people like them would not be able to catch up.
Xia Hongming was furious. “Trash, trash, all of you are trash!”
While Xia Hongming was in a fit of anger, a servant ran in and reported. “Third Prince, Master Wu Ju is back.”
Xia Hongming was delighted. “Hurry up and invite him over.”
Wu Ju walked in calmly. “Your Highness!”
Xia Hongming was both happy and angry. “Where did you go?”
Her tone was a little complicated, like a woman complaining about her husband. She loved him and hated him, but couldn’t leave him.
Wu Ju said calmly, “I went to observe the weather.”
Seeing that Wu Ju’s expression was calm, as if he had no intention of leaving, Xia Hongming was relieved. “What about the weather?”
Wu Ju said slowly, “The weather in Jiangzhou. Crown Prince can’t tame the flood at this time. Third Prince, you can volunteer to go there.”
Xia Hongming was delighted. “Really?”
If the Crown Prince could not tame the flood, he would be criticized for being incompetent. On the other hand, if Xia Hongming could manage to stem the flood, he would definitely take another step closer to his goal.
Wu Ju nodded. “This is an opportunity. Third Prince, if you’re willing to take the risk, you can try. Everything is unpredictable. It’s up to you.”
Xia Hongming said seriously, “Of course I have to go. It’s said that there’s a demon causing the flood in Jiangzhou. As a prince of the royal family, even if I don’t go to treat the water, I have to show concern for the people there.”
Wu Ju nodded slightly. “I’ll take my leave first.”
Xia Hongming nodded. “Master Wu Ju, can you go there with me?”
Wu Ju smiled. “Of course.”
Xia Hongming was relieved.
Wei Shilai received the imperial edict and prepared to leave for Jiangzhou.
Mrs. Wei packed his luggage for him. “Master, why don’t you ask Miss Liu to go along? Miss Liu might have already sensed something about this.”
Wei Shilai nodded. “I’ll go tomorrow morning to ask her.”
Mrs. Wei nodded.
Wei Meng had also reached the age of marriage. There were several families in the capital who had the intention to marry her. Mrs. Wei wanted to ask Wei Shilai about his opinion, but the flood in Jiangzhou was so serious that Mrs. Wei did not want to burden Wei Shilai further at this moment, so she did not bring it up.
She thought that it would be the same to tell Wei Shilai after he came back. After all, they only had one daughter. Marriage was a big deal, so they had to choose slowly.
At night.
Liu Sanniang felt that she was in a dark place. Slowly, she heard sobbing. Gradually, she could see.
Not far in front of her, a woman knelt in front of her, crying. “Save me, save me. I can’t take it anymore.”
Liu Sanniang looked at her. The woman kept crying. “Miss Liu, save me.”
The woman seemed to want to say something, but Liu Sanniang could no longer hear her. She had already woken up.
It was still dark outside. Liu Sanniang got up and gently opened the door to the courtyard. General Black instantly woke up and walked to her side silently.
Liu Sanniang looked at the sky. The evil source was getting stronger and stronger.
Liu Sanniang stood up and went to the kitchen to make noodles. This was a rare occasion where Chu Yan didn’t wake up earlier than her.
After preparing all the seasonings, she put the noodles into the boiling pot.
When Chu Yan got up, they could eat together.
After a while, Chu Yan came over and said, “Let’s leave in a while.”
Liu Sanniang looked at Chu Yan. “I had a dream last night. I don’t know if it has anything to do with Jiangzhou. I was about to say…”
Chu Yan smiled faintly. “Yes, I smell a stench coming from Jiangzhou.”
Liu Sanniang felt sorry for him to be able to smell it. The stinkiest thing in the world was sin. Chu Yan must be suffering a lot.
There was a knock on the door.
General Black opened the door and Wei Shilai came in.
Wei Shilai smiled at Liu Sanniang and said, “Miss Liu, the emperor has already ordered me to go to Jiangzhou to investigate.”
Liu Sanniang said, “Lord Wei, have you eaten? If not, let’s eat together. Chu Yan and I are already preparing to go to Jiangzhou.”
Wei Shilai frowned. “Is there evil in Jiangzhou too?”
Wei Shilai had never forgotten that where there was evil, there was Liu Sanniang.
He sighed after a moment. “I’ve eaten. I’ll set out first to gather information. I’ll tell you about it when you arrive.”
Liu Sanniang nodded. “Be careful on the way.”
It had been more than a month since the flood in Jiangzhou. If not for the huge influx of refugees, people in the capital would still be unaware of it.
As soon as he received the news, the emperor sent the crown prince to fix the flood and comfort the people.
The refugees said that it was a demon causing trouble. In the water, many people saw a big worm that was thicker than yellow barrels. The yellow barrels were big barrels used by the commoners to store food. Each of them had the thickness of three grown men hugging together.
All the elders of the Cloud Breaking Sect had been mobilized. From this, it seemed very likely that there was a demon involved. What the refugees saw was also very likely true.
After Liu Sanniang and Chu Yan finished eating, they quickly packed up and prepared to go.
Su Yanyu happened to come over with a pot of chicken. Seeing that Liu Sanniang and Chu Yan were about to go out, he asked in surprise. “Miss Liu, are you going on a long trip?”