Dad, open the door. I'll bring your mistress back for you.

Just as Shen Chuning was about to go out, she heard a conversation outside the door.

"Is that the one who just left, the second son of General Dingguo's Zhou family? Why is his arm wrapped in such a thick bandage?"

"Yes, it's Zhou Lin, Zhou Hanzhi. I heard that he was injured by General Zhou."

"This Mr. Zhou Er looks very handsome. What crime did he commit to deserve such a severe punishment?"

Hearing that Zhou Lin was injured, Shen Chuning wanted to chase out to see what was going on, and then she heard the two people outside the door continue talking.

"It is said that he redeemed Miss Sisi from Furong Pavilion and is now raising her in..."

The two people who were talking gradually walked away, and Shen Chuning was unable to hear the rest of the conversation. However, just what she heard was enough to shock her.

No wonder she saw him standing in front of Hibiscus Pavilion that morning.

Oh, it was a waste that she had come up with so many excuses for him.

"Miss?" Birui called softly to Shen Chuning who was lost in thought.

"It's okay, let's go." Shen Chuning came back to her senses, opened the door, and walked out of the room first.

……

It was the end of July and still not a drop of rain had fallen.

Reports from all over the country indicate that the drought is becoming more severe. If it continues, there may be no grain harvest.

Various state capitals held sacrificial ceremonies to pray for rain, but to no avail.

The second master of the Yun family, who served as the prefect of Weinan, had already led local farmers to eradicate the corn that was about to die of drought and plant potatoes and sweet potatoes instead, at the suggestion of Shen Chuning.

On the first day of August, Emperor Yongjing, dressed in white cloth and straw sandals, led all civil and military officials out of the palace on foot to the Shanchuan Altar.

Emperor Yongjing knelt on a straw mat covered with thorns, letting the scorching sun beat down on him. When night fell, he did not even take off his clothes, but lay down on the mat to spend the night.

In terms of diet, they only eat dry biscuits made from whole grains.

Several older ministers fainted on the second day, and the young and strong prince could only barely hold on until the morning of the third day.

However, on the fourth day, the originally clear sky suddenly became gloomy.

The sun, hanging high in the sky, suddenly lost a corner. Everyone thought it was blocked by dark clouds and cheered, shouting "The rain has fallen from the sky, and the emperor is wise."

But gradually people realized that something was wrong. The sun was being eroded at a regular rate visible to the naked eye.

"This... this is a solar eclipse." An old minister with a white beard shouted.

All the ministers looked up at the sky in horror until the sun was completely swallowed up and they could not see their hands in front of them on the mountain and river altar.

"It really is a solar eclipse."

"This is a very bad omen."

"Usually, such signs will only appear when the emperor's virtue is lacking."

"Our Majesty is diligent in his work and loves his people. How could such a phenomenon occur?"

The ministers who came together to pray for rain discussed this.

However, when the sun reappeared in the sky, everyone found that Emperor Jing had fainted on the straw mat.

"Your Majesty—" Dequan, the chief eunuch beside Emperor Jing, was the first to notice that something was wrong with the emperor and shouted, "Quickly call the imperial physician!"

For a moment, the scene became chaotic and ministers gathered around. Some tried to wake up Emperor Jing, while others suggested sending the emperor back to the palace for treatment immediately.

Finally, with the emergency treatment of the imperial physician, Emperor Jing regained consciousness, but his physical condition was still very weak.

This incident plunged the court into panic. People began to doubt whether the solar eclipse was really an ominous sign. Emperor Jing's illness was even more worrying because the imperial physician could not find out the reason for Emperor Jing's fainting and concluded that it was caused by anger.

Some believed it was a punishment from heaven on the emperor, while others worried that the country would face disaster.

At this critical moment, the court needed to take decisive measures to stabilize the situation.

On the one hand, we must strengthen the treatment and care of Emperor Jing to ensure that he recovers as soon as possible.

On the other hand, we must also reassure the people and eliminate their fears and doubts.

At the same time, we must continue to pay attention to weather changes and be prepared for droughts.

Only in this way can we overcome this crisis and maintain national stability and tranquility.

……

"Your Majesty..." Concubine Qin shouted as she slid to her knees in front of Emperor Jing's bed.

Emperor Jing gently raised his hand and stroked Concubine Qin's hair. Then he gently wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes and said softly, "I am fine, why are you crying?"

When Concubine Qin heard what Emperor Jing said, a smile appeared on her face, but there was still a hint of worry and concern.

Emperor Jing smiled and patted the seat beside him, saying softly, "Come lie down here, I want to talk to you."

Concubine Qin lay obediently beside Emperor Jing, her little hand gently placed on his chest, feeling his heartbeat.

Emperor Jing frowned slightly, sighed deeply, and said in a heavy tone: "They want me to write an edict of apology."

After hearing this, a trace of anger flashed in Concubine Qin's eyes, and she said indignantly: "Your Majesty, what crime has your Majesty committed? I'm going to go and argue with them!" As she said this, she prepared to sit up.

However, as soon as she stood up, Emperor Jing pulled her into his arms.

Emperor Jing sighed helplessly and said, "It's all my fault that the world is in chaos and the solar eclipse occurred."

Concubine Qin quickly reached out and tightly covered Emperor Jing's mouth, her eyes firmly fixed on him as she said, "Your Majesty, I will not allow you to speak of me in this way. Those old ministers talk nonsense all day long, and they even say that I am a demon concubine. Could it be that I am really a demon concubine?"

Emperor Jing grabbed Concubine Qin's hand and squeezed it, looking at her with sadness in his eyes.

Concubine Qin was stunned. "Did they also say they would sentence me to death to appease heaven and earth?"

Although Concubine Qin asked a question, her tone was firm, as if she had heard it with her own ears.

Emperor Jing remained silent, and Concubine Qin understood.

"Your Majesty, please sentence me to death." Concubine Qin said firmly.

"Qin'er, you..." Emperor Jing couldn't believe it.

Concubine Qin snuggled into Emperor Jing's arms again and said, "I'm fine. If I die, Your Majesty can refuse to write the edict of apology, and I'm willing to die. But I'm unwilling to live with Your Majesty until old age, and to sit with Your Majesty and watch your children and grandchildren gather around your knees."

Emperor Jing felt the dampness and heat in his chest, and tightened his arms around Concubine Qin.

"Your Majesty, can you sentence Qin'er to death tomorrow? Qin'er wants to spend one last night with you." Concubine Qin suddenly raised her head and looked at Emperor Jing with sparkling eyes.

Emperor Jing's heart softened, and he whispered in Concubine Qin's ear, "Qin'er is not a demon concubine, Qin'er is a demon. Go to your palace and get the pill."

"Hateful..." Concubine Qin shyly hit Emperor Jing's chest.