From cute to empress

"Pass the order..." I raised my head, trying to calm myself. Now was not the time to panic. I had to come up with a plan as soon as possible! "Immediately summon all ministers, generals, and all the respected scholars and craftsmen in the city to the Golden Palace for a meeting!"

"Yes!" Zhen Youcai took the order and left. His back was still straight, but I knew that his heart was full of anxiety and uneasiness, just like mine.

My gaze swept across the empty hall, landing on the dragon throne, a symbol of imperial power, but a sense of bewilderment filled my heart. The blood moon, the disappearance of the Big Dipper... what did these strange phenomena mean? What greater disaster could this be?

Soon, the throne room was filled with civil and military officials, as well as representatives from various sectors. I briefly explained the meteorologist's findings to everyone, and the entire hall erupted in an uproar.

"This... How is this possible?" An old minister shook his head in disbelief. "The Big Dipper is an ancient star. How could it disappear for no reason?"

"A blood moon has appeared, a sign of disaster has descended!" a scholar dressed as a sorcerer exclaimed. "Your Majesty, we must hold a heavenly sacrifice ceremony as soon as possible and pray for the heavens to appease their wrath!"

"Sacrifice to Heaven? Will that work?" Zhen Youcai, who always believed that "Heaven's ways are constant; it doesn't exist for the sake of Yao or die for the sake of Jie," retorted, "The most important thing now is to understand the cause of the unusual celestial phenomena and make all necessary preparations!"

I took a deep breath, suppressed the turmoil in my heart, and said loudly, "My dear ministers, I know everyone is worried, but especially at this time, we must remain calm! General Zhen is right. Instead of sitting and waiting for death, it is better to take proactive measures!"

"I second the motion!" an official said. "The most urgent task is to develop a detailed emergency plan to ensure the safety of the people!"

"I also second the proposal!"

"I second the proposal!"

Seeing the ministers' attitudes, I felt a sense of relief. I nodded and said in a deep voice, "Alright! I'll do as you say, my dear ministers! General Zhen, you will be responsible for mobilizing the troops, maintaining order within the city, organizing manpower, and stockpiling food and water!"

"Yes!" Zhen Youcai clasped his fists and accepted the order.

"Minister of Works, you are responsible for strengthening the city walls, dredging the river, and preventing floods!"

"The minister obeys the order!"

I looked around at everyone, my eyes firm and full of hope: "My dear ministers, I know that this disaster presents a huge challenge to us, but I also believe that as long as we unite as one and work together to overcome this difficult time, we will be able to overcome all difficulties!"

"Your Majesty is wise!" everyone responded in unison.

Looking at the resolute faces before me, a glimmer of hope ignited in my heart. I know the road ahead is still long, but I will not give up. I must lead my people through this difficult time!

At this moment, there was a sudden commotion outside the palace. A guard ran in in a panic and knelt on the ground: "Report--"

Before he could finish his words, a loud crash from outside the palace seemed to tremble. I abruptly stood up, my face pale. Could it be… disaster has already struck? "Your Majesty, this is bad! Outside the city… outside the city, the earth dragon has turned!" The guards' terrified voices echoed through the hall.

My heart sank, and the earth lurched… an earthquake! I forced myself to calm down and asked, "What are the casualties?"

"Your Majesty, the tremors were felt fifty miles outside the city. The casualties are currently unknown. I have already sent people to investigate!"

"Okay!" I made a quick decision. "Pass the order down. Immediately organize a rescue team, prepare supplies, and follow me out of the city to provide disaster relief!"

"Your Majesty, no!" an old minister hurriedly advised. "The extent of the disaster is still unclear. How can you risk your precious life so easily?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, let us investigate it first and then make a decision!" Other ministers also echoed.

I shook my head, my eyes firm. "I appreciate your kindness, my dear ministers. But as the ruler of a nation, how can I sit idly by while the people suffer? I have made up my mind. No need to persuade me!"

After saying that, I turned around, picked up the sword on the table, and strode out of the Golden Palace.

The post-earthquake scene was even more devastating than I had imagined. Huge cracks appeared across the once-flat land, houses collapsed, thick smoke billowed, and cries and wails echoed endlessly, like hell on earth.

"Your Majesty, look!" Zhen Youcai pointed to a ruin not far away and said anxiously, "It looks like there are still people trapped there!"

I followed his gaze and saw several figures struggling under some broken beams.

"Hurry, save him!" I rushed over without hesitation.

Ignoring the dust and blood on our bodies, Zhen Youcai and I moved the heavy stones and broken wood and finally rescued the trapped people.

"Thank you... Thank you, Your Majesty..." The rescued people shed tears of gratitude and knelt on the ground.

I helped them up one by one and said softly, "Everyone, get up! Now is not the time to rest. Let's work together to rescue the other people affected by the disaster first!"

My words and actions, like a ray of light, illuminated the darkness of despair and ignited hope in people's hearts. More and more people joined the rescue team. Some carried supplies, some treated the wounded, and some cleared the rubble. Everyone was doing their best to help their fellow countrymen.

Seeing this scene, my eyes couldn't help but become moist. I am proud of my people and feel gratified by their unity and kindness.

However, the disaster did not end there. The meteorologist came to me worriedly, hesitant to speak...

"Your Majesty..." The meteorologist hesitated, his brow furrowed, his face filled with worry. Suppressing my unease, I asked, "What's wrong? Are there any hidden dangers?"

The meteorologist took a deep breath and said in a heavy tone, "Your Majesty, this earth dragon's reversal is not accidental, but because..." He paused, as if choosing his words, "It is because of the abnormal climate in recent years, which has led to frequent crustal movements..."

"You mean..." My heart trembled, and I vaguely guessed something.

"I have observed the celestial phenomena and I am afraid that an even greater disaster will befall..." The meteorological officer spoke in a serious tone, but did not say it explicitly.

A greater disaster? My heart sank. Could this only be the beginning?

I forced myself to calm down. The most important thing now was to calm people's hearts and not panic. I looked at the senior monk beside me. He clasped his hands together, his face kind, yet he couldn't hide the worry between his brows.

"Master, the people are still in shock, please..." I cast a pleading look at the monk.

The monk nodded slightly, understanding my point. He walked into the crowd and spoke in a loud, compassionate voice: "Dear donors, birth, aging, sickness, and death are natural laws, and natural and man-made disasters are also the norm in this world. But please believe that as long as we maintain good intentions and unite as one, we will surely overcome all suffering!"

Wherever he went, he would stop to pray for the injured and pray for the deceased, soothing people's wounded hearts with his calm and powerful words.

Thanks to everyone's concerted efforts, the rescue work is progressing smoothly and the reconstruction of homes is proceeding in an orderly manner. I see smiles gradually appearing on people's faces, and a glimmer of hope is ignited in my heart.

However, the weather officer's words lingered in my mind, and I knew this was just the calm before the storm, and greater tests were yet to come.

I found Zhen Youcai, who was directing the soldiers to build a temporary shelter. His face was covered in sweat, but he was still energetic.

"Youcai, you say... can we really overcome everything?" I looked at him with a hint of confusion in my tone.

Zhen Youcai put down his tools, walked over to me, and said firmly, "Your Majesty, I believe that man can conquer nature! We've been through so much, what else can stump us?"

I nodded. His words always gave me strength. Yes, we have overcome so many difficulties. This time, we can definitely do it too!

After months of reconstruction, a brand new city rose from the ground, and people's lives gradually returned to normal. However, we did not let our guard down, because we knew that the real test had just begun...

Zhen Youcai and I stood in the rebuilt city square, looking at the ever-changing clouds in the sky, our hearts filled with worry and expectation.

"Your Majesty, look..." Zhen Youcai pointed to the sky in the distance with a heavy tone.

I followed his gaze and saw...

I followed his gaze and saw that the once clear sky was now shrouded in a strange, dark red hue. The clouds were visibly accelerating, like a pot of boiling magma, poised to erupt at any moment.

"Could this be..." I gasped, and the meteorologist's words flashed through my mind, "Abnormal climate is causing frequent crustal movements..."

"Your Majesty, it seems our predictions were correct. A greater disaster... is coming." Zhen Youcai's voice was low and firm. He gripped the sword at his waist tightly, his eyes as sharp as a hawk's. "But please believe me, no matter what happens, I will protect you and the people until my death!"

"I believe you are talented." I held his hand back, feeling the warmth of his palm, and felt a little more at ease.

In the face of disaster, all we can do is do our best and leave the rest to fate.

I took a deep breath, trying to remain calm, and said to Zhen Youcai, "Pass the order down and have the people prepare for evacuation. Also, have the monk and the meteorologist come to see me immediately."

"Yes!" Zhen Youcai took the order and left. His back was as straight as a pine tree, giving me an inexplicable sense of security.

Soon, the monk and the weather officer hurried over. The weather officer was sweating and pale, clearly frightened by the strange sight. Although the monk remained calm, the worry between his brows was even greater than before.

"Your Majesty, I have observed the celestial phenomena and I'm afraid this disaster is several times more severe than the previous earth dragon's upheaval..." The meteorologist said in a trembling voice, "I am incompetent and cannot prevent this from happening..."

"No, it's not your fault." I shook my head, signaling him not to blame himself. "You've done your best."

I turned to the monk and asked, "Master, do you have any solution?"

The monk pondered for a moment and slowly said, "Your Majesty, I once read in an ancient book that when the earth changes and disaster strikes, a prayer ceremony can be held to seek God's protection..."

"A blessing ceremony?" My eyes lit up, as if I had grasped the last straw. "Okay, then I'll trouble you, Master!"

The monk nodded and continued, "Your Majesty, this ceremony is of great importance and requires a special day..."

"Master, what you mean is..."

"On a full-moon night," the monk said firmly, "On a full-moon night, the moonlight is at its brightest, and it best represents people's hopes for peace and reunion..."

I pondered for a moment, nodded, and said, "Okay, then let's set it for the night of the full moon!"

Looking out the window, the moon, dyed dark red, seemed to be foreshadowing something...