Painting Doctor Jinhua

Chapter 161: Bronze Sparrow Tower Praying for Rain

The person behind the screen didn't say anything, but there was a murderous aura coming from him. Zheng Shishilang shuddered and quickly knelt down and bowed his head, saying, "Please tell me clearly, has Zheng offended me in any way?"

"Did you rob a girl of her property and land in Luoyang in February this year?"

Finally someone spoke, but it was not a woman's voice, but a very pleasant man's voice.

The sound did not come from behind the screen, but from inside the private room.

But he looked around but couldn't find the person who was talking. He was even more frightened and answered hurriedly, "Yes, Zheng did do this, but later my Zheng family returned all the stolen property and land as well as the deeds of those soldiers to her. Zheng did not take a single cent of her private property!"

"Why did you do this? Who instructed you to do this?" the man asked again.

"No one ordered me to do that. I just saw that the girl was extremely beautiful and I was tempted by lust for a moment, so I made the same mistake that all men would make..."

Zheng Shisilang spoke confidently, and even muttered, "If you saw the girl's appearance, you would definitely..."

Before he could finish his words, Lu Yu, who had his face covered, punched him hard, causing his nose to bleed.

"Tell the truth, otherwise, I'll stamp your hands and feet and feed them to the dogs!"

Zheng Shisilang covered his nose and wailed, "I am a descendant of the Zheng family in Xingyang. If you kill me, aren't you afraid of offending the entire Zheng family?"

"Bah, you are just a bastard of the Zheng family. Will the Zheng family offend the royal family for you?"

When Zheng Shisilang heard the words "royal family member", his expression froze and he immediately became afraid.

"Okay, I'll tell you what I'm talking about! I would never dare to offend the royal family. When I robbed that girl, in addition to being attracted by her beauty, I did make a deal with someone. That person said, as long as I take away everything from the girl, kill her, and give her belongings to that person, that person will find me an official position in Yecheng!"

"Who is that person?"

Zheng Shisilang struggled and hesitated for a while, and finally answered after Lu Yu shouted, "Mutipo!"

This answer caused the private room to fall silent, as if there was an angry aura blowing towards them.

"What do you want to get from her?" the man asked again, his voice became extremely cold and low, as if cold air was pouring into the room.

Zheng Shisilang shook his head repeatedly: "I don't know about that, but this girl has a handsome Xianbei boy beside her, so her identity must be extraordinary. Moreover, she has land and troops in Luoyang, so she must be an extraordinary person... Oh, she is indeed extraordinary. Wasn't there a rumor recently that she made a bet with Lu Junjun and was going to pray for rain?

By the way, she is the Southern Dynasty woman who came from the Southern Dynasty recently and married Lanling Prince, the Princess of Lanling!"

Lu Yu cast his gaze to another part of the private room. He heard no sound, but he could sense the prince's suppressed anger. He immediately beat Zheng Shisilang violently until he knocked him unconscious. Lu Yu then stopped and called two guards in to drag him away.

At this time, Lanling Wang came out from the other side of the private room, and Ah Xiu behind the screen also came out immediately and called out in a low voice: "Prince——"

Lanling Wang's expression was extremely ugly, and there seemed to be deep anger and hatred surging in his pair of sparkling eyes.

As if he had made up his mind, he secretly clenched his fists.

"Prince, what should we do next?"

Lu Yu felt his extremely sad and unhappy mood.

"I can't just sit there and wait for death. With the temper of this Lu Junjun, she will definitely do something ruthless to A-Yu again. I can't let her hurt A-Yu in the slightest!"

"Even if it's Zheng Yue, don't let her enter Lanling Palace again, and don't let her get close to A-Yu!"

When he said this, there was a cold and murderous look in Lanling Wang's eyes!

Lu Yu hadn't seen this kind of expression in his eyes for a long time, except on the battlefield.

"Yes!"

……

After returning to Prince Lanling's Mansion, Gao Changgong hurried to the bedroom and saw that Xiao Jinyu had woken up and was sitting beside the dressing table.

"Chang Gong, where have you been?"

Seeing him come back, Xiao Jinyu stood up and asked.

Gao Changgong suddenly felt his eyes moisten. He strode over and hugged her tightly in his arms, rubbing his cheek against her smooth forehead.

The touch of smooth skin immediately made people feel charming. Xiao Jinyu also kissed his cheek, and her lips fell on his lips like a dragonfly touching the water, sucking freely and selflessly.

Desire arises like fire, clothes are taken off, love is entangled like silk, and silent care and concern are hidden in the endless entanglement.

"Chang Gong, when I treat people, it does take some energy and cause fatigue and sleepiness, but my health is not bad, and I don't have any incurable disease, so don't worry."

"I am a miracle doctor and I know my body best."

"So, don't be afraid of losing me all the time. I'm very tough! I once fell off a cliff, but I survived!"

Hearing her say that she had fallen off a cliff, Gao Changgong's heart ached even more and he hugged her tightly again. At this moment, both of them were naked. The delicate and smooth touch was like an electric current passing through the body, and Hongyu fell to his heart.

It made him realize what it meant to have a warm, soft and beautiful jade in his arms. Even in the hot summer, the person in his arms was as cool and refreshing as a piece of jade.

He thought, his Ah Yu was so beautiful and so good, he would protect her all her life even if it cost him everything.

Even if it means going against the emperor, I will do it at all costs!

……

At one quarter past noon, Ah Xiu brought the news that Zheng Yue was coming to visit. Before Xiao Jinyu could reply, Gao Changgong flatly refused.

When Zheng Yue heard that Gao Changgong didn't want to see her, her heart seemed to be stabbed. With tears in her eyes, she ran to the tavern where she had once sought marriage.

After listening to Zheng Yue's crying, Mu Ti Po conveyed all her words to Lu Lingxuan.

"I never thought that this Lanling Prince is such a cruel person. Zheng Ayue grew up with him as a childhood sweetheart, but he showed no mercy at all and even refused to let her enter Lanling Prince's Mansion!"

"It seems that it was Zheng Yue who made them suspicious, so Gao Changgong didn't let her in. He was afraid that Zheng Yue would hurt his precious princess, right?"

"Mother, Zheng Yue came to the mansion with Gao Yanzong that day, and I heard her talk about when it would rain. She said it would be at 3:30 in the afternoon three days later, which would be tomorrow. I don't know if it's true?"

Lu Lingxuan just smiled.

"Since she's already suspicious, how can we take her words seriously? I'm afraid she wants to use Zheng Yue's words to mislead us!"

"What should we do? If we can't even place Zheng Yue inside, then our people really can't enter the Lanling Palace!"

Lu Lingxuan narrowed her eyes, pondered for a moment, and suddenly smiled sinisterly.

"Then let's make good use of Zheng Yue as a chess piece! Let her try to see if it's real or not!"

……

The three-day period for praying for rain has arrived. On this day, led by Emperor Gao Zhan, all civil and military officials gathered under the Bronze Sparrow Tower, and countless noble sons and daughters of Yecheng also came to watch.

The Tongque Tower faces the Heluo River in front and is backed by the Zhang River, gazing upon the Central Plains. Its flying pavilions, double-eaved buildings and interconnected palaces naturally embody a kingly aura.

It was originally the place where Cao Cao held banquets for his ministers, gathered heroes, and held military competitions.

At this time Gao Zhan also ordered a large banquet. While enjoying singing and dancing, he asked the civil officials to compose poems to liven up the atmosphere.

Of course, the highlight of today is praying for rain!

Regardless of whether the Princess of Lanling could pray for rain, the fact that she was betting her life on it was enough to attract many people to come and watch the fun!

Even Empress Dowager Lou, who had just recovered from an illness, insisted on going to the Tongque Tower to pray for rain.

"I heard that it was the Southern Dynasty woman that Chang Gong brought back who cured my illness?"

"Yes, Queen Mother, His Majesty was planning to ask the Ministry of Rites to prepare for the Queen Mother's funeral. It was Prince Lanling who insisted on bringing his own princess to treat the Queen Mother. Moreover, after Princess Lanling cured the Queen Mother's illness, she herself fainted due to over-exertion." Aunt Wu reported.

Empress Dowager Lou pondered for a moment, her expression a little complicated. Because of the inexplicable assassination of her eldest son, she lost trust in many people around her, so that her relations with her sons were not very good. Also, because she wanted to preserve the power of the Xianbei Lou family, neither Gao Yang, Gao Yan, nor even Gao Zhan liked her. Gao Yang and Gao Yan could pretend to be filial while fighting against her, but the ninth son Gao Zhan refused to even pretend.

Empress Dowager Lou was filled with sorrow and sighed, "This grandson Changgong is indeed more filial than my son. However, what is the matter with this Southern Dynasty woman he married? Why did she gamble her life to pray for rain?"

"I heard that she made a bet with Lord Lu, and the bet was that the emperor would grant her an official position and allow her to be married to Lanling King for life!"

"This is ridiculous. She is a woman, why not just be the Princess of Lanling? What kind of official position does she want to hold?"

"The Queen Mother, she has made it clear that she wants the position of Grand Historian!"

The Grand Historian is in charge of astronomy and calendar, which is only a sixth-rank official position. Usually, one only needs to pay attention to the changes in celestial phenomena. However, if one does not have profound knowledge, one cannot hold this position. What is the purpose of her being the Grand Historian?

Empress Dowager Lou came to the Bronze Sparrow Tower with confusion and doubt. Today she wanted to take a good look at what this woman that Chang Gong married was like.

Because fasting was required before the rain-praying ceremony, Xiao Jinyu bathed and cleansed herself with the help of a group of palace maids, and changed into a white robe specially used for rain-praying rituals. She let her black hair down and wore no ornaments except for a veil on her face.

Before heading towards the Bronze Sparrow Tower, Gao Changgong was still worried and repeatedly reminded her to be careful.

The Bronze Sparrow Tower was surrounded by imperial guards, but in order to ensure Xiao Jinyu's safety, he had asked Ling Ye, Feng Huang and several guards around him to keep watch at various important sentry points to avoid enemy attacks.

At three quarters past noon, all the ministers had arrived. There was a bustle in the hundreds of buildings. Under the gaze of everyone, Xiao Jinyu walked up the stairs step by step to the center of the Bronze Sparrow Tower.

The ministers' eyes lit up, and they were impressed by Princess Lanling's calm demeanor and awe-inspiring aura.

When Empress Dowager Lou cast her eyes on Xiao Jinyu, she couldn't help but sigh and nod, and then asked the old woman beside her: "Why does she have to cover her face with a veil?"

"I heard that she was assassinated by a killer on her way back to Yecheng with Lanling Wang, and half of her face was destroyed!"

"Is there such a thing?"

As the music of a variety of musical instruments such as the zheng, se, sheng, and 竽 began, several dancers began to dance gracefully, performing the Bai Lu Dance.

Gao Zhan and his ministers began to toast each other. Just as they were in high spirits and talking loudly, Lu Lingxuan suddenly came out, stood in front of the emperor, and said loudly: "Your Majesty, I also want to pray for rain today!"

Her request caused the whole audience to pause.

Gao Changgong's expression also became confused and nervous.

Gao Zhan narrowed his eyes and said, "What did you say? Princess Lanling has already chosen to pray for rain today, why are you joining in the fun?"

"Your Majesty, whether she can pray for rain is her business, and whether I can pray for rain is my business. Since she wants to make a bet with me, I cannot show weakness!"

"I would also like to make a bet with Princess Lanling. Let's bet on when and at what time the rain will fall."

"I will write this time on paper and present it to Your Majesty!"

"Princess Lanling, please also write down the exact time of the rain on a piece of paper and present it to Your Majesty!"

"Whoever writes down the time more accurately wins!"

After Lu Lingxuan finished speaking, she looked at Xiao Jinyu, who was standing in the Bronze Sparrow Tower in a white robe, with a slightly provocative look.

"This Lady Lu is really shameless. Princess Lanling wants to pray for rain, and she follows suit. Isn't this stealing the credit from the Princess?"

"That's right, you are not as skilled as others, but you still scheme against them!"

Li Mi and Cui Hengzang shouted loudly in the crowd.

Lu Lingxuan's face darkened and she glanced at He Shikai and Han Changluan who were sitting at the banquet.

At this time, another voice in the crowd said, "Lord Lu is the goddess of Qi. Three years ago, she prayed for rain for Qi. Who dares to say that her skills are inferior to others? Besides, praying for rain is approved by the heavens, and what is needed is sincere prayer!"

"That's right, whether this Princess Lanling can pray for rain is still unknown!"

"I don't think so. Look, the sun is still shining brightly. It doesn't look like it's going to rain at all!"

"That's right! The sun is scorching, the heat is unbearable, and all the officials have gathered here. I'm afraid that today's prayer for rain will become a joke!"

"It would be nothing more than a joke, but I'm afraid it will become the funeral of Princess Lanling. However, with Your Majesty and so many ministers present, even if she dies, it will be a worthy death, worthy of being recorded in history books!"

"So, this Princess Lanling is a smart person. She wants to die in a spectacular way, enough to shock the world. However, if she really died like this, it would be a pity!"

Amid the discussions of the crowd, Fenghuang's face was also filled with worry. His eyes were fixed on the person standing on the Bronze Sparrow Tower, and he tried his best to use his ears to carefully distinguish the sounds around him.

Xiao Jinyu met Lu Lingxuan's provocative gaze, raised her head and smiled, and responded: "Okay! Then let's have a good bet with Lu Junjun!"

Because it was a bet, a group of ministers led by Zu Ting actually started placing bets!

The scene became extremely lively for a moment, but it was only after Empress Dowager Lou shouted at them that the betting and singing gradually died down.

With the sound of a drum, the prayer for rain began. Xiao Jinyu walked up the steps to the highest point of the ten-meter-high Bronze Sparrow Tower and prayed to the sky with a pious sacrificial ritual!

At the same time, a servant asked her to write a note and present it to the emperor.

The same is true for Lu Lingxuan!

After Gao Zhan received the notes from the two people, his expression changed slightly and he looked at the woman in white robe standing at the highest point of the Bronze Sparrow Tower.

At this time, Xiao Jinyu only said: "Two or three lightning bolts, no rain, six or seven stars are faintly above the clouds."

Almost as soon as she finished speaking, the sunny sky actually began to become covered with dark clouds. Suddenly, there was a loud "boom" and two lightning bolts streaked across the sky as if they had split open two cracks.

A cool breeze blew in my face, instantly blowing away the hot air on the Bronze Sparrow Tower.

"I whip the Crouching Dragon and ride on him, brandishing my spear and scolding the Lord of Five Thunders."

Xiao Jinyu chanted another sentence, and suddenly there was another "boom" sound. Several flashes of lightning illuminated the sky filled with dark clouds, and then raindrops as big as beans fell!

At this moment, it is three quarters past noon!

Gao Zhan's expression also changed drastically. He looked at the two notes in his hand. One of them read: It will rain at three quarters past noon!

Signed by: Xiao Jinyu!

But another note read: The rain will not fall at three quarters after noon!

Signed: Lu Lingxuan!

Gao Yanzong looked at the sudden downpour and cheered in ecstasy: "It really rained at 15:30. Fourth sister-in-law's calculation was so accurate!"

"Fourth sister-in-law, you are much better than Lord Lu and those historians!"

"It rained, it really rained, we don't have to worry about the autumn harvest this year!"

In the public fields outside the various blocks of Yecheng, the farmers who were farming welcomed the rainstorm with open arms and cheered!

Lu Lingxuan also felt incredible. She bit her lip and looked fiercely at Xiao Jinyu who was still standing at the highest point of Tongque Tower, and then her eyes became stern.

At this moment, an arrow broke through the air and shot straight towards Xiao Jinyu!

"Brother Qing, be careful——"

"Ayu, quickly get out of the way——"

Almost suddenly, Fenghuang and Lanling Wang shouted at the same time!