The atmosphere was somewhat oppressive.
When Shen Yunyun arrived, she found many people at the Empress Dowager's place, so she concealed herself, waiting until they left to speak. Thus, her current state resembled a peeping tom hiding behind a one-way mirror.
"Your Highness, this matter is suspicious," said General Fuyuan.
"I'll go arrest all those spreading the rumors."
"No," Xu Zimo interjected.
"What does the National Preceptor suggest?" The Empress Dowager turned to Xu Zimo.
Xu Zimo put on an inscrutable expression and said, "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it."
The Empress Dowager: "..."
Another useless remark, offering her no help at all.
"Are we supposed to just let things take their course?" General Fuyuan clearly disagreed with Xu Zimo but was also deeply wary of him.
Xu Zimo maintained his enigmatic look.
Shen Yunyun listened for a while, growing a bit speechless. What exactly happened? Why don't you just say it?
The Empress Dowager waved her hand. "Let me think it over."
General Fuyuan rose with a few junior generals to take their leave, and Xu Zimo also stepped out.
Shen Yunyun initially wanted to call him back but decided it was better to first ask the Empress Dowager what had occurred.
The Empress Dowager rubbed her temples, looking pained.
Shen Yunyun cleared her throat lightly, and the Empress Dowager quickly opened her eyes.
"Fairy?"
"What exactly happened?"
"Someone is spreading rumors that the Emperor is not of the late Emperor's bloodline, claiming this is why Great Li is suffering such divine punishment."
Shen Yunyun paused only briefly before saying, "Whoever started these rumors deserves death."
Because the rumor targeted Little Tangyuan as not being the late Emperor's child, it attacked not just the young emperor but also the Empress Dowager herself. If the child she bore wasn't the late Emperor's, didn't that imply she had defiled the palace?
"Now the rumors are spreading widely among the people. Forcibly suppressing them might backfire," the Empress Dowager said.
This was extremely tricky. And it happened to coincide with a natural disaster—if such rumors had emerged during a time of peace and prosperity, the Empress Dowager wouldn't be so cornered.
"Don't worry, there are always more solutions than problems," Shen Yunyun said with certainty.
The Empress Dowager knelt before her again.
Shen Yunyun helped her up. "You're a good Empress Dowager who cares for the people. I'll do my utmost to help you, but I still need to take the compensation I'm owed."
The Empress Dowager recalled that what she wanted were all common, worthless items, and her heart was filled with mixed emotions. The fairy was subsidizing her, subsidizing the Great Li dynasty.
"I'll go find the National Preceptor to discuss matters," Shen Yunyun said.
The Empress Dowager immediately had Gui Mama escort her to see the National Preceptor.
When Xu Zimo saw Shen Yunyun arrive, he quickly pushed the tea he had just brewed toward her.
"You're in quite a mood," Shen Yunyun said as she took the tea. It was just the right temperature.
Clearly, he knew she was coming and had timed it perfectly, obviously aware of her visit.
"Good tea," Shen Yunyun praised sincerely.
No wonder he had refined elixirs before—his tea-brewing skill was also exceptional. Not only was the tea's color beautiful, but it also had a smooth, rich texture upon entry.
"Go on, what do you need from me?"
"Don't you have plenty of talismans? Make one to bring some rain."
"Doing too many things that go against nature will invite backlash," Xu Zimo refused.
"I'm not afraid of backlash. Just give me the items and teach me how to use them—let me do it."
Xu Zimo was silent for a long time before pulling out a few rain-praying talismans.
Shen Yunyun's eyes lit up, and she immediately said, "Set up an altar and have the Empress Dowager bring the young emperor to pray for rain publicly."
Xu Zimo's mouth twitched, but he didn't object.
The notice was quickly posted, not only in Ji Prefecture but also sent down to every county and nearby areas suffering from drought.