Now all the commoners knew that the Empress Dowager would publicly pray for rain in three days, and everyone was waiting to see it unfold.
Recently, rumors about the young emperor not being the late emperor's bloodline had spread widely among the people, reaching nearly everyone's ears. The common folk didn't care whose bloodline the young emperor was—whoever filled their bellies was who they'd recognize as emperor. Wasn't life the same for them no matter who sat on the throne? An emperor who could feed them was a good emperor; all the fancy talk in the world meant nothing.
Shen Yunyun hadn't been idle these past two days either. She had already scouted the location. She planned to sneak in her own contribution during the Empress Dowager's rain prayer, channeling water from the beast world. Theoretically, it could work. She had set up several rows of large vats in the basement to serve as converters. Looking at those rows of vats, she couldn't help but want to laugh—anyone would think she was making pickled cabbage in old jars.
On the day of the Empress Dowager and the young emperor's rain prayer, the sky was clear and cloudless, with the scorching sun overhead. All the commoners working on the river embankment were told not to report for duty, with the explanation that it might rain later and they'd get wet. Those able-bodied men simply didn't believe it could rain in such weather—there wasn't even a palm-sized cloud in the sky. How could it rain? They were all counting on their work shifts to earn grain and support their families. Missing a day of work meant missing a day's rations, and none of them had any food stored at home. Even if some had a little saved, they dared not skip work, as their supplies were meager.
Their overseer announced, "No work today, but rations will still be issued. Additionally, each person will receive two steamed buns, two vegetable buns, two meat buns, and thirty dumplings." Those who had been scheduled to work were overjoyed to hear they'd get food without laboring, along with buns and dumplings to take home. The Empress Dowager's rain prayer today was sure to succeed.
Though they didn't go to work, everyone gathered outside the city near the altar. A tall altar had already been erected there, heavily guarded by soldiers. By the hour of Chen, the sun was already blazing fiercely. There wasn't a breath of wind in the air, nor a trace of moisture. Because of the prolonged drought, the dust on the ground had grown thick—when people stepped on it, the dust buried their shoe tops. As they moved about, clouds of dust rose into the air.
Under the gaze of the crowd, the Empress Dowager led the young emperor up the altar. The National Preceptor accompanied them as a guardian. Everyone stared curiously at the young emperor—a child who could barely walk. How was he supposed to pray for rain? He'd probably struggle just to offer incense, wouldn't he? All eyes were fixed on the altar.
Nanny Gui carried the young emperor, walking side by side with the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager first burned incense and kowtowed, then knelt by the altar, murmuring incantations. An official from the Imperial Observatory lit incense and handed it to Nanny Gui. Just as she reached out to take it, the young emperor beat her to it, extending his chubby little hand. The official paused for a moment, then looked at Xu Zimo. Xu Zimo gave a slight nod, and the official handed the incense to the young emperor.
Everyone saw it clearly—the young emperor, a mere infant a few months old, held the incense with both hands, raised it to his chest, bowed three times toward the incense table, then turned sideways to move toward the incense burner. The commoners were too far away to see the expression on the young emperor's face. But Nanny Gui, holding him, saw it plainly: a look of earnest devotion, exactly like every time the young emperor was about to bow before the fairy statue. Tears streamed down her aged face as she shuffled forward on her knees, holding the young emperor aloft with both hands. Carefully, the young emperor inserted the incense into the burner. It wasn't easy for him—though his arms were attached to his body, they often moved uncontrollably. Still, he managed to place the incense.