Host! I told you to do a task! I didn't tell you to bbb.

Yuquan Villa.

Under the wisteria trellis, Liu Yunshu was picking freshly dried jasmine flowers with a bamboo basket.

The door was suddenly kicked open, and Longkodo stormed in, his eyes like ice, staring straight at Liu Yunshu.

"Herseri! Excellent! Very excellent!"

Liu Yunshu held the bamboo basket without moving her hand, and even slowly put the last jasmine flower into the basket before slowly raising her eyes to look at the furious Longkodo.

"What do you mean by that, sir?"

Longkodo was so angry that the veins on his forehead bulged. He grabbed Liu Yunshu's wrist with such force that he almost crushed her bones.

"What do you mean? You dare ask me what I mean! Do you know that Master Xuan Kong predicted at the morning court that you are a phoenix descended to earth, destined to accompany the emperor!"

Liu Yunshu's wrist was gripped so tightly it hurt, but she didn't struggle. She just looked up at Longkodo with just the right amount of astonishment in her eyes.

"A phoenix descending to earth? To accompany the emperor? How could the master utter such words?"

She frowned slightly, her tone tinged with grievance, "Master, aren't you trying to put me in the spotlight and ruin the reputations of the Tong and Hesheli families?"

Seeing the "surprise" in her eyes, Longkodo tightened his grip on her wrist.

"Stop pretending to be innocent! Why is Master Xuan Kong singled out you for this?"

Damn it! You bastard! It hurts like hell! I'll get you sooner or later!

She maintained a delicate appearance, her eyes slightly red, and her voice trembled.

"How can you speak of me like that, my lord? Since marrying into the Tong family, I have always upheld the virtues of a wife and have never had any improper dealings with outsiders, let alone any involvement with the Master of Huguo Temple. Now, facing such slander, I am more flustered than anyone else. If these words get out, I will be unable to clear my name even if I jump into the Yellow River, and I will also bring shame upon the entire Hesheli family. I..."

Before she could finish speaking, tears streamed down her face like broken beads, pattering onto her clothes, and her slender shoulders trembled slightly.

Seeing her tearful appearance, Longkodo unconsciously loosened his grip on her wrist.

Although he disliked this Hesheli, he knew that since marrying into the Tong family, she had lived a secluded life, tending to flowers and plants and reading books, and had indeed not had any dealings with outsiders.

But this matter concerns his reputation as a man and the Tong family's honor, so how could he accept it?

"Heseri, remember this: you were born a member of the Tong family! You will die a ghost of the Tong family!"

After saying that, he shook off Liu Yunshu's hand and strode outside.

Only after Longkodo's footsteps disappeared outside the courtyard gate did Liu Yunshu slowly withdraw her gaze.

She rubbed her wrist, which had been gripped so tightly it was red, and the tenderness in her eyes vanished instantly, leaving only a trace of coldness.

Xiao Ba, standing to the side, said indignantly, "That Longkodo went too far! He hit so hard! Big brother, are you alright? Should we get some pain relief ointment?"

Liu Yunshu gently blew on the red mark on her wrist, the coldness in her eyes gradually dissipating, her tone carrying a hint of nonchalance.

"No need, this little pain is nothing. He's just furious right now. Once the 'divine will' intensifies, he won't even have the energy to throw a tantrum."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Two or three days later, just as everyone felt it was a false alarm and breathed a sigh of relief.

Emperor Kangxi sat upright at the head of the table, and seeing everyone relaxed, a playful smile appeared on his lips.

Just as Longkodo was preparing to consult Master Xuan Kong's book.

Another guard rushed in from outside the palace, saying in a panic, "Your Majesty, a mountain on the outskirts of the capital has collapsed!"

"The mountain collapsed?" Kangxi slammed his fist on the table, his grip on the armrests of the dragon throne creaking. "Were any civilians injured?"

The guard knelt on the ground, trembling: "Your Majesty, it's an unnamed mountain on the outskirts of the capital."

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, thinking it was just a coincidence.

The guard then said, "The entire mountain broke off at its base; it was definitely not man-made!"

Upon hearing this, Kangxi's eyes flickered. "Didn't I tell them to only bomb the outside? How come the entire bottom has been blown apart? But the effect is even better!"

"A fracture at the bottom?" Kangxi's brows furrowed deeply, his tone perfectly conveying shock and anger. "Investigate! Investigate thoroughly! Has someone tampered with this place?!"

The officials in the hall, who had just relaxed, suddenly tensed up again. Although Wuming Mountain was not a famous mountain, the strange phenomenon of "the entire mountain breaking off from the bottom" was remarkable.

Considering the withering of the red plum blossoms in the northwestern suburbs a few days ago, no one can believe it was just a coincidence.

Just then, another guard ran in from outside. As soon as the guard stepped into the palace, he knelt down with a "plop".

His knee slammed against the gold brick with a dull thud, his voice laced with the panting of a long march and barely concealed fear: "Your Majesty, Shandong has not seen rain for days. The fields are cracked, and the people are praying for rain!"

The last few words crashed into the imperial palace like a boulder, and the officials who had been clinging to the idea of ​​a "coincidence" were completely thrown into a panic.

"It's the spring equinox now, how come there hasn't been a drop of rain?"

The Minister of Revenue took a half-step forward in haste, his white beard trembling.

"Shandong is a major grain-producing area. If there is no rain, there may be a food shortage this summer!"

Emperor Kangxi sat upright on the dragon throne, his fingertips tracing the armrests, his eyes unfathomable.

Why is Shandong suddenly experiencing a drought?! Could it be that the clouds are truly...?

"Shandong is suddenly experiencing a drought? Why was this only reported today?"

Kangxi's voice suddenly turned stern, and his back under his dragon robe straightened ramrod straight.

"By imperial decree, the Governor of Shandong is ordered to immediately investigate the drought situation, open the granaries, and distribute grain to appease the people. Any delay will be punished as deceiving the Emperor!"

"Yes, sir!" The guard scrambled out.

The Golden Palace was completely silent. All the officials stood with their heads bowed, cold sweat trickling down their temples.

The severe drought in Shandong is a matter of national importance, and if it is combined with the saying "the phoenix is ​​trapped in the net of the mortal world," no one dares to imagine the consequences.

Suo'etu stepped forward, trembling, his white beard shaking violently.

"Your Majesty, these unusual phenomena are occurring frequently. Perhaps, as Master Huineng said, they are a warning from Heaven! For the sake of the country and the people, I implore Your Majesty... to follow the will of Heaven and the will of the people!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than several senior officials echoed his sentiments: "Lord Suo is absolutely right! Your Majesty, you must not defy the Mandate of Heaven any longer!"

Emperor Kangxi sat upright on the dragon throne, his gaze slowly sweeping over the officials in the hall who looked apprehensive.

His fingertips paused slightly on the armrest, his voice heavy as if weighed down by lead: "Follow the will of Heaven and the will of the people? But Hesheli is Longkodo's first wife. If I were to forcibly take her, wouldn't I be branded as someone who 'disregards moral principles'?"

These words seemed to strike a nerve with Longkodo, who abruptly looked up, his face turning pale and then flushed.

"I am the Emperor of the Great Qing Dynasty. How can I take away my subject's wife based on a few vague pronouncements of divine will? If word gets out, how will I face my ancestors and the people of the world!"

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger!" All the officials kowtowed in unison, their foreheads pressed against the cold gold bricks.

"We did not mean that, but the will of Heaven is hard to defy. If we allow disaster to spread because of a momentary obsession, our Great Qing Empire and its hundreds of millions of people will suffer..."

Soetu crawled half a step on his knees, his aged voice trembling with sobs: "Your Majesty, the fate of the nation is paramount! If sacrificing one's 'title' can bring peace to the world, even at the cost of some moral condemnation, future generations will praise Your Majesty for prioritizing the people and for your wisdom in following the will of Heaven! Moreover, Lord Longkodo is a man of great principle and would surely be willing to yield a step for the sake of the Qing Dynasty's destiny!"

These words were like a sharp knife, piercing straight into Longkodo's heart, his eyes filled with humiliation and resentment.

"Stop talking! Don't mention this matter again!" With that, Kangxi flicked his sleeve and walked out.

Emperor Kangxi stormed out of the palace, the hem of his dragon robe sweeping across the golden bricks of the imperial steps, leaving a series of dull sounds.

The officials stood frozen in place, none daring to make a move.

Longkodo watched Kangxi's departing figure, deeply moved.

The emperor, for the sake of his own reputation, did not hesitate to defy "divine will" and refute the officials.

This thoughtful gesture made him instantly forget his previous resentment, and he only felt a burning sensation in his chest.

Looking at Longkodo, who was deeply moved, the prince felt a strange pity and sympathy.

He then shook his head, wondering why he kept having this strange feeling lately.

Never mind, I'd better go back to Yuqing Palace to see the Crown Princess.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Hesheli Palace.

Hesheli Gabula rubbed his hands together, his face beaming with joy. "What a joyous occasion! Yunshu has truly lived up to the saying 'the phoenix descends to earth'! This is an immense blessing. Not only will our Hesheli family benefit from this, but the entire Qing Dynasty will depend on her protection!"

As he spoke, he strode to the desk, picked up a pre-prepared letter, and handed it to the butler beside him.

"Quickly, send this letter to Yuquan Villa and deliver it to Yunshu! Tell her that the family is hoping that she can 'follow the will of Heaven and the people,' not to waste this great opportunity, and not to let the people suffer from drought again."

The butler took the letter, bowed in acknowledgment, and quickly turned and left.

Gabula stood by the window, gazing at the newly blooming crabapple blossoms outside the courtyard, a smile spreading across his face.

Yuquan Villa.

Liu Yunshu took the letter from the steward, quickly scanned a few lines, and a cold smile flashed in her eyes.

She placed the letter on the stone table, tapping it lightly with her fingertips, her tone somewhat nonchalant: "Father is certainly well-informed; it's only been a few days, and he's already hoping I'll 'follow the will of Heaven and the people.'"

Biyu stood to the side, pouting, "Master is just eager to join in the fun now that Miss is gaining power! He wasn't this enthusiastic when Miss was bullied by Longkodo before."