Chapter 37: Drought Rages, the Grain Mystery Awaits Solution

Yu County was once a land of vast, fertile plains where waves of wheat rolled across the fields and villages teemed with tranquility and vitality.

However, a cruel drought struck like a ferocious beast, ruthlessly devouring the life of the land and leaving behind nothing but scorched earth and despair. Months of scorching sun had cracked the ground into a web of fissures, resembling a shattered tortoise shell. With crops withered and harvests failing, the lives of the people in Yu County plummeted into an unprecedented crisis.

Upon hearing the news, the imperial court urgently dispatched relief grain, hoping to rescue the populace from their dire straits. Wagons laden with hope stirred up dust as they set out in a grand procession toward Yu County. Yet, in a bizarre turn of events, this life-saving grain vanished into thin air before reaching its destination, leaving no trace behind.

When the news broke, the already fragile hearts of the people in Yu County were shattered once more. Anger and disappointment spread like a flood. Watching their last hope for survival evaporate, their trust in the imperial court crumbled in an instant. Driven to desperation, some of the commoners were forced to take to the mountains and become bandits. Civil unrest spread like a wildfire around Yu County; trade routes were blocked, and panic and chaos engulfed the land.

Within the imperial palace, golden dragons coiled around pillars and phoenixes clutched pearls in their beaks. Amidst the intricately carved beams and painted pillars lay an atmosphere of immense luxury. Yet, at this moment, the magnificent hall was shrouded in a heavy, stifling gloom, as if blanketed by an impenetrable haze. Eunuchs and palace maids moved with bated breath, their footsteps hurried and cautious, terrified of inciting the wrath of the furious Emperor.

The Emperor sat high upon the dragon throne. Though cast in gold and inlaid with countless treasures, the throne seemed chilled by the Emperor’s rage, radiating a faint, biting cold. He wore a bright yellow dragon robe, its golden dragons snarling and clawing. The Emperor’s face was twisted in fury; his brows were locked together like two streaks of ink-black lightning ready to split the heavens. The fire in his eyes seemed poised to incinerate everything before him, a fierce intersection of anxiety and rage. His fists were clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white, suppressing an impending thunderous outburst. On the imperial desk before him, the memorials trembled slightly, as if shivering under the weight of his majestic authority. The report on the disaster in Yu County lay before him, every word a needle piercing his heart. He knew that without immediate action, the people of Yu County would face an existential crisis.

"Li Chengyin!" The Emperor’s voice echoed through the hall, shattering the silence.

Li Chengyin immediately stepped out from the ranks, knelt, and replied, "Your son is here."

The Emperor ordered the disaster report to be handed to him. "Drought, famine, civil unrest, and now the disappearance of the grain supplies—Yu County is on the brink of collapse. I command you to set out for Yu County immediately, uncover the mystery of the missing supplies, ensure the relief efforts proceed smoothly, and pacify the hearts of the people."

"Your son obeys the decree." After receiving the order, Li Chengyin’s expression was solemn and resolute; he understood that the weight of this mission was as heavy as a mountain. Without a moment's hesitation, he turned and strode out of the palace.

Li Chengyin stepped through the vermilion gates of the Eastern Palace. His silhouette appeared weary in the sunset glow, yet his eyes shone with a steady, resolute light. He traversed the winding corridors, heading straight for Xiaofeng’s quarters. Pushing open the door, he found her sitting by the window, the sunlight dancing in her hair like a golden veil.

"Xiaofeng, I shall depart for Yu County in a few days."

Li Chengyin’s voice broke the stillness of the room and shattered Xiaofeng’s reverie. Xiaofeng looked up abruptly, her eyes filled with surprise and reluctance at the impending separation.

"You are going to Yu County? Why so suddenly? Do you intend to leave me all alone in this cold and desolate Eastern Palace?"

Li Chengyin frowned slightly, walked to her side, and placed his hands gently on her shoulders. "The journey to Yu County is long and perilous; I do not wish for you to suffer such hardships. Wait for me here, and I shall return as soon as possible."

Xiaofeng’s emotions flared instantly. She broke free from his grip and stood up, her eyes flashing with stubborn defiance. "I won't! Li Chengyin, you never tell me anything, you never explain things clearly, and now you won't even take me with you. Just you wait!" With that, she turned and stormed out, her skirts swirling with indignation as if to express her resentment.

Back in her room, Xiaofeng could not calm her agitation. She paced back and forth, contemplating how she could follow Li Chengyin to Yu County.

Suddenly, she stopped, a look of determination flashing in her eyes, and began to pack her belongings.

Adu, watching from the side, asked with concern, "Princess, didn't the Crown Prince forbid you from going? Isn't this too risky?"

Without looking back, Xiaofeng stuffed clothes into her bundle and said firmly, "If he won't let me go, I will go in secret. Adu, we must find a way to slip into the ranks."

Once packed, Xiaofeng went immediately to find Pei Zhao.

Pei Zhao was at the training grounds commanding the troops. Seeing Xiaofeng approach in such a rush, he had a premonition of what was to come.

"Pei Zhao, please take me with you to Yu County," Xiaofeng requested directly.

Pei Zhao looked troubled and replied respectfully, "Crown Princess, His Highness has issued an order that you should not accompany him. I dare not disobey."

Xiaofeng stepped forward, clutching his sleeve, her eyes filled with pleading. "Pei Zhao, you know my nature; I must go. If you don't take me, I will find my own way there. But if an accident happens along the road, can you bear the responsibility?"

Watching the resolve in her eyes, Pei Zhao’s heart wavered. He knew her obstinacy; if he did not take her, she might do something even more dangerous. Moreover, he understood her deep devotion to Li Chengyin and knew she would never bear to be separated from him.

After a moment of inner struggle, Pei Zhao sighed helplessly. "Crown Princess, I can only help you this once. But you must promise me that you will follow my arrangements in everything and not act on your own."

Hearing this, a look of relief washed over Xiaofeng’s face. "Pei Zhao, don't worry, I will be obedient."

Thus, on the morning Li Chengyin departed, Xiaofeng and Adu disguised themselves as guards, quietly slipped into Pei Zhao’s ranks, and left the Eastern Palace.