You know what, it really looked like the real thing. Master Xuanzhen, holding a whisk, kept circling the altar.

The altar was adorned with offerings of fresh flowers, fruits, incense, and candles, with nothing lacking.

In the middle of the altar lay a lizard, motionless, its life or death unknown; it was said to represent a dragon.

After wandering around for a while, they saw the Taoist priest sprinkle some water on the burning incense and candles, symbolizing rain, and then he chanted incantations.

Taiyuan Haoshi, the essence of thunder and fire, gathers yin and yang to guard the Thunder City.

Guan Bo ascends to the abyss with wind and fire, his wind and lightning stirring up ghosts.

...

Anyone who dares to refuse will be severely punished. So be it!

...

After reciting the incantation three times, "Blood Purple Rose" was really bored, so she looked around and saw that everyone's eyes were on the altar, there were many more soldiers around, and even the courtyard walls were filled with murderous intent.

"It seems that the Feng family really intends to make their move at the altar. That makes sense. Today, all the court officials and nobles are here. As long as they are wiped out, there will be no more worries."

Just as "Blood Purple Rose" was muttering to herself, dark clouds suddenly gathered in the sky, raindrops began to fall, and cheers erupted all around.

It's raining, it's raining, it's really raining.

"The divine being! Where is the divine being?!"

"The Dragon King has appeared! Baojun County is saved!"

The people cheered with joy, and Chu Yunmo smiled slightly.

"That's interesting. It seems that Rin's position as crown prince is secure."

Then, as if suddenly remembering something, she asked "Blood Purple Rose" beside her.

"By the way, Miss Han, have you seen Prince Longxuan? I heard that an altar was set up today to pray for rain, which is related to the position of Crown Prince. Prince Longxuan has been late. I'm afraid he might be giving up the competition for the position of Crown Prince?"

Chu Yunmo remained calm and composed, while "Blood Purple Rose" coldly snorted.

"The position of crown prince is a matter of national destiny; how can it be obtained through trivial means?"

"According to the celestial observations last night, it was predicted that it would rain today. This Taoist priest was merely bluffing."

"Miss Han actually knows divination?"

Chu Yunmo was extremely surprised. According to reliable sources, Miss Han was a good-for-nothing who was ignorant and incompetent, but she did not expect that she would not only know kung fu, but also divination.

"Ha ha……"

A burst of silvery laughter interrupted Chu Yunmo's inner musings, followed by a warm sensation in her ear, as "Blood Purple Rose" whispered something to her.

"I dare not presume to make a prediction, but the white leaves on the willow leaves yesterday foreshadowed the coming of rainy days."

"you……"

Chu Yunmo turned her head, and their eyes met. A pair of crystal-clear eyes were right in front of him, those bright and clear eyes revealing a hint of cleverness, making Chu Yunmo's heart skip a beat again, but she quickly suppressed it with her composure.

"Miss Han is truly exceptionally intelligent; I have learned a great deal from her."

Just as the two were talking, the rain stopped, and the crowd began to murmur again.

"What happened? Why did the rain stop?"

"With so little rain, how can it possibly help Baojun County out of its predicament?"

"Yes! Baojun County hasn't had rain for so long, it can't be solved with just a few drops of water."

...

Emperor Li Hongwen was equally anxious, glancing at his second son, Li Muchen.

"Chen'er, go ask why it's stopped raining?"

"yes."

Upon receiving the order, Li Muchen strode towards the altar, his eyes filled with a sinister glint.

In a corner, Yan Zijiang, one of Grand Tutor Feng's subordinates, whispered a report to Grand Tutor Feng.

"My lord, we don't seem to have seen any sign of Prince Longxuan. Should we proceed with the original plan?"

"Keep searching. That kid's cunning; we mustn't fall for his tricks. 'The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.' Be extremely careful."

After giving some instructions, Grand Tutor Feng nodded and gave a few words of advice to the person beside him. That person then went into the crowd, and everything happened without anyone noticing.

At the same time, Zhao Hu received a secret report that there were also unusual movements at the Mu residence.

"Your Highness, Mu Xi has gathered over a hundred people today. What is she planning to do?"

"Mu Xi?"

"Blood Purple Rose's" glassy eyes flashed. This person had been quiet for several days since his leg was crippled; even Han Ruyi hadn't bothered him. What was he planning to do today?

Her fox-like eyes darted around, and she beckoned to Zhao Hu with a finger.

"Find someone to keep an eye on Mu Xi for me."

...

"This is outrageous! We're not going to pray for rain at this altar anymore. Get out of here!"

"Your Highness, as a prince, shouldn't you be thinking about the common people? Baojun County hasn't had rain for months. Are you sure you don't want to pray for rain? Or do you want to watch the people of Baojun County die?"

...

Just as "Blood Purple Rose" was giving instructions to Zhao Hu, a quarrel broke out on the altar for some unknown reason.

"Wasn't this Taoist Master Xuanzhen invited by King Lin? Why are the two of them arguing?"

"Who knows! Of all people to offend, King Lin has to offend Daoist Xuanzhen. If he gets angry, will he really bring rain to my Zixiao Kingdom?"

...

The people were talking about it, and Emperor Li Hongwen was also worried. Baojun County was in dire need of this rain, and if Prince Lin offended this Taoist priest, what would become of them?

Thinking this, Emperor Li Hongwen spoke in a deep voice.

"King Lin, please do not be rude to the Taoist priest. What has happened?"

"Father, do you know what treasonous words this Taoist priest just uttered?"

The Second Prince, Li Muchen, looked indignant, and then spoke loudly.

"He just said he would use his elder brother as a sacrifice to the heavens. He also said that the reason why 'Baojun County' is not getting rain is because it is the punishment of the heavens for my 'Zixiao Kingdom'."

"You audacious Taoist priest, how dare you! You actually dare to make the prince of my 'Purple Cloud Kingdom' perform a sacrifice to Heaven! Who gave you the audacity?"

Before Emperor Li Hongwen could speak, Eunuch Zhou shouted first.

No sooner had he finished speaking than Shen Tianyi, the commander of the Imperial Guards, pointed his sword at Master Xuanzhen.

"Your Majesty, spare me! Your Majesty, spare me! Please hear me out! This is a warning from Heaven, not my intention!"

As Master Xuanzhen spoke, he chanted incantations, then pointed his finger, and a white dragon appeared in the air, followed by a deep voice.

"You overturned my offerings before the New Year, yet you still have the nerve to pray for rain? You're delusional."

"If you wish for rain from me, you must sacrifice that sinful person to atone for your sins."

After Bai Long finished speaking, he disappeared without a trace.

"The Dragon King has appeared! The Dragon King has appeared..."

"It was the eldest prince. The eldest prince knocked over the Dragon King's offerings, which angered the Dragon King."

"Yes, if we sacrifice the eldest prince to the heavens, the Dragon King will surely bring rain."

...

The people were in an uproar once again.

"Nonsense, utter nonsense! Where is Prince Longxuan? Why hasn't Feng'er arrived yet?"

Emperor Li Hongwen was not a foolish ruler, so he would not actually sacrifice his own son to the heavens. He had never looked forward to the appearance of his third son, Li Mufeng, as much as he did at this moment.

It turns out that the former Crown Prince Li Mutian fell ill here. An altar had been set up at the time, but Li Mutian went mad and overturned the offering table. He then killed anyone he saw and chopped at anyone he encountered, which led to his removal from the position of Crown Prince.

"Your Majesty, since it is the Dragon King's order, I believe Your Majesty should prioritize the overall situation."

Just as Emperor Li Hongwen was at a loss, a censor stepped forward.

"Yes! Food is the most important thing for people. If we don't follow the Dragon King's wishes, I'm afraid the entire 'Purple Cloud Kingdom' will suffer."

Another official stepped forward.

"You...you all..."

Emperor Li Hongwen clutched his chest in anger, while Eunuch Zhou shouted in a shrill voice,

"Censor Xu and Censor Yan, how dare you! You actually advocate having the Prince Xian perform the sacrificial ceremony for the Emperor's offspring! Have you gone mad?"

"Precisely because he is the emperor's son, he should prioritize the people. A ruler should regard the people as his heaven. If the people are with him, he will be at peace; if they assist him, he will be strong; if they oppose him, he will be in danger; if they turn their backs on him, he will perish."

It's not raining in Baojun County right now. If we don't follow the Dragon King's wishes, I'm afraid the entire "Purple Cloud Kingdom" will suffer the consequences.

Your Majesty, I believe the suggestions of Censors Xu and Yan are feasible. What is your opinion?

Grand Tutor Fengyi also stepped forward.

"We second that proposal!"

"We second that proposal!"

...

The ancients were already superstitious, and when everyone saw a real dragon with their own eyes, they believed it to be true even more, and all the officials knelt down.

Even the common people shouted in unison.

"We beg Your Majesty to use the eldest prince as a sacrifice to Heaven, so that the Dragon King may bring rain."

"We beg Your Majesty to use the eldest prince as a sacrifice to Heaven, so that the Dragon King may bring rain."

...

The outcry was deafening. Emperor Li Hongwen was in a dilemma. On one side was his son, and on the other side were the people of the city and even all the court officials. What should he do?