Zhang Xu snapped out of her reverie and heard Yan Chenghuan say to Rong Yue, "It's possible that we can't get rain from Chen."

:"why is that?"

"It looks like a powerful demon is at work. With the Imperial Preceptor's cultivation level, I'm afraid something unexpected might happen. I'll accompany you when you pray for rain, and I'll protect you if anything goes wrong."

Rong Yue asked anxiously, "What should we do? Cheng Huan, do you have any ideas? Also, what are my father and mother doing?"

Yan Chenghuan shook his head: "With my cultivation level, I can't see clearly, and there's nothing I can do. The other members of the royal family have the Imperial Preceptor with them, so you don't need to worry. However, I heard that drought demons have appeared in the surrounding area, which may be related to this. The people from Yuqingshan have already gone there and should be back soon."

Rong Yue's eyes were a little red: "Are we just supposed to wait for Yu Qingshan's people to help us?"

:"Yes!"

Zhang Xu, holding the script, naturally knew that the severe drought in Chen Kingdom had been foreshadowed. Thunder rumbled in the winter of last year, followed by torrential rains in February of this year, and then no rain fell. Rong Yue, born into the palace and deliberately kept in the dark by the Chen emperor, remained unaware that Chen's demise was foreshadowed long before its fall. This rainmaking ritual was part of the nightmare that plunged Chen Kingdom into despair. The rain that had been impossible to obtain was instead brought down by Rong Bing's alteration of the ritual implements, resulting in a city-wide black rain and the ensuing disaster.

Seeing Rong Yue's expression, Zhang Xu was also somewhat moved, but it was just part of the plot, a necessary step for the female lead to grow.

August 21st is an auspicious day for all activities!

The imperial altar, used for royal sacrifices, had long been prepared for rainmaking. A ring of imperial edicts hung around the massive circular platform, and a square peachwood table stood in the center, its surface laden with incense ash, candles, and other offerings. Beside the offerings lay a strange black feather.

Because it was a prayer for rain for the people, the guards protected the round platform and the high platform where the royal family sat. The remaining open space was crowded with people who came to watch. The dense crowd stared at the facilities on the round platform, their hungry eyes looking at the platform as if they wanted to see a hole through it.

Before the rain-praying ceremony began, the Emperor of Chen led his princes, consorts, and ministers in worshipping Heaven and Earth and Yuqing Mountain before returning to his seat.

Zhang Xu waited in Rong Yue's spot the whole time. When Rong Yue returned, she held up a parasol for her. Rong Yue watched with worry as the Grand Preceptor ascended the steps, her hand trembling as she held Zhang Xu's: "Xu Xu, what if it doesn't work?"

Rong Yue still remembered what Yan Chenghuan had said and felt uneasy. She didn't know if the people from Yu Qingshan would be able to get there in time if something unexpected had happened during the rainmaking.

Zhang Xu couldn't tell her, "It's definitely not going to succeed. If it did, how would you go to Yuqing Mountain all alone? If you don't go, the plot can't develop!" She could only quietly stay with her.

Yan Chenghuan appeared beside them at some point, silently observing the Imperial Preceptor's performance alongside the others.

The rain-praying ceremony had entered the stage of inviting the Dragon King. As a large group of people shouted and carried out the gilded statue of the Dragon King, the dragon pole carried by a big man on the left suddenly broke, and a group of people cried out and fell down.

Even knowing the ending, Zhang Xu's heart still trembled.

The Imperial Preceptor, however, remained calm, directing the disciples of the Imperial Preceptor's Mansion to dance around the group carrying the Dragon King. Encouraged by the crowd, the Dragon King returned to the center of the round platform.

Rong Yue gripped her hand even tighter. As the Imperial Preceptor raised the burning bamboo hat, wisps of smoke rose straight into the air, and the once cloudless sky slowly darkened.

Everyone present breathed a sigh of relief, and cheers slowly began to rise.

Zhang Xu's heart sank; this was only the beginning of the disaster.