The next day was July 28th.

When I woke up early, the weather was exceptionally hot. The sky was a clear blue, without a single cloud, and there wasn't a breath of wind. The blazing sun hung in the sky.

Xu Lejin wiped the thin layer of sweat from her forehead, her face showing a solemn expression.

"Why is it so hot today? It's almost like we're being roasted alive!"

Ziwu and Zhulan returned from outside Yikun Palace, their faces flushed from the sun, their makeup ruined, and large beads of sweat dripping down their faces, quickly soaking their handkerchiefs.

Xu Lejin leaned listlessly against the soft couch, feeling short of breath and restless, with a sense that something was about to happen.

Suddenly, Xu Lejin remembered an old saying.

Strange celestial phenomena foretell great calamity...

Startled, Xu Lejin stood up and, braving the scorching sun, walked into the courtyard of Yikun Palace. Her eyes were serious as she looked up and squinted at the sun high in the sky.

She racked her brains trying to remember, and finally it came to her.

This kind of weather is just a sign that...

"Your Majesty, something terrible has happened! A lot of rats have suddenly appeared in our palace and are running around everywhere. The Seventh Princess and the Eighth Princess are crying in fear. The place is a complete mess."

Xu Lejin nodded, trying to remain calm.

With a stern face, Xu Lejin coldly ordered Qin Huai, Ru Hua, and the others, "Quickly, get all the palace servants of Yikun Palace out to the spacious area in the courtyard."

"Qin Huai, Ru Hua, Zi Wu, Zhu Lan, you should go to the palaces immediately and report to the Emperor, the Empress Dowager, the Empress Dowager, and all the concubines, and tell them not to stay in their rooms, but to go to a spacious place."

The group looked at each other, puzzled.

Xu Lejin gritted her teeth and raised her voice, "The weather is hot, and the rats are scurrying away; this is the prelude to an earthquake. Better safe than sorry."

"Alright, Ruhua, you stay in Yikun Palace and keep the people in Yikun Palace in check. I will personally go to Qianqing Palace to report to the Emperor."

After saying this, Xu Lejin, without waiting for anyone's reaction, lifted her skirt and quickly left Yikun Palace, heading rapidly towards Qianqing Palace, her heart filled with anxiety.

It's extremely urgent, please make sure there's still time!

Qin Huai and Ru Hua exchanged a glance, then Qin Huai quickly followed Xu Lejin.

Ziwu, Zhulan, and a few eunuchs and maids from Yikun Palace left behind to guard the little princesses and the pregnant Consort Xiu, while the rest quickly ran to their respective palaces.

They ran and shouted, "The earth dragon is about to turn over!"

Yongshou Palace

Consort Yi looked grave and ultimately decided that it was better to believe it than not. Regardless of whether it was true or not, it would be good to take refuge in an open and spacious place.

Qixiang Palace, Yanxi Palace, Jingyang Palace

Consort An, Consort Hui, and Consort Duan all had the same thought in mind and quickly ordered the palace servants to go to an open space.

Zhongcui Palace

Consort Rong looked dejected and exhausted, and complained, "These are just rumors. It's just hot weather. How could there be an earthquake? Consort Yu is making a mountain out of a molehill."

"The sun is so scorching outside. If I go into the courtyard, won't I get a tan? I've worked so hard to maintain my fair and delicate skin."

With a sneer, Consort Rong squinted her eyes, enjoying the service of the palace maids.

The palace maids wanted to say a few words of advice, but swallowed their words awkwardly. While absentmindedly fanning Consort Rong and attending to her, they kept a close watch on everything happening outside.

Inside the east side hall, Consort Yun also looked incredulous.

The concubine and the maid Qingguan, who lived in the side hall and the annex, didn't believe it at first, but they were startled by a rat that suddenly appeared in the room. They cursed and left the room, standing under the eaves.

Xu Lejin walked briskly down the long street.

Finally, half an hour later, Xu Lejin arrived at the Qianqing Palace, panting heavily.

"This servant greets Consort Yu."

Liang Jiugong stood outside the Qianqing Palace, gazing at the azure sky, wiping away sweat as he pondered with a heavy expression. Upon seeing Xu Lejin hurrying over, he quickly bowed.

Before Liang Jiugong could finish his greetings, Xu Lejin anxiously asked, "Eunuch Liang, where is the Emperor? I have important matters to report to him."

"Your Majesty, the Emperor is currently..."

Pushing Liang Jiugong aside, Xu Lejin strode into the Qianqing Palace.

Liang Jiugong glanced at Qin Huai in surprise, and seeing Qin Huai's solemn expression, he shut his mouth and quickly followed.

When Xu Lejin appeared in the Qianqing Palace, Emperor Kangxi was stunned, as were several court officials. Their eyes all turned to Xu Lejin, filled with surprise and shock.

Before she could catch her breath, Xu Lejin shouted, "Your Majesty, quickly issue an edict ordering all the people in the capital to take refuge in open spaces! The earth is about to rise again..."

A truly earth-shattering statement.

Emperor Kangxi, his ministers, and the palace maids and eunuchs serving in the Qianqing Palace were all stunned.

Soetu, Mingzhu, and Faka exchanged glances in pairs.

Soetu stepped forward and said in a cold voice, "Your Majesty, Consort Yu has disregarded the law, trespassed into the Qianqing Palace, and spread nonsense and misleading the public. I beg Your Majesty to severely punish Consort Yu."

Mingzhu stepped forward immediately afterward.

"Your Majesty, I second that suggestion."

Faka hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I also agree with what Lord Suo'etu and Lord Mingzhu said."

"Your Majesty, please severely punish Consort Yu!"

Soetu, Mingzhu, and Faka all put pressure on Kangxi.

Only inside the Qianqing Palace, several old ministers had somber expressions and furrowed brows, seemingly deep in thought.

Xu Lejin stamped her foot and shouted, "Your Majesty, I swear on my life, the land will be turned upside down within a day! I beg Your Majesty to consider the well-being of the people and issue an imperial edict immediately!"

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