Chapter 785 The Imperial Advisor is Stunningly Beautiful (12)

Unfortunately, some people always choose the wrong path at the most crucial moment.

After her mother passed away, Yan Yudie wrote a note to her maid, instructing her to go to the guard's house that very night and ask him to propose marriage the next day.

She didn't want to become a nun in a temple, nor did she want to go to the capital and never be able to return home.

If she marries a man who has lost his virginity, she might still have a chance to turn things around; if she leaves, she will have nothing left.

Not long after, she married into the guard's household and began a life of misery.

This only proves that only men truly understand men.

Especially in ancient times, no man would really take a woman seriously if she had been seen naked by others.

However, she brought it all on herself, so she can't blame anyone else.

...

The Empress Dowager has been very happy these days.

Because her eldest son has finally come to his senses.

The emperor poured all sorts of good stuff from his private treasury into Ning Yan's palace, and she couldn't refuse it.

Not only that, Yuan Yan had to have meals with Ning Yan every day, and he would also run to Ning Yan's palace at night, ostensibly to warm the Grand Preceptor's bed. In any case, his attitude was extremely humble, for fear that the Grand Preceptor might close the palace door and not let him in if he was dissatisfied.

Don't ask him why he said that.

Only you were imprisoned.

Ning Yan is a very pragmatic person. Even the emperor of a country offered himself up, which wasn't something she hadn't done before, so she accepted it with a smile. As a result, the two of them have been living in great harmony for the past six months.

Then, Yuan Yan discussed the matter of making Ning Yan empress with her.

Ning Yan finally said, "Okay, but we'll talk about the empress's coronation in half a month."

Why do we have to wait another two weeks?

Ning Yan: "Yesterday I cast a divination, and it said there will be another natural disaster in the south."

"What?"

"Don't worry. The south will experience a severe drought in June this year. It has been two and a half months since it last rained, but the situation is not serious. In half a month, when the news reaches the capital, I will go to the south to set up an altar to pray for rain."

It's late May now. In the south, there are two or three kinds of wheat a year. May is the time to harvest wheat. If a heavy rain comes at this time, all the wheat that has grown so well will be wasted.

Upon hearing this, the Emperor breathed a sigh of relief. He hadn't even considered why he couldn't pray for rain now; his mind was already preoccupied with how to issue the decree for the Empress's investiture, what betrothal gifts to send, and how to decorate their palace...

Yes, this person is truly love-obsessed.

Sure enough, on June 7th, an official reported that the southern prefectures of Ji and Tang were suffering from a severe drought, with not a single drop of rain falling for three months.

"Your Majesty, may I ask the Imperial Advisor to calculate when the drought in the south will end?"

The Imperial Advisor was not required to attend court, so the Emperor immediately sent someone to invite him.

Ning Yan quickly arrived at the main hall.

The emperor had someone arrange a seat next to him, since she hadn't been made empress yet, so her position was a step lower than his.

"Grand Preceptor, you must already know why I invited you here today. Please, Grand Preceptor, calculate when it will rain in the two states of Ji and Tang."

Ning Yan said, "Yesterday, my national teacher observed the celestial phenomena and noticed something unusual in the south."

Upon returning, he cast a divination, which predicted a severe drought in the states of Ji and Tang, with no rain in June. Even a subsequent rainfall failed to alleviate the drought, and six states would be affected, resulting in a complete crop failure.

A buzzing sound immediately filled the hall as the ministers whispered among themselves about the matter.

Some people even doubted the veracity of Ning Yan's words.

Why could the imperial strategist predict the snowstorm in the north, but not the severe drought in the south?

Then she said that the south would be dry for six months. Who knows if she was exaggerating?

Of course, most of these people were not qualified to attend the New Year's Eve banquet.

"Grand Preceptor, the South has been the granary of the entire Canglan Kingdom for more than a year, and it is a matter of national importance. We cannot afford any mistakes. Grand Preceptor, your Taoist skills are superb. Could you please set up an altar and perform a ritual to pray for rain for the two states?"

Once someone takes the lead, others will naturally follow suit.

Soon the ministers knelt on the ground, begging the imperial advisor to pray for rain.

Ning Yan had already stood up.

"I know the method of praying for rain, but I don't have the necessary materials. If you gentlemen are willing to help, I am willing to go to Jizhou immediately to set up an altar and perform the ritual."

The Prime Minister glanced at the Emperor, then at the Imperial Advisor, and a vague guess formed in his mind.

"We do not know what the Imperial Preceptor needs. If we have it, we are willing to offer it to him with both hands."

Ning Yan smiled at the Prime Minister, "Prime Minister, you are concerned about the country and its people, and you have devoted yourself to the Canglan Kingdom. You are truly a role model for all officials. I admire you."

"Prime Minister, please wait a moment while I list out the items I need. I hope you can help me gather these items as soon as possible."

Prime Minister: Why should he be the one to collect the money?

Eunuch He has already ordered someone to fetch writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones.

Ning Yan quickly filled a sheet of paper with her writing in the hall.

She is capable of performing rituals, but she can't be allowed to do so for every single thing.

Today it's a severe drought in the south, tomorrow it might be border incursions, the day after tomorrow it might be about prolonging lives, and then it might be about trivial matters.

Let them all bleed, and next time something like this happens, they'll think again, is it worth the Imperial Advisor's intervention?

Soon, the list of items was completed, and as the prime minister looked at the items, his confusion grew stronger.

These things are so strange; they include both expensive and cheap items, but he even knows which family owns the expensive ones.

Moreover, these families were the first to come out and ask the imperial advisor to perform divination.

As for him, the Imperial Preceptor didn't ask for anything valuable, but rather a Duan inkstone from his study.

Some even included the names of officials.

For example, the writing brush used by Vice Minister Chu, the official robe worn by Lord Jin, and the accessories worn by Lord Yu at his waist...

Isn't this too obvious in its targeting?

"Your Excellency, do you think it's possible to gather all these items? If we can find them today, my Imperial Tutor can head south tomorrow. Every day later, the people of Ji and Tang will suffer from drought for another day."

The prime minister gave a wry smile, then gritted his teeth and decided to resolve the affairs of the court in court.

"Your Majesty, the Imperial Advisor has marked many items with names on the list. May I collect the items from the list right here in the palace?"

"Can."

...

The items were collected quickly, and all of them were delivered to the Imperial Advisor that same day.

Thinking of the expressions on the faces of those officials, the Prime Minister's expression was truly indescribable.

Later, he realized that all those named were officials from slightly poorer families. The Grand Preceptor was so capable that it should be easy for him to predict what each family had... right?

Ning Yan: Is it possible that the Emperor investigated the homes of all of you ministers as early as half a month ago?

That night, the Emperor put in an exceptionally good effort.

Seeing that the Grand Preceptor was satisfied with being served by him, he immediately made a request.

"My good imperial advisor, may I accompany you to Jizhou this time?"

"sure."

Yuan Yan was extremely surprised. He had prepared a lot of things to say but hadn't had a chance to say them yet. How could his Grand Tutor agree so easily?

But who cares!

As long as the goal is achieved!