Chapter 496 Sudden Rain
The torrential rain in Jiangnan arrived suddenly without any warning.
First, rumbling thunder rolled across the sky, then large raindrops began to pelt down, quickly forming a curtain of rain, plunging the world into chaos.
The rain continued for several days, causing rivers to swell, mountain roads to collapse, post stations to be flooded, and several official roads leading to Jiangnan to be cut off one after another.
The atmosphere inside the palace, like the weather in Jiangnan, grew heavier day by day.
The lights in the Imperial Study often stayed on until late at night.
The reports on Huo's desk were piled up like mountains. In addition to routine government affairs, most of them were urgent reports about the floods in Jiangnan and the emergency situation in many places.
He frowned, and processed government affairs faster than usual. But every time a new message arrived, he would immediately stop what he was doing and open it to read it, his eyes quickly searching between the lines.
He was looking for news about Shen Yi and that elite army.
However, since the roads were closed due to the torrential rain, all news about them has been completely cut off.
The last report received from the front lines was that Shen Yi had led his team to the outskirts of Jiangzhou, the area most severely affected by the disaster, and was preparing to try to enter the core area to meet up with Xu Muyuan.
After that, there was no further sound.
"Your Majesty, it's time for your meal." Wang Degui brought in the almost untouched food for the umpteenth time, reminding you cautiously.
Huo Lin didn't even look up, just waved his hand, signaling him to put it down.
His gaze was fixed on the location of Jiangzhou on the map, his fingertips unconsciously tapping the table, making a dull sound.
When Jiang Huan brought in the freshly stewed ginseng soup, this was the look on Huo Lin's face.
Qinghei is now cosplaying as a giant panda, and he's as tense as a fully drawn bowstring.
She gently placed the soup beside him and reached out to cover his clenched fist.
"Eat something, or you won't have the energy to celebrate when the good news comes."
Huo Lin forced a smile, but his eyes were filled with anxiety.
He took her hand in his own; his palm was a little cold.
"The roads are all cut off, and even carrier pigeons can't fly over. Jiangzhou and several surrounding counties have become isolated islands. The extent of the disaster, the people's situation, and those who are taking advantage of the situation to cause trouble... are all unknown."
He paused, his voice carrying a barely perceptible hoarseness.
"Jiang Huan... I don't know if I made a mistake. The situation in Jiangnan is complicated, and a natural disaster has suddenly struck. It was I who sent him there..."
That place is now a haven for floods and ferocious beasts. If I had known, I would never have sent Shen Yi there.
He is my dearest friend. If he cannot return from Jiangnan, I will never forgive myself.
"Huo Lin."
Jiang Huan squeezed his hand tightly back. The guilt Huo Lin felt in his heart was almost bone-deep, making her heart ache as well.
"Now is not the time to act on emotions. We must be rational. The calmer we are, the higher the chances of Shen Yi being able to escape safely. The fact that there is no news right now is the best news. It means that we still have time to mobilize resources and plan disaster relief. We will provide assistance as soon as the roads are open."
“I think Shen Yi is definitely planning and trying his best to contact you. If you blame yourself and feel guilty here, it would be a disservice to his efforts in Jiangnan.”
After that, there was a long silence.
Huo Lin closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
When he opened his eyes again, the redness and fatigue in his eyes had not disappeared, but the composure that belonged to an emperor had been regained.
"You're right." He picked up the bowl of ginseng soup, which had cooled slightly, and drank it all in one gulp.
If I were to abandon myself first, Jiangnan would surely descend into chaos.
[When Shen Yi returns, he'll definitely talk about this for three days and three nights.]
I will hold firm and not give him a chance to laugh at me.
"Order the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of Works, and the Imperial Medical Academy to immediately inventory and prepare all available disaster relief funds, grains, medicines, and artisans, and to be on standby at any time. Furthermore, order the neighboring prefectures to spare no effort to make contact with Jiangzhou and to demand that he be seen alive..."
He didn't say the rest of the sentence, but instead slammed the bowl down with a soft thud.
......
Jiang Huan and Huo Lin kept the fact that Shen Yi had gone missing a secret from Mingzhu.
But how could the news be kept secret from the palace?
A few days later, Jiang Huan had just returned to Weiyang Palace from the Imperial Study when she saw Mingzhu pacing back and forth at the door, clearly having been waiting for her for a long time.
Jiang Huan sighed softly in her heart and spoke first, "Mingzhu, what are you standing there for? Come in with me."
Upon hearing Jiang Huan's voice, Mingzhu's eyes immediately welled up with tears.
He rushed over and grabbed Jiang Huan's arm tightly.
"Your Majesty, tell me the truth, Shen Yi...they, are they...?"
"I'll tell you slowly. Take a breath and calm down first."
Jiang Huan took Mingzhu's hand in her own and helped her sit down in the courtyard.
Only then did he look at her, his eyes filled with a calm yet firm gaze.
"Jiangnan has been hit by torrential rains, roads are blocked, and communication is temporarily disrupted. His Majesty has already dispatched additional personnel and supplies to carry out disaster relief and communication efforts..."
"When will we be able to contact him? Is it forever... forever...?"
Mingzhu barely had the courage to listen to the end; large tears finally rolled down her cheeks, and even her voice trembled.
"Besides, the roads are cut off, and the flood is so fierce, what if he gets swept away? What if he gets injured, soaked in water, what will happen to his wounds? Or, what if he gets trapped and starves to death... That annoying guy, he's just too clever for his own good, going to such a dangerous place without hesitation..."
She was incoherent, her words becoming increasingly urgent, and tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.
Seeing her so distraught and extremely worried, how could Jiang Huan not feel sorry for her?
But now that Mingzhu wants the truth, she must accept the harsh reality and adjust her mindset.
Otherwise, acting impulsively will only kill Shen Yi, just as she and Huo Lin said.
Jiang Huan gently patted Mingzhu's back and suddenly spoke softly, interrupting her sobbing.
"Mingzhu, do you believe in Shen Yi?"
"I..." Mingzhu was taken aback by her question, somewhat confused as to why Jiang Huan would ask such a question.
He believes in you, believes you will wait for his safe return in the palace, believes you will wait for him to tell you his secret feelings, and believes you will have a future together.
Jiang Huan didn't give her time to hesitate; her tone was gentle, yet carried a firm strength.
"He trusts you so much, so you should trust him too, believe that he will get out of trouble, and that everything will turn out well."
Mingzhu was stunned for a moment, almost forgetting to cry.
These words, like waves, stirred up countless ripples in the deepest part of her heart.
As the waves surged higher and higher, her deepest secret was finally revealed, and Mingzhu's tears welled up once more.
She covered her face with her hands, and intermittent sounds escaped through her fingers.
"I understand, I understand, I will definitely, absolutely believe him..."
“I believe he will come back. Even if he comes back to upset me, make trouble for me, or laugh at me, I will accept it! Even if he doesn’t become an official in the future, I will support him. He can just be my gigolo and never risk his life again!”
After those words were blurted out, all those chaotic and tangled emotions seemed to find an outlet and become crystal clear.
She should have faced this relationship squarely a long time ago!
That annoying guy who always annoys her, teases her, but also appears just when she needs him.
She really, really, really liked him!
"Your Majesty, I've thought it through. I don't need to find a consort anymore. Once things are settled in Jiangnan, I'll have my Imperial Uncle find me a husband. I'll choose Shen Yi. He has no choice but to accept him!"
As she said this, Mingzhu had already removed her hand from her face.
Tears still clung to her cheeks, red from crying, but the light in her eyes was so bright it seemed to offer a glimmer of hope.
Jiang Huan was filled with emotion as she looked at Mingzhu's unwavering determination after her sudden enlightenment.
She finally saw her heart clearly when the storm was brewing.
Believe in the power of belief; this sincerity will surely bring her everything she desires.
But before Jiang Huan could say these encouraging words, Wang Degui suddenly rushed over in a panic.
"Your Majesty, something terrible has happened! The Emperor... the Emperor has suddenly fainted in the Imperial Study!"
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