In the eighth month, the city gates were closed, and there was no rain for nearly 60 days. Rumors spread everywhere and swept through the capital.
The sky was as red as blood, and locusts invaded and devoured the fields and forests. Strange birds chirped, and cuckoos cried blood. White bones and green phosphorus could be seen in the barren mountains, and ghosts kept screaming at night.
The Half Immortals among the people shouted that there must be a demon causing mischief in the imperial court. The State Preceptor in the palace observed the celestial phenomenon at night, and the arrangement of the star array was dangerous. Divination and drawing lots were also difficult to escape.
All of these ominous signs pointed to one person.
That person was Pei Youyu, who lived with the emperor day and night and was above all people.
Even if he became the target of public criticism, the emperor didn't care at all. At this moment, he was watching a play with him in the opera garden built in the palace.
After the first half of the play, a eunuch secretly sneaked to Youyu's side and whispered a few words.
Pei Youyu signaled him to withdraw, and then quickly wiped the original smile on his face and replaced it with a sad face. Then, he turned to the emperor.
Sure enough, the emperor noticed it.
Yu'er, what's wrong with you? Could it be that this play is not to your liking? The emperor asked.
Thank you for your concern, but it's not because of this play. It's because after the play, this subject thought of the people suffering from drought in the capital. It's inevitable that this subject is worried.
Yu'er, if all the ministers care about the people as much as you do, zhen will be satisfied. The emperor put his hand on Youyu's hand and rubbed it.
Ai, Emperor's words are too serious. Recently, this subject often opened the granary to help the victims. I just want to do my best. This subject doesn't ask for anything in return, but I've been blocked several times. There are always others who have bad intentions. They want to take advantage of the disaster to make a fortune, and they also slander this subject. I really don't know what to do. Youyu pretended to be sad.
"Who?" The Emperor asked seriously.
This subject doesn't dare to talk nonsense. Youyu lowered his head.
Yu'er, in front of zhen, you can say it clearly. The emperor approached him.
The night was dark, so the emperor didn't know that the moment Youyu's face fell, he secretly smiled.
Therefore, a few days later. Before the official who publicly impeached the young jade in the imperial court could finish his words, the emperor was furious. In front of all the officials in the imperial court, he immediately ordered to take off his official robes and be dragged out to be beheaded.
Youyu, who was standing among the many officials below the stage, was looking at everything in front of him proudly.
Those officials had been plotting for a long time. They wanted to collect all the evidence of Youyu's crimes and meticulously write a crusade against him. They had even practiced it many times in private, hoping to incite the other officials to stand up in the imperial court and respectfully ask the Emperor to deal with Youyu.
Those people probably didn't even understand how their plan was leaked, and why the Emperor was so angry.
He noticed that the Emperor's gaze had stopped on him. Youyu hurriedly put away his victorious attitude and frowned. His gaze was blurred and sad, and he couldn't stop sighing.
The bloodshed in the imperial court had alarmed the founding general who had worked together with the late emperor to establish the country. The general was already old and had long since stopped caring about imperial court matters, spending his remaining years peacefully at home. The loyal officials of the imperial court came together and asked him to come out and persuade the Emperor.
When he heard this, two drops of tears fell from his muddy eyes.
"This old one accompanied the late emperor to establish the country and established the dynasty. The imperial court was full of noble and capable people who discussed and advised together. I didn't expect that rebels and traitors would run amok today. If the late emperor saw this from the heavens, I'm afraid he would be furious! "
After saying this, the general didn't hesitate. Although his hair was white and he couldn't move freely, he still put on his official robes and staggered into the palace.
The imperial guards didn't dare to stop him. He walked all the way to the Emperor's study.
He gasped for breath and struggled to step into the hall.
The Emperor in front of him was teaching Pei Youyu calligraphy. He leaned over Youyu and covered Youyu's hand with his own, moving stroke by stroke. After he finished writing, Youyu used both hands to press down on the imperial jade seal and forcefully pressed it down on the paper.
From time to time, he would laugh.
A burst of anger came down from the top of his head. Blood gushed out and the general's body couldn't stop trembling.
"Emperor, this old one …"
The Emperor slightly raised his eyes to look at him.
"Huh? Why didn't you stay at home? What are you doing here? "After the Emperor asked, he lowered his head and no longer looked at him.
"This old one heard that the Emperor wants to punish several ministers …" Before he could finish, he was interrupted.
"You also came to plead for mercy for them? You're already so old. Why do you want to get involved in these things? "The Emperor continued to hold Youyu's hand.
At this moment, Youyu almost couldn't hold back his laughter.
Those people think that they can change anything by inviting the old guy. He thought to himself.
Then, the general used the previous dynasty as a warning and cited the classics and painstakingly argued for a long time.
But the Emperor and Youyu didn't listen to what he said.
"So the Emperor must distinguish right from wrong. Don't get close to the villains and stay away from the virtuous ministers." After saying the last sentence, he coughed for a long time.
"Okay, go back and enjoy your old age. Zhen has already issued an edict and won't easily take it back. Otherwise, zhen will lose face." The Emperor didn't even raise his eyes.
The general suddenly felt sad. He clenched his fists and retreated with hatred.
When he returned home, he said to the people anxiously waiting in the courtyard in a desolate tone. This country won't last long. The Heavens will soon punish you. You should find a way out as soon as possible.
After hearing these words, everyone looked at each other and was speechless.
In the Empress's Palace.
Youyu sipped tea and ate preserved fruit.
"Sister, those old guys are really unyielding. They're trying their best to mess with me. They don't even know what they're capable of. It's ridiculous."
The Empress's Palace was not luxurious. Everything was simple and plain. At this moment, it was afternoon. The gorgeously dressed Empress was sitting on a chair. Her whole body was soaked in the light from outside the window. The light and shadow were mottled and the air was filled with a desolate aura. Because of this, Youyu's laughter seemed out of place.
"Yu'er, how long has it been since it rained?" The Empress lightly asked. Her voice seemed to appear out of nowhere and then floated in the air. It couldn't be heard clearly.
"I don't know. Anyway, I don't lack food. You don't lack food either. Why are you worried about this?" Youyu spat out the fruit pit.
Sigh, it was another soft sigh.
"Recently, I can't sleep well." She turned her head and looked out the window.
Then the Empress stood up and slowly walked towards Youyu.
"Yu'er, can you stop doing this in the future?" She asked.
"Sister, I don't understand what you're saying. Haven't I always been like this? "Youyu was confused.
"Yu'er, a few days ago, I invited a Guanyin back. I eat vegetarian every day and kneel in front of Guanyin to recite scriptures. It's all to help you wash away your sins. "The Empress sat in front of Youyu and calmly looked at Youyu.
"Ha," Youyu sneered. "Help me wash away my sins? You're not afraid of tarnishing Guanyin! "
The Empress lowered her head. "Yu'er, this empress has helped you do too many things before. This empress has helped you block the concubines that wanted to get close to the emperor. This empress has helped you keep an eye on who the emperor would stay in the palace. This empress has also helped you keep an eye on who would be pregnant with the dragon seed. Sometimes, when I have a dream, I dream that you are covered in blood and lying in gold and silver. It doesn't matter if this empress is covered in sins, but I'm worried that you will grow old and not have a good ending. "
Youyu was stunned by the Empress' words. A long lasting chill suddenly descended on the hot August afternoon. It lingered around him and didn't dissipate for a long time.
Pei Youyu was a bit angry. "Sister, you are the head of the six palaces, but don't forget who let you sit in this position and enjoy a lifetime of wealth. It's fine if other people say it, but I can't tolerate you being so depressed and saying such depressing words! "
After saying this, he finished drinking his tea and got up to walk out of the palace. The Empress' voice faintly came from behind him.
"Yes, Yu'er, this empress thanks you. Thank you for letting me be the Empress in name only for a lifetime." Following this, there was an infinitely bleak smile.
Pei Youyu didn't stop walking. He didn't even look back as he walked straight out.
The strong sunlight outside the palace almost made him unable to open his eyes. It was accompanied by a wave of dizziness.
On the day of the execution of the guilty official, it was carried out in the East Market.
Pei Youyu had also arrived at the East Market early. He had something to do.
The guilty official, who was wearing a prisoner's uniform and had messy hair, was escorted to the guillotine. When the time came, the executioner would be executed.
The execution ground was surrounded by people. Even those who lived in the South City had rushed over. Everyone was chattering non-stop. Moreover, there had been rumors that Youyu, who brought bad luck to the court, would also appear today.
Finally, noon arrived. The executioner removed the sign behind the guilty official. As the executioner raised the blade, the crowd cried out in alarm. Blood splattered all over the ground.
It was time. Pei Youyu stepped onto the blood-soaked platform. Even the corners of his clothes were stained with a touch of red.
Everyone's gaze was focused on him.
They watched as the evil person who brought disaster to the country appeared on the blood-red platform in the rumors, prophecies, and even children's ballads. All the noise died down. The entire East Market was silent.
Everyone's mouth was wide open in silent amazement. Pei Youyu's clothes fluttered in the strong wind. Only then did they realize that he was breathtakingly beautiful.
After a while, the voices of people came from afar and came closer. Everyone began to denounce Pei Youyu on the platform. They said that he was a monster and that he had caused the drought.
But it was all in vain. Everyone present was already shaken. They already knew that they had lost. The crusade had become powerless and pale.
Pei Youyu glanced at everyone around him. He pretended to be righteous and shouted loudly.
"The traitors have been eliminated! His Majesty is wise! All the suffering and misfortune will disappear. The rain will come again. Next year, there will be a good harvest! "
The voices denouncing him gradually decreased.
He immediately continued, "I believe that everyone has been deceived by the lies of these traitors and blamed all the misfortune on me!" At this point, his voice sounded like he was about to cry, and his tone became pitiful. "But I only wanted to do my best to help everyone survive this natural disaster. Now that the traitors have been eliminated, no one will be hurt from now on! Today, I personally cooked a few big pots of porridge. Everyone can have a full meal! "
The starving crowd was bewitched by his appearance and the white porridge.
With a bang, the crowd rushed to the big pot. They ran and shouted. Pei Youyu was the reincarnation of a god. He brought them hope and vitality.
The change in consciousness happened in an instant. Everyone's view of Pei Youyu had completely changed.
After drinking a bowl of white porridge, the reputation of a demon that brought disaster to the country disappeared. But what they did not know was that these big pots of porridge were just a drop in the ocean in Pei Youyu's warehouse. It was not worth mentioning.
Youyu remembered that when the emperor finally realized that the national treasury was shrinking day by day, he stood beside him and realized that he had six warehouses in his backyard. He felt that it was ridiculous.
But he turned and said to the emperor, "This official is willing to lead the way in saving money and reducing my salary. Moreover, this official does not need any reward." He thought that he would not be able to give anything anyway.
The emperor was moved.
When everyone was about to finish their porridge, the sky suddenly became dark. Thunder sounded and lightning tore through the sky. Then, heavy rain began to fall.
Everyone first opened their mouths and greedily sucked in the rain. Then, they all knelt on the ground and shouted. The heavens have helped us get rid of the traitors! The heavens have helped us!
Youyu was also shocked. He felt that the heavens were helping him. He could not help but laugh wildly in the rain.
At that time, he did not know that the rain would not bring him any improvement. Instead, it would herald his end.
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