pjbooks Chapter 418
Chapter 418
As for his family, his birth mother had died early, and after he passed the imperial exam at the county level, his father remarried a wealthy merchant's widow who had returned to her natal home. So not only did he have half-siblings from his father's side, he also had a stepbrother and stepsister with no blood relation to him.Upon hearing this, Yu Ningxuan and Yu Ningxin didn't even furrow their brows. This kind of small household was still considered simple; the troubles in wealthy families were far more complicated than those of the Zhao family.
Yue Fuguang observed their composed expressions and noticed how elegant they had grown, so she couldn't help asking, "Have the elders in your family brought up the matter of marriage for you two?"
The elders in their family were open to advice. In this generation, whether boys or girls, they were marrying a year or two later than was typical. Especially Yu Ningxuan and Yu Ningxin, who were closer to Yue Fuguang—one was seventeen, the other sixteen. By conventional standards, they were already at marriageable age, yet neither had a prospective family arranged. She wondered what the elders had in mind.
When talk turned to marriage, Yu Ningxin shyly lowered her head, while Yu Ningxuan said casually, "Your second uncle and aunt said that my betrothal still needs your final approval, little sister. They said only the talented man you endorse is the right match."
Among the dozen or so children in their generation, only the eldest elder brother and second elder brother had married, and both unions were certified by their younger sister. The elder brothers and their wives really did get along well, and there were no messy concubines or chambermaids in their households.
To be honest, the brothers in the family were all kept busy running errands for their younger sister; they had no time for those messy thoughts. Elegant pastimes like "a beauty adding fragrance to the ink" didn't exist in their home.
Yu Ningxin's face flushed slightly as she smiled softly. "Father and Mother share the same sentiment. They also think the matches you select are more reliable."
Faced with their trusting gazes, Yue Fuguang pressed her hand to her forehead. The Yu family elders had been scared stiff by the tragic fates in store for the younger generation in the original timeline—each one's marriage more miserable than the last.
She could help vet potential spouses, but in the end, the elders should select the candidates. Otherwise, having her, a person who seldom went out, pick husbands for them—she really didn't have many good prospects.
"Alright. If either of you takes a fancy to anyone, just tell me. I'll help you evaluate him!" Anyone's deeds could be thoroughly investigated from childhood to the present.
"We're in no rush to marry, and we haven't set our sights on any young man yet." Yu Ningxuan was very open and straightforward.
Under her influence—or rather, the family's influence—the young men in the capital had also been marrying later in recent years. If no suitable marriage prospects could be found in other families, raising a good husband for the two elder sisters from scratch wasn't out of the question.
Yue Fuguang's thoughts made her rub her hands together eagerly. Seeing her expression, the two sisters laughed and said, "Little sister, don't trouble yourself. We have never worried that the daughters of the Yu family won't find good in-laws!"
As Yue Fuguang's sisters, they weren't concerned about failing to secure good husbands. If all else failed, they could always bring a son-in-law into the family.
After the palace examination, when the new top scholar led his fellow successful candidates on a horse parade through the streets, it was already the end of the second month. The days grew warmer by the day, with the sun hanging high—not a hint of rain in the sky.
Because of the drought, this year's parade for the new scholars was greatly diminished in splendor.
Time quietly slipped into the third month. Yue Fuguang still hadn't found a good match for her two sisters, nor had she found any suitable candidates to raise as husbands; but news came from court first: the Emperor was planning a sacrificial ceremony to pray for rain.
The Dayan Empire had been suffering drought for over six months. The water reserves stored earlier in various regions had mostly been poured onto the fields for spring sowing. If there was still no rain, not to mention whether the newly planted crops could sprout and grow—the people's drinking water, consumed daily and used at will, wouldn't last more than a few months.
So even though Yue Fuguang had long mentioned a three-year great drought, the petitions from both court and countryside left the Emperor no choice. Even just to show the people his attitude, the rain-praying ceremony was absolutely necessary.
As for the "Edict of Self-Blame," the Emperor had conducted a thorough self-criticism back in the second month. Heaven still hadn't forgiven him!
"Master, the Emperor won't be able to bring down a single drop of rain. What's all this fuss for?"
Emperor Mingxi: Do you think I don't know I don't have that much face? But if I don't go through these paces, not only won't the uninformed court officials agree, but I also can't account to the common people!
For centuries, whenever a major natural disaster struck, which imperial household hadn't prayed to heaven? Whether it worked or not was secondary—at least it showed the right attitude!
"Just treat it as a 'show' staged for the world, and it won't be hard to understand."
Even as she said this, Yue Fuguang knew she couldn't stay idle any longer. Ever since she removed those who doubted her title as Goddess from her congregation, the remaining believers were mostly relatively devout.
One must be gentle with one's own fans. Besides, she had already collected enough storage pearls. It was time to summon the dragon—to call down the rain.
"Master, the Emperor can't do it, but you can. Do you want to take charge?"
The system's question suddenly silenced the heated discussion in the court hall. Xie Zhiyan reacted first, stepping forward immediately. "Your Imperial Father, I believe..."
But Yue Fuguang didn't bother listening to what the Crown Prince said. She thought for a moment. Just as everyone assumed she wouldn't respond, they suddenly heard her speak. "Given the divine power I've recovered so far, it's impossible to cover the entire territory of the Great Yan in one go."
"Wouldn't that be perfect? We can take the chance to go out and play. To be honest, this capital city is just too dull!"
Those who were constantly watching Yue Fuguang's expression immediately saw the Young Master's eyes light up.
So, while the rulers and ministers of Dayan pretended to be busy discussing an auspicious day for the prayer ceremony, they overheard the answer they had been eagerly awaiting.
Yue Fuguang's voice was calm, but loud enough to stir most of the people in the hall.
"Your Majesty, leave the rainmaking to me."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Mingxi was so excited that he abruptly rose from his dragon throne. He took a step towards Yue Fuguang before asking with half-certainty, "Fuguang, did I hear you correctly? You say to leave the rainmaking to you? You... you can bring rain?"
"Praying for rain? As if He deserves the honor. Isn't that something anyone with a pair of hands can do?"
Yue Fuguang looked at the Emperor's flushed face and his clenched fists, and couldn't resist teasing, "Your Majesty, I'm not trying to pour cold water on you, but no matter how many times you pray, it's useless."
"So... let me handle it. I guarantee I'll bring the rain."
Faced with Yue Fuguang's blunt words and her attitude that showed no deference, Emperor Mingxi was not angry but delighted instead. He let out a few hearty laughs, sweeping away the months of pent-up gloom in his heart, before saying, "Fuguang is right. I also feel that this rain-praying ceremony might not succeed."
He sat back on his throne, sighed rather helplessly, and said, "Nevertheless, to reassure the common people, even knowing it's futile, I have to grit my teeth and go through the motions. I can only hope Heaven shows mercy."
He looked at Yue Fuguang seriously and said, "To be honest with you, Fuguang, I've already drafted my second 'Edict of Self-Blame.' If this prayer fails, I'll have to issue it."
Yue Fuguang toyed with the beads in her hand and raised an eyebrow. "Your Majesty, you are in luck. I have some skills in this field. If all goes well, I can likely relieve Dayan of this drought."