Chapter 116: Troubled Waters

Chapter 116: Troubled Waters

As the waters of Qinglong Lake broke through the ice and surged, the willows along the banks secretly sprouted tender green buds. It seemed as if overnight, the entire Eastern Capital City blossomed with spring's vitality, birds singing amidst the lush growth. Day by day, the weather grew warmer, and the streets filled with more and more people. The shops around Robu Well were bustling with customers.

The Marquis Xuanping's residence celebrated several consecutive joyous events: the marriage of the second daughter and the betrothal of the eldest. Following Pei Yuanruo's engagement to Music Master Zheng, Pei Ji's marriage to Hong Baozhu was also arranged. As the Marquis and General Hong were close friends, this match was considered a perfect pairing of equals, pleasing all involved.

Pei Ji, already an heir apparent, lived in a household that had recently established a new rule: concubines could only be taken if the primary wife did not bear any sons. This single stipulation alone made many young ladies from the prominent families of the Eastern Capital City yearn for such a position. Many matrons sighed in regret, lamenting that such an excellent match had been claimed by Hong Baozhu, a lady from the Hong family who was not particularly educated, stirring up intense jealousy.

After the start of spring, Pei Yuanxi devoted herself to sewing clothes for the father and son, closing her doors to the outside world. While she remained oblivious to the happenings beyond her quarters, two intriguing incidents occurred in the city.

The first took place in the southern part of the city.

A centenarian, aged 102, suddenly collapsed and passed away after eating two bowls of rice one night. This elderly person was renowned in the southern part of the city for their longevity, even receiving a prediction from a high monk that they would live to be 105 years old.

The death of the elderly person spread widely in the south, sparking various speculations. Some believed that the family must have committed some sin, causing heaven to take away the last three years of the elder's life. Others saw it as an ominous sign, forecasting a difficult year ahead.

If that incident were isolated, it might have been manageable. However, another event quickly followed.

A fisherman on Qinglong Lake cast his net one evening and, upon retrieval the next morning, discovered a massive object floating on the surface. Gathering his courage, he pulled it out of the water only to find a giant turtle.

That tortoise was enormous, so much so that even octogenarians who had lived long lives had never seen one of its size. Some claimed it must have been hundreds of years old, at the very least a century.

Living for a hundred years, it had witnessed the warming waters of Qinglong Lake, yet it still met its demise. In the eyes of people, a century-old tortoise was a symbol of divine blessing and immortality; its survival would have been an omen of great fortune. However, its death foretold a grave calamity.

The passing of these two symbols of longevity, both after the start of spring, sparked various speculations among the common folk.

Throughout history, any unusual occurrence was believed to foreshadow misfortune. It was said that strange phenomena signaled the approach of chaotic times, causing widespread anxiety among the public. Even within the court, officials inquired discreetly about the deteriorating relationship between Gongye Chu and Shangxing.

In the city, many citizens engaged in discussions about the events. Groups of men or women could be found in every corner, discussing neighborhood gossip and the significant matters that they perceived as dire omens.

The common people didn't concern themselves with who ruled as emperor or controlled the government; their primary worry was their livelihoods. They would rather be dogs in peaceful times than live through upheaval, stability being their utmost desire.

When the centenarian passed away, some already feared an unfavorable year. Following the death of the old tortoise, such concerns multiplied. As more people spoke of these omens, more began to believe them.

Gossip, like the wind, carried whispers and transformed them into something more potent.

Somewhere along the way, a rumor emerged that poor harvests were a warning from the heavens. These two incidents were seen as divine signs, cautioning the world of impending disasters.

Of all the calamities that could befall a land, none was more devastating than war, which originated from the struggle for power and influence.

With influential court officials in control, the emperor has become nothing but a powerless puppet. Such a situation is by no means a recipe for long-term stability and prosperity. When wicked counselors hold sway, disaster inevitably befalls the royal court, and when the court is in chaos, the common people inevitably suffer.

That treacherous minister is none other than Gongye Chu, naturally.

Gongye Chu gazed coldly at the silent courtiers, seemingly indifferent to their cowering demeanor.

After the imperial audience, the father and son engaged in a private conversation.

With Pei Yuanxi as his foster mother, Gongye Chu automatically assumed the role of Shangxing's foster father in the eyes of the world. Some subjects, observing this pair of adopted father and son, strangely found them to bear a remarkable resemblance in their relationship dynamics.

The civil and military officials, upon witnessing the harmonious relationship between the emperor and the Grand Commander, felt a sense of relief. They secretly thought that the rumors circulating among the common folk had been exaggerated, unaware that the Grand Commander and His Majesty indeed got along well. Some were deeply moved, praying for a peaceful and stable world, hoping to never again live in fear of the Grand Commander seizing power.

"Have you noticed that the Grand Commander seems different since his marriage?" someone commented.

He remained aloof, but something had indeed shifted. Previously, he was decisive, ruthless, and distant, but now, there was a subtle hint of human warmth in his demeanor.

Another person added, "You've seen it too, haven't you? Haven't you noticed how close he's become with the emperor lately? When they stand together, they resemble a devoted father and son, discussing matters with mutual respect. This is a blessing for our dynasty and a fortune for us all."

These ministers naively believed that their whispers would remain unheard beyond the Qinghe Hall by the emperor and the Grand Commander. Little did they know that every word was clearly audible to the father-son duo.

"The Great Commander has taken a spouse, it's time for His Majesty to fill the palace with consorts," someone mentioned, sparking a conversation.

Shangxing's expression immediately shifted. Gongye Chu glanced at him, and he hastily waved his hands. "Father, I don't want to marry!'

The young man's face flushed with anxiety. "Father, how can I possibly take a wife in my current situation? If I were to suddenly leave, who would handle all these affairs?"

Some matters couldn't be avoided by simply pretending they didn't exist. His eyes welled up with tears as he spoke. How he wished to stay here forever, watching his parents' love last a lifetime.

Gongye Chu looked down. "There will be a way."

Shangxing mentioned the rumors circulating outside, suggesting they should clarify the situation. "Father, there must be someone manipulating events behind the scenes."

"Giving them room to spread won't hurt," Gongye Chu replied, his face cold.

The rumors spread quickly and eventually reached Pei Yuanxi's ears, making her restless. Though her husband was indifferent to gossip, being unjustly attacked wasn't pleasant either.

Taking advantage of the good weather, she decided to visit the shop and investigate the truth.

As the carriage neared the street where the shop was located, it became apparent that the area ahead was increasingly congested. Chunyue stepped forward to inquire and discovered that due to the unusual occurrences, many citizens had gathered at Qinglong Lake to burn paper offerings for the century-old turtle.

They prayed for the old turtle's swift ascension to divine ranks, asking it not to hold innocent souls accountable. After all, every injustice has its perpetrator, and each debt must be settled with the one who incurred it. The number of people burning paper offerings increased day by day, including not only common folk but also many scholars from the Qinglong Academy.

The crowd for the ceremony was immense, making it difficult for carriages to pass through. Every inch of progress felt as slow as a tortoise's crawl, and from time to time, the whispers and speculations of the common folk could be heard. As Pei Yuanxi listened to these remarks, her gaze grew increasingly cold.

Just as she was about to lower the carriage curtain, she caught sight of Chen Yingxue standing not far away.

Chen Yingxue was still attired in the modest garb of a recluse, her robes appearing slightly thin against the fitful spring breeze that alternated between chilly and warm. Amidst this, she seemed detached from the world, an embodiment of solitude. Her eyes, filled with compassion, gazed upon the worshippers, lost in thoughts unknown.

Seemingly sensing someone's gaze upon her, she turned to look.

Noticing Pei Yuanxi, she nodded slightly and strolled gracefully in their direction.

"Second Miss Pei is headed to the shop?" she asked, her tone neither overly familiar nor distant, maintaining a perfect balance of intimacy and formality.

Pei Yuanxi confirmed with a yes.

"In times of bizarre occurrences, even insignificant matters can be exploited by those with ulterior motives. The common folk are easily swayed without understanding the truth. Once public sentiment becomes chaotic, anything can happen," she said, the sorrow in her eyes deepening. "With such turmoil outside, it's best for you to stay indoors if you have no urgent business."

"Many thanks for Master Chen's kind advice," Pei Yuanxi responded, genuinely appreciative of the counsel. She then lowered the carriage curtain.

The carriage moved forward with difficulty, and after half an hour, she carefully lifted the edge of the curtain to look back. Chen Yingxue was still there, standing alone and straight amidst the crowd. Amidst the ebb and flow of people, she seemed like an unwavering sight that didn't belong in this world.

This Head of the Chen Family was indeed inscrutable.

It wasn't until another hour had passed that the carriage finally stopped in front of the shop.

Located near Qinglong Lake, the street was bustling with people. Some who couldn't reach the lake to pay tribute to the old turtle found spots nearby to burn paper money instead.

The ashes from the burning paper money scattered everywhere, casting a gloom over every face.

"A strange phenomenon in the heavens, this is an ominous sign," someone whispered with a sigh.

"Corrupt officials rule, and this is the wrath of heaven descending. Pitiful us, innocent civilians, forced to bear the fury of the divine," another person lamented, their attire suggesting they were an educated individual.

Pei Yuanxi stood by the window, naturally able to witness the scene below.

Outside the closed shop across the street, the Chen siblings blended into the crowd. Chen Ling wore a solemn expression, seemingly just as worried as the common folk. However, secretly, he rejoiced, knowing that events were unfolding exactly as he had predicted.

No anger in the world was greater than the resentment of the people.

Gongye Chu's continued stability on the throne after the massacre at Tai Ling was solely due to his avoidance of provoking public outrage. Now that the people's resentment had arisen, he wanted to see if Gongye Chu could still sleep soundly.

Beside him, Chen Yaozhi was unaware of his thoughts, only sensing that those spreading rumors about corrupt officials were courting death. Others might not know Gongye Chu's tactics, but she had experienced them firsthand.

"Strange phenomena indicate divine anger, as history books show that years of great turmoil are always preceded by a calamitous figure."

Upon saying this, she received a sharp glare from Chen Ling.

They were already in the midst of a crowd, so her words naturally reached others' ears.

"A disastrous woman ruins a nation! Ruins it!"

Soon, someone pointed out that Gongye Chu had been in power for three years; if Heaven truly intended to wrathfully intervene, it wouldn't have waited until now. Perhaps the calamitous figure had emerged, threatening the hard-won peace.

"What nonsense are you spouting?!" Chen Ling tugged at Chen Yaozhi, nearly toppling her.

Chen Yaozhi's earlier remark had been offhand, but now her mind was racing. What was a calamitous figure? Throughout history, women had often been labeled as disasters for their nations.

If Pei Yuanxi were to be branded as such a figure, would Gongye Chu still protect her?

In comparison to the realm of power, what are women?

"I'm not speaking nonsense. Everything I say can be verified and traced back to sources." She rebutted, casting off her brother's hold with indignation.

"Indeed, historical records do mention how vixens have brought ruin to nations, and they often served as harbingers during times of great turmoil," said someone from the crowd, a student of the Qinglong Academy. The news spread quickly among the assembly.

"Ah, calamity! There is indeed a calamity!"

Upon hearing someone mention this, more and more voices joined in. When discussing the nefarious minister's reign, they were all afraid of Gongye Chu's notorious brutality and thus spoke in hushed tones. But now that the conversation turned to the source of calamity, most seemed to lose their fear, and their voices grew louder.

From traitorous officials manipulating power to femme fatales leading nations astray, indeed, the blame is diverted like water flowing eastward. A subtle weight settled in her heart, foreboding that the label of 'femme fatale' might befall upon her. If she could take the blame for her man, it would not be an unbearable loss.

But if there were indeed sinister forces working behind the scenes...

She fixated on the Chen siblings, her gaze icy cold.