Chapter 427: - Yun Chu Ling

Chapter 427: The Heavenly Maiden Bestows Sweet Dew

At dawn, the sun rose from the horizon.

In the distance, a dense crowd appeared on the official road outside the capital gates, gradually approaching.

The common people of the capital were all in an uproar.

"It’s Prince Cheng bringing the Heavenly Maiden to the capital to bestow Sweet Dew!"

"Heavens, we can finally receive the Sweet Dew water! My father will be saved."

"Can everyone receive it?"

"Of course. Every day, the Heavenly Maiden distributes Sweet Dew to the common people. As long as you line up, you can receive a bowl."

"Then should we go line up too...!"

"..."

The crowd of over two hundred thousand people approaching the capital came to a halt. They set up tents in the distance and erected a high platform.

A woman stood on the platform, her face veiled with gauze, dressed in white robes that shimmered with silver and golden light. Under the morning sun, she radiated a golden glow, as pure and holy as a celestial maiden descended from the heavens.

In her hand, she held a green branch, which she dipped into several large water vats below. The vats themselves seemed to begin glowing.

"That’s the Heavenly Maiden! The water in the vats is the Sweet Dew!"

"Let’s go, hurry and get the Sweet Dew, quick, quick!"

"Wait for me, I’m coming too!"

"..."

Everyone in the capital rushed toward the city gates with their families in tow.

Just then, the city gates slammed shut with a thunderous roar.

Every night after the curfew, the capital’s gates were locked. They were supposed to open before dawn to allow the common people to come and go. But now, at the very time they should have been open, the gates were closed. Those outside couldn’t enter, and those inside couldn’t leave.

"What’s going on? Why won’t they let us out?"

"I need to get the Sweet Dew water! Let me out! If my father doesn’t drink the Sweet Dew soon, he’ll die!"

"My child is also waiting for the Heavenly Maiden’s Sweet Dew to save his life! Hurry, open the city gates! Let us out!"

"Officers, we beg you..."

"Go away, step aside!" The guards at the gate raised their spears and spoke sternly. "By imperial decree, no one is permitted to leave the city during this period. Everyone, return to your homes!"

The common people gathered at the city gates could not accept this reality.

Loud arguments and commotion erupted.

The guard captain drew his sword and pressed it against one person’s neck. Only then did the clamoring crowd quiet down somewhat.

Outside the city, the scene was overwhelming with people.

Over two hundred thousand individuals began lining up in an orderly fashion.

At the front, on the high platform, stood the Heavenly Maiden, continuously waving the green branch in her hand, appearing utterly holy and compassionate.

Below the platform, there were at least a hundred large water vats. Beside each vat stood several guards, distributing Sweet Dew to the common people in line—one bowl per person, to be drunk on the spot. Even so, the line seemed endless.

The common people inside the capital could not get out.

But residents from the suburbs and countless nearby villages, upon hearing the news, swarmed to the scene.

As the line grew longer, those who had not yet drunk the Sweet Dew grew increasingly restless.

At that moment, Prince Cheng, surrounded by his entourage, walked to the back of the line and addressed those who had not yet received the Sweet Dew: "There is no need to worry, my people. The Sweet Dew is a gift from the heavens. As long as the common people are in need, the Sweet Dew will flow without end. Even if the sun sets, the Heavenly Maiden will not leave until every one of you has drunk the Sweet Dew and been freed from illness and pain. Only then will my mission be accomplished!""Heavens, it's His Highness Prince Cheng!"

"His Highness Prince Cheng actually condescended to speak with us commoners personally!"

"We pay respects to His Highness Prince Cheng!"

A crowd of common people hurriedly knelt to pay their respects.

Someone loudly declared: "His Highness Prince Cheng cares deeply for the people. Prince Cheng is truly the chosen one by heaven's mandate! This kingdom should be inherited by His Highness Prince Cheng. Only then can we commoners live and work in peace!"

"Prince Cheng is heaven's chosen!"

The crowd's cheers rose wave after wave.

Prince Cheng felt extremely pleased inwardly, but maintained a composed demeanor: "Such treasonous words should not be spoken. Everyone rise and form orderly lines. You'll soon receive the Sweet Dew."

Among those in line were Jiang Yiniang with her two children, Xie Xian and Xu Ti.

Her neighbor standing beside her suppressed her joy and said: "Madam Jiang, we'll soon receive the Sweet Dew. If not for His Highness Prince Cheng bringing the Heavenly Maiden from afar, how would we have such an opportunity?"

Jiang Yiniang nodded: "Indeed. Who would have thought His Highness Prince Cheng would be so benevolent?"

After Xian Jie'er returned from being kidnapped by ruffians last time, although the imperial physician removed the needles from Xian Jie'er's head, the child still had nightmares every day. She was truly worried about the child's health, so she put aside all matters and brought both children to seek the Sweet Dew. Surely after drinking it, Xian Jie'er's health would improve.

"Mother, is this Sweet Dew truly so miraculous?" Xu Ti frowned. "If the Sweet Dew is genuine, how could it possibly be distributed freely to us lowest commoners?"

In this world, precious things are always rare - perhaps there's only one such treasure under heaven.

This Sweet Dew that can cure all diseases, casually stored in large water vats, giving a bowl to anyone who comes - it all feels rather suspicious.

Jiang Yiniang nodded: "Of course it's real. Otherwise why would so many people be waiting in line? Everyone is drinking it, so it must be effective. Ti'er, are you tired from standing? Sit on the ground and rest for a while."

Xu Ti shook his head: "Just because everyone is drinking something, does that make it good?"

Jiang Yiniang said with certainty: "Since His Highness Prince Cheng personally confirmed it, it must be good. Moreover, so many people who've drunk it say it's good - it can't be wrong."

"Mother..." Xie Xian paused, "If this Sweet Dew can truly drive away illnesses, then why has the court closed the capital's gates, forbidding the common people inside from coming out?"

Jiang Yiniang hesitated.

"Currently, the Empress Dowager is ruling behind the curtain. The order to close the city gates must have been issued by the Empress Dowager," Xu Ti said slowly. "Mother has interacted with the Empress Dowager before and should know she's an intelligent person. She wouldn't prevent the capital's commoners from coming to receive the Sweet Dew without reason."

At the thought of Yun Chu, Jiang Yiniang suddenly became clear-headed. She decisively said: "Let's not take the Sweet Dew. Come, let's go home!"

Xu Ti pressed Jiang Yiniang's hand: "Since we're already here, we might as well see what this Heavenly Maiden is all about. I also want to see what exactly this Sweet Dew is."

The mother and her two children remained in line, gradually moving forward.

After about two more hours, they finally slowly reached the front and saw the legendary Heavenly Maiden.

"What a beautiful Heavenly Maiden! Is she truly an immortal descended to earth?" Xie Xian said with wide, dazed eyes. "Does that green branch in her hand possess magical powers?"Concubine Jiang was also stunned for a moment before regaining her composure: "For some reason, this Heavenly Maiden gives me a very familiar feeling, as if I've seen her somewhere before..."