The Fifth Prince Xiao Jinghong was startled at heart.
His lips twitched slightly, "Elder brother, what do you an by this?"
Hearing this, Li Yan also squinted his eyes.
Sotis, one has to admit that the Shu King’s lineage has truly remarkable genes. Compared to the fat Princely Heir of Prince Chang’an and the bear-like Princely Heir of Prince Wuchang, the Commandery Princes and Princesses of the Shu Prince Mansion are all of outstanding appearance.
This Great Prince is half a head taller than the Fifth Prince, with fair skin and handso features, except for an air of bitterness and malice between his brows that makes one uncomfortable to look at.
He was playing with a Siam Blood Amber Ruyi in his hand. In the sunlight, his face seed to be reflected with blood light, "Old Fifth, stop pretending."
"While we are fighting fiercely here, it seems you’ve already secretly orchestrated your moves. What a clever tactic..."
The news had leaked!
Xiao Jinghong finally understood what was going on.
He had always been low-key and avoided disputes, but in reality, he had been making arrangents, poised to be the final victor barring any accidents.
Yet unexpectedly, so many variables erged at the critical mont.
Mingshanzi also had a gloomy expression at the mont.
As for Li Yan, he looked at Xiao Jinghong without any change of expression.
He had no particular feelings toward this luxurious Prince, caring not for his life or death, but unknowingly, they were already bound.
Whether it was apprehending yin criminals and Heavenly Court fugitives or assisting the Dragon Lady in building a temple and gathering incense, it all depended on this person’s help.
If anything went wrong, things would beco even more difficult.
Fortunately, Xiao Jinghong could still withstand the pressure.
Looking at the jealous, malicious, or resentful gazes of his siblings, Xiao Jinghong straightened his body, ceased to conceal anymore, sighed, and looked towards the palace city, "Everyone, don’t overthink."
"Our father is in good health, living a long life. Fighting here during a festival makes us a laughing stock."
"Oh, the Fifth Brother is certainly filial."
Another Commandery Prince smiled faintly, with a hint of sarcasm in his words.
This was the Fourth Prince, who, compared to the Great Prince with close ties in the military, enjoyed a better reputation in the Confucian circles, also being a student of the Great Confucian Yang Duo of Shu.
Though he still maintained courtesy, a murderous intent was already brewing in his heart.
He always treated Yang Duo with utmost respect, presenting lavish gifts during holidays and frequently visiting for guidance.
Yet he never expected Yang Duo to secretly go to such lengths to support the Fifth Prince.
A feeling of betrayal, like a poisonous snake, coiled in his heart.
Xiao Jinghong remained unfazed, changed the subject, and said aningfully, "How long has it been since you last saw our father..."
Having said that, he no longer paid attention to the crowd, closing his eyes and standing among them.
Seeing him like this, others also had varied expressions.
They were not really foolish; Xiao Jinghong ntioning "Shu King living a long life" twice was definitely not without reason.
Upon careful thought, it really was the case that no one had seen the Shu King since he fell ill.
Could it be that the father was pretending to be sick to test them?
For a mont, their eyes showed uncertainty.
This small episode did not affect the progress of the sacrificial ceremony.
A Chief Eunuch, holding a golden book, stepped out slowly.
The corners of his dark purple robe trailed along the snowy ground, leaving a winding trace, and in standard official language, he announced loudly:
"The auspicious ti has arrived, let the ceremony comnce!"
As soon as the words fell, the sound of drums thundered in the distance.
Dong dong dong!
The drumbeats resonated with the heart, nine cannon shots were fired outside the Duanli Gate.
National affairs, whether in war or in sacrifice, are extrely significant.
The people of Divine State attach great importance to various festival rituals, and for the high officials, nobility, and the Imperial Family, they are held with even more grandeur.
After the cannon fire, thirty-two bare-chested Powerful Warriors appeared, carrying an Agarwood Sedan through the snow, which held a gold-lacquered shrine offering three sacrificial animals:
The Liaodong Boar King’s eyes were inlaid with rubies,
The ram’s horns were wrapped with a Shu Brocade flag embroidered with "Five Grains Harvest,"
The bull’s head was tied with sixty-four gold-plated bells.
The attire of these three sacrifices alone could make an ordinary family rich.
Drumbeats continued to roll, and with the strides of bare-chested strong n, the various ornants on the three sacrificial animals jingled and clanged.
Twelve children in yellow robes walked in front of the sedan, scattering gold leaf cutout stove horses, suddenly covering the snowy ground with countless golden scales.
This was the so-called "Three Sacrifices Opening the Way."
"Please move to the Chengyun Hall!"
After the three sacrifices, the Chief Eunuch again announced loudly.
Everyone moved forward, passing through the side gates of the palace.
The central avenue through the palace gate was reserved only for the Shu King and the Emperor to walk, and at such tis, it was called the Divine Path, a path for gods to walk, from which mortals must retreat.
Passing through the Chengyun Gate led to the Chengyun Hall.
This was also the center of the palace.
Before them, two hundred Sacrificial Altar Army stood in formation, holding flags adorned with cloud-stepping stove gods drawn in vermillion, with short peach wood halberds at their waists, wrapped in red silk soaked in chicken blood wine.
Their figures were tall and robust, almost as mighty as the Flag Officer, holding a three-zhang-high "East Kitchen Fate" flag, waving it slowly.
The sacrificial altar army array imdiately moved like a dragon’s tail, scattered across the snowy ground. Although seemingly disordered, from a high vantage point it ford a "Longevity" pattern.
The sound of their feet stamping on the ground harmonized with the drumbeats.
Copper bells hanging from the corners of the Chengyun Hall architrave also jingled with falling snow.
The Shu King once led victorious battles, hence the sacrificial stove ceremony absorbed characteristics of the military, appearing solemn and oppressive with a hint of murderous aura.
Li Yan was witnessing it for the first ti and watched with keen interest.
However, those Commandery Princes, Princesses, and officials from Chengdu seed sowhat distracted, turning from ti to ti, glancing towards the back of the Chengyun Hall.
In previous years, at this ti, the Shu King would always appear for the ceremony.
But this year the spectacle was far grander than last, yet the Chengyun Hall’s main doors remained tightly shut, coupled with what the Fifth Prince said earlier, it inevitably made everyone anxious.
With Cheng Jianxian not appearing, Shu’s Jianghu was becoming increasingly chaotic.
Likewise, although many actions of the Shu King caused dissatisfaction, each of his moves equally had the potential to spark a tempest in Chengdu.
Especially with the news of his serious illness spreading, various forces were eager to move, secretly establishing ties with favored Commandery Princes.
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