If he is really feigning illness, won’t they be in trouble...
The Stove Sacrifice ceremony lasted for a full hour.
When the ceremony ended, many people were already feeling dizzy and lightheaded, especially the older officials.
This type of ceremony is not seen by the ordinary people.
But for them, it was a hard task.
And it was not over yet.
In the afternoon, there would be the Zhong Kui dance.
By evening, there would be the Witch Sacrifice Nuodance fire-torch evil exorcism.
In short, it would continue for an entire day.
Rumble!
Just as they were about to lose their balance, the gate of Chengyun Hall finally opened, imdiately drawing everyone’s attention.
The Chief Eunuch announced emotionlessly:
"Please proceed to Chengyun Hall for the banquet."
Only then did everyone realize that inside the grand hall, long tables and chairs were already arranged on both sides in strict accordance with the ceremonial code.
Under the guard’s command, everyone entered the hall in sequence.
Naturally, there’s significance in the seating arrangent.
Commandery Princes and Princesses were placed in the front, followed by officials from Chengdu, seated according to rank.
Fortunately, the Shu Prince Mansion was not too frugal.
Seats were arranged at the back of the front row as well, though crowded, at least Li Yan and Mingshanzi had a place to sit.
Subsequently, maids arrived with food boxes.
They opened the lacquered food boxes, took out blue and white porcelain plates, and quickly filled each table.
The banquet at the Shu Prince Mansion needed no boasting.
Thin slices of beef were like piled petals, drizzled with amber-colored sauce, emitting a glossy sheen...
The preserved goose paw was crystal clear, with marinated bamboo shoots and pickled lon strips arranged in an Eight Trigrams pattern, and the boiled peanuts plump and full...
The sugar lons eaten during the Stove Sacrifice season were small and sweet.
Whether hot or cold dishes, all were extrely exquisite.
Even the wine was aged Luzhou Laojiao, warm and fragrant.
Li Yan sniffed it, nodded at Mingshanzi and others, then quickly picked up so beef and stuffed it into his mouth.
At any ti, he never missed out on good food.
But the Commandery Princes remained distracted.
The Great Prince glanced at the empty throne above and finally couldn’t help but ask the Chief Eunuch, "Liu Gong, isn’t Father coming?"
The Chief Eunuch bowed and replied, "The Prince is in poor health..."
"And what about Mother?"
The Great Prince suddenly stood up, his face showing so impatience.
Among the several Commandery Princes, he was the most dissatisfied with King Shu.
By rights, he should have gained the Princely Heir title long ago, and his mother was still the rightful Princess Consort, with her family being a military household.
Yet now he must compete and struggle over the title.
The second Prince knew how to conduct himself, befriending many officials and wealthy rchants.
The third Prince was cruel and insidious, fortunately, he was shot dead.
The fourth Prince was revered by scholars, frequently hosting poetry gatherings.
Ordinarily low-key, the fifth Prince quietly accomplished significant tasks.
If things were according to the rules, none of this trouble would exist.
Xiao Jinghong’s reminder made him suspicious too; if King Shu was seriously ill, it was understandable. Thinking further, Princess Shu hadn’t been seen for a long ti either.
Seeing his deanor, the Chief Eunuch quickly bowed, "Commandery Prince, calm down, the Princess Consort is tending to the Prince and said today..."
"I don’t care!"
The Great Prince’s eyes flashed with severity, "Today I must see Mother. Let’s see who dares stop !"
The Chief Eunuch made a bitter face, "This servant will report it now."
The Great Prince’s anger was witnessed by all, and they exchanged looks but remained silent.
They too wanted to know what was going on.
During the feast, only Li Yan enjoyed the food with delight, while others chatted and whispered, unknowingly staying until the next hour.
The Chief Eunuch appeared again and announced loudly:
"Please proceed outside the hall for the ceremony."
Everyone exited the great hall, while the Chief Eunuch fell to the back, cupped his hands to the Great Prince, "Commandery Prince, the Princess Consort said you should visit the inner palace after the Zhong Kui dance."
"Fine."
The Great Prince huffed coldly and nodded.
The crowd left the hall, standing outside behind the stone railing.
Eighteen Festival Fire Drums ca from Duanli Gate, accompanied by the resounding sound of golden gongs, playing tunes of the theatrical troupe.
Amidst the drum music, a person stepped out with Four-direction Steps.
He was dressed in a bright red official robe, with fiery red hair and a black face, wearing official boots, with shoulders high, holding a large Daluo umbrella embroidered with Yin Yang Eight Trigrams.
He walked with the Yu Step, and in front of him, five n dressed as Little Ghosts leapt and sorsaulted, with five-colored smoke emanating from the bamboo tubes on them, creating a bizarre scene.
As for "Zhong Kui", he leapt into the air wearing official boots, stepping on the backs of the Little Ghosts as they sorsaulted, proceeding without falter.
It seed as if he was running mid-air.
"What Qinggong!"
"It’s never been this lively in previous years."
"Which troupe is this?"
A lot of onlookers were attracted, eagerly inquiring.
Li Yan, however, squinted his eyes, revealing a killing intent.
Beside him, Mingshanzi sensed sothing amiss and inquired in a low voice, "What’s wrong?"
Li Yan’s lips moved slightly, without making a sound.
But Mingshanzi’s pupils suddenly contracted.
He could read Li Yan’s lip movents: Ghost Theater Troupe!
Playing Zhong Kui was none other than Situ Qian, though Li Yan had never t him, his movent technique was exactly like that of Pear Garden’s veteran Situ Bo.
So these demons were indeed hiding within the Shu Prince Mansion.
At such tis, no sound must be made, lest soone with Divine Skills overhear, so Li Yan and Mingshanzi conversed in lip movents.
"What do you intend to do?"
"Help cover for later."
"Alright, be careful."
Their lips moved slightly; a plan was set.
Li Yan had co to the Shu Prince Mansion not just to watch a show.
The Shu Prince Mansion’s periter had enchantnts, even stronger ones, entry through spells would inevitably lead to detection.
After "Zhong Kui’s Jump", there was a Witch Sacrifice Evil Exorcism ceremony at night, a perfect cover under the darkness to explore the truth within the Shu Prince Mansion.
anwhile, others were either drawn in by the spectacular "Zhong Kui’s Jump" or absentmindedly discussing in low tones.
On Stove Sacrifice Day in previous years during Zhong Kui’s Jump, not only were there live perforrs, but also paper Zhong Kui figures. At three quarters past 3 p.m., the Shu King would use a Vermilion Pen to dot Zhong Kui’s eyes.
But today, it seed likely that this would not occur.
Finally, the "Zhong Kui’s Jump" ceremony ended.
All eyes simultaneously turned to the Great Commandery Prince.
And this Great Commandery Prince, having not enjoyed such attention for so long, gave a cold snort, shook his Python Robe, and followed the Chief Eunuch towards the rear palace.
What was not noticed by the crowd was Mingshanzi stepping forward a few steps, and those surrounding seed to be influenced, subconsciously shifting their gaze, practically ignoring this place.
This was the Cheng Family Astral Step: One Leaf Blocks the Eye!
A fundantal skill in Sword Immortal training, even without summoning Astra Bane Qi, it could lead others to instinctively look elsewhere.
To master it deeply ant reaching the legendary Shadowless Sword.
anwhile, Li Yan quickly retreated, leaped onto a beam, and hid in the dim architrave of the great hall.
He concealed his presence with the Dragon and Snake Card, staring fixedly into the distance.
Chengyun Hall was the highest point in the Shu Prince Mansion, allowing a clear view of the surroundings.
The n beating drums and gongs left from the square’s right side, passing through a side door into the side hall.
These were Prince Mansion Guards in training; outside the side hall, they all changed out of their clothes, laughing and chatting, swapping for military uniforms.
As for "Zhong Kui", he swaggered away with the five "Little Ghosts" by his side.
Heading towards the rear palace area.
Li Yan pondered, quickly forming spell hand seals, chanting in a low voice, "I invoke the edict of Emperor Fengdu, Fengdu God, Fengdu God, swiftly descend. Golden Hamr dances, iron rod crosses, Fengdu officials, hasten your descent..."
Swoosh!
From the pouch at his waist, eight Papern rose into the air, yin energy rising, spiraling around him.
Exploring the Shu Prince Mansion was akin to venturing into the dragon’s lair.
With the power of the Eight Outer Generals backing him, it would be much more secure.
Summoning the power of the Eight Outer Generals, Li Yan was imdiately enveloped in black mist.
Even with the Dragon and Snake Card’s concealnt, Mingshanzi below seed to sense sothing, diligently flicking his fingers.
Whoosh~
Inside Chengyun Hall, the curtains quickly caught fire.
This was the simple Fire Burning Spell, used to ignite incense and candles; Mingshanzi used it without leaving a trace.
"Fire!"
Soone slled the burning, imdiately shouting.
Guards and maids rushed into the hall to extinguish the fire.
Amidst the chaos, nobody noticed, in the dim architrave, black mist dispersed, and Li Yan had already vanished without a trace...
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