Chapter 1442 - 1375: The Ceremony Begins!

"Ancestor, sometimes fate is something that cannot be ignored."

Zhuge Nanhua frowned and said.

The State Preceptor nodded and said, "You're right, but tell me, who will inherit the throne this time?"

"The young prince, of course. Is there any doubt?"

Zhuge Nanhua was taken aback, looking at the State Preceptor with confusion.

"Indeed!"

"It is the young prince who will inherit the throne."

"Even if there is an ill omen, it is the young prince's concern, not ours."

"Moreover, this so-called omen is only circulating within the Imperial Palace. Outsiders are unaware of it, and even if it does rain, it won't cause much commotion."

The State Preceptor sneered.

"Exactly!"

Zhuge Nanhua nodded, suddenly realizing.

The State Preceptor laughed and said, "Perhaps it is us who brought this ill omen."

"Us?"

Zhuge Nanhua was stunned.

"Yes!"

"Because we are about to seize the throne from the young prince, this ill omen appears. It is heaven warning the young prince."

"But the young prince is just a child now, knowing nothing of these things."

The State Preceptor said.

Zhuge Nanhua contemplated for a moment, looked up at the sky, and smiled, "What you said indeed makes some sense!"

After speaking, Zhuge Nanhua then expressed his concern, "But on Emperor Hong's side, if it truly rains, he might order the ceremony to be canceled!"

"Therefore, we must quickly complete the succession ceremony."

"First, you go to the square to maintain order."

"I will go find the Empress and make sure everything is explained clearly to her, to avoid any mistakes at the last moment."

The State Preceptor said.

"Yes."

Zhuge Nanhua responded respectfully, then opened a portal and stepped inside.

"An ill omen..."

"To cause such a troublesome affair at such an important moment, is heaven toying with me?"

"However, even if you are heaven, I will never compromise!"

The State Preceptor glared at the overcast sky with a cold smile, then soared into the sky, disappearing like a flash of lightning.

...

About less than an hour passed.

Buzz!

Qin Feiyang received a message from Yan Wei.

All the civil and military officials have arrived at the central square.

All the various lords have also arrived.

The grand ceremony is about to commence!

Qin Feiyang also finally withdrew his arm, closed the iron book, and left the ancient castle.

...

At the square.

All the various lords and civil and military officials gathered at the center of the square, whispering and murmuring to each other.

The surroundings of the square were also exceedingly noisy.

"With all the civil and military officials and various lords gathering, it seems the news of His Majesty's abdication is true."

"But have you considered, the young prince is so small, unable to manage affairs on his own? How can His Majesty confidently hand over the throne to him?"

"Even if he no longer wishes to deal with secular matters, shouldn't he wait until the young prince comes of age?"

"Yes, I wonder what His Majesty is thinking?"

People were puzzled.

"Don't forget, there is still one person in the Imperial Capital."

"Who?"

"Qin Feiyang!"

Upon hearing the name Qin Feiyang, everyone immediately fell silent, a trace of inescapable terror in their eyes.

"In the past, when Qin Feiyang killed the other princes, it was certainly for the throne."

"Because with the other princes dead, he becomes the sole heir, with no one to challenge him."

"There is a point to that. Though he was expelled from the Imperial Palace, he is, after all, the Emperor's own child. If the Emperor has no other offspring, he would surely consider him upon abdication."

"True, but the young prince is indeed too weak. For someone with Qin Feiyang's skills, dealing with him would be effortless."

"I reckon today will surely witness a scene of fraternal strife..."

As people were discussing animatedly, suddenly three figures appeared in the sky above the square.

"Prince Haotian, Her Majesty the Empress, and the State Preceptor have arrived!"

The Chief Eunuch shouted loudly.

The scene instantly fell into dead silence.

Everyone lifted their heads to look at the three.

The attire of the three was exceptionally formal.

The State Preceptor wore a golden crown and a pale golden robe, standing tall with his hands folded behind his back, his stern face exuding an extraordinary aura.

The Empress, too, wore a Phoenix Robe, with a phoenix crown on her head and a phoenix-draped shawl, exuding a noble aura.

The young prince, on the other hand, wore golden clothes, embroidered with a lifelike four-clawed golden dragon.

However,

The young prince, being so young, looked at the full assembly of civil and military officials, various lords, and the gathered populace, his small face revealing a trace of inescapable panic.

"Greetings to Your Highness, the Prince."

"Greetings to Her Majesty, the Empress."

"Greetings to the State Preceptor!"

Zhuge Nanhua and Martial Marquis Zhuge exchanged a glance and knelt down to bow.

Seeing this,

The other Marquises, civil and military officials, and the surrounding crowds also immediately knelt down.

It should be known,

The number of people gathered in the First District at this moment was not less than ten million, possibly eight million.

What a sight it was for so many people to speak in unison?

Voices intertwined, ascending to the clouds, echoing across the skies!

The State Preceptor and Empress enjoyed this feeling of being revered, lofty and exalted.

But the young prince was at a loss.

The Empress noticed the young prince's predicament and quietly said, "Haotian, quickly have them rise."

"Oh."

The young prince nodded and extended his small hand, "Everyone, please rise."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

The people bowed deeply and then rose to their feet.

The Empress raised an eyebrow, crouched in front of the young Prince, and helped him tidy his clothes, whispering, "Haotian, what you just said was incorrect."

"How was it wrong?"

The young Prince's face was full of doubt.

"Whether as a Prince or an Emperor, you must not say 'please' to the civil and military officials or the citizens of the empire."

"Because it will make you lose your authority, do you understand?"

The Empress spoke earnestly.

The young Prince nodded slightly, somewhat understanding.

The State Preceptor snickered to himself; how could such a young Prince possibly understand these things?

"Ahem!"

The State Preceptor coughed softly and transmitted his voice, "Your Majesty, everyone is waiting, first take the young Prince away."

"Alright."

The Empress nodded, taking the young Prince's hand, and moved in front of the dragon throne.

The State Preceptor also followed, glancing at the officials and citizens around, not wanting to waste any more time, and nodded at the Chief Eunuch.

The Chief Eunuch understood, looking ahead, and loudly announced, "The ceremony begins!"

The crowd immediately became silent.

The plaza was as silent as death.

The civil and military officials, as well as the various Marquises, formed two camps, standing neatly on either side below the dragon throne.

"Bring forth the Holy Water!"

The Chief Eunuch shouted once more.

Immediately.

Two palace maids entered the plaza.

One of them carried a golden basin crafted from gold, half-filled with water that created ripples as she walked.

The other palace maid held a golden tray, neatly stacked with a towel.

In the void!

Lu Xingchen stood inside a divine spatial artifact, watching the scene of the young Prince, the Empress, and the State Preceptor, his eyes flickering with uncertainty.

Beside him, Mu Qing looked at the golden basin in the palace maid's hand, puzzled, "Master, what is this Holy Water?"

Lu Xingchen paused, teasing, "If I said it can flesh out bones and bring the dead back to life, would you believe me?"

"I would!"

"Otherwise, why would it be called Holy Water?"

Mu Qing replied.

Lu Xingchen was momentarily lost for words, shaking his head, "That Holy Water is nothing more than dew collected in the morning."

"Uh!"

Mu Qing's face showed astonishment.

Is this what's called Holy Water?

For a moment.

He was quite speechless.

"Where is Qin Feiyang? Why hasn't he arrived yet?"

Lu Xingchen glanced at the scene again, murmuring.

Mu Qing scoffed, "Do you still not know this scoundrel? He'll definitely come last, as the grand finale."

Lu Xingchen was taken aback, then shook his head with a smile, muttering, "I wonder what he's planning this time?"

"It can't be anything good."

Mu Qing snorted coldly.

He now had a significant grudge against Qin Feiyang.

Outside!

The two palace maids approached the young Prince, bowing, "Greetings, Your Highness."

"Please..."

The young Prince was about to say the word 'please,' but upon seeing the Empress's gaze, he retracted his neck slightly and quickly corrected himself, "At ease."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Both of them respectfully thanked him.

But they did not stand up.

Instead, they both knelt on the ground, presenting the golden basin and towel to the young Prince.

"This..."

The young Prince looked doubtfully at the golden basin and towel, then raised his little head to the Empress, asking, "Mother, what should I do?"

"Wash your hands."

"Then use the towel to dry the water off your hands."

"This is a necessary step in the ancestral worship ceremony."

The Empress whispered.

"Oh, I see!"

The young Prince smiled with sudden realization, immediately raising his small hands and placing them in the golden basin.

Immediately after.

An astonishing scene unfolded.

The young Prince, full of playfulness, began splashing the water publicly, having a great time.

After all, he was still a child, with an innocent heart.

But the State Preceptor's face gradually darkened at this sight.

The Empress, seeing the State Preceptor's changed expression, quickly squatted down, took the towel from the tray, and whispered, "Tian Er, now is not the time to play, quickly lift your hands up."

The young Prince pouted, lifted his small hands, and placed them in front of the Empress.

The Empress immediately used the towel to dry the young Prince's hands, then placed the towel back on the tray, waving her hand, "You may go."

"Yes."

The two palace maids respectfully acknowledged and quickly turned to leave the plaza.

The Chief Eunuch saw the State Preceptor's expression and immediately shouted, "Light the incense, worship the ancestors!"

Before he finished speaking.

Another palace maid entered the plaza, holding an exquisite tray with three incense sticks as thick as pinkies, and a lit candle.

When the palace maid, holding the tray, approached the young Prince, he again looked full of doubt.

The State Preceptor, now thoroughly impatient, transmitted his voice to the Emperor, "This boy knows nothing; it's a waste of time. You take him to worship the ancestors."

"Alright."

The Empress responded quietly, then took the three incense sticks, lit them with the candle, and immediately smoke curled in the air.

Then.

The Empress led the young Prince to the statue of the late Emperor, performing three kneelings and nine kowtows.

At that moment.

The civil and military officials, the various Zhuge lords, and the surrounding citizens also kowtowed toward the statue.

Including the State Preceptor!