Chapter 215: Chapter 215 Taishan Wonders
This remark left Qin Liu without a response, so she had to close her mouth and serve attentively.
Changing Lin Guifei’s clothes a bit faster would let her go to the Emperor to "claim credit" a bit sooner.
However, when the master and servant arrived at the courtyard where the Emperor was, he was already gone.
"Your Ladyship is a step too late; the Emperor just went out."
"What? The Emperor just woke up, and you let him go out. If anything happens to His Majesty’s health, I’ll hold you accountable!"
At this moment, she fully assumed the posture of an Imperial Consort, her concern for the Emperor visibly evident.
The responding little eunuch was new to serving before the imperial court and had never encountered such a scene.
He could only tremble as he knelt on the ground, not daring to make any noise.
Seeing him so humble and submissive, Lin Guifei had nowhere to vent her anger.
So she spoke with a stern face.
"Which way did the Emperor go?"
"Your servant... your servant does not know, but Mr. Dong and the Fourth Prince are both following him, so he shouldn’t have gone too far."
"Hmph, useless!"
After leaving these words, she quickly strode away.
She headed toward the direction where the Emperor might have gone.
The little eunuch remained kneeling there, wiping the sweat from his forehead.
The task of serving before the imperial court is really not easy!
Thinking of this, he let out a long breath and then got up to continue his duties.
After the Emperor’s fever subsided, his appetite did not decrease.
After a hearty meal, most of his energy was restored.
The reason he went out was due to a reminder from the Fourth Prince.
They were now not far from Taishan, and the so-called spectacle was also becoming somewhat clearer.
The Emperor was unafraid of the fatigue of traveling, making a trip just for this spectacle.
At this moment, he naturally couldn’t contain himself.
Taishan, normally used by the Da Wei Royal Family to perform heavenly sacrifices.
Every three years, a grand heavenly sacrifice ceremony is held.
First, to showcase Da Wei’s strong national power, and second, to highlight the achievements of the reigning Emperor.
Therefore, no matter the era of the Da Wei Emperors, this was taken extra seriously.
On Taishan, there was a bronze tripod left by the founding Emperor, playing an important role in every heavenly sacrifice.
The spectacle Prince Zhan spoke of was the auspicious clouds emanating from around the bronze tripod on Taishan.
This had never occurred before.
Perhaps it was a blessing from the heavens; it cannot be said.
Standing at a slightly elevated position overlooking Taishan.
Sure enough, the typically mist-shrouded mountain was now clearly visible.
And the mountain was faintly glowing with countless harmonious lights, entering everyone’s eyes.
The Emperor’s heart certainly was not unexcited.
He had been ruling for over twenty years, and now was a time of vigor.
The emergence of such a spectacle now is undoubtedly proclaiming to the world that he is an enlightened monarch!
So, although his face did not show it, the vibrant spirit in his eyes was unmistakable.
Nearby, Dong Yuzhong joyfully said immediately.
"The merits of the Emperor’s sage and wise rule have reached the Heavenly Court, hence this auspicious omen. Your servant congratulates the Emperor, wishes the Emperor well, and heaven will surely bless the Da Wei Dynasty with eternal peace!"
"You do know how to speak. When we return to the palace, the white jade snuff bottle will be bestowed on you."
"Thank you, Emperor, for your grace!"
Dong Yuzhong was overjoyed, his cheerful expression even infecting the Fourth Prince beside him.
In contrast to those scenes, he could maintain a little calm.
After all, in his view, while auspicious omens are naturally good, protecting the nation still requires powerful military generals and capable civil servants. Otherwise, even a hundred kinds of auspicious omens would be meaningless.
But at this moment, he would not rashly say anything to spoil the mood.
The Emperor stood with his hands behind his back, his imperial aura fully manifest.
Lin Guifei, coming from afar, saw this scene, and the excitement within her couldn’t be faked.
"Your Majesty, I, your concubine, greet you. Long live the Emperor, long live, long live."
"Arise."
The surge of emotion within him was suddenly interrupted; the Emperor naturally disliked this.
But seeing that it was Lin Guifei, and remembering her devoted care during his hazy days, he couldn’t very well rebuke her in front of everyone.
So he calmly replied.
Unfortunately, Lin Guifei did not notice the slight impatience in the Emperor’s eyes and opened her mouth to offer comfort.
"You’ve just awakened, Your Majesty, and your health is still frail. It would be best to return soon to rest; I shall attend to you."
Dong Yuzhong, observing with keen attention, frowned slightly.
By rights, such words of concern could not be wrong.
But they also depend on who it is, and where it is said.
At such a fine moment, she alone struck it into a wilderness with her few words.
The Imperial Concubine used to be clear-headed; why is she often doing foolish things recently?
As expected, hearing her words, the Emperor’s displeasure became apparent.
A moment ago, he was elated by the heavenly favor his achievements had garnered, yet she immediately described him as frail and weak.
Who would feel comfortable hearing this?
He glanced sideways at Lin Guifei, his lips twitching slightly, too weary to say more.
He simply left the place.
Lin Guifei, seeing herself ignored, naturally had a sour expression.
But no matter how cold the situation, she still had to stick with it.
Otherwise, missing such a great opportunity, who knows when she could rise again in the future.
Thus, she took a deep breath, maintaining her dignified expression, and followed the Emperor.
Dong Yuzhong and the Fourth Prince following from behind did not say much either.
But Lin Xingzhi, serving as a guard, took another look at the so-called light of auspiciousness before leaving, his eyebrows lightly furrowed.
While beside him, Jiang Huanqing did not miss Lin Xingzhi’s expression but dared not speak indiscriminately in front of the imperial court.
So he left it at that.
The Emperor was in good health; naturally, reaching Taishan was paramount.
After nearly two months out, the group finally settled in the traveling palace beneath Taishan in early October.
This traveling palace was built specifically for royal use during heavenly sacrifices.
Thus, it was majestic and grand, yet didn’t lack royal dignity.
Finally, there was no need to travel swiftly.
Everyone could take a brief and relaxing rest.
The local officials were already waiting early.
Seeing the imperial procession arrive, they knelt, shouting long live.
Such pious attitude even made the Fourth Prince raise an eyebrow, thinking what loyal "servants" of Da Wei they were.
"Long live the Emperor, long live, long live."
"Rise."
"Thank you, Emperor."
The person in charge of this Taishan heavenly sacrifice was the etiquette officer, Qin Huai.
Almost fifty, with a lean figure, possibly due to long years of service here, he had an air of transcendent nobility about him.
He promptly reported.
"Emperor, all preparations for the heavenly sacrifice are complete; the auspicious day is set for seven days hence, and during these days, the Emperor should daily bathe and abstain as a sign of sincerity."
"Hm, I understand."