Chapter 1 Watching the Ceremony

Looking at the scattered crowd around the altar, the imperial court ministers were all as quiet as cicadas in winter, their faces unsightly.

A proper fengshan (a ceremony performed by the Chinese emperor to worship Heaven and Earth) had turned into this; wouldn't spreading the word be slapping His Majesty's face?

Wouldn't the future prospects of these ministers who organized the event be worrying?!

Just as everyone was anxious, they suddenly discovered a large number of carts rushing in from the entrance of the mountain road. Countless commoners dressed in coarse cloth brought their families to watch the ceremony.

The fiery scene shocked them. They tentatively looked at each other, wanting to know which colleague had taken action, turning the tide and saving His Majesty's and the court's face.

Jiang Chen on the altar was no exception.

After all, this was his first fengshan since his ascension to the throne. If it ended coldly, a knot would definitely be left in his heart.

However, the matter of finding the meritorious official could be put aside for now. The most important thing at the moment was the fengshan.

While pondering, Jiang Chen gave a look to the Qintian Jian (Imperial Astronomical Observatory) official presiding over the ceremony, signaling him to continue.

Enveloped by the emperor's majestic gaze, the Qintian Jian official trembled all over. Not daring to delay any longer, he unfolded the silk book in his hand and recited in a loud voice.

The fengshan officially began!

The originally noisy altar instantly became solemn. Civil and military officials, and imperial relatives all knelt on the ground, submitting to Jiang Chen's feet, shouting "Long live the Emperor."

The sound was deafening!

Jiang Chen, dressed in a black dragon robe, stood with his hands behind his back at the highest point of the altar, overlooking all living beings. The sharpness in his eyes was fully revealed, making people dare not look directly at him.

I, having received the Mandate of Heaven, shall enjoy a long and prosperous reign!

This Great Wei can only belong to me!

One day, I will annihilate all those rebellious officials and traitors, and make the name of Great Wei resound throughout the world!

A look of determination flashed across his face, and the firmness in his eyes could not be shaken by anyone.

An hour later, the fengshan ended.

The ministers all busied themselves, their hurried steps even more anxious than before the fengshan.

According to the plan, Jiang Chen would return to the palace the day after the fengshan ceremony, but they would be responsible for the subsequent winding-up work, and the captured assassins would also need to be escorted back to the capital.

The numerous tasks kept the accompanying ministers busy.

But Jiang Chen, as the backbone, was now idle.

"Where's Mu Xi? Where did she go?" Jiang Chen was a little worried, afraid that she would leave quietly.

Jing Yue saw through his thoughts and stepped forward, saying, "Your Majesty, don't worry. Headmaster Yang is still here. The Ministry of Rites officials have arranged a quiet courtyard for her, and she is resting now."

After speaking, Jing Yue paused and added, "Also, the commoners who came to watch the ceremony today were also arranged by Headmaster Yang."

"She used her identity as the Taiping Dao (Way of Great Peace) Headmaster to send a message to the surrounding temples and Taoist temples in advance, asking them to inform the commoners about the court's fengshan and persuade them to come and watch the ceremony."

Hearing this, a look of shock floated in Jiang Chen's eyes, which soon turned into gratitude and apology.

From the beginning of their encounter, he had been deceiving Yang Mu Xi, repeatedly using her, and even after deceiving her heart, he could not even give a promise.

But even so, Yang Mu Xi was still thinking of him in every possible way, even helping him at the expense of violating her own principles… How could he not cherish such a woman?

Jiang Chen's mind was filled with that beautiful face, and he suddenly wanted to see Yang Mu Xi. He immediately got up and said, "I have already explained everything. You should hurry up and do it. If you have any questions, wait until you return to the imperial capital to report."

Looking at the absent-minded emperor, the ministers looked at each other, swallowed the words in their mouths, and bowed their hands, saying, "Yes, Your Majesty, we take our leave!"

Watching everyone leave, Jiang Chen walked straight towards the outside of the hall, but was stopped by Xu Changqing at the door.

He couldn't help frowning and said, "Minister Xu, didn't I just say that if you have anything to discuss, wait until we return to the imperial capital? Why are you still stopping me?"

Xu Changqing said with a wry smile, "Your Majesty, have you, have you forgotten Consort Ying? She has been waiting for you for a long time. This subordinate really doesn't know what to do, so I dared to block the door, hoping you will forgive me!"

Hearing this, Jiang Chen's surging emotions suddenly calmed down.

Although Yang Mu Xi was important, Xu Jia Ying could not be ignored either.

She had been wandering outside for so long, and then captured by the rebellious thieves. She must have suffered a lot. In terms of emotion and reason, he should visit her.

After pondering for a moment, Jiang Chen changed his words and said, "You are right to remind me. Lead the way."

Seeing this, the big stone in Xu Changqing's heart instantly fell. He understood that His Majesty would not pursue his excessive actions, and his pace leading the way became a little lighter.

Along the imperial path of the palace, the group quickly arrived at a remote palace.

The accompanying Imperial Guards stopped at Jiang Chen's signal, and even Jing Yue was left outside the door.

Under the premise of ensuring absolute safety, he still wanted more private space. The words he was going to say to Xu Jia Ying next were not suitable for outsiders to listen to.

Pushing open the vermilion door, Xu Jia Ying in plain clothes came into Jiang Chen's view.

Compared to before in the palace, her sweet face had thinned a lot, and her plump figure had also lost a lot of weight.

At the moment when the two people's eyes met, a complicated emotion suddenly appeared on Xu Jia Ying's originally indifferent face, including guilt, emotion, unease, and a little bit of longing.

"This sinful woman greets Your Majesty." She lowered her head, avoiding Jiang Chen's gaze, and respectfully knelt down.

The docile posture formed a sharp contrast with her previous arrogance in the palace.

Jiang Chen felt a little distressed when he saw it, but more than that, he felt relieved. Having suffered outside this time, she should know the good things at home, right?

"How have you been these days…?"

"I see that you have lost a lot of weight. Is it because you have not been doing well outside?"

Hearing this, Xu Jia Ying's delicate body trembled violently. She didn't expect to receive concern instead of blame.

Since her family left, no one had cared about her like this anymore.

Tears rolled down uncontrollably. She took a few deep breaths to barely maintain her demeanor, and said in a hoarse voice, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your concern. This sinful woman has traveled to several cities of Great Wei during this period and has gained a lot of knowledge… I have been doing… quite well."

Jiang Chen didn't expect her to be so calm. He was speechless for a while before he opened his mouth and said, "The imperial token was stolen by you and given to Mei Ruo Ying, right?"

A look of determination flashed across Xu Jia Ying's beautiful eyes. She had been mentally prepared for Jiang Chen's question. She said calmly, "It was done by this sinful woman. If Your Majesty wants to pursue it, this sinful woman has nothing to say… However, I hope that Your Majesty can spare the remnants of the Xu family and spare the palace servants who serve this sinful woman for the sake of our past relationship."

"They are innocent and have not participated in this matter."

After saying that, she bowed deeply to Jiang Chen, her forehead touching the ground, her posture extremely humble.

Jiang Chen watched with a blank expression, but was slandering in his heart.

"Even at this point, she still has the heart to care about others? Doesn't she think about how big of a mistake she made and how the imperial court officials will impeach her!"

He said coldly, "Xu Jia Ying, do you know how many Imperial Guards died because of your willfulness?"

"Even I was threatened by the rebels because of you, and almost ruined this fengshan… How do you plan to deal with these crimes?"