Chapter: Heaven Does Not Bless Your Majesty
Before departing for Xiangguo Temple to offer prayers, the Youning Emperor finally finalized the marriage between Xiao Changfeng and Shen Yingluo. Of the Northwest King's two daughters, one became the Crown Princess, while the other married a hereditary prince. His only son, inheriting the family legacy, would one day become the next Northwest King. The entire family was now ennobled—a level of prestige unprecedented since the dynasty's founding.
One couldn't help but imagine: if Shen Xihe were to bear a legitimate son who became the Crown Prince's heir, the Shen family's influence would become... immeasurable.
"Like adding fuel to the fire." These days, Shen Xihe had heard the whispers circulating after the imperial marriage decree. Some even insinuated that the Shen family had grown too prominent.
This was likely one of the reasons the Emperor had arranged the marriage between Shen Yingluo and Xiao Changfeng. The more dazzling their rise, the more clear-minded individuals would distance themselves from the Shen family, leaving only opportunists to flock to them.
"His Majesty places great importance on reputation and assumes others do the same." Xiao Huayong let out a soft chuckle through his nostrils.
Shen Xihe smiled in response. In truth, neither she nor her husband cared much for public opinion.
Moreover, these rumors would soon vanish without a trace—starting today.
"Crown Prince, Crown Princess, the prayer ceremony is about to begin. Please accompany this official to the venue." Just as this thought crossed her mind, someone arrived to escort Shen Xihe and Xiao Huayong.
Exchanging a glance, the couple followed the official sent by the Ministry of Rites. The Emperor's prayer ceremony was a grand affair, and to ensure flawless execution, the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Observatory had collaborated with Xiangguo Temple's monks to rehearse every detail repeatedly. Both the Emperor and Xiao Huayong were accompanied by officials from the Imperial Observatory, who whispered reminders throughout the ceremony.
Everything proceeded smoothly until the Emperor, surrounded by Xiao Huayong, Shen Xihe, and others, stood before the high altar. Holding the incense sticks with both hands, he bowed three times. As he rose to step forward and place them in the incense burner, the sticks suddenly sparked and crackled, startling him into dropping them. The prayer incense fell to the ground.
Sparks scattered upon impact before the sticks extinguished completely.
For this prayer ceremony at Xiangguo Temple, the Emperor had decreed that civilians not be disturbed. Commoners were still permitted to visit the temple for prayers, though they had to pass through rigorous inspections. Most, unwilling to brave the inconvenience or intimidate by official presence, chose to postpone their visits. However, some truly desperate for solace or bold enough to glimpse the Emperor still came. While the area before the main hall was cordoned off by guards with spears, onlookers found ways to peek from a distance—tolerated as long as they didn't overstep. No one anticipated such a mishap with the Emperor's incense.
Not only did the accompanying nobles and officials witness it firsthand, but so did some of the commoners.
In this era, people deeply believed in such omens. Seeing the Emperor's prayer incense inexplicably spark and fall, they interpreted it as a grave ill omen, certain that misfortune would follow. Panic and murmurs spread instantly.
Recognizing the deteriorating situation, the Golden Guard's General Zhenbeihou immediately dispatched guards to disperse the crowd with stern warnings. The Minister of Rites hurried forward, trembling, and said, "Your Majesty, golden sparks on incense signify great fortune..."
Though these words contradicted reality, the Minister uttered them, and others had no choice but to echo the sentiment.Only the Youning Emperor's face was extremely grim. His heart suddenly felt hollow and panicked, as if something untoward was about to happen. On the surface, this was a prayer ceremony, but in reality, it was because the past two years had been unfavorable, so he sought peace of mind.
After all, he was the emperor. Following the ministers' agreement, he took the incense handed over by Xu Qing again, determined to proceed with the ceremony.
Unexpectedly, the newly offered incense behaved just like before. This time, the Youning Emperor did not discard it but held it in his hand, watching it spark and then extinguish abruptly.
The Minister of Rites swallowed hard, unsure how to fabricate an explanation.
Everyone else remained as silent as chickens. Xu Qing stepped forward: "Amitabha, Your Majesty, may this humble monk examine the incense?"
The Youning Emperor handed the incense to Xu Qing, who carefully inspected it and had the incense from the box brought out—both the untouched ones and those that had been burned. Xu Qing compared them one by one but found no differences.
Xu Qing took three sticks, lit them himself, and waited quietly for them to burn. However, after the incense had burned past halfway, the earlier incident did not recur. At this, the ministers bowed their heads even lower.
Especially since Xiao Huayong and others had offered incense alongside the emperor. The incense in their hands had almost burned out entirely, and none had experienced what the Youning Emperor did. There was only one reasonable explanation: Heaven did not bless the Emperor!
Shen Xihe glanced at Xiao Huayong, never imagining that he could infiltrate someone into Xiangguo Temple. If it were her, she likely couldn't have executed it so flawlessly. The incense itself wasn't the problem—the issue lay with the person handing it over. This person, though holding the incense box with both hands, could seamlessly switch between problematic and unproblematic incense.
As if reading her mind, Xiao Huayong turned his head, his eyes concealing a smile and a hint of pride seeking praise. His gaze met Shen Xihe's briefly before shifting away.
At that moment, everyone's attention was fixed on this bewildering event, and no one noticed the brief exchange between the couple.
"Heaven has its deities, and humanity has its emperor. Your Majesty is the human sovereign, and should be on par with Heaven. Perhaps the myriad gods and buddhas dare not accept Your Majesty's homage." At the most tense moment, the second prince, Zhao Wang Xiao Changmin, suddenly spoke.
"Prince Zhao's words are most apt."Your Majesty should be equal to Heaven.""
"Your Majesty need not bow to gods or buddhas."
Not everyone believed in Buddhism or Daoism—like Shen Xihe, and there were many like her. Quite a few agreed with Xiao Changmin's argument and weren't afraid that such remarks might disrespect the deities in this Buddhist sanctum. To them, their wealth and honors were tied to the emperor, who was naturally the one they should defend and flatter.
"Your Majesty is noble. Since Heaven dares not accept Your Majesty's three bows, why not have the Crown Prince offer prayers on Your Majesty's behalf?" The Minister of Rites immediately seized the opportunity to intervene; this matter needed to be smoothed over for the emperor.
At least there was a way to save face. The Youning Emperor temporarily set aside his investigation and stepped aside, saying to Xiao Huayong, "Crown Prince, offer prayers on my behalf.""
Xiao Huayong naturally stepped forward. The Youning Emperor raised his hand, and the young novice reverently handed the incense to him. The emperor personally lit it and passed it to Xiao Huayong, who received it with both hands. After three bows, nothing unusual occurred, and the prayer ceremony barely concluded smoothly.
Yet, for some reason, that very day, the incident of the emperor's prayer spread like wildfire throughout the capital. Various versions circulated, each described vividly as if everyone had witnessed it firsthand. The most prevalent one cast doubt on whether Heaven truly blessed the emperor."This matter was your doing." Shen Xihe was certain it was Xiao Huayong, because only Xiao Huayong, who had prior knowledge, could have arranged it so swiftly.
"Let His Majesty also taste the flavor of being gossiped about." Xiao Huayong smiled faintly.
"What about the incense?" Shen Xihe asked.
Xiao Huayong handed her an incense box with a beaming smile. Shen Xihe took it and examined it carefully, only then discovering that it actually had a hidden compartment. With a gentle flick, it could flip to the other side, where another identical type of incense was tied.
Just one chapter today. Resting at home tomorrow, will try to update more.
(End of Chapter)
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