As soon as she stepped off the carriage, she aroused a series of curiosity from Lin Wanwan.

The palace servants carried offerings and headed towards the sacrificial altar.

As the ministers and women walked along the corridor, they couldn't help but glance at them a few more times, seeing how hurried they were.

Lin Wanwan was held in Lin Rui'an's arms. Her brother's embrace was reassuring and warm, which made Lin Wanwan want to doze off.

"Second Brother, what are all these things? Why are the offerings all placed under purple cloths?" Lin Chang'an asked curiously.

They had never participated in the Ghost Festival rituals before; the Marquis of Zhenbei always brought Lin Shixuan and Lin Shiming with him.

Lin Rui'an was in poor health at the time, and Lin Chang'an was playful, so over time they tacitly agreed to let the two of them go.

Lin Ruian rubbed Lin Wanwan's little head and tucked the chick in her hand into her arms.

"The Nine Provinces are divided into five great nations, each with its own deity. The Holy Kingdom worships the Purple Spirit God."

“The Purple Spirit Goddess is associated with the color purple and the direction of metal. The offerings you see are those made for Him.”

Lin Chang'an suddenly realized, his eyes fixed curiously on the offerings.

"I see, I didn't realize there were so many intricacies involved."

"Will the Purple Spirit Goddess really appear?"

Lin Rui'an shook his head.

"For the past hundred years, the Holy Kingdom has been plagued by disasters. Every year during the Ghost Festival, the gates of hell open wide, which is the crucial moment to awaken the Child Spirit Pearl."

"It has never been lit since that great disaster a hundred years ago, and it seems unlikely that it will ever be lit again."

Lin Rui'an lowered his eyes forlornly, looking at his younger sister in his arms.

In his letter, the Second Prince said that his greatest sorrow as a prince was that he could not help His Majesty share his burdens.

Lin Chang'an wore a bitter expression. If natural disasters continued, it would be the common people who would suffer.

He's young, but he's not stupid, which means he'll die someday.

He didn't want to die.

Waaaaah...

"Sister, sister?"

Not far away, Yao Qianshu turned around and spotted Lin Wanwan and her family walking behind him. He smiled and ran back.

Upon reaching Lin Wanwan's side, he suddenly noticed a small yellow chick in her hand and exclaimed in surprise:

"Little sister, it's been so long! What brings you to play with this thing?"

"This chicken... is so small, let's just eat it."

Upon hearing this, the chick in his arms shivered and turned to glare at Yao Qianshu.

Yao Qianshu was taken aback.

Did you understand?

He scratched his head, deciding to ignore it; his sister was more important.

"Huh? Where's your dad?"

Lin Wanwan pouted.

"Father? My father is in the palace!"

[That scumbag father in the manor? Heh heh, busy as can be.]

Busy playing house with ghosts.

【Hahaha……】

The childish laughter startled Ye Lanyin and Madam Han, who were walking on the road, making their heads buzz.

Lin Rui'an almost twisted his ankle, but luckily he managed to stay calm.

Lin Chang'an covered his head and charged forward.

Soon, the group arrived at the sacrificial ceremony.

Many people were waiting inside the main hall, and each official stood in their respective position according to their duties.

The Holy Emperor's eyes lit up when he saw Ye Lanyin walking in through the door.

When his gaze fell upon Lin Rui'an, he couldn't help but feel a jolt in his heart.

They look so alike.

The eyes are so similar.

Could this person also be... the Regent?

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects."

"Your humble servant greets Your Majesty."

The Holy Emperor walked ahead of Ye Lanyin and Lin Rui'an, looking left and right.

"Where is the Marquis of Zhenbei?"

Ye Lanyin smiled and curtsied, "Your Majesty, the Marquis is unable to leave today, so this humble woman can only bring the child into the palace by herself."

Ye Lanyin's words evoked a sense of pity in the officials present.

A woman, whose husband was not present, still had to bring several children to the palace to perform a sacrificial ceremony.

It's easy to imagine what a wonderful person he is.

Marquis Zhenbei, you truly don't know how to cherish what you have!

The Regent smiled, though no one could see him.

The Holy Emperor smiled slightly, but then withdrew his smile.

"Today is a sacrificial ceremony, and the Marquis of Zhenbei is truly getting bolder and bolder."

"You actually let your wife bring so many children into the palace? You probably can't manage to take care of them all by yourself, can you?"

With that, he waved his hand and said, "Come here, let me give you a hug."

Ye Lanyin didn't understand why the Holy Emperor liked Lin Wanwan so much, so she assumed it was just because of their blood relationship.

She smiled shyly, "Yes, Your Majesty."

Lin Wanwan is holding a chick.

The chicks were making 'chirp chirp' sounds, which made the Holy Emperor pause in his hand as he was about to pick her up.

"Why...why did you suddenly bring a chicken?"

【chicken? 】

No, no, no.

Lin Wanwan shook her little head.

My beloved chicken.

The Holy Emperor was somewhat disgusted, but when he thought of Lin Wanwan, he picked her up without saying a word.

"Oh dear, Wanwan has gained weight again."

"Look at these tiny lotus root segments, they could pinch insects to death!"

The Emperor's words brought a smile to the faces of the officials present.

"Ha ha ha ha……"

Even the usually stern His Majesty can only smile when he's with Lin Wanwan; the ministers are flattered and overwhelmed.

The atmosphere in the sacrificial hall immediately eased considerably.

On the altar not far away, a spirit pearl was placed in a glass cup. The spirit pearl was dull and lifeless.

The second prince stepped down from the sacrificial altar.

He first bowed to Ye Lanyin and said, "Madam Lin."

Then he said to the Holy Emperor:

"Father, all the offerings have been placed according to the standards, but this spirit pearl still won't light up. What should we do?"

The Holy Emperor, who had been smiling, became full of worry upon hearing this.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!