Chapter 924 King Ning’s offering!

There was a creaking sound, and the heavy door was slowly pushed open, and sunlight shone into the dark and empty hall.

Jian Ruocheng looked up and saw that there was no one inside.

Could it be behind?

He subconsciously wanted to go in, but just as he took a step, a familiar, gentle voice came from behind him——

"What is the Second Young Master doing here?"

“……?!”

Jian Ruocheng hurriedly turned around and saw Si Nanyan standing behind him, looking at him gently with a faint smile on her face.

"Your Highness the Imperial Concubine?"

Jian Ruocheng frowned, quickly retracted his steps, turned around and bowed to her: "Your Highness, what are you doing——"

"Oh, I just felt that the hall over there was a bit noisy, so I came out for a walk to relax."

"So that's how it is."

"Master Jian, why are you here?"

As Nan Yan spoke, she looked up behind him and said with a smile, "I heard that this is the hall where the jade discs of the royal family are placed. Sir Jian, is there anything you want to arrange for me?"

"Oh, no."

Jian Ruocheng hurriedly shook his head and said, "I just saw that the time had come, but the queen was not there, so I came over here to look for her, and accidentally walked here."

"Oh, since the time has come, let's go there quickly."

"Okay, please, Your Majesty."

Jian Ruocheng stretched out a hand to her. Nan Yan nodded, turned and walked forward.

Jian Ruocheng also followed behind her, but after walking a few steps, he turned back and took a look at the half-open door. The quiet space inside gave people an inexplicable sense of thrill.

After a while, they passed the long Danbi Road.

Walking to the side hall, Xu Miaoyin was inside with someone. Turning around, she saw Nan Yan and Jian Ruocheng coming in. She hurried forward and asked, "My Lady, where have you been?"

"Oh? I just went out for a walk and forgot the time. Luckily Master Jian came over and reminded me."

"That's good."

Xu Miaoyin nodded, glanced at Jian Ruocheng again, and said, "Thank you for your hard work, Master Jian."

"I dare not."

Jian Ruocheng bowed to them respectfully, then turned and left.

Xu Miaoyin and Nan Yan stood at the door of the side hall, watching his back slowly leave. After a while, he walked behind Ning Wang Zhu Xuan and seemed to say something to Zhu Xuan. Zhu Xuan glanced over here.

At this moment, the sun is shining brightly.

There was a hint of deep gloom in Zhu Xuan's eyes.

Xu Miaoyin asked, "My Lady, are you alright?"

“…”

Nan Yan was silent for a while, then said softly, "Don't worry, your Majesty, everything will be fine."

Although she said so, the atmosphere at the moment and Xu Miaoyin's sensitivity after experiencing so many ups and downs had already made her realize that today was not just about moving the capital and offering sacrifices, and the simple words of the imperial concubine could not comfort her at all.

She took a deep breath and said, "Go to the front first."

"yes."

Nan Yan followed her through the side hall and slowly walked towards the altar.

This altar is even larger than the large altar in Jinling, and is divided into three floors. Although it is not as tall and majestic as some of the previous halls, or even the halls of the Shenle Bureau, this altar is based on the image of the sky. The top floor is paved with nine fan-shaped original stones, and the second and third floors extend outward in multiples of nine.

Nine was originally the number of days in the sky. The altar built in this shape, standing between the vast sky and earth, gives people a sense of extraordinary grandeur.

All the civil and military officials stood around in neat rows.

Xu Miaoyin and Nan Yan walked over and stood on both sides of the steps on the second level of the altar, raising their hands respectfully.

At this time, the sound of ceremonial music came from the front.

When they looked up, they saw noblemen walking on Danbi Avenue, holding knives, axes, swords, halberds, ears of wheat, and colorful flags. They were dressed in sacrificial robes, singing and dancing, and slowly stepping to the rhythm of ritual music as they walked towards the altar.

The sacrifice has begun.

Nan Yan immediately held her breath and stared ahead, only to see Zhu Feng, dressed in the emperor's sacrificial robes, slowly walking towards them.

The sound of ritual music made his steps seem heavier and more steady than usual.

After a while, he walked to the altar.

The Queen, along with the Imperial Consort, the surrounding concubines and ministers, all bowed before him, "Your Majesty."

Zhu Feng flicked his sleeves calmly and said, "Stand up."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Everyone stood up slowly, and Zhu Feng lifted his clothes and slowly walked up to the altar. On the third level of the altar, there was a sacrificial table. On the table were three kinds of Tailao sacrifices: cattle, sheep, and pigs, as well as three cups of sacrificial wine.

Zhu Feng walked forward and stood in the center of the altar.

In the distance, a bell rang.

The sacrificial officer next to him immediately stepped forward, picked up one of the sacrifices and presented it to him. Zhu Feng raised it above his head, bowed to the sky, and then handed it back to the sacrificial officer.

After all the sacrifices have been offered, three cups of libation wine will be served.

Zhu Feng offered the first cup of libation to the Lord of Heaven.

However, just as he was about to raise the second cup of sacrificial wine, the Minister of Rites below suddenly spoke: "Your Majesty."

The entire altar was so quiet that only the sound of the wind could be heard. Everyone held their breath, but suddenly someone spoke, and everyone was startled.

Nan Yan immediately turned to look at him.

Yan Gu stepped forward and said in a loud voice, "Your Majesty, sacrifices must also be divided into the first and second offerings. Since Your Majesty has just served as the first offering, then Your Majesty should choose someone else for the second offering."

Zhu Feng's hand, which was about to touch the wine glass, paused and withdrew it.

He slowly turned around and looked down at the Minister of Rites. "Oh? Minister Yan, are you saying that I can't offer the second cup of sacrificial wine?"

Yan Gu said, "May Heaven bless the Great Yan, and its blessings last long. It must be passed down from generation to generation to ensure its eternal prosperity. Your Majesty's second offering in this sacrificial offering must naturally follow this natural law."

When Zhu Feng heard this, he raised his eyebrows slightly and a smile appeared in his eyes.

He said, "What the Shangshu said makes sense."

“…”

"Then, Shangshu, who do you think I should let perform the second offering?"

Minister Yan's face darkened slightly, and he remained silent. Someone in the crowd whispered, "Your Highness Prince Ning is a blood relative of the Emperor, and a loyal minister. His Highness Prince Ning played a vital role in this relocation of the capital."

"Yes, Your Highness Prince Ning, you can take on the important task of Yaxian."

"Your Highness Prince Ning..."

Hearing people constantly saying the words "His Royal Highness Prince Ning", Nan Yan's brows were twisted into a knot.

Every word in the Minister of Rites's words is meaningful.

As a dynasty, if it hopes for a long-lasting prosperity, it naturally has to pass it down from generation to generation. Throughout history, when offering sacrifices to heaven and earth, the first and second offerings are indeed different. Generally speaking, the emperor is the first offering, and the second offering is most of the time the prince.

But now, everyone recommends Ning Wang Zhu Xuan to make the second sacrifice!