Chapter 171

The next day, heavy snow was expected, and dark, inky clouds shrouded the palace.

Several figures dressed in palace robes appeared from around the corner: "Quickly send the things over there."

"Hurry, hurry."

"You must be careful in front of His Majesty."

The palace maid spoke softly, her face showing a wary expression.

Today is the day of the royal sacrifice, so we must not make any mistakes.

At the highest point of the imperial city, a huge golden dragon statue soared through the clouds in front of the palace, while countless memorial tablets inside silently watched the kneeling crowd before them.

"The ceremony begins." Steward Li's voice seemed to pierce through the clouds.

The royal worship ceremony of the Min Dynasty was divided into three steps: the royal family prayed, the court officials offered incense, and the sandalwood ceremony was performed.

By the time the entire ceremony was completed, about half a day had passed.

"Your Majesty." Chief Steward Li immediately brought over some clean water, intending for the emperor to wash the incense ash off his hands.

The man in the gray robe standing to the side handed the emperor a handkerchief: "Father, please wash your hands."

Chief Steward Li immediately handed the basin of water to the young eunuch behind him, and said with a smile:

"His Highness the Fourth Prince is still so considerate. I can see it all and I'm touched on behalf of His Majesty."

"You old lackey."

"Your Majesty is right," Chief Eunuch Li replied with a smile.

Even so, the emperor was very pleased with his words and looked at Yan Qizhen with a kind expression.

Steward Li watched silently from the side.

Ever since the incident involving the crown prince, the emperor has been constantly worried, always fearing that his sons would begin vying for the throne and putting him in danger.

After all, that's how His Majesty climbed to the top.

Throughout history, the bonds between brothers and even between fathers and sons have been exceptionally weak under the rule of imperial power.

Chief Steward Li had not forgotten how His Majesty had forced the late Emperor to abdicate and how he had forced the Regent to lose his position as Crown Prince. He was ruthless.

In this imperial city, who can compare to His Majesty?

As for why he had recently shown such favoritism towards the Fourth Prince, Steward Li had a pretty good idea.

The Crown Prince's affair aroused His Majesty's vigilance, and among all the princes, only the Fourth Prince had no maternal family influence, and he even risked his life to save His Majesty's life at the Empress's birthday banquet.

With such an "obedient" prince who has no power, His Majesty naturally felt comfortable entrusting some state affairs to him since he needed capable people.

The Fourth Prince's time had come, and he handled the tasks assigned by His Majesty perfectly time after time. He did not take credit for them afterward, but attributed the credit to the ministers who assisted His Majesty.

I'm afraid they'll be favored for a while.

"Zhen'er, you have arranged today's sacrificial ceremony very well," the emperor said approvingly.

"Thank you for your praise, Father. This is something that I should do to relieve your worries."

"Moreover, I am also willing to contribute to the cause of our ancestors." Yan Qizhen bowed respectfully, without any hint of pride.

"Good, he truly is my good son."

The emperor gently patted his arm, seemingly just like an ordinary, loving father.

“Father, now that the sacrificial ceremony is over, why don’t we return to the palace immediately?” Yan Qizhen’s eyes were particularly deep in the flickering light of the incense and candles.

*

The place of worship was not far from the palace, but because the place of worship was located at the top of the mountain, it was necessary to carry the nobles down in a sedan chair.

With the imperial carriage in front, the sedan chairs of the ministers could then set off.

Yan Qizhen pushed open the curtain, glanced at the Tengyun Zhenlong sedan chair surrounded by the Imperial Guards, and then slowly lowered the curtain again.

Just then, a flute melody suddenly rang out!

It seems to be a coded signal for an attack!

Dozens of cold arrows appeared beside the Tenglong sedan chair in an instant, followed by the smell of blood and flesh.

"An assassin!"

"There are assassins in the mountains!!"

"Protect His Majesty immediately!!"

"Block the arrow!"

"Block the arrow!!"

........

The Imperial Guards immediately surrounded the imperial carriage, drawing their swords to deflect the arrows one by one!

Chief Steward Li carefully pressed himself against the side of the imperial palanquin, dodging the arrows: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty."

"Please don't come out!"

Although he was over fifty years old, he rarely witnessed such a dangerous scene.

Just as Chief Eunuch Li was about to speak, he heard a sharp voice ordering the guards beside him: "Don't stay by my side to protect me, go and protect Father Emperor!"

As soon as Steward Li turned his head, he saw Yan Qizhen dressed in plain robes.

Before they could even marvel at how filial the fourth prince was, they were startled by several rumbling sounds!

"this...!!!"

"This... Your Majesty!!!"

The scene before him terrified Steward Li so much that he was speechless. Who would have thought that these assassins who suddenly appeared would use the method of rolling stones in the mountains and forests!

The so-called "rolling stone" refers to an ambush carried out by both armies on a mountain path.

A wooden cart loaded with boulders, pushed down from the top of a cliff, would gradually cause the boulders to tumble down due to the rugged terrain leading to the bottom.

Moreover, the stones rolling on the wooden cart would gradually be thrown to the bottom of the cliff as the cart crashed.

This was originally a tactic used for ambushes on the battlefield.

Who would have thought it would appear in the mountains and forests!

Even if the slope of the forest is not as steep as the cliff, it can still knock a person out!

If a person is inside a sedan chair, then they have truly entered the gates of hell!

"His Majesty!"

"Your Majesty, come out quickly!!" Chief Eunuch Li immediately screamed.

The emperor of the Min Dynasty also realized that something was wrong outside. He lifted the curtain and saw what was happening. He immediately fled from the dragon palanquin.

Meanwhile, the arrows continued to strike the Imperial Guards, seemingly unaware that the Emperor had escaped.

"Father!"

"Hurry up!" A plain robe fell onto the emperor, covering his dragon robe.

The emperor looked up and saw Yan Qizhen wearing only his undergarments:

"Zhen'er!"

"Father, there's no time to lose! We must leave before they can react!"

"Your subject will protect Father!" Yan Qizhen said sternly.