After the Imperial Preceptor recited a long sacrificial text, he began the sacrificial ceremony with peculiar steps. The Emperor and his ministers all bowed, saying, "May Heaven bless this auspicious omen! May Heaven bless our Emperor!"

Everyone looked up at the sky. The sunlight shone down and shone on the center of the altar, instantly bursting out with a strong light. This strong golden light contained a peculiar energy. This energy was very pure, and the emperor and the imperial advisor were both enveloped by this energy. Ye Xiruo saw the excited smile on the emperor's face and the mysterious smile on the imperial advisor's lips.

Unbeknownst to Ye Xiruo, from the outside, at least within the entire capital city, the imperial palace was enveloped in a sacred and awe-inspiring golden light. The imperial palace, a sacred place for everyone, was now witnessing a miracle. All the people, gazing at the holy and dreamlike palace, were moved to tears, and then faced the palace in a gesture of prayer.

The sight of crowds prostrating themselves on the ground, worshipping the sacred site in their hearts, was truly awe-inspiring and demonstrated the emperor's divinity and greatness.

A cruel and licentious emperor, throughout his life, could never bring about a miracle, and his final fate was extremely tragic. But this emperor has already brought about miracles many times.

"May Heaven bless the Great Auspiciousness, may Heaven bless our Emperor."

"May Heaven bless the Great Auspiciousness, may Heaven bless our Emperor."

......

This scene lasted for a long time, until the golden light faded, and the excited crowd stood up to continue their revelry. Indeed, the emperor's birthday was considered by the people to be a day of rest and relaxation. All the shops were adorned with red silk, and all the restaurants offered free food. People dressed in their finest clothes took to the streets, greeting each other warmly, singing and dancing in celebration.

After the sacrificial ceremony to Heaven concluded, the Imperial Preceptor disappeared. The Emperor, his frail body perched on the altar, looked down upon his subjects and his vast empire, and slowly descended.

The subjects on the ground bowed in respect. The miracle showed that the gods still favored Da Rui and the emperor, which was more important than anything else.

After several song and dance performances, the banquet gradually reached its climax. Ministers toasted each other, drinking merrily amidst the sounds of zithers and flutes, creating an atmosphere of perfect harmony. The emperor sat alone on his large, ornate throne, his figure appearing even more frail. His complexion was no longer as good as before; the sacrificial ceremony had taken a heavy toll on him.

Ye Xiruo silently sipped the spiritual wine from her spatial storage in a corner, watching the ministers probe each other's intentions. The emperor, though wise and powerful, was aging, and the country would soon belong to the next emperor. They too needed to plan for themselves, how to secure their positions, and how to ensure their families' continued prosperity.

Many ministers, though holding wine cups, appeared distracted. Why hadn't the Fifth Prince arrived yet? His absence from such an important occasion would leave a terrible impression on the Emperor. The Fifth Prince wasn't someone who didn't know his place; why hadn't he appeared? With the birthday gift presentation ceremony fast approaching and no sign of him, the ministers' anxiety was palpable.

Ye Xiruo silently drank her wine. Those dressed in light yellow robes closest to the emperor were the princes. Judging solely from their appearance, the Second Prince seemed to be the most outstanding. His handsome face, framed by his flowing black hair, accentuated his refined features and elegant bearing. Ye Xiruo faintly saw a purple aura swirling around him; though not as intense as the emperor's, it was the strongest among the princes, radiating vitality and rising energy. If nothing unexpected happened, the Second Prince would become the next emperor of Rui Kingdom.

Ye Xiruo felt that she and her brother Xiu Qi had, to some extent, helped the unfortunate Second Prince. Although the Second Prince possessed a strong imperial aura and could be considered the chosen one, he still had an even more outstanding younger brother—the Fifth Prince. As the Fifth Prince grew stronger, the atmosphere in the court began to change, and many ministers who originally supported the Second Prince switched sides to the Fifth Prince's camp for various reasons.

Today will be the most intense duel between the Fifth Prince and the Second Prince, without a doubt. Many have already taken sides, awaiting the Second Prince's crushing defeat and the Fifth Prince's victory. Didn't you see? There's hardly anyone around the Second Prince. Everyone's gaze towards him is filled with pity and sympathy. The Second Prince's fate after losing the fight is imaginable; it will undoubtedly be extremely miserable. The Empress's life will likely be in grave danger as well.

However, the second prince didn't seem to mind his terrible situation. He leisurely drank his wine, occasionally picking up a few spiced peanuts, just like someone watching a play or listening to a story.

Ye Xiruo became somewhat interested in this second prince, picked up the wine pot beside her, and flashed to the second prince's side.

"I'll treat you to a drink." Ye Xiruo disliked small talk and stated her purpose directly.

"Thank you for your kindness, Immortal Master."

Ye Xiruo directly erected a barrier, ensuring that no one could hear her conversation with the Second Prince.

Ye Xiruo placed the wine pot on the white jade table. The Second Prince poured himself a cup and then poured a cup for Ye Xiruo: "Immortal Master, please."

After downing a cup of wine, the Second Prince was unable to recover for a long time. His body, transformed by the spiritual wine, was at least three times stronger than before. Moreover, the delicious spiritual wine continued to brew in his mouth, and the spreading taste was truly indescribable.

As expected of a celestial master, this spirit wine is truly exquisite.

"Thank you for your kind words, Immortal Master."

The second prince said calmly, "I wonder why the immortal master wants to help me?"

"It was just a coincidence."

Since that's the case, the Second Prince didn't ask any more questions, but simply kept Ye Xiruo's kindness in his heart.

"For a dying man like me to be able to drink such a wondrous spirit wine, I can say that I have no regrets in dying." The Second Prince's expression was calm and composed, without the slightest hint of hypocrisy.

"Life and death are ordained by fate, but fate can be reversed."

The second prince's pupils contracted sharply. What did the immortal master mean? Did he still have a chance to turn things around and not necessarily die today?

"Please enlighten me, Immortal Master."

"You won't die today. As for when you will die in the future, that's up to fate."

The Second Prince's features suddenly became much more expressive, and a smile appeared on his handsome face: "Thank you, Immortal Master. I'd like to offer you a toast."

"good."

Everyone's gaze, including the emperor's, was fixed on the two people chatting and drinking merrily. Could this immortal master be an accomplice invited by the Second Prince? The two seemed quite close. Why hadn't he been heard of before? The Second Prince was indeed cunning; only now was he revealing his true strength.