The servant stopped and thought for a moment before saying, "It was probably three-quarters of an hour after you left, sir."
Three-quarters of an hour is exactly the time it usually takes him to return to the palace by carriage.
But yesterday, since it was still early and he wasn't as tired as usual, he didn't take a carriage and rode directly back to the palace, so it only took him about two quarters of an hour.
If he had taken the carriage back as usual, he probably would have left shortly after arriving at the palace because of the incident at the altar, instead of only finding out when he arrived at the Khan's palace.
Tuso immediately frowned.
Upon recalling what had just happened in the Khan's palace, his expression immediately changed.
Those two medicine boys must be suspicious; one of them might even be Aguzan.
The thought of Aguzan putting on a show right under his nose made him want to kill those good-for-nothings.
Damn Monte, he'll never let this guy get away with it.
He quickly said, "Go, arrest Monte."
The attendant was taken aback, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "The Mongol Doctor is the Khan's man. If you want to arrest him, the black-armored guards might not agree, and it might arouse suspicion. That would not be good if it affected the blessing ceremony two days later."
Tuso clenched his fist tightly, and after a while, he gritted his teeth and said, "Med is not allowed to leave the Khan's palace for the next few days, until the prayer ceremony is over."
Furthermore, more guards were secretly deployed around the Khan's palace.
He refused to believe that as long as Monte was trapped inside the temple, no matter what Aguzan planned, he would never be able to contact Monte again.
*
Two days passed in the blink of an eye, and soon it was time for the Tuyuhun's once-every-five-years prayer ceremony.
Because of this grand ceremony, the next Khan can basically be determined.
Many people from nearby cities also traveled to the capital to watch this once-every-five-years blessing ceremony, hoping that the new Khan would pray for their blessings and protect them from harm and misfortune.
As a result, the capital city of Tuyuhun was noticeably more lively than usual, with crowds thronging the streets, and it seemed that people were everywhere.
At this moment, the palace was also filled with a joyous and lively scene, a stark contrast to the dullness of the previous months. Festive lanterns were hung inside and outside the palaces, and many paper-cut window decorations with ox horns were pasted up.
There are also many decorations related to the blessing ceremony, such as red bull-headed demon masks and various bull and sheep horns carved with intricate patterns by craftsmen.
Even the palace servants wore bracelets and waist ornaments woven from colorful silk threads, looking very cheerful.
Today, Aliji is dressed in a black robe used for ceremonies, with many intricate red patterns on it, and on his head he wears a peacock feather hat inlaid with many gemstones.
He is not much different from the princes who have presided over the blessing ceremony in previous years; he inspires awe even from afar.
Looking at himself in the mirror, Aliji unconsciously straightened his back.
After today, he will basically be on the throne of Khan. Even if Aguzan is not dead, he will have no chance to compete with him for the Khan's position.
He felt a surge of joy until a servant's voice reminded him from outside the palace.
"Prince, it's time to go on the procession in the carriage. Lord Tuso and the others are already waiting outside the palace."
Aliji simply responded, walked out of the palace, and, surrounded by palace servants, boarded the carriage heading outside the palace.
The imperial carriage slowly traveled from outside the palace gates along the streets of the capital.
The royal guards, dressed in gray soft armor and with swords at their waists, marched in orderly formation around the carriage, remaining vigilant for any movement around them.
Tuso followed on horseback beside the carriage, followed by a number of civil and military officials, all dressed in court attire and holding scepters.
The surrounding streets were also crowded with people, all of whom were now kept at the outermost edge by the guards, but this did not diminish their excitement.
"That is the eldest prince, the one who is praying for the people of Tuyuhun today, and the next Khan."
"Great! I've finally seen the eldest prince. Just as the rumors say, the future of Tuyuhun will be even better with such a leader."
Aliji heard a great deal of discussion and cheers.
He felt a little elated, thinking that his planning over the past few months had been worthwhile.
This period has been the time when he has received the most praise in recent years.
He used to be always overshadowed by that bastard Aguzan. Whether among the ministers or the common people, Aguzan always dominated their conversations.
His former brilliance has been overshadowed by Aguzan.
Fortunately, he has a major advantage: his bloodline. He is a pure Tuyuhun person, which is something that Aguzan can never match.
After today, he will be the undisputed next Khan. All he has to do is kill the old Khan, hold the coronation ceremony, and Tuyuhun will be his.
At that point, it wouldn't matter whether Aguzan was alive or dead; in fact, he could easily decide whether that person was alive or dead.
Thinking of these things, the smile on his face couldn't help but widen.
Tuso, on the other hand, kept a close eye on the people around him, trying to spot anyone unusual among them.
The palace has been very quiet these past few days; there has been no movement in either the Khan's palace or elsewhere.
When Monte learned that he would not be able to leave the palace for the next few days, aside from some initial dissatisfaction, he did not do anything unusual afterward.
For a moment, he couldn't tell whether his guess that day was just overthinking or whether he had overlooked something important.
Ultimately, he only hoped that today's prayer ceremony would go smoothly.
After the carriage had circled the main streets of the capital, it headed straight for the altar of the prayer ceremony.
The altar for the prayer ceremony existed from the very beginning of the Tuyuhun dynasty.
The high altar has hundreds of steps, and on the altar there is a stone statue about half a person's height. Although it has no facial features, the special ox horn decoration on its waist confirms that it is the first Khan of Tuyuhun.
Therefore, in various Tuyuhun festivals, ox horns or oxen represent good luck.
By this time, many people had gathered below the altar, gazing devoutly at the stone statue.
When the eldest prince's carriage appeared in the distance, the previously silent crowd instantly became excited, shouting for the eldest prince.
If soldiers hadn't been guarding the altar, the people would probably have rushed towards Aliji's carriage in an instant.
They only wish to be closer to those who are praying for them today, hoping to receive more blessings in return.
Aliji was overwhelmed with excitement and a surge of joy welled up inside him.
He deserves to be revered.
Amidst the cheers and jubilation of the people, he merely nodded to them, was helped down from the carriage, and walked step by step toward the altar.
The jubilant crowd stopped at that moment, clenching their fists and placing them in front of them, devoutly waiting for the next Khan to come and bless them with good fortune.
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