This was the first time Huaixu had worn white since their reunion. It was a very plain outfit, without any extra embellishments or patterns, and from a distance, it looked like a mourning garment.
Mourning clothes.
Song Ting's heart skipped a beat at this sudden thought.
He had actually met Huai Xu before the ceremony began.
When the young emperor asked about Huai Xu just now, Song Ting also thought that he would not come again.
He had clearly shown great interest in the prayer ceremony just two days ago, insisting on coming even though Song Ting told him not to. But on the actual day, he fell into a deep sleep in his room, refusing to get up even when Song Ting called him.
Song Ting had no choice but to come over by herself. Seeing that the ceremony was about to begin, Song Ting originally thought that he had changed his mind and didn't want to come anymore, and was still lying in bed.
But just as he finished speaking with the young emperor and went to invite several masters, he saw a man in white robes walking slowly towards him from afar. He wore only the most ordinary plain hairpin and, against the backdrop of the morning light, looked up and smiled at him.
At that moment, Song Ting stood frozen in place, motionless, as if time had reversed and they had returned to five years ago.
There was no deception or betrayal.
There is no hatred or bloodshed.
The person before him was still that pampered little darling, and he was her "little dog." The little dog would always stay by its master's side.
It was a subordinate's cry of "My lord" that shattered Song Ting's self-deceiving dream, while Chu Huaixu stopped far away from him, not taking another step closer.
After that, Song Ting became even busier, and in no time at all, the ceremony was about to begin. Each time she looked at the other person, he simply stood quietly to the side, staring at the golden Buddha statue on the platform.
Just like now.
This suddenly made Song Ting feel very uneasy.
He followed the other person's gaze and looked at the Buddha statue in front of him.
This Buddha statue is also a Tathagata statue, made according to the golden Buddha statue in the main hall. During the annual Dharma assembly at Baima Temple, this Buddha statue is brought out and placed in the center of the square for worshippers to make offerings.
For today's grand ceremony, the emperor personally brought out this Buddha statue yesterday.
Rise for the third bow.
No unusual features were observed in the surrounding area.
This should have been a good omen, but for some reason, Song Ting felt a surge of unease. He subconsciously glanced again in the direction where Chu Huaixu was.
The latter seemed to finally notice his gaze and shifted his look from the Buddha statue to his face.
If Song Ting wasn't mistaken, the man seemed to give him a faint smile.
Song Ting's heart tightened, and a layer of cold sweat appeared on her back.
Something's not right.
Something unusual is bound to happen, and Huaixu is acting very strangely today.
Why change into white clothes, and why stare at the Buddha statue? The Buddha statue... could it be hiding some secret?
Song Ti suddenly regretted it. He thought that he should have asked the other party about this matter when he brought it up in Huai Xu a couple of days ago. He should have at least known their plans for today, so that he could have protected Huai Xu if things got to the point of no return.
He shouldn't have argued with Huai Xu at that moment.
But what exactly is Huaixu planning to do?
"Namo Amitabha Buddha... Namo Amitabha..."
Amidst the chanting of sutras, Chu Minghuan slowly rose, then turned around to face the people in the viewing area.
"Fellow villagers, I know that because of what has happened recently, you are all very fearful and feel that Heaven is punishing you."
"I know I am foolish, but I have been on the throne for five years and have never forgotten my responsibilities. I dare not say whether Heaven is satisfied with me. However, the matter concerning the Empress Dowager and the ninety-three people of Sishui Town was caused by someone interfering, and it has nothing to do with divine punishment."
"I have ordered the Court of Judicial Review and the Embroidered Uniform Guard to jointly investigate the case, and we will surely give an explanation to the people and all the dead."
This part wasn't supposed to be in the ceremony; it was the young emperor who insisted on adding it. He spoke with such sincerity that the people watching seemed somewhat moved.
They were all ordinary people, and the most important figures they ever saw were the officials of the government. Today, not only had they met the emperor, but the emperor had also spoken to them in such an approachable manner. The people were inevitably moved, and after a brief silence, they began to discuss among themselves.
Chu Minghuan did not stop him and continued talking.
The weather wasn't good during the last grand ceremony, and it was the same today. The first rays of dawn were already shrouded in thick clouds, and dark clouds covered the White Horse Temple. There were occasional rumbles of thunder, and it seemed as if a heavy rain could fall at any moment.
A sudden gust of wind swept by, causing the shadows of the surrounding trees to sway. The wind gradually subsided, and the wind stopped, leaving only the leaves rustling.
Chu Minghuan looked up at the sky, ending his moving and heartfelt confession, and prepared for the next step. Abbot Kongji was already waiting for him beneath the Buddha statue.
"Your Majesty." Chu Minghuan was about to take a step when Song Ting stopped him. "Minister Song?"
Song Ting bowed slightly: "Your Majesty, I humbly request permission to go in your stead."
The next step was the bestowal of blessings, where the abbot sprinkled willow branches soaked in talismanic water on the emperor, symbolizing the exorcism of evil spirits and the protection of peace. The emperor represented all the subjects of the realm, meaning that the entire Great Yan was blessed and protected by the Buddha.
The entire ceremony will only be considered complete at that point.
Prior to this, Song Ting had never expressed any intention to act on behalf of the emperor. Not only did Chu Minghuan look puzzled, but Zhang Bingzhi couldn't help but ask:
"What does the commander mean by this?"
Both his expression and tone clearly indicated that he was accusing Song Ting of overstepping his bounds.
Song Ting couldn't produce any evidence; he only relied on Huai Xu's unusual behavior and his sixth sense to conclude that the Buddha statue might be problematic.
"minister--"
"Alright then. I'll have to trouble you, Song Qing." Before he could even explain, Chu Minghuan agreed without asking any further questions, clearly showing his complete trust in him.
“It is better for this old minister to go.” Zhang Bingzhi was not truly senile after all. He quickly realized what Song Ting meant and immediately said, “It is most appropriate for Minister Song to accompany His Majesty.”
Because of the incident involving empty lines, Zhang Bingzhi was afraid of losing the emperor's favor and was eager to impress the young emperor.
"This..." Chu Minghuan held the incense stick, his gaze shifting between the two of them, unsure of who to give it to.
The people below the stage could not hear the slightest movement on the stage, but any further delay would inevitably arouse suspicion. Song Ting did not hesitate any longer and conceded, "Then I will trouble you, Grand Secretary."
Ultimately, he just wanted to verify if there was anything wrong with the Buddha statue. As long as it wasn't the young emperor, it wouldn't make a difference whether that old fellow Zhang Bingzhi went or he went himself.
Perhaps... it would be better to let Zhang Bingzhi go.
Song Ting once again turned her gaze to the Buddha statue not far away.
There was no wind around, not even the leaves swayed, as if there was an eerie silence before a storm.
The unease in Song Ting's heart continued to spread. He had to keep an eye on the young emperor at all times, and also keep an eye on Huai Xu not far away.
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