Soon, the imperial carriage arrived at the Imperial Ancestral Temple.
The ancestral temple of the Northern Wei Dynasty was built very high, just like the ancestral temple of the Eastern Chu Dynasty.
The long staircase was estimated to have several thousand steps, and the Xuanlong Guards stood at the bottom and on both sides of the staircase.
The Northern Wei's Dragon Guards were quite easy to distinguish. The Azure Dragon Guards wore blue armor and were similar to the Imperial Guards of Eastern Chu, specifically guarding the emperor and the palace. The White Dragon Guards wore white armor and were similar to the Imperial Guards of Eastern Chu, responsible for the security of the capital. The Black Dragon Guards wore black armor and were similar to the city's defensive forces of Eastern Chu, serving as the last line of defense for the capital.
Helian Rong is getting old and can no longer do many things. Even the military strength of Northern Wei has been divided up by Helian Zheng and his men. But the only thing he has not let go of is the control of the Three Dragon Guards.
It is precisely because the Three Dragon Guards are still in Helian Rong's hands that Helian Zheng and his men dare not act recklessly in the capital of Northern Wei and in the imperial palace!
Yuan Xian helped Helian Rong down from the imperial carriage, and Su Renzhong, Duanmu Junyu, and the others also got off the carriage together.
Su Renzhong stepped forward and helped Helian Rong up the stone steps.
Many onlookers gathered below the Imperial Ancestral Temple. Although the Xuanlong Guards kept them at bay, they were still eagerly waiting to see Su Renzhong's ceremony to establish him as Crown Prince.
"That's the imperial grandson's family! They've all grown up to be so good-looking, each one of them looks like a god!"
"Don't you even look at their identities? They're either the Empress of Western Liang or the new Emperor of Eastern Chu. Of course, they can't be ugly!"
"Even among royalty, not all of them are good-looking, but the royal grandson's family is truly handsome, comparable to gods."
"And they all have great charisma, and they look very well-matched together!"
"Yes, yes, the grandson of the emperor and the empress, and that younger couple, they all seem like a match made in heaven!"
"I've never seen anyone so good-looking in my entire life, and I've seen so many today!"
"You all say that since the Emperor has designated his grandson as the Crown Prince, will the grandson inherit the throne of Northern Wei in the future?"
"Of course! Since His Majesty has designated his grandson as the Crown Prince, then the grandson will undoubtedly be the future Emperor of Northern Wei!"
"But aren't there three princes above the imperial grandson? I've heard that all three princes hold military power. Would the three princes agree to let the emperor hand over the throne to an imperial grandson?"
"We don't know the answer to that, but since the Emperor wants to make his grandson the Crown Prince, I believe that even if the three princes object, it won't matter, unless..."
"Unless what?" Seeing the man hesitate and stammer, the person next to him quickly asked curiously.
The man leaned closer to the crowd, lowered his voice, and whispered, "Unless they are plotting a rebellion."
...This topic was too heavy, and everyone immediately fell silent.
Su Renzhong and the others helped Helian Rong up the stone steps, where all the civil and military officials and imperial relatives were waiting, including Helian Zheng and his two companions.
Upon seeing Helian Rong approach, everyone knelt down and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"
Helian Zheng and the others really didn't want to bow, mainly because they couldn't stand Su Renzhong beside Helian Rong. But with so many people around and so many commoners watching, they had no choice but to bow, so they gave Helian Rong a perfunctory bow.
Helian Rong knew exactly what the three were thinking, but he couldn't be bothered to pay them any attention: "All of you, rise and dismount."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
The officials rose and stood on both sides.
Today's ceremony for establishing the heir apparent is being presided over by Helian Rong's cousin, the Prince of Xichuan, Helian Jing.
Helian Dong produced the imperial edict and shouted, "Kneel!"
The officials and imperial relatives knelt down again. Everyone except Helian Rong, Duanmu Junyu, Xuanyuan Zhan, and Su Xuening knelt down, including Su Renzhong.
Helian Jing began reading the imperial edict: "By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Since my ascension to the throne, I have diligently attended to all important military and national affairs, personnel appointments, and administrative matters, never daring to slacken my efforts. I have diligently served the great cause of the nation, day and night, upholding the illustrious legacy of my ancestors. The entrustment I have received is of paramount importance, and the succession and celebration rest in the hands of my eldest son. My eldest son, Helian Yu, is exceptionally intelligent, skilled in both literature and martial arts, and possesses profound knowledge. He is my most favored heir apparent. Alas, Heaven is jealous of talent; Yu'er..." He died young, and I was heartbroken. Heaven, however, took pity on me, allowing Yu'er to leave behind a bloodline. My eldest grandson, Helian Ci, the first heir of the imperial clan, is also exceptionally intelligent, possessing both literary and military talents, and is benevolent and virtuous, deeply winning my heart. Therefore, in accordance with the initial edict, following proper rites, and respectfully considering public sentiment, I solemnly inform Heaven, the ancestral temple, and the state, that I hereby bestow upon him the imperial seal and establish him as the Crown Prince, placing him in the Eastern Palace, to uphold the imperial line for ten thousand years and to reassure the hearts of the people. This is hereby proclaimed throughout the land, so that all may know!
Upon hearing the official imperial edict establishing the heir apparent again, Helian Zheng and the other two exchanged strange glances.
That old man is truly despicable. He's already made Helian Ci the crown prince, yet he still has to express his affection for that deadbeat Helian Yu. He's completely ignoring the three of them!
"rise!"
After reading the imperial edict, Helian Dong shouted loudly, and everyone stood up.
"The sacrificial ceremony to Heaven begins!"
Helian Dong handed three long incense sticks to Su Renzhong: "Please, Your Highness, offer incense to Heaven."
Su Renzhong took the incense stick and bowed three times at the altar in front of him.
When Su Renzhong was offering sacrifices to Heaven, Helian Qin looked anxiously at Helian Zheng.
Helian Zheng gave Helian Qin a reassuring look.
Upon seeing this, Helian Qin immediately felt relieved and stared at Su Renzhong in front of him, waiting to see him make a fool of himself.
Just as Su Renzhong inserted the long incense stick into the altar to complete the sacrificial ceremony, a loud "boom" was suddenly heard.
Everyone was stunned by the sudden sound, and the people below all huddled together in unison.
The officials above were also quite frightened, looking in shock at the source of the sound not far away.
What was that sound?!
"I don't know, it seems to be in the north."
"How could such a perfectly proper sacrificial ceremony have encountered such anomalies? Could it be..."
The officials of Northern Wei looked at Su Renzhong with strange expressions, feeling that his sacrifice to Heaven was not approved by Heaven and that he had been punished by Heaven.
Not only did they think so, but the common people below were also discussing it.
"This is divine wrath!"
"Is it that Heaven doesn't agree with the Emperor's decision to make his grandson the Crown Prince?"
"There's never been a precedent like this before. Hopefully, Heaven won't be angry."
"We can't let the imperial grandson become the crown prince! This is a sign from Heaven! If we continue like this, something terrible will happen!"
"Yes, we can't continue with the sacrificial ceremony to the heavens; we must stop immediately!"
The people were extremely anxious and terrified.
Helian Rong understood exactly what was going on and immediately looked at Helian Zheng and the other two.
Su Xuening and Xuan Yuanzhan exchanged glances and looked at Helian Zheng and the others.
By causing trouble here at this time, it seems these three are unwilling to compromise at all!
Helian Zheng and the other two stood with their eyes lowered, not afraid of Helian Rong's gaze.
In any case, they cannot allow Helian Ci to smoothly become the crown prince of Northern Wei.
Helian Rong's face darkened with rage: "Guards, go and find out exactly what happened!"
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