The origin of that arrow...
The matter was kept secret inside and outside the palace, but everyone's eyes were vaguely glancing at the Second Prince Xin Yiwei who had just returned triumphantly from the front lines.
Xin Yiwei returned this time with great achievements in defeating the enemy, and he was in high spirits. He was surrounded by people who wanted to curry favor with him, among whom the Qi family of Dingwei Marquis Mansion was the most active.
Before the emperor left, all the ministers had gathered in the spacious square outside the main hall of the Lishan Palace, waiting to be summoned.
The morning light is slightly cool, still carrying the chill of the night dew, but it cannot suppress the invisible heat and tension in the air.
The two groups were in a subtle standoff.
One side was headed by Qi Meng, Marquis of Dingwei, and surrounded by the Second Prince Xin Yiwei. Everyone had a faint excitement on their face that "the time is mine"; the other side was centered around Yang Wenbo, the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, and most of them were upright officials or nobles with old ties to the Fourth Prince. The atmosphere was solemn and worried.
The heavy palace gate slowly opened with a long creaking sound, and the sound of summons was heard.
The ministers filed in and stood solemnly at the foot of the steps.
On the golden throne, the old emperor's face was a little blurred in the mist of incense. Only the tired marks under his eyes and the slightly wrinkled brows could be seen. It was obvious that he was exhausted by the endless troubles in recent times.
The Minister of Rites stepped forward as usual and respectfully requested the candidate for the host of this Xia Miao Heavenly Sacrifice Ceremony.
This is what should be expected. According to common sense and old customs, we should report the prince's name and ask the emperor for confirmation.
However, before the old emperor could speak——
Qi Meng, the Marquis of Dingwei, stepped forward, clasped his fists in salute, and his resounding voice echoed throughout the hall: "Your Majesty! I have a report!"
His voice was like a resounding bell, and he got straight to the point. "The Summer Sprout Festival, respectfully informing Heaven and Earth, is a solemn ceremony concerning the well-being of the country and agriculture! In previous years, His Highness the Fourth Prince has performed this task, due to His Highness the Crown Prince's extended stay away from home recuperating. However, this year, His Highness the Fourth Prince has unfortunately been seriously injured and is unable to take on this heavy responsibility. Fortunately, Heaven blesses our Western Jin Dynasty. His Highness the Second Prince, Xin Yiwei, has just led our royal army to pacify the barbarians in the northern border, achieving remarkable military exploits and returning triumphantly."
"The Second Prince is a man of vigor and vigour, in the prime of his life! He possesses a profound understanding of etiquette and possesses both civil and military talents! I boldly request Your Majesty to promote the Second Prince to preside over this Heavenly Sacrifice. He will surely ensure a successful ceremony, demonstrate the majesty of our royal family, and bring prosperity to the Western Jin Dynasty!"
These words were spoken in a high-sounding manner, and every word was based on reason. He only mentioned that the Fourth Prince was seriously injured and unable to move, and made no mention of the person who was supposed to be in charge, Crown Prince Xinyi Daoyi.
His intention to support the second prince to ascend the throne is obvious.
The Second Prince's followers behind Qi Meng immediately seconded the proposal:
"Marquis Dingwei is absolutely right. Your Highness has made great contributions to the country and deserves important responsibilities!"
"Your Highness is a man of heaven. It will be a blessing to all the people if he presides over the ceremony!"
For a moment, the only voices in the hall were those supporting the Second Prince Xin Yiwei.
"Your Majesty!" A calm and loud voice suddenly cut off the noise.
The Left Censor-in-Chief of the Metropolitan Censorate, Yang Wenbo, was an old man with white hair and beard, and a slightly hunched figure. However, he straightened his back and took a step forward. His eyes swept over Qi Meng and the others like lightning, and finally landed on the throne. He bowed deeply and said, "This old minister also has something to report!"
"Your Highness has pacified the northern threat with outstanding achievements. This is truly gratifying and worth congratulating. I, an old minister, also deeply admire your noble character and demeanor."
He paused for a moment, then suddenly changed the subject, "However, the nation's grand sacrificial ceremony has its own ancient constitution and fundamental principles. How can we arbitrarily change the person who presides over it and disregard the old rules and regulations?"
Yang Wenbo raised his head, his cloudy old eyes gleaming with restrained brilliance. He looked calmly at the calm Xin Yiwei standing beside him. "Besides... I heard that the Second Prince's journey home was perilous and the situation is still unresolved. And the Fourth Prince was suddenly attacked by a hidden arrow at the Lishan hunting grounds, injuring a vital part of his eye. This danger and disaster has alarmed the court and the public.
"The arrowhead remains, the truth remains unknown, and a vicious villain lurks behind the scenes. Forgive me for speaking frankly, but under these circumstances, having Your Highness preside over a ceremony so vital to the nation's lifeline would be met with criticism from those with ulterior motives! Worse still, it might even arouse suspicion from the gods and demons of heaven and earth! Your Majesty, I implore you to reconsider!"
Yang Wenbo's words were extremely harsh. On the surface, he was praising Xin Yiwei, but in fact, every word was hurtful. The suspicion of assassinating the prince was like an invisible blood hat, firmly pinning it on Xin Yiwei's head.
The implication was clear - how could a suspect preside over a ceremony to worship the heavens?
The hall suddenly fell into dead silence, and you could hear a pin drop.
Everyone understood Yang Wenbo's subtext of hiding a sharp thorn in his soft words and wanting to kill with blood.
The calm smile on Xin Yiwei's face froze in an instant, and a trace of iron blue that had been forcibly suppressed surged onto his cheeks. The look he gave Yang Wenbo was as cold as a poisoned dagger.
Generals such as Qi Meng were even more furious, and could hardly restrain themselves from rushing forward to refute.
Yang Wenbo spoke rapidly, his aged voice suddenly rising: "Your Majesty! The laws of our ancestors cannot be abolished, and the position of the crown prince cannot be taken lightly! Your Highness the Crown Prince is the heir apparent to the throne, and the hearts of the people are on him. The ceremony of offering sacrifices to heaven, honoring the Heavenly Emperor above and the Earth below, exercising power on behalf of the Emperor, is not the legitimate duty of the crown prince, so who can take on the responsibility? Now that His Highness the Crown Prince has personally arrived at Mount Li and is in the palace, this is the clear will of heaven! It should be presided over by the crown prince himself, in accordance with the will of heaven and the people!"
This is the real purpose of the Fourth Prince's Party.
The heart-piercing remarks they threw out were just smokescreen. Their core purpose was only one: to stop Xin Yiwei from further expanding his power and reputation by taking advantage of the ceremony at all costs!
If the Crown Prince really came forward to preside over the ceremony, given his frail and sickly body, if something happened to him during the heavy rituals of the Heavenly Sacrifice Ceremony, it would be a golden opportunity given by God to overthrow the Second Prince and pave the way for the Fourth Prince!
A voice echoed behind Yang Wenbo:
"Master Yang is right! The ceremony must be orthodox!"
"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is the legitimate heir to the throne!"
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