Chapter 318 Praying for Rain
What Wang Changyang said at this moment was not just a suggestion.
In fact, the emperor could guess without the ministers' reminder that the unusually high temperature and drought in the capital this time would cause many doubts about Mingzhu, both in the court and among the people.
"Teacher, you have enlightened me. I should have thought of it earlier. Three days later, Mingzhu will accompany me and participate in the rain-praying ceremony with all the civil and military officials." The emperor's eyes flashed with confidence.
If Mingzhu can convince the people through this rain-praying opportunity, no one will dare to interfere in her affairs anymore.
…
The capital three days later.
The sun was as scorching as usual, burning the ground like a fireball.
There were huge crowds of people around the Temple of Heaven, and almost all the people in the capital had come.
The Temple of Heaven was filled with black flags with dragon patterns painted on them.
Smoke rose from the huge incense burner.
There was not a breath of wind, the flag hung low and motionless, and even the smoke rose in a straight line.
The altar, sacrificial items, and offered fruits and livestock were all ready.
The monks of Lingji Temple knelt on cushions, their robes soaked with sweat.
The people wore hats to block out the sun, opened their dry, chapped mouths, and stared anxiously in the direction of the palace.
Princess Mingzhu will come to the Temple of Heaven to pray for rain today, and the whole capital knows this news.
The monks from Lingji Temple had arrived a long time ago, but Princess Mingzhu had not yet arrived.
With the scorching sun above their heads and the hot stone roads under their feet, the people were like ants on a hot pan.
“It’s so hot!”
"Is Princess Mingzhu not coming to pray for rain anymore?"
"Why hasn't the princess come yet? The monks at Lingji Temple have been waiting for a long time!"
"If we wait any longer, it will be so hot that we will die!"
"Don't worry! The princess will definitely come. She's a lucky star. When she comes, it will definitely rain! Everyone, be patient!"
After hearing this, everyone's emotions calmed down a lot.
At this moment, there was a commotion in front, and someone shouted happily: "She's here! Princess Mingzhu is here!"
The guards rode in front, escorting a carriage that was shining with golden light. Behind the carriage were civil and military officials in official uniforms.
The people had long heard that Princess Mingzhu's carriage was made of gold and inlaid with various colorful gems, so seeing it today was truly an eye-opener.
In fact, it can't be said that they really opened their eyes, because the golden carriage was too dazzling under the sun, so bright that they couldn't open their eyes.
After taking one look, tears started flowing and I never dared to look at it again.
So this is what it means when people are so rich and powerful that they can't see anything.
Someone asked timidly, "It's so hot, isn't it hot for the princess to sit in the golden carriage?"
Someone immediately explained, "You know nothing! The princess's carriage is filled with ice, it's very comfortable!"
As they were talking, a carriage drove over and everyone felt a chill.
After the carriage stopped, the eunuch put down the white jade footstool, and the emperor in bright yellow clothes walked down from the carriage.
Everyone knelt down and shouted, "Long live the emperor!"
The emperor calmly asked everyone to stand up.
At this moment, an angry voice came from the carriage, "It's hot outside! This princess doesn't want to go out!"
It goes without saying that the person speaking is Princess Mingzhu.
"Princess Mingzhu is truly extraordinary. She's less than three years old, but her speech is so clear!"
"Yeah, most two-year-old babies can't even speak clearly!"
Everyone murmured.
"My dear Mingzhu, your father is waiting for you." The emperor spoke in a gentle tone, without any anger at all.
At this moment, men, women, young and old, all envied Princess Mingzhu immensely. Princess Mingzhu was so good at reincarnation.
Not only does he have a noble status and enjoy immense wealth, but he is also pampered to such an extent by the emperor.
Princess Mingzhu must be the happiest little girl in the entire Dayu Dynasty.
After a while, a small figure walked out of the carriage reluctantly, and the emperor held her in his arms with a doting look on his face.
This was the first time that the people saw the legendary Princess Mingzhu, and they couldn't help but get excited.
They will never forget that on the evening when Princess Mingzhu was born, a long rainbow appeared in the sky above the imperial palace, and the rainbow was surrounded by colorful auspicious clouds. Even people who did not understand astronomical phenomena knew that this was an auspicious sign.
That night, Zen Master Huineng led the monks to light the sky lanterns in the Hundred-Layer Pagoda. The entire night sky was illuminated. The magnificent and exciting scene is still vivid in our minds.
Although the people have complaints about Princess Mingzhu's extravagance, if the princess is really a lucky star, she deserves to enjoy the best of everything in the Dayu Dynasty.
"Blessings to Princess Mingzhu!"
"May Princess Mingzhu be blessed with good health!"
I wanted to seize this rare opportunity to take a good look at Princess Mingzhu's appearance and feast my eyes.
But unexpectedly, Princess Mingzhu was as dazzling as her golden carriage.
The head, neck, hands, clothes and feet were all shining with gold, making it impossible to open one's eyes.
Not to mention looking at it, even a quick glance at it will hurt your eyes.
The emperor held Princess Mingzhu in front and led all the civil and military officials to the Temple of Heaven. Behind them were palace servants holding canopies and carrying ice.
"Why are you carrying so many ice cubes up there?"
"Is there no need to ask? Of course the princess is afraid of the heat!"
After reaching the Temple of Heaven, the princess had just sat down among the ice when unexpectedly the abbot of Lingji Temple came over.
"Your Majesty, praying for rain requires sincerity to move the heavens. This ice cube is truly inappropriate."
"Also, the princess's attire isn't suitable for an occasion like praying for rain."
The ice was taken away and all the jewelry on Princess Mingzhu was taken off.
The princess was so angry that she couldn't stop crying, "Father, why did you listen to him?"
Although the emperor felt distressed, he had to put the overall situation first in front of civil and military officials and the people.
After being comforted, the princess finally stopped crying.
The rain-praying ceremony can finally begin.
After the heart-stirring drums started beating, everyone fell silent.
After the sacrificial official read the prayer, the palace servants carried the tribute up and the emperor began to burn incense.
As the monks chanted, all the civil and military officials and common people knelt down and prayed to God with all their hearts.
After the incense offered by the emperor had burned out, everyone stood up.
The priests began another series of prayer ceremonies, kneeling and praying, kneeling again, and praying again...
The monks' chanting became louder, the scorching heat from the sky and the earth pressed down on them, the choking smell of incense made it hard to breathe, and coupled with the dense crowds, it felt like purgatory.
After going through the whole process, everyone felt dizzy and almost collapsed. They could only hold on with their willpower, but when they looked up at the sky, there was no change at all.
There was no thunder, no wind, not even a cloud.
Many people cried in disappointment.
They are sincere enough, why can't they move God?
"Princess Mingzhu!" Someone shouted first, "Princess Mingzhu, please pray for rain!"
Then the people shouted loudly.
"Please ask Princess Mingzhu to bless Dayu!"
"Please, Princess Mingzhu, save the people from this dire situation!"
Under everyone's eager gaze, the emperor said with anticipation: "Mingzhu, my little lucky treasure, it's your turn!"
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