Chapter 328 A Glimpse
Nanzhao Jiangdu, Mid-Autumn Night.
The entire observation platform was dyed a translucent silver-white by tens of thousands of glass lanterns.
On the altar on the stage, a wooden sculpture of the Moon Goddess, surrounded by twenty-four goat-horn palace lanterns, casts a swaying shadow.
Civil and military officials were arranged according to their ranks and stood on both sides of the altar.
Across the three-meter-high wall, the heads of thousands of people gathered in a black mass. The shouts of vendors selling osmanthus candy and the noise of the crowd formed a boiling sea.
People were all waiting quietly for the arrival of the third quarter of the evening.
Amidst the crowd below the stage, there was also an undercurrent. Several pairs of sharp eyes were staring intently at the viewing platform from all directions.
The auspicious moment had arrived. Thirty-six ivory trumpets blared in unison, their sound like moonlight spilling over the palace walls. All officials lifted their robes and knelt in worship. The common people below, separated by the walls, also prostrated themselves like a tide, their shouts resounding through the heavens:
"Long live His Majesty, long live His Majesty, long live His Majesty!"
Emperor Xie Zhen of Nan Zhao ascended to the top of the altar under the protection of twenty-four golden-armored warriors. His crown with twelve-chapter patterns flowed with golden threads in the light, and he looked majestic.
Xie Zhen waved his sleeves, and his voice resounded like a bell:
"In the twenty-fifth year of Jingping, the year of Yisi, on the auspicious day of mid-autumn, I hereby announce to the Moon Goddess the harvest of the Black Ox and the Grand Sacrifice, and the abundant harvest of the five grains."
He led the crowd in bowing their heads in worship, and the jade disk made a clear sound when it touched the ground:
"When I founded the Southern Zhao Dynasty, I relied on the Moon God's blessing. The rivers and seas were peaceful and the barbarians were submissive. Now, fortunately, the Imperial Princess Xie Tian has returned to the court, a sign of prosperity for the nation. This is all due to the grace of Heaven and the protection of our ancestors."
As the sandalwood incense lingered in the air, he raised his eyes to gaze at the silver disk of the night sky:
"Today, we set up an altar to worship the moon, praying that the Moon Goddess will always shine upon Southern Zhao, bringing favorable weather and a lasting end to war. Furthermore, we wish that our people will have ample food and clothing, and that the four borders will be peaceful and prosperous. The blessed rice we offer is derived from the essence of Erhai Lake and the beauty of Cangshan Mountain. May it be shared among all people, so that they may all share in the divine grace!"
After saying this, he placed the jade disk in front of the wooden sculpture of the Moon Goddess.
All the civil and military officials in the court shouted:
"May the Moon God bless you and may Nan Zhao live forever!"
"Please ask the eldest prince Xie Lan, the second son Xie Zhan, and the eldest daughter Xie Tian to bestow upon the Moon Goddess blessed rice—"
The shrill voice of the eunuch in charge of ceremonies pierced the night sky.
But Prince Xie Lan of Nanzhao was seen walking in the front in a crimson python robe, with the cat's eye on the jade belt buckle glittering in the moonlight; Second Prince Xie Zhan was wearing a sky-blue brocade robe, with dark gold auspicious clouds embroidered on the sleeves. Both brothers looked heroic, each holding a silver tray, exuding a noble air.
At this moment, the sound of jingling bells could be heard from the nine-curve corridor beside the altar.
Princess Zhaoning Xie Tian, also known as Xiyan, slowly walked up the golden steps with the support of two palace maids.
Today, she wore a princess's court gown embroidered with red gold and silver thread. The collar and cuffs were embroidered with silver thread, a pattern of nine phoenixes circling a moon. The hem of her skirt was covered with twelve kesi cloud patterns. Over her skirt, she wore a scarlet light smoke gauze shawl, the edges of which were strung with pearls to form a chain of moon patterns, which swayed gracefully with her steps.
In particular, the beauty of this court dress lies in the tailoring of the shawl and the hem of the skirt. The front is designed with a draped cloud pattern, just like moonlight pouring into the sea of clouds, cleverly covering the six-month pregnant belly. Only when turning around does a soft curve appear, which is difficult to see unless you look closely.
Her hair was held in place by a scarlet-gold, kingfisher-embellished phoenix-shaped hairpin, its tassels cascading down her forehead. A pair of lotus earrings dangled from her ears, each holding a pearl. Her skin, whiter than snow, was framed by a pair of almond-shaped eyes shrouded in mist beneath brows painted with inky black ink, her face shrouded in a crimson veil, revealing a delicate nose and cherry lips. She resembled the moon in the clouds, a flower in the mist.
She also held a silver tray in her hand.
Today, Xi Yan was a woman of unparalleled beauty, her demeanor captivating. Her court attire embodied the princess's dignity while retaining the youthful elegance of a young woman. Her presence was breathtaking, drawing the audience's gaze in breathless admiration.
There was a huge crowd of people at the Wangtian Terrace. Hidden among the merchants was a young and handsome man.
Wrapped in a black cloak with the dust of travel still on his body, he stood there at this moment as still as a clay statue, his scarlet eyes fixed on the glittering figure on the high platform, his knuckles tightly clasped around a jade ornament, not even noticing the blood oozing from his palm.
After eight years of living together day and night, the arc of her head lowering to stroke her hair and her unintentional lowering of her eyes have long been engraved in his bones.
Even though she was dressed in gorgeous attire today and looked extremely noble; even though she was covered by a hazy veil, the brightness flowing between her eyebrows and eyes could not belong to anyone else.
She is clearly the regent of Tianqi, Xiao Nanyan, whom he will search for even at the end of the world - the love of his life!
At this moment, the woman and the two princes of Nanzhao were pouring the rice in the plate to the cheering people below the stage across the several-foot-high platform.
The scarlet shawl on her shoulders fluttered in the night wind, inadvertently revealing the curve of her pregnant belly, which was like a touch of hot cinnabar, branding into his eyes. Xiao Nanyue's chest felt like it was hit hard by a heavy hammer.
As the crowd pushed him, he staggered forward half a step. Too excited, he suddenly covered his chest and tried hard to suppress the cough.
At this moment, music and ceremony resounded from the Wangtian Terrace, and Xiao Nanyan could hear his own heartbeat like a drum. Under the moonlight of the capital of Nanzhaojiang, he finally found the woman who had driven him crazy for months:
Sunset!
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