Chapter 203 Taimiao Sacrifice
After lighting the incense, Li Yueyao, with her big belly, knelt on the mat and bowed three times.
An orange rolled down from the tribute fruit plate on the table and rolled straight to Li Yueyao's feet.
Li Yueyao smiled upon seeing this and said, "Thank you, Father, Brother."
The emperor saw it and wondered, "Is this a gift from my grandfather and father?"
"Well, my father and my brother both remember that I love eating oranges the most, so most of the tribute oranges every winter are given to me."
"I know you like eating oranges, so I leave a large basket for you every year." The emperor muttered softly.
Li Yueyao smiled and picked up the orange on the ground, peeled it, and gave half to the emperor.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
The emperor looked at the orange in his hand, and his uneasy heart finally calmed down.
He carefully put the half orange in his hand into his sleeve pocket, picked up three incense sticks and bowed to them.
He said, "In the first few years after I ascended the throne, the country was prosperous and the people were at peace. I forgot the importance of being prepared for danger in times of peace.
As a result, the people of Nanli caused great harm to the court, but no clues were discovered.
Fortunately, with the reminders of our ancestors and the assistance of my aunt, we were able to clear out the evil spirits in the court this year, and we have already sent troops to Nanli to destroy its country.
Today, during the sacrifice, I come to apologize to all my ancestors and ask for their forgiveness."
After saying that, he inserted the three incense sticks in his hand.
Then he kowtowed three times respectfully towards the tablet.
After a while, when there was no movement on the altar, the emperor looked up.
Finally, after making sure that there would be no more movement, he prepared to get up.
Suddenly he thought of something and said, "Grandfather, Grandmother, Father, Mother, and Aunt have found the person they love.
That man was the right prime minister of the imperial court, named Feng Shenyu.
My father should still remember him. As his name suggests, he is a handsome man.
He is the last disciple of the old master, and is proficient in both civil and military affairs. The court is in great demand thanks to him.
He also takes good care of his aunt in daily life.
I have already issued an order to have them married on August 15th next year.
Your aunt's marriage has always been on your mind, so I have come to inform you of this matter."
After saying that, he prepared to stand up.
But then a pear rolled down from the fruit plate.
The emperor smiled and said, "This pear must have been given by the Empress Dowager."
"Why?" Li Yueyao asked.
"Because every time I go to see the Empress Dowager, she likes to give me pears." The emperor laughed.
The emperor bent down, picked up the pear, wiped it and put it in his sleeve pocket, then turned to Li Yueyao and said:
"This shows that the Empress Dowager is very pleased with your marriage. This pear is a reward from me."
Li Yueyao smiled shyly and said nothing.
After the emperor stood up, the rest of the people followed the procedure to worship, and finally the group left the Taimiao smoothly.
As soon as I sat down in the palace, I received an urgent message from Hongling Courier, which had traveled eight hundred miles:
The Duke of Zhenguo captured the capital of Nanli.
The emperor laughed heartily:
"Okay, okay, the New Year is coming soon, this is the best gift this year."
Li Yueyao, Concubine Xian and others all happily saluted the emperor:
"Congratulations, Your Majesty. Congratulations, Your Majesty."
"Hahaha, congratulations, congratulations!"
The emperor was very happy.
This news spread quickly throughout the capital city like wings.
This day in the capital was just like Chinese New Year, with colorful silk tied up everywhere and firecrackers set off, creating a very lively atmosphere.
Many people were discussing this in the tavern.
"It's really a double blessing! First, we held the Imperial Examination, and then we conquered Nanli. Our Great Jin's territory has expanded by another two thousand miles."
"Yes, the Nanli spies have been dealt with, and the court is clear and bright again. We scholars now have hope."
"The Nanli Kingdom dared to set fire and kill people on our territory. I will never be able to quell the hatred in my heart unless I destroy their country."
"Great Jin will win, and the country will win!"
"Great Jin will win, and the country will win!"
"Great Jin will win, and the country will win!"
The fat tavern owner came out with a festive smile and said, "Today's drinks are free of charge."
"Thank you, boss. Come, toast to the boss!"
"Cheers to the boss!"
That night the emperor issued an edict, and the imperial guards in the capital did not stop it.
The entire capital city was immersed in extraordinary excitement and celebration.
Li Yueyao and Feng Shenyu rarely stopped reading memorials that day.
Together on the terrace where they almost had a fire on New Year's Eve last year, they ate barbecue and hotpot, looking down at the lights of thousands of homes outside.
Feng Shenyu picked up some food for Li Yueyao and said:
"Last year in December, we also drank and admired the moon here.
I've been through so much this year, it's really beyond my expectations."
Li Yueyao picked up the beef with chopsticks, dipped it in the dipping sauce in the bowl and said with a smile:
"Yes, the court at that time was truly fraught with danger. Now, this great army has captured the capital of Nanli."
After saying that, Li Yueyao turned around, glanced at Feng Shenyu and asked:
"Did you really not know about the Nanli spies at that time?"
Feng Shenyu nodded and said, "The person who was pushed out in the open at that time was Gao Hongchen.
Besides, I had no interest in the court at that time, so naturally I didn’t investigate further.”
"What were you thinking at that time?" Li Yueyao asked curiously.
Feng Shenyu put a piece of mushroom into Li Yueyao's bowl and said with a smile:
"What can I think? I can't find you, and I'm tired of the court. If it weren't for the Su family, I would have resigned long ago."
Li Yueyao propped up her chin and looked at the bustling street outside and said:
“Actually, looking down at the street from this high vantage point gives it a bit of a spring mountain feel.
It’s just that Chunshan is a little higher and the view is a little farther away.
"Spring Mountain offers the natural beauty of the four seasons, while Beijing offers the hustle and bustle of life. Each has its own merits."
Feng Shenyu looked outside and nodded.
"We have been working so hard all year long, forgetting to eat and sleep, just for the lights to be on in every home at this moment."
"So do you like Beijing?" Li Yueyao asked.
Feng Shenyu withdrew his gaze from the distance and looked at Li Yueyao affectionately:
"I only like you, Your Highness. Whether it's Chunshan or the capital, I like you wherever you are."
Li Yueyao laughed when she heard this: "You must be so sweet on your little mouth, you can talk so well."
"Is it coated with honey? Why don't you try it, Your Highness?" Feng Shenyu raised his face and approached Li Yueyao.
Li Yueyao awkwardly reached out and pushed him away: "We're eating, why are you so unruly?"
Feng Shenyu saw that Li Yueyao was embarrassed, so he simply reached out and held his hand and said:
"We are already an old married couple, why are you still shy?"
Li Yueyao shook off his hand and scolded:
"The marriage isn't even finalized yet, so who would want to be your old husband and wife?"
Feng Shenyu didn't care, picked up the bowl and chopsticks again and said:
"His Majesty has issued an edict. We will be married in nine months. Besides, the baby is about to be born. We are still an old couple."
Li Yueyao rolled her eyes at him. "Didn't you say you'd pick the child's name? Have you decided yet?"
Feng Shenyu shook his head: "I've been looking for it, but I'm never satisfied."
Li Yueyao had heard from Yanxin a long time ago that she had read all the Four Books and Five Classics and selected more than forty of them, but still couldn't find the one she liked best.
"Then you'd better hurry up. I estimate that I will give birth at the end of February or the beginning of March." Li Yueyao said.
"Don't let the baby be born without a suitable name."
Feng Shenyu looked at Li Yueyao and said, "Have you chosen a nickname for your child?"
"Okay, let's call her Xiaoman. Xiaoman is the best in the world! It can be used by both boys and girls."
Feng Shenyu nodded after hearing this: "Well, Xiaoman is a good name."
After saying that, he sighed and said, "Looks like I'll have to study it further tonight."
Li Yueyao said, "I read memorials every day and deal with state affairs day and night, so this day is not a big deal.
I'm not working today, I'm going to rest early.
You've already come up with forty or fifty names, I'll take a look and choose one when the time comes."
Feng Shenyu heard this and grinned, "That's fine too. I'll just listen to you, my lady."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com