At Madam Yao's request, Li Guang recounted his experiences again, and Madam Yao listened very attentively.
After listening to Li Guang's account, Madam Yao spoke:
"Young prince, after this sacrificial ceremony, could you stay at the Yao residence for a few more days?"
“Okay, after the ceremony, I will stay for a few days to keep Mrs. Yao company.”
"Then it's settled." Madam Yao finally smiled.
Two days later, the sacrificial ceremony for the gods of the land and grain was held as scheduled.
Early that morning, the Emperor got up early. After having breakfast, he put on his dragon robe, sat in his dragon carriage, and, accompanied by his harem and numerous princes and princesses, headed to the Temple of Heaven.
The Temple of Heaven in Beijing is a very sacred place, where the imperial family held sacrifices.
That morning, civil and military officials and celebrities from all walks of life arrived at the Temple of Heaven early.
Those who are invited to enter the Temple of Heaven are the only ones who can enter. Those who are not invited but wish to participate in the ceremony can only stay on the periphery of the Temple of Heaven.
People entering the Temple of Heaven were divided into different ranks, and people of different ranks were located in different areas.
Even before the ceremony began, the Temple of Heaven was already packed with people.
"His Majesty has arrived."
Everyone knelt down to pay their respects to the Emperor, and the sound of drums and music resounded around the Temple of Heaven.
As soon as the emperor arrived, the sacrificial ceremony for the gods of the land and grain officially began.
The sacrificial personnel began to offer sacrifices, burn incense and wax, and after a burst of cannon salutes, the high priest came to the Temple of Heaven and began to read the sacrificial text.
The high priest read the eulogy, which mainly thanked the gods for their protection and blessing of the people of the Great Northern Dynasty, and praised the emperor's great achievements, symbolizing a dialogue between the emperor and the gods.
After the high priest finished reading the sacrificial text, the emperor ascended the altar and began to worship the gods.
Inside and outside the Temple of Heaven, everyone knelt down and devoutly worshipped the gods.
After completing a series of prescribed actions, the emperor left the altar and returned to his seat.
Next came various forms of disaster relief and blessing ceremonies, and this year's disaster relief and blessing ceremonies included a great many different items.
People seemed to foresee the crisis facing the Great Northern Dynasty this year, and they were all kneeling in devout prayer, hoping to avert various disasters through this altar sacrifice ceremony.
The last item is the tribute presented by envoys from various countries to His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Northern Dynasty.
Normally, once this project is completed, the entire sacrificial ceremony for the gods of the land and grain ends, and people can leave.
Unexpectedly, the emperor spoke up at this moment, asking those present if there was anything important to report.
Perhaps because there was no morning court session today, the emperor wanted to take care of the matters that hadn't been addressed during the morning session here.
The civil and military officials looked at each other, unsure of what to say.
At this moment, the emperor saw Lord Yao and said, "Lord Yao, tell us about the promotion of important crops this year."
"As you command." Lord Yao stepped forward and began to answer.
"Your Majesty, there are two types of crops being promoted this year: sweet potatoes and potatoes. Seedlings for both crops were distributed to various prefectures and counties last year."
Reports have come back from various locations that all the seedlings have been planted.
Based on the planting experience in Narcissus Village, these two crops can be fully promoted in the Great Northern Dynasty within just two years.
"Very good, this is a fortunate event for our Great Northern Dynasty, and Lord Yao deserves great credit."
The fact that His Majesty mentioned the promotion of agricultural products during the sacrificial ceremony for the gods of the land and grain today fully demonstrates the importance the Emperor attaches to agriculture.
The promotion of these two crops was also a meritorious act of the emperor.
"Has Li Guang, the capable man from Narcissus Village, arrived today?" the emperor asked.
"Your Majesty, Li Guang has arrived; he's downstairs," Lord Yao reported.
At this moment, Lord Yao was very nervous, not expecting that the emperor would actually summon Li Guang.
Although he knew the emperor wouldn't recognize Li Guang, he was still a little worried.
"Summon Li Guang to an audience," the emperor announced excitedly.
At this moment, Li Guang was below the stage. He had no interest in listening to the ceremony and had been paying attention to the royal family members on the stage.
Having not seen them for three years, the emperor had aged considerably, and his mother, Consort Yao, had also become noticeably thinner.
At this moment, Li Guang longed to step forward and reunite with Consort Yao, but now was not the time, and he had to endure for a while longer.
Some of the princes and princesses in the royal family have grown up quite a bit; the oldest of them is no more than ten years old.
Perhaps in a few years, when these princes grow up, it will be hard to guarantee that the eldest prince won't do anything to them.
Li Hui is narrow-minded. Once he feels that his position is threatened, he will stop at nothing and even kill his own brothers.
As a prince, I have a duty to protect these half-brothers.
Li Hui also came today. He sat next to the emperor, his face covered by a veil, so his features were not clearly visible.
Li Hui was stung by a mountain bee and was left with scars that disfigured him, so he covered his face with a veil. Perhaps this was God's punishment for him, preventing him from showing his true face.
As he was thinking about these things, he heard a loud voice.
"The Emperor has decreed that Li Guang, a talented man from Narcissus Village, be summoned to an audience."
Li Guang was startled. He hadn't expected the emperor to actually summon him. Well, that was good, as it would allow him to see the royal family members up close.
For the emperor to summon a peasant on such an occasion was unprecedented in the more than one hundred years of the Great Northern Dynasty.
Everyone present was extremely curious about who the Emperor had summoned, staring wide-eyed at the person in front of them.
Soon a person emerged from the crowd. This person was tall, hunched over, and walked forward with his head down.
Li Guang walked with faltering steps, appearing terrified. He approached the emperor and knelt down with a thud.
The emperor looked at the newcomer and found that his clothes were extremely ordinary, and he was a typical peasant.
"Next up is Li Guang."
The Emperor's voice was kind and extremely gentle.
What a familiar voice! This was the first time in three years that he had heard his father's voice, and he almost burst into tears.
"It is indeed I, Li Guang, a commoner." Li Guang's voice was old, clearly indicating that he was quite old.
The emperor sighed, "At such an advanced age, he still devotes himself to farming and serving the country."
"Li Guang, raise your head and let me have a good look at you."
"This humble subject dares not, for fear of frightening His Majesty."
"You are innocent."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Li Guang slowly raised his head.
The emperor began to scrutinize Li Guang. He saw that the man was over forty years old, with gray hair and a face full of wrinkles. His weathered face was typical of a peasant.
Li Guang's face deeply moved the emperor. This was the peasant of the Great Northern Dynasty, eating the worst food and doing the hardest work.
The Emperor bowed and rose from his seat, and began to speak:
"Please rise quickly, you can speak while standing."
Li Guang tried to stand up, but his legs wouldn't obey him, and after standing for a long time, he still couldn't get up.
Li Xue sat next to the Fourth Prince. When the Emperor asked Li Guang to come forward for an audience, she became nervous, but when she saw Li Guang walking unsteadily towards her, she almost laughed.
Li Guang's disguise skills were a true inheritance from Guiguzi, and there should be no one else like him in the Great Northern Dynasty. What was most amazing was Li Guang's acting skills; no one could see through his disguise.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
