Chapter 193: Ancestor Worship at the Taimiao
Xiao Yanci only felt that she was wrapped in perfume. It was a light and clear fragrance with her unique scent, which smelled very good.
At this moment, he was like a flower thief who stole fragrance and jade.
Lu Zhiran adjusted her expression, quickly straightened her clothes, and then walked forward.
"Grandma Gao, let's continue training."
She was about to leave when Nanny Gao said, "There will be no training today. Please move to the inner room. I will take your measurements and tailor your clothes for you today."
Lu Zhiran's expression froze, and before she could come to her senses, Grandma Gao had already gone into the inner room.
Lu Zhiran rushed in and stood in front of the wardrobe with a guilty conscience.
"Grandma Gao, why do you suddenly want to be measured today?"
"The Imperial Household Department has to rush to make your wedding dress, so they naturally need to take your measurements."
Lu Zhiran said hurriedly, "I've been eating a lot these past few days, and my waist has gotten a bit thicker. Why don't we measure it again in a few days?"
Grandma Gao glanced at her and said very pertinently, "You have maintained a very good figure, my Lady. There is no need to be so modest. My Lady, please undress."
Lu Zhiran's pupils dilated and her ears began to turn red.
"Mammy, just measure it this way..."
Grandma Gao's eyes moved around her chest. "Your clothes are usually tight, so I'm afraid the size might be off."
Lu Zhiran wanted to reach out and cover Grandma Gao’s mouth.
Nanny Jin, who was unaware of the situation, also advised, "Miss, don't be shy. If the measurements are not accurate, you will suffer if the clothes don't fit you. And if you grow up a little bit, it will be even worse..."
Lu Zhiran's face was so red that it almost blushed, "Nurse! Stop talking!"
Nanny Jin smiled brightly, "I watched her grow up, so why should you be embarrassed? Old sister, I'm not bragging, but my young lady's figure is unmatched by many."
Grandma Gao had a sharp eye and could naturally tell that her future princess was a stunner.
But how can one boost others' ambitions while destroying one's own prestige?
Grandma Gao spoke proudly, "My prince is also gifted. When he was born, he not only cried louder than others, but also had more potential than others. When he was two or three years old, he urinated farther than his brothers."
"Cough, cough, cough..."
Lu Zhiran covered her mouth, but still couldn't help coughing.
She couldn't help but recall the time when Xiao Yanci competed with others in peeing when he was a child. It was both funny and embarrassing.
Someone in the closet also blushed instantly.
In order to prevent them from saying any more vicious words, Lu Zhiran quickly got back to the point and asked Grandma Gao to start taking the measurements.
She insisted on being measured while wearing her clothes, so Nanny Gao stopped forcing her.
"Chest, two feet six inches, waist, one foot eight inches, hips, two feet seven inches."
These words reached Xiao Yanci's ears verbatim. He tried hard to get rid of all distracting thoughts, but her figure still appeared in his mind uncontrollably.
A waist that is one foot and eight inches long can be broken with just one pinch.
How can such a thin waist bear such a proud...
He suppressed the thought in time and kept chanting the Heart Cleansing Mantra to suppress the distracting thoughts in his mind.
Nanny Gao looked at the data and nodded with satisfaction. Nanny Jin looked proud and said, "I told you, my young lady has a figure that few can match."
"Nurse..."
Could you please stop talking?
After measuring the data, Nanny Gao went to the Ministry of Internal Affairs to report, and Lu Zhiran quickly pulled Nanny Jin out of the room.
When there was no more movement in the room, the wardrobe door creaked open and Xiao Yanci walked out in a panic, hunched over.
His dark face turned red, and the heat in his body was still surging and could not be calmed for a long time.
Suddenly he felt a warm flow in front of his nose. He reached out and touched it, and his hands were covered with blood.
He covered his nose and quickly left while no one was around.
If you don't leave now, it will be even more embarrassing.
Lu Zhiran deliberately sent the servants outside the yard away. It was a full quarter of an hour later that she returned to her room like a thief.
She carefully opened the wardrobe and found it empty. Her clothes were not a mess at all. There was no sign that anyone had been hiding there. She finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Finally left.
She sat on the bed, touching her chest, and found that her heart was beating inexplicably fast, and her cheeks were still hot, which did not go away for a long time.
…
On April 14th, at the hour of Hai, in the main hall of the Imperial Ancestral Temple, the Minister of Rites and several other ritual officials paced back and forth, inspecting the placement of sacrificial vessels. Sandalwood incense burned in a bronze cauldron, and curls of green smoke rose, resembling a swimming dragon in the candlelight.
As soon as midnight arrives.
“Bang—”
The first bell rang, breaking the silence. The long sound echoed over the Taimiao, startling a few crows perched on the treetops in the distance.
A team of eunuchs in black robes were slowly approaching, carrying a bright yellow sedan chair. Sitting atop the sedan chair was none other than the current emperor, Emperor Defeng.
Emperor Defeng was wearing a robe with twelve-chapter patterns and a crown with twelve tassels. He got off the sedan chair and stepped onto the white jade steps one by one, taking each step very steadily.
The bronze chimes in front of the main hall of the Taimiao shone faintly in the morning mist. As the chimes faded, ritual music began. The chimes, stone stones, sheng, and xiao mingled, playing the "Xianhe Tune."
The Minister of Rites sang the ceremony loudly: "Kneel—"
All the officials knelt on the ground in unison.
Emperor Defeng's deep voice came from the hall: "Unworthy descendants, kowtow to our ancestors..."
He recited the sacrificial text in a steady tone. His voice echoed in the empty hall, blending with the music outside, making it seem particularly desolate.
After the sacrificial text was read, the emperor personally lit three incense sticks and placed them in the incense burner. Amidst the swirling smoke, he slowly turned and faced the officials.
"Everyone, please stand up."
The emperor recites scriptures, this is the first step.
Next, the prince performed the second round of sacrifices.
Emperor Defeng had not yet appointed a crown prince, so he could only choose one from among the princes.
Emperor Defeng's gaze swept over the princes and finally landed on Xiao Yanci.
"Prince Jin, this second round of sacrifice will be yours."
Xiao Yanci responded loudly.
A gloom instantly covered Xiao Yanqing's face, and his fists were clenched so tightly that they made a creaking sound.
The court officials also had many thoughts in their minds.
In previous years, the sacrifice had always been made by the Sixth Prince, now the King of Wu, but this year it became the King of Jin.
Considering Prince Jin's performance over the past six months, it's hard to say who will be the final winner between the two.
Xiao Yanci was wearing a black crown robe with exquisite twelve-chapter patterns embroidered on the lapels and cuffs. He had a large vermilion belt around his waist and a pair of red shoes on his feet.
The black crown made him look tall and straight, his face solemn and steady, and his every move revealed the royal majesty.
"The unworthy descendant Xiao Yanci offers sacrifice to our ancestors."
Everyone's eyes were on him, and Lu Zhiran was also looking at him.
At this moment, she was more convinced than ever that he would be the true dragon emperor destined by heaven for the Great Qi Dynasty.
Emperor Defeng looked at him, his eyes full of relief.
Xiao Yanqing was already going crazy with jealousy when he saw this scene.
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