Feng Qing Shaoyi

Chapter 234
Perhaps because of the severe cold, people often stay in the warm pavilions, and gradually forget the time.Before you know it, the winter moon is halfway through, and soon, the winter solstice is coming.

The coming of the winter solstice means that the most important festival of the year is coming.

Because after the winter solstice, the days grow longer and everything begins to recover, which indicates that spring is approaching. In people's eyes, this is an auspicious sign.Therefore, on the day of the winter solstice, the imperial court will hold a grand ceremony to worship the sky to celebrate the recovery of Yang Qi.

Because the ceremony of offering sacrifices to heaven is very important, the emperor and all the officials accompanying the sacrifices need to fast before offering sacrifices to heaven to show their reverence for heaven.

These few days are the days when Qi Dai, Qi Ji and Qi Che are fasting, they will not eat meat and fish, and they will not be close to women.

The Ministry of Rites and Taichang Temple notified all officials in advance to ensure the holding of the ceremony.It's just that the officials who came to notify this time actually added another sentence, allowing the female relatives of various families to follow the sacrifice.

As soon as these words came out, everyone in Qi's mansion was stunned.

Because the ceremony of offering sacrifices to heaven is of great significance, it can only be attended by the emperor and court officials, and female family members are not eligible to attend the ceremony.There was no precedent for female relatives to participate in the previous ceremony of offering sacrifices to heaven. Why did they suddenly agree this year?
After Qi Ze heard the news, he was also surprised by it.

When she was in Southern Chu, because she was an official of the imperial court, she participated in several sacrificial ceremonies, but without exception, women were not allowed to be present.No matter what level of sacrificial ceremony, as long as it is held by the imperial court, women are not allowed to participate, let alone such an important ceremony of worshiping heaven.

So it's no surprise that everyone in the Qi family was shocked by this.

"What, when can the female relatives go to the ceremony of offering sacrifices to heaven? Didn't women not be allowed to attend the ceremony before?" Qi Qi couldn't help but wondered.

"I don't know." Qi Ji shook his head, and said incredulously: "I asked the officials who came to inform, and they said it was for fun."

"It's fine if the other ceremonies are more lively, but how come the sacrificial ceremonies have to start pursuing excitement?" He Jieying asked strangely, "It doesn't seem to make sense."

"Jieying is right. It's okay if the usual banquet is more lively, but this is a grand ceremony for offering sacrifices to heaven. How can it be so lively that people can go there casually? I'm not afraid of disturbing the order." Qi Dai also frowned. Thinking, "I have participated in so many ceremonies to sacrifice to heaven, and this is the first time I heard that the imperial court allowed women to participate in the sacrificial ceremony. Although it is nothing for women to go to accompany the sacrifice, it is better to go out for a walk, but this is the ancestor How can the established rules be broken at will by our generation?"

Mrs. Qi couldn't help laughing out, "It's nothing to call a woman to go to the sacrifice. This is a grand ceremony for offering sacrifices to heaven. It is a major event that all the people of Beishuo look forward to. Officials can participate, how can ordinary people have this opportunity?"

"But... since the ceremony of offering sacrifices to heaven is so important, why did the imperial court agree to let our female relatives go along with it this year?" Wu Weiwei said the key points.

Now, all the members of the Qi family in the house fell silent.

That's right, there has never been a precedent for women to participate in the ceremony of offering sacrifices to heaven.After all, this is a big event about a country being favored by God and praying for a good harvest year. How can it be compared with ordinary banquets?Let whoever you want to come come.

However, such an important ceremony of offering sacrifices to heaven, how could the female relatives come here casually?It's almost the same as a normal banquet.

This is really strange!

While everyone was thinking about it, they heard Qi Che ask: "Since the court has agreed, will Wei Wei and the others still go?"

The female family members of the Qi family raised their heads when they heard the words, and He Jieying said, "It's okay to go, after all, even the imperial court has allowed it, but..."

"But the ceremony of offering sacrifices to heaven is so important, how can we go there whenever we want? If the women of other aristocratic families don't go, and we go, it's so ugly." Wu Weiwei took over the words and said.

"Oh, what's so bad about it? Go if you want." Qi Dai said, "The court said it's okay to go, what's wrong with the women of the Qi family? Why do you want to see the women of other aristocratic families? Let's go if we want. Ma'am, Jieying, Weiwei, Shaoyi, let's go if we want, don't hold it in our hearts, it's really uncomfortable."

Because Qi Dai usually stays in the barracks a lot, he is more straightforward and free-spirited, and doesn't care about trivial matters.Seeing that the female relatives of the Qi family were troubled by this matter, they agreed with a big clap.

The female relatives laughed happily when they heard the words, He Jieying blushed and glanced at Qi Ji beside him, and leaned gently on the man.Wu Weiwei jumped forward directly, hugged Qi Che's arm very happily, and put his head on his shoulder, shaking it back and forth.

Madam Qi also laughed out loud, jokingly said: "You, you have always been so careless, you just agree with us to go to the sacrifice, and you are not afraid that we will cause trouble for you."

But Qi Dai smiled indifferently, "What's the trouble, the court has agreed. Let the children go if they want to. I'll take care of everything. What are you afraid of?"

"Having said that, it is really surprising that the court suddenly agreed to this matter this year. I don't know why?"

"That's right, this sacrificial event is no small matter, but it's held so casually. The reason for this is really hard to figure out." Qi Dai also responded with a sigh.

Qi Ze also had serious eyes, thinking about this matter in his heart.

On the day when the ceremony of offering sacrifices to heaven was to be held, all members of the Qi family set off.Because the ceremony of offering sacrifices to heaven was held in the southern suburbs, it was far away from Qi's mansion, so early in the morning, everyone in the Qi family packed up their clothes and took a carriage to the southern suburbs.

After arriving at the place, Qi Ze and the others got out of the carriage.

After observing around for a while, Qi Ze found that the layout of the place where Beishuo held the ceremony of offering sacrifices to heaven was similar to that of Nanchu. They were both surrounded by double altar walls, divided into inner and outer altars.The person who presides over the sacrifice will stand on the inner altar and sacrifice to the sky, read out the imperial blessing, lead the officials to kneel to the sky, and burn the sacrifice.

Around some buildings that occupy a small area, green pines and cypresses are planted. The towering ancient cypresses and the crowns of the trees connect to each other, which makes the whole altar very solemn and solemn, and makes people feel solemn and pay attention to their own. Words and deeds.

Qi Dai, Qi Ji and Qi Che went to the distant altar to participate in the sacrifice, leaving Qi Ze and others waiting beside the pines and cypresses outside the altar.

Originally, Qi Ze thought that the sacrificial ceremony was always boring, and the atmosphere was dull and solemn, so many ladies from aristocratic families would definitely not want to come.Unexpectedly, there are quite a lot of family members from aristocratic families, most of them are young and beautiful ladies from aristocratic families who have not yet left the cabinet.

Each of them is wearing exquisite and gorgeous long skirts, with heavy makeup and light makeup. Their faces are like peach blossoms, and their bodies are graceful. Standing in front of the dark green ancient cypresses and pines, they form a beautiful landscape, which makes people unable to move their eyes away.

Qi Ze looked at the ladies from the aristocratic families who were smiling sweetly on both sides, then turned his head and stopped looking.But He Jieying and Wu Weiwei behind them looked at these beautifully dressed ladies from aristocratic families and shook their heads without saying a word.

"It's so strange, it's so cold, why don't these boudoirs stay at home, why come to this altar to suffer from the cold? And this sacrifice is so boring, there is nothing to play." Qi Qi squatted on the ground, shaking the branches in his hands at will, with a sleepy expression.

"Then you still insist on following?" Wu Weiwei joked.

"Cut, who wants to come here, the weather is so cold, I can stay warm at home." Qi Qi threw away the branch in his hand, put his arms around his knees, tilted his head and said boredly: "It's not because you all Here, I'm the only one at home, I'm so boring at home, why don't you come with you, and just watch this grand sacrifice ceremony." Then, he looked at the ladies of the family on both sides, and said: " Who knows, there are quite a lot of young ladies from these noble families, so what's so interesting about this ceremony? It's better to stay in the Nuan Pavilion and embroider."

Wu Weiwei sighed slightly, and said: "The reason why the girls come here must be because there are more interesting things here than embroidering in the Nuan Pavilion."

"What's the matter?" Qi Qi didn't understand why.

"Of course it is..." He Jieying spoke, and looked at the court officials who were in two rows in front of the altar in the distance.

In front of the court officials who stood neatly and bowed respectfully, stood a dozen or so young men dressed in luxurious black sacrificial attire.

Those young men were dignified in appearance and noble in demeanor, and their every move was filled with innate dignity.The smile on the corner of the mouth, the faint disdain on the corners of the eyebrows and the corners of the eyes, all showed the unique identity and status of these men, and they were the real aristocrats.

They are the princes of the Beishuo royal family, the sons of the current Beishuo Emperor Yuanping.

At this time, they were enjoying the respectful salutes from the court officials. One of them was standing at the front, and the oldest prince was particularly conspicuous, as if leading the other princes, waiting for the sacrificial ceremony to begin.

This prince looks about 27 or [-] years old. Although his facial features are straight and tough, compared to the other princes behind him, he is a bit mediocre.Although standing at the forefront of the princes, his eyelids are slightly lowered at this time, and the hands under the sleeves are also slightly nervously clasped.

The appearance was a little mediocre, but the countless appearances in his chest obviously took away some of the charm brought by the noble demeanor.And the princes in the back just looked at the prince in front, then turned their heads, their eyes still looking at the only passage leading to the altar from time to time.

For this prince, Qi Ze knew who he was.During the period after coming to Beishuo, Qi Ze had already sent Zhu Yu Cangzhu and the others to understand the general situation of the Beishuo royal family.

And the prince who seemed to be the oldest was the eldest prince of the Beishuo royal family, Que Xian, the first son of Emperor Yuanping.After reaching the crown, he was named Prince Gong by Emperor Yuanping and lived in Prince Gong's Mansion.Perhaps it was because he was the first son of Emperor Yuanping, and Emperor Yuanping loved Que Xian very much.

In the court, not only important official positions were given, but also occasionally brought by his side to teach, and he was also entrusted with important tasks from time to time to establish a prestige among the princes.

Although there is no crown prince in the Beishuo royal family, the current situation in the Beishuo court has faintly revealed the fact that this eldest prince is the most popular. If nothing else, Que Xian will be the crown prince of the Beishuo royal family .

Obviously it was a matter of sure winning, with the title of the eldest son and the secret support of Emperor Yuan Ping, Que Xian's status was naturally different from that of other princes.But it is a pity that although Que Xian is the eldest son, he is only a bastard.His biological mother was Feng Li'er, the most popular concubine Li Gui in the harem. Among the six palaces, Li Gui Concubine was the most powerful.

Although she does not have the name of a queen, she has the power of a queen.Concubine Li takes over the post of empress and takes charge of Fengyin and manages the harem.It stands to reason that it is impossible for a noble concubine to be in charge of Fengyin and the six palaces beyond the empress, but the harem of the Beishuo royal family is managed by a noble concubine.

Not because of anything else, just because there is no queen in the harem of the Beishuo royal family.Although Concubine Li has been in charge of Fengyin for many years, Emperor Yuan Ping has not appointed Concubine Li as his heir, so Que Xian is still just a bastard.

Although he is a bastard, because there is no queen in the harem, all the princes in the Beishuo royal family are bastards.They are also common sons, so Que Xian, the eldest son of common people, has attracted much attention.Usually in the court, it was Que Xian who led the princes to complete the government affairs, and finally presented the memorial to Emperor Yuanping for evaluation.

And what is the situation now?It is obviously such an important ceremony of offering sacrifices to the heavens, why is it so casual to agree that the female family members of the aristocratic family will also come along?And the time for the sacrifice is coming soon, all the courtiers have been dressed up and lined up, waiting for a long time, why only the princes of Beishuo came, and Emperor Yuanping, who is the emperor of Beishuo, has not yet appeared?

There are many and strict rules for the ceremony of offering sacrifices to heaven, and the requirements for the sacrifice time, crowd, clothing, offerings, etc. are very strict.When he was in Southern Chu, Emperor Zhaozheng attached great importance to sacrificial offerings. Every time he came early wearing sacrificial attire, he was never late.

It stands to reason that, as the host of the Heaven Sacrifice Ceremony, Emperor Yuan Ping should have arrived long ago.Why has it come to this point in time, and Emperor Yuanping has not come yet?

And why did she feel that Que Xian was nervous, so what was Que Xian nervous about?Why are the eyes of all the princes looking at the only way to the altar?It seems to be anxiously waiting for something in my heart?
Looking at the reactions of the princes in the distance ahead, Qi Ze didn't think that these were all illusions.They were indeed waiting for something, and they were uneasy, as if they were facing a big enemy.

Thinking of the general situation of the Beishuo royal family that she asked Zhu Yu Cangzhu to investigate, Qi Ze faintly felt something in his heart.It seems that this ceremony of offering sacrifices to heaven has something to do with the special situation of the Beishuo royal family, so what kind of connection is there?

While Qi Ze was thinking, a casual glance made Qi Ze see a slightly familiar face.

The man had a pair of gorgeous and charming peach blossom eyes, his temples were cut like knives, his nose was like a hanging bridge, his sword eyebrows were lightly raised, his thin lips were tightly pressed, his face was as sharp as a sculpture, and he was extremely handsome.It's just that the peach blossom eyes that were supposed to be unrestrained were filled with ice-coldness, as if after years of precipitation, the rebelliousness and debauchery of youth faded away, leaving only the sharp and ruthless eyes full of eyes.When people look into it at a glance, they seem to see the Shura world covered in blood, leaving only horror and fear in their hearts.

Seeing these somewhat familiar peach blossom eyes, Qi Ze couldn't help but widen his eyes and stay where he was.

It's Que Yu, no, it's not.

He is wearing a bright yellow dragon robe, so he is...

"Long live, long live, my emperor."

The courtiers' orderly, respectful, deep and powerful voices echoed in Qi Ze's ears, followed by the heavy clashing sounds of people lifting their robes and kneeling to the ground.

The seemingly invisible pressure of these voices deeply reflects the profound dragon prestige of the person who came here and the imperial aura that makes everyone surrender in horror.

Looking at the emperor who has been on the throne for a long time walking slowly, Qi Ze felt startled for some reason, his body froze in place as if he didn't exist in this world, leaving only the bright spot not far away. yellow figure.

It's too similar, how could it be so similar, Emperor Yuan Ping looks too similar to Que Yu, especially the eyes, they are almost exactly the same.Qi Ze stared blankly at the emperor who had been on the throne of Beishuo for many years, sorting out the current situation in his mind.

It seems that Emperor Yuan Ping is Que Yu's biological father, there is no doubt about it, so what happened to Que Mu?

When they were in Southern Chu, no one suspected that Que Mu and Que Yu were not biological father and son at all.Comparing the appearance of Emperor Yuan Ping now, Que Mu and Que Yu are not alike at all, but everyone has no doubts.

Comparing the appearances of Emperor Yuan Ping and Que Yu now, although they look alike, they feel completely different.

Emperor Yuan Ping gave people a heavy sense of oppression, like a strange and frightening hell fire, which made people feel fear in their throats, and their legs were as heavy and limp as lead, unable to move. People dare not look directly at it.And Que Yu gave people the feeling that it was a blood-red fire that was burning, knowing that it was dangerous but still attracting people's attention, making people can't help but come closer and explore.But after really getting close, it is so hot that people dare not look directly at it.

Although both are also dangerous, Emperor Yuan Ping's behavior obviously makes people set up defenses from the bottom of their hearts, and they dare not come close to contact, but Que Yu is dangerous at the same time, but at the same time, he is also tempting, and people can't help but explore what is under the fire. something is hiding.

Compared to Emperor Yuan Ping, Que Yu gave people the feeling of being frivolous and uninhibited when he was young, inexplicably making people feel peaceful and calm.This kind of feeling is very similar to that of Que Mu. No wonder everyone has no doubts. If it is true, both Que Mu and Que Yu have this kind of peace. People let go of their doubts.

Then what kind of relationship does Que Mu and Que Yu have?Why did they flee to Nanchu back then?What is the secret?

Just thinking about it, Qi Ze felt the difference around him.

The women of the aristocratic families on both sides hurriedly bent down to salute, and even the young ladies from the aristocratic families who were still in a daze were pressed down on the shoulders by the mothers beside them, and bowed their knees slightly to salute.Seeing this, Qi Ze bent down lightly, seemingly docilely, and performed a blessing ceremony for a woman, hiding among the female relatives of the aristocratic family.

Then, he raised his eyes slightly, and quietly observed Que Guang, Emperor Yuanping who had walked right in front of the crowd.

On the only path leading to the altar, the emperor in a bright yellow dragon robe was walking slowly.Although it was just a normal walk, the court officials who knelt down one after another and the princes who lowered their noble heads and dared not show their grandeur had already highlighted the irresistible majesty of this emperor in the Beishuo court.

As he got closer to the altar and was about to walk past the periphery where the family members were, the emperor actually glanced at the slender and beautiful family members who were burying their heads deeply.Then, he walked forward as if nothing had happened.

Although this glance was extremely dull and barely visible, Qi Ze could still see it clearly.Min Min, who was a courtier, told her that the emperor was holding back his inner anger, and the source of this anger was the female family members of their family.

Could it be that it was not Emperor Yuanping's idea that the imperial court would agree that the female relatives of the aristocratic family came to sacrifice?But this is strange.The usual ceremonies for offering sacrifices to heaven are usually presided over by the emperor. Since this was not the original intention of Emperor Yuanping, why didn't Emperor Yuanping bring it up?
It is indeed absurd to let the female family members of the aristocratic family follow the sacrifices. It is really unreasonable to pray for a good harvest and good weather in the coming year, but let the women in the backyard come to join in the fun.

According to her first impression of Emperor Yuan Ping, Emperor Yuan Ping didn't seem like someone who would agree to this matter, otherwise, he wouldn't have glanced at him with restrained anger and a little disdain.

It can only be said that this time the ceremony of offering sacrifices to heaven was handed over to someone else to preside over it, and it was this person who proposed to agree to the female relatives coming.

Who is this person?Why would such an important ceremony of offering sacrifices to heaven to Emperor Yuanping be handed over to this person?And when such a big mistake happened, Emperor Yuanping didn't say a word to remind him, and let him continue to make mistakes.

The matter of offering sacrifices is no small matter, and can only be presided over by the royal family.If it's not the emperor, then it should be a certain prince.Thinking of Que Xian's nervous appearance at that time, Qi Ze thought of something.

Could it be that Emperor Yuan Ping entrusted Que Xian with the ceremony of offering sacrifices to heaven?But why should it be handed over to Que Xian?And why does the Beishuo royal family have no queen?If Emperor Yuanping really valued Que Xian, he would have made Que Xian's biological mother Li Guifei his empress.

After all, it would be more legitimate for a legitimate son to ascend to the throne, wouldn't it?Anyway, the position of empress is vacant, and Concubine Li has managed the harem for many years, wouldn't it be better to make Concubine Li the empress?But why...

It seems that the affairs of the Beishuo royal family are much more complicated than those of the Nanchu royal family, and they are even more unpredictable.

Qi Ze raised his eyes lightly, looked at the altar, and quietly observed what would happen on the altar.

Emperor Yuan Ping walked up to the altar lightly. He was supposed to stand on the inner altar to preside over the sacrifice, but he turned around and walked to the side of the inner altar.

The eunuch behind him understood, and hurriedly waved his hand, so that the two guards who were carrying the luxurious carved dragon sandalwood chair hurriedly walked behind the emperor, and put down the wooden chair carefully with their arms lightly.Emperor Yuan Ping didn't raise his eyes, lifted the hem of the dragon robe, and sat on the chair, waiting for the sacrificial ceremony to begin.

Although he was just sitting on the sidelines, the coercion on him could not be ignored, and the princes obediently stood in front of the court officials, leading the courtiers to start the sacrificial ceremony.

Que Xian glanced fearfully at his father who was obliquely in front of him. His hands under the sleeves were even more tensely clasped together, and he stood there all the time, at a loss for what to do.It was only after being reminded by the eunuch beside him that he came back to his senses and started the sacrificial ceremony.

Emperor Yuan Ping just watched all this quietly, seeing his eldest son at a loss, without saying a word to remind him.

After Que Xian stumbled slightly after reading out the imperial congratulations, the cold sweat on his back had already soaked the luxurious sacrificial attire.After following the ritual order of the Heaven Sacrifice Ceremony step by step, Que Xian's mind was already blank.Although the overall work has been almost finished, Que Xian did not relax at all. Instead, after everything was over, he looked at Emperor Yuan Ping at the side and bowed slightly to salute, as if waiting for this superior father to give an evaluation.

Emperor Yuanping just glanced at his eldest son, then stood up and left without saying a word.

Regarding Emperor Yuan Ping's statement, Que Xian raised his head, which had been buried deeply, and chased after the dignified figure in front of him, anxiously said: "Father, wait..."

Before he finished speaking, the eunuch next to Emperor Yuan Ping winked to signal Que Xian not to speak.Que Xian also understood, quickly swallowed the words he hadn't said yet, saluted respectfully, and respectfully sent Emperor Yuan Ping out of the altar until he was completely out of sight.

Although Emperor Yuan Ping did not express any comments, the meaning of it was very clear to Que Xian and all the princes.

"It seems that the father is not satisfied with the ceremony of offering sacrifices to heaven hosted by the elder brother." One of the princes said.

"Father has always been strict with government affairs, and it's normal to be dissatisfied." Another prince answered, and then looked at Que Xian who was still maintaining a saluting posture, and comforted him: "Brother Emperor, you know, father The emperor has always been like this. He has always treated us brothers harshly, and has never had a good face. Even when the second brother returned last year, the father's expression did not change much. Anyway, the ceremony of offering sacrifices to heaven has been completed without any mistakes. After coming down, the emperor didn't say anything to scold me, so this matter is over, what are you worried about?"

"Although he didn't say anything to scold him, his face didn't look good either. I guess he was still dissatisfied." The third prince took the words.

But the second prince who had spoken earlier sneered, "Satisfied? When has Father been satisfied with the government affairs done by our brothers? Don't they always look so ugly? No matter how well we do, we will always be with Father. It's just a pile of mud, never getting a single compliment from him."

"However, Father still entrusted the grand ceremony of offering sacrifices to the Great Emperor to Eldest Brother. From this, it can be seen that Father still has high hopes for Eldest Brother." said the first prince who spoke earlier.

"Heh, Brother Da Huang is the eldest son among our brothers. If Father doesn't value Brother Da Huang, who else will he value?" The second prince who spoke said.

The third prince who spoke was silent for a moment, and then said: "But we still have a second brother who just returned, but this second brother has always done his own way, and the relationship with our brothers is not very close. The attitude of this second emperor brother is also unclear."

"You're right. Our Second Emperor Brother has always seen the beginning and the end. Even after returning from the tribute banquet of the Southern Chu Dynasty, this King has not seen it a few times." After the second prince who spoke looked around, He chuckled lightly and said, "Even in such an important ceremony, our Second Emperor Brother didn't bother to show up, and Father Emperor didn't pursue it because of it. We really can't afford to offend such arrogant people."

(End of this chapter)