Ouchi Taming the Cat, starting with the Ten Tiger Forms!

Chapter 632: Sun and Moon

"Your Highness, let's go in quickly."

"The Queen is still waiting for us."

A deep voice came from the figure that fell behind.

"Okay, Uncle Wei."

"We will..."

Before he finished speaking, an unusual firework suddenly exploded in the night sky.

I saw a flame that overwhelmed all the fireworks, bursting into brilliant light, illuminating the night sky like day.

Then, the flames expanded rapidly and turned into a golden sea of ​​fire, almost covering the sky above the entire palace, burning fiercely and not extinguished for a long time.

This is not over yet, a faint chanting sounded from somewhere in the distance.

"The holy fire is shining, the holy fire is shining..."

The singing sounded ethereal, as if it was just an illusion, but it seemed to be constantly echoing in my ears. Although it was not clear, it made people listen more attentively.

"Holy Fire Cult?"

The cold voice sounded again, looking at the strange scene above his head, his tone full of doubt.

……

At the same time, in a corner of Taiji Palace.

Steward Shang was leading two teams of eunuchs in flowery clothes, accompanying the Holy Fire Cult members who had been captured earlier.

These Holy Fire Cult followers were not subject to any restrictions on their movements, and Steward Shang did not use his magic to control their minds.

The followers of the Holy Fire Religion were chanting the teachings of the Holy Fire Religion devoutly.

That’s right, the hymns that accompanied the burning golden flames in the sky came from their mouths.

Although they were still unclear about the situation, they had no reason to let it go since the opportunity to complete the task had been presented to them.

No matter what Manager Shang's intentions are, as long as they complete the mission, they will not lose out.

Butler Shang was watching them quietly from the side. Besides him, there were other masters from the palace who were secretly monitoring the situation here.

After seeing that the formation formed by the accessories really only released a large firework, Manager Shang breathed a sigh of relief, but at the same time, he couldn't help but look at the Holy Fire Cult believers who were still chanting devoutly with a strange expression.

Tang Nu had told him before that this thing was very expensive and must have taken a lot of effort.

Judging from the current situation, the only thing worth mentioning is that this thing can be reused.

If it was really a one-time thing, even Manager Shang would have to admire the wealth of the Holy Fire Cult.

"This year's New Year's Eve fireworks are quite unique."

"How is it possible to make the fireworks last so long?"

"Who knows? It looks good."

The confused guests admired the stunning view before them.

Those who know the goods have already sensed that something is wrong.

The golden flames and the faint chanting in the ears all pointed to the Holy Fire Cult.

This is already very obvious.

Many people's faces changed immediately and they exchanged glances with each other frequently, but they only got confused responses from each other.

No one knows why there are such obvious traces of the Holy Fire Cult at this year's Spring Festival dinner.

In previous years, small countries in the Western Regions would pay tribute to Daxing, but all neighboring friendly countries would do this, and even the Great Desert would send servants to congratulate Emperor Yongyuan on the New Year.

But the Holy Fire Cult has always been low-key and has never made its presence felt among those tribute-paying teams.

Although the outside world is aware that these small countries in the Western Regions are actually controlled by the Holy Fire Cult, they never take over the show in such occasions.

But tonight, something seemed different.

In the banquet hall, King Zheng, who had been chatting and laughing with several civil officials, now had a frozen expression. He stared at the golden flames in the sky, with a few cold rays in his eyes.

"My Lord, what is this!?"

Several ministers nearby immediately showed expressions of surprise and doubt.

King Zheng retracted his gaze and said calmly:

"drink wine."

King Zheng clinked glasses with several ministers, then drank the wine in their glasses.

Only then did King Zheng understand why he had been repeatedly frustrated recently.

"My dear nephew, you have found a good helper!"

King Zheng sneered.

The golden flames in the night sky lasted for a quarter of an hour before slowly disappearing.

During this period, the followers of the Holy Fire Cult chanted continuously with ecstasy, and only reluctantly stopped singing at the end.

"Ladies and gentlemen, is this the result you are looking for?"

"Are you satisfied?"

Manager Shang asked them.

The Holy Fire Cult followers looked at each other, and no one dared to answer.

They had seen Manager Shang's methods before, so how could they dare to show any contempt for him?

Originally, they thought that tonight's mission could not be completed and fell into deep self-blame, but they did not expect that after Chief Shang controlled them for a short time, he returned them to freedom and allowed them to continue their unfinished mission in the palace.

"Manager Shang, what on earth do you mean by this?"

Finally, the leader asked in confusion.

"Please don't misunderstand me." Chief Steward Shang smiled kindly and explained, "The Ministry of Internal Affairs is responsible for eliminating all potential crises, but when the Ministry of Internal Affairs reported the matter, His Majesty approved it."

"As for what your majesty means, we dare not speculate."

"But His Majesty has ordered us not to embarrass you and to receive you according to the original standards."

"The next few people can move freely."

As Manager Shang said this, he extended his hand to lead them to the banquet hall, and then left without looking back, leaving the Holy Fire Cult members in a disheveled state.

"What's this?"

Several people looked at each other in bewilderment.

Li Xuan, who was far away, sensed everything that was happening here and couldn't help but shake his head slightly:

"Indeed, this is nothing."

……

Wuning Palace.

"Your son, Yan Zhao, greets your mother."

The two figures who were watching the fireworks outside Chengtian Gate were now kneeling respectfully in front of Empress Wu.

When Empress Wu saw the two men, her eyes were filled with smiles.

"Get up, come forward and let your mother take a good look at you."

"Yes."

Princess Yan Zhao's voice is very pleasant, but her tone is monotonous and boring, making it sound impersonal.

The hood of the cloak had been pulled down, revealing the face of Princess Yan Zhao.

Even in this harem full of beauties, Princess Yan Zhao is enough to catch people's eyes.

The icy skin hides the jade-like bones, and the collar reveals the snow-white skin.

Her eyebrows are as green as willow's, and her almond-shaped eyes are sparkling with cold stars.

Yue Yang is pretty and has a naturally pure personality.

Its body is like a swallow hiding in the willows, and its voice is like an oriole singing in the forest.

The half-bloomed crabapples block the morning sun, while the just-opened peonies bring sunshine to the spring.

It can be seen that Princess Yanzhao perfectly inherited Empress Wu's genes, and even surpassed her.

It’s just that Princess Yan Zhao’s temperament is too cold. Once people see her, they can’t help but lower their heads and dare not approach.

I feel ashamed of myself and also discouraged.

Seeing Princess Yan Zhao inevitably reminds people of the ice and snow that are most common in the severe winter.

Princess Yan Zhao stood up, her posture exceptionally straight. Her steps seemed to have been measured, and each one was accurate to the millimeter.

Princess Yanzhao walked until she was one step closer to Empress Wu before stopping.

"Mother, I haven't seen you for three years."

Princess Yanzhao bowed to Empress Wu in a serious manner.

Then she looked at Princess Yuan'an who was standing next to Empress Wu.

Princess Yuan'an was called back by Empress Wu not long after the banquet started tonight.

She was already feeling depressed because she couldn't hang out with her friends today, and she was unexpectedly called back by her mother before the party was over. She didn't even get to see the New Year's Eve fireworks.

But when Princess Yuanan saw her sister standing in front of her whom she hadn't seen for three years, she understood everything.

Seeing Princess Yan Zhao looking at her, Princess Yuan An pulled the corners of her mouth stiffly and called out, "Imperial sister."

Princess Yan Zhao's eyes flashed with tenderness, and she said in her unique cold voice:
"Yuan An, you have grown up a lot and become more cheerful."

"Yes, that's right." Princess Yuanan seemed a little embarrassed.

My sister's voice is always the same tone, and you can't tell whether she is happy, angry, sad or happy. Even Princess Yuanan can't guess the emotion in her words.

After Princess Yanzhao greeted them twice, the atmosphere in Wuning Palace suddenly became quiet, making people feel uncomfortable.

At this time, Empress Wu chuckled and directly pulled Princess Yanzhao over, but she didn't move her at all.

"Mother, what are you doing?"

Princess Yanzhao looked at Empress Wu holding her hand and asked calmly.

Empress Wu sighed helplessly and said, "Ying Zhao, come sit next to me and let me take a closer look."

"okay."

Princess Yanzhao nodded and sat next to Empress Wu as instructed.

But Princess Yanzhao just sat there, motionless, and didn't seem to want to say anything.

Seeing that Empress Wu didn't care, she turned sideways and looked at Princess Yanzhao carefully. She took off her weather-beaten cloak and combed her hair.

Princess Yan Zhao's hair was very soft, just like touching the finest silk.

Empress Wu knew that these were all manifestations of Princess Yanzhao's increasing cultivation.

But Empress Wu was not happy about this, instead she felt sorry for Princess Yanzhao.

“How have these three years been?”

"it is good."

When Empress Wu heard such a brief answer, she just smiled helplessly, her eyes slightly red.

Empress Wu knew exactly what kind of experience was contained in this simple word "good".

Even though Princess Yan Zhao spent most of her time away from home studying art, she never lost contact with the palace through letters.

Although Princess Yanzhao's letters were always less than a page and consisted of only a few words, they were all treasured by Empress Wu.

As for the details of Princess Yanzhao's experiences outside, other people wrote letters to report to Empress Wu.

"Changli, thank you for your hard work during this period."

Empress Wu said to the people who were still kneeling there.

"Your Majesty, you are too kind. It is my duty." Wei Changli replied respectfully.

"Stand up, don't kneel anymore."

After Empress Wu finished speaking, she withdrew her gaze, held Princess Yan Zhao's hand, and couldn't get enough of looking at her daughter.

Like an ordinary mother, Empress Wu asked her daughter, who had just returned from a long journey, all kinds of questions. Even though Princess Yanzhao always gave short answers, she never got tired of asking.

Princess Yuanan and Wei Changli stood aside, like two outsiders, with no sense of existence at all.

Seeing how her mother treated her sister, Princess Yuanan felt uncomfortable.

She didn't understand why she continued to stay here.

Princess Yuanan lowered her head in disappointment, staring at her toes, wondering what her friends were doing at this moment.

"Oh, I envy them for being able to do whatever they want at the party."

Princess Yuan'an had envied Princess Ankang and the Eighth Prince more than once. She felt that they were free and not bound by anything. They were the freest people in the palace and could do whatever they wanted.

Princess Yanzhao answered Empress Wu's questions one by one, but her eyes glanced towards Princess Yuanan.

Empress Wu noticed the change in Princess Yanzhao's eyes, but did not expose her. She just smiled slightly and continued to care about her eldest daughter.

"Princess Yan Zhao, I heard that you are just one step away from success?"

“Yes.” Princess Yan Zhao nodded, but this time she added, “If you choose the right path, you will be able to break through.”

When talking about cultivation, Princess Yan Zhao looked extremely serious.

"Okay, as long as you are ready, mother will support you at any time!"

"But..." Empress Wu's words made Princess Yanzhao hesitate.

"Don't worry about others, just listen to your mother." Empress Wu put away her smile and became a little more serious.

"Do you remember what the Queen Mother told you?"

“Focus on what you want to do.”

"Mother will always support you!"

Empress Wu's words wiped away all the hesitation on Princess Yanzhao's pretty face.

"My son, I understand!"

Princess Yuanan listened to this conversation and felt so envious that she felt like a jar of jealousy had been overturned.

Not to mention that Empress Wu was so supportive of Princess Yuan'an, she had never even talked to her so much, holding her hand, as she did to her sister.

"eccentric!"

Princess Yuanan muttered in her heart.

But she herself didn't realize that she was no longer as jealous of her sister as before.

At least she doesn't feel alone now. When she feels sad, she has friends to think about. Thinking about them makes her feel less sad. She just looks forward to playing with her friends as soon as possible.

"Ying Zhao, tomorrow morning at the New Year's Day worship, one of your sisters will be with you. Her name is An Kang."

"Ankang?" Princess Yanzhao frowned slightly when she heard the unfamiliar name.

Princess Yuan'an, who was standing by, also pricked up her ears to listen when she heard her mother and sister mention her little friend.

"Yes, she is the thirteenth child and the daughter of Concubine Xiao."

"Princess Xiao!" Princess Yin Zhao's tone rarely showed a slight fluctuation.

"She is four years younger than you, but she is also a very outstanding child. In this respect, she is like her mother." Empress Wu couldn't help but smile as she spoke.

Princess Yan Zhao thought for a moment, looked at Princess Yuan An and said, "Then she is the same age as Yuan An."

Empress Wu kept smiling and didn't say much, but changed the subject.

……

Happy time is always short.

A variety of wonderful programs were prepared for the New Year's Eve party all night long, and a variety of refreshing teas were also provided at the banquet, so not many people felt sleepy after a night of banquet.

After Princess Ankang and the Seventh Princess watched the stars for a while, the Eighth Prince and his companions came over and asked them to play games, make pairs, and participate in various games prepared for the children.

The eighth prince fully demonstrated his character as the king of children and led his younger brothers and sisters to have a good night of fun.

For them, the Spring Festival dinner is indeed the most fun festival of the year.

In addition to the princes and princesses tonight, the young children of various royal relatives and dukes and ministers will also come to the palace to attend the banquet, so there will be more friends to play games together.

But the happier you are, the faster time goes by.

When they happened to glance and saw the dawn in the sky, they knew that the happy time was about to end.

The New Year's worship activities will be carried out later. Emperor Yongyuan will come out and lead everyone to worship heaven, earth and ancestors, and then the New Year's worship process will begin.

At that time, everyone will gather in the Taiji Palace Square and hold a grand worship ceremony for Emperor Yongyuan.

As for individual worship, it is said that only the most favored princes and princesses of Emperor Yongyuan can do so.

However, since the birth of Emperor Yongyuan's children, there has never been a case of a single visit to the shrine.

This year, the situation is said to have changed.

Everyone is also looking forward to witnessing this historic moment.

(End of this chapter)