Madam, please listen to my explanation.

Chapter 98 The finest green oranges!
At three quarters past Chen hour, the autumn wind was chilly.

Outside the palace, news of the Minister of War's blood staining the city gates had not yet reached them.

Outside the Meridian Gate, a neat and solemn ceremonial guard had already been set up.

The six ministers, dressed in scarlet robes and jade belts, stood on the east side of the imperial road, their ivory tablets reflecting the sunlight.

Opposite them were royal relatives and nobles dressed in python robes, along with envoys from various countries who had come to offer their congratulations.

Zhang Longxing ignored the gazes directed at him and instead secretly observed the entire scene.

Even though they had just gone through a conflict involving many forces, at this moment, not only the Zhou Kingdom, the Mohist School, and the Eastern Kingdom, but even the Southern Frontier sent envoys to offer their congratulations.

The Yan Kingdom, as the most powerful human dynasty on the Qin continent, wielded considerable influence.

However, as many people around me whispered.

Among the Yan court officials lined up on the east side, a number of figures were inexplicably missing.
Just then, Grand Secretary Xu Xinnian, who had been staying at home for many days due to a leg injury, finally arrived late from outside the palace.

“Master Zhang, you are quite familiar with the Vice Minister, why haven’t I seen him come over?”

Zhang Longxing: "Sigh, the affairs of the officials are already difficult to resolve, where would we find the time to care about others?"

Zhang Longxing looked dejected, which drew snickers from those around him.

"Please don't take it to heart, Lord Zhang."

Suddenly, three whips cracked, and the bronze incense burners on either side of the imperial steps simultaneously emitted plumes of dragon-saliva smoke, causing all the officials to abruptly lower their heads—

Beyond the long imperial street, the gilded roof pierced through the morning mist.

The phoenix carriage has arrived!

Sixteen eunuchs in crimson robes carried the imperial carriage across the bright red carpet.

Under the sunlight, the pattern of a hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix on the phoenix palanquin emerged with a seven-colored halo.

The pearl curtain hanging in front of the carriage swayed back and forth, producing the soft tinkling of jade pendants.

The Minister of Rites stepped forward three paces, holding the golden book high, and all the officials fell silent. Three thousand imperial guards raised their horns in unison, their shouts creating a surging tide.

Zhao Jingqian, wearing a black crown, finally rose slowly from the Nine Dragon Throne.

His fingertips traced the ferocious dragon head on the jade belt hook at his waist, and he looked at the stunning beauty in phoenix coronet and wedding robes who was slowly stepping down from the phoenix palanquin, smiling triumphantly.

Yao'er, come here.

I am waiting for you here, to rule the world with me!
As the officials and envoys bowed their heads, an unprecedented amount of dragon energy surged into their bodies from all directions.

Boom!
Everyone in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony could vaguely hear that heartbeat as heavy as a drumbeat.

"Hahahaha-"

All the officials looked at each other.

It's clear that His Majesty has truly recovered from his serious illness.
Just a few days ago, the other person was coughing so hard that he couldn't straighten up, as if a gust of wind could blow his frail body down.

Wu Yao stepped down from the carriage and walked gracefully toward the man opposite her.

On either side of him, officials paid homage.

She could tell that the Yan Emperor was now organizing a procession for himself that went beyond the usual ceremonies of taking a concubine or marrying a wife.

It's more like the investiture of an empress!

In her heart, there was not a trace of joy, only a deep-seated, overwhelming hatred!

Why.
Why should these bloated, weak-willed people be born into wealth and luxury?
They have clean air and carefully prepared food to enjoy.

Meanwhile, the people of the southern border could only eat raw meat and drink blood, living in constant companionship with poisonous afflictions.

Even the less than an hour of sunlight each day felt like a gift from heaven!
This is not fair!

"cough cough"

The envoy from the southern border beside her suddenly coughed a few times, pulling Wu Yao back to reality.

Only then did she realize that, in a moment of distraction, the divine power within her bloodline had almost burst forth, causing a great disaster.

Wait a little longer.

After the ceremony, she will present a grand gift to her husband, His Majesty, in this capital city of Yanjing.

It's just a pity that we didn't get to see the Seventh Princess return.
Just then, a loud shout came from behind:
"Princess Ruoxi has arrived!"

Still some distance apart, Zhao Jingqian and Wu Yao, standing facing each other, simultaneously focused their gazes!
coming!

Not just the two of them, but all the officials and envoys turned their heads and looked towards the end of the Imperial Street.

Many quick-witted people already had a premonition.

The person is not good!
A tall figure, adorned with phoenix feathers on his head and clad in blood-stained armor, walked from afar.

Her phoenix eyes were frosty, and her scarlet cloak fluttered in the wind.

At his waist, he also wore a long, narrow, golden sword!
Even though their appearances were quite different, Zhao Jingqian still recognized them from that unique aura.
Yu Xiao!

Xu Jinhuan, that scumbag.
No wonder I've never been by his side; I've never sensed the aura of this sword before—it was given to that bastard long ago!

Zhao Ruoxi saw the 'sister-in-law' standing in the middle of the road, looking back at her.

She completely ignored him, walked straight past him, and came to within a few meters of Zhao Jingqian.

Behind them, Lin Sanlang and the others released the levers of the prison cart, letting it crash to the ground with a clatter.

Among them was a dark-faced boy who kept his head bowed the whole time.

His chest seemed slightly bulging, and his almond-shaped eyes stared at the emperor wearing a crown, revealing a deep-seated hatred.

Zhao Ruoxi stood still, her right hand on the hilt of her sword, not even bending her waist, and said loudly:
"Zhao Ruoxi, accompanied by officials from Qi and hostages, offers her congratulations to the Emperor!"

The sound shook the world.

The officials were completely silent.

Even though their hearts were already filled with turbulent waves.

This tough stance fully confirms everyone's suspicions.
A storm is brewing!

Zhao Jingqian forcibly suppressed the anger in his heart. That bitch...
How dare they be so rude to me!
Do they really think that holding some military merits is enough to usurp power?
"My dear sister, I've been looking for you so long!"
It's been so long! I thought you'd gone off to some remote mountain forest and gone into hiding! It's good to see you back!
Ruoxi has rendered such a great service; after the empress's investiture ceremony, your merits will be recognized and rewarded!

Zhao Ruoxi could easily tell that there was a hidden dagger in the other person's words, and she sneered:

"Wait a minute!"

"My brother has established an empress. Such a momentous event is the establishment of an empress. Why is the Imperial Preceptor not present?"
Have you not heard that disasters have struck again in various places?

These words caused an uproar among the officials.

How could they not know that the drought and floods that had just subsided in various places had once again swept across half of the Great Yan?

However, choosing this joyous day to speak frankly about this matter...
Is this an insinuation that someone disregards the lives of ordinary people?
Besides
Not just today? Since His Majesty ascended the throne, there has been almost no news about the Imperial Preceptor.

Zhao Jingqian still looked all smiles, and with a wave of his sleeve, he said:

"I am already aware of this matter."

So that my royal sister may know that your abilities are in no way inferior to those of the Imperial Advisor!
Today is not only a joyous day for my elder brother, but after the ceremony, my younger sister and the officials will join me in offering sacrifices to Heaven.

Look at how my concubines have blessed my Great Yan, bringing peace and prosperity to the nation!

The Minister of Rites stepped forward again to preside over the ceremony. Zhao Ruoxi silently stepped aside and waited quietly.

After a series of elaborate rituals including offering sacrifices to heaven, accepting auspicious gifts, and bestowing betrothal gifts, the ceremony was completed.

Zhao Jingqian took Wu Yao's hand and laughed loudly:
"My lords, please follow me to the Qiyun Altar!"
-
Qiyun Altar was built almost right next to the Yan Emperor's Palace.

Even though it was only recently built and has not yet been opened to the public, countless people still come here every day to place various offerings on the stone steps in front of the temple gate.

Today is different.

At this moment, the area in front of Qiyun Altar is so deserted that it can be described as a place where the streets are packed with people.

Last night, countless devout believers all had the same dream.

In the dream, the Great Sage Celestial Master, whose face was veiled, personally promised that she would come here today to perform a ritual and bestow blessings upon her followers.

People arrived early as scheduled, crowding the wide street, which was large enough to accommodate several carriages driving side by side.

Lu Ming from the Xu family mingled among them, struggling to move through the crowd.

He found it hard to comprehend the scene before him.

The buzzing in my ears was caused by too many believers simultaneously reciting the salvation mantras of the Qiyun Sect.

Those faces were filled with piety and madness.

Lu Ming even felt that if that Celestial Master waved his arm and ordered everyone to commit suicide here in exchange for eternal life, they might very well do so.

Are all these people crazy?
If he were to do as the master said now, he feared he might accidentally be beaten to death for being too out of place.
The master has said more than once that the people of the Xu family should stay away from these lunatics.

Only now does he truly understand the reasons behind it.

Standing among this group of lunatics, he even felt a faint urge to prostrate himself in worship.
As the crowd grew larger and larger, Lu Ming gradually felt despair.

That's it. Now, even if he shouts and screams, probably no one will hear him.
"quiet!"

"His Majesty and the Celestial Master are about to arrive. Silence and step back!"

The words "Celestial Master" seem to carry a certain magic.

The crowd fell silent and suddenly became orderly, spontaneously retreating to the back.

Lu Ming was pushed around by the crowd and couldn't even control his own movements.

Seeing a golden opportunity right in front of him, and not wanting to delay the task his master had entrusted to him, he could no longer worry about anything else. He raised his arm and shouted loudly:

"Green oranges!"

"Top-quality green tangerines! Anyone want to buy green tangerines?"

Heaven help it, he should have had a bag of green oranges in his hand.
There were just too many people, and they had already been squeezed out of sight.

The way people looked at him suddenly changed.

Lu Ming's heart trembled, feeling that at any moment, someone would rush forward and tear him, this outcast, to pieces!
Just then, the main gate in front of the palace opened a crack from the inside, and a heavily armed imperial guard stepped out.

He spotted himself in the crowd immediately, pointed at himself, and shouted:
"Hey you! You, the man selling green tangerines, come here! Everyone move aside, or don't blame me for being ruthless!"

The words "Imperial Guard" still carried considerable intimidation; the crowd in front of him forcefully parted to make way for Lu Ming to pass through.

When he finally emerged from the crowded throng, he couldn't help but let out a long sigh of relief.
terrible!

The imperial guard who had just been there approached and whispered:

"So you're the one selling green tangerines?"

Lu Ming's hands were empty, but he had no choice but to nod reluctantly.

He mustered his courage and leaned closer, whispering in the official's ear:
"The master asked me to tell a certain gentleman that 'that person' has arrived as promised, and everything is as he expected."

Whether the imperial guards heard them or not, they suddenly shouted, "What are you doing here empty-handed? Go back and get your things right now!"

Lu Ming felt as if he had been granted a pardon and ran towards the Xu residence in a panic.

Inside the dungeon, Zhuang Yuning relayed every word she had just heard to Xu Jinhuan.

But then there was a sharp 'clatter' sound, like the sound of an iron chain falling to the ground.

The next moment, the wall between the two shattered with a deafening roar.

Xu Jinhuan pulled out the steel needle stuck in his neck and threw it to the ground.

Outside the prison cell, a dozen imperial guards were shocked and drew their swords, ready to rush forward.

Zhuang Yuning simply looked at the person she had been longing for day and night, and smiled with her head tilted to the side.

The imperial guards immediately sheathed their weapons and silently turned around.

Xu Jinhuan nodded:
"It's time, let's go out."

After saying that, he grabbed the other person's waist and instantly broke through the wall above their head.

(End of this chapter)