The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 706 - 464. Besieging the Empress (5k)

The Empress has arrived!

Zhao Douan gazed afar at a luxurious procession of carriages advancing grandly towards the base of Luo Mountain.

When still a distance away from the mountain’s base, the Empress of Yu Country, decked in elaborate attire, stepped down from the elevated Royal Carriage.

Clad in a Dragon Robe, Xu Zhenguan stood out blindingly in the radiant sunlight, with her coronet exuding the majestic aura of supreme dignity.

At her waist hung the Emperor’s Sword, Taia Sword, accompanied on either side by two attendants.

These were Mo Chou, in charge of the "Six Palaces," and the White Horse Supervisor Sun Lianying.

Following them was a large entourage, led by the Minister of Rites, consisting of civil servants and military generals, numbering in the hundreds.

This assemblage was due to circumstances that required the retention of a large number of high-ranking officials in the Capital to maintain court stability.

Otherwise, for the emperor’s Sealing Ceremony, the entire dynasty’s high officials, royal kin, and nobility should be present.

It would be even more grand and extensive in scale.

Amidst sounds of ritual and music, Xu Zhenguan led the multitude of officials forward, reaching the mountain’s base.

The Empress ascended step by step onto a constructed platform, overlooking the masses of officials.

The Sealing Ceremony featured two altars, located at the mountain’s summit and base respectively.

The altar at the mountain’s base had been under construction for many days, with numerous True God plaques established on it.

The officials accompanying the Empress formed a procession, guided by Taichang Temple officials, placing various sacrificial vessels and offerings on the altar tables for the divine.

Throughout this process, Ministry of Rites officials periodically chanted the titles of True Gods, and once offerings adorned every divine plaque, an official stepped forward, loudly proclaiming:

"The gods are calmed, the Nine Provinces are at peace!"

The assembled officials echoed loudly:

"The gods are calmed, the Nine Provinces are at peace!"

As a patrol guard, Zhao Douan didn’t participate in the ceremony of Sealing, watching with great interest.

He understood the term "Nine Provinces" in this world referred to an ancient geographical naming, approximately equivalent to the present "nine districts."

On the high platform, the grandly attending Empress raised her hand, silencing the officials.

Sun Lianying, with frost-white hair at her temples, withdrew a drafted sacrificial document from her sleeve, reciting loudly, essentially singing praises and discussing the Empress’s succession to paramount leadership.

After reciting, the Empress swept her gaze over the divine spirit plaques with a haughty look, proclaimed:

"Bring forth the Grand Ancestor spirit plaque!"

Instantly, Mo Chou carried the spirit plaque of Yu Country’s Grand Ancestor Emperor forward, handing it to the Empress. Xu Zhenguan, grasping the plaque, strode ahead of the officials, ascending the front mountain path towards the summit.

"Our Yu Country’s Sealing Ceremony was established by the Grand Ancestor Emperor. The Grand Ancestor once said, success lies in human efforts, that the dynasty’s flourishing is unrelated to the divine. Thus, this worship of gods is not crucial. The core of the summit altar is being constructed with colorless earth, and Yu Country’s Emperor worships ancestors, not gods."

Eunuch Hai’s voice echoed within Zhao Douan’s mind.

Zhao Douan held the hilt of his Cold Frost Sword by his waist, gazing up at the Empress climbing alone on the mountain path.

The path stretched long, yet the Empress moved swiftly, like spanning earth in a few strides, quickly reaching halfway up the mountain, becoming a small dot.

Further on, the Empress, holding the spirit plaque, disappeared into the encircling mist of Luo Mountain, becoming indistinct.

"What happens next?" Zhao Douan inquired.

Eunuch Hai replied lightly: "We simply guard this altar at the mountain’s base. The base is our domain; the summit belongs to Her Majesty."

Zhao Douan raised his eyes, observing a large assembly of tributors, along with various familiar and unfamiliar strong figures from the military, standing in vigilant anticipation, where the mountain base remained silent.

Suddenly, a nearly murmured voice flowed into his mind from Pei Niannu:

"I, I remember, I remember..."

...

...

Within Jianning Prefecture city, on the terrace of Prince Jing Mansion.

Clad in splendid attire, exuding innate authority, Prince Jing Xu Wen sat by the railing, quietly fishing.

The fishing line scattered into the pond water, which shimmered with light, while the royal mansion blossomed flamboyantly.

The plain-dressed Princess Consort Lu Yan’er and Young Master Xu Jinglong sat within the pavilion.

The atmosphere was heavy and oppressive when suddenly a figure rushed hurriedly from below, revealing the head of Prince Jing Mansion’s espionage system.

Xu Jinglong rose and descended the stairs, returning soon after with a grave expression:

"Father, everything has gone according to the arranged instructions, the Magicians from Magic God Sect, and the dispatched death warriors should be getting ready to act now, to attack the altar."

Prince Jing did not turn his head, merely responded with a sound of acknowledgment.

Princess Consort Lu Yan’er’s expression changed slightly, though not unexpectedly.

Xu Jinglong hesitated for a bit but couldn’t help feeling anxious, saying:

"Father, will this really work? If we only attack the altar at the mountain’s base, will it cause the sealing ceremony to fail?

Even if that Magic God is willing to sacrifice himself, they couldn’t reach the summit to kill, especially since he was previously injured by the Taia Sword, fleeing hastily... I know you’ve made many arrangements, but... she’s ultimately a Heavenly Human!"

The Empress, with Dragon Qi enhancement, her combat strength equates to Heavenly Human Realm.

The Young Master felt deeply uneasy, really lacking confidence in disrupting the ceremony. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Prince Jing calmly gazed toward Luo Mountain’s direction.

That morning, before dawn, he rose early and meticulously cleaned and dressed, evidently claiming illness to avoid travelling to Luo Mountain, yet with the solemnity as if personally attending the Sealing.

He glanced at the sky, seeming to feel there was no longer a need for concealment, reflecting thoughtfully:

"Indeed, she is ultimately a heavenly being... Heavenly Human... How can she be easily dealt with? Particularly since today, she uses imperial presence at the ceremony, drawing the geographic potency of Luo Mountain, invoking the dragon vein. Her power will likely rise even higher, not fearing any formidable foes."

Xu Jinglong listened with escalating anxiety: "Then, Father, you..."

Prince Jing interrupted him, suddenly changing his tone, asking:

"Do you still remember how to deal with Zhao Douan, those days ago?"