People were gradually taking their seats at Saixian Tower at this moment.

The second floor was mostly occupied by high-ranking officials and nobles, sitting three or two to a table, conversing with each other, talking and laughing, all waiting for the courtesan queen selection to begin. After all, it happened once every three years—being able to catch such an auspicious occasion was fortunate.

The women coming to participate in the selection had all been carefully chosen from various estates and provinces. After submitting their recommendation documents to the Ministry of Rites for registration, they could officially participate. Not everyone had such an opportunity. The young ladies who could receive recommendations to participate must all be exceptionally beautiful, gentle, and gracious.

To be able to see so many extraordinarily beautiful women gathered in Yanjing was truly fortunate!

After all, how many times in a lifetime could one experience this!

On the circular second floor, besides those nobles sitting by the railings, there were also many warm pavilions behind them.

Three of the superior warm pavilions were already occupied.

In the first one sat the Director of the Imperial Observatory and several minor officials.

They all sat inside with grave expressions. On the table before them lay a list of participants obtained from the Ministry of Rites—several sheets of paper stacked together, as thick as two finger joints, covered densely with names.

An elderly man with a beard looked out through the window, then let out a heavy sigh. With worried eyes, he looked at the Director of the Imperial Observatory and asked: “My lord, is the person we’re looking for truly among them?”

The Director of the Imperial Observatory narrowed his eyes: “Since the celestial phenomena point to it, there must be its arrangement.”

“But what if something goes wrong?”

“Old Wang, the selection hasn’t even started yet. Why are you speaking such words?”

“Just as a precaution!”

“There is no precaution. The Emperor has now agreed to use the courtesan queen for the heavenly sacrifice. We must be more careful and absolutely cannot make mistakes. Otherwise…” The Director of the Imperial Observatory’s gaze swept over the people before him. “We won’t expect to keep our lives either.”

The group fell silent.

The Emperor placed great importance on celestial phenomena. If an accident occurred, the implications would be far-reaching.

The first would be the Director of the Imperial Observatory!

This matter was not small and absolutely could not be treated carelessly.

Right now, each of their heads was merely borrowed and resting on their necks, potentially rolling to the ground at any moment.

The elder spoke in a low voice, stroking his graying beard, murmuring to himself: “Sacrificing a life to heaven, unprecedented.”

The atmosphere in the warm pavilion was exceptionally heavy.

No one spoke again.

In the second warm pavilion sat three people: Grand Tutor Yi, Old General Wen, and the Marquis of Kangding.

Their expressions were equally grave and unpleasant.

When the Director of the Imperial Observatory proposed using the courtesan queen for the heavenly sacrifice, they had strongly opposed it, but the final decision maker was the Emperor.

The Emperor deeply believed in celestial phenomena—this was well known to all.

So when the final decision was made to use the courtesan queen for the heavenly sacrifice, these important court ministers were not surprised at all.

At most, they felt disappointment!

After all, the heavenly sacrifice required a human life.

Grand Tutor Yi sighed heavily, slapping the table with one hand, his brows deeply furrowed: “The Emperor insists on this. I fear it will ultimately stir up an unnecessary wave of trouble.”

Old General Wen continued: “After all, we are merely subjects. We cannot interfere with the Emperor’s decisions.”

“As subjects, if we cannot make correct decisions for the Emperor, we also cannot escape blame.”

“Grand Tutor Yi, if this general were you, right now I wouldn’t be sitting here but would go to the palace to see the Emperor, hoping to make the greatest effort to persuade the Emperor to abandon this idea. It’s still in time to avoid the unnecessary trouble you mentioned.” Old General Wen’s eagle-like gaze looked at Grand Tutor Yi, his tone somewhat heavy.

Grand Tutor Yi was a clever person and naturally understood the meaning in his words.

Moreover, the two were already opposites in court, so they rarely interacted. It was only because this matter involved the courtesan queen sacrifice to heaven that they found themselves on the same side.

“Old General Wen, I know what you mean—nothing more than accusing me of not fulfilling my responsibilities as Grand Tutor and failing to counsel the Emperor. But I’ve already said, after all, we are merely subjects. We can assist the Emperor but cannot control the Emperor. This point, you cannot be unaware of. Furthermore, Old General Wen, your position in court is pivotal. If the Emperor won’t even listen to you, how would he listen to me?”

Stepping down with one foot, lifting up with another!

This left Old General Wen unable to respond.

The Marquis of Kangding, who had been silent on the side, saw the two exchange words making the atmosphere increasingly awkward. He quickly said: “You two should focus on the situation outside instead. Don’t let chaos break out and have people discover the true purpose of this courtesan queen selection. Otherwise, we truly won’t be able to clear our names even with a hundred mouths.”

Old General Wen and Grand Tutor Yi immediately stopped talking.

If the true purpose of this selection were really discovered by outsiders, all the people under heaven would likely rise in rebellion.

The final consequences would be severe beyond imagination!

Something no one could bear!

The three remained silent, sitting quietly and waiting.

In the last warm pavilion sat none other than Su Ziluo.

He was also one of those who knew about the Emperor’s order to use the courtesan queen for the heavenly sacrifice, but because he didn’t want to deal with Grand Tutor Yi and Old General Wen, he sat alone on one side.

Qi’er poured him a fresh cup of tea and said: “Young Master, you’ve never come to these events before and never participated in such matters. Why this year?”

Actually, Qi’er rarely presumed to ask about his affairs, but this time he was truly curious, so he couldn’t help asking.

Su Ziluo’s distinct black and white eyes turned lightly, his expression cool and serious. He picked up the tea before him and took a sip. After a moment of silence, he uttered a sentence: “When matters arrive, you will naturally know.”

“Young Master means?”

“Don’t ask anymore. Knowing too much does you no good either.”

“Yes!”

Qi’er silently retreated to the side.

Su Ziluo’s fingertips lightly pinched the teacup, his face covered with an inscrutable emotion.

This selection today was probably a Hongmen Banquet!

Many people also began discussing why so many court ministers had come today.

Could there be some special circumstances this year?

While everyone privately discussed this, Minister Zhu was actually very curious as well.

Every year’s selection was his responsibility. General Wen, Grand Tutor Yi, and those people never came, let alone that Su Ziluo who kept people at a thousand miles’ distance. This year, who knows what wind was blowing—they had all actually come!

Even the Director of the Imperial Observatory had come!

Minister Zhu also went to inquire, but obtained no information.

In the end, he could only give up!

…

At this time, Li Shiyan had already arrived at Saixian Tower. He knew his father, the Marquis of Kangding, had also come. After making some inquiries at the entrance, he learned his father was in a warm pavilion and immediately relaxed.

Because the seat he had reserved was on the third floor, even if his father had eyes that could see a thousand miles, he probably wouldn’t think his son was sitting right above his head.

Taking advantage of when no one was paying attention, he quickly brought Xiao Luzi up to the third floor.

Many people had already arrived on the third floor. When everyone saw Li Shiyan, they all froze, because everyone had heard he wasn’t coming—supposedly he was sick and recuperating at home.

How had he suddenly appeared?

But thinking about it, this kid was famous in Yanjing for loving to join in the excitement. How could he not come!