HomeAfter I Bloom Hundred Flowers DieChapter 591: Heaven Does Not Bless His Majesty

Chapter 591: Heaven Does Not Bless His Majesty

Before the prayer ceremony at Xiangguo Temple, Emperor Youning finally confirmed the marriage between Xiao Changfeng and Shen Yingruo. Among the Northwestern Prince’s children, one daughter became an Eastern Palace consort, another married a hereditary prince, and the only son would inherit the family business to become the future Northwestern Prince. The entire family was now nobility – since the dynasty’s founding, there had never been such an illustrious household.

One couldn’t help but think that if Shen Xihe were to give birth to another legitimate son who would become the Imperial Grandson, the Shen family’s influence would be… immeasurable.

“Like oil in raging fire.” These days, Shen Xihe had heard such whispers spreading alongside news of the two’s betrothal. Some people were even implying that the Shen family’s prominence was becoming excessive.

This was likely the second reason why His Majesty arranged the marriage between Shen Yingruo and Xiao Changfeng. The more conspicuous their success, the more truly discerning people would avoid the Shen family, leaving only opportunists to draw near.

“His Majesty particularly values reputation, and assumes others do the same,” Xiao Huayong let out a soft laugh through his nostrils.

Shen Xihe laughed along – neither she nor her husband particularly cared about reputation.

Besides, these rumors would soon vanish without a trace, starting today.

“Your Highness Crown Prince, Your Highness Crown Princess, the prayer ceremony is about to begin. Please follow this official,” Just as this thought crossed her mind, someone came to summon Shen Xihe and Xiao Huayong.

Shen Xihe and Xiao Huayong exchanged glances before following the Ministry of Rites official. The Emperor’s prayer ceremony was a major event. To ensure the entire process went without a single flaw, the Ministry of Rites and Imperial Astronomers had rehearsed numerous details with the temple monks for a long time. Both the Emperor and Xiao Huayong had an Imperial Astronomer by their side, quietly providing reminders.

Everything proceeded smoothly until Xiao Huayong, Shen Xihe, and others accompanied His Majesty to the elevated platform. The Emperor held the incense in both hands and after three bows, stood up to personally place the incense on the burner. Suddenly, sparks began shooting out with a hissing sound, startling the Emperor into dropping the incense, which fell to the ground.

Even on the ground, it continued to emit sparks before completely extinguishing.

For this prayer ceremony at Xiangguo Temple, His Majesty had ordered not to disturb the common people. Civilians could still come to the temple normally for prayers, though they had to pass through multiple security checks. Most commoners, not being in a hurry and fearing official scrutiny, naturally chose to come another day.

Some civilians truly needed peace of mind, while others were bold enough to want a glimpse of His Majesty’s face. Thus, there were still commoners present at Xiangguo Temple. The area before the main hall was an open space, surrounded by guards holding long spears. Though some commoners tried various ways to peek, they wouldn’t be driven away as long as they didn’t cross any boundaries. No one had expected such a mishap with His Majesty’s incense.

Not only did the accompanying royal relatives and ministers witness it, but even some commoners saw it too.

People of the time were very superstitious about such matters. Seeing the Emperor’s prayer incense inexplicably shoot sparks and fall to the ground, they considered it a terrible omen, believing something bad would surely happen. There was immediate panic and discussion.

Seeing the situation deteriorating, General Zhen Bei Hou of the Imperial Guards immediately ordered his men to disperse the crowd with warnings. The Minister of Rites hurriedly stepped forward, trembling as he said, “Your Majesty, the golden sparks from the incense are an auspicious sign…”

Such insincere words from the Minister of Rites could only be echoed by others.

Only Emperor Youning’s expression was very poor. His heart suddenly felt empty and uneasy, feeling that something unfortunate was about to happen. While this ceremony was ostensibly for blessings, it was meant to seek peace of mind after two unlucky years.

Being an emperor after all, he followed his officials’ lead and accepted new incense from Xu Qing, determined to continue the ceremony.

However, the newly presented incense behaved just like the previous one. This time, Emperor Youning didn’t drop it but held it firmly, watching as it sparked and suddenly extinguished.

The Minister of Rites swallowed hard, not knowing how to explain this away.

Others remained as quiet as chickens while Xu Qing stepped forward: “Amitabha. May this humble monk examine the incense, Your Majesty?”

Emperor Youning handed the incense to Xu Qing, who carefully examined it and had someone bring out the incense from the box. He compared both the untouched and burned incense one by one but found no differences.

Xu Qing took out three sticks, lit them himself, and waited. However, after burning halfway, nothing like the previous incident occurred. The officials lowered their heads even further.

Especially since Xiao Huayong and others were offering incense alongside His Majesty, and their incense was burning normally to the end. None experienced what happened to Emperor Youning. There was only one reasonable explanation: Heaven did not bless His Majesty!

Shen Xihe glanced at Xiao Huayong, not expecting he could even infiltrate people into Xiangguo Temple. If she had attempted this, she likely couldn’t have achieved such perfection. The incense wasn’t the problem – the issue lay with the person presenting it. Though this person held the incense box with both hands, they could smoothly switch between the problematic and normal incense.

In perfect understanding, Xiao Huayong turned his head, his eyes concealing both amusement and a hint of pride seeking praise, his gaze meeting Shen Xihe’s briefly before looking away.

At this moment, everyone’s attention was focused on this inexplicable event, and no one noticed the brief exchange between husband and wife.

“Heaven has its deities, Earth has its emperor. Your Majesty is the human emperor, rightfully equal to Heaven. Perhaps the myriad gods and buddhas dare not accept Your Majesty’s ceremony,” When the atmosphere was most tense, Second Prince Xiao Changmin, Prince Zhao, suddenly spoke.

“Prince Zhao speaks the truth.”

“Your Majesty should indeed be equal to Heaven.”

“Your Majesty need not bow to gods or pray to Buddha.”

Not everyone believed in Buddhism or Daoism. Take Shen Xihe, for example, and there were many like her. Many agreed with Xiao Changmin’s statement, not fearing that such words might be disrespectful to deities in this Buddhist place. To them, a local official was more important than a distant emperor, and their glory and wealth depended on His Majesty, who naturally was the one they should protect and flatter.

“Your Majesty is most honored. Since Heaven dares not accept Your Majesty’s three bows, perhaps the Crown Prince could pray on Your Majesty’s behalf,” the Minister of Rites quickly seized the opportunity. This incident needed to be smoothed over.

With this face-saving solution offered, Emperor Youning temporarily set aside any investigation and stepped aside, saying to Xiao Huayong: “Crown Prince, pray on Our behalf.”

Xiao Huayong naturally stepped forward. Emperor Youning raised his hand, and the young novice monk respectfully presented the incense to him. The Emperor personally lit it and handed it to Xiao Huayong, who received it with both hands. After three bows, nothing unusual occurred, and this prayer ceremony finally came to a somewhat successful conclusion.

Somehow, that day’s events spread like wildfire throughout the capital, with various versions circulating as if everyone had witnessed it personally. The most common interpretation questioned whether Heaven truly blessed His Majesty.

“This was your doing.” Shen Xihe was certain it was Xiao Huayong, as only he, knowing beforehand, could have arranged everything so quickly.

“Let His Majesty taste what it’s like to be the subject of gossip,” Xiao Huayong smiled slightly.

“What about the incense?” Shen Xihe asked.

Xiao Huayong smilingly handed her an incense box. Upon careful examination, Shen Xihe discovered a hidden compartment – with a gentle push, it would flip to reveal another side holding identical but different incense sticks.

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