AWB Chapter 273 Defilement of Gods and Buddhas
Chapter 273 Defilement of Gods and Buddhas
After the sacrificial text was read, Emperor Wenjing personally ascended the ninety-nine steps of Huangjue Temple, entered the main hall to offer incense, and kowtowed to the gods and Buddhas.
The master of ceremonies shouted, "Offer incense!"
The priest handed the lit longevity candle to Emperor Wenjing.
Emperor Wenjing stepped forward, took the incense and candles from the sacrificial official, and walked up the steps.
The people could only observe up to this point, but no one left at this time, and no one made a fuss. The entire sacrificial site was silent, and everyone was immersed in the solemn atmosphere.
Watching Emperor Wenjing ascend the steps one by one.
Those who entered the main hall with Emperor Wenjing were the princes, high-ranking officials of the third rank or above, and the priests of the Ministry of Rites.
Yu Wan lowered her eyes only when she could no longer see Emperor Wenjing's back.
I wonder how big a commotion the winter festival will cause today.
Outside the main hall atop the ninety-nine steps, Emperor Wenjing stepped onto the last step, his forehead already covered in a fine layer of sweat.
Liu Haifu took out a handkerchief to wipe Emperor Wenjing's face, but Emperor Wenjing frowned and refused, saying, "No need."
Liu Haifu quickly stepped aside.
Emperor Wenjing stepped forward and was the first to enter the main hall.
The remaining princes and officials also entered the main hall.
In the center of the main hall stands a towering golden Buddha statue, dozens of feet tall, which took decades to create and was made with countless amounts of gold and silver.
The Buddha statue has a kind face with slightly closed eyes, conveying compassion for the world.
As a royal Buddhist temple, Huangjue Temple naturally cannot lose its royal dignity.
Apart from this gilded Buddha statue, all the walls around the main hall are covered with exquisite murals.
Emperor Wenjing was a Buddhist. After entering the main hall, his expression became increasingly respectful as he slowly walked to the Buddha statue.
He looked up at the Buddha statue, then slowly knelt down, holding the incense and candles with devout hands, and inserted them into the incense burner.
Then he prostrated himself in worship, his forehead touching the ground.
A ritual official on the side loudly chanted obscure and difficult-to-understand sacrificial words.
The princes, high-ranking officials, and ritual officials from the Ministry of Rites all knelt on the ground and kowtowed to pray for blessings.
The entire main hall was completely silent except for the voice of the master of ceremonies; the atmosphere was extremely solemn and dignified.
Just then, a low growl from a man suddenly echoed inside the hall.
The low growl shattered the solemn atmosphere in the main hall, like a thunderclap exploding above everyone's heads.
Everyone was startled by the sudden sound. The previously uniform bowing motion stopped instantly, and everyone looked up at the Buddha statue in the direction of the sound.
"what--"
Another low growl.
Those who entered the main hall were all men, and almost immediately they recognized the source of the voice.
But everyone's faces showed astonishment and absurdity.
No, that's impossible. They must have misheard.
Emperor Wenjing slowly straightened up, his originally serious face now clouded with gloom.
His voice was like the calm before a storm, "Liu Haifu."
Liu Haifu stepped forward cautiously.
Although he wasn't exactly a man, he knew everything he needed to know, and even someone with a physical disability like him could tell what was going on with that sound.
"Go and see what's going on!"
Emperor Wenjing's voice was low and suppressed, each word seemingly carrying icy anger.
Liu Haifu trembled all over, his legs felt as heavy as lead, and he slowly made his way toward the direction from which the sound came.
All eyes were fixed on him, and the entire main hall was so quiet that only his hurried footsteps and the rapid breathing of the crowd could be heard.
As Liu Haifu gradually approached the curtain on one side of the Buddha statue, the ambiguous voice became clearer.
His hand trembled as he reached out and gently lifted the curtain. The sight before him made his eyes widen instantly, and his face turned ashen.
"Your Majesty...Your Majesty..." Liu Haifu was so terrified that his voice changed, and he almost instinctively took a few steps back before collapsing to the ground.
Emperor Wenjing frowned deeply, his brows furrowing into a deep frown. He stood up and strode forward.
When he saw the scene before him, his anger flared up instantly, his face turned bright red, and the veins on his forehead bulged.
Behind the Buddha statue, two white figures were intertwined.
It was immediately obvious that these were two men.
Even Emperor Wenjing nearly fainted at that moment.
"Kill them!" Emperor Wenjing roared. "Kill them for me!"
Inside the palace, Prince Yong couldn't help but curl the corners of his lips slightly as he listened to Emperor Wenjing's furious voice.
This time, none of the people he wanted to eliminate would escape.
King Qi glanced subtly at King Yong, then at Emperor Wenjing, who was trembling with anger, and couldn't help but frown.
Li Xuan's methods are truly vicious.
What a pity for that girl.
You can't find a woman as wonderful as her in Shengjing City.
The only one to blame is that she married the wrong master.
When Prince Chen heard the man's low growl, he almost lost his composure. He subconsciously glanced at Yun Shang, but seeing that he remained calm and composed, his unease slowly subsided.
He should trust Yun Shang; nothing will happen to him.
The person involved in the accident should be...
Prince Chen glanced at Prince Yong and happened to see the triumphant smile on Prince Yong's face. He lowered his eyes and clenched his fists tightly.
Even though they weren't born of the same mother, Li Xuan had called him "Seventh Brother" so many times, but now, his methods were so ruthless and vicious, showing no brotherly affection whatsoever.
Behind the Buddha statue, with Emperor Wenjing's angry shout, imperial guards immediately stepped forward and separated the two white bodies that were still locked in a desperate struggle.
The two seemed to have just woken up from a dream.
Wang Ling struggled instinctively, cursing angrily, "You blind fool, who dares to touch me..."
Before he could finish speaking, Wang Ling saw someone standing in front of him against the light.
He felt the figure looked vaguely familiar, so he rubbed his eyes, trying hard to see who it was.
The moment Wang Ling saw that figure clearly, he felt as if his soul had left his body.
He seemed to have suddenly gone mad, stammering, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, Your Majesty..."
Upon seeing Wang Ling's appearance, Liu Haifu cried out in surprise, "Lord Wang, it's you...!"
Seeing the things on the two men, he suppressed his shock and quickly moved in front of Emperor Wenjing to shield them.
His voice trembled. "What are you all standing there for? Don't let these two filthy things pollute the Emperor's eyes!"
This is terrible! How could it be Wang Ling, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites?!
Upon receiving the order, the imperial guards immediately tore off their cloaks and wrapped the two men in them.
Wang Ling regained his senses at this moment, his face ashen, his body limp, only muttering repeatedly: "Your Majesty, spare me! Your Majesty, spare me!...I was framed...I was framed..."
Seeing this scene, Emperor Wenjing was so angry that he felt a metallic taste rise in his throat.
He finally couldn't hold back any longer, and with a "whoosh," a mouthful of blood gushed out, and he fell straight backward.
"emperor!"
Liu Haifu was so frightened that he turned pale and immediately threw himself to the ground, becoming Emperor Wenjing's human cushion.