"Feng Lingyao—" Xiao Shan shouted, his eyes red, "Can you come down? I'll let you deal with me as you please!"
Emperor Mingde had not participated in the previous altar opening ceremony, but judging by the expressions of the court officials, it seemed there was danger?
"Great Shaman, will this be very troublesome?"
"Your servant does not know!" The Great Shaman only read from the records and had never actually seen it. The records described it as very grand, with colorful flags fluttering, fireworks bursting, layers of chanting, the goddess bathed in light, and ancient songs sounding...
Many things were prepared?
Lingyao turned back, looking at Xiao Shan below the steps, who was reaching out to her, his gaze fierce, as if he would rush up the next second.
Looking down again, the officials were all silent, their faces solemn.
This looked just like the day their father the Emperor passed away.
"Hurry and open the altar, I still need to go back and rest!" She stepped down again, taking Xiao Shan's hand. "What's wrong? It'll only take a moment. Envoys from various countries are about to enter the capital. Opening the altar now will also make them wary."
Emperor Mingde quickly asked, "Will there be danger?"
"No! I made this myself, how could it harm me?"
What did this mean?
"Has the divine maiden remembered her past life?" the Great Shaman asked excitedly.
"No, I have only recovered my divine power memory."
Lingyao looked at Xiao Shan, who still held her hand tightly, clearly not believing her.
"A'shan, it will really be done soon. We'll go back in a moment, okay?"
"No, you are heavy with child now, you don't have your previous speed at all. You are lying to me." He didn't believe her. He knew this was a step that could not be taken carelessly.
It was too dangerous. Couldn't they wait until after the child was born?
"Ai!" Lingyao sighed, "My hand hurts."
Xiao Shan loosened his grip, and Lingyao quickly withdrew her hand, then stepped back. She stamped her foot, and with a rumbling sound, iron pillars as thick as arms sprang up from the ground, reaching several zhang high, encircling the entire platform.
The officials gasped.
"Feng Lingyao—" Xiao Shan punched the iron pillar, his palm immediately bleeding profusely.
But the iron pillar only trembled and roared, showing no signs of damage.
Even the Great Shaman didn't know about this iron pillar wall, or this mechanism.
Xiao Shan, with bloodshot eyes, saw the white figure inside moving rapidly, too fast to see anything clearly, only a blur.
He furiously pounded the iron pillar, as if feeling no pain, again and again. Even Emperor Mingde watched with a tense expression.
"Look quickly! It's lighting up, it's lighting up!"
The altar glowed brightly, and a beam of light shot into the sky. Even in broad daylight, it was blinding. Ancient songs sounded from within, lightly and gracefully drifting into their ears.
The sky began to change color, and red clouds rolled in.
"Auspicious clouds and radiant colors, the altar has opened!" the Great Shaman shouted loudly.
Everyone knelt on the ground, except for the Emperor and Xiao Shan.
With another rumble, the iron pillars descended, leaving a clear space before them. Xiao Shan stared blankly, and saw a person standing before him with a smile.
"How did your hand get injured?" Lingyao grabbed Xiao Shan's hand.
The injury was so severe, flesh and skin were torn, white bone exposed, bleeding profusely, his entire arm trembling.
"What's wrong with you!" she exclaimed, anxious.
But Xiao Shan flung her hand away, took a step back with a blank expression.
At this moment, the red clouds had already covered the sky of the entire capital. Two giant phoenixes, trailing colorful tail feathers, flew amidst the clouds, emitting clear and melodious cries, then leisurely flew above the altar, circling continuously.
The streets of the capital were filled with kneeling citizens.
A divine miracle had descended.
"Jing Kingdom is about to become powerful," Ashina Tulu murmured, staring at the sky filled with red light.
Beyond the capital, the envoys from various countries all looked at this scene in shock.
It was said that Jing Kingdom had a divine maiden five hundred years ago, after which it became a powerful nation. Now that the time had come, had this divine maiden reappeared?
...
Xiao Shan ignored Lingyao.
The Emperor, following the Great Shaman's instructions, was reciting the sacrificial prayer for blessings. Lingyao and Xiao Shan, however, had left the altar.
Xiao Shan walked ahead, his back broad and strong, his gait vigorous.
Lingyao could not walk quickly at all. She had come in a sedan chair, and now, in her haste to catch up to Xiao Shan, she hadn't paid attention. Eunuchs were carrying the sedan chair behind her, until she was left far behind by Xiao Shan.
Unable to catch up, she held her belly and stared blankly at him as he moved further away.
"Princess, please get in the sedan chair. Your health is important. The General won't be truly angry." Yu Liu looked at her belly nervously, truly afraid she would complain of pain now.
The General was really a bit too much this time. The Princess was pregnant! How could he be so heartless!
"He is really angry."
This time, it was for real.
He didn't even care if she fell.
Yu Liu was at a loss. She wished Qing He were here. Qing He would surely know how to comfort the Princess.
But she had gone with people from the Imperial Hospital to select medical officers today.
Alas, the Princess looked so sad. What should they do?
After a long while, they returned to Fengque Tower. Xiao Shan had not returned. Lingyao's belly felt heavy. She lay down on the bed, and Yu Shan brewed some nourishing soup.
"It's alright, Princess. You just walked too much. Rest a little more and you'll be fine."
"Princess Lingxi's maid just came by and said that Princess Lingxi's legs are feeling strength, and her flesh and skin are starting to regrow," Yu Shan said, trying to cheer her up.
"Is that so? That's good." Lingyao's legs were sore, and her feet ached. She had no energy.
"Shall I massage your feet for you, Your Highness? After walking so much, they are likely to swell." Yu Shan asked cautiously.
She knew that the General usually did these things. But the General hadn't returned yet today. If he didn't help the Princess to unblock her circulation, her feet would truly swell.
"Mm."
Upon receiving permission, Yu Shan quickly brought water and began to wash and massage.
Lingyao drifted into a semi-sleep.
"You dog, if you don't come back tonight, I won't marry you. I'll stay at the General's mansion and wait for a summons!"
She had thought of everything for him. If she married someone else, who would dare to treat her with such a cold shoulder.
She had only stopped him for a moment.
Why was he throwing a tantrum!
"Bastard..."
After Yu Shan finished massaging her, the person on the bed fell silent. Yu Shan covered her with the quilt and quietly left the chamber.
"How is it? Is the Princess sad?" Yu Liu asked.
Yu Shan nodded, "She's definitely sad. And the General, where has he gone? Why hasn't he returned yet?"
No one dared to inquire about the Master's whereabouts. Yu Liu shook her head.
Soon it was past midnight. There was no warmth beside her, and Lingyao woke up. The space next to her was cold.
He hadn't returned. He had actually not returned?
This large bed felt so empty!
But her heart felt even emptier.