Mountains and rivers pray for peace

Chapter 26 Sacrifice Ceremony

When everyone heard this, they all looked in Shen Yuning's direction.

I saw a very tall young man wearing a black cloak. His black hair was tied into a gilt crown, and the sleeves of his robe were embroidered with gold thread python patterns. His long and narrow eyes were filled with coldness, and his angular face was as sharp as a knife. In general, every move he made was so romantic that everyone present was shocked.

In fact, most people have never met Shen Yuning.Even if I have seen it, I have only seen it from a distance and cannot see it clearly.Now, seeing the rumored Seventh Prince up close under the blue sky and daylight, everyone couldn't help but secretly smacked their lips. Even if the Seventh Prince was not valued by Emperor Xiaowen and had no bright future, he could still make many people sad for him just by relying on his skin. .

Many people below were already fascinated by it, and even a bold official girl murmured: "This Seventh Highness is too outstanding."

After hearing this, Princess De'an raised her red lips slightly, but the corners of her mouth were full of sarcasm.This is not the first time she has seen Shen Yuning, so naturally she will not be easily fooled by this skin.

In addition, she always felt that although her seventh brother looked gentle on his face, when those cold eyes looked at her, he always seemed to be looking at a fool, as if she was not in his eyes. Generally, it made her feel slightly angry, but she didn't dare to go against him.

However, even though everyone's eyes were glued to Shen Yuning's body, he didn't seem to see anything, just sat down on his own, which made people feel that he was a little arrogant and reluctant to blame.

Shen Yuhuan, who was next to him, saw the reaction of the people below, and couldn't help joking with Shen Yuning: "Thanks to the fact that my seventh brother doesn't go out often, otherwise I will disappoint my heart. I see that the entire official girl in the dental tent is staring at her. Brother, look."

"Not necessarily." Shen Yuning just glanced at Huo Qi and said without any emotion.

Shen Yuning's attitude was a little cold, even a little rude.However, Shen Yuhuan did not show any anger, he just straightened his expression and took a sip of tea.In the final analysis, Shen Yuning was just an unpopular prince in his eyes, and his situation was not much better than his.Therefore, even if Shen Yuning was a little offended by his words, he was happy to act like a good brother.

The fourth prince, Shen Yuqing, hadn't spoken a word since he entered the table. When he saw Shen Yuning coming, he showed a lively expression on his face: "Why did the seventh brother come here suddenly today? It's not like your style."

"Come and see the play." Shen Yuning had a half-smile.

He has already discovered that as long as there is Huo Qi, there must be a good show.Everything this young girl does has a very strong purpose, if she hadn't been greedy, she would never have come to Dongyanling by herself.But since she came, something big must happen.The hunting is almost done, so why not come and watch the show.

"Oh?" Shen Yuqing didn't understand the meaning of Shen Yuning's words. She wanted to ask more questions, but she saw Shen Yuning lazily drinking the wine in front of him. She seemed to not want to speak, so she had to shut her mouth angrily. .

In a corner that no one noticed, someone was secretly brewing a huge storm.Huo Qinglan quietly stood up and left the table with Xi'er beside her.She secretly glanced at Butler Lin in front of her at the right time, but anyone who was interested could understand the meaning of that glance.

Lin Butler, who was standing next to Jiang's serving tea, suddenly caught Huo Qinglan's eyes, comprehending and at the same time a little inexplicable.Although this eldest concubine has been married into the Hou's residence for a while, she hasn't dealt with him a few times.Suddenly winking at him, there must be a demon if something goes wrong, I'm afraid it's some kind of calculation.

Although he was somewhat dissatisfied, he still couldn't hold back his curiosity, and said to Jiang who was beside him, "Ma'am, it's convenient for me to go."

People have three urgencies. Although Jiang is usually harsh, he would not embarrass others in such matters. He just waved his hands and said, "Hurry up and come back, today's sacrificial ceremony can't go wrong."

Butler Lin nodded in agreement and followed Huo Qinglan from a distance while everyone was not paying attention.After walking for about a cup of tea, going around in all directions, we finally arrived at the kitchen.

Huo Qinglan had already been waiting for a long time. Butler Lin walked over and looked at the tall woman, feeling a little dissatisfied in his heart: "What is the purpose of the concubine Shizi bringing this old slave to the back kitchen?"

Huo Qinglan did not answer his question, but asked herself: "How long has Butler Lin been in Zhenyuan Hou Mansion?"

Steward Lin raised his head haughtily, with a slightly ostentatious look: "The old slave has been in Zhenyuanhou's mansion for almost 40 years, and even the eldest son was raised by the old slave, and he is loyal to the master."

"Steward Lin is naturally a loyal servant of the Marquis of Zhenyuan. Does that mean you will do whatever the master asks you to do?" Huo Qinglan said.

"Naturally. However, the master of the Zhenyuanhou Mansion, apart from the old lady, is the only son. If they have any orders, the old slave will naturally go through fire and water, but if it is someone else, it is not the old slave's turn to serve. "Butler Lin relies on his old skills to show off his skills.

He has stayed in the Yuan family for decades, and has worked hard even without merit. He has long developed a somewhat arrogant temperament. Except for the Zhenyuan Marquis and his wife and Yuan Shao, most people are not qualified to order him around.

In his eyes, Huo Qinglan was not worthy of Yuan Shao. In addition, he knew in his heart that Yuan Xianzhi was not satisfied with his daughter-in-law, so his words were not respectful.

Unexpectedly, Huo Qinglan was not annoyed at all, and just said lightly: "Of course I don't dare to ask you to do things for me. It's just that I looked at the account book and found that there was a vacancy of several thousand taels of silver in the public account. It seemed that... he entered the forest. The butler’s pocket. I don’t know if my father and mother know about it. Will they dare to trust you, this loyal servant, in the future?”

Lin Butler's complexion changed when he heard this, and his heart started beating.He took care of the village shop for the Yuan family and devoted himself to getting some oil and water into his waistband.

He has always been shrewd and kept the accounts beautifully. Jiang usually only took a rough look at the accounts, so he didn't find anything wrong with the accounts, but he didn't want Huo Qinglan to take advantage of him.

But he was not stupid. If Huo Qinglan wanted to bring this matter to light, he would have gone to Jiang to complain.Since you chose to talk to him about this matter in private, you must be asking for something from him.

He twitched his cheeks, completely lost the air he had just now, and said cautiously: "The concubine Shizi is a shameful old slave, if you have something to say, you can just say it, the old slave will definitely do his best."

"Steward Lin is a man who knows the current affairs. I just need Steward Lin to do one thing for me. After the matter is completed, I will treat the money as if it doesn't exist, and naturally I won't talk too much." Huo Qinglan threw out her own conditions .

"What's the matter?" Butler Lin was confused.

"Today, the Marquis of Zhenyuan is going to present a golden silk osmanthus cake to His Majesty. Butler Lin is responsible for this, right?"

"This matter... is indeed the old slave's responsibility." Lin Butler replied, but there was a faint unease in his heart.

"This golden osmanthus cake is dedicated to His Majesty, but after all everyone has a share. I want you to add something to Miss Huo's share." Huo Qinglan took out a small white porcelain bottle from her sleeve and stuffed it directly In the hands of Butler Lin.

Steward Lin's hands trembled slightly, his old face could no longer maintain the calmness just now, and he said with a look of shock: "Concubine Shizi, if someone dies in front of His Majesty in today's sacrificial ceremony, it may not end well. Your life will be lost!"

"Who said it would kill someone? You are overcomplicating this matter. They are just some blood-replenishing medicine. It won't cause any major problems. At most, it will make my sister look embarrassed. You can put your heart into it. In the stomach." Huo Qinglan's tone was undeniable and strong, mixed with a hint of bewilderment.

Butler Lin hesitated: "This..."

Huo Qinglan's polite expression turned away, and there was a hint of sinisterness in her eyes, threatening: "If Butler Lin doesn't comply, I will have to report what you did to my mother. She has always been intolerant of disdain in her eyes. If she knew that you were doing this under her nose, I'm afraid you would also be dead. But if you help me handle this matter, there is still a way to survive. This medicine is really not poison."

As soon as these words came out, Steward Lin didn't dare to say much, so he could only say nonchalantly: "Yes, this old slave listens to the concubine."

After finishing the order, Huo Qinglan led Xi'er back to the seat one step ahead. She sat on the seat, her eyes flashing past Huo Qi with a smile that was not a smile, showing a bit of joy that she was determined to win.

Huo Qi, Huo Qi, I can't blame me for being cruel, who made you insist on sending it to your door?
Time passed in a blink of an eye, the gongs and drums sounded, and the sacrificial ceremony finally began.According to Daqi's past rules, before offering incense, exquisite pastries need to be prepared for sacrifice to show Daqi's sincerity in front of the gods.Of course, this pastry will also be presented to everyone, which is called "sharing the blessings."

In previous years, this pastry was produced in the imperial dining room of the palace. This year, the Zhenyuan Marquis Mansion accepted the marriage gift from Emperor Xiaowen. In order to please Emperor Xiaowen, it showed that the palace was grateful for Emperor Xiaowen's marriage gift, so he took the initiative to accept it. this job.

It's almost time, Yuan Xianzhi stood up from his seat, his hill-like figure was terrifying, but his face was full of respect: "Your Majesty, I am going to present a golden silk osmanthus cake today, I hope that our country will be strong and prosperous." , good weather."

Emperor Xiaowen became interested: "Aiqing has a heart, so let's present it."

Lin Butler, who had been waiting for a long time, brought a few palace officials and presented the sweet-scented osmanthus cake in front of everyone.The sweet-scented osmanthus cake has complicated patterns and fine workmanship. The fragrance of osmanthus neutralizes the sweetness of the original cake, which makes people appetite.

However, before Emperor Xiaowen made a move, the other ministers could only watch and could not move first, otherwise they would be considered disrespectful, so they could only watch helplessly at this moment.

After the eunuch next to him used a silver needle to test the poison, Emperor Xiaowen took a piece and put it into his mouth. Longyan was delighted: "Ai Qing is very thoughtful. This sweet-scented osmanthus cake is really good. I think it's even better than the one made by the imperial kitchen." "

After saying that, Emperor Xiaowen said to the ministers sitting on the seat: "Everyone in your family is also impressed."

After speaking, everyone at the banquet tasted the sweet-scented osmanthus cake, and the princes were also somewhat interested in trying it out, but Shen Yuning just glanced at it lightly, and there was still a little subtle dislike in his eyes.This sweet-scented osmanthus cake looks appetizing on the surface, but the inside is probably poison that seals the throat with blood, he doesn't like to taste dirty things.

But, what will the girl do?

He shifted his gaze to the blue figure in front of him.

At this moment, Huo Qi looked at the sweet-scented osmanthus cake in front of him, his face was calm, and he didn't know what he was thinking.She just hesitated for a few seconds, and finally covered her face with her sleeves and ate it, accidentally getting some slight pastry crumbs on the corner of her mouth.

On the other side, someone was also spying on Huo Qi secretly.

From the moment the sweet-scented osmanthus cake was presented, Huo Qinglan had been watching Huo Qi's movement consciously or unconsciously, and seeing Huo Qi eating the sweet-scented osmanthus cake, she finally let go of the stone hanging in her heart.

After the cakes are presented, it is natural to come to the process of exorcising evil spirits and offering incense.The priest next to him had already cleaned his hands and burned incense, sprinkled the prepared blood on the ground, and then began to chant sutras.This hairy blood is an extremely yin thing, and its purpose is to communicate with the souls under the ground and attract the gods of the earth, so that yin and yang can communicate with each other.

I saw the priest reciting scriptures in his mouth, which seemed to be serious. The huge copper furnace on the altar was emitting smoke rings, which made the scene even more mysterious.Everyone below was holding their breath and concentrating, with their heads slightly lowered as if they were pious.

Suddenly, a sharp voice broke through the originally solemn atmosphere:

"Mother--"

(End of this chapter)