The tea cup made of thin - bodied sky - blue porcelain spun back and forth between the man's fingers.
He squinted his eyes and sized up Shen Zhou's expression.
The slightly heavy tea cup in his hand was placed on the table with a "thud", splashing a little water.
"Don't play those tricks with me,"
There was a hint of displeasure in the man's voice.
"You're not qualified to test me."
"Do your own job well. Otherwise... be careful that all your past deeds will reach Yingying's ears!"
Suddenly clenching his hand, Shen Zhou's pupils dilated in shock. His lean knuckles almost crushed the tea cup in his hand.
The man in front of him had disappeared without a trace.
Shen Zhou lowered his eyelids, casting a shadow that concealed his emotions.
He didn't deny it.
So, did he really tell you in person?
Elder brother...
On the other side, Lin An had already led people to find the Qiri Manor.
Sure enough, there were people moving inside.
But the defense was very tight. After wandering around for several times, they still found nothing.
This news was also within the expectations of Yi Yuan and Yun Xi.
After all, for such an important thing, it would be too fake if it could be easily found and retrieved.
This was a "game" that tested patience.
During the tug - of - war between the two sides, the apprenticeship ceremony of Hun Yuan came first.
The weather had gradually warmed up. The pale sun in winter had now shone out a golden light, and it began to feel warm on people.
Today was bound to be an extraordinary day.
The person who was like a god in the hearts of the common people was going to take on an apprentice. The emperor and the empress would personally witness it. Three common people would be randomly selected on the spot for Hun Yuan to divine their past and future, demonstrating his ability. If there were no mistakes, the apprentice he took on would be the little god of the people of the Great Yin Dynasty in the future, closely related to their lives.
The whole capital city was boiling. People rushed to the Wuliang Platform one after another. Firstly, they wanted to witness the process of the apprentice receiving the treasures in person. Secondly, they hoped to be selected to have their futures divined for free.
If that was not possible, it would be a great blessing just to have a chance to see the true appearance of the emperor and the empress.
The common people were crowded together noisily.
Outside, the guards stood in a dense row with their swords, protecting the civil and military officials standing in the broad square. From time to time, a few mobile guards would come down to maintain order among the common people.
In the main hall, Emperor Zhaohuan and Empress Cao Shu were sitting behind the thin gauze screen in the center. The princesses and princes were on both sides, and the princes were standing in the corridors on both sides.
Feng Yi, the official in charge of the imperial clan, as a specially - invited distinguished guest, stood in the back of the corridor with the national teacher. Two areas were cordoned off near the corridors on both sides of the square for the wives and children of the officials to watch.
Before long, the auspicious time arrived.
The noisy crowd suddenly fell silent.
Hun Yuan, in his Taoist robe, looked imposing and had a divine appearance.
He offered sacrifices to heaven and earth and paid homage to the three masters.
The eight - trigrams divination, the copper - coin sword, and the yellow talismans fluttering in the wind were used to dispel evil spirits and kill demons.
After all the procedures were completed, Hun Yuan suddenly opened his eyes. A glint of golden light flashed in his eyes, and he shouted:
"The sacrifice is completed. Please invite the immortal lady!"
Immediately, the eunuchs passed the message on one after another.
Lian Yi, who was waiting behind, tightened the eight - trigrams bronze mirror that belonged to her. She glanced at Jiang Ning, who was pretending to be Manping and accompanying her, and let out a long silent sigh of relief. With Jiang Ning's soft encouragement and company, she stepped out firmly step by step.
The stringed instruments played in unison. She bowed to the three masters again and invited the talismans to dispel evil...
The little girl's eyes were full of tenacity, completely unlike the innocent and naive look of a girl of her age. She already faintly had the appearance of being able to take on responsibilities independently.
Yun Xi watched from the side and unexpectedly felt a sense of emotion as if her own child had grown up.
Her eyes couldn't help but get a little moist.
When she turned to look at Su Xin and other family members who really cared about Lian Yi, they were already crying like tearful messes.
Only Yi Yaofeng, who was simple - minded, stood beside Yi Yuan. He was already as tall as Yi Yuan's waist, with his eyes full of pride, admiration.
Just as she was watching, someone suddenly patted her on the shoulder from behind and said:
"Second Miss Yun, Immortal Lady Manping invites you to go to the back hall to get something for her. She said it's related to Jianjia and is extremely important."
Yun Xi:...
Yi Zhen's excuse was too easy to see through.
Moreover, this palace maid herself was so obvious. Her little scheme didn't hide at all and reached Yun Xi's ears.
She glanced at Feng Yi in the corridor over there. Sure enough, he was nowhere to be seen.
Looking at the palace maid pityingly, Yun Xi said with a smile:
"Immortal Lady Manping is looking for me?"
Without waiting for the palace maid to answer, Yun Xi continued:
"Okay, I know. I'm not going."
"Ah... ah?"
[Not going? She just refused so directly?]
Unexpectedly, although Yun Xi had said "okay" in the previous sentence, she refused so simply in the next sentence. The palace maid was in a daze for a long time and couldn't react.
"This, this..."
Finally coming back to her senses from Yun Xi's refusal, the palace maid's face was slightly distorted. She advised:
"Second Miss, since Immortal Lady Manping has spoken, it might not be good not to go. It's not a big deal anyway. Second Miss, why don't you..."
"I've said I'm not going. Can't you understand?"
Yun Xi interrupted her impatiently, not wanting to listen to her excuses.
"If Immortal Lady Manping has any blame, just let her come to me."
[What should I do? If she doesn't go, how can I explain to the princess?]
[The Seventh Prince is waiting inside. If I can't even complete such a simple task, I... I'm doomed...]
"Bu, bu..."
The palace maid opened and closed her mouth, scolding Yun Xi in her heart several times, but she couldn't say anything in the end.
Seeing that Yun Xi had turned away and ignored her, she had to close her mouth resentfully and went back to report nervously.
"What did you say?"
Yi Zhen's gentle eyes instantly turned sharp.
Fortunately, there were many people in the hall. The eunuch was inviting Emperor Zhaohuan to select people for Lian Yi to divine. Everyone was fully focused on the lucky person who was about to be selected. No one noticed Yi Zhen.
Otherwise, her blurted - out words would surely attract everyone's attention.
Annoyedly flipping her sleeve, Yi Zhen lowered her voice and said:
"Go and inform Feng Yi first. Tell him that the plan has changed. He should come out first and wait for my news without acting rashly."
"Yes."
Seeing that Yi Zhen didn't punish her, the palace maid heaved a big sigh of relief. She answered and immediately turned around to do it.
Glancing at the situation outside, a hint of venom flashed in Yi Zhen's eyes. She murmured to herself:
"She's quite smart. Fortunately, this princess prepared two plans in case of an accident. Humph - didn't expect I would really use the second one."
Then she winked at Mu Yuan beside her and said:
"After the apprenticeship ceremony, there will be a banquet with fine soup to celebrate with the people. Go and bring that person here. She knows what to do with Yun Xi's bowl."
"Your servant understands."
Mu Yuan bowed her head and answered, then quietly retreated.
Outside, Lian Yi had already divined the past and future of the three selected common people.
The divinations about the past were all accurate. Although the future was yet to be verified, Lian Yi had predicted some things that would happen soon. It was thought that the results would be known in a few days.
Next was the presentation of the authorized objects and the inheritance of the mantle.
Finally, the ceremony was completed.