Chapter 146 Yaksha's Grudge (27)

There was no movement outside, so Xing Ru could only explain, "Attendant Wu Han brought you here at your command."

Yue Bei Yang's face stiffened slightly, but he quickly recalled what he had said during the day. He had indeed said he wanted to come to the main hall. Who would have thought that Chu Ming's wine would make one drunk with just a sip!

His eyes narrowed. This time, it seemed he had been tricked!

Thinking of the woman Chu Ming had arranged, he became even more displeased, and his gaze towards Xing Ru was filled with hostility.

Xing Ru paid no mind to his mood, as she couldn't fathom his thoughts anyway. However, if he didn't leave tonight, she would have to find another place to sleep. If Ade hadn't already gone to bed, it wouldn't be bad to squeeze in with her!

"Uh… do you want to return to the side hall? Or go somewhere else? Shall I call someone for you?" She offered multiple solutions with thoughtful consideration, but Yue Bei Yang's deep gaze suddenly swept over her.

Xing Ru shrank her head. Had none of her suggestions met his expectations? But there was no need to be so fierce!

Xing Ru suppressed her emotions and maintained a calm demeanor. "You… why don't you sleep here?"

This was originally his bedchamber. After she married in, he had stopped returning, and this place had become her bedchamber. Xing Ru thought Yue Bei Yang was angry because she had occupied his bedchamber, so she asked tentatively.

Yue Bei Yang said nothing and looked down at the bed.

What met his eyes was a expanse of pink.

Yue Bei Yang's disgust was barely concealed. Xing Ru naturally saw it and could only brace herself. "These are my bedding. Shall I change them for a new set?"

Yue Bei Yang finally replied, "No need… I'll go to the side hall!"

Then, he made a move to stand up. Xing Ru wanted to help him, as he had been carried in by Wu Han and likely had no strength left. But the moment she thought of Yue Bei Yang showing a disgusted expression at her closeness, she gave up.

So, she watched him, standing still.

Yue Bei Yang had no intention of letting her help him. He fumbled his way to his feet, moving as if he wanted to escape her bed as quickly as possible, as if lingering would contaminate him with something unclean.

Yue Bei Yang stood up and steadied himself before continuing towards the door.

Chu Ming's wine truly had a potent aftereffect!

Xing Ru watched him walk out the door. She then walked to the doorway and quietly said to Yue Bei Yang, who had not yet walked far, "Farewell, Second Prince!"

Yue Bei Yang was about to turn back and admonish her not to spread the word about tonight's events when he heard the door close. His eyes filled with an inky darkness, too thick to be dispelled.

Only after closing the door and no longer seeing anything outside did Xing Ru finally calm down. She looked at the pot of tea on the table. Walking to the table, she opened the door again and poured the tea out.

Yue Bei Yang, hidden in the darkness, saw it all.

Xing Ru had no idea he was still there. After pouring out the tea, she closed the door again and extinguished the light to go to sleep.

Yue Bei Yang looked at the water stains on the ground, lost in thought.

Early autumn each year marked the national sacrificial ceremony of An Zhou.

By rights, the King of Yue, the Queen, and the princes and princesses should have gone to the Altar of Heaven for the sacrifice. The sacrificial site was in the imperial temple under the jurisdiction of the State Preceptor.

Ade had begun preparations early. Xing Ru was also to attend that day, accompanying Yue Bei Yang.

The sacrificial rite was for three purposes: to worship Heaven, to worship Earth, and to worship the royal ancestors.

According to observations of previous years, the sacrificial period lasted for ten days. For the first seven days, incense burning and Buddha worship sites were set up on the streets to show the sincerity of the populace. For the subsequent three days, the royal family would first bathe and burn incense, abstaining from meat and wine for three days. On this final day, the royal family would proceed to the imperial temple to perform a grand sacrificial ceremony.

As the night receded, the faint morning light fell on the mythical beasts adorning the eaves of the An Zhou royal palace. The heavy vermilion palace doors slowly opened, and eunuchs and maids entered in an orderly fashion.

The tranquility of the Moon Palace was immediately broken.

The sky was clear, and sunlight streamed through the clouds, falling on Xing Ru, bringing a hint of warmth.

The gold threads on her black attire shimmered in the sunlight. Yue Bei Yang stood beside her, with the King and Queen of Yue in front, and Yue Nan Sang behind her.

In the distance, Xing Zhan, clad in armor, strode forward. When his gaze shifted to Xing Ru, it softened uncharacteristically.

Father and daughter exchanged a glance. They had not seen each other for a long time since Xing Ru entered the palace, and could only catch a fleeting look today.

Xing Zhan stood at the very front of the formation, commanding a group of accompanying guards to part and surround them, providing protection. Then, with a command from the King of Yue, the procession set off grandly towards the imperial temple.

The State Preceptor had long been waiting at the palace gate with his disciples. Upon seeing the procession, he bowed respectfully, his head lowered, to show his deference to the King of Yue.

The procession halted before the imperial temple.

The State Preceptor, Chu Ming, also dressed in a dark sable cloak, bowed respectfully, "We welcome the King of Yue!"

The King of Yue's voice sounded very aged. Though he was not yet fifty, he sounded like an elder on his last breath.

His voice was weak and aged.

In recent years, the King of Yue had indulged in wine, women, and the pursuit of immortality. The State Preceptor, Chu Ming, catered to his desires, not only concocting elixirs of eternal life for him but also finding him beautiful women. He was quite favored. Xing Zhan greatly disliked this man and naturally showed no pleasant expression.

Xing Zhan dismounted, and the King and Queen of Yue also alighted from their carriages. Xing Zhan looked at Chu Ming, snorted coldly, and moved to the side.

Chu Ming paid him no mind. The King of Yue approached Chu Ming from behind. "Your Highness, everything is arranged! Please enter!"

The King of Yue praised, "Good!" and then led everyone in slowly.

Xing Ru stood beside Yue Bei Yang. They had not exchanged any words on the journey, but she always felt that Yue Bei Yang's gaze occasionally fell upon her. Just like now, she could feel that scorching gaze from above.

Yue Bei Yang was clearly a cold person, yet his gaze was so intense!

Xing Ru suddenly raised her head and met his eyes. Her gaze held only confusion, showing no other emotion. Yue Bei Yang showed no trace of panic at being discovered staring. He calmly withdrew his gaze.

As for Xing Ru, she was utterly bewildered. Ever since he got drunk that night, his attitude towards her had become strange.

Sometimes, he would suddenly return to the main hall, forcing her to spend a lot of effort to handle him!

The sound of sacrificial horns and music continued. This was Xing Ru's first time participating in a sacrifice, and she was somewhat unaccustomed to it. After kneeling on the ground for half an hour, she then stood below, looking up at the King and Queen of Yue performing the subsequent sacrificial rites on the altar. Her head began to ache from the noise.

She closed her eyes. The State Preceptor, Chu Ming, stood at the edge of the altar, facing the crowd. The King of Yue faced the altar, with his back to the crowd.

Suddenly, Chu Ming's gaze fell upon the crowd!

His eyes were sharp!