Cultivation Simulator: Starting From The Empress' Palace

Chapter 52: 52 bad lot, very bad lot

Hour of Shen, fifteen minutes past.

Dang!

Dang!

Dang!

The clear sound of the bell echoed across the top of Saint Emperor Mountain.

At the moment the bell rang, the Emperor emerged from the palace, dressed in black sacrificial robes, followed by a group of civil and military officials, flanked by the Crown Prince and several other children of Zhao Ji.

As he was about to proceed to the Circular Mound Altar, Zhao Ji glanced around and frowned, saying, ”Why hasn’t the Empress arrived yet?”

Originally, women were not allowed to participate in the heaven worship ceremony, but the Grand Ancestor Qin Zheng of the previous dynasty changed the old rules, allowing women to participate—though only the Empress. He said that the Emperor and Empress worshiping the heavens together further demonstrated their sincerity to the heavens.

This tradition was later continued by the Great Song Dynasty.

”The servant has already sent someone to call the Empress.” Wei Xian, who was beside him, bowed and said.

”Had I known, I would have reinstated the old rules and not allowed her to come,” Zhao Ji muttered. Just then, Xiao Yunxi hurriedly arrived with Zhao Fujin, followed by Chen Mo and Cai’Er.

Being a Fifth Grade expert, her perception was beyond ordinary, and Xiao Yunxi naturally heard Zhao Ji’s muttering.

Her expression darkened involuntarily.

When she returned to the palace, it was already late in the sixth quarter (around 2:30 PM); after drinking brown sugar water, it was already the hour of Shen. At that moment, Zhao Ji sent someone to inform her that the heaven worship ceremony would begin in fifteen minutes.

Only fifteen minutes.

Xiao Yunxi didn’t have time to rest; even tidying up and changing into sacrificial clothing was insufficient.

Upon hearing the bell, Xiao Yunxi ran all the way, appearing slightly disheveled and with a pale complexion.

Xiao Yunxi and Zhao Fujin came before Zhao Ji; the former addressed him as Your Majesty, while the latter called him father.

Observing Xiao Yunxi’s state, Zhao Ji showed no concern but instead remarked coldly, ”Has the Empress not rested enough?”

Because, in Zhao Ji’s view, resting for three quarters of an hour was sufficient.

But Xiao Yunxi’s current appearance might give the impression to the heavens that they were insincere, which would be troublesome.

”It is my fault,” Xiao Yunxi dared not retort and apologized softly.

Zhao Ji said nothing further; he couldn’t reproach the Empress in front of the civil and military officials.

Now, the bell also ceased.

”Play the music!” Li Taishi waved his hand and called out.

On the east and west sides of the steps south of the Circular Mound Altar, there were arranged a harmonious and solemn ensemble of sixteen types and over sixty pieces of instruments, including chimes, bells, and bo bells.

Upon hearing Li Taishi’s voice, the orchestral music immediately started, announcing the official start of the heaven worship ceremony.

At this time, in the southeast of the altar, calves were being burned, and heavenly lanterns were hanging in the southwest, with smoke and clouds lingering.

Step one, welcome the Emperor God.

The group entered the Circular Mound Altar through the left gate, and the civil and military officials, led by the Crown Prince, stationed themselves on the middle platform. This was when wood was burned in the offering furnace to welcome the Emperor God.

Zhao Ji, accompanied by the Empress, went to the upper tier to kneel and offer incense before the statues of Taiyi and the Celestial Lord of Universal Transformation, the Thunder God.

Then they returned to their kneeling position and performed a ceremony of three kneelings and nine prostrations to Taiyi and the Celestial Lord of Universal Transformation, the Thunder God.

Step two, offer jade and silk.

...

...

The steps of the heaven worship were quite elaborate, and Chen Mo, as a ”eunuch,” did not even have the qualification to ascend the Circular Mound Altar; he could only wait below, looking up with some regret.

If he had the opportunity to touch the statue of Taiyi, he would definitely expand to a Golden Talent.

It might even be a high-grade Golden Talent.

After all, Taiyi was an emperor of ancient times.

”Boom!”

Suddenly, a startling thunder burst through the sky.

The resounding noise startled the civil and military officials on the middle platform, causing a commotion.

At this moment, the steps had reached the stage of communication between the Emperor and the Emperor God.

At this time, anyone who sneezed, coughed, talked, or made noise was considered insincere, and insincerity was seen as disrespect.

It would bring about heavenly punishment.

On the upper tier, Zhao Ji suddenly furrowed his brow.

Just as he was about to get angry, Cai Si immediately shouted, ”Report to Your Majesty, the thunder is a sign of rain; this time, Your Majesty’s heaven worship aims to pray for rain and blessings. This thunder clearly shows that the Celestial Venerable has understood Your Majesty’s intent and is responding.

This is most auspicious!”

”Most auspicious!”

”Most auspicious!”

”Most auspicious!”

Upon hearing Cai Si’s words, the officials behind him immediately knelt and chanted auspiciousness.

Zhao Ji’s furrowed brow instantly relaxed.

He found it very reasonable.

So he continued, Zhao Ji respectfully said, ”The fourth ruler of the Great Song, together with the Empress and civil and military officials...”

This was Zhao Ji praying for rain to Taiyi and the Celestial Lord of Universal Transformation, the Thunder God.

And Li Taishi also took out a heavily marked tortoise shell and a human skull for divination.

A moment later, Li Taishi placed eight bone sticks into the tortoise shell and then handed them to the Empress, respectfully saying:

”Empress, please request a stick!”

Xiao Yunxi nodded and took it, knowing the steps.

She gently shook it, and after a few sounds, a bone stick fell out.

Xiao Yunxi gave the fallen bone stick to Li Taishi.

Li Taishi took a look, frowned, and then threw it into the purified water.

The water in the basin rippled.

Looking at the scene in the water.

Li Taishi’s complexion changed suddenly.

Xiao Yunxi, noticing his expression, couldn’t help but become nervous: ”Wh-what’s wrong?”

Zhao Ji also turned his gaze over.

”Report to the Empress, Your Majesty! This is a negative sign, what it indicates is inauspicious...” Li Taishi said with a trembling voice.

”Wha-what?”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yunxi’s delicate body immediately collapsed, her face turning ashen.

”Mother x2...”

Below, Zhao Chong and Zhao Fujin immediately grew worried.

Zhao Ji looked rather grim and promptly said, ”Li Taishi, what does this sign mean?”

”I still need some time to interpret it,” Li Taishi replied.

He then said to Zhao Ji: ”Your Majesty, it’s your turn now!”

Xiao Yunxi, dispirited, handed the tortoise shell to Zhao Ji. When their eyes met, Zhao Ji gave her a dissatisfied glare and then shook it.

However, he shook it for several minutes, and no bone stick fell out.

So Zhao Ji gave a vigorous shake, and finally, a bone stick fell from the tortoise shell.

After Li Taishi threw Zhao Ji’s stick into the water.

The water, originally crystal clear, turned blood red, the surface reflecting the whole territorial shape of the Great Song Dynasty, with several currents rippling.

Then with a boom, the basin exploded.

Li Taishi couldn’t even clearly see which current won.

But even so.

It still scared Li Taishi into a cold sweat, hastily kneeling down, trembling like a sieve, unable to utter a word.

This scene left the civil and military officials below in astonishment.

Anyone could tell that something bad had happened.

Zhao Ji, face stern, said, ”Li Taishi, tell me.”

”Report... Your Majesty, the stick you’ve drawn is the worst of omens...”