Love of Nirvana (Liu Shui Tiao Tiao)

Chapter 132 The Arrow Has Left the Bow

November 24th, Winter Solstice, clear and cold with strong winds.

The Winter Solstice was the most important festival in the Hua Dynasty. Every year on this day, the Emperor would lead the princes and civil and military officials to the Imperial Mausoleum to worship Heaven. After the ceremony, the Emperor would host a grand banquet in the palace for officials and foreign envoys. Following the feast, the court would be suspended for three days, during which all officials would don auspicious attire and exchange greetings on red paper. Commoners would tie red ropes in front of their doors and burn incense to worship Heaven and their ancestors.

At the crack of dawn, Wei Zhao, dressed in a snow-white fur coat with a jade hairpin slanted in his hair, entered Yanhui Palace with a faint smile on his lips.

Eunuch Tao was bent over, fastening a nine-holed white jade belt for the Emperor. Hearing footsteps, the Emperor looked up, saw Wei Zhao, and smiled, "It's the grand ceremony today, yet you're not in official robes. You're too casual."

Wei Zhao picked up the golden crown adorned with nine dragons and jade pearls, approaching the Emperor as Eunuch Tao hastily retreated. Wei Zhao placed the crown on the Emperor's head, secured the bright yellow ribbon, and then stepped back two paces, slightly raising his finely shaped eyebrows without a word.

The Emperor examined himself in the bronze mirror. The reflection showed a man with eyebrows like carved blades but with hints of gray at his temples. His gaze remained sharp, though faint dark lines had appeared under his eyes. He beckoned, and Wei Zhao approached, standing half a step behind him.

The Emperor gazed at their two reflections in the bronze mirror, sighed, and said, "If I could be as young as you, I'd trade everything for it."

Wei Zhao smiled faintly and replied, "Your Majesty, why are you speaking like a child today?"

The Emperor found Wei Zhao's smile particularly radiant today. His smile reflected in the bronze mirror, exuded a brilliance never seen before. For a moment, he seemed to see again that snow-skinned, jade-boned youth of years past, smiling at him, as if hearing once more that pure voice saying, "—After all, you're a good person."

He turned to face Wei Zhao and said softly, "San Lang."

But Wei Zhao stepped in front of him, raising both hands. The Emperor instinctively tilted his head back slightly as Wei Zhao undid the bright yellow ribbon under his chin, retied it, looked it over, and smiled, "There, it's tied properly now."

The Emperor closed his eyes, then quickly opened them again, saying coolly, "You're going up to Fang City today. I've asked Jiang Yuan to temporarily take over the Light Ministry's defense duties. Once you're out of Fang City, they'll be handed back to you."

Wei Zhao paused briefly, remembering that Yi Wu had already arranged everything, and according to Pei Yan's hints, Jiang Yuan seemed likely to remain neutral. Not worried, he stepped back two paces and said solemnly, "Yes, Your Majesty."

"Alright then, let's go. The officials have been waiting for some time," the Emperor said, no longer looking at Wei Zhao. With a slight sweep of his wide sleeves, he strode steadily out of the inner chamber.

In the outer hall, the gray-robed, masked Master Ye approached. Wei Zhao gave him a sidelong glance, and the two silently followed behind the Emperor, exiting Yanhui Palace.

The Emperor rode in the imperial palanquin to the front of Qianqing Gate, where the officials prostrated themselves to receive him. As the Emperor alighted from the palanquin and the ceremonial music began to play, he was about to ascend the sixteen-wheeled grand carriage when he suddenly paused, frowning slightly. "If the Crown Prince can't be exposed to the wind, he shouldn't go."