Chapter 313: Chapter 313: A Strange Omen Appears from the Sky

RUMBLE…

Suddenly, a bolt of lightning flashed out of thin air, followed by a deafening thunderclap.

The clear blue sky from moments ago was suddenly beset by a fierce wind, whipping up dust on the mountaintop. Thick dark clouds, like an advancing army of thousands, bore down, instantly blanketing half the sky and plunging everything into near darkness.

The celestial anomaly struck fear into people’s hearts. The officials stared at Xiao Yunjing and Gu Qingli in terror, not daring to move in the raging wind. Everyone wondered: Could it be that the heavens do not want these two to become Emperor and Empress?

Even Master Jueliao gazed at the sky, lost in thought.

These two are clearly the Emperor Star and Phoenix Star, he mused. If this celestial phenomenon isn’t caused by them, then it must be due to…that…

Thinking of this, Jueliao glanced at Gu Qingli, and what he saw startled him. This is bad! he thought.

At this moment, Gu Qingli was not faring well. She squinted, her body swaying, and leaned heavily against Xiao Yunjing. The fierce wind and startling thunder made it even harder for her to remain standing. Her face was as pale as paper, and beads of sweat rolled down her cheeks.

Gu Qingli was on the verge of fainting. She bit her tongue so hard that a trickle of blood escaped the corner of her mouth. The sudden clap of thunder had nearly overwhelmed her, giving the Original Host an opportunity to fight for control of the body.

“HAHAHA… Heaven is truly helping me! You outsider, Heaven itself doesn’t want you to be the Empress! Today, you will cease to exist in this world, hmph!” the Original Host gloated, trying to burrow into Gu Qingli’s mind.

Xiao Yunjing’s attention was fixed on the sky. He looked up in astonishment, wondering, Could it be that Heaven does not want me to be Emperor?

Just as everyone was bewildered, a white beam of light suddenly streaked across the sky, fast as lightning, rending the dark clouds in two.

As the dark clouds were rent apart, multicolored rays of light shot out from the opening. These vibrant beams grew in number and intensity, swiftly engulfing the remaining dark clouds.

Everyone was dumbfounded once more. What is happening now? Follow current novels on novel⚑fire.net

At this moment, Gu Qingli finally couldn’t hold on any longer and plunged into darkness. Her eyes closed for but a moment before slowly reopening.

Her gaze was filled with novelty, caution, and also disdain. She glanced with disdain at her body leaning against Xiao Yunjing, then immediately straightened up and stepped away from him.

Then, like everyone else, she looked up curiously at the fantastical scene unfolding in the sky.

Master Jueliao, who had been observing Gu Qingli intently, noted the change. His usually kind and benevolent eyes turned sharp as he stared fixedly at her.

But the deed was done. Master Jueliao could only helplessly chant, “Amitabha!”

When the dark clouds completely dispersed, the sky was filled with colorful, auspicious clouds. These auspicious clouds began to shift and change, gradually taking the form of a dragon soaring amidst them.

“A dragon! That’s a dragon!” Someone among the assembled officials cried out.

“It is! This signifies that our Emperor is the True Son of Heaven!”

“The True Son of Heaven!”

Everyone was ecstatic. This omen, unseen for millennia, had appeared for their new Emperor. The officials immediately lifted the hems of their robes and knelt before Xiao Yunjing.

He was the True Son of Heaven, acknowledged by Heaven itself; he was truly deserving. The hearts of the Civil and Military Officials swelled with excitement as they cried out:

“Long live our Emperor! Ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years!!”

The Civil and Military Officials, along with the soldiers and everyone else on Divine Altar Mountain, all knelt and shouted “Long live His Majesty!”

In an instant, the ground was a sea of kneeling figures.

The people in Capital City were also shocked by the scene. Upon witnessing it, they, like those on the mountain, all knelt and kowtowed towards the auspicious dragon in the sky, shouting “Long live His Majesty!”

「Far to the south, in the Fengli Kingdom.」

The Fengli Emperor stood on the city wall, watching the phenomenon. His face was ashen, his lips pressed tightly together as he remained silent. He had dispatched so many experts, yet not only had the mission failed, but all of them had perished. He closed his eyes, glanced at the sky, then with a flick of his sleeves, descended the city wall.

「In the Imperial Palace of Xichen Kingdom.」

The old Emperor squinted at the sky, then at his son before him. He sighed; he was powerless to do anything more.

Xiao Yunjing’s tense heart finally eased, and his spirits soared. With a grand wave of his hand, he declared, “Rise, my officials!”

The officials and soldiers rose joyfully, taking one last look at the dissipating, multicolored auspicious dragon.

Xiao Yunjing glanced at Minister Fang. Minister Fang immediately understood, stepped forward respectfully to stand slightly behind Xiao Yunjing, and announced to the Civil and Military Officials, “The sacrificial Rite to Heaven has been successfully completed! The Empress’s Enthronement Ceremony will now begin!”

At this, Liu Desheng immediately produced the long-prepared imperial edict for the enfeoffment of the Empress and unfurled it…

Xiao Yunjing looked at Gu Qingli beside him with a smile and reached out to take her hand.

Gu Qingli (the Original Host) was inwardly rejoicing at becoming Empress. When Xiao Yunjing suddenly took her hand, she instinctively recoiled and tried to pull away.

Xiao Yunjing felt her rejection. His heart clenched, and a terrible premonition washed over him. He subtly released Gu Qingli’s hand, his smile vanishing, his mood plummeting to an icy cold.

Those around him immediately sensed a chilling aura emanate from him. Even Liu Desheng, who was reading the imperial edict, couldn’t help but shiver. He paused for a moment before continuing: “…Qingli, legitimate daughter of Gu Xicheng of the Gu Residence. She is virtuous and gentle, possessed of exemplary character and upbringing, fitting to be a model for the women of the Six Palaces. Her steadfast virtue and dignified bearing make her worthy to be a motherly example to all nations. By Our Imperial Mandate, We hereby enfeoff you as Empress with this edict and seal. May you diligently uphold filial duties, support Us with reverence and diligence, ensure the prosperity of the Imperial line for generations to come, and assist in the rites of the ancestral temple. Respect this!”

When Liu Desheng finished reading, Gu Qingli had not yet recovered her wits and didn’t know to step forward to express her gratitude.

“Your Majesty the Empress, quickly go and offer your thanks!,” Master Jueliao whispered.

“Oh.” Gu Qingli finally reacted. Drawing upon Gu Qingli’s memories, she mimicked her usual conduct and the etiquette taught by the palace nannies, performing a proper kowtow before Xiao Yunjing: “Thank you, Your Majesty, for your profound grace. This subject accepts the edict!”

“Rise!” Xiao Yunjing said indifferently. Seeing this Gu Qingli, Xiao Yunjing was now absolutely certain: this was the Original Host. He suppressed the sorrow and rage in his heart, not even deigning to look at her directly.

Beside them, Wuqing and the other three female attendants shared Xiao Yunjing’s sentiment; their eyes tightened slightly, and a wave of sorrow washed over their hearts.

However, in this situation, they could only pretend to know nothing. Wuqing immediately stepped forward to help Gu Qingli up: “Your Majesty the Empress, please rise.”

Gu Qingli glanced at Wuqing, recognizing her as one of her capable maidservants, so she did not reject her assistance. She rose smoothly and returned to stand beside Xiao Yunjing.

Subsequently, Xiao Yunjing announced the identities of the triplets, causing another stir among the officials. The Emperor was truly acknowledged by Heaven, his good fortune abundant.

Immediately, some ministers began to scheme. The new Emperor’s harem currently consisted of only the Empress herself; it would surely be expanded in the future. Many of them began to consider sending their own daughters into the palace.

Since ancient times, the imperial court and the imperial harem have been inextricably linked.

To solidify his position on the throne, the new Emperor would undoubtedly select consorts from the daughters of key ministers and prominent families.

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