The ceremony to welcome the goddess lasts from the fourth watch to the fifth watch.
From the moment the ritual ceremony began, a golden light surged through the hall, and the golden light illuminated the hall like daylight.
At the fifth watch of the day, the sky outside the hall was bright and gradually reflected the light in the hall, and the golden light in the hall was suppressed.
The eunuch Gong E who was hiding in the corner of the hall, holding up a bronze mirror, lowered her weak arms and quietly exited the hall.
The golden light slowly dissipated.
The officials looked towards where Zhao Heng was.
Everything was just like before, Zhao Heng was sitting cross-legged, Crown Prince Zhao Yiyi, and Queen Liu E were also sitting cross-legged.
The four dancing Taoists also took their seats.
The officials did not see the goddess. They only saw a gold plate inlaid with various precious gems in front of Zhao Heng.
The gold plate is dazzling and brilliant.
In the belly of the gold plate, there is a cloud of white mist floating.
Under the white mist, a green-skinned gourd stood quietly.
One of the Taoists bowed his head to Zhao Heng and congratulated with kind eyes: "Congratulations to Taoist brother, congratulations to Taoist brother. My Taoist brother's heart for seeking Taoism moved God. The goddess has sent blessings. Taoist brother has hope for eternal life."
"Congratulations to Brother Dao!"
The other three Taoists all slapped their heads together.
All the officials bowed and saluted, and congratulated in unison, "Congratulations to the official family!"
Hearing this, Zhao Heng smiled happily and said: "Okay, okay, the goddess has given me such a blessing. I feel so inexplicable. I will be able to express my gratitude to you when I ascend to the immortal world one day."
After a pause, Zhao Heng said with regret: "It's a pity that I didn't get to meet the goddess... As the supreme being in the world, I should do my best to treat her as a landlord and treat her well."
The Taoist sitting under Zhao Heng heard this and said with a smile: "Gods are elusive and elusive. Taoist brother can win the favor of gods and grant blessings, which is already enviable to others."
The Taoist hesitated for a moment and looked at each other with the other three Taoists, all with wry smiles on their faces.
"My four brothers and I have been cultivating Taoism for decades, but we have not been able to win the favor of gods and men..."
Without comparison, there is no harm.
Comparing the experiences of four Taoists, Zhao Heng felt more comfortable than eating ginseng fruit.
He waved to Zhou Huaizheng and said eagerly: "Go and help me see what kind of blessings the goddess has brought."
Zhou Huaizheng bowed and came to the golden plate. He swept away the fog with a whisk and revealed the true appearance of the green-skinned gourd.
Zhou Huaizheng was overjoyed when he saw this, "The official family is the elixir!"
"Elixir?"
Zhao Heng said happily: "Go quickly and get a gold and jade vessel to hold the elixir."
Zhao Heng has been practicing Taoism for many years and has been favored by countless gods and men.
When things like this happen, he knows what to do without asking anyone.
Zhou Huaizheng took the gold and jade utensils and filled them with green gourds.
After opening the green-skinned gourd, a strong medicinal aroma filled the air.
Drop by drop, six red elixir balls rolled down into the jade plate.
Zhao Heng stared at the elixir in the jade plate, greed flashing in his eyes.
After a long time, he suppressed the greed in his heart and said quietly: "The road to immortality is long. I have become an immortal by myself. After ascending to the immortal world, I will inevitably be alone..."
Zhao Heng didn't finish his words.
But the officials had already heard the meaning of his words.
This is to divide the elixir of nourishment.
All the officials were eagerly waiting, hoping that Zhao Heng could distribute an elixir to them.
Although they knew that the elixir was not for them, they were still full of hope.
really.
Zhao Heng began to distribute the moistening elixir.
"Give me an elixir to the prince..."
"Give me an elixir to the queen..."
"Give me an elixir to... Kou Aiqing..."
"Give me an elixir to Ding Aiqing..."
"Give me an elixir to the Eighth Emperor Brother..."
When Zhao Heng dispensed the moistening elixir onto Kou Zhun's head, he was a little hesitant.
Anyone with a discerning eye can see some clues from the order in which Zhao Heng divided the elixir of nourishment.
This order represents their status in Zhao Heng's heart.
The elixir was divided into the hands of the five of them, and they each bowed to thank them.
After Kou Zhun got the elixir, his eyes fell on Liu E.
After Ding Wei got the elixir, his eyes fell on Kou Zhun.
After Liu E got the elixir, her eyes fell on Kou Zhun and Ding Wei.
Zhao Yiyi held the elixir and looked at everyone curiously.
Among the five people who were given the elixir, only the Eighth Emperor's brother Zhao Heng mentioned was staring straight ahead.
The Eighth Emperor's younger brother in Zhao Heng's mouth was named Zhao Yuanyan. He was granted the title of King Peng, was promoted to Taibao, and had a high official position.
Because he had a virtuous name and was the eighth son of Taizong, the people also called him the "Eight Great Kings".
Zhao Yuanyan was only forty years old, with square eyebrows, a goat's beard, and a python robe and jade belt, which made him quite majestic.
People who have received the elixir have different expressions.
People who haven't received the elixir don't look good either.
Li Di looked at Zhao Heng with a sharp look.
Of the three prime ministers and assistants, the other two have elixirs, but I don’t?
Are you looking down on me?
Zhao Heng avoided Li Di's gaze and couldn't wait to take the last elixir from the jade plate presented by Zhou Huaizheng and swallowed it.
Then he looked at Li Di.
It seemed to be telling him, don't worry about it, it's gone.
Li Di looked at Zhao Heng with a hint of resentment.
The young Crown Prince Zhao Youyi saw the expressions of the two of them. He obediently handed over the jade plate in his hand and mumbled: "This... this palace's elixir is given to... to Mr.
…”
When the civil and military officials in the court heard this, they were all stunned.
Li Di withdrew his gaze from Zhao Heng, and bowed to Zhao Yiyi, "The prince has the filial piety to respect his master, and I feel very puzzled. Today's court meeting, the prince's pure heart is enough."
Seeing this, the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty saluted and said: "The prince is benevolent and filial, congratulations to the officials and family, and congratulations to the country."
Zhao Heng curled his lips when he saw this, not knowing whether he should be happy or sad.
His son compared him with others, so he should be happy.
But he was not happy at all, and even felt a little unhappy.
After the civil and military congratulations from all over the court.
Wang Shu suddenly left work.
"I'm going to report it to the officials. I have the original intention to report it to you, Wang Shu."
Zhao Heng frowned.
What chaos is there at this time?
Don't you see that I feel unhappy?
"speak!"
Zhao Heng felt unhappy and spoke a little stiffly.
Wang Shu took out a memorial from his sleeve and handed it to Zhou Huaizheng who came to meet him. Then he said: "I impeach Wu Xian, the imperial censor, for taking bribes and perverting the law, allowing his younger brother to commit murder, seeking wealth and killing, and other fifteen major crimes."
Zhou Huaizheng handed Wang Shu's memorial to Zhao Heng. Zhao Heng opened the memorial and after counting Wu Xian's crimes in detail, he handed the memorial to Liu E, frowned and said: "On my court,
Are there really such evil people?"
"I remonstrated with the official Wang Zeng and impeached the imperial censor Wu Xian..."
"minister……"
"..."
As soon as Zhao Heng finished speaking, seven or eight officials, led by Zuo Jianyi doctor Wang Zeng, went out to impeach Wu Xian.
Zhao Heng was stunned when he saw this scene.
Let's leave aside Wang Shu, Kou Zhun's son-in-law.
Wang Zeng was quite important in Zhao Heng's heart, and he was once regarded as a confidant by Zhao Heng.