PNB Chapter 229: Stopping the Sacrifice of Killing
Chapter 229: Stopping the Sacrifice of Killing
Cen Jiexiao glanced at him gratefully and nodded gently. Chen Zigui was always like this, silently guarding her and protecting her from the wind and rain. His presence was like a reassurance, allowing her to find a sense of peace amidst the chaos. But the uneasiness in her heart lingered. From the very beginning, this sacrifice had exuded an eerie atmosphere that made her feel uneasy.
The towering altar, the solemn ceremony, the vast ocean, and the unfathomable emperor all made her feel an inexplicable fear, as if an invisible hand was slowly tightening, dragging her into an unknown abyss.
Chai Zhen ascended to the highest point of the altar and turned to face the boundless ocean. His gaze was deep and distant, as if he could see through the turbulent waves beneath the surface, and as if he were looking through the vast ocean to some distant place, or perhaps, some distant person. In that gaze, there was ambition, desire, as well as deep longing and reluctance, a complex and elusive look.
"I am the Emperor of the Great Zhou!" Chai Zhen's voice was deep and resonant, like rolling thunder, echoing over the sea for a long time, as if to tremble the very heavens and the earth. "Today, I offer sacrifices to heaven and earth, praying for favorable weather, good harvests, and peace and prosperity for the country and the people!" His voice carried the majesty of an emperor, but also a subtle tremor, like anticipation, like fear.
As he finished speaking, the sound of ritual music suddenly rang out. Bells and drums rang out in unison, horns blew, and chimes played ancient music. The sound soared into the sky, as if to shatter the very fabric of heaven and earth. One hundred guards in golden armor, marching in unison, carried a massive black bull and slowly approached the altar.
The black bull is decorated with gold, silver and jewels all over its body, and has colorful feathers on its head. It looks particularly majestic and powerful, but there is a hint of compassion in its eyes, as if it has a premonition of its own fate, and as if it has pity for everything in this world.
The Empress, clad in splendid attire and supported by her maids, ascended the altar steps one by one. Her steps were slow and solemn, each one as if meticulously measured, embodying the majesty of a mother of the nation. Behind her, the concubines followed closely, not daring to overstep the mark. Their faces wore a delicate expression of reverence, their eyes cast downward, not daring to gaze directly at the emperor, towering above them on the altar.
Three steps away from Svay Cheng, the empress halted, and the concubines followed suit, forming an orderly line behind her. The empress bowed slightly, and the concubines followed suit, their skirts unfurling like petals, creating a sea of colorful flowers. Their movements were perfectly synchronized, as if they had been rehearsed a thousand times, perfectly demonstrating the rules and etiquette of the harem.
The princes and princesses also took their turn at the altar. They were still young, their steps still a little unsteady, but their expressions were incredibly serious, as if they were performing a sacred ritual. They imitated the adults, kneeling and bowing, muttering something to themselves, their childish voices ringing clearly in the sea breeze.
Civil and military officials walked to the altar in order of rank. They all looked solemn, bent over and lowered their heads to express their submission to their emperor.
Cen Jiexiao watched the scene unfold, her heart filled with irony. Could this magnificent altar, this elaborate ritual, this sincere prayer truly move the heavens and bring about favorable weather, peace, and prosperity?
She doesn't believe it.
She saw how ambitious his heart was hidden beneath Chai Zhen's seemingly pious appearance; she also saw how hypocrisy and greed were written on the faces of those royal relatives and civil and military officials.
What they pray for is not the welfare of the people, but their own interests; what they fear is not God, but power.
At this moment, Shai Zhen took a jewel-studded dagger from his attendant, raised it high, and pointed it at the black bull's throat...
Suddenly, there was a roar of anger.
"Stop!" Cen Jiexiao's voice was clear and firm, echoing in the empty seaside altar, drowning out the roar of the waves crashing against the shore.
The dagger, inlaid with a dazzling gem, traced a golden arc in mid-air before finally coming to a stop, its sharp tip mere inches from the black bull's throat. The sudden change plunged the once solemn and dignified sacrificial ceremony into a momentary silence.
Everyone seemed to be under a spell, their eyes fixed on the sudden figure below the altar - it was a woman in a simple dress, with a slender figure, but an awe-inspiring and inviolable aura.
Surprise spread like ripples through the crowd, whispering among themselves, speculating about the woman's identity, who had dared to so boldly interrupt the emperor's grand ceremony. Doubt, like a fog, enveloped everyone's mind. They couldn't understand what could have compelled this woman to so openly challenge the majesty of imperial authority, regardless of her own life. Anger spread across the faces of some officials, who saw this as blasphemy against the gods, a provocation to imperial authority, and a trampling on their dignity. And ridicule came from those who watched the excitement, enjoying the spectacle as if it were a farce, eager to see what would happen next.
A variety of emotions intertwined and collided in people's eyes, like an overturned palette, a riot of color, yet seemingly abrupt and inharmonious. And all of this was seen by Chai Zhen. He looked at Cen Jiexiao at the bottom of the stairs with great interest, a hint of amusement at the corner of his mouth, as if he were observing a small animal that had strayed into a trap, waiting to see her next reaction.
"Who is it? How dare you disrupt the emperor's grand sacrificial ceremony!" A sharp voice, like thunder, shattered the silence above the altar. An elderly woman in a purple palace dress and a golden hairpin stormed out from the crowd. It was none other than Aunt Liu, the court lady in charge of harem etiquette. She pointed at Cen Jiexiao's nose and cursed, "How dare you! Someone, take this fool down for me!"
As soon as Aunt Liu finished speaking, several guards appeared. Wearing armor and holding halberds, they approached Sister Cen like ferocious monsters. Just as they were about to surround her, a commanding voice rang out from the altar, "Wait!"
Chai Zhen lowered the dagger and stepped down from the high altar. His steps were steady, each one seeming to tread upon the hearts of the crowd, making them hold their breath and concentrate, not daring to act rashly. He looked down at Cen Jiexiao, a playful glint in his eyes. "Oh! It's you, Lord Cen! Why are you trying to stop me?"