Time Travel: Did My Sister-in-Law Get Slapped in the Face Today?

All the civil and military officials, as well as wealthy and powerful families, had to go to Qiudao Mountain in the eastern suburbs of the capital to participate in and watch the ceremony. The city was filled with carriages and horses, and all those who came and went were either rich or noble.

Finally, the carriages and horses gathered at the foot of Qiudao Mountain, which had already been decorated beautifully.

Every tree was wrapped in red brocade, and the path up the mountain was paved with white jade. At the top of the mountain, a huge viewing platform that could accommodate 10,000 people was built. At the very front was a five-colored altar, in which incense burned incessantly and cattle and sheep were offered as sacrifices.

At the entrance to the mountain, there was a lot of "pure water". It was the morning dew collected by a thousand maidens at the order of Emperor Xianxian and refined for several days. Everyone who went up the mountain had to drink it first to show that they wanted to cleanse their body and mind. After all, an unclean body would not be acceptable to meet the immortal.

"There are not enough people to use, yet they are abandoned to trees."

When Li Lan followed many prisoners up the mountain, he saw the red silk ribbons wrapped around the trees on both sides and couldn't help but sigh.

The decoration and construction of this Seeking the Way Mountain alone probably cost millions. So much money was taken from the people, truly taking every last penny and using it like dirt!

The civil and military officials had already taken their positions. When they saw the many prisoners lining up, many of them looked over and their eyes fell on Li Lan.

"Hehe, Scholar Li, it's been a long time!"

"Brother Li, you're incredibly lucky! Today the Emperor has granted a general amnesty; you might just escape with your life!"

"What a load of rubbish! A shameless plagiarist!"

Among the officials, several young people stood out, including Xu Ruyu, Zhang Jian, and others.

Xu Ruyu was quite talented, ranking second in the imperial examination. At this moment, he looked at Li Lan with indifference, his eyes filled with disdain and hatred.

The top scorer should have been him, but Li Lan made a mistake, so there was no top scorer this year, and his second place was unchangeable!

With both old and new grudges, how could they not hate each other to the bone now?

Li Lan ignored him. He saw Lin Zheng, Lin Ruobing and others at the front of the group. Lin Zheng also looked over. The two looked at each other and nodded slightly.

He also noticed Lin Ruobing. Today, she was also dressed in a magnificent outfit, and like a peony, she was graceful and stunning, extremely eye-catching in the crowd, and so beautiful that people couldn't take their eyes off her.

Seeing him arrive in prison clothes, Lin Ruobing's eyes were fixed on him. She bit her lower lip, seemingly quite reluctant. Li Lan smiled at her.

Aside from the court officials, the members of the royal family were present. The eldest prince, Li Yue, was dressed in a bright yellow brocade robe. His face was handsome and striking. Behind him, Liu Ziwen and others stood silently. Standing shoulder to shoulder with him in front was the third prince, Li Guan!

Li Guan's face looked more effeminate, with a sickly pale complexion. He glanced at Li Lan, a hint of mockery and sarcasm flashing across his eyes.

Li Lan, along with many other prisoners, walked to the other side and stood still.

"Your Majesty and the Empress have arrived!"

With a shout, everyone in the arena immediately knelt down.

At the top of the jade steps leading up the mountain, dozens of warriors carried a dragon-drawn carriage. After stopping, Emperor Xianxian, dressed in a dragon robe, and his empress walked down hand in hand with him.

"May our Emperor live forever, his lifespan as long as the heavens!"

The officials cried out!

Ever since Emperor Xianxian took a liking to Taoist practices, he felt that the term "Long Live the Emperor" was extremely disrespectful. All officials had to say that he was immortal and lived as long as the heavens, or they would be punished.

Emperor Xianxian raised his hand, and only then did the civil and military officials rise.

"Your Majesty, the time is almost here."

A eunuch from the Directorate of Ceremonial led the emperor to the five-colored altar and whispered a reminder.

Emperor Xianxian nodded and asked, "Where are the death row inmates in the capital?"

The Qingtian Grand Ceremony has three main agendas: first, a general amnesty is granted to demonstrate the emperor's benevolence and to cleanse the world of impurities so that the immortals may descend; second, offerings are presented to the immortals; and third, prayers are burned to invite the immortals to descend.

"Your Majesty, a total of 412 prisoners from various prisons in the capital have been brought to the capital!"

Zhao Tanyue reported.

Emperor Xianxian then said, "Heaven cherishes life. Today, I offer sacrifices to Heaven and welcome the immortals, thus demonstrating my benevolence. Therefore, I hereby grant a general amnesty..."