Sludge suction system

As everyone eagerly awaited the arrival of the grand and solemn day of the Silkworm Rebirth Ceremony, it finally came.

As dawn broke, before the first light of day had fully dispelled the darkness of night, the entire palace was already enveloped in a tense and busy atmosphere. Palace maids, dressed in simple attire, moved with focused and tense expressions, carrying various sacrificial offerings, their steps hurried through the palace corridors. Eunuchs carefully carried heavy implements, their foreheads covered in fine beads of sweat, yet they dared not slacken their efforts. In the Imperial Garden, the normally vibrant flowers appeared exceptionally solemn on this special day, their petals adorned with morning dew, shimmering in the dim light, seemingly silently praying for the ceremony.

As time slowly passed, the sun, like a solemn monarch, rose gently from the east. Golden rays, like sharp swords, pierced through the clouds and bathed the entire palace, gilding this ancient palace with a sacred golden edge.

The atmosphere before the Empress's palace was solemn and dignified. Two rows of attendants in magnificent attire stood in neat rows, their postures upright and their gazes resolute, the ceremonial banners in their hands fluttering gently in the breeze. Surrounded by a group of palace maids, the Empress walked slowly out of the palace with elegant and steady steps. She wore the sacrificial robe that Liu Yunniang had meticulously repaired and subtly concealed, and she seemed to exude an innate air of nobility. Every embroidery on the robe was exquisite, shimmering with a mysterious and captivating light under the gentle caress of the sunlight, every stitch and thread seeming to tell of royal glory and majesty.

On the way to the sacrificial site, people along the route knelt and bowed, shouting "Long live the Empress!" Their voices were unified and resounding, echoing between the palace walls. The Empress nodded slightly, her gaze conveying both gentleness and majesty, and walked steadily forward. Her steps were light yet firm, each one seemingly treading on the hearts of the people, demonstrating the supreme demeanor of the mother of the nation.

Meanwhile, in a corner not far away, Consort Wang hid in the shadows, silently observing the Empress's every move. Her eyes were filled with jealousy and resentment, and a barely perceptible cold smile curled at the corner of her lips, as if she were anticipating a good show about to unfold. Beside her, Liu Xinyi and Jin Yue'er stood nervously, their hands unconsciously clenched tightly together, their knuckles turning white from the force. Their eyes reflected both the anticipation of their conspiracy succeeding and the deep fear of being exposed; their bodies trembled slightly, and their hearts were filled with unease.

The sacrificial site had already been solemnly prepared. A massive altar stood in the center, constructed of pure white marble, its surface smooth as a mirror, reflecting the sunlight. On the altar were various exquisite offerings: fresh fruit, fragrant wine, and grains symbolizing a bountiful harvest. Wisps of incense rose from the censers on the altar, filling the air with a mysterious and ancient aura, as if transporting people to a sacred world where they could converse with the gods.

The Queen walked steadily up the altar, her figure appearing exceptionally tall in the sunlight. Facing the crowd, she closed her eyes slightly, murmured incantations, and then began to preside over the silkworm-rearing ceremony. Her voice was clear and resonant, echoing throughout the venue like a great bell; each word was distinct and powerful, seemingly carrying a sacred force that penetrated the hearts of everyone present, allowing them to feel the solemnity and sanctity of the ceremony.

As the ceremony progressed, the sunlight grew stronger, gradually shining unreservedly onto the Empress's dress. A flicker of excitement and anticipation flashed in Consort Wang's eyes. She stared intently at the Empress's dress, her hands unconsciously clenching, her breathing becoming rapid, as if awaiting an impending surprise.

However, in that instant, something unexpected happened. The parts of the Empress's gown embroidered with "Iridescent Flowing Shadow Threads" suddenly began to shatter without warning. Initially, fine powder drifted down from the gown like snowflakes, shimmering faintly in the sunlight, like morning frost melting gently in the warm sun. Then, as if violently torn by an invisible and powerful force, the threads shattered and crumbled at an incredible speed. But strangely, these broken threads did not disintegrate into chaotic fragments; instead, they refracted the sunlight, bursting forth with a dazzling array of colors.

The light grew ever more dazzling, like vibrant rainbows swirling and dancing around the Queen. The powder drifted and swirled slowly in the air, weaving together a dreamlike tapestry of light and shadow. At times, it danced like a light veil in the breeze; at others, it shimmered and flowed like a galaxy in the night sky; and still others, it resembled playful butterflies chasing each other among the flowers. The ever-changing light and shadow, the dazzling colors, were breathtaking, making one feel as if transported to a magical fairyland.

The people around were stunned by the sudden turn of events, their eyes wide and mouths agape, their faces filled with shock and confusion, as if time itself had frozen.

Just as everyone was still immersed in this incredible scene and didn't know how to react, Liu Yunniang quickly walked out from the crowd.

Her expression was calm, her steps steady, showing no sign of panic. Reaching the altar, Liu Yunniang first respectfully bowed to the Empress, then turned to face the crowd. At this moment, her voice was clear and resonant, loud enough for everyone present to hear clearly: "Do not be alarmed, everyone! This is an auspicious omen from heaven!"

As Liu Yunniang spoke, she raised her hand and pointed to the colorful light and shadow surrounding the Empress. "Look at this dazzling light and shadow, a wonder painted by a divine hand. This is Heaven's blessing upon my Lincang Kingdom, a symbol of good fortune." Her eyes were filled with certainty and confidence, as if she could truly see the secrets of Heaven.

"At this important moment of the Silkworm Ceremony, the appearance of such an auspicious omen signifies that our Lincang Kingdom will surely enjoy favorable weather and peace in the future," Liu Yunniang continued her impassioned speech. Her words seemed to possess a special magic, gradually calming the panic and doubts in everyone's hearts.

As Liu Yunniang explained, the crowd's expressions gradually shifted from shock to awe. They whispered among themselves, agreeing with Liu Yunniang's words. The worries and speculations that had arisen from the torn dress vanished under Liu Yunniang's explanation.

Consort Wang stood at a distance, watching Liu Yunniang speak eloquently before the crowd, her heart filled with anger and resentment. She had thought this meticulously planned conspiracy would humiliate the Empress, but Liu Yunniang had so easily defused it, even hailing it as an auspicious omen. At this moment, however, she could only suppress her anger, daring not to reveal it.

Liu Xinyi and Jin Yue'er lowered their heads, not daring to meet everyone's gaze. Their hearts were filled with fear and regret; they knew their plan had completely failed, and severe punishment might await them.

As the Empress listened to Liu Yunniang's explanation, her slightly furrowed brows gradually relaxed. She looked at Liu Yunniang with a hint of admiration in her eyes. Then, she straightened her back and said with graceful bearing, "Since it is the will of Heaven, then let us follow the will of Heaven and continue the silkworm-rearing ceremony, praying for Heaven's blessing upon the prosperity of my Lincang Kingdom."

Everyone knelt down, shouting "Long live the Empress!" Amidst the cheers, the silkworm-raising ceremony proceeded smoothly. Looking at the scene before her, Liu Yunniang secretly breathed a sigh of relief. She knew that this time, she had successfully averted the crisis, not only preserving the Empress's dignity but also temporarily protecting herself and those around her from danger.

Chu Li, dressed in a low-key dark brocade robe, was hidden in a secluded corner beside the sacrificial site. Tall and slender, he leaned slightly to the side, half-leaning against a thick stone pillar, perfectly blending himself into the shadows. From his position, he could clearly see everything happening on the altar.

When the Empress's dress suddenly shattered in the sunlight, Chu Li's pupils contracted sharply, a fleeting hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. But he quickly regained his composure, his gaze fixed on the altar, his expression focused and calm, not missing a single detail.

As Liu Yunniang strode out of the crowd, Chu Li's lips curled into a faint smile. He watched Liu Yunniang with great interest, his eyes filled with admiration. Listening to Liu Yunniang's clear and logical explanation that this was an auspicious omen from heaven, he couldn't help but secretly admire her: "What a clever woman! To be able to come up with such a brilliant solution in such a critical situation."

His gaze swept across the crowd, quickly catching sight of Consort Wang's gloomy face. Chu Li sneered inwardly. He had long anticipated that Consort Wang would engage in some underhanded tactics, but he hadn't expected her methods to be so clumsy. Looking at Liu Xinyi and Jin Yue'er beside Consort Wang, the two women stood with their heads bowed, trembling, and utterly terrified. A flicker of disappointment crossed Chu Li's eyes. He had thought these two could stir up some trouble in the palace and become a force to counterbalance Liu Yunniang, but he hadn't expected them to be so easily defeated.