After my whole family overheard my thoughts, they went berserk.

"Greetings, Princess Lingyang!" The women hurriedly bowed to the woman.

Princess Lingyang?

"Mother, be careful! Your rival is here!"

Shi Miaomiao looked her over; she had a beautiful face, fair skin, a tall figure, and perfect curves. A fitted long dress accentuated her curves, and she still retained her charm.

"Hmph, still not as good as my mother!"

In the original book, Princess Lingyang's original name was Yunmeng. She was not only the Empress's rival in love, but also the Emperor's savior.

When the emperor first became the ruler, he did everything himself. During one of his inspections of the people's conditions, he was assassinated by refugees, and it was Princess Lingyang who took the knife for him.

From that time on, she fell in love with the emperor, and the emperor's feelings for her were perhaps like Tang Sanzang's feelings for the Queen of the Women's Kingdom.

To repay her kindness, the emperor bestowed upon her the title of Princess Lingyang and betrothed her to a highly talented scholar who had achieved the highest rank in the imperial examinations. However, the scholar died young, and she raised her son alone.

However, she also has another identity.

"A love rival?"

The empress was stunned.

I felt ashamed every second.

In the original book, the mother was indeed unaware that she had a rival in love. She was only grateful to her for saving the emperor and treated her like a younger sister, but never thought of her in that way.

"Your Majesty, I, your humble sister, greet Your Majesty the Empress!" Princess Lingyang raised her voice, with a hint of provocation.

The Empress scrutinized her closely and vaguely sensed that Princess Lingyang's words were impulsive.

She had felt this way before, but she just assumed that Princess Lingyang was like that and didn't take it to heart. Now, however, it seemed like there was some hostility involved.

At this moment, the Emperor's voice rang out.

"Today is the blessing ceremony for Princess Shi Miaomiao of Tianyao. Envoys from various countries have come to visit, the entire court of Huayao has come, and the people outside the city have gathered to pray for the princess's well-being. After the blessing ceremony is over, I will raise a glass with everyone and drink to our hearts' content. I hope you will not be too reserved!"

The ministers were extremely excited upon hearing this.

In the past, when the princes held a prayer ceremony, the emperor was extremely solemn, the venue was completely silent, and the officials dared not touch a drop of wine.

Today, the Emperor is so approachable, creating a wonderful atmosphere that makes everyone feel relaxed.

"The auspicious time has arrived; the blessing ceremony officially begins!"

The Emperor knelt on the far left, while the Empress, holding Shi Miaomiao, knelt on the right.

Consort Rong was holding Shi Yunyun in the second row, but her outfit today was really too shabby for such a formal occasion.

Next were the princes, the various dukes and their sons, and the court officials, arranged in order.

The futon with gold trim in the very front row was empty.

"Mother, there are still empty seats in front. Can I crawl over by myself and kneel down there?"

"cannot."

"Why?"

"Because that's the Empress Dowager's position."

Shi Miaomiao's face was full of black lines.

In the original book, on the day of the prayer ceremony, the Empress Dowager took charge of the overall situation and showed great favor to Shi Yunyun. Even those who came to present poems, no matter how bad they were, would be rewarded with a large sum of money.

Why is it that she doesn't even come when it's her turn?

"The Empress Dowager has been unwell recently and is unable to come. Your father went to pay his respects this morning, but was turned away."

Shi Miaomiao couldn't help but crane her neck to look at the court officials.

"The Crown Prince didn't arrive, and several officials in charge of disaster relief couldn't come, so only Wu Bende was absent."

"Hmph, if you're not coming, then don't come. You must have been sneaking around in bed last night and overslept today!"

The Empress ignored her and couldn't understand any of her nonsense.

"Open the Golden Gate!"

As soon as the gate opened, golden light burst forth, enveloping half the sky, making Shi Miaomiao squint her eyes.

"Christmas tree!"

Shi Miaomiao couldn't contain her excitement and stared at her calves in the Empress's arms.

"Shut up."

If the Empress didn't stop her, she would have kicked her to the ground.

Shi Miaomiao looked at the tree, an ancient tree that reached the sky, with distinct layers, lush branches and leaves, and a vibrant green color, surrounded by a golden halo.

It looks just like a Christmas tree!

"call!"

A gentle breeze blows, and a burst of spiritual energy washes over you, instantly refreshing your mind and spirit.

The officials breathed deeply, as if each extra breath would grant them a long life.

An elderly man with a white beard and an air of otherworldly wisdom held a willow branch in his hand, sprinkling drops of holy water onto the spirit tree while chanting incantations.

"Mother, what is this?"

He looks a lot like Santa Claus.

"Master Xianyun of Xianyun Temple is a blessing elder of Huayao. It is said that he is the last disciple of Tianji Sect in Baiyu Mountain. He is now 110 years old and is one of the oldest people in Tianyao Kingdom."

She knew Baiyushan.

The book mentions that the terrain is steep and overlooks the vast expanse below. There are many disciples in the mountain, who never easily descend the mountain, but devote themselves to their studies.

The Baiyushan group is vast and does not interfere with other countries. It is a no-man's-land where there is no conflict or killing. It is mysterious and untouchable, and the Tianji Sect is just the tip of the iceberg.

Master Xianyun walked towards Shi Miaomiao, making Shi Miaomiao dance with joy.

"He's here! Santa Claus is walking towards me. Is he going to bring me presents tonight?"

Master Xianyun held a willow branch and gently sprinkled it on Shi Miaomiao's head.

The second ticked.

"Ouch, so refreshing!"

"Long live the princess!"

Everyone bowed their heads and kowtowed, their voices extremely loud.

The Emperor and Empress were overjoyed.

Master Xianyun came to give her guidance, which was to send good fortune to Shi Miaomiao and bless her with peace, safety, and a long life.

It should be noted that none of the princes received Master Xianyun's favor when they prayed for blessings.

Sure enough, his second was the most special.

"Woooooooo..."

The emperor heard the sobbing and turned around with a frown.

Consort Rong was holding Shi Yunyun and was crying uncontrollably behind him.

"My poor Yun'er, we are both princesses of Huayao, yet you are not destined for the blessing ceremony, and Master Xianyun doesn't even come to give you any guidance. Why is my Yun'er's life so miserable!"

The emperor was annoyed by what he heard, but did not want to disturb this sacred moment.

After the blessing ceremony, Xiuhe helped Consort Rong up; her eyes were already red and sore from crying.

Everyone took their seats in turn.

"The imperial daughter-in-law greets the Emperor and the Empress Dowager."

A woman of slender build, dressed in an elegant long dress, came to pay her respects to the Emperor and Empress.

She was the Third Prince's consort, and also Si Pei'an's eldest daughter, Si Wan'er.

"No gift!"

In the past, he disliked the Third Prince's family and even couldn't recognize some of the wives he married. But today, he found Si Wan'er exceptionally pleasing to the eye.

"Where is the Third Prince? Why isn't he here?" the Emperor asked her.

Si Wan'er hesitated for a moment.

"The Third Prince has recently caught a cold, and the physician advised him not to go out. Therefore, he sent his wife and the whole family to attend the Fifth Prince's blessing ceremony. We hope that Father and Mother will understand."

After saying that, she took out a gold lock from her pocket.

"Mother, I have always wanted to come to the palace to visit you and Fifth Sister, but I am busy with household matters. Therefore, I have specially ordered someone to make a golden lock and engrave Fifth Sister's name on it. I hope Fifth Sister will not find it offensive."

"My third sister-in-law is so beautiful, how could she marry that scumbag third brother? He favors his concubines over his wife, beats her, and allows the concubines in the mansion to take turns humiliating her, ultimately driving her to commit suicide by drowning."

"Recently, he took a concubine and they've been having a wedding night every day. He doesn't even come to the blessing ceremony, and my third sister-in-law is still covering for him... What does he have that makes him worthy of this?"

what?

The Emperor and Empress were both shocked.