On the hundred-year-old festival once a century, countless five-colored glass lanterns are hung in the Suzaku Palace again, in order to take the auspicious meaning of "a thousand autumns are bright and the world is bright".

This is the first grand festival after the unification of the Eastern Continent by the Yan Kingdom, the sacrifice and the night banquet are arranged very solemnly and luxuriously, only the dress of Qingling to participate in the sacrifice is from the shortly after she has just recovered from illness and returned to Beijing, it began to be prepared and made by the weaver.

A luxurious and noble floor-length skirt with a brilliant gold silk.

Qing Ling sat in front of the mirror, letting the palace maids dress up with their hands and feet.

The long black hair was pulled up high, and the hairpin was covered with a luxurious golden grate, revealing a section of snow-white skin on the back of the neck.

Mu Chen walked in and motioned for everyone to stand down.

He was wearing a formal imperial crown today, and his delicate face revealed the unique solemnity and majesty of the royal family, and he slowly stood beside Qingling and looked at her in the mirror.

"Later, you will go to the top of the sun and moon with me to sacrifice."

Qing Ling was slightly stunned when he heard this.

"I'm married, and I should stay on the viewing platform according to the law."

Mu Chen was still staring at the mirror image, and said lightly: "You have been widowed for many years, and you have already returned to the Chaoyan royal family, and even Qianzhong dares to open his mouth to propose marriage to you, so why should you care about any laws?" ”

Since Qing Ling had that conversation with the envoys of Lieyang in the main hall last time, the cold war between her and Mu Chen had become more and more intense.

In the past, she avoided him and tried to persuade him to let go, but Mu Chen was able to be extremely forbearant and patiently pestering her to please her. But in order to escape, she even made up the idea of marrying Beilu, which was completely beyond the bottom line that Mu Chen could bear.

Deep down, he also felt sorry for himself, feeling that he was living a miserable and despicable life. Sometimes, at night, quietly looking at her back who deliberately distanced herself from herself and curled up in the corner of the couch, I even had crazy thoughts in my mind, thinking that if she was an inch further away from herself, he would probably hurt her uncontrollably and completely destroy her, so that the two of them would have no room to turn around, and they would both live in peace.

But today, she is supple again. After listening to his rhetorical question, he no longer argued, quietly lowered his head, and sorted out the accessories on his wrist.

Mu Chen's emotions were secretly tense in his heart, and he relaxed a little.

He raised his hand, stroked the skin on the back of Qing Ling's neck, and said in a softened tone: "I also plan to let you inherit the title of Zhang's Xuannu and change it into the genealogy of the Zhang's family. ”

Qing Ling was stunned, and quickly reacted to his intentions, and said coldly: "What if you change your surname?" You're still my brother, and I'm still your sister. ”

Mu Chen was silent for a moment, "What if not?" ”

He slowly squatted down, at eye level with Qing Ling, and stared at her with deep eyes, "I just want to know, aside from this relationship, can you fit me in your heart?" No matter how much you love Baili Fuyao, he is already dead, do you plan to live a lifetime in your memories? ”

Qing Ling's fingertips hooked a gemstone gold chain on his wrist, and pulled it stiffly, if it weren't for the lack of strength, I am afraid that it would have already collapsed.

She looked at Mu Chen.

Those deep, bottomless eyes...... For the first time, and for the last, almost begging for humility.

～～

The auspicious time for the sacrifice has arrived.

On both sides of the high platform of the sun and moon, the silver lanterns are colorful and dazzling. On both sides of the wide staircase paved with snow-white white stone, there are many people standing on the viewing platform, which occupies the viewing platform from top to bottom according to their status.

Qing Ling followed behind Mu Chen, slowly picking up the stairs and slowly ascending.

Beside her was not her sister Ajing, but Mo Nan Shiyin, the queen of Chaoyan Kingdom. The two of them walked on the left and right behind Mu Chen, hugging the king who was leading alone.

Qing Ling didn't want to guess what everyone around her was thinking at this moment, even if she was sure what it was...... didn't dare to look at the face of Shiyin, who was walking side by side with her, no matter how generous and decent the smile was, it was enough to stab her so ashamed that she was ashamed.

Behind the two of them, followed by Xi'er and Yuxiu.

It was the first time for the two children to attend such a major celebration, and their hearts were full of apprehension and curiosity, so they did not notice any problems in the order.

Xi'er raised her head slightly, imitating her father's gait, walking calmly and solemnly. However, the two small hands hidden between the skirts were clenched tightly because of nervousness.

Yuxiu's expression was calm, and her actions revealed the momentum of Zunhua's pride, but her heart was also constantly pounding, and her eyes contained admiration and admiration, looking at Mu Chen who was walking in the forefront for a while, and then throwing herself to her mother.

At the top of the stairs, a great uncle who had been waiting here for a long time began to chant the sacrificial words, leading the royal family members to kneel forward one by one to pay respects.

Qing Ling finished his salute and stood aside.

On the nearest viewing seat under the stage, stood the most valuable courtiers and clan relatives in the Eastern Continent.

Qing Ling's eyes quickly glanced over and saw several of his aunts and brothers, as well as Mo Ninghao and Chun Yuyan, who were the patriarchs of the family. Standing with them were the two princes of the Lieyang Kingdom, Wang Ji, Yun Yan and Peng Yi.

At this time, the great uncle next to the altar stepped forward to recite another blessing under Mu Chen's signal. In the first part, the text said a lot of complicated scenes, from the opening of the world to the division of the four seas, and then from the war of gods and demons to the death of the emperor, and finally a long congratulatory speech praising great achievements.

In the second half, the content suddenly changed, and began to mention the Zhang Gu clan of the side line of the Emperor of Heaven, saying that his children withered and the clan disappeared, and in order to inherit the holy relics, the emperor thought twice, and decided to announce to the world, and the royal family tree was marked with the name of Chaoyan Muyan, the eldest emperor Ji Qingling, into the Zhang Gu family, and gave the title of Xuannu.

When Qing Ling heard the first half of the blessing, he had already vaguely guessed the next part.

She lowered her eyes and stubbornly didn't look at anyone around her, even the document that the great uncle called her forward to thank her for the seal kept staring at the ground under her feet.

After standing still, his breathing was still a little uncontrollably disturbed.

How could he ...... So blatant, so unscrupulous, regardless of the eyes of others, let alone her feelings?

Did he think that the people in the Vermilion Bird Palace and the people in Lingxiao City were all fools? No one can see his intentions?

Suddenly, someone behind her quietly touched her hand.

Qing Ling tilted his head slightly, and looked at a pair of clear eyes that were condensing smoke.

Ning Yan had been standing with Mu Chen's other concubines, but at some point, he had moved behind Qing Ling, and under the cover of the gorgeous coat, he shook Qing Ling's hand with relief.

Qing Ling crashed into Ning Yan's gaze, and there was a look of pity with a little persuasion, and suddenly a snow light crossed his mind.

She knows!

She knew it all along......

Qing Ling quickly turned his head, and all the emotions that had been suppressed in his heart, guilt and panic, all came up.

She was imprisoned in the dormitory by her own brother, and she couldn't see anyone on weekdays, but now she has changed her surname, completely eliminating her kinship with him in terms of name. Her son, who has always been raised by him as if he were his own child......

If it's just a close sibling relationship, who would believe it?

Qing Ling silently withdrew his hand, clenched his fingers, and pinched his palm fiercely.

The person who broke this evil relationship is Luo Yao's sister, and it makes Qing Ling's guilt at this moment as deep as peeling off the skin and marrow......

After the ceremony, everyone moved to the main hall to feast and drink.

Qingling took the initiative to lead the two children, Yuxiu and Xi'er, and sat down on the side of the main seat, separated from Mu Chen by some distance.

In a few moments, there are palace beauties who step on the lotus steps to rise to the palace, dancing with the golden cui Luo Qi and the jade cicada flowers, dancing with music.

Mu Chen and Queen Shiyin are in the main position, and from time to time, courtiers and relatives come forward to toast and say some words of praise and praise.

In the meantime, some people also mentioned that the Qingling Emperor Ji was changed into the genealogy of Zhangguo, which was full of praise and sycophancy, praising His Majesty's Shengming Rende Chaoyan Empire for thousands of generations.

Qing Ling sneered secretly when he heard it, full of bitterness.

This is probably the power of power.

Now that Mu Chen is in power and sits firmly on the throne, the power of the family has been uprooted and weakened, and no one has the courage to refute him or criticize him, everything he has done is correct and reasonable.

So, it's for this reason that he can be so careless......

According to custom, after the official banquet of the Centennial Festival, there will be a treasure hunt in the Mae Garden that lasts until dawn the next day.

Qing Ling was worried that Mu Chen would take him into the battle again in full view of everyone like he did last time, so he hurried to explain a few words to Xi'er in a low voice before the song and dance was about to end, and then got up and said to Mu Chen: "The two children want to go to Meiyuan to enjoy the lanterns. There may be too many people there later, and it will be very noisy, so I might as well take them over to see it now. ”

She politely invited in front of everyone, Mu Chen couldn't find a reason to refuse, and she was more or less worried about her emotions in her heart, not wanting the relationship between them to deteriorate further, so she nodded, summoned the commander of the Praetorian Guard to give a few words, and ordered him to escort Qingling and the two children to Meiyuan.

When I arrived at the Mei Garden, I saw countless five-colored glass lanterns, and the streamers were shining. On the stone railings, eaves, and branches, the glass lamps shine. All kinds of bonsai-shaped ice crystal wind lanterns, golden pearlescent.

Xi'er suddenly became excited, and with the usual "whoosh" she got into the forest of flowers and trees again.

Yuxiu stood in place and hesitated for a moment, was encouraged by her mother's shoulder, and chased into the colorful flower forest.

Qing Ling instructed the guards to follow the two children and watch over them, but his eyes began to search the garden.

After a while, the number of people in the Mei Garden gradually increased.

Qing Ling saw from a distance that two people, accompanied by the female officials in the palace, were slowly walking in his direction.

The female officer's voice was very clear, telling the origin of the Centennial Day and the auspicious meaning behind the glass lantern at a glance.

The two people who followed the female officer, one listened carefully, and the other looked left and right.

The one who looked left and right quickly spotted Qing Ling and bumped his elbow into his companion.

The companion raised his eyes and looked at Qing Ling as well.

I don't know if it's because of the glass lights in the garden at this moment, at that moment, his eyes seemed to be coated with a layer of bewitching golden halo.