The next day, the second day of February, was the Spring Farmer's Day.
Young sons in the city gathered around the spring cake stall and sang folk songs:
"On the second day of the second lunar month, the dragon is the leader. The emperor plows the land and ministers drive cattle. The empress of the palace comes to deliver food, and the ministers throw away the seeds. Spring plowing and summer work lead the world, and the harvest is abundant and peaceful autumn."
The emperor, along with hundreds of civil and military officials, royal family members, went to the royal mountains and rivers altar to offer sacrifices.
Shanchuan Altar is located in the south of the city, covering an area of nearly a thousand acres. It is divided into an inner altar and an outer altar. There are wide woods and open spaces between the walls of the outer altar. The inner altar has a resting palace, the Xiannong Altar, the Qingcheng Palace, the Guangeng Platform, the Divine Kitchen Hall, etc.
The officials of the Ministry of Rites announced the sacrificial speech, and the emperor and the officials worshiped with great fanfare. After the ceremony was completed, the emperor took the hot tea handed by Zheng Cheng to moisten his mouth, and led the officials to the viewing platform with high spirits. next to the fields.
The emperor rolled up his sleeves and hem, holding the plow with his right hand and a whip with his left hand. Zheng Cheng followed closely beside the emperor. The Minister of Hubu and the Yin of Jingzhao held the cattle in front. After listening to the emperor's instructions, they both started moving at the same time. Although the movements were unfamiliar, at least nothing went wrong.
The princes, princes and ministers followed a few people and threw the seeds they had received into the ditch plowed by the emperor.
When the emperor came back from plowing for three days, he was already out of breath. He sat on the viewing platform and watched the officials staggering about the plowing, holding a tea cup and watching happily.
The empress and her maids brought food to them, and sat with the emperor, chatting and laughing. With the corner of her eye turned to Concubine Xian and Concubine Rou in the back row, she could not hide her pride in her eyes, and her smile became even more genuine.
Never sleep.
Lin Jinyan and An Zhixian sat on both sides of the chessboard, their postures calm and decisive.
"Speaking of which, this is my first time playing chess with Miss Lin."
"My grandfather was full of praise for Boss An's chess skills. Miss Feng broke the appointment, so she was able to ask Boss An for advice. It's a pity that the consort also invited Boss An to have tea, so it seems that she can't play two games."
"Why do you and I need to say these false words? I have seen your chess skills, and I am not sure that I can win. I am afraid that my husband will break the promise today, and Miss Lin can play as long as she wants."
Lin Jinyan raised her eyebrows and smiled:
"Oh? Boss An can actually figure it out?"
An Zhixian's smile deepened:
"Not only can I predict that the Prince Consort will break the appointment, but I also predict that Brother Zhou may have something happy today."
Lin Jinyan raised her teacup: "Boss An is indeed a master."
"An is not an expert, Miss Lin is."
Observation platform.
More than ten acres of land had been plowed, and the emperor entered the palace to change his clothes. Before he finished changing, about forty imperial guards suddenly broke into the palace, beheaded the servants inside the door, locked the door behind them and entered the inner room with knives.
As soon as the two leading men opened the door, they were kicked away by the legs sticking out from the door. Zheng Cheng, while shouting that he was under assassination, dragged the wooden table over and turned it on its side against the door. He defended with all his strength, his face flushed with all his strength.
The emperor looked frightened and angry, and the servants with trembling hands hurriedly put on the emperor's coat and formed a circle to protect the emperor.
Seeing that the door was crumbling after being hit, the emperor said anxiously:
"What's the use of guarding me? Go and hold the door open! Zheng Cheng will guard me instead!"
The four chamberlains hurriedly stepped forward, and Zheng Cheng stood in front of the emperor with his arms slightly spread.
Outside the palace, upon learning that there was an assassin, the commander of the Imperial Guards, Yan Zongqi, immediately gathered his men to surround the hall. The ministers and clan members stood behind the Imperial Guards, all looking anxious.
Chu Chengyao held the handle of the knife in his hand and followed closely beside the prince, looking at the people around him without leaving any trace. (End of chapter)
