Because it was the emperor who came to pray for the princess, the palace guards came here to set up defenses before they arrived. Although it was dark at this time, as late as night, lanterns were hung around the Taimiao, illuminating the neatly lined up guards inside and outside.

Some princes and ministers who accompanied the sacrifice came to Taimiao early and were lined up in at this moment.

Of course, every person who enters will check it clearly at the door and verify it before entering.

I asked Lao Zhu to park the carriage far away in an unobtrusive place in the corner of the street, and asked him and Caiwei to find a place to have tea, and then took Du Yan over.

I did not walk with the princes and ministers, but went to the side door on the other side, where someone was guarding me. When I saw us coming, I immediately reached out to stop me. I took out the hand order that Chang Qing gave me from my arms.

The man took it and took a look, then looked at Du Yan and me, and pushed it away without saying anything, and we were let go.

As soon as I walked in, I found that it was even brighter inside. There were palace lanterns on both sides of the road, which made the entire Taimiao look bright and bright. There were many silk ribbons hanging on the trees. I don’t know if it was for sacrifices or for any other purpose. When the wind blew, the flying shadows in front of me were blowing, which was particularly eye-catching.

We entered the side door and walked along the path.

There are a few pine and cypress trees planted on both sides of this path. Although there are few trees, they are big. I don’t know how many dozens of years have passed. The tree cover is like a huge green umbrella, covering a large area of ​​land around it. If it weren’t for the palace lanterns on both sides of the path, it would be almost as dark as late at night.

A slender figure stood there with a lantern in his hand. When he saw us approaching, he immediately possessed himself and saluted: "Ms. Yan."

I walked over and said, "You are—"

"The Empress asked me to guide Miss Yan."

"oh."

I nodded quickly: "Thank you."

"Miss Yan, please come with me."

I have no impression of this little palace maid. I probably went to the palace to serve after I left the palace. Perhaps Chang Qing had explained some things to her, so although she didn't say much, she was polite to me. She led Du Yan and me through a path and reached the side door. As soon as I stepped over, I felt a sudden enlightenment in front of me, and had arrived at the big square in front of the front hall of the Taimiao Temple.

I have never been to Taimiao. Although I had the chance to come when the Queen Mother's tablet was sent to Taimiao for worship, I encountered some accidents and later did not go there because of injury. This was the first time I really saw the true appearance of Taimiao.

The enchanting hall in front is tall and majestic. The rare two-layer double-eaved hip roof seems to be taller than the main hall in the Forbidden City. The golden glazed tiles make the enchanting hall look magnificent and more profound and solemn.

In the dark night, the Enjoy Hall was like a giant, sleeping fiercely.

The square in front of the hall is also very wide. The road on the central axis is bounded by palace lanterns, and guards of the Imperial Guards stand on both sides, one by one as tall as pine trees, and they are still motionless.

I stood at the side door and looked at the scene in front of me, and sighed slightly in my heart. The little palace maid had already walked down the steps and said softly: "Miss Yan, please come here."

I nodded and hurriedly followed.

She invited me into a front side hall.

Although the front side hall is not as tall and majestic as the Enjoy Hall, it is also very spacious. There are several sections of it. The palace maid leads me into one of them and then says, "Miss Yan, please rest here. After the blessing ceremony, the Queen will come here to meet the lady."

I asked, “When will the blessing ceremony begin?”

The palace maid looked at the sky and said, "It's less than an hour."

"Thank you."

"Self-serving."

She retreated respectfully, and Du Yan and I stayed in the front side hall.

Although I have never been to Taimiao, I also know that the two side halls in front of the Enjoy Hall worship the princes and heroes. The place where we are now worshipping the tablets of heroes.

Today Pei Yuanhao is here to pray for Princess Miaoyan from his ancestors, which is different from the heavenly sacrifice ceremony in previous years. Therefore, the side halls in front of both sides will not be in the activities of the blessing ceremony. There are very few people guarding here. Except for a row of guards standing under the steps outside the gate, there are almost no one here.

So, I slowly walked over.

The shrine is indeed enshrined with tablets of heroes who have contributed to the stability and prosperity of the Celestial Empire since its founding. Some of them I know and some of them I don’t know are enshrined here.

I looked at it one by one and it seemed like I could see a golden sword and iron horse, and the military generals served; illuminating the past and present, the loyalty of civil officials.

Then, I saw the tablets of Liu Shizhou and Liu Yi.

It was not surprising that they would see their offerings here. The things they did in Jiangnan were enough to keep their names in history. But when they saw them, they were still shocked for a moment.

I dressed up and bowed to them.

Du Yan, who was standing aside, was quiet and didn't say a word or ask. He just came over to help me when I got up. After helping me, he let me go and left, and had no intention of talking to me.

Actually, at this time, I have nothing to say.

Because, I thought of Qinghan.

I was thinking, what if it was him?

He also did so much for this dynasty and the people of Jiangnan. If that day comes, he will die, or, if that time really comes, will his tablet appear here?

I dare not think about it, and I don’t want to think about it. He will have that day, but once this problem comes into my mind, it keeps popping up, as if a gray dog ​​with only memories has been driven away, but I smelled the same way and found it back, and couldn’t get it.

But I think maybe Qinghan himself doesn't care.

He always does everything he wants to do, and he never even thinks about his own life and death. How could he consider how many people will pay tribute, how many people will be grateful, and even how many people will remember it after a hundred years?

I couldn't help but smiled faintly.

At this moment, my eyes were attracted by a tall tablet in the corner on the other side.
Chapter completed!