Only then did Dong Fangxiao react belatedly. The classmate who had been with them day and night for so long was actually the well - known Prince Pei! A flood of memories rushed to his mind. He withdrew his gaze and suddenly fell silent, lost in thought.
Shen Cuiyu had never seen Dong Fangxiao with such an expression. Her thin lips moved slightly. She really wanted to explain something for Pei Yu.
However, the next moment, Dong Fangxiao suddenly slapped his thigh. The force was so great that it made Mr. Yan in the front frown and look back.
He then leaned in and lowered his voice:
"Think about it, as a prince, Pei Yu can surely enter and leave the palace freely! In that case, can't we also go and play in the palace in the future? I've heard from my grandma since I was a child that the palace in the capital is magnificent. I really want to see it with my own eyes..."
Shen Cuiyu was silent for a moment and thought to herself that Dong Fangxiao's focus was really novel.
Meanwhile, Zhong Shengwan beside her also squinted and nodded calmly:
"I said that since he's not from the Xuanmen, how could he enter the Myriad Phenomena Academy... And he always pays attention to his food, clothing and daily necessities. He's also proficient in solving cases, comparable to an old official. It turns out that he's the Fourth Prince who also holds an important position in the Supreme Court," he paused for a moment, and a look of understanding flashed in his eyes, "I should have thought of it earlier!"
Shen Cuiyu was slightly stunned. She had originally been worried that the two of them would be angry because Pei Yu had concealed his identity. But now, their tones were full of annoyance for not seeing through the truth earlier. There was not a trace of blame for Pei Yu's concealment, only pure shock at their friend's identity.
Shen Cuiyu curved her lips and felt relieved.
Everyone had their own helpless hardships. Zhong Shengwan was like this, Pei Yu was like this, and even she was no exception.
Fortunately, they had fought side by side many times. During the days and nights they spent together, their true feelings had emerged.
No matter what happened in the future, it would not alienate their friendship. The quartet of the Myriad Phenomena Academy would always be the strongest backing for each other...
However, it wasn't just them. Other disciples in the academy's queue also noticed Pei Yu. After reacting, several who had once mocked Shen Cuiyu's group and even Pei Yu himself immediately turned pale and staggered as if they were about to faint!
Xu Qingfeng, who had once had quite a few complaints about Pei Yu, also looked a bit ugly at this moment. His lips moved for a moment, and he murmured to himself:
"They say that money can make the devil push the mill. I think money can make the mill push the devil... Dean Ren really dares to recruit any big shot into the academy..."
As they were talking, the sound of the bells around the altar gradually faded. The emperor and the empress slowly took their seats, which meant the official start of the sacrificial ceremony.
According to the rules, as a subject's daughter, Shen Cuiyu was not allowed to look directly at the emperor and the empress.
But as she gazed at the two unattainable figures in bright yellow from afar, she suddenly recalled what Pei Yu had said to her before. She vaguely guessed that Pei Yu's childhood life might not have been very happy.
Everyone in the world envied Pei Yu's noble and unattainable status, but perhaps the truth was very different from the rumors.
Thinking of this, Shen Cuiyu slowly raised her head.
As a cultivator, she had excellent eyesight. Through the gaps in the crowd in front of her, she was able to catch a glimpse of the supreme emperor and empress.
Emperor Suren, the Son of Heaven of the Daxia Dynasty, who was worshiped by all countries in the world, was older than Shen Cuiyu had expected. His hair and beard were all white. On his heavy imperial crown, the twelve jade tassels swayed slightly, hiding most of his expression behind them. Only a deep, solemn and unfathomable aura could be felt, like a towering mountain and a deep pool.
The empress standing beside him was wearing a phoenix - crowned robe and looked extremely graceful. Her appearance was well - maintained, and it was hard to tell her exact age. Her expression was calm, with a graceful and dignified curve on her lips, fully showing the demeanor of the mother of the nation.
Shen Cuiyu thought for a moment and silently began to observe the empress's face. However, different from Pei Yu, although they were both of noble birth, the empress's fate seemed to be deliberately protected by something. There was a hazy mist over it, making it hard to see clearly...
Shen Cuiyu withdrew her gaze thoughtfully. On the altar, a chief eunuch in a purple - red eunuch's uniform, with a pale face and no beard, holding a whisk, walked silently to the edge of the high steps in front of the imperial seat.
He gathered his breath and his voice, though not shrill, was long, grand and clearly spread throughout the altar and beyond:
"The auspicious time has arrived ——!"
"May the gods bless us and may Heaven and Earth listen. Today, our Daxia Dynasty was established by the mandate of Heaven, ruling over all under heaven and benefiting all sentient beings. The Son of Heaven, leading all the officials and the common people, respectfully offers black bulls, green jade, clean grains and sweet wine to the Heavenly God and the Earthly Deity! The grand ceremony of offering sacrifices to Heaven begins ——!"
Just then, Liu Ruyan slowly walked up the southern steps of the altar. Her dress today was extremely gorgeous. Under the gaze of thousands of people, she slowly walked onto the altar. Eight boys and girls holding incense burners and jade silks followed closely behind her. The curling smoke made her look like a goddess descending to the mortal world.
The disciples watching the ceremony below the altar couldn't help but let out exclamations!
"I've waited for so long. Finally, I can witness the divine power of the reincarnated Goddess of Mystery with my own eyes today!"
"I must practice hard. One day, I will also stand on the altar of the grand ceremony of offering sacrifices to Heaven like Ruyan!"
Many veteran officials also stroked their beards and nodded, obviously quite satisfied with the charm of this "Goddess of Mystery".
The faces of the Liu family, including Liu Jinyan, were also full of pride!
Liu Ruyan slowly walked to the center of the altar. She slightly raised her head, and the curve of her lips showed her excitement and arrogance.
She looked down upon everyone's admiration from a high position, extremely excited in her heart —— as long as she could successfully complete this grand ceremony of offering sacrifices to Heaven, her reputation would be greatly enhanced, and she would have a smooth career from then on!
Liu Ruyan's gaze slowly swept across the sea of light - blue student uniforms and silently locked onto Shen Cuiyu's figure. A flash of pride and viciousness flashed in her eyes.
Shen Cuiyu was the second person she had targeted after Liu Huanqing.
This Second Miss Shen was very similar to her former elder sister —— powerful and dedicated to the Tao.
But it was all in vain. Liu Huanqing had practiced hard for decades, but in the end, wasn't she just making a wedding dress for her?
However, Shen Cuiyu was much smarter and luckier than Liu Huanqing. As early as in the capital, Shen Cuiyu had Shen Canghai and Mrs. Zou as her backers. Later, after entering the Myriad Phenomena Academy, she was also helped by Pei Yu, Zhong Shengwan and Dong Fangxiao, which made Liu Ruyan's plan not go as smoothly as expected!
But in any case, she had finally reached this step... Liu Ruyan could feel the growing spiritual power around her these days, which meant that everything was going according to her plan.
She would squeeze out the last bit of value from Shen Cuiyu just as she had done to Liu Huanqing. By that time, Shen Cuiyu would surely be abandoned by the people closest to her, just like Liu Huanqing!
And Shen Cuiyu would never know the truth.
Liu Ruyan smiled and took the bronze sacrificial sword from the official in charge of the sacrifice. The sword was engraved with ancient runes and glowed a faint blue light in the sun. She faced the north and began to loudly recite the sacrificial text ——
"...... The Son of Heaven respectfully offers jade, silk, livestock and wine to the Heavenly God..."
Her voice was clear and melodious, spreading far and wide with the help of the special structure of the altar.