"What... what should we do? Where’s the Emperor? Why hasn’t the Emperor arrived yet?"
The Matron of the Ji Family was frantic. Good heavens, our precious child shouldn’t kneel before anyone! Can she even kneel before these memorial tablets?
"Where are they? Have the Empress Dowager and my precious one entered with Jinjin?"
The moment the Matron of the Ji Family had this thought, she heard an anxious voice. The Matron of the Ji Family and a few others, including Huo Xing’Er, hastily paid their respects.
The young Emperor didn’t even have time to say, "No need for formalities," as he grabbed a young Palace Maid and questioned her.
"Quickly tell me, where are the Empress Dowager and the Grand Princess now?"
The young Palace Maid, trembling, pointed towards the Grand Hall. Upon hearing this, the young Emperor rushed towards the Grand Hall.
I have to run faster, much faster! Otherwise, if my little precious one actually kneels, I don’t know if the Long Family Ancestors will crawl out of their graves to curse me for being an unfilial son!
Despite the young Emperor using all his strength, even resorting to his lightness skill, he was still a step too late.
Just as the Ji Family members saw the young Emperor entering the Grand Hall, before they could even sigh in relief, the sky above them suddenly changed. Dark clouds instantly pressed down.
Immediately, the young Emperor’s terrified shout of "Don’t!" reached their ears.
BOOM!
A bolt of lightning struck directly down from the sky above the Ancestral Hall, shearing off a section of its northeastern corner!
The Matron of the Ji Family nearly fainted on the spot. Huo Xing’Er and Zhu Xiuxiu, with their quick reactions, promptly supported her.
The dark clouds in the sky continued to loom, showing no signs of dissipating.
Everyone looked up at the sky in confusion, their faces paling.
"What’s going on? The weather has changed twice today. The previous time the dark clouds gathered, they dispersed in an instant. But this time, the dark clouds have brought lightning, and it struck down directly! Judging by the sound, it seems to have hit the northeastern part of the Palace!"
In the Imperial Garden, officials of all ranks who had not yet departed were gathered in small groups; among them were several officials from the Imperial Astronomical Observatory.
"A Celestial Phenomenon abnormality... Could it be that the fortune of the Great Feng Dynasty is in..."
A junior official, newly joined to the Imperial Astronomical Observatory, couldn’t help but voice his doubt. He had barely spoken half his thought when he clamped his hand over his mouth.
"Look, it’s the National Master!" someone pointed to the sky above and exclaimed.
The National Master, Feng Wushang, was treading on air, his robes fluttering as he flew rapidly towards the northeastern corner of the Imperial Palace.
His face was solemn, his expression grave. He couldn’t believe that celestial anomalies were occurring so frequently within a mere three months. Previously, when they happened outside, it was one thing that he couldn’t ascertain the cause. But now, this anomaly had manifested within the Imperial Palace itself! Today, he vowed, he must find the reason for this heavenly anomaly. Otherwise, he might as well resign his position as National Master and make way for someone more capable.
Seething inwardly with these thoughts, the National Master headed for the northeastern corner of the Imperial Palace.
Meanwhile, in the Ancestral Hall, the Empress Dowager frowned in confusion. Wasn’t the sky perfectly clear just before we came in? Why would it suddenly start thundering? Hmm! This thunder is quite loud; it sounds like something outside was struck.
Seeing Xiaosuisui complete her first kowtow to the Long Family Ancestors, she didn’t dwell on it further and addressed their memorial tablets.
"This child is named Suisui. She is the goddaughter of Emperor Long Yu of our Great Han. Today, I’ve brought her to offer three kowtows to our Ancestors. From this day forward, she is a member of our Long Family. The Emperor has granted her the title Chang Rongshun Shunhe. Ancestors, please bless her with a safe upbringing. May her title bring prosperity and flourishing to our Great Han!"
As the Empress Dowager spoke, she signaled Suisui to kowtow.
Xiaosuisui was very obedient. Having already kowtowed once, doing it again was like treading a familiar path for her.