The little one pointed at the three tablets above: "Take those wooden tablets down and place them on the ground."
The Ritual Officer was taken aback, a hint of astonishment in his eyes, and he turned to look at the Emperor.
Only to see Bai Xilie slightly nodding: "Do as the Princess wishes."
The officials remained uniformly silent.
Placing the tablets inscribed with the immortals’ names on the ground truly showed a lack of respect for the Heavenly Gods!
But with the Emperor’s decree, the Ritual Officer dared not delay, and promptly, with a few colleagues, took the immortals’ tablets down and placed them on the ground.
Then Bai Zhi’er stretched out her little arms, softly saying: "Daddy, lift Zhi’er up~"
The ministers watched wide-eyed as the little princess not only had the immortals replaced but also sat herself upon the offering table.
Today Bai Zhi’er wore a purple silk robe, her little skirt making her look even fairer and more adorable.
At this moment, sitting at the foot of the divine statue, she seemed like a Little Ball delivering blessings.
Bai Zhi’er nodded: "Hmm, it should be fine now."
She stuck out her little bottom and slowly kowtowed.
"Bow and pray~ Ask for happiness~ May the coming year be joyful and auspicious~" the little one said in her childish voice.
This time, sure enough, the three divine tablets on the ground did not fall again.
And the ministers were dumbfounded.
Not to mention how odd and informal the princess’s prayer was.
Now, the princess was above, the immortals below.
Where was there even a hint of sincerity!
But as everyone looked at the Emperor, they saw Bai Xilie with a smile full of paternal love, gazing at his daughter.
As though whatever she did was right!
Historian Wang timely stood up, excitedly saying: "It is often heard that the heavens value benevolence; what the princess has done further proves Heaven’s protection over Great Chu, the immortals’ generosity and mercy, and they will surely shield Great Chu."
Bai Zhi’er nodded in agreement, saying: "Yes, the immortal uncles agreed with me. After the New Year, there will be a spring rain that nourishes all things, and the crops and little grasses will all be well-fed!"
Historian Wang sighed deeply: "To have such a princess, Great Chu is exceedingly fortunate!"
Upon hearing this, Bai Xilie was overjoyed: "Reward Historian Wang with the New Year’s banquet, and allow him to bring his family to the palace tonight to celebrate the New Year with me."
Historian Wang, overwhelmed by favor, quickly knelt down to thank the royal grace.
Bai Zhi’er was lifted off the table by Bai Xilie.
The little one blinked her long, curled lashes and said: "Daddy, I think this temple is missing the tablets of two people."
Bai Xilie immediately became interested: "Zhi Bao, tell me, whose are missing?"
"Grandfather and grandmother’s~" Bai Zhi’er’s little face was tender and pink, her childlike voice carrying a sense of logic: "Without them, there wouldn’t be Daddy~ Worshipping the immortals is for good weather and rain, honoring grandfather and grandmother is about not forgetting our roots!"
The little one hugged Bai Xilie’s arm: "Zhi Bao never met grandfather and grandmother, but I feel they are more deserving than the immortals to be here, receiving our veneration~"
Bai Xilie’s eyes reddened slightly, deeply moved.
His parents had left early, not even seeing him and Jing Jia wed.
Now, Bai Xilie merely had their tablets enshrined in the palace’s high pavilion.
During holidays and festivals, he would go and pay his respects.
Hearing his daughter’s words, Bai Xilie slowly nodded, and with his hand, he gently brushed over the little one’s soft black hair.
"Zhi’er is right, if your grandfather and grandmother were still here, they would surely adore you dearly."
He lifted Bai Zhi’er, turned around, and said: "Prime Minister Wen."
"This official is here."
"As the princess suggested, instruct Qintianjian to determine an auspicious day for moving my parents’ tablets into the temple."
"As you command." Prime Minister Wen cupped his hands.