Chapter 138: Temple of Empress Wa

Because they were preparing Yin Jiao's investiture ceremony, the palace has been tightly guarded these days; even Princess Suzhi has no chance to enter the palace—this is the rule.

However, this poses no difficulty for Ao Yifan.

After all, the Yin Shang aura on him is so strong that even Lady Yin pales in comparison.

Thus, the imperial palace feels like his own backyard to Ao Yifan.

"Father, I want candy!"

In Ao Yifan's arms, an exquisitely carved little girl was coquettishly leaning against him.

This is Ao Yifan and Queen Jiang's third child, Yin Susu.

"All right, Susu, you've gotten chubby lately; you need to eat less candy, and you haven't finished today's lessons."

Beside her, Queen Jiang waved her hand, ordering a palace maid to take Yin Susu away to finish her lessons.

"Phew, the little girl finally left; this child Susu is just too clingy to you."

Once Yin Susu was taken away, Consort Huang immediately took her place.

Clinging to Ao Yifan's neck, Consort Huang cooed, "Prince Consort, I've recently been studying some new knowledge……"

Queen Jiang gave them a sideways glance, yet she also began studying seriously.

……

"By the way, Your Majesty, are you really preparing to move against the feudal lords this time?"

After the clouds dispersed and the rain ceased, Consort Huang had already fallen asleep; Ao Yifan embraced Queen Jiang and asked.

"Mm."

Queen Jiang nodded and said, "Recently, with ten suns in the sky, many rumors have spread, even reaching the palace; the king flew into a rage, executing several ministers in succession, and then he prepared to use Prince Yin Jiao's investiture ceremony to summon the eight hundred feudal lords to the capital Chaoge, intending to use this opportunity to give them a warning."

"Our king is still as formidable as ever."

Ao Yifan smiled and said, "Securing the crown prince position for our Yin Jiao will both stabilize court sentiment and, secondly, allow us to probe the feudal lords' reactions—killing two birds with one stone."

"However, this crown prince's investiture ceremony will be held at the Temple of Empress Wa; won't that be a problem?"

Queen Jiang asked.

"No problem; she's probably hiding at home and doesn't even want to go out."

Ao Yifan said with a smirk.

After all, that goddess Nuwa is the only being who has ever managed to best him since he arrived in this world.

……

Yin Jiao's crown prince investiture ceremony is imminent, and the entire capital Chaoge has grown tense.

The eight hundred feudal lords are entering Chaoge; the last time this happened was when Emperor Xin ascended the throne.

Logically, a mere crown prince investiture ceremony need not be so extravagant.

However, this time it is a royal decree personally issued by the king, and the eight hundred feudal lords dare not disobey.

"Your subject greets Your Majesty!"

Finally, Lady Yin brought her family to meet Emperor Xin.

"Mm, Suzhi, you've done well over the years at Chen Tang Pass; I'm very pleased."

Emperor Xin nodded, then turned his gaze to the little Nezha beside Lady Yin.

"This must be Nezha; he's even more handsome than your two brothers and far more capable."

Emperor Xin said.

"Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty; this child is just a bit mischievous, and I will discipline him well."

Lady Yin said.

For some reason, Lady Yin felt a strange sense of unfamiliarity toward the king, who once doted on her the most.

"Mm, the ceremony is about to begin; after it, let Nezha get close to his older brother, for someday his brother will need his aid in governing the realm."

Emperor Xin said in a low voice.

Having said that, Emperor Xin led the crowd toward the Temple of Empress Wa.

"Prince Consort, do you feel that upon seeing the king again, he seems to have changed greatly?"

Gazing at Emperor Xin's back, Lady Yin whispered.

"Perhaps this is the necessary growth of a ruler."

Ao Yifan said, "However, from his attitude toward Nezha, you can see that the king still dotes on you deeply—after all, he didn't pursue the matter when Nezha killed the palace guards."

"That's true too!"

Lady Yin nodded.

The eight hundred feudal lords followed Emperor Xin toward the Temple of Empress Wa.

This ceremony's venue was personally devised by the skilled diviner Marquis of Xibo; the detailed procedure was also reviewed by Prince Bokan of the royal clan, ensuring flawless execution.

At the same time, the long-sealed gates of the Palace of Empress Wa trembled slightly.

The goddess Nuwa, who was taking a brief rest, felt a sudden sense of awareness.

"It's just a human sacrificial ceremony—good grief, so troublesome; can't you leave me alone when there's nothing going on?"

"As a seasoned shut‑in, the goddess Nuwa deeply regrets ever becoming obsessed with paperwork."

"All I did was pinch some clay, yet I ended up creating such a troublesome race."

Nowadays, temple worship across the land, she has mostly blocked the sensations.

However, when it comes to the grand mortuary rites of the human royal house, even her Palace of Empress Wa vibrates—she can't pretend not to notice.

"Troublesome, far too troublesome!"

The vibrations of the Palace of Empress Wa grew ever more obvious; the goddess Nuwa could no longer feign ignorance, so she cracked open a door slit and peered down into the mortal realm.

"Huh? Huh-huh? Huh-huh-huh?"

Suddenly, Nüwa the Saint widened her eyes, looking with shock at the grand sacrificial ceremony of the mortal realm.

No, more accurately, she was looking at a certain person atop the ceremony.

The Saint's mere flicker of emotion had a huge impact on the lower realm.

As Ao Yifan's left foot just stepped into the Nüwa Emperor's Palace, the entire palace shook violently; at the same time, a raging wind swept aside the gauze, revealing the stunning statue of Nüwa the Saint.

At the same time, the two hidden figures among the clouds couldn't help but exchange a glance.

"Senior Brother, what is this with Nüwa the Saint?"

One of the figures spoke to the person beside him.

"I don't understand; we haven't even made a move yet, but over at Nüwa the Saint's side, there seems to have been action."

The other figure said.

"Then, do we still need to act against the Human Emperor?"

"No rush! The Human Emperor does possess the fate of humanity; even a slight influence from us could damage our own fortune. With the impending calamity, we naturally want to preserve more strength—if Nüwa the Saint can take the initiative, we naturally need not do anything extra."

"Heh, this is heaven itself helping us; it serves the Western Teaching right to flourish!"

Their voices gradually faded, and the two figures on the clouds concealed themselves once more.

At the same time, inside the Temple of Lady Nüwa, Ao Yifan reached out and pulled Lady Yin into his embrace, shielding her from the surrounding cold wind.

As for Little Nezha, the boy has grown up; he needs to learn to face wind and rain, so he naturally no longer requires Ao Yifan's special care.

"Prince Consort, what's going on?"

Leaning in Ao Yifan's embrace, Lady Yin couldn't help but ask.

Ao Yifan, however, had no issue; golden light flickered in his eyes as he gazed straight at the statue of Nüwa the Saint inside the temple.

The next moment, Ao Yifan's gaze seemed to pierce the thirty-three heavens, entering the Nüwa Emperor's Palace above them, and he saw that holy figure.

Their eyes met, and Nüwa the Saint also blinked in surprise; she naturally recognized Ao Yifan—it was that very person from before, otherwise she would not have been so moved as to cause such a heaven‑earth portent.

"Can he see me?"

A thought suddenly rose in Nüwa the Saint's mind.