My System Is Three Thousand Years Early

Cheng Guang was merely an in-law of the dynasty, only able to watch from outside, as, except for the Emperor and a few princes and princesses, no one else could enter.

Moreover, Cheng Guang belonged to the first batch, having arrived at Shenyue Mountain early.

Along with a host of constables from the Bureau of the Lamp responsible for security work, they could be considered the vanguard.

The majority of the rest, including Emperor Zhou, Empress Wang, Empress Dowager Li, Wu Ling, along with hundreds of officials, would all come one after another later on.

Wu Yuemei was also with them while only Cheng Zhihai took Cheng Guang ahead to Shenyue Mountain.

After taking Cheng Guang to a certain location, Cheng Zhihai said with a solemn face, "Guanger, no matter what happens later, you must stay here and not move around carelessly. There will likely be quite a disturbance, but everything is under control."

"Do not panic. I have arranged for some Silver Lantern Catchers to guard you, all of them are powerful sixth or seventh rank experts. Moreover, this is an opportunity to reveal virtue in front of others—if you can kill a few rebellious officials, do so; if not, hide here, understand?"

Cheng Guang nodded slightly, looking very sensible.

Cheng Zhihai was also worried about Cheng Guang, so he came to give a reminder.

Based on his understanding of Cheng Guang, Cheng Guang would not take such risks.

Therefore, he left quickly.

Above and below Shenyue Mountain, a magnificent aura spread out, with the Silver Lantern Catchers from the Bureau of the Lamp lined up from the mountain peak all the way down to its base.

Apart from the constables of the Bureau of the Lamp, the Imperial Guards from the Great Zhou Imperial Palace and some strong individuals from the Martial Academy were temporarily summoned for security duties.

All of this was not a special arrangement made by Emperor Zhou upon learning that the King of South Ming was actually the crown prince—for this royal ceremony, it had always been so.

This shows how much Great Zhou Imperial Family valued this annual royal ceremony.

The royal ceremony was not only a way to comfort the spirits of the ancestors, but also a good opportunity to showcase the majesty of the royal family to the world.

Cheng Guang stood next to a pavilion on the mid-mountain slope, with several respectful Silver Lantern Catchers standing by his side, gazing at the Great Zhou Imperial Palace in the distance.

At this moment—

Clang—

Clang—

Clang—

Three bell sounds emanated from the Divine Palace at the summit of Shenyue Mountain. A magnificent radiance slowly blossomed, illuminating the sky and the countless households of the Capital city.

For a moment, everyone felt the overwhelming imperial might.

Cheng Guang's eyes lifted slightly, looking up at the splendid light above, feeling a faint pressure weighing on his heart.

"The royal ceremony has begun."

Cheng Guang murmured to himself and then shifted his gaze toward the Great Zhou Imperial Palace.

Under the gaze of the Capital city's citizens—

The gates of the Imperial City swung open.

In the solemn and melodious sound of bells—

Emperor Zhou, dressed in a dragon robe and holding a scepter, led the officials out of the resplendent Imperial Palace.

The Emperor's face was serious and sacred, his hair fluttering in the breeze. The half-white hair on his forehead added to his already immense dignity.

As he walked on air, it seemed as if he resonated with the Qi between heaven and earth.

Behind him were a host of Imperial Family members, including Empress Dowager Li, Empress Wang, Wu Yuemei, the King of South Ming, a multitude of princes and princesses. Among them, Cheng Guang also spotted the figure of Wu Ling.

Not having seen her for days, Wu Ling seemed to have grown even more confident.

She wore a light blue symmetrical waist-cinched long skirt, adorned with water-colored jasmine flowers on her sleeves. Her three thousand strands of black hair were tied gently into a loose bun, casually adorned with painted silver ribbons.

A dark sash loosely tied around her waist, with a simple silver butterfly brooch pinned askew, its light tassels falling casually and creating ripples in the breeze. A dot of cinnabar remained between her brows, her graceful figure poised and elegant.

Her breathtaking face bore confidence with a touch of nobility, hardly reminiscent of the timid rabbit from before.

Hiss—

This girl seems to have changed quite a bit.

Is Emperor Zhou so good at nurturing people?

Or is it the nurturing power of authority?

Cheng Guang's eyes narrowed slightly as Emperor Zhou and his entourage drew closer. He looked at Wu Ling and could not discern her current level of cultivation.

Cheng Guang was inwardly shocked.

This was outrageous.

After all, he had the bug-level existence of the ancient Great Xia royal bloodline, and yet, this girl's cultivation has grown to the point of matching his?

Is she in the Ascension Realm?

Or even higher?

As Cheng Guang watched Wu Ling, he began to doubt her strength, feeling a sense of powerlessness.

Indeed, the future Empress of Great Zhou was not such a simple character after all.

If he wanted to take revenge for the arm wrestling humiliation from before, it seemed that now was still not the time.

Meanwhile, as Cheng Guang was looking at Wu Ling, she appeared to notice him as well.

The moment her gaze fell on Cheng Guang, joy surged in her bright eyes, and the majestic nobility on her face immediately crumbled; she seemed eager to run over and greet Cheng Guang, but the situation at her side didn't allow for it.

So, she simply winked at Cheng Guang and cheekily stuck out her tongue.

Cheng Guang: "..."

What is this girl doing?

It's a royal ceremony.

In such a solemn occasion, you playfully stick out your tongue at the Crown Prince?

Cheng Guang felt the desire to clutch his aged heart, unable to withstand such a shock.

Emperor Zhou noticed Wu Ling's action and glanced at Cheng Guang before his gaze straightened and he walked towards the temple at the mountain's peak.

Cheng Guang's eyes also shifted from Wu Ling to the other Imperial Family members beside him.

Wu Yuemei was among them, looking at Cheng Guang with a tender smile as if her eyes had not left him since the beginning.