Li Yuan's face was pale.
Yet against the backdrop of the blazing fire roaring before him, his expression looked somewhat ferocious, inspiring dread. Mirrored by the ghostly face within the flames, it was impossible to tell for a moment which of them was the terrifying evil ghost.
Li Shimin quickly came to Li Yuan's side and pulled him back, while those nearby hurried forward to put out the fire.
"Father Emperor, are you all right?"
Li Jiancheng and Li Xiu Ning also looked at him with concern.
"Zhen is fine!"
Li Yuan shook his head and swept his gaze around.
"Who shouted those words just now?"
The moment he demanded this, not a single person present answered. Just as Li Yuan was about to fly into a rage, Empress Dou Shi swiftly came to his side and shook her head at him.
"Your Imperial Majesty, do not lose your temper."
"Hm?"
Li Yuan frowned.
Dou Shi lowered her voice and said to Li Yuan, "Your Imperial Majesty, forcibly holding this ceremony to send off the god had already caused considerable discontent among the people of Wan Nian County. Now that this has happened, if Your Imperial Majesty takes out your anger on the common people around you... I fear it may shake Great Tang!"
"Outside Tong Pass, many vassal lords are watching. At this moment, there absolutely cannot be another misstep within Great Tang."
Seeing Dou Shi's solemn expression, Li Yuan's gaze shifted slightly. He took a deep breath and turned to look at the common people. His gaze swept over them, yet not one showed fear; all of them met Li Yuan's eyes directly.
These people were all under the protection of the Qing Xiao Jade Maiden Temple.
"Very well!"
"The Empress is right."
Looking at the expressions on