Suburbs · Residence
It had originally belonged to a landlord surnamed Lü, but was later purchased by a Provincial Graduate. There was a vegetable garden in front and elms and mulberries planted behind it, making it look like an ordinary country residence.
The main hall within, usually kept locked, was now open and swept so clean that not a speck of dust remained. Memorial tablets stood upon a high table. On closer inspection, they belonged to Emperor Taizu of Great Wei of the previous dynasty, with Emperor Shizu of Great Wei at the center. After all, Former Wei had unified the realm and established prosperity under Emperor Shizu of Great Wei.
The tablets of more than twenty emperors surrounded them, packed densely together, enough to make anyone's heart quail at the sight.
An incense burner and all manner of sacrificial offerings had been placed on the long table before the tablets. The dazzling array was exquisitely prepared, clearly showing the care that had gone into this rite.
Cao Yiyan stepped inside softly and immediately felt that the interior was utterly different from the outside. It was spacious and dim, and a chill seemed to seep into his bones.
Cao Yiyan stopped before Emperor Shizu of Great Wei's memorial tablet, kowtowed in salute, then lit incense and inserted it into the burner on the table.
He retreated several steps and knelt again, calling himself an unworthy descendant as he read the prayer of sacrifice before the ancestors of Great Wei upon the table, begging for their protection and for Great Wei to rise again.
The moment he finished, Cao Yiyan suddenly felt his heart shudder. Squinting, he heard a hum. Other than Emperor Shizu of Great Wei's tablet, the tablets of the other twenty-odd Yu emperors rippled with faint circles of