At first light on the thirteenth day of the first lunar month, the convoy escorting Princess Anping to her wedding had already assembled in the square outside the Hall of Heavenly Harmony. Emperor Long Yelin personally presided over the ceremony to offer sacrifices to Heaven and Earth and honor his ancestors. Watching Long Yelin mutter his prayers atop the altar from a distance, Hu Xiaotian secretly found it amusing. Could the stability of the realm and the peace of Great Kang really be obtained with a few casual prayers? Although Long Yelin had successfully usurped the throne, he had yet to bring imperial authority into his own hands. What he was praying for now was probably to get rid of Ji Feihua as soon as possible, escape others' control, and become a genuine Son of Heaven.
Empress Jian held Princess Anping Long Xiyue's hand and talked without pause, tears streaming down her face whenever she grew emotional. On the surface, they seemed reluctant to part, but it was all a performance for others. Her sister-in-law was getting married; she, as the elder brother's wife, certainly felt no grief. Besides, Princess Anping's marriage was intended to stabilize Great Kang's northern borders. Never mind sending her away for a marriage alliance-even sending her to her death would be worthwhile if it secured Great Kang's territory and kept war from breaking out between the two nations in the near future. What Empress Jian truly cared about was whether her own son could smoothly become crown prince. Judging by the signs before her, the emperor favored Third Prince Long Tingzhen. Moreover, the Third Prince excelled at winning over the court officials, and his supporters far outnumbered her son's. Unless she devised a countermeasure soon, the position of crown prince would likely fall into his