11 – Shangguan Qi’s Bloodbath at the Altar (Revised)
“Eunuchs deserve death, the calamity star deserves death!”
“Traitors and criminals, execute them on the spot!”
This scene before his eyes was eerily similar to that night in his previous life.
Xie Shu had used schemes to drive him into a corner, surrounded by the masses with no way out, while Jiang Lige sat on the Dragon Throne, watching his blood spill for miles.
Shang Guanqi stood on the high platform, his heart as calm as still water. Wuhuan stood below the platform, awaiting his command. With just one step forward from him, everyone here would die.
He held immense power—why would he fear a few ignorant commoners?
As Shang Guanqi lifted his foot to move, his sleeve was suddenly tugged. He looked down and saw a slender wrist, following the arm up to Jiang Lige’s face.
Jiang Lige held onto his sleeve, looking up at him, her face pale as if just recovering from a serious illness.
She widened her eyes and spoke with utmost seriousness, “Shang Guanqi, I will take your place in the Sacrifice to Heaven. Can you agree to one condition for me?”
Shang Guanqi stood frozen in place, his gaze somewhat dazed. His lips trembled for a long while before he managed to utter two words: “What is it?”
Jiang Lige repeated, “I will take your place in the Sacrifice to Heaven. Will you allow me to freely enter and leave the palace?”
Shang Guanqi remained silent for a long time. Jiang Lige shook off her wide sleeve to cover his hand, and beneath the sleeve, she hooked her finger around his.
“If you don’t speak, I’ll take it as your silent agreement. It’s settled.”
Jiang Lige brushed her sleeve aside and stood up, swiftly walking toward the sacrificial altar. Her speed was so fast that no one had time to react.
Wuhuan looked toward Shang Guanqi, who slowly raised his hand—the plan was terminated.
Hidden among the crowd, Xie Shu watched Jiang Lige ascend the high platform, a look of astonishment on his face.
“Young Master Xie, we must leave quickly. The plan has failed, and all our men have fallen.”
Someone approached him and whispered.
Xie Shu’s expression stiffened. He glanced at Shang Guanqi on the high platform before turning and disappearing into the crowd.
Shang Guanqi stared obsessively at the figure on the sacrificial altar, his heart surging with emotion.
Jiang Lige ascended the altar and proclaimed loudly, “The nation faces calamity, the people are unsettled, and the blame lies first with me. As the Son of Heaven, the heavens have sent a warning—it must be due to my failure in duty and has nothing to do with others.”
“I have failed the heavens and the earth, failed the common people. If the heavens wish to punish, let them punish me alone.”
“Before the gods, Jiang Lige confesses her sins. I beg the heavens not to harm the innocent people. I am willing to forfeit all blessings and longevity, praying only for the nation’s peace and the people’s security.”
After her impassioned speech, Jiang Lige knelt publicly toward the sky and kowtowed three times.
The common people were deeply moved. The Emperor loved her people as her own children, and they were all touched. At that moment, a phoenix cry suddenly echoed above the sacrificial altar.
A phoenix bathed in flames spread its wings from above Jiang Lige’s head and soared into the sky…
“It’s the phoenix bathed in flames!”
“It’s the phoenix bathed in flames!”
“Auspicious sign from heaven!”
“Long live the Emperor! Long live, long live, long live!”
With the appearance of the phoenix, the people were invigorated. Someone took the lead in kneeling, and soon all the common people knelt on the ground, shouting “Long live!” toward Jiang Lige.
On the viewing platform, Duke Su suppressed his sense of defeat, turned, and hastily left the scene.
“Your Majesty!”
Several elder ministers rushed onto the sacrificial altar and knelt before Jiang Lige, weeping tears of emotion.
“Your Majesty, please rise. Your benevolence and filial piety have moved heaven and earth. An auspicious sign has descended to bless our dynasty. Your Majesty is the Chosen One…”
“Please forgive us, Your Majesty. We old ministers were foolish. From now on, we will spare no effort in assisting Your Majesty to strengthen the nation and its people…”
Jiang Lige was overjoyed in her heart and helped the elder ministers to their feet.
“You elders are the pillars of the nation. I am unworthy of such praise. Please rise, rise quickly.”Helping the old minister to his feet, with the common people still kneeling below, Jiang Lige then made a passionate pledge to the populace, stirring unprecedented fervor among the people and filling them with hope for the future.
Needless to say, this Sacrifice to Heaven achieved unprecedented success.
Jiang Lige secretly glanced toward the high platform, searching for Shang Guanqi’s figure, and saw him descending slowly from the platform.
Remembering their agreement, Jiang Lige left the altar and hurried toward Shang Guanqi.
Suddenly, a man in black drew a blade from the crowd and charged at Jiang Lige!
“Nonsense auspicious signs! You foolish Emperor, unable to distinguish loyalty from treachery, favoring eunuchs—today I shall act on behalf of Heaven!”