The Immortal Emperor Returns novel · Chapter 20 of 24

Chapter 20: The Winter Offering

The Altar of Heaven stood on three round terraces of white marble, and ten thousand people stood in the snow around it.

They stood in silence.

It was the oldest rite of the Great Yuan, and for four hundred years the Emperor had climbed these steps alone.

This morning the Emperor came on a litter.

Eight gray-coated soldiers carried it up the white stairs, and Ning Hongyi sat upright on it in his heavy dragon robe, thin and gray and utterly clear-eyed.

He had asked for the robe.

He had also asked, in front of the Council, for a bowl of plain rice to eat first.

Beside the litter walked his daughter in her scarlet robe.

Chu walked one step behind her in black.

Gu waited at the top.

He stood next to the great bronze incense tripod, in the Chancellor's formal purple, with the boy in yellow silk at his elbow.

His face was smooth and polite.

"Majesty," said Gu. "You honor us."

"Chancellor."

"The rite begins when the Emperor lights the flame."

"I know the rite," said the old man.

The bell master lifted his mallet by the great bronze bell at the north rim.

Shuang stepped forward and raised her voice.

It carried across the terraces, cold and clear.

"By the right of the Director of the Court of Review, I will inspect the offering before the flame."

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