The female anchor turned into the dean of an ancient academy

Chapter 232 Convincing Shai Zhen

Chai Zhen came back to his senses from his thoughts, nodded, and felt that what Cen Jiexiao said made sense.

Cen Jiexiao knelt on the ground, but straightened her back and looked firmly at Chai Zhen who was standing high above her. Her voice was clear and powerful, echoing in the silent altar.

"Your Majesty," she spoke again, her tone filled with a hint of pleading, a hint of questioning, and even a hint of reverence for life. "I dare to ask, what is the purpose of this grand sacrificial ceremony?"

When Chai Zhen heard this question, he was stunned for a moment, then his brow furrowed slightly. He had never considered this question before. From childhood, his education and the things he had seen had always been like this: offering sacrifices to heaven and earth required the use of living animals as sacrifices. This was a matter of course, and no one had ever questioned it.

"This grand sacrificial ceremony, of course..." Chai Zhen instinctively wanted to answer, but the words faltered as they reached his lips. Yes, what was the purpose of this grand sacrificial ceremony? Was it to pray for good weather? Was it to pray for peace and prosperity? But was sacrificing an innocent life for all this really worth it?

Suddenly, the words that Cen Jiexiao had said before emerged in his mind. She said that the cowpox treatment method could save countless lives. She said that instead of killing animals for sacrifice, it is better to respect life and move God with a sincere heart.

These words, like flashes of lightning, cut through the layers of fog in his heart and made him begin to re-examine the meaning of this sacrifice.

"Your Majesty," Cen Jiexiao's voice rang out again, interrupting his musings. "This subject also believes that this sacrifice isn't about form, but about the heart. Rather than resorting to such bloody methods, it's better to use a sincere heart, to revere heaven and earth, and to cherish life. This is the true way to move Heaven!"

Chai Zhen fell silent. He looked at Cen Jiexiao, who knelt before him, and a strange emotion suddenly surged in his heart. This woman, clearly timid and cowardly, had dared to challenge his authority for a mere cow, even questioning his decision in front of the entire court.

Her courage, her kindness, and her persistence all made him feel a little shocked and a little admired.

"Your Majesty, look..." Chen Zigui saw that Chai Zhen looked uncertain, and seized the opportunity to remind him softly.

Chai Zhen took a deep breath, suppressed the inexplicable irritation in his heart, and slowly said, "Well, since Miss Cen is so insistent, then I will do as you say and spare the cow's death today."

"Your Majesty is wise!" Upon hearing this, Cen Jiexiao and Yu Lan both showed happy smiles on their faces.

"Come here, take this cow away and take good care of it, don't make any mistakes!" Chai Zhen ordered.

"Yes!"

Cheers erupted from the crowd, applauding Cen Jiexiao's courage and kindness. Chai Zhen watched this scene, feeling even more restless. He turned abruptly and continued the ritual.

He did not look angry at all, but continued with the next sacrificial ritual with a smile on his face.

Under the high platform, the heads of people who had been rising and falling with the cheers of "Long live the emperor" gradually quieted down, and were replaced by whispers, like countless bees buzzing among flowers.

"Look, His Majesty doesn't look well." An official with a mustache lowered his voice and gently nudged his colleague next to him with his elbow.

"That's right," the colleague nodded solemnly. "Your Majesty has always attached great importance to the Heavenly Sacrifice Ceremony. That girl from the Cen family publicly offended Your Majesty today. It would be strange if Your Majesty felt happy about it!"

"Oh my goodness!" another official said, his face pale with fear. "This girl from the Cen family is so audacious! She even dares to offend His Majesty. She's really asking for her life!"

"Who says it isn't?" the mustachioed official sighed. "But having said that, this girl from the Cen family is truly a remarkable woman. For a mere cow, she actually dared to stand up to His Majesty. Such courage is truly admirable!"

"I admire her, of course," the previously solemn official shook his head, "but the situation should be considered. Today is the grand ceremony of offering sacrifices to the heavens. If she behaves like this, wouldn't that make His Majesty lose face in front of the world? Isn't that courting death?"

"Hush! Keep your voice down," the mustachioed official said quickly, "Don't say that carelessly. The walls may be listening!"

Several officials were talking when they suddenly felt a cold gaze coming from behind them. They were immediately frightened and silent, shrinking their necks and not daring to make a sound.

Chen Zigui stood aside and listened to every word of the officials' discussion. Looking at Chai Zhen's changeable back, he couldn't help but feel an ominous premonition in his heart.

"Your Majesty...what on earth is he thinking about?" Chen Zigui frowned, his heart full of confusion and worry.

The long ceremony finally ended, and Chai Zhen slowly walked down the platform. Every step he took seemed to step on everyone's hearts, making people feel suffocated.

"Your Majesty is wise!" The thunderous cheers of the court officials rang out again, but this time, they seemed particularly heavy, as if foreshadowing a coming storm.

Cen Jiexiao and Yu Lan exchanged a glance, each seeing uneasiness and anxiety in the other's eyes. They knew that today's events were far from over.

Sure enough, after the ceremony of offering sacrifices to heaven, Chai Zhen did not hold a banquet to entertain his ministers as usual, but went straight back to the imperial study.

"Appoint Cen Jiexiao and Yu Lan to the audience!" The eunuch's shrill voice echoed in the hall, and Cen Jiexiao and Yu Lan's hearts rose to their throats with this voice.

The two of them came to the imperial study with a nervous mood, only to see two vermilion doors, like the bloody mouth of a giant beast, about to swallow them.

"Dean Cen, Miss Yu, please come in." A low voice came from inside the door. Cen Jiexiao and Yu Lan took a deep breath, supported each other, and walked into the imperial study.

"Your Majesty, I, your humble servant, pay my respects to you. Long live the Emperor!" Cen Jiexiao and Yu Lan knelt on the ground and kowtowed.

"Stand up." Chai Zhen sat on the dragon throne, and his tone did not reveal his joy or anger.

Cen Jiexiao and Yu Lan slowly stood up, lowered their heads, and dared not speak.

"Dean Cen, Miss Yu, I have seen everything you two did today." Chai Zhen spoke calmly, but Cen Jiexiao and Yu Lan's hearts skipped a beat.

"Do you know why I want to keep you here?" Chai Zhen sat on the dragon throne in the imperial study, and his tone did not reveal his joy or anger.

Cen Jiexiao and Yu Lan knelt on the ground, lowered their heads, and dared not speak.

"Raise your head and look at me." Chai Zhen's voice was filled with unquestionable majesty.

Cen Jiexiao and Yu Lan looked at each other, then slowly raised their heads and looked at Chai Zhen.

"I ask you, do you know your guilt?" Chai Zhen's eyes were as sharp as torches, as if he could see through people's hearts.

"I, your humble servant, know my guilt." Cen Jiexiao and Yu Lan answered in unison.

"Oh? Do you know what crime you have committed?" Chai Zhen asked with interest.