Chapter 134

C134 – The Ceremony Cannot be Broken

“The 999th step is known as the Heaven Rank, reserved exclusively for the Royal Family’s ascent.”

Tang Yue gasped for breath, casting a glance downward. They had already covered more than half the distance up the Heaven Rank staircase. It was just him and Crown Prince Zhao navigating this imposing climb, with the chilly wind seemingly determined to usher them to the zenith of the heavens.

He mused that such grandiose gestures were a favorite of emperors. It was probably a way to relish the act of looking down upon the common folk, a display of their lofty status.

Crown Prince Zhao firmly held his hand, leading him onward. As they ascended, the air grew colder, but Tang Yue was oblivious to the chill. Even beneath his layers of clothing, beads of sweat formed.

“Only members of the royal family are permitted to ascend these steps. Are there no attendants in the ancestral temple? Surely there must be individuals responsible for its maintenance?”

“The ancestral temple is attended to by clan members who serve their ancestors. Typically, those who’ve transgressed or voluntarily wish to pay their respects remain by the green lanterns, never descending the mountain.”

To Tang Yue, this place felt more like a form of captivity. Despite its apparent grandeur, it was replete with cold towers and even colder memorial tablets. What differentiated living in such a place from taking up the robes of a monk?

999 steps might not sound like much, but ascending them in one go was truly arduous. Tang Yue glanced at the young man beside him, his expression unchanged, and chuckled. “Has there ever been a bride who stumbled during this ascent?”

Crown Prince Zhao turned to him with a smile. “Of course there have been. However, women who couldn’t pass this trial weren’t deemed worthy to become Crown Princess or Queen.”

Tang Yue brushed a bead of sweat from his nose and took a deep breath. “So, what if I stumble? Would this marriage be invalidated?”

“With me by your side, how could I allow Qing to fall?” Crown Prince Zhao wiped Tang Yue’s brow with the edge of his sleeve and planted a kiss on Tang Yue’s cheek before crouching down.

“Climb on, I’ll carry you!”

Tang Yue laughed and patted Crown Prince Zhao on the back. “Quit fooling around. It’s not necessary!”

As a man, having someone carry him up the mountain would be an embarrassment he couldn’t bear alone.

He gently pushed Crown Prince Zhao aside and proceeded to ascend the stairs himself, resolutely completing this demanding trial.

Crown Prince Zhao didn’t insist. They alternated between walking and stopping, finally reaching the mountain’s summit after two hours of effort. Tang Yue was left utterly speechless.

Gazing upon the temple from the summit, Tang Yue was awestruck by its grandeur. It stood before him, majestic and imposing, like a realm of immortals. He felt like a minuscule speck of dust in comparison.

He exclaimed, “How was this possible? Were all the stones and trees here transported from the mountain’s base?” The amount of labor and resources required for such an endeavor boggled the mind.

“What’s on your mind?” Crown Prince Zhao pinched his hand. “While the mountain does have trees and boulders, it took generations of kings and a substantial labor force to construct this ancestral temple.”

“Your Highness and Crown Princess, please enter the temple!” An elderly voice interrupted Tang Yue’s thoughts. He turned toward the source and saw two rows of people of varying ages standing at the temple’s entrance.

They wore plain, loose robes with wide sleeves and cinched waists, and their hair was tightly bound atop their heads, resembling Taoist priests. Their expressions remained serene and devoid of emotion.

These individuals were likely members of the royal family who served in the ancestral temple throughout the year.

However, Tang Yue couldn’t sense any of the usual royal aura from them. They didn’t fit the image of royal disciples he had in mind—individuals like Crown Prince Zhao, who possessed great wisdom and charisma, or the ambitious and cunning crown prince. They could also be haughty and tyrannical. This detached demeanor was unusual for royal kin.

Crown Prince Zhao guided Tang Yue in performing the ritual kowtows outside the temple door before leading him into the main hall, which could only be described as vast and empty.

The spacious hall was filled with an ethereal mist, and the two rows of golden memorial tablets before them gleamed with an intensity that made it impossible to meet their gaze directly.

The ritual continued with a series of complex procedures, including prayer recitations, three rounds of kneeling, and nine kowtows. They listened as the elderly Uncle Wang recited lengthy blessings and admonitions. By the time they emerged from the temple, the sky had grown dark.

“It’s going to snow,” Crown Prince Zhao said, wrapping Tang Yue in a thick fox fur and touching his cold face. “Let’s descend the mountain. We’ve had a long day; it’s time to return and rest.”

Tang Yue turned to look at the closed temple door. “This mountain is cold year-round. Can their bodies endure it?”

Being a doctor, Tang Yue’s immediate concern was whether he should provide medicine to withstand the cold. Otherwise, these individuals would undoubtedly suffer from rheumatism in a few years, which would become a source of agony in their old age.

Crown Prince Zhao chuckled softly. “You needn’t worry about that. When I ascend the throne, and you become the king, you can attend to this matter.”

Tang Yue blushed and coughed awkwardly, instantly grasping Crown Prince Zhao’s implication.

Indeed, these people, even though confined here, were still royal disciples. Aside from their lack of freedom, they lived a comfortable life. Compared to the common folk, their lives were quite leisurely.

Their descent down the mountain was notably quicker. Before darkness fully enveloped the surroundings, Tang Yue and the others reached the mountain’s base. The wind and snow intensified, gradually transforming the waiting attendants into snow-covered figures.

“I appreciate your patience in waiting. Let’s return to the mansion and raise a toast,” Crown Prince Zhao said as he chose not to ride his horse, instead entering Tang Yue’s carriage and accompanying him.

Exhaustion left Tang Yue devoid of strength. He closed his eyes, leaning on Crown Prince Zhao. His heart harbored a lingering conflict. The pivotal moment in their marriage was the wedding night—how would they navigate it?

When Tang Yue agreed to marry Crown Prince Zhao, they had reached an agreement that the bridal chamber would remain untouched. However, circumstances had evolved, and both his body and heart had grown accustomed to Crown Prince Zhao.

The only lingering concern was Crown Prince Zhao’s age. In Tang Yue’s eyes, this 15-year-old was undeniably a child. Despite his maturity in various aspects, there was no escaping this fact.

“We’ve arrived. What’s on your mind?” Crown Prince Zhao’s distinct voice roused Tang Yue from his thoughts. He opened his eyes, meeting Crown Prince Zhao’s bright gaze, which prompted a subtle smile to form on his lips.

“I was contemplating how we’ll spend the night,” Tang Yue admitted candidly.

Crown Prince Zhao’s gaze underwent a transformation. He locked eyes with Tang Yue and slowly traced his gaze from the top of Tang Yue’s head to his lower abdomen.

Tang Yue’s stomach tensed, and he instinctively moved his legs away from Crown Prince Zhao’s body, straightening his disheveled hair and readjusting his headband.

Crown Prince Zhao pursed his lips, tilting his head slightly, his eyes reflecting a mix of delight and mockery. “If you’re not willing, I can be patient.”

Tang Yue found it hard not to be touched by Crown Prince Zhao’s display of patience. He responded, “Your Highness, if you’re tired today, we can wait. We could rest early, and perhaps you could enjoy some wine to help you sleep.”

Crown Prince Zhao stretched out his legs, propping one hand against his forehead, a rare mischievous smile playing on his lips. “Who would dare to get drunk in my domain?”

The carriage came to a halt, and Tang Yue decided to end this conversation by quickly stepping out of the carriage, startling the waiting crowd.

Grand Tutor Xu disagreed and offered a reminder, “Your Highness, Crown Princess, the king is following closely behind his former subject; it would be improper for you to proceed ahead.”

Tang Yue was well aware of these customs, which required him to stand at least half a step behind someone of higher rank to show respect. In the presence of a monarch, he had to maintain that distance, never allowing his backside to face them.

Tang Yue typically adhered to these customs in front of outsiders but chose to disregard them among his own people.

Just as Tang Yue was about to say something conciliatory to appease the situation, Crown Prince Zhao’s voice came from behind him, “You’re quite stubborn, Tutor, there’s no need to fret.”

In essence, he was saying, “Don’t concern yourself with him; the master doesn’t mind.”

Grand Tutor Xu retorted, “Your Highness, you shouldn’t dismiss these traditions.”

“Must we delve into matters of etiquette on my wedding day, Grand Tutor?” Crown Prince Zhao’s countenance darkened, his displeasure evident.

Grand Tutor Xu had been Crown Prince Zhao’s tutor in his youth, responsible for teaching him reading and writing. However, he held rather traditional views. The king had likely appointed him to oversee the wedding to ensure that nothing went awry.

Crown Prince Zhao had initially favored Duke Heng from the State to preside over the wedding. Duke Heng held Tang Yue in high regard and could accommodate Tang Yue’s preferences.

While Xu Taigao was competent, he lacked a personal connection with Tang Yue, thus taking everything very seriously.

Grand Tutor Xu glanced around awkwardly before bowing and changing the subject. “It’s growing late. Your Highness and Crown Princess, please enter the residence. The guests have been waiting for some time.”

Tang Yue, feeling a tad embarrassed that he had given in first, returned the gesture, “I’m starting to feel quite tired. Thank you for the reminder, Tutor Xu.”

Grand Tutor Xu hadn’t expected Tang Yue to take the initiative to admit his oversight. He silently commended the young master of the Tang Family for his open-mindedness.

Tang Yue was not an arrogant individual. Regardless of his status, he remained humble. This was an inherent quality of his character, reflecting his upbringing.

It was no wonder people often said that the young master of Yueyang Marquis didn’t resemble someone from a rural background. How could he have cultivated such manners without a refined upbringing?