“A Yao, don’t be nervous,” Emperor Hong said, patting my shoulder. “You will definitely pass the trial.”
The High Priest, holding a golden cup, approached me with four priests behind her.
“Are you ready, Your Highness?” she asked, her voice deep and devoid of emotion.
“I am ready.” I carefully observed her, but she kept her eyes lowered, avoiding my gaze while Emperor Hong stood expectantly.
The High Priest dipped the golden cup into the holy water pool, quickly lifting it filled with clear water. She placed the cup on the altar and gestured for me to put the phoenix black gold token into it.
I raised my hand over the cup, watching her intently. I noticed her eyes fixated on the token, her brow furrowed and trembling with apparent nervousness.
I gripped the token and withdrew my hand, and the High Priest appeared shocked, staring at me.
Something was indeed wrong. My heart felt complex and bitter, but I laughed.
“Your Highness, what are you doing?” The High Priest finally came to her senses, attempting to snatch the token from my hand.
“The golden cup is too small. I’m afraid everyone can’t see clearly,” I smiled and walked to the transparent holy water pool, decisively dropping the token into it. “Let’s do the trial directly in the pool so everyone can see clearly.”
The High Priest stepped back, barely maintaining her composure.
“How can this be?!”
“It’s fine,” Emperor Hong waved his hand. “The Prince is right. We’re looking at the holy water; it doesn’t have to be in the golden cup. This way is clearer.”
The High Priest stood frozen, helpless. A priest handed me a dagger, which I took and pricked my right middle finger, drawing a drop of blood.
The cold touch of the blade was nothing compared to the grief in my heart. I looked at the blood drop for a moment. The High Priest urged, “Please drop your blood into the pool, Your Highness.”
I turned to her and smiled, “High Priest, you are indeed loyal and dutiful. Zhao Hua will remember your actions today.”
She froze, fear and vigilance apparent in her eyes, then lowered her head and said nothing more.
I let the blood drop fall into the holy water pool. It paused on the surface for a moment before sinking down, clear as day.
