SBCEJM -Chapter 154 The Entire Court Kneels in Unison! But They Were Worshipping a Fake Phoenix?

As soon as Feng Zhaoyan heard the announcement, a flash of excitement appeared in her eyes.

【Here they come, here they come! The delivery squad has finally shown up!】

【Host, this time it’s the full lineup!】

At the entrance of the courtyard, seven monks in cassocks strode in.

Their steps were perfectly synchronized, robes fluttering in the wind—they even carried a faint air of transcendence.

The leading monk held a string of prayer beads. His expression was compassionate, his brows serene, exuding an air of detached enlightenment.

What was most eye-catching, however, was that each monk had a fiery red bird perched on their shoulder.

Its feathers were dazzlingly bright, head held high, looking so arrogant it might as well have its beak pointed at the sky.

“My heavens! Is that a phoenix?”

An official’s voice trembled with excitement.

He rubbed his eyes hard, thinking he was hallucinating.

“A divine bird has descended! The nation’s fortune is rising!”

Minister Zhang from the Ministry of Works immediately knelt with utmost reverence.

His forehead hit the ground hard.

“I, in this lifetime, have actually seen a phoenix! No regrets in this life!”

The rest of the officials quickly followed suit, and the courtyard was instantly filled with kneeling figures.

“May Heaven bless Great Xia! May Heaven bless Great Xia!”

The phoenix was said to be the foremost auspicious omen—appearing only when a sage ruler reigned and the world was at peace.

Even Prime Minister Lin did not dare to be negligent. Though he was suspicious, he could only kneel along with everyone else.

Emperor Xiao Juechen’s heartbeat quickened.

As an emperor, the appearance of auspicious signs was crucial to legitimizing his rule.

If this truly was a phoenix, it would be undeniable proof of Heaven’s approval.

He was about to kneel when Feng Zhaoyan’s inner voice rang out.

【System, are those things on the monks’ shoulders really phoenixes? Something feels off.】

Xiao Juechen paused mid-motion.

The Crown Prince’s instincts were always sharp—if she felt something was wrong, then there must be a problem.

【Host, those are just ordinary red junglefowl, dyed with rouge powder!】

【Look, their claws are even tied with thin iron wires. Otherwise, they would’ve flown away long ago!】

【These scammers really went all out to deceive people, even using props like this!】

Xiao Juechen secretly breathed a sigh of relief—he had nearly been fooled.

The officials who overheard the inner voice quietly looked up and indeed noticed the clues.

The feathers of the “divine birds” were overly vivid—clearly artificially dyed.

Looking closely, their claws were indeed bound with hair-thin wires that shimmered under the sunlight.

【I thought I was seeing a real phoenix… what a waste of excitement.】

The kneeling officials’ expressions became wonderfully varied.

Some adjusted their collars, others straightened their hat tassels—everyone scrambled for excuses to cover their embarrassment.

Grand Secretary Wu cursed inwardly: these scammers are outrageous! Using fake phoenixes to deceive court officials!

Minister Yu of War wiped his cold sweat: thankfully the Crown Prince noticed in time, otherwise even His Majesty would have been fooled!

The leading monk, “Master Tongtian,” glanced around the crowd, clearly satisfied with the scene of everyone kneeling.

Completely unaware that his scheme had already been exposed, he still looked smug.

He stroked his beard and adopted a profound demeanor.

“Benefactors, there is no need for such grand courtesy. We humble monks are undeserving.”

“Masters, today is my grandson’s first birthday banquet. May I ask what brings you here?”

Prime Minister Lin stood up, his tone clearly displeased.

“Amitabha. We have been entrusted by someone to come perform a blessing ritual for the young benefactor.”

Master Tongtian pressed his palms together, looking righteous.

“I fear calamity may befall your household. We cannot bear to see innocents suffer, so we have come to help.”

“Entrusted by whom?”

He did not answer. Instead, he stared closely at the child in the arms of Lin’s eldest son.

Frowning deeply, he looked troubled.

“Amitabha. This child, by his appearance, is a reincarnated calamity star—one who brings misfortune to his kin and his family!”

He shook his head and sighed.

“Though young and innocent in this life, his past karma is heavy. In this lifetime, he will surely bring disaster to the family!”

Prime Minister Lin’s expression changed instantly, rage boiling over.

“Nonsense! My grandson is perfectly fine—how is he a calamity star?”

Lin’s eldest son clutched the child tightly, fiercely protective.

“You monks are spouting lies! My son is the treasure of our family!”

“Please do not be anxious,” the monk said calmly, acting like an enlightened master.

“After years of cultivation, I can see past and present lives. This child is surrounded by dark energy. If not resolved in time…”

“What will happen?” someone couldn’t help asking.

The monk sighed dramatically.

“In less than three years, your household will collapse. Lightly, you will lose wealth and fortune. Heavily, bloodshed will occur, and your entire lineage will be destroyed.”

At these words, Madam Lin turned as pale as paper.

Even though everyone knew these monks were frauds, the mention of family safety still shook her.

“T-then… is there any way to resolve it?” she asked tremblingly.

“Of course,” the monk said with a glint of triumph.

“Simply allow us to conduct a ritual. We will chant scriptures for forty-nine days, and the calamity will be dissolved.”

【Host, they’re charging five thousand taels for the ritual!】

【Damn! They’re basically robbing people!】

The crowd gasped sharply upon hearing the price.

Five thousand taels was no small sum!

Cheng Tianchuo had not knelt earlier and had been observing from the side.

Knowing the truth, he naturally wasn’t fooled.

He suddenly stepped forward with a playful smile.

“If this child is a calamity star, then let’s swap him with mine.”

He held the child in his arms, Xiao Xingyan, and took two steps forward.

“I, Cheng, am not afraid of any calamity. Worst case, I’ll just deal with it as it comes.”

Master Shen Tong immediately jumped out to stop him.

“General Cheng, you jest! How can the Prime Minister’s grandson be casually exchanged? Blood ties are sacred!”

“Exactly! General Cheng, stop causing trouble!”

Officials chimed in.

“The masters already said a ritual can solve it—why complicate things?”

“It’s better to believe it than not! Better to spend money and feel at ease!”

“Five thousand taels is nothing for the Prime Minister if it ensures the family’s safety!”

Feng Zhaoyan listened and almost laughed out loud.

【What nonsense are they talking about? The child in General Cheng’s arms is the real grandson of the Prime Minister!】

The moment those words landed, the entire courtyard fell into dead silence.

So quiet you could hear a needle drop.

Prime Minister Lin’s eyes widened—her suspicion had been right all along!

Lin’s eldest son’s arms trembled so violently he nearly dropped the child.

Everyone else was stunned beyond belief.

The information was too explosive!

The grandson had been swapped?!

Master Tongtian sensed something was wrong and hurriedly tried to smooth things over.

“Benefactors, what I meant earlier was…”

“Enough!”

Cheng Tianchuo interrupted him coldly, his eyes sharp and dangerous.

“I’ll be honest now—I’m done pretending!”

He swept his gaze across the crowd and declared loudly:

“Do you all want to know the truth behind this?”