Yun Xiao was displeased. She missed her father and wanted to go back to see him. To think that this fellow would suggest such a thing. She really wanted to beat him soundly, but Yun Zhen stopped her.
"Alright, we'll accompany His Highness Prince Li to the palace banquet then."
"Brother."
Yun Xiao pouted, showing her childlike demeanor. At times like this, it meant she was in a good mood, which Yun Zhen understood. He smiled and said,
"You're tired too. We've been in carriages for so many days. Let's rest. It won't be too late to go back after attending the palace banquet with His Highness Prince Li. Besides, with envoys from three nations visiting, Father might not be at the prince's manor."
"Alright then."
Yun Xiao yawned. She was indeed tired. After traveling by carriage for so many days, no matter how comfortable and soft the carriage was, her bones felt as if they were falling apart.
Everyone went to rest, and the imperial guesthouses became extremely quiet.
The cold wind swept over the eaves, and crows cawed hoarsely. Yun Xiao lay in bed and had a nightmare. When she woke up, her body was covered in a cold sweat.
She couldn't remember the scene in her dream at all, only a sense of unease welled up in her heart. She couldn't sleep anymore. She opened her eyes wide, gazing at the silk canopy above her, which swayed gently in the air, until evening.
At the hour of You (5 PM-7 PM), the Minister of Revenue, accompanied by several palace eunuchs and a long line of guards, sent carriages to pick up the envoys of Xiliang. As they were entering the palace, it was not appropriate to bring too many elite soldiers, so Ji Qingge chose only ten of them.
Including four ministers and Yun Xiao and Yun Zhen, they all headed for the imperial palace.
The imposing palace gates loomed in the distance. The eaves on the high walls curved upwards, and three large characters, 'Zheng Qin Men,' were inscribed on the wide bluestone lintel. This was the main gate of the Dongqin Dynasty.
Apart from important distinguished guests and people of the imperial court, no one else could enter through Zheng Qin Men. At this moment, the palace gates were wide open, indicating that Dongqin attached great importance to the envoys from the three nations.
The carriages moved inward towards the inner palace gate. Yun Xiao and Yun Zhen shared one carriage with Prince Li, while the four ministers shared another. The ten elite soldiers followed the eunuchs and the Minister of Rites, walking alongside the carriages as they proceeded towards Luyang Hall, where the palace banquet was to be held that night.
Luyang Hall was newly decorated inside and out, adorned with flowers and radiating brilliance.
Seven-colored palace lanterns hung from the palace eaves, which curled like clouds. The glazed tiles gleamed under the moonlight. Beside the pillars carved with exquisite dragon and phoenix patterns, rows of palace maids and eunuchs in colorful attire stood silently.
The chief eunuch of the palace, Wang Rong, and the ritual officers from the Ministry of Rites, along with some eunuchs, guarded the front of the hall, attending to the guests from time to time.
By imperial decree, all officials of the third rank and above in the court were permitted to attend with their families, to add liveliness and ensure that the envoys from the three nations did not feel neglected.
In the palace, there was only the Emperor and a princess; there were no consorts at the moment.
If the ministers were not allowed to bring their families, it might appear that Dongqin's etiquette was insufficient, especially if there were female guests among the envoys from the three nations. On the other hand, Shangguan Yin had seriously considered it, and he had truly forgotten someone.
That person should be the woman he liked. He must have given his 'Feng Jue' to that woman. He didn't know why others were keeping it from him, so he wanted to find this woman at the palace banquet.
In Luyang Hall, ministers began to arrive with their families, and the ritual officers greeted them from time to time.
"Lord Lü has arrived."
"Lord Shen has arrived."
Calls of warm greetings and respectful welcomes echoed.
Inside the main hall, a large red carpet was laid in the center. On both sides were low tables made of redwood carved with peony patterns, covered with soft brocade cushions. The tables were laden with vermilion lacquered food boxes with gold inlays, filled with fragrant and delicious imperial delicacies.
Even before they were opened, a delicate fragrance wafted out. The low tables were also adorned with glazed ewers, transparent containers filled with brightly colored fruits and vegetables, presenting a dazzling array.
Inside the hall, groups of three or five people chatted, officials networking, forging connections, and flattering each other, creating a harmonious atmosphere.
The noble ladies gathered together, scrutinizing each other, subtly competing to see who would be more outstanding that night.
The Emperor had not yet married, and the harem had no consorts. Therefore, all these women had a chance.
It was rumored that the current Emperor Yin was still a rare handsome man in the world, which made them flutter. Their hearts pounded like little deer. Even if the Emperor didn't fancy them, there was still Prince Shangguan.
It was also rumored that Prince Lin's manor had no women at all. Additionally, there were many outstanding young masters in the homes of these ministers. Some women, thinking of this, cast furtive glances at the young masters gathered elegantly by the side, secretly assessing their capabilities.
On the surface, there were smiling faces, but beneath them, undercurrents surged.
Outside the hall door, a eunuch announced, "Princess Anle arrives."
Everyone turned their gaze towards the main entrance. Although Princess Anle was not the Emperor's full sister, nor did she hold a formal lineage, since the Emperor had conferred the title of Princess Anle upon her, she possessed a noble status.
A figure clad in vibrant red gracefully entered from the hall door. Her hair was styled in a loosely coiled jade hairpin, adorned with a golden phoenix hairpin. The phoenix head was crafted from gold, its wings spread, shimmering with golden light.
The phoenix's mouth held a pearl, from which a string of tassels hung, perfectly adorning the center of her forehead, swaying gently and charmingly from side to side.
Her face was also beautiful and moving. Her bright red brocade robe made her skin as white as fine jade, her lips red and teeth white, truly a beauty of unparalleled grace.
Murong Yingxue walked in from outside the hall. The court officials bowed, and some ladies stepped forward to greet her.
The leading woman was Sima Bingxin, also dressed in her finest attire, wearing a water-grass green robe and skirt, exuding a more delicate and graceful aura.
Among the many women present that night, these two were the most outstanding. Although others were also dressed splendidly and possessed their own charms, when it came to a true comparison, they still fell short.
Sima Bingxin was proud and remained silent in the hall.
Seeing Murong Yingxue approach, she stepped forward, linked her arm with Murong Yingxue's, and they chatted intimately, much to the envy of the surrounding daughters of officials.
After all, she was the daughter of Prime Minister Sima, closer in status to the princess. These women were worlds apart from the princess and could not converse with them.
Inside the hall, as everyone was engaged in lively conversation, voices from outside the hall door began to sound.
"Prince Shangguan arrives, Prince Yun arrives."
These two were the most influential figures in the court at the moment, so naturally, flattering officials went forward to surround them and chat.
The hall instantly became bustling. Eunuchs and palace maids moved among them, constantly busy.
In the main hall, incense burned in twin-eared golden tripods. The night breeze drifted in from the hall door, rustling the fine gauze curtains and bringing a chill. However, with so many people in the hall, the heat was palpable, and it didn't feel cold.
When Yun Xiao arrived, the envoys from Nan Jin and Bei Yan had not yet arrived. It was unclear whether it was deliberate posturing or for some other reason.
In any case, they were the first among the three nations to arrive. A eunuch called out, "Envoys of Xiliang arrive."
Upon hearing this, the officials in the hall became nervous. Xiliang and Dongqin had been at war for years. In their minds,
The Xiliang people must be stout and strong, naturally possessing the demeanor of warriors. Therefore, when Ji Qingge, dressed in a light yellow brocade robe, appeared, the crowd couldn't help but gasp in admiration.
It turned out that the Xiliang people, like the Dongqin people, had two eyes, one nose, and one mouth. There was no difference. And this man was truly handsome, comparable to their own Emperor.