This was not Zhan Xinjia's first time entering the palace, nor was it his first time participating in the tribute festival.
The enormous building before me resembles a sleeping giant lion, silently lying in the center of the capital, exuding a majestic and awe-inspiring presence.
Further inside are pavilions and towers with carved beams and painted rafters, vermilion walls and golden eaves, glazed green tiles, and horse-drawn carriages clattering in this solemn space divided by towering palace walls, exuding a sense of ancient grandeur.
Of course, Zhan Xinjia didn't feel anything.
At that moment, she was sitting in the carriage with a blade of grass in her mouth, her head resting on her arm, pretending to be asleep.
Liu Ruyan, who was standing to the side, slapped her on the forehead.
Are you sure your method will work?
Zhan Xinjia opened one eye and glanced sideways at her mother, full of confidence.
"How could it be useless? As long as A-Yue has found a lover, no one will have designs on her anymore. Who would dare to steal my man? I've given them face! ... Oh, don't worry, Mother, I know what I'm doing. The Emperor and the Empress haven't said anything."
"You've never had any sense of propriety since you were a child. What if others find out?!"
Zhan Yue, sitting upright on the other side, looked extremely nervous, his brows furrowed. "I already told you to stay home and recover from your injuries, but you insisted on getting involved. What haven't you seen in the palace? Why did you have to come and join in this fun?"
"That's right, your father is right. I think you should just go home and lie down."
Liu Ruyan chimed in.
Zhan Xinjia found it very strange.
From early morning, her parents used the same excuse, implying that they didn't want her to go to the palace or participate in the tribute festival, as if there were some ferocious beast waiting for her in the palace.
Zhan Xinjia lowered her eyes slightly and raised her hand to move her arm.
She could barely feel the wound under the sleeve anymore. After all, Master Shen had changed her dressing several times, and it had already started to scab over. Now, all she had to do was ensure that it didn't get infected during the scab formation process.
She was startled when she saw that there were indeed two rows of teeth marks on her wrist.
Who was so wicked as to actually bite her?
My thoughts were once again drawn into this strange mystery, but before I could figure it out, the carriage had already stopped.
The road ahead can only be traveled on foot.
A palace maid carrying a seven-cornered glass palace lantern led the way. The guards along the way were very strict. They followed the other officials and their families into the depths of the palace road and soon arrived at the place where the banquet was to be held.
The sky was clear and bright, the sun was high in the sky, and there wasn't a cloud in sight.
This is an extremely vast and luxurious garden, surrounded by all sorts of unidentifiable green plants, with precious flowers of various colors vying for attention on both sides. Two rows of tables and chairs are arranged in a gradually increasing order of height, covered with embroidered silk fabrics, on which are placed fresh fruits, fine wines, and various pastries, a dazzling array of delicacies.
The two bright yellow figures occupying the highest position in the very center are none other than the current Emperor and Empress of the Great Sheng Dynasty.
His Majesty Yan Changxun is forty-two years old this year, in the prime of his life, and much older than his two younger brothers. Although the wrinkles of time are visible on his face, one can still vaguely see glimpses of his former handsome and dashing appearance.
Sitting next to him, Empress Ruan Tian, who was not much younger than him, was remarkably well-preserved. She had fair skin, a beautiful face, and bright, clear eyes. She was gentle and serene, showing no signs of aging.
Seated to the left and right of the Emperor and Empress were the Crown Prince and Princess, dressed in their finest attire.
Next up are Prince Yan and his wife—
As expected, Yan Yuyao, that idiot old Chinese medicine doctor, didn't come back.
Zhan Xinjia didn't look at it much, and followed her parents to the seats on either side, where she calmly took her seat.
She was already very familiar with the process.
Before the event started, she went up and quickly devoured several plates of pastries to fill her stomach to about three-tenths full. Then she drank a pot of fruit wine to tide her over. Finally, she idly rested her chin on one hand and fiddled with the empty wine glass.
By the way, where should Master Shen sit?
Officials of the third rank and above, along with their wives and daughters, were mostly gathered here. Add to that countless palace maids and guards, and the garden was teeming with people. She couldn't find them on her first glance. Then, upon closer inspection—
I did see Qiaoqiao standing guard over the women.
Qiao Qiao changed into a smart and capable outfit similar to that of a female guard, with a long sword at her waist. She had obviously been forced into this situation by her master, and because it was her first time participating in such a scene, she looked a little nervous and reserved.
Zhan Xinjia smiled, stood up, and walked straight toward Yan Xiyue, who was in the upper seat.
"Your Highness, Caixia."
She bowed gracefully, her smile bright.
Yan Xiyue, dressed in a wide-sleeved palace gown, stood there stunned for a while, rubbing her eyes in disbelief.
"Sister...sister baby?!"
Although Zhan Xinjia had already informed her of the plan, Yan Xiyue was still shocked to the point of questioning her life when she suddenly saw a handsome young man a head taller than her standing in front of her, as if by magic.
It's impossible to tell that she's a girl.
If it can be seen through, then Zhan Xinjia is doomed.
She had deliberately modified the details of her facial features, with her arched eyebrows, narrow peach blossom eyes, and thin lips that held a smile. This complemented her fitted round-necked robe, her high ponytail, and her upright posture, making her look exactly like a spirited young man from a military family.
Not to mention Yan Xiyue, even Yan Huishi glanced at her suspiciously a few more times.
Zhan Xinjia stood confidently with her head held high and a smug smile on her lips.
"Alright, I'm sitting right here today. I want to see which scoundrel dares to ask you for your hand in front of me. I'll beat the crap out of him if he doesn't suck the shit out of me!!"
Yan Xiyue: "..."
When the geese returned: "..."
It's definitely a girl; after all, you can't find another person in the world with such terrible manners.
The three chatted briefly about trivial matters. Once the banquet officially began, Zhan Xinjia returned to his seat and sat down leisurely, listlessly enjoying the uninspired song and dance performances with everyone else.
Generally, large-scale festivals follow a few routines: paying homage to the emperor and empress, receiving speeches from the emperor and empress, and then taking their seats for the banquet.
Once all these procedures were completed, the envoys from other countries finally began their audience.
Zhan Xinjia showed little interest in the envoys and princes from the several remote small countries who came up earlier. The tributes they presented were mostly rare gems and treasures that were quite uncommon in Dasheng, nothing special.
It wasn't until the eunuch shrilly announced the arrival of the envoy from the Southern Commandery that Zhan Xinjia lazily lifted his eyelids.
She looked up and saw two women and one man walking along the carpet.
Both women were dressed in traditional clothing unique to the Southern Kingdom. The specially made white silk gauze covered their entire bodies from head to toe, and their long hair was loose. They had crystal-like pendants on their foreheads, giving them a somewhat sacred look, similar to the priests of the snowfield.
The Southern Kingdom is indeed located on a plateau.
The older maid wore a white veil, revealing only a pair of light-colored eyes, and appeared indifferent and composed.
Meanwhile, the girl next to him, who looked to be only seventeen or eighteen, had a bright and beautiful face, with a string of silver bells hanging from her waist. She smiled charmingly, neither timid nor fearful, and her every move was quite graceful. It was clear that she had been pampered since childhood.
Standing next to him was a burly man dressed in a particularly flamboyant manner.
He was tall and imposing, as strong as a wall, his upper body only partially covered by armor, a wolf fang pendant hanging from his chest, and a pale scar adorning his fleshy face. His black hair was tied into small braids and braided back, giving him a rugged and untamed look.
He looked more like a wild beast than a human.
As soon as the three entered, everyone in the hall fell into an eerie silence.
At the same time, Zhan Xinjia noticed that several gazes were falling on her simultaneously.
She immediately felt extremely uncomfortable.
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