After Li Zanran left, a person came out from the inner room of the embroidery workshop.
Mu Xinghe looked at the void outside, his eyes darkening.
From this incident, he learned that in officialdom, it's not enough to rely solely on conscience and justice; one must be more cunning than these petty people, becoming a Buddha when encountering a Buddha, and a ghost when encountering a ghost.
"Change them all."
The next day at noon, foreign guests arrived to pay homage, and the ceremony was grand and solemn.
Officials of the fourth rank and above, including those of the sixth rank and above who were in charge of the ceremony, were seated on both sides.
As a princess, Qiao Lian'er was originally supposed to sit at the same table as the prince's heir, but because she had the Princess Pingyang's token, she was ranked ahead of them.
Dressed in palace attire, she exuded a more composed and dignified air, her eyes clear and solemn.
The princesses and princes were somewhat surprised and couldn't help but secretly glance at the person a few more times.
In their eyes, Qiao Lian'er was nothing more than a princess of a different surname, while they were royal blood relatives. Her position was actually more important than theirs, almost on par with the princess.
Some were unconvinced, some were envious, and some were in awe.
Princess Feiluan is currently training 40,000 cavalrymen. With elite troops at her disposal, she is destined for countless achievements and should not be trifled with.
Li Zanran was in a good mood. Although his official rank was not very high, he stood at the end of the officials and couldn't help but smile.
The auspicious time arrived, and Eunuch Qi announced loudly, "Foreign guests are entering the court; play music."
Suddenly, drums and horns sounded, firecrackers roared, and fireworks exploded in the sky. Although it was daytime, the explosions created the magnificent scene of a prosperous dynasty.
Foreign guests lined up to enter the palace, and princes and officials performed a friendly welcome ceremony according to the rehearsed etiquette. The scene was orderly, magnificent, and pleasing to the eye.
These foreign guests, as they entered, observed the patterns on the carpets and flags, which were symbols of their country, beliefs, and culture. The textile and embroidery skills of the Great Swamp Kingdom were indeed advanced; these patterns were even more beautiful and delicate than those made in their own country.
The foreign guests showed their satisfaction and slowed down their pace, becoming more interested in sightseeing.
After the officials, one person held his breath. The guests from Xiufeng Kingdom were about to see their country's totem. Faced with a dark, blazing flame, they were bound to be so enraged that they would immediately lose their temper and break off all pretense of civility.
The people of this country appear humble on the outside, but they all have explosive tempers when their principles are violated. It's unimaginable what it would be like for them to point at the emperor on the throne and hurl insults at him.
Mu Xinghe was also standing at the back of the line. He glanced at Li Zanran out of the corner of his eye.
Li Zanran clenched his fists, tucked them under his sleeves, pressed them together, stretched his neck, and puffed out his chest, as if anticipating something.
"Lord Li, we can't see anything here." Mu Xinghe smiled.
Although it was called a hundred officials, there were actually several hundred people of the fourth rank and above, standing in a huge crowd blocking the way.
Those standing at the very back could only catch a glimpse of a corner of their clothes; they didn't even know which group was passing by.
"Well, for us fifth and sixth-rank officials to be able to stand here is already an extraordinary favor. We're just here for the fun of it," Li Zanran said.
The delegation from Xiufeng Kingdom was twice as large as that of other countries. Even their own people would mistake their totem for something else, and every year a lot of people would be beheaded because of it, so they were extra careful.
They looked up at the fluttering flags above, then down at the flower carpet beneath their feet.
Although it is late autumn, the weather is particularly nice today. The sunlight shines directly down from above, falling on these totems and presenting a colorful and beautiful scene. From different angles, they are different and splendid.
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