A few days ago.

Dali is outside the cold capital.

A grand welcoming ceremony is taking place...

Zhao Rong is not a man without vision.

But even he had experienced the grand scene of a hundred thousand people from the suburbs of Zhongnan Kingdom seeing them off and willow branches being broken for ten miles.

Zhao Rong couldn't help but be surprised when he saw the grand celebration of the orphan and widow standing at the highest point of Dali and bringing nearly 300,000 people out of the city to welcome them.

He rode his horse and led the way in the front, with Zhao Qian'er and Gu Yiwu following one body length behind him.

Behind them was Fairy Su, and the students from the Hall of Justice who were following on horseback.

Actually, Fairy Su had been following Zhao Rong closely before, sticking close to him, but was pushed behind by Xiao Qian'er...

Zhao Rong looked around and saw that the official road leading to the capital's gate was empty, while both sides of the road were crowded with hundreds of thousands of Hanjing people.

The whole place was in an uproar for a while.

The spacious official road, which could accommodate five or six carriages traveling side by side, was covered with bright red and purple carpets that stretched for miles and he could not see the end at a glance.

On this road, apart from Zhao Rong and Gu Yiwu and his group riding horses, there was only a huge dragon chariot with a canopy in the distance.

The dragon chariot was surrounded by thousands of palace maids and sword-wielding guards, and the nearby common people all knelt on the ground in submission.

It goes without saying that the young Emperor of Dali and the Empress Dowager are among them, quietly waiting for Zhao Rong and others.

Zhao Rong's face was calm and his eyes swept across the road.

In the field of vision, there are densely packed heads, all kinds of excited faces, and bright flowers in their hands that seem to be waving in welcome according to custom.

So, can we say that we have seen all the flowers in the capital in one day? Zhao Rong muttered to himself.

"Brother Rong'er, this is quite a big deal." Zhao Qian'er watched with great interest.

Zhao Rong didn't look back, but nodded slightly.

The current scene is indeed more grand than the willow-breaking welcoming ceremony in Zhongnan Kingdom.

The Dali Dynasty is indeed one of the most powerful dynasties in the northern part of Wangque Continent, and it is also brand new.

Look at these people from Hanjing on the roadside, they are dressed in gorgeous clothes, brocades and silks, and have rosy complexions.

The living conditions are obviously better than those of the people in Zhongnan Kingdom.

But it is also true that Zhongnan Kingdom has a leisurely and secluded atmosphere similar to that of a small country with few people, while the Dali Dynasty is a prosperous dynasty. However, it is a pity that the previous emperor who was most likely to achieve something suddenly passed away...

Zhao Rong looked around silently, comparing Dali in his mind with the countries he had visited, both in terms of their people and customs.

Before entering the city, Zhao Rong had analyzed a lot of useful information from it, and he did not just look at the beautiful women who appeared frequently on both sides of the road.

Well, these people who leave the earth are indeed handsome and tall overall. They seem to have inherited some blood from the ancient Li tribe, and are blessed with good looks and temperament.

But Zhao Rong felt that the simple and pretty girls from Mount Zhongnan were also pretty good, especially those young ladies who threw sachets and pouches to him. It was a pity that all of his sachets and pouches were forgotten by Xiao Xiao in Zhongnan Country...

Just as the young scholar was expressing his regret, Xiao Qian'er narrowed her eyes and said, "Brother Rong'er, what are you looking at?"

Zhao Rong moved his eyes away from the beautiful girl and said calmly, "I'm analyzing something. Ahem, we're almost there."

Zhao Qianer's face was full of suspicion.

Zhao Rong and his party were getting closer and closer to the Huagai dragon chariot in front of them. On the way, he noticed some phenomena.

The people of Dali Hanjing seemed to welcome his arrival very much. The enthusiastic faces of the girls and common people did not seem fake. They were comparable to the people of Zhongnan who regarded Zhao Rong, who won the Qingtan contest, as their idol.

"Not only those pretty girls are enthusiastic, but the other old people and children are also very happy. It seems that it's not just because of my handsome looks..." Zhao Rong muttered and analyzed it.

Zhao Qianer: “…”

Gu Yiwu and other students: "..."

After a moment, Gu Yiwu coughed and spoke, "Ziyu, the people of Hanjing seem to welcome us very much. It seems that the Empress Dowager Dugu did a lot of public opinion work before our arrival."

Zhao Rong nodded slightly.

They had already learned on their way to Hanjing that all the people in Dali now knew about the Fengshan Ceremony, and that the general public was supportive and welcoming of it.

Such a major event that brings national jubilation is not only promoted by those in power, but it is more important to create a positive atmosphere among the people. This can also be regarded as a test of the ruling art of those in power.

As for the current attitude of the people towards Fengshan, it must be said that it is indeed helpful in reducing the difficulty and accidents of Fengshan for Zhao Rong and others.

With this thought in mind, Zhao Rong couldn't help but have a good impression of the Empress Dowager Dugu, whom he was about to meet.

He nodded gently, his eyes falling on the canopy dragon chariot that was getting closer and closer in the distance...

Soon, as Zhao Rong and his party approached on horseback, the sound of ceremonial music could be heard on both sides of the road.

Afterwards, the officials of Dali’s Ministry of Rites went through some procedures and made a scene.

When Zhao Rong and others stopped and dismounted a hundred meters away from the dragon chariot, they found that there was a thin and short figure waiting beside the dragon chariot, surrounded by a group of palace maids and several crescent-shaped female officials.

Zhao Rong squinted and saw this weak boy who was about seven or eight years old.

He had a delicate face, was short and thin, but was wearing a loose and complicated bright yellow dragon robe, and a crown on his head that was larger than the frail boy's head.

When Zhao Rong saw this for the first time, he was a little worried for the little emperor, as he was worried that the heavy and ancient crown tassels on his thin head might fall off in the next second.

The little emperor came up quickly and met Zhao Rong and others. He greeted them one by one. The boy's voice was soft and gentle, with a childish tone.

However, as everyone was paying attention to them, they did not say much and just let the officials from the Ministry of Rites carry out the procedures as arranged.

Zhao Rong responded calmly, but he felt that the young emperor seemed to look at him a few more times.

It seems like... curiosity and admiration?

The ceremony held by the Ministry of Rites also began. An elderly official from the Ministry of Rites opened the imperial edict and read it aloud.

The general meaning is to sing praises to the young emperor, and then say that the famous Linlu Academy also recognizes and supports the orthodoxy of the current dynasty, so they sent these gentlemen and wise men to come, and it's the destiny of heaven, blah blah blah...

Zhao Rong didn't listen much. He glanced around but didn't see the figure of the wise king of Dali.

In addition, the two girls, Mu Jin and Xue Chan, whom he had met before, were also there, standing quietly with their heads down on either side of a dragon chariot.

Zhao Rong's gaze turned and fell on the quiet dragon chariot in the center of the crowd.

The entire dragon chariot was made of bright yellow cloth, with no walls on the four sides, only curtains hanging down to hide the scene inside.

Moreover, these hanging curtains are made of white cloth, which seems to be... the style of mourning clothes for funerals.

Moreover, the dragon chariot was surrounded by dozens of crescent moon maidens such as Mu Jin and Xue Chan.

Zhao Rong could only vaguely see the graceful figure of a woman who seemed to be kneeling among them. She was wearing a loose dress and her posture was straight. She seemed to be listening carefully to the words of the ceremonial officer on the scene with all the people.

She seemed to be dressed in white as well, and apart from that, Zhao Rong couldn't make out anything else.

The one inside should be the Empress Dowager Dugu, the legendary most beautiful woman in Dali... Zhao Rong thought.

He didn't look at it for long and quickly looked away.

From the looks of it, it seems that Empress Dowager Dugu is still in mourning for the deceased emperor.

Therefore, it is not convenient to show up in public and meet people on the field right now. This is not very polite.

Moreover, this public occasion was a performance for 300,000 citizens, not a place to discuss important matters of Fengshan with Zhao Rong and others.

Patience and acting skills are also the basic skills for this type of superior.

Zhao Rong chuckled in his heart.

At this time, in the spotlight, it was the little emperor's turn to speak.

His voice was tender and soft, and if Zhao Rong had not been close by, he probably would not have been able to hear it, not to mention the hundreds of thousands of people around. However, when it was time to cheer and applaud, everyone was smart enough to follow suit and pretend to have heard it.

Zhao Rong, who was closer, observed even more.

This young man, the king of a country, tried his best to lift his head which was weighed down by the crown. He spoke in a very slow tone, as if he was afraid of saying the wrong words.

The young emperor's forehead was covered with beads of sweat, as if he was nervous, but he never raised his hand to wipe it off.

He spoke to the people, but it seemed more like he was speaking to himself. Occasionally, he would glance at the dragon chariot that was quietly resting beside him...

Zhao Rong saw the whole scene... Did he feel like the little emperor was reciting a lesson? It was like being called upon to recite a lesson in class when he was a kid. Well, school was almost over, and I was watching him from the window again...

This scene gives me a sense of déjà vu, and it brings back childhood trauma.

"Just a... kid." The young scholar shook his head and muttered to himself, feeling a little sympathy for him.

Zhao Rong had just thought that this little emperor was a bit like a prim and proper girl, thin and weak, but also very strict in observing the ancestral etiquette, but now it seems...how could he be as fierce as Yu Huaijin? He was small in stature, but he would hit you with a stick if he said so.

Soon, the little emperor finally finished his speech, the people cheered, and the Ministry of Rites continued...

After a stick of incense, this troublesome ceremony finally came to an end. In the end, it seemed that after the Fengshan ceremony, it was announced that there would be a general amnesty and a year's tax reduction. The people were even more cheerful.

Zhao Rong raised his eyebrows slightly.

Everyone set out back to the city.

The little emperor returned to the small dragon chariot next to the white-curtained dragon chariot, and returned with the Empress Dowager Dugu, who seemed to be invisible and silent throughout the whole process.

Zhao Rong and others, accompanied by high-ranking civil and military officials who had left the court, mounted their horses and marched forward.

Just as the carriage started moving, suddenly, the small dragon chariot in front stopped and a young man in imperial robes jumped down from it.

Everyone was stunned. At this moment, the young emperor of Dali did something that no one expected.

The little emperor walked quickly to Zhao Rong's horse and grabbed the horse's reins.

"Mr. Zhao...Mr. Zhao, let...let me do it." The weak young man ran only a few steps and was panting and his face turned red, but his eyes were shining as he looked at Zhao Rong.

Everyone was shocked.

Countless eyes fell on the calm Confucian scholar and the little emperor.

Some of the Crescent Moon Palace ladies-in-waiting who were following the little emperor wanted to step forward, but they received a look from the Grand Music Master Mu Jin who was standing beside the white-curtained dragon chariot. The Crescent Moon Palace maids quickly glanced at the still quiet white-curtained dragon chariot and stopped.

At this time, Zhao Rong was also a little surprised by the behavior of the little emperor in front of him.

He and Gu Yiwu looked at each other and exchanged glances silently.

Did Dugu teach you this? Otherwise, why did you only lead my horse and not Brother Yiwu and the others... Zhao Rong said silently in his heart.

Then, he glanced at the little emperor's eager eyes, and nodded without thinking, bowing and saying:

"I am just a commoner, and I am deeply honored by your grace... But I cannot refuse your kindness, so I have no choice but to obey your command."

The little emperor nodded happily and glanced sideways in the direction of his mother's dragon chariot. Seeing that the Crescent Moon sisters around him did not come to stop him, his hunched shoulders relaxed.

"Mr. Zhao, let me come, let me come."

The little emperor led Zhao Rong's horse in an orderly manner.

Everyone around looked at each other, then saluted in unison and said "Your Majesty is wise", and the carriage continued to move.

The carriage and dragon chariot did not move fast, as if to take care of the little emperor's pace.

The north gate of Hanjing opened and everyone quickly entered the city.

There was a small disturbance in the middle of the journey.

At a certain moment, a commotion suddenly broke out in a crowd not far away from the others.

Zhao Rong, Gu Yiwu and others who were riding on their horses looked sideways.

However, the white-curtain dragon chariot and the surrounding crescent-moon ladies such as Hibiscus and Snow Cicada did not seem to have their eyes shifted at all. They followed the dragon chariot closely without stopping.

Seems like he doesn't care.

Sure enough, the commotion there that seemed to involve sounds of fighting and killing was soon quelled.

Not long after, three unfamiliar Crescent Moon Ladies suddenly appeared from a distance, and one of them walked forward.

Zhao Rong had sharp eyes and saw a few drops of blood on her sleeve.

The next moment, the strange girl, Crescent Moon Li, came respectfully to the side of the white-curtained dragon chariot and whispered something to Mu Jin.

Mu Jin, the chief musician of the Music Bureau, had a calm expression. She tilted her head slightly and looked at the woman of extremely noble status behind the white curtain beside her, with a look of asking for instructions.

Everything in the dragon chariot was still quiet.

The next second, a faint and clear voice floated out from the gap in the white curtains.

"The ten tribes of Yi."

The field was completely silent except for the sounds of carriage wheels and the clinking of the jade walls on Zhao Rong and others' waists.

The civil and military officials acted as if they had heard nothing and their expressions remained the same as before.

Zhao Rong, Gu Yiwu and other Confucian scholars exchanged glances.

Wow, ten tribes?

Who are these unlucky people? This is going to be a river of blood...

At this time, because the little emperor was walking with his horse leading him, not only did everyone walk slowly, but Zhao Rong was also sitting in the front, riding side by side with the dragon chariot with white curtains.

The surrounding Crescent Moon Ladies who were guarding the dragon chariot also made way for Zhao Rong and the little emperor.

It can be said that at this time, there was only a little emperor and a thin white curtain between Zhao Rong and the Empress Dowager Dugu.

Therefore, he could hear the voice of the faceless woman in the dragon chariot particularly clearly.

Even... you can see her faintly lifting her chin.

The young Confucian scholar raised his eyebrows. After being curious for so long, he finally heard the woman who was behind the government speak.

Although we have never met, her indifferent voice is very pleasant to the ear, with the mellow and slow voice of a pampered superior, especially with the delicate ending tone that is inherent in women.

Zhao Rong couldn't help but have some associations.

Then, he turned his head to look at the layers of white curtains that blocked the view of countless men outside.

So this is... someone is rebelling?

Otherwise, why would they directly kill ten clans? It's a little more than nine, because even friends and disciples have to be counted.

The woman in the dragon chariot seemed to have noticed Zhao Rong's gaze through the white curtain. She was silent for a moment. Zhao Rong saw the shadow in the dragon chariot lower her head slightly, and the woman's dignified and steady voice came out again.

"Mr. Zhao and the other gentlemen have come all the way to the capital. They are honored guests of Dali. How can we allow these clowns to disturb us? If they came for me like they did in the past, it would be fine. We can just let them live. But now, they come here again to spoil the fun of the gentlemen. We cannot let them off easily."

Seems like an explanation.

At this time, all the civil and military officials who had been pretending to be deaf and dumb came to pay their respects and congratulate him.

"The Queen Mother is wise."

"…These stubborn and disorderly scoundrels deserve the punishment they receive."

"…The Queen Mother is a wise and benevolent person. She should have been punished like this a long time ago."

At the side, Zhao Rong nodded slightly... So it was an assassin. Judging from Dugu's tone, someone had often tried to assassinate her before?

Is this assassin from Zhou Dufu's side, or is he the remnant of an enemy with different political views in the court during the previous emperor's time, who was left behind after Dugu supported the young emperor as regent and liquidated him?

Zhao Rong's mind worked very quickly, and he and Gu Yiwu also found out a lot about some of the things that happened in Li Ting.

However, Dugu's method was decisive and swift. Just three words could kill thousands of people...

"As you wish!"

The strange girl, Crescent Moon Li, bowed respectfully and left.

The crowd continued on their way.

At this moment, a gust of wind with a faint smell of blood blew up from the front, blowing up the white curtain next to Zhao Rong.

Zhao Rong subconsciously turned his head to look, only to see that the fluttering white curtain had been pulled back by the quick-eyed and quick-handed string musicians.

However, there was still a large gap that could not be covered for the time being.

Zhao Rong took a quick glance and saw a pair of eyes looking back at him.

Their eyes met.

Zhao Rong was slightly stunned. These were a pair of narrow and upturned phoenix eyes, extremely beautiful and charming, yet naturally with a cold and majestic air that kept people at a distance.

The woman with phoenix eyes in the dragon chariot trembled her long eyelashes when her eyes met his.

Just like a red apricot being lightly touched by a butterfly and trembling for an instant.

Then, as if she had noticed his staring gaze, this woman who held the highest power in Dali... lowered her eyes slightly, avoiding his gaze.

However, the scene of the originally majestic phoenix eyes drooping gave Zhao Rong a feeling that... she was bowing her head and looking at him submissively.

Although he knew that this was just an illusion caused by the woman's almond-shaped eyes, it was the first time they had met.

But this still made Zhao Rong feel a little surprised.

She is indeed the most beautiful woman in Dali. Who can resist her? Especially since she is of such a noble status. Uh, she is also the most noble widow in Dali.

At this time, the white curtain had returned to its original state and was tightly covered. In fact, if Zhao Rong had not been close to him, he would not have had this opportunity.

Zhao Rong didn't think any more and shook his head slightly.

Half a quarter of an hour later.

Not far from the magnificent gate of the imperial palace, the crowd gradually dispersed.

The little emperor and the dragon chariot with white curtains drove into the palace.

Other civil and military ministers also left and returned to their respective residences.

Zhao Rong and others were taken by officials from the Ministry of Rites to a magnificent mansion not far from the imperial palace. They were told that they had been traveling all the way and wanted to rest first before discussing important matters.

Zhao Rong took Xiao Qian'er to choose an elegant and quiet courtyard in the mansion and rested there.

In the afternoon, he met with Gu Yiwu and others who had packed up and discussed the matter of Fengshan.

Afterwards, Zhao Rong and others waited quietly.

Sure enough, in the evening, Xue Chan arrived on time with several crescent-shaped ladies and invited Zhao Rong and other Confucian scholars to enter the palace tonight to attend a welcoming banquet.

Zhao Rong and Gu Yiwu looked at each other.

The real show is coming.