Chapter 3603 Where is Ye Zheng?
When they saw that the envoy from the Parthian Empire was summoned first, they thought they would be ignored this time. Unexpectedly, they were summoned secondly. This group of people immediately straightened their clothes and, led by a young eunuch, respectfully climbed the steps and entered the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
Before this, the people of Japan had never seen the Emperor of the Great Yan Dynasty with their own eyes.
Although the two countries had close exchanges, it was mostly officials from the Honglu Temple who handled matters with them. There were some problems between the two countries the year before, and it was also His Royal Highness the Crown Prince who handled them. Therefore, they had long admired His Majesty the Emperor.
After entering the hall, the Japanese envoy subconsciously raised his head and looked upwards.
I saw a tall man sitting on the golden dragon throne with his back straight. Although he was just sitting, it was obvious that he was sturdy and strong, giving people a sense of unshakable determination.
Just seeing that figure gave the Japanese envoy an indescribable feeling of oppression.
He subconsciously lowered his head and followed the eunuch leading the way step by step to the center of the hall. When the eunuch stopped, he did not dare to move forward. He kowtowed with his entourage and said, "Long live the emperor."
A deep voice came from above: "Stand up."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
The Japanese envoy slowly stood up, with some flattering words in his mind. However, when he raised his head again and met the Emperor's piercing and majestic eyes, his mind went blank again and he couldn't utter a single word.
Fortunately, at this time, he saw a dignified and graceful concubine next to the emperor's dragon throne.
This person must be the famous imperial concubine.
It stands to reason that what foreign monarchs and ministers know about another country is at most the Emperor, the Crown Prince and the other princes, and at most some officials who have dealings with them, but they rarely know about the concubines of other countries' monarchs. However, this imperial concubine is different. Her reputation is as well-known overseas as the prestige and education of the Great Yan Dynasty.
Even the subjects of Japan have heard that when the Emperor of the Great Yan Dynasty was bedridden for several months due to some reason and foreign enemies invaded, the dynasty was in danger. It was this imperial concubine who stabilized the court and overcame the difficulties together with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. In fact, although it was the Emperor's idea to establish diplomatic relations with Japan, it was this imperial concubine who took charge of the overall situation and finalized this matter during that period.
This imperial concubine was present in many major events, including the opening of the Silk Road and westward exchanges with countries in the Western Regions.
After the death of the Emperor's original empress, this beloved imperial concubine was not promoted to empress, but she held the phoenix seal and had great power in the harem. Although she did not have the title of empress, her actual power had long surpassed that of the empress.
She is a woman not to be underestimated.
Then, the Japanese envoy immediately kowtowed and said, "Greetings to the Imperial Concubine."
Nan Yan smiled and said, "Thank you for your courtesy, Special Envoy."
She knew that Zhu Feng and his men had arranged for the Japanese to come second in the audience, intending to warn them, but after that, they also wanted to win them over. Judging from Zhu Feng's expression, he had no intention of softening his stance, so the white-faced man naturally wanted her to do the talking. So, with a kind and gentle smile, she said, "You have come all this way to celebrate His Majesty's birthday. Thank you for your hard work."
The envoy said hurriedly, "Your Majesty, you are too kind."
After he finished speaking, he waved his hand again, and several followers behind him immediately brought up a gift from below. As soon as they entered the hall, they heard people making low cries.
It was a giant red dragon, as tall as a man, trembling as it was carried to the main hall. Upon closer inspection, it was discovered that the dragon was actually carved from a whole piece of red coral. Its entire body was bright red, and its shape was lifelike. It was obvious at first glance that it was a rare treasure.
The envoy said, "This coral was discovered by our fishermen on the bottom of the East China Sea. When it was found, it resembled a red dragon coiled on the seabed. After it was salvaged, our Emperor specially commissioned skilled craftsmen to carve it, bringing it to life. I present this treasure to His Majesty the Emperor."
Even though Nan Yan was knowledgeable and experienced, she had rarely seen such rare treasures.
The other officials present were even more amazed. They all congratulated the emperor, saying that this was an auspicious sign sent by heaven and was specially presented to celebrate the emperor's birthday.
A rare smile appeared on Zhu Feng's calm face. He nodded gently and said, "Give the special envoy a seat."
So, a young eunuch immediately came forward and led the Japanese envoy to the second seat on the right side of the emperor, next to the Parthian envoy. These two seats were the closest to the emperor and the places where he could hear the emperor's words. The envoy knew that his mission this time had been completed, so he breathed a sigh of relief and smiled at Gao Ye.
The gift he brought was also taken away.
Immediately afterwards, envoys from other countries were brought into the hall one after another and presented gifts to celebrate the emperor's birthday.
This part lasted for more than an hour.
Nan Yan was used to running around outside with Zhu Feng, especially during the two years when she left the palace and went south. To put it bluntly, there were no rules at all. Even after returning to Beijing, she sometimes got carried away and was often reminded by Aunt Tongyun. This time, she kept telling herself that she must be patient in the hall, but she sat like this for an hour, and no matter how patient she was, she gradually became unable to sit still.
So, while no one was paying attention, he slowly moved his position and whispered to Tongyun to get him a cushion to lean his back on.
Aunt Tongyun had no choice but to carefully stuff a cushion behind her seat.
Nan Yan finally recovered a little. She couldn't help but turn her head to look at Zhu Feng who was sitting on the dragon throne. She had been sitting for so long and it was already uncomfortable enough, but he was sitting right at the top of the hall, being the center of attention and unable to even move. He must be feeling even more uncomfortable.
At first glance, Zhu Feng remained calm. Facing another foreign envoy who came into the hall to kowtow and pay his respects, he still lowered his eyes and nodded with a faint expression, then raised his hand and asked someone to give him a seat.
Nan Yan said in her heart: He can really sit still.
However, just as the envoy withdrew and the envoy from another country had not yet entered the palace, she saw Zhu Feng raise his head, his eyes passing through the gate, over the Taihe Hall Square and the nine-story and three-hall complex in front, and flew to an unknown place.
Even his eyes looked a little lonely.
When Nan Yan saw his expression, her heart sank immediately.
She subconsciously lowered her head to look at the bottom of the hall, where He Yi, who was sitting opposite the special envoy and attending the banquet, was sitting.
At this moment, He Yi seemed to have sensed something. He raised his head and looked at Nan Yan, but he immediately lowered his head again.
Nan Yan's face darkened.
Where is Ye Zheng?
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