Chapter 69 Entering the Palace
It was early winter when the team arrived in Kyoto.
Although it hasn't snowed yet, frost has formed everywhere and the weather is getting colder.
Huo Gannian's arrival was like dropping a heavy bomb in winter, stirring up thousands of heat waves in this prosperous and ancient Kyoto.
Because the newcomers to Kyoto were not some small business owners, but the Huo Gang, which, with the princess's support, had surpassed the Yu Family with overwhelming advantage and became the richest family in Nan Country.
Different from the extravagant Yu family who wanted to stick gold on their faces, Gang Leader Huo was low-key and luxurious.
From the construction of the mansion to the furniture and utensils, all are traditional in style, with calm and restrained colors, but the materials used are priceless. Any small stool is made of huanghuali wood.
The Huo Mansion was located on the site of the former prince's mansion of the previous dynasty. It was renovated at great expense for half a year, and two huge bronze sculptures of lion heads were cast on the tall and wide gilded main gate.
A wealthy businessman, his family has a bandit-like style of doing things, a well-trained team of masters as guards, and a young master who can't walk but is arrogant.
For a time, the Huo Gang attracted the attention of the entire Kyoto.
Every day, dignitaries would come to visit or invite to banquets, and the Huo Mansion would hold a banquet every three to five days.
Yun Chen, as Huo Gannian's personal bodyguard, received a lot of attention due to his constant interactions with dignitaries and social engagements.
"Look at that somewhat feminine young guard, he's actually quite handsome."
"Look at the sword he's holding. There are two South China pearls hanging from the tassel! In the palace, only the Prime Minister can have a crown inlaid with a South China pearl. Any guard in the Huo Gang has two. They are really rich."
People were keen on discussing everything about the Huo Gang, but the dignitaries felt a little awkward in this lively atmosphere.
Because Huo Gannian's legs cannot move and he has been in a wheelchair for many years, no matter if the person opposite him is the prime minister who is second only to the emperor or the arrogant general of the Black Armor Army, Huo Gannian sits firmly on the high chair and only bows, giving the other party a sense of oppression as if they are on equal terms.
After all, in the country of Nan, where etiquette is strict, people are accustomed to assuming that only the "superior" can sit firmly in front of them.
Unconsciously, the dignitaries gradually adapted to this "awkwardness".
Nan Lijun also found it quite interesting that these powerful people who always thought highly of themselves would actually be "tamed" psychologically one day.
Although Huo Gannian had no official position, no one dared to look down on him.
In addition, with the financial support of being rich enough to rival a country, people can't help but respect him even more.
Nan Lijun simply pushed this sense of "power" to its peak. On the day of the Emperor's First Snow Night Banquet, he asked the Emperor to give an oral order to summon Huo Gannian to the palace for the banquet.
Only one person can be brought into the palace for the banquet. After much consideration, Huo Gannian decided to bring Yun Chen.
Yun Chen had never thought that he would have the chance to enter the palace in this lifetime. He was both excited and nervous. He kept wiping the Hidden Moon Sword, which made Ye Yan and the others couldn't help but joke:
"Achen, you can't carry weapons in the palace. Why are you cleaning your sword?"
"Yes, you are going to the palace to gain experience, not to fight, so don't wipe it. You should practice your etiquette quickly and don't get rusty."
Yun Chen was nervous, "I'm nervous. I'm afraid of embarrassing the young master."
Huo Gannian, who was standing aside, didn't care about any of this at all. He was only thinking about one thing:
There are many powerful people in Kyoto, and they like to have fun. There are many who like to have affairs with men. If someone sets his sights on Yun Chen, how should he deal with it...
First snow.
Night banquet day.
The Huo family's carriage entered through the side door of the palace and was only allowed to pass after being strictly searched and checked by numerous guards.
The Nan Kingdom Palace is mainly black, and the palace is majestic, majestic and solemn.
As soon as you enter the palace gate, you will see a huge palace standing at the end of the huge square, with a plaque with the words "Yongning Palace" hanging high.
In front of the main hall, the green jade steps are as misty as smoke, supporting twenty-eight pillars that reach the sky and stand in front of the hall.
On the front wall of the palace, there is a relief carving of a ferocious dragon with its head held high into the sky. Its emerald green eyes are gleaming with a cold light as it looks down upon everything.
Passing through the endless alley, magnificent palaces appeared before Yun Chen's eyes like mountains.
The scene was both shocking and awe-inspiring.
"Young Master, have you ever been to the palace before?"
“I used to come here often when I was a kid.”
"The palace is so beautiful."
He scoffed, "It's just a cage that breaks bones and drinks blood."
Gu cage? Yun Chen had heard of it. It was a container commonly used by Dongyan Gu breeders. They would put various living creatures in the Gu cage and let them fight and devour each other. The one who survived would be the Gu King.
If the palace is a Gu cage, then who is the Gu King?
She doesn't understand.
She continued to ride her horse while gazing at the magnificent palace walls in amazement and admiration.
The First Snow Night Banquet was held in Tingxue Pavilion, a palace where the emperor often entertained his subjects.
Yun Chen couldn't remember the names of anyone except Nan Lijun, but he had often seen them around Huo Gannian in the past few months. They were all high-ranking officials and generals who came and went.
Yun Chen grew up listening to the great achievements of the emperor in changing dynasties. He originally thought that the emperor, as the supreme ruler of the Nan Kingdom and the owner of this majestic palace, should be more heroic, taller and more powerful than ordinary people.
But when he paid his respects, he only saw a tall, thin old man in his twilight years. The dragon robe hung on his body deflated, his body was a little hunched, and even his steps were very slow.
Looking at the white bun on the golden dragon robe, Yun Chen felt uncomfortable for some reason.
She wondered: Will all heroes and great men in the world eventually become so old and aging? Even the emperor who ruled the country?
The emperor was keenly aware of the fact that he had not felt such a sad gaze filled with sympathy and heartache for decades. He looked up at him with two sharp eyes, and Yun Chen quickly lowered his head.
Yun Chen knelt beside Huo Gannian, who was nodding and bowing with a respectful look.
After taking a look, the emperor slowly spoke:
"Huo Jiazi, your father Huo Leiting is still alive?"
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