Deep within the imperial palace of Dayan, in the innermost Ninefold Halls, the Linde Hall by the Taiye Pool was ablaze with light, as bright as daylight.
Outside the hall, the white marble square was crowded with congratulatory gifts sent from various foreign nations.
Yue Fuguang had finally opened her eyes to the dazzling array of exotic treasures from distant lands.
Her seat was arranged right beside Yu Chongshan.
Originally, according to Emperor Mingxi’s plan, she was supposed to be seated just below him, at the same table as the Crown Prince.
But considering the large number of foreign envoys attending the banquet that day, and Yue Fuguang’s inner voice—which some could hear and others couldn’t—there was never any discernible pattern. This strange phenomenon remained a persistent mystery in the minds of the Dayan court, a question they were eager to unravel.
Daoist Xuanmingzi, invited by Emperor Mingxi, had not yet arrived. Fearing that something might go wrong at the banquet, the Emperor had Yue Fuguang seated next to Yu Chongshan for protection.
If the Dayan officials discovered that any foreigner could hear the little immortal lord’s thoughts, Yu Chongshan would immediately “fall ill” and naturally take his granddaughter away from the scene.
As for why Yu Chongshan, who was growing stronger by the day, would suddenly fall ill—clutching his chest, he mused to himself, “Old ailment, who can say for sure?”
At the hour of the Rooster, drums and music resounded in unison.
Inside the hall, beams crafted from cloud-top sandalwood supported transparent palace gauze lanterns, bathing the grand hall in radiant light. Silk curtains of sharkskin and precious brocade fluttered gently in the breeze. The mingling scents of incense and various perfumes wafted into Yue Fuguang’s nose.
“小珠子, the fragrance is too strong—I’m suffocating! Help me block it out,” she whispered.
【Mistress, would you like me to spray some perfume around you?】
“No need. The scent here is already so heavy and mixed; adding perfume might cause some strange reaction,” Yue Fuguang replied.
Just thinking about it was terrifying!
On the jade steps above, Emperor Mingxi wore his full imperial regalia, sitting solemnly on the high platform. His ceremonial crown hung down, obscuring his face behind twelve strings of jade beads, leaving only his calm, ocean-like gaze occasionally sweeping over the assembled envoys below. His presence was commanding without a word.
To his right sat the Empress Dowager; to his left, the Empress. Below them were the Crown Prince, the princes, and princesses.
Notably absent from this gathering were Prince Qi, Prince Ming, and the Ninth Prince.
Yue Fuguang and Yu Chongshan were seated close to the Three Dukes and the Six Ministries’ ministers—high-ranking officials of the first and second rank. From their seats, they could easily look up and see the Emperor’s face, and the straight-backed Eunuch Qian.
When Qian Gui noticed Yue Fuguang looking his way, he immediately straightened his posture and gave her a flattering smile.
Across the hall, envoys from various nations took their seats one after another. Thanks to her system, Yue Fuguang quickly spotted the well-known yet elusive Beiyue, and Lan Xuan’er, who might soon become the Crown Prince’s consort.
Despite Prince Ming being under house arrest, he had failed to deter Lan Xuan’er’s determination to marry him. She boldly declared she was willing to wait for his recovery.
Either Lan Xuan’er was hopelessly lovesick or had ulterior motives.
It couldn’t be that Prince Ming had cast some “love spell” on her, could it?
They presented a gift—a “Eight-Foot Mirror Pine” planted in a crimson jade pot. It was said that its needles could reflect the true heart under the moonlight.
Behind the gift stood a priestess, standing silently. The bells on her hairpin jingled softly without wind, producing a clear, tinkling sound.
“小珠子, does that thing really reflect the heart? And those bells—could there be some kind of poison or curse hidden inside?” Yue Fuguang whispered.
[Master, these pine needles absorb sunlight during the day and emit a glow like fluorite at night. If you get close to them after dark, they can barely illuminate a person's face.
The bells indeed contain poisonous insects controlled by outsiders, which makes them seem to move on their own without any wind.]
Originally astonished, the officials of Dayan calmed down instantly after the divine artifact explained—it's all just tricks!
The Beiyue delegation was led by Beiyue himself, a man robust and imposing, yet not the type to be dismissed as merely muscle-bound and simple-minded.
They all wore elaborate black robes, topped with matching black hats, their expressions solemn. Their gifts were proper and conventional, lacking the mysterious and uncanny aura that the Nanzhao delegation carried.
Next came the Xiqiang, clad in garments combining animal hides and brocade, necks adorned with beast-tooth necklaces, their rugged and bold faces marked by traces of weather and hardship.
Right beside them stood the Nanyue delegation, draped in colorful feathered robes, and the somewhat diminutive and inconspicuous Dongyi delegation.
The Nanyue offered dragon blood wood, whose natural grain formed a pattern of a hundred beasts galloping, faintly exuding the fresh scent of forest.
The Dongyi, hailing from the coast and known for pearls and coral, once again presented precious multicolored eastern pearls and coral, along with what Yue Fuguang considered “quite a spectacle”—giant clam shells.
Beyond exquisite gem-inlaid knives and various artifacts, the Xiqiang gifted Emperor Mingxi a living creature—a snowy white falcon.
The falcon's eyes were sharp as lightning, its feet bound with golden chains. Even amidst the clamor of the crowd, it stood calmly on the sturdy arm of a Xiqiang warrior.
Yue Fuguang quickly surveyed the scene, noting that in terms of clothing, food, and manners, the Dayan people were noticeably more refined.
As the banquet began, the palace steward intoned a long chant: “His Majesty grants the feast—Long Live the Emperor!”
Hundreds of palace maids in colorful attire fluttered gracefully like butterflies among flowers, presenting the exquisite delicacies like flowing water.
Pearl fish sashimi from the South Sea, thin as cicada wings; roasted spirit deer meat from the northern border, fragrant and mouthwatering; jade broth from the East Sea, crystal clear; and rich, blood-like wine from Xiqiang...
There were also “artistic dishes” crafted by the imperial chefs, bearing auspicious names like “Peaceful Country” and “Prosperous Dynasty,” symbolizing blessings and hopes.
Not to mention the taste, the presentation alone was stunningly exquisite—truly befitting a state banquet!
During the meal, the Music Bureau performed. The repertoire included the dignified and harmonious “Nine Merits Dance” as well as specially arranged exotic tunes.
When the distinctive snake flute from the distant Xining country played, a golden-scaled python surprisingly coiled and danced through the hall, drawing gasps and focused attention from the guests.
After three rounds of wine and five courses of dishes, the atmosphere in the grand hall grew increasingly lively.
Before Yue Fuguang lay a dozen or so exquisite bowls and plates, all filled with dishes suited to her taste.
While Emperor Mingxi toasted the various delegations, he kept an eye on her side as well.
Tonight, these two ancestors were unusually quiet—after three rounds of wine and countless dishes, they had spoken only two sentences, and no one had yet figured out whether anyone among the foreign envoys could hear their inner thoughts.
It’s said that because today is the Longevity Festival, these two actually spared him a few words out of respect. You’d be hard-pressed to believe even Emperor Mingxi himself would get such treatment!
He knew very well he didn’t have that kind of face.
Just as Emperor Mingxi was thinking this, a long-awaited voice suddenly whispered in his ear: “Master, guess how many of the princes and princesses in this grand hall will actually inherit the throne their fathers are sitting on?”
The princes who could hear the voice of the Divine Artifact: “Great Artifact, don’t come any closer! Everyone knows the one who eventually took the throne from our dynasty was a useless fool who let the kingdom fall within a few years.”
Who knows what fate awaited them back then? Whether they lived or died!
If their father found out which one of them it was, would any of them even survive till tomorrow?
The prematurely deceased crown prince: “No way it’s him. Ouch, that hurts, Great Artifact!”
