bookcurios Chapter 1238 Meeting Master Zhuang
Chapter 1238 Meeting Master Zhuang
"Third, on this auspicious occasion of New Year's Eve, as all citizens remain awake, we should reflect on the difficulties of starting a business and the difficulty of maintaining success! With unity between the ruler and his subjects, and the efforts of all, we must ensure the eternal stability of our Great Zhou and the eternal peace of our country!"
"Announce this to the world, and let everyone know. I decree this!"
After the imperial edict was read out, even louder and more heartfelt cheers broke out again in the huge square!
Reducing and exempting taxes, granting amnesty to the whole country, and rewarding all officials, this tangible grace is like a warm current, dispelling the chill of deep winter!
"Long live the emperor! Long live the emperor! Long live the emperor! --!!!"
Before the calls died down, the tribute ceremony from foreign vassal states and dependent countries had already begun.
The ritual music changed to a more exotic and solemn tune.
The Goguryeo envoy was the first to come out, holding a huge rosewood gift box in his hand.
The lid of the box opened, revealing a century-old mountain ginseng plant with a unique shape and twisted roots. The dark red ginseng resembled a sleeping dragon, emitting a rich medicinal fragrance.
The Annan envoy followed closely behind, presenting a whole box of top-grade ambergris, as bright as honey and crystal clear as crystal, as well as an intricately carved nine-story pagoda from a single piece of ivory.
It symbolizes Annan’s admiration and submission to the Central Plains dynasty!
The most eye-catching ones are the princes and nobles of the Oirat tribes.
What they presented was the "Nine White Tributes" which symbolized the highest etiquette of submission!
An adult white camel, completely snow-white without a single strand of hair, and extremely majestic, was being led by a burly Wala warrior.
Behind them were eight tall and strong horses, also as pure white as snow, led by eight Wala warriors dressed in their best clothes.
The camel and eight horses have pure fur that shines silvery in the winter sun, like a gift from God from the snowy plateau.
They were respectfully led to designated locations on both sides of the Taihe Hall Square and displayed.
This powerful force from the grasslands, and the gesture of absolute submission, was extremely impactful, silently proclaiming the mighty power of the Great Zhou Dynasty, which stretched across the land and commanded the submission of all the barbarians.
Next, various rare treasures and special products were presented one by one and displayed on the magnificent ceremonial tables on both sides of the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
A faint glow shone on the tortoise-shell screen, and the giant giant clam was as white as jade...
It is a dazzling array of things, full of brilliance and splendor, gathering together rare treasures from all over the world, as well as the glory from all nations.
The Hall of Supreme Harmony, which symbolizes the pinnacle of imperial power, appears even more magnificent and golden, making it impossible to look directly at it!
Nangong Xuanyu sat upright on the Panlong throne, his eyes calmly sweeping over the scene that displayed supreme glory, the light of treasures from all nations reflected in his deep eyes.
A grand ceremony, with visitors from all over the world.
The supreme glory of the Great Zhou Dynasty for 500 years since its founding has reached its climax at this moment in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony!
The sunlight poured down, lengthening the emperor's figure and majestically covering the white marble steps.
……
On the evening of New Year's Eve, the emperor held a banquet in Baohe Hall to entertain civil and military officials, royal family members, and concubines.
As dusk fell, palace lanterns were lit one after another, filling the deep palace with a warm and colorful atmosphere.
Inside the Baohe Hall, the solemnity of the daytime sacrificial ceremony has quietly faded, replaced by the bustle and warmth of the New Year festival.
A huge golden dragon pillar is wrapped with bright red silk ribbons.
Countless palace lanterns painted with symbols of good fortune, longevity and luck hang down from the ceiling of the hall, casting a warm yellow halo.
The air was filled with the rich aroma of delicious food and fine wine.
When Shen Zhinian stepped into the palace, his whole demeanor was like the bright moon reflecting on a deep pool.
She no longer wore the complicated sacrificial robes, but changed into a floor-length palace dress embroidered with extremely fine gold thread and decorated with winding branches of precious flowers and birds.
The Zhai bird has a dynamic shape, and its light appears and disappears as it walks, making it look luxurious yet elegant.
In the middle of her high bun, there is a seven-tailed phoenix hairpin with red gold, kingfisher feathers and pearls, which symbolizes the noble status of the imperial concubine.
The phoenix tail swayed, and the hanging pearl tassels swayed slightly with her steps, highlighting her calm eyebrows.
Around her neck was a gold necklace inlaid with pearls and gemstones. Each pearl was perfectly round, emitting a warm and restrained luster under the light.
Shen Zhinian didn't need to show off deliberately. The calm demeanor that came from having held a high position for a long time and having won the emperor's favor had already quieted the noisy atmosphere in the palace.
The eyes of the clan ladies and the concubines in the harem fell on her involuntarily.
Gu Jinxiao sat upright in the front seat of the hall.
At Mulan Paddock, he saved Concubine Chen and the emperor awarded him a purple gold fish bag.
In the Great Zhou Dynasty, officials below the fifth rank wore green robes, officials of the fifth rank and above wore red robes, and only officials of the first rank were allowed to wear purple official uniforms.
The fish tokens contained in the fish bags carried by officials were their identity documents.
Officials of the first rank were given a goldfish charm and used a goldfish bag; officials of the fifth rank and above used a silverfish bag.
The purple gold fish bag together form the iconic clothing configuration of a first-rank official.
Gu Jinxiao was only a second-rank Minister of Rites, but he could make an exception and wear a purple robe and a goldfish bag, enjoying the treatment of a first-rank official, which shows the emperor's favor and trust!
The political significance of this outfit is far greater than the clothing itself.
But Gu Jinxiao is still so young, has a bright future, and has not yet married.
I don't know how many noble ladies looked at him and blushed quietly.
Dressed in a purple official robe, Gu Jinxiao's figure looked even taller and more upright, like a pine tree. The goldfish bag around his waist glowed with a restrained and noble light under the warm light of the palace lanterns.
His face was calm and his sitting posture was meticulous, as if he was maintaining a distance and restraint from the noisy banquet atmosphere around him.
However, when that gorgeous figure stepped into the palace gate, Gu Jinxiao's knuckles tightened slightly, turning a slight bluish-white color.
Concubine Chen...
She was wearing a gorgeous palace dress today, and there seemed to be a glow flowing as she walked.
Gu Jinxiao raised his eyes for a moment, then quickly lowered them, and stood up and saluted with everyone else.
"Greetings to Her Majesty the Imperial Concubine Chen, may Your Majesty be blessed with good health!"
Shen Zhinian slowly walked to the seat below the dragon throne and sat down, waving his hand and saying, "Everyone, stand up."
"Thank you, Imperial Concubine Chen!"
Gu Jinxiao lowered her eyes, and her thick eyelashes cast a small shadow under her eyes, covering up the complex emotions that were instantly surging in her eyes.
He lifted the wine glass and brought it to his lips. The spicy imperial wine went down his throat, bringing a hint of sobriety.
But out of the corner of his eye, he uncontrollably glanced past the swaying figure and saw her sitting safely in the first seat, her posture elegant and calm.
Shen Zhinian seemed to have noticed something and glanced over inadvertently.
The two people's eyes met in the air for a very brief moment.
Gu Jinxiao's face remained calm, but the heart as hard as a rock in his chest began to beat wildly uncontrollably...
Shen Zhinian looked away as if nothing had happened and whispered to the palace maid beside her.
Xiao Mingzi quietly walked to her side, his voice lowered to a whisper, "Your Majesty, Grand Tutor Zhuang has returned to the capital. He will also be at the palace banquet tonight."
Hearing this, Shen Zhinian's eyes turned slightly, sweeping across the lively scene in the hall with elegant clothes and beautiful women.
Finally, seemingly inadvertently, he paused for a moment on the old man with white hair and beard sitting at the table, wearing a dark purple first-grade crane robe and with a solemn expression.