nashuaworldcup Chapter 134 Empress Li Yang arrives in Qin, undercurrents surge before the wedding ceremony
Chapter 134 Empress Li Yang arrives in Qin, undercurrents surge before the wedding ceremony
Two days later, at dusk.
The Imperial City of Qin, East Gate.
As the sun sets, it bathes the entire imperial city in a golden-red hue.
Banners fluttered on the city walls, and the soldiers guarding the city stood solemnly like pine trees, their swords and spears reflecting a cold light in the setting sun.
Outside the city gate, a large ceremonial procession slowly drove in.
Three thousand men in black armor and red robes exuded a chilling aura.
This was the entourage of Empress Zhao Qingxue of Liyang.
On the city tower, Li Si, the Minister of Rites, had been waiting for a long time.
He was dressed in a scarlet official robe with a patch embroidered with wild geese on his chest, and wore a black gauze turban. His face was solemn.
Upon seeing Li Yang's entourage arrive, he immediately turned around and instructed the officials behind him:
"Play music to welcome the emperor!"
"yes!"
The official in charge of ceremonies loudly proclaimed the order.
The next moment, solemn and magnificent ceremonial music resounded from the city tower.
The chime bells, chime stones, sheng, xiao, flute, qin... dozens of musical instruments played together, performing the highest ceremony to welcome the emperor - "Nine Dragons Paying Homage".
The music was like a tide, echoing over the imperial city at dusk.
The city gate slowly opened.
Squads of imperial guards filed out and lined up on both sides, forming a straight passage.
At the end of the passage, Li Si led officials from the Ministry of Rites to greet them quickly.
"Empress Li Yang has arrived! Li Si, Minister of Rites of the Great Qin Dynasty, respectfully welcomes Your Majesty!"
Li Si bowed deeply, his voice booming.
The imperial carriage slowly came to a stop.
The carriage curtain was lifted, and Zhao Qingxue stepped out.
The afterglow of the setting sun shone on her, and her black dragon-patterned cloak gleamed with a dark golden luster, while the pearls and jade on her twelve-tasseled crown swayed in the light and shadow.
Even through the pearl and jade tassels, one could still feel the unquestionable majesty of an emperor as she stood there.
"Minister Li, there's no need for such formalities."
Zhao Qingxue spoke, her voice clear and cold like jade striking each other, carrying a metallic quality as it came through her tassels:
"I have come here to observe the ceremony and also to witness the splendor of the Great Qin. I am grateful to Minister Li for welcoming me from afar."
"Your Majesty is too kind," Li Si straightened up and said respectfully. "It is truly an honor for our dynasty that Your Majesty has come to Qin in person. Your Majesty must be tired from your journey. The inn is ready, please come and rest."
Zhao Qingxue nodded slightly:
Thank you for your trouble.
She turned around and climbed back onto the imperial carriage.
The carriage curtains fell, and the ceremonial procession, led by officials from the Ministry of Rites, slowly drove into the imperial city.
The streets had already been cleared by the Imperial Guards, and the common people were kept a hundred paces away, only able to watch from afar.
"That's Empress Li Yang?"
"My goodness, what a grand display..."
"I heard she's only in her twenties and is already the emperor of Liyang. That's truly remarkable."
"I wonder, between her and our Emperor, who is more capable?"
Quiet murmurs rose from the crowd, filled with curiosity and awe.
Inside the imperial carriage, Zhao Qingxue sat quietly.
She lifted a corner of the car window curtain and looked out.
The streets of the Qin Imperial City were wide and clean, lined with shops on both sides, and bustling with pedestrians. Even though it was dusk, it was still lively and bustling.
Compared to the exquisite and graceful Tianqi City, the Imperial City is more grand and imposing.
"It is indeed a good place."
Zhao Qingxue muttered to herself, a glint of shrewdness flashing in her eyes.
Such a place should not be ruled by a foolish ruler.
The convoy moved slowly forward and finally stopped at the "Welcoming Station" in the southeast corner of the imperial city.
This is a large courtyard with five entrances and five exits made of blue bricks. The red-lacquered gate has a plaque that reads "Welcoming Guest Station," which was used to receive envoys from various countries.
Compared to where the Li Yang delegation stayed last time, this place is more spacious and more luxurious.
Clearly, Qin Mu gave Zhao Qingxue a lot of face.
"Your Majesty, we have arrived at the post station." Li Si's voice rang out from outside the carriage.
Zhao Qingxue stepped down from the imperial carriage and, led by Li Si, entered the post station.
The interior of the museum was already well-arranged, with pavilions, terraces, rockeries, and waterside pavilions, all exuding the exquisite beauty of Jiangnan gardens.
"Your Majesty, please rest here for now," Li Si said, bowing. "Tomorrow evening, Your Majesty will host a banquet to welcome you. The day after tomorrow is the wedding ceremony, at which time I will send someone to fetch Your Majesty to the palace."
"Thank you for your trouble, Minister Li." Zhao Qingxue nodded.
Li Si gave a few more instructions, then bowed and withdrew.
Inside the post station, only those who had left Yang remained.
Zhao Qingxue walked to the main hall of the courtyard and sat down on a rosewood chair.
Li Chunfeng followed him in and waved for his attendants to leave.
"Your Majesty," Li Chunfeng said in a low voice, "there are at least thirty experts secretly monitoring the area around the post station. Their cultivation levels are all quite high, with the weakest being at the Vajra Realm."
Zhao Qingxue smiled:
"As expected. If Qin Mu didn't even have this much precaution, I would be disappointed."
She paused, then looked at Li Chunfeng:
"Could the Imperial Advisor possibly know Qin Mu's true strength?"
Li Chunfeng closed his eyes, then opened them again after a moment, a hint of seriousness flashing in them:
"Above the imperial city, dragon energy surged, displaying a myriad of phenomena. But what concerns this old Taoist most is... the direction of the Hall of Mental Cultivation."
He paused, then slowly said:
"There is an aura there, unfathomable, like the vast starry sky, or an endless abyss. The old Taoist tried to probe it with his primordial spirit, but it was like a stone sinking into the sea, leaving no trace."
Zhao Qingxue's pupils contracted slightly!
Li Chunfeng has already reached the peak of the Celestial Phenomenon realm, with one foot already in the realm of terrestrial immortals.
An aura that even he couldn't detect...
"A terrestrial deity?" she asked in a low voice.
"I'm afraid...it's more than that." Li Chunfeng's voice was more solemn than ever before. "The depth and vastness of that aura far surpasses any powerful figure I've ever seen. Even the legendary Sword Saint from three hundred years ago, I'm afraid..."
He didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was clear.
Zhao Qingxue fell silent.
After a long silence, she finally spoke:
"Interesting. It seems this Qin emperor is even more mysterious than we imagined."
She stood up, walked to the window, and looked in the direction of the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
The sun had completely set, and night had fallen.
The lights of the imperial city lit up one after another, like stars falling to earth.
In the heart of that sea of lights, in the direction of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, it seemed as if an unseen behemoth lurked.
"Qin Mu..."
Zhao Qingxue murmured the name, a glint of unprecedented fighting spirit flashing in her eyes:
"Tomorrow night, I will have a good meeting with you."
.......
The next day, at dusk.
The Hall of Mental Cultivation, a side hall.
This place has been temporarily set up as a reception area.
The hall was brightly lit, with twelve huge glazed palace lanterns hanging high, illuminating the entire hall as if it were daytime.
The floor was covered with a wool carpet, a tribute from Persia, soft and luxurious.
Dozens of sandalwood tables were placed on both sides, and fine wines and delicacies were already laid out on them.
The hall was filled with people.
On the left are the civil and military officials of the Qin Dynasty, with Prime Minister Li Si at the head, followed by Minister of War Wang Ben, Minister of Revenue Zhang Yannian, Minister of Works Lu Mingyuan, and others.
On the right are Li Yang's accompanying officials, as well as several representatives of the vassal kings who arrived earlier.
Everyone sat upright, their expressions solemn.
Because tonight's banquet has two main characters—
Emperor Qin Mu of the Great Qin Dynasty.
Empress Zhao Qingxue of Liyang.
"His Majesty has arrived!"
The official in charge of ceremonies announced the news in a clear and melodious voice.
Everyone in the hall immediately stood up and bowed in respect.
The next moment, Qin Mu slowly walked into the hall.
Today he wore a black robe with twelve imperial symbols and a crown with twelve tassels, the pearl and jade tassels swaying slightly, obscuring most of his face.
The moon-white, wide-sleeved robe has been replaced with a solemn imperial robe, but the lazy and casual temperament still remains.
He walked step by step to the head of the table, his pace unhurried and his demeanor composed.
Even though it was just a simple walk, an invisible pressure emanated from it, instantly silencing the previously noisy hall.
Qin Mu sat down in the main seat and raised his hand in a gesture of support:
"Rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Everyone responded in unison and sat down again.
Qin Mu's gaze swept across the hall, finally landing on the empty seat for the main guest on the right.
"Has Empress Liyang not arrived yet?" he asked casually.
"Your Majesty," Li Si rose and bowed, "Empress Li Yang is already waiting outside the palace."
"Announce."
"Summon—Empress Li Yang to an audience!"
The announcement sounded again.
All eyes inside the hall turned to the hall entrance.
The next moment, a figure slowly walked in.
Zhao Qingxue.
Today she wore a black robe with twelve ceremonial patterns similar to Qin Mu's, only the patterns were slightly different.
Qin Mu's is a five-clawed golden dragon, while hers is a nine-phoenix facing the sky.
He wore a bright yellow dragon-patterned cloak with black mink trim around the edges.
Wearing a twelve-tassel flat crown, the pearl and jade tassels also covered most of his face.
Even so, one can still feel the unquestionable majesty that belongs to an emperor.
Especially her deep purple phoenix eyes, which were faintly visible through the gaps in her pearl-adorned tassels, were like deep, cold water in a frozen pool.
She walked into the hall step by step, her steps steady and her back straight.
The hem of the dark robe brushed against the Persian carpet without making a sound.
The hall was completely silent.
Everyone held their breath.
Two emperors.
One was the young emperor of the Qin Dynasty. Half a year after his ascension to the throne, his reputation for debauchery and tyranny spread throughout the land.
One was the Empress of Liyang, who reigned for five years, purged the eight princes, and became a powerful figure in the Eastern Continent.
At this moment, in this side hall of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, they are having their first formal meeting.
Zhao Qingxue walked to the seat of honor and nodded slightly:
"Your Majesty the Emperor of Great Qin, I pay my respects."
Her voice was clear and cold, like jade striking each other, and it came out through the pearl and jade tassels, carrying a unique metallic quality.
Qin Mu smiled and raised his hand in greeting:
"Your Majesty, there's no need for such formalities. Please have a seat."
Zhao Qingxue sat down in the guest seat, her posture dignified.
The two were no more than three zhang apart.
A red-carpeted passageway separates them, like an invisible chasm.
"Your Majesty has come from afar, and you must be tired from your journey. I toast you with a cup." Qin Mu picked up the jade wine cup on the table.
Zhao Qingxue also picked up the wine cup in front of her:
"Your Majesty is too kind."
The two drank to each other from a distance.
The wine was a fine grape wine presented as tribute from the Western Regions, with a blood-red color and a rich aroma.
Setting down his wine cup, Qin Mu slowly began to speak:
"I am greatly pleased that the Empress has come to Great Qin to witness the ceremony of taking a concubine. Let this cup of wine be a welcome toast to the Empress."
Zhao Qingxue smiled slightly:
"Your Majesty's wedding is a grand event for the nation. Since I have received an invitation, I naturally wish to come and share in the joy."
She paused, then added:
"Moreover, I have long admired the customs and culture of the Great Qin. This visit is a perfect opportunity to witness its splendor."
The two exchanged polite but distant pleasantries.
But everyone inside the hall could sense the hidden sharpness beneath that calm surface.
"In that case,"
Qin Mu leaned forward slightly, his gaze seemingly piercing through all obstacles to meet Zhao Qingxue's eyes through the pearl-adorned tassels.
"Your Majesty might as well stay in Da Qin for a few more days. I can have the Ministry of Rites arrange for you to have a proper tour."
"I appreciate Your Majesty's kindness."
Zhao Qingxue said calmly, "It's just that the affairs of the Liyang court are very busy, and it's inconvenient for me to stay any longer. After the ceremony, I will return to Tianqi City."
Qin Mu nodded slightly, and through the gap in the tassels, a subtle, enigmatic smile flashed in his deep eyes.
"Alright." His voice was languid with a hint of amusement. "There will be opportunities in the future."
"Yes." Zhao Qingxue nodded, her clear, cold voice coming through the pearl and jade tassels, carrying a peculiar metallic quality. "There will naturally be opportunities in the future."
As she spoke, a barely perceptible curve appeared at the corner of her lips on her stunningly beautiful face, which was half-covered by pearls and jade.
In the future, she will traverse every inch of this Qin Dynasty in a different way.
Not as guests attending a ceremony, but as... the masters of this land.
Their seemingly polite conversation, though conducted in the silent hall, seemed to conceal an invisible blade.
Inside the hall, all the civil and military officials were completely silent, even their breathing was extremely soft.
Prime Minister Li Si sat at the head of the civil officials' seats, his hands tucked into his sleeves, his eyes fixed on his nose and his mind, his expression so calm it was almost numb.
This veteran of three reigns, who once assisted the late emperor in creating a prosperous era and was known as "the prime minister of all time," felt only deep weariness at this moment.
Six months ago, when Qin Mu ascended the throne, the extraordinary celestial phenomenon of "purple aura coming from the east for three thousand miles and nine dragons circling" made him believe that the Great Qin had ushered in a true enlightened ruler.
He devoted all his knowledge and energy to reviewing memorials and sorting out state affairs day and night, hoping to guide this young emperor onto the right path.
But in the past six months, His Majesty's actions—taking thirty-six concubines into the harem, not attending court for half a month, having a mountain of memorials piled up, and now forcibly taking Xu Fenghua as a concubine…
One thing after another, each event was eroding Li Si's last hope.
"Never mind." Li Si sighed inwardly, his aged fingers trembling slightly inside his sleeve.
If Your Majesty wants to go mad, let him go mad. This Qin empire, this legacy left by the late Emperor… this old minister has done his best.
He's already given up.
I can't persuade them anymore, and I can't stop them.
Since His Majesty insists on doing this absurd thing, Li Si can only watch helplessly.
I only hope... that the fate of the Qin Dynasty will not be lost too quickly.
Just then—
A clear, melodious voice announced the arrival of the master of ceremonies from outside the hall:
"Xu Longxiang, Heir Apparent of the Prince of Zhenbei and General of the Northern Frontier, requests an audience with Your Majesty!"