Chapter 0679: Grand Ceremony
Xia City today was riddled with festive lights and decorations, submerged with endless ceremonial festivities. The atmosphere of the city was boiling over like a raging inferno, full of commotion and celebration.
House Luolan.
Li Luo and Jiang Qing"e had completed their preparations to leave for the coronation ceremony. This was an affair that concerned the entire Xia Kingdom, so they could not miss out on it.
Warm sunlight bathed the tall youth who stood before a flight of steps. His head of grayish-white hair seemed to glisten in the sunlight as a slight smile hung upon his handsome visage with well defined features. Anyone who saw him would naturally be charmed by his charismatic looks, giving rise to good feelings towards him.
Beside him was a female who possessed a slender body and was garbed in a combat dress, her skirt revealing her round thighs which shone like jade under the light. Her facial features were delicate but pleasing to the eye. But in contrast with the youth beside her, she seemed slightly aloof. Her clear, golden eyes were like the most precious gems known to man, giving one the impression of a divine G.o.ddess. When they stood next to each other, it was a treat for the eyes.
This sight caused even the unhurried Mentor Chi Chan to pause for a moment as she made her way towards them.
"House Lord, Old Ox is unable to accompany you. It"s lucky that you have Mentor Chi Chan. I feel significantly more relieved with her around." Ox Biaobiao had also rushed over to the duo with a smile before scratching his radiant, bald head. He then turned towards Chi Chan with a grin on his face. "Mentor Chi Chan, I will have to trouble you with the House Lords" safety."
Chi Chan was similarly very courteous towards this hidden Duke expert of House Luolan, and she smiled as well. "Brother Ox, you are too polite. However, the main character is not House Luolan. We are merely spectators, so things should be safe."
Ox Biaobiao sighed. "I hope so too. However, I can feel that today will be rife with danger, nothing less than what happened a few days ago during the Housemeet."
"Brother Ox, do you think there will be some hijinks during the coronation ceremony?" Chi Chan asked curiously with slightly furrowed brows.
"The Regent is not a kind and benevolent man. I don"t believe he will willingly cede his power to others. Thus, there will undoubtedly be conflict. And when things escalate, the Xia Kingdom might be torn apart, our peace at an end," Ox Biaobiao replied.
As Li Luo and Jiang Qing"e listened, their expressions turned heavy. As citizens of the Xia Kingdom, the lack of peace would also significantly affect them.
"I understand." Chi Chan nodded.
"Either way, if things don"t look good, you should retreat back to the headquarters as soon as possible. We have a defensive ward, so things should be considered safe here," Ox Biaobiao reminded her.
The other three agreed as well.
They did not continue to dawdle after that. They left the house and boarded the carriage, making their way towards the royal palace.
The journey was filled with celebratory festivities as things were in full swing.
Li Luo glanced out of the window and thought of Ox Biaobiao"s previous reminder. This was still the place of his birth and he had lived here for over ten years. Although his ancestors were from the Inner Divine Continent and were of Heavenly Emperor Li"s bloodline, he had no memory or affection towards that faraway land. Thus, he sincerely hoped that the Xia Kingdom would remain both peaceful and prosperous.
"The Regent is truly a scourge on the earth." Li Luo"s eyes turned a little overcast. He and the Regent already possessed an irreconcilable feud just because that greedy b.a.s.t.a.r.d had plotted to take his parent"s divine matter. He silently cursed that the Regent would simply just die on the spot.
If that man usurped the throne and took control of the entire Xia Kingdom, House Luolan"s future days would be bleak.
As Li Luo continued to stew in his thoughts, the carriage arrived at the royal palace and the three got off. They took out the invitation provided by the First Princess and pa.s.sed it to the guards who then respectfully escorted them in.
Li Luo swept his gaze throughout the royal palace as they stepped in. He could see that the entire location was heavily guarded and there were even numerous presences hidden within the shadows. It was obvious that they were on full alert with every single defense available deployed.
As the group made their way, he also managed to encounter numerous other guests that were all leaders of the Xia Kingdom"s numerous factions and forces. The coronation ceremony was the time where the highest echelons of power were pa.s.sed on, and thus the average individual would not have the right to be present.
After walking through the magnificent and breathtaking corridor for a period of time, the trio finally reached the end of the pa.s.sage, where their view opened up. What entered their sight was a ma.s.sive white jade square that was surrounded on all four sides by numerous jade seats. Countless people had already arrived and had made themselves comfortable.
Li Luo then turned his attention to the center of the white jade square, where there was a hundred-meter-high platform. It was almost like a sacrificial altar to the G.o.ds. On the platform itself were countless golden carpets that were shaped like dragons.
It was clear that the coronation ceremony would take place atop that platform.
The trio then followed the instructions of a female servant and moved to their a.s.signed jade seats on the right side of the square. Their seats were situated at the very top, and Li Luo noticed some familiar figures.
At the very same time, another trio had just arrived on the opposite end. There was an emotionless middle-aged man followed by a male youth and a female youth. They were none other than House Duze"s Duze Yan, Duze Beixuan, and Duze Honglian.
The two groups faced off against each other directly as they made momentary eye contact.
Li Luo gave his most radiant smile before cupping his fist and greeting Duze Yan respectfully. "Greetings, House Duze"s lord." At that same time, several curious pairs of eyes shot his way.
Duze Yan shot Li Luo a single look but didn"t seem intent on replying, directly making his way to his a.s.signed seat.?ree?e??ov?l.???
Li Luo wasn"t really affected by Duze Yan"s indifferent att.i.tude. How he treated him on the surface wasn"t important when you considered how House Jinque"s Si Qing often greeted Li Luo with compliments. The result? Si Qing had lobbed stones down at them when they were stuck in a well, even going as far as to seal off the well itself...
Thus, Li Luo was unconcerned with Duze Yan"s insipid reaction. Instead, he turned his attention to Duze Beixuan before giving the warmest smile he could. "My good friend Xuan!"
Duze Beixuan"s gaze turned frosty as he angrily glared at Li Luo. "Shut up!"
Li Luo, on the other hand, was genuinely taken aback at that malicious outburst...
Jiang Qing"e was looking at Duze Honglian, who had a complicated expression on her face. Although Qing"e did not say anything, she nodded in acknowledgement, basically greeting them as well.
Seeing that subtle action, Duze Honglian"s heart started to palpitate nervously. Jiang Qing"e had only ever treated her coolly in the past, turning a complete blind eye to her presence. When had she even acted like she did today, taking the initiative to nod? This sudden change in treatment momentarily overwhelmed Duze Honglian. However, she immediately felt a little annoyed and ashamed at her state of mind, secretly berating herself for overreacting. Jiang Qing"e had merely nodded and she was completely affected...
She forced herself to compose herself and maintain a poker face, merely nodding back slightly before hurriedly catching up with Duze Yan.
With that brief encounter come to a close, the trio from House Luolan made their way to their own seats.
However, just a few steps later, Li Luo halted as he saw the members of House Jinque before him. Si Qing, Si Tianming, and Si Qiuying.
Similarly, their group had spotted Li Luo"s group, and all three had different expressions for a brief moment.