Chapter 444: Meeting the Emperor
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
The palace of the Great Chang Kingdom was especially vast. It could even be described as an imperial city.
This was because when the late Emperor was in power, he had once built a huge city and expanded the Great Chang Nation’s palace. The entire Wanning City was expanded by hundreds of feet.
In the Imperial City, there were jade tiles and carved pavilions everywhere. Golden light flickered, and the bricks and tiles shone. Jade branches grew along the way, and every few steps, there were palace servants standing with their heads lowered.
The 90 feet long, 9 feet tall, and 9 inches wide city walls surrounded the Imperial City. They were separated layer by layer, like exquisite and beautiful cages.
From time to time, there would be iron-armored Imperial City guards patrolling everywhere. They were armed with swords, belts, and long boots, but their footsteps were silent and imposing.
Occasionally, there would be some n.o.bles and ministers living in the Imperial City wearing official uniforms and holding tokens.
When they saw the carriage, they hurriedly retreated to the side and bowed to wait for it to pa.s.s. Their eyes looked straight at the ground, not daring to look at anything else.
…..
Much less ask curiously.
There were clearly palace servants everywhere, but other than the sound of the wind, no other sound could be heard, causing the entire Imperial City to seem very solemn.
It was like a dead city.
“This Imperial Palace really makes me feel uncomfortable every time I come. Fortunately, I was smart back then. When the Tian Family wanted to confer a mansion, I tried my best to get it built outside the Imperial City. Otherwise, if I lived in the Imperial City like the other old men, I might even have my lifespan reduced by 20 years!” After walking for two hours, they still had not arrived at the inner palace where the Emperor was. Duke An could not help but complain.
Eunuch Xi’s voice sounded outside. “Lord Duke, be careful with your words.”
“I’ve already said it softly enough. Can’t you pretend that you didn’t hear me?” The Duke couldn’t help but roll his eyes. “I’m an old man. What’s wrong with being considerate of me? With good internal energy and sharp ears, you can eavesdrop on other people’s whispers? Do you have any morals? Do you know the meaning of personal s.p.a.ce!”
Eunuch Xi:”…”
Duke An’s voice became louder and louder as it traveled out of the carriage. A m.u.f.fled bell sounded outside.
“Silence!” Someone shouted in a low voice.
Duke An stopped talking.
After a while, Duke An rubbed his waist again and looked at the meticulous Qin Huai opposite him, sighing with emotion.
“It’s good to be young.”
Qin Huai nodded. “Thank you, Grandpa.”
“…I’m not praising you!”
The Imperial City was strangely large. It was also divided into the Great Imperial City, the Inner Imperial City, the Inner Palace, the Central Palace, and the main hall.
Usually, the n.o.bles and officials would go to the main hall to attend court. They would have a special carriage to ride on. When they arrived outside the Central Palace, they had to get out of the carriage and walk.
The court a.s.sembly was held once every three days. Every time, they had to take at least two hours by carriage and walk for at least an hour. It was very tiring.
Some ministers were too lazy to walk, so they lived in the residences of the officials in the Inner Palace all year round.
Finally, they arrived at the Inner Palace where the Emperor was. The two of them alighted from the carriage.
Eunuch Xi had been walking on the road for more than two hours, but his footsteps were still light and he did not look tired at all.
“The Emperor is waiting in Qinxin Hall. Duke An, Young Master, please—”
On the way to the Qinxin Hall, a palace maid stepped forward and quickly handed them a clean wet cloth. After they wiped their hands, she handed them a dry cloth.
After washing their hands, they stepped into Qinxin Hall.
First, a rich Buddhist fragrance entered their nose. When they looked up, they saw four dragon-carved pillars supporting the entire Qinxin Hall. The dragon pillars were placed around the golden throne and table in the middle.
There were brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones on the table, as well as a thick stack of memorials.
A person sat behind a table, burying his head in the memorials. His expression was focused and his brows were furrowed.
“Your Highness. Duke An and Young Master Qin have arrived,” Eunuch Xi said in a low voice.
“This subject greets Your Majesty!”
Duke An knelt down with a clang.
“This commoner greets Your Majesty!”
Qin Huai bowed steadily.
He did not kneel.
Duke An and Eunuch Xi’s expressions changed.
Only the Emperor behind the table looked at the neither servile nor overbearing Qin Huai. His entire body was filled with a dignified aura.
“Kid from the Qin Family, why don’t you kneel when you see me!”