Chapter 1995: The Feast of All Countries!
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
Time flew by, and soon the air over the capital was popping with the explosions of hundreds of thousands of fireworks.
Dazzling light engulfed the capital, turning night into day.
Amidst thunderous cheers, the grandiose feast of all countries finally began.
In his imperial robe, w.a.n.g Chong stood outside his estate and looked up at the night sky.
A gentle breeze ruffled his hair and robes, but his mind was at peace.
The Imperial Court had issued the schedule. According to the plan, the opening of the feast of all countries would be divided into three days. On the first day, a majestic military parade would be held involving two-hundred-thousand-some soldiers, the Imperial Army included. In neat formation, they would start their march down Azure Dragon Street, pa.s.s the Imperial Palace, and march all the way to Vermillion Bird Street.
The Sage Emperor would appear at the gates of the Imperial City to personally inspect the troops.
On the second day, the Imperial Court would hold a cuju compet.i.tion with all the other countries. This was a compet.i.tion which everyone could enter, not just the members of the court.
(TN: Cuju was an ancient Chinese football sport that involved kicking a ball into a net. Teams consisted of 12-16 people. Originating in the Han Dynasty, it grew popular amongst both the court and the people, and it was also very popular during the Tang Dynasty.)
The only requirement was that they needed to organize into a cuju team.
w.a.n.g Chong had learned that one hundred and sixty cuju teams had already been organized in the capital. All the common people of the capital were focused on this event, and it was certain to be a grand and unprecedented affair.
On the third day, the capital’s curfew was to be removed. Everyone was allowed to celebrate for the entire day, and there would be all kinds of fireworks shows that would last from nightfall to daybreak, with all sorts of foods and drinks available. Judging by past events, at least seven hundred thousand inhabitants of the capital would take part, partying until dawn.
After those three days, the main event would begin. At the scheduled time, the foreign emissaries would enter the Imperial Palace to feast with the Sage Emperor in front of the Pavilion of Petal and Sepal.
During the feast, the various countries were scheduled to present their tributes and carry out performances.
This feast of all countries was undoubtedly going to be the grandest event in the last several decades. In the past, the Imperial Court’s officials might have criticized or tried to stop it, but with the Great Tang’s current power and prosperity, this really didn’t amount to much. Deep in his heart, w.a.n.g Chong actually was not resistant to the feast of all countries, but…
The thought of the Sage Emperor in the Imperial Palace caused a dark cloud to flit across his brow.
“Is everything ready?” w.a.n.g Chong suddenly said.
“It is ready!” Zhang Que quickly said, his body concealed in the shadow of the eaves.
“嗯。”
“Mm.”
w.a.n.g Chong nodded and said no more. The night quickly pa.s.sed.
For the next three days, the capital was a place of raucous celebration.
Cuju games, flower fairs, lantern festivals, and various other splendid events took place, but w.a.n.g Chong took part in none of them. Finally, the fourth day of the feast of all countries began.
After three days, the festive mood had been pushed to the maximum. As the curtain of night fell, the crowds filling the capital’s streets only grew larger and louder.
Unlike what many people expected, nightfall was when the true fun began.
The Sage Emperor had willed that the feast of all countries be started at night!
Night had fallen, but the King of Foreign Lands Residence was brightly lit by festive red lanterns.
In the estate, the countless maids and servant girls were adorned in festive robes, and the estate guards were wearing s.h.i.+ning armor that reflected the dazzling scenes outside.
The Great Tang had been peaceful and prosperous for nearly one hundred years, invincible and impregnable. Everyone used the Sage Emperor’s ‘feast of all countries’ to enthusiastically celebrate, and w.a.n.g Chong naturally did not stop them.
It was now the You Period (5-7pm).
An imperial carriage drove through the night and came to a stop in front of the gate. Under the light of the two large lanterns flanking the gate, the carriage door opened, and a neat minor eunuch exited, a small lantern in hand. He strode over to the gate, lowered his head, and courteously spoke a few words.
A few moments later, one of the guards turned and pa.s.sed the message to a clever-looking maid. She carefully listened, marking the message on her heart, and then she picked up her own little lantern and headed inside.
Her footsteps rang out through the residence as she navigated the corridors and entered the study.
“Your Highness, there is a minor eunuch from the palace outside. He says that the feast will begin soon and that Your Highness should make your way to the palace now.”
The maid remained on the other side of the door and bowed as she respectfully spoke.
After a long while, a voice came out from the room.
“I see.”
The maid bowed and departed.
Candles flickered in the room.
w.a.n.g Chong was wearing a violet gold dragon robe, a crown of black jade, black boots, and a four-foot sword at his waist. This attire coupled with his young and dignified face imbued him with a transcendent aura.
At his side, a woman that was both beautiful and intelligent was helping him with his collar.
Xu Qiqin stared at w.a.n.g Chong and suddenly joked, “That was risky! We almost got found out!”
“What does it matter if we’re discovered? You’re my close woman companion. Would anyone dare to laugh?”
w.a.n.g Chong chuckled.
Xu Qiqin was about to retort when a domineering and familiar scent a.s.sailed her nose. As she met eyes with w.a.n.g Chong, a blush traveled from her cheeks all the way to the tips of her ears.
“How annoying! I’m not talking with you anymore!”
w.a.n.g Chong smiled and shook his head. A hint of affection flashed in his eyes as he watched Xu Qiqin shyly blush, but he quickly came back to his senses.
“It’s about time. Let’s go.”
“Mm.”
Xu Qiqin nodded, warmth in her eyes as she raised her head.
Creeeeak!
The door opened, and when w.a.n.g Chong led Xu Qiqin out of the room by hand, all the servants and guards of the estate were struck, even Su s.h.i.+xuan and Xu Keyi.
One was a heroic figure with matchless talent, and the other was a gorgeous beauty possessing outstanding intelligence and matchless elegance.
The two standing together were a match made in heaven, enchanting everyone present.
w.a.n.g Chong smiled as he led Xu Qiqin out. They soon boarded the estate’s ornate dragon carriage.
“Hyah!”
With a cry, the carriage made its way toward the Imperial Palace.
……
The moon hung serenely in the sky. Looking out from the window of the carriage, w.a.n.g Chong could see dazzling fireworks explode in the skies while lanterns and flowers festooned the streets. The political center of the Great Tang had been transformed into a sea of light.
Amidst the dazzling lights, carriages and pedestrians went here and there, people of all ages and genders laughing and smiling as they enjoyed the festivities.
w.a.n.g Chong saw a father carrying his three-year-old child on his back, standing next to a flower lantern, and the child was pointing at the pictures on the lantern. There was also an old bearded man who had lost half his teeth standing next to his similarly aged companion, laughing as they ate tanghulu. He also saw several energetic youngsters accompanying several blus.h.i.+ng maidens as they picked out make-up at a store.
The smiles on their faces were all so pure, and they were completely immersed in this glorious peace!
w.a.n.g Chong had an indescribable feeling as he took in the sights.
Better to be a dog in peace than a man in a world of chaos!
In his last life, the war of the southwest, the Battle of Talas, and the Rebellion of the Three Princes had overturned the entire world. The people were panicked and the court was in disarray. Peaceful scenes like this were impossible.
Many events were taking place again, like the change in the Sage Emperor and An Yaluoshan’s rise… so much so that w.a.n.g Chong sometimes thought that his efforts were for nothing. But when he saw these simple and honest people partaking in the festivities, w.a.n.g Chong was enlightened.
Everything had changed, and the changes were taking place all around him. It was taking place not with the world, but with the people that lived in it.
Were not these unworried and pa.s.sionate smiles exactly what he had always sought?
Did he not seek to protect these people who simply lived life as it came?
He could not permit the future disasters to repeat themselves. No matter what the price, he swore to protect the Great Tang and its common folk!
“What’s wrong?”
A pleasant voice at his ear shook w.a.n.g Chong from his stupor, and he quickly turned to see a pair of beautiful eyes set in an angelic face quietly staring at him.
“It’s nothing. I was just thinking about tonight’s feast of all countries!”
w.a.n.g Chong shook his head.
“Today is the last day of the feast of all countries. We’ve been watching for any movement in the capital over the last few days, but An Yaluoshan has remained silent and hasn’t done a thing. Today is the very last day. Regardless of what his goal in coming to the capital was, it will all be revealed tonight!”
Xu Qiqin looked at w.a.n.g Chong’s determined face and firmly said, “Mm, although I’ve never met him before, from the information you’ve provided, I can tell he’s an extremely shrewd and vicious man. But I’m sure that he’s no match for you!”
w.a.n.g Chong simply nodded. No matter what An Yaluoshan was thinking, he would never let him succeed. No, as the archcriminal of the world and the calamity’s direct instigator, An Yaluoshan could not be permitted to leave the capital alive!
The voice of the driver came from outside. “Your Highness, we’re at the palace gate!”