Traveling through Tianlong: Starting from the Zhenlong chess game

Chapter 175 Palace Night Banquet, Dressed Up

The ministers waited outside the palace for almost half an hour. As the music and rituals sounded, the princes and nobles entered one after another, followed by civil and military officials.

But this time, the ministers were a little confused. Dali was just a small country in the south. Even if they sent envoys, there was no need for such a grand reception.

Because the reception of palace banquets in the Song Dynasty was divided into three classes according to the standards.

The first-class banquet was held in Jiying Hall. Usually, envoys from the Liao Kingdom were received here, or there were some grand ceremonies held by the imperial court. This kind of banquet must be attended by civil and military officials and prestigious relatives of the emperor.

The second-level banquet is held in Zichen Hall, which is generally used to entertain envoys from Xixia and other countries.

The third-level small banquet is for entertaining ordinary envoys.

According to everyone's opinion, a small country like Dali in the south is not qualified to entertain in Jiying Palace.

With their own doubts in mind, everyone returned to their respective positions.

However, this time at the dinner party for the Dali delegation, Zhao Mu was placed at the top of the Song Dynasty party.

Although Zhao Mu was not an unusual person, it was his first time to participate in a palace banquet of this level, which made him quite excited. And he still sits at the top of the list of ministers. Even the emperor's brothers, those first- and second-rank officials who have worked hard and meritoriously, and the hereditary nobles who founded the country will all be ranked behind him.

Although Zhao Mu knew that today was his special day, the emperor specially gave him face. But Zhao Mu also secretly swore in his heart that even if he couldn't sit on the golden throne in the hall, he would sit here forever.

A moment later, with the eunuchs shouting, Emperor Zhezong arrived. All the ministers stood up respectfully to greet him.

After Emperor Zhezong shouted to excuse himself, Zhao Mu took his seat and looked at Emperor Zhezong who was sitting on the dragon chair.

At this time, Emperor Zhezong, who had changed into the emperor's ceremonial robe, looked even more majestic than before. Although Emperor Zhezong was young, the way he sat on the dragon throne made Zhao Mu truly feel what it means to "not be angry but to be powerful" and what it means to be "the spirit of the emperor".

Seeing Zhe Zong's majesty and aura, Zhao Mu felt inferior.

Zhao Mu then looked at Zhe Zong's other brothers, and among those princes, Prince Duan was the most visible. Although he doesn't have a standing posture or a sitting posture, the gap between him and Zhe Zong is simply huge.

After Emperor Zhezong sat down, he waved his hand. After receiving the emperor's signal, the eunuch shouted: "Invite the envoy of Dali to enter the palace."

As this sound echoed in the main hall, drums suddenly sounded outside Jiying Hall. With the sound of drums, the Dali Kingdom's envoy slowly walked into the main hall.

Zhao Muduan sat on the main seat and looked at the Dali delegation filing in. Seeing the faces of these people, Zhao Mu couldn't help but laugh, because these people were not strangers.

The first person to enter was Duan Yu, followed by Shanshan Hou Gao Shengtai, and behind Gao Shengtai was Mu Wanqing, followed by Azi, Ruan Xingzhu, and Zhu Danchen. Zhao Mu didn't know those people after that, they should be everyone's followers. But Zhao Mu watched it from beginning to end, but A'Zhu was nowhere to be seen.

And Zhao Mu also looked at them carefully. After all, everyone's attire today really made Zhao Mu's eyes shine.

Today, Duan Yu has changed from the cynicism of the past. He wears a white dragon-patterned robe and a golden crown, showing his royal style.

The person who stood out the most to Zhao Mu was Mu Wanqing. Today, Mu Wanqing also took off her usual black clothes, and was decorated with a little make-up. She was wearing palace clothes and her makeup was very delicate. She is a beautiful woman, but after being embellished with clothes and jewelry, she adds a bit of beauty.

Zhao Mu sighed in his heart, this "wild girl" would look pretty if she dressed up properly.

As for the mother and daughter Azi and Ruan Xingzhu, although they have also changed their previous attires, their mother and daughter's style has not changed much from usual. After everyone entered the palace, they saluted the emperor of the Song Dynasty. After that, there were some polite words between the envoys and Song Zhezong, which need not be mentioned again. After the greetings, Emperor Zhezong invited everyone in Dali to take a seat.

But what surprised Zhao Mu was the current status of everyone in Dali.

Duan Yu is no longer the heir apparent of King Zhennan of Dali, he is now King Zhennan. Azi's title is "Princess Purple Spirit".

What surprised Zhao Mu most was Mu Wanqing's identity. When Gao Shengtai introduced Mu Wanqing, he did not call him "Princess Zhaohua" but "Elder Princess Zhaohua". Although Zhao Mu was very curious, he still had to wait until after the dinner to ask.

Then everyone in Dali took their seats. The Dali Kingdom's envoy was naturally led by Duan Yu, King of Zhennan. Duan Yu was accompanied by Mu Wanqing, followed by Gao Shengtai, Azi, Ruan Xingzhu and others.

Looking at Mu Wanqing and Duan Yu opposite, Zhao Mu also breathed a sigh of relief. At least he, his little aunt, did not lose his temper with Duan Yu. Seeing that the brother and sister had reconciled, Zhao Mu felt relieved. After all, there was no way he would never see Duan Yu again because of Mu Wanqing.

Zhao Mu also felt a little regretful, that is, A'Zhu did not come to this grand palace banquet. Originally, this banquet was supposed to be prepared for her, and she was the most suitable person to become his wife. It's a pity that she didn't even come.

But just as Zhao Mu was still scanning everyone in Dali carefully, trying to see if A'Zhu was disguised as someone else. Mu Wanqing in front of him winked at him playfully.

Seeing this naughty expression, Zhao Mu suddenly realized.

No wonder "Mu Wanqing" and Duan Yu get along so harmoniously today. It turns out that the Mu Wanqing in front of her is not the real owner, but A'Zhu's disguise.

Zhao Mu smiled helplessly when he saw this.

Seeing Zhao Mu's smile across from him, A'Zhu also understood it. Then he looked at him proudly.

Today's banquet is a welcoming banquet for the Dali State envoy. No important matters were mentioned at this banquet, it was just a necessary etiquette for the Song Dynasty to show the majesty of its heavenly kingdom.

Entertained by good wine, good food, and singing and dancing performances from the Central Plains, the event came to an end after a few hours.

At this banquet, Zhao Mu didn't have much chance to speak. It was basically just greetings between Emperor Zhezong and Duan Yugao Shengtai.

And Gao Shengtai also has some official words of praise that make people's ears go crazy.

At the banquet, Duan Yu stared at Zhao Mu more intently than A'Zhu pretended to be Mu Wanqing. His eyes seemed to have a lot to say to Zhao Mu, but he couldn't.

Looking at Duan Yu's eyes, Zhao Mu felt a little nervous for some reason. After all, it doesn't feel good to have a man stare at you like this.

With Emperor Zhezong's "speech", the Jiefeng Palace banquet was officially over. Emperor Zhezong left first, and everyone in Dali Kingdom left first and then was sent back to the post. After that, all the civil and military officials went back to their homes.

Zhao Mu stood up and was about to leave when the eunuch beside Emperor Zhezong said, "My lord, please stay."

Zhao Mu saluted and asked, "I don't know what's wrong with my father-in-law."

The eunuch said: "The servant passed down the emperor's oral instructions. The emperor said that King Zhennan seems to have a lot of things to say to the prince. The prince can go to the post house to meet King Zhennan. There is no need to be formal."

After hearing this, Zhao Mu said happily: "I obey the decree!"

(End of this chapter)