"Swish—"
The originally somewhat noisy grand hall instantly fell silent.
All gazes turned in unison toward the entrance.
Wind and snow swirled backward.
A figure stepped onto the red carpet and walked in slowly.
Some widened their eyes, wanting to see what the legendary Grand Princess, who had defied the odds to slay a Seed Lotus cultivator while in the Ink Dot Realm, truly looked like.
Others straightened their backs, prepared to nitpick her appearance and etiquette.
However.
The moment that figure truly entered their line of sight.
Everyone's breathing stopped in that instant.
A red figure crossed the threshold, stepping into the hall filled with opulence.
"Hiss—"
Someone, it was unclear who, gasped.
The person who entered wore a bright red ceremonial robe, with five phoenixes embroidered in gold thread appearing ready to take flight, shimmering brilliantly under the candlelight.
On her high, cloud-like bun, a phoenix hairpin swayed, its dangling tassels reflecting against her jade-white Face.
A floral mark between her brows burned like fire.
Beautiful.
Extremely beautiful.
But this beauty was not the delicate, gentle kind.
It was a cold, stunning beauty that was highly aggressive and made people afraid to look directly at her.
The young girl lifted her head slightly, her gaze sweeping calmly across the room.
Those swept by this gaze.
Whether they were the usually high-and-mighty princes or the concubines who prided themselves on being favored, all felt a tremor in their hearts and subconsciously avoided her gaze.
"Is this... Grand Princess Zhaoyue?"
That prince muttered to himself, feeling as if his soul had been snatched away.
Li Jingran glanced at him.
For some reason.
A sense of superiority inexplicably arose in his heart.
"Look at you bunch of bumpkins!"
This imperial younger sister is not only terrifyingly powerful.
Her looks are at a level that could bring disaster to the nation.
Jiang Yuechu looked straight ahead and walked directly to the front of the hall.
She bowed slightly toward the bright yellow figure on the main seat.
"Greetings, Your Majesty."
The Emperor was already so happy he didn't know which way was up.
He stood up abruptly, strode down the imperial dais, and grabbed Jiang Yuechu's hand.
"It's good that you've come, it's good that you've come!"
"I was worried you wouldn't be used to the rules in the palace."
"Quickly!"
"Take your seat!"
The Emperor led Jiang Yuechu, guiding her directly to the honorable seat second only to the Empress.
This action made everyone below gasp again.
Such favor...
It seems this Grand Princess's importance in Your Majesty's heart is much greater than rumored!
Jiang Yuechu helplessly pulled her hand back and took her seat.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Since Lonely Moon has arrived."
The Emperor returned to the main seat, in high spirits, and raised his wine cup.
"Then let the feast begin!"
As his voice fell.
The sounds of strings and woodwinds suddenly arose.
Flowing like water through the hall paved with gold bricks.
Hundreds of Palace Maids filed in.
Carrying delicacies, they moved among the tables like butterflies flitting through flowers.
Every dish was a painstaking creation of the Imperial Kitchen, not only complete in color, fragrance, and taste, but also made with the flesh of Yao Beasts, which could consolidate one's foundation and nourish vitality when consumed.
If she were still the small Squad Leader from before, Jiang Yuechu might have sighed at the extravagance of the royal family.
But now.
She was already used to devouring the flesh and blood of demons in large mouthfuls.
Eating these so-called Yao Beasts.
She actually found it somewhat bland.
After three rounds of drinks and tasting the dishes.
The atmosphere in the hall gradually became lively.
Li Jingran hesitated for a moment, then rose from his seat and walked to Jiang Yuechu.
"Imperial Younger Sister."
"Thank you for your hard work on your journey back to the capital. I, your elder brother, toast you."
With that, he tilted his head and drank it all in one gulp.
Jiang Yuechu did not stand up, merely raising her cup in acknowledgment and taking a light sip.
"You are too polite, Imperial Brother."
Such an attitude, if it were anyone else, would surely be called arrogant and rude.
But for Li Jingran, it was already giving him immense Face!
In this world, strength is the greatest rule.
Young and already having entered the Zhonglian Realm, plus receiving such favor from the Emperor.
Let alone sitting while drinking.
Even if she were to prop her feet on the table right now, someone would likely praise her for being true to herself.
Thinking of this, his heart settled, and a genuine smile appeared on his Face.
With Prince Jing taking the lead, the other princes and concubines also stepped forward to offer toasts.
These nobles, who were usually high-and-mighty, were all wearing smiling Faces, speaking auspicious words.
Jiang Yuechu refused no one.
Cup after cup.
Her cold Face always wore a faint air of detachment.
It was nearing the hour of the Rat.
The sound of firecrackers outside the hall became increasingly dense.
"Let's go!"
The Emperor was somewhat tipsy, his Face slightly flushed, and he pulled Jiang Yuechu up.
"Follow me to the Star-Plucking Tower!"
"Tonight, I specially had thousands of fireworks prepared, so that this Chang'an City may celebrate the New Year for you!"
The crowd surrounded the Emperor, Empress, and the Grand Princess, marching in a grand procession out of the Linde Hall and ascending the hundred-foot-tall Star-Plucking Tower.
The cold wind howled.
Carrying snowflakes, it rushed toward their Faces.
The Old Eunuch hurriedly brought a cloak to drape over the Emperor, but was pushed away, and the Emperor instead draped it over Jiang Yuechu.
"Don't catch a cold."
Jiang Yuechu pulled her collar tight, feeling the warmth that carried his body heat.
"Your Majesty, I am not cold."
"I know you have great abilities and aren't afraid of the cold."
The Emperor stood before the railing, looking down at the brightly lit majestic city beneath his feet, his tone somewhat distant.
"But you are my younger sister."
"In my eyes, you will always be a little girl."
Jiang Yuechu was slightly stunned.
She turned her head, looking at the young Emperor beside her.
And noticed the unconcealable exhaustion at the corners of his eyes.
It seems.
This convenient elder brother does not seem as relaxed as he appears on the surface.
"Dang—!!!"
The melodious sound of bells came from the distant bell tower.
Echoing over the sky of Chang'an City.
The first toll.
The old year is removed.
Immediately after.
"Whoosh—!!!"
A stream of light shot up into the sky, piercing through the pitch-black night curtain.
"Boom—!!!"
Huge fireworks exploded in the night sky, turning into thousands of star-like raindrops, falling upon the human world.
Red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, purple.
Various colors of light intertwined, dyeing the falling snow across the sky in multicolored hues.
"Wow—!!!"
The commoners in the city looked up, bursting into cheers.
Immediately after, countless fireworks rose into the sky together.
A night where the trees are ablaze with silver flowers, a night without darkness.
The entire Chang'an, at this moment, seemed to have transformed into the legendary heavenly palace.
The Emperor pointed at the fireworks filling the sky and laughed, "This is Chang'an."
"This is our Great Tang."
Jiang Yuechu watched quietly.
Watching the surging crowds in the markets, watching the bustling traffic on the long streets.
Red lanterns, one after another, radiated vibrant life in this cold winter night.
Jiang Yuechu said softly, "Very beautiful."
"Yes... very beautiful."
The Emperor took a deep breath and turned to look at the young girl beside him.
"I hope..."
"This Great Tang empire can forever be this prosperous."
"I hope even more..."
He paused, his voice becoming soft.
"That you are simply happy, and can do whatever you want."
Jiang Yuechu did not speak.
She merely reached out her hand and caught a falling snowflake.
Half a year of time.
Like a white horse passing a crevice.
From the daughter of a disgraced official to the current Grand Princess of Great Tang.
From a weak woman with no strength to truss a chicken, to leaping to the current Zhonglian Realm.
Now.
She had already leaped out of the cold pond and grown golden scales.
Jiang Yuechu clenched her fist tightly.
A red light flashed and disappeared in her eyes.
Seed Lotus is merely a beginning.
Mountain Gazing, Lamp Lighting...
She must set foot on them one by one!
"Dang—!!!"
Another bell tolled.
Announcing the departure of the old year and the arrival of the New Year.
"Happy New Year."
Jiang Yuechu turned her head and smiled slightly.
This smile.
Was like ice and snow melting, like an epiphyllum blooming for the first time.
The Emperor was stunned for a moment, then grinned, laughing like a fool.
"Happy New Year!"
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(End of this volume)
Yes, really it was short in the raws as well.
Anyway, I will be commenting Kino Art throughout the chapter.
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