He had no choice but to take the list of all the items for tomorrow’s banquet and check them one by one.
Zhao Junyao was not proficient in this.
He spent a full half Shi Chen to finish reading it.
And even after he finished, he was still dazzled.
Helplessly, he had to summon all the people from the Ministry of Rites and Ministry of Internal Affairs to verify each item.
Finally, a plan was formulated.
"Just slightly more than the regulations will suffice, there’s no need for excess!"
"Although tomorrow’s banquet is important, there is no need to deliberately ingratiate ourselves!"
"I believe this is the true majesty of our Great Chu Dynasty!"
The officials looked at each other, and then collectively saluted.
"The Emperor is wise!"
Zhao Junyao was practically worn out by them and waved his hand.
"It’s late, and we have to rise early tomorrow, my esteemed officials, please go back to rest."
"Yes!"
"Your ministers take their leave!"
After saying that, they respectfully withdrew.
Only then did Zhao Junyao get up, rubbing his sore neck, feeling a bit helpless.
"Tired!"
These old men had been fussing over a banquet for a full half month.
Even now they were still arguing, truly he’s had enough.
Not only enough, but... annoyed?!
Zhao Junyao shook his head, decided not to think about it anymore.
Li Shengan quickly approached.
"Your Majesty, it’s late, please have some supper!"
Zhao Junyao waved his hand.
"No need, to Duanning Palace!"
Li Shengan was a little surprised.
"Ah? Your Majesty, it’s almost past the Hai Hour..."
Zhao Junyao glanced at the Shi Chen, indeed it was quite late.
Qingqing was probably already asleep, and he had to wake up early tomorrow.
Perhaps... it’s better not to disturb her.
That night, Zhao Junyao rested in Zhaochen Palace.
Lying in bed, he gazed at the familiar yet unfamiliar canopy above.
Suddenly he felt unable to sleep.
Who knows when.
Without her by his side, his heart felt uneasy.
Duanning Palace seemed like the right place, while his own Zhaochen Palace felt like temporary residence.
What was most fatal was, he didn’t hate this feeling at all.
Having someone like her by his side is truly the blessing of the emperor, isn’t it?!
Zhao Junyao chuckled, turned over, and closed his eyes to sleep.
The next day was another busy day.
In fact, Zhao Junyao was not particularly busy.
Although envoys came to visit, it wasn’t necessary for the emperor to greet them personally.
Just send a few of the royal family’s offspring and some esteemed elderly ministers to receive them.
From the royal family, Little Fifth and Little Seventh were sent, and several elder ministers from the cabinet also went.
In terms of etiquette, it could be considered thorough.
Because the evening banquet was scheduled for the night, the palace was relatively quiet at this time.
However, outside the palace, it was quite lively by that time.
At Chen Hour, the city gates opened wide.
Yang Chenyi, Ye Tang, the Fifth Prince, and Seventh Prince, along with various ministers, brought their various entourages to greet at the city gate.
The curious citizens had long surrounded the main road at the city gates, making it watertight.
Within the crowd, everyone was discussing, curious about the ’foreigners’ who were about to arrive.
"What do you think these Western Xia people look like?"
"I know, I know!" A curious person quickly enlightened those around him.
"One year I followed my wife’s nephew to the Northwest to collect goods and saw Western Xia people!"
"The men aren’t tall, about the same as us from the Central Plains, but they dress unsightly, wearing animal skins with all sorts of patterns, and they have various animal skulls hanging around their necks, looking quite eerie!"
"What about the women?"
A curious person pursues relentlessly in the crowd.
That person smiled mysteriously, tantalizing everyone, and continued.
"The women, their clothes are also different from ours, colorful and vibrant, but... actually quite beautiful to look at!"
At this point, some young maidens and wives began to protest.
"What’s wrong? The women of our Great Chu Dynasty aren’t beautiful?"
That person quickly smiled sheepishly.
"Beautiful! They’re all beautiful!"
Only then did the woman let it go.
Just at that moment, the crowd in front stirred and everyone stretched their necks to look!
Only to see.
The first to enter the city gates were a group of soldiers dressed bizarrely.
The crowd erupted in chaos.
"Why do they look like this!"
"Exactly, so dark, quite scary! They’re really wearing animal bones!"
After a round of discussions.
Another group came, looking like attendants.
This time, it was much more refined, without animal bones, and their clothing seemed a bit more luxurious, but...
For the capital citizens who were accustomed to splendid attire and decorations, how could they fancy this type of clothing.
They mostly thought it looked better than the previous soldiers.