NOVEL NEXT Chapter 18: Attending the Meeting
Shen Qing took the invitation and opened it to see the flowing, cloud-like calligraphy that read, "Recently, the chrysanthemums in Beihai are in full bloom; I sincerely invite Lord Chief Officer Shen Qing to the gathering to discuss the Path of Immortality. Signed—Princess Yuzhen."
The writing on the invitation revealed a spirited elegance, pleasing to the eye and the heart.
"Princess Yuzhen?"
Shen Qing closed the invitation, contemplating internally,
"Ever since my days in Yongzhou, I had heard of her reputation as 'The Most Beautiful of Great Zhou,' and at not even thirty years old, she broke through to the cultivation of the Spirit Void Realm. Among the many princes and princesses of the Imperial Family, she is indeed extraordinary and has a good reputation among the elite of Great Zhou."
"This Chrysanthemum Viewing Festival will surely have many disciples from notable families participating; they are well-informed, and my participation might lead to unexpected gains."
Ji Bochu's recent actions have left me restless, eager to understand what's going on.
This Chrysanthemum Viewing Festival might just be the rare opportunity I need.
As for why Princess Yuzhen would invite me...
"Though the Huangfu family has declined, a skinny camel is still bigger than a horse. Plus, the Mountain Sea Department holds a somewhat special position in Great Zhou. This must be the Chrysanthemum Viewing Festival that Huang Furo spoke of; she must have recommended me."
Shen Qing quickly made up his mind; he would attend this Chrysanthemum Viewing Festival.
He carefully stored the invitation next to his heart and ordered, "Prepare the carriage for tomorrow; I will be attending the banquet."
"I understand, Boss."
There were rules in the Capital City that forbade martial masters like them from roaming freely, with severe penalties for violators.
Although many martial masters like him disregarded this rule, given the troublesome times, he did not wish to draw unnecessary attention to himself.
The next morning.
Tian Xiaohu, having meticulously prepared, a lavishly decorated carriage stood impressively in front of Shen Mansion's gates, its presence magnified in the morning light.
With the assistance of his servants, Shen Qing, dressed in brocade and fine garb with a Treasure Blade at his waist, walked up to the carriage and sat inside.
The carriage was suffused with a light fragrance of sandalwood and incense, refreshing and pleasing to the senses.
Shen Qing gently took his seat and immediately closed his eyes to feign sleep, entering a state of meditation to not waste a single moment.
"Giddyap!"
The carriage shook.
The wooden wheels rolled with a rumble.
In no time at all, the carriage entered the bustling street market.
It was the early market, and the streets were filled with a cacophony of sound.
The calls of the vendors were incessant, and the aroma of pancakes wafted into the carriage...
The air was thick with the scent of earthly life.
Shen Qing's luxurious carriage passed through, and pedestrians on the street stepped aside.
After the time it took to drink a pot of tea, the noisy sounds of the street came to an abrupt halt.
Shen Qing felt a shift in his attention and looked outside to find no vendors on the street, with passersby hurrying past this area.
He glanced at the appearance of the street and recognized this place belonged to the Xue Mansion.
The carriage rolled swiftly past.
As it inadvertently skimmed by the entrance of the Xue Family's estate, a desolate scene quietly entered his view.
Beneath the gate of the Xue Family's mansion, the white silk still fluttered listlessly in the breeze, swaying gently with a desolate and melancholic air.
Where once carriages and horses had thronged a bustling scene, now stood silent emptiness that hinted at decay, her gloomy silence a stark contrast to bygone liveliness.
It made sense, after all.
The Family Head of the Xue Family had perished not long ago, following the mysterious deaths of two young masters.
Such consecutive blows had plunged the Xue Family into silence.
However, Shen Qing didn't believe that the Xue Family would collapse from this adversity.
As a grand noble family, even if recently risen, their depths were unfathomable.
In the eyes of a martial master, it was likely that many old members of the Xue Family, their longevity yet unspent, were hidden in the shadows.
In the dragon's den that was the Capital City, Shen Qing dared not be the slightest bit careless.
He withdrew his gaze, no longer dwelling on it.
Beihai was not a true sea, but a man-made lake located outside the Capital City.
It was said to be a pit created by a punch from a Unity Realm Great Power during enlightenment, which, over the years, along with human intervention, turned into the vast lake now known as Beihai.
Because of its stunning scenery and the stories of Martial Arts cultivation, it was a favored destination among the young masters and ladies of the Capital for discussing their cultivation experiences.
By the bank of Beihai, a ship as magnificent as a true dragon was docked at the shore.
This was Beihai's largest boat, and the restaurant atop it, the Tianwai Lou, was renowned throughout the Great Zhou—where spending a fortune was an everyday affair.
Today, this Tianwai Lou had been reserved by Princess Yuzhen for hosting the Chrysanthemum Viewing Festival, placing diverse chrysanthemums across the entire boat.
Young nobles of note, from within and outside the Capital, gathered here, seizing the opportunity to exchange insights on cultivation.
Such a high-profile gathering was off-limits to the common populace.
Even so, numerous youths eager to cling to power congregated nearby, forming a sizable market in their wake.
Some longed for a glimpse of Princess Yuzhen's beauty, others hoped to catch the eye of the elite with their charms to change their fate, and some spent a small fortune, navigating through connections to board the boat under false pretenses.
The atmosphere was lively and bustling.
"The Princess loves bustle on regular days and enjoys making connections with the young talents of the land. Today's Chrysanthemum Viewing is an annual grand event, highly valued by Her Highness—it must not encounter any issues."
On the spacious deck of the boat, Su Qiaoqiao, a lady of the Su Family tasked with preparing the event for Princess Yuzhen, was supervising the day's readiness for the Chrysanthemum Viewing Festival.
From the arrangement of refreshments to the order of the main seats, from the staffing for receiving guests to the security patrols, not a single detail could afford to be amiss in external dealings.
After all, today's meeting included individuals from prominent families such as the Cui, Wang, Xie, Zhao, Li, Zhang, and Su, all of significant standing in the Great Zhou. Even Su Qiaoqiao wouldn't dare offend them lightly.
Let alone the fact that this was a grand event specially organized by Princess Yuzhen, gathering distinguished figures—an oversight on any minutiae could lead to unpredictable consequences.
Su Qiaoqiao was dressed in a light yellow dress, her porcelain-like arms exposed, and with the swaying of her skirt, a glimpse of shapely legs could intermittently be seen, exuding grace and allure.
Her hair, black as a waterfall, cascaded down to her waist, adorned at the forehead with floral ornaments, enhancing her transcendent and beautiful visage.
As she moved with light steps, the strings of colored beads dangling from her dress jingled, drawing many gazes. Find your next read at My Virtual Library Empire
Su Qiaoqiao entered a room on the boat, where people were busy organizing the guest list and seating arrangements.
A steward-like man was continuously directing the staff at work.
"First, separate those who received the Princess's invitation, and rank them by family background, reputation, status, and position."
Upon noticing Su Qiaoqiao, he quickly paid his respects, "Su San pays respects to the young lady."
"People will arrive shortly; how are the preparations coming along?"