Song Xin's sparse eyebrows lifted. Was this flattery right from the start?
He laughed heartily and said, "Our country has beautiful mountains, good water, and even better people. With fewer worries, naturally, one doesn't show their age!"
The more you praised, the more Song Xin would puff up, seizing the opportunity to praise Cloud Country further.
The people of Cloud Country were prosperous, free from scoundrels, bandits, or troublemakers. The Emperor and Empress truly cared for their subjects, making the people even better.
This statement was a clever double entendre!
As Yu Xiaoshuang traveled, he observed many places. The common people were well-off, and education was free for all children. Every county, town, and even village had its own private school.
Schooling was free, and even books, paper, and ink were subsidized, with half provided by local governments and half by the national treasury, with only a small portion of the cost distributed among the people.
This expenditure alone was something a less prosperous nation would not dare to undertake!
Therefore, the things Yu Xiaoshuang saw and heard deeply touched him. Cloud Country's achievements were commendable. At the very least, their Wei Kingdom lacked such capabilities.
If Cloud Country and Wei Kingdom were once of equal strength, then a nation that could achieve this after years of continuous warfare was truly formidable.
In comparison, it was clear that Wei Kingdom, even without war, had fallen so far behind that even if they were to give it their all now, they might not be able to catch up.
Moreover, Cloud Country had now become a shining new star on the continent, a sacred place that other nations aspired to.
Peace and prosperity, a wealthy nation and strong people – this was the current portrayal of Cloud Country.
At night, the sky was dotted with stars.
The palace was brightly lit.
Qingxiang Hall.
Ministers from various countries were already seated. Their faces showed no signs of fatigue; instead, they were all keenly interested in how Fan Zehao governed the nation.
They sat in their respective seats, still whispering and discussing, each expressing their opinions, indicating they had talked a great deal on the way here.
"The Emperor has arrived! The Empress has arrived!"
A young eunuch stood to the side, his voice high and thin, announcing their arrival. The Crown Princes and ministers from various countries straightened up, their gazes fixed on the entrance of the hall.
Within a few breaths, Fan Zehao, clad in black attire embroidered with a five-clawed golden dragon, appeared before them.
As usual, his face was stern, his gaze as sharp as an eagle's, his eyebrows piercing. His dark, lustrous hair was tied high with a jade crown. He swept his gaze across the people in the hall.
Zhao Jiaqi wore a floor-length, moonlight-white gown. Her hair was styled in a simple spiral bun, adorned with a nine-tailed phoenix hairpin. The phoenix's mouth held a large, lustrous pearl, with long tassels cascading down.
She wore a pair of small ruby earrings, which swayed and sparkled under the lamplight, further accentuating the fairness of her complexion.
Around her long, graceful neck was a ruby necklace of the same color. She wore shoes embroidered with phoenix patterns, inlaid with pearls. Dressed like this, she exuded an air of noble elegance.
Simple, yet not lacking in grace!
Fan Zehao helped Zhao Jiaqi to the dragon throne, allowing her to sit first. At this moment, the Crown Princes of various countries showed expressions of shock.
His gaze then swept to the side of the dragon throne, but he saw no phoenix throne. This caused their jaws to almost drop in disbelief.
This was a violation of ancestral traditions. Since ancient times, only the Emperor could sit on the dragon throne. Even the most favored and noble Empress had no right to do so.
Yet here, the Cloud Emperor not only allowed the Empress to sit but personally helped her to the throne!
This... was the Cloud Emperor not afraid that this would greatly inflate the Empress's vanity, turning her into a future female emperor?
After his initial shock, Yu Xiaoshuang glanced at the expressions of the other ministers in the hall. He saw no one changing their countenance. What's more, they didn't seem shocked or even remotely opposed!
It was clear that this was already a common practice!
Little did they know that Zhao Jiaqi had not only sat on the dragon throne at this welcoming banquet but had also sat on the dragon throne in the imperial court.
She had even attended court and managed state affairs for several months. If they knew this, their jaws would surely fall off!
After Fan Zehao sat down, the court officials rose and bowed. The Crown Princes of various countries performed a kowtow.
"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty, the Emperor, and Your Majesty, the Empress. May Your Majesty, the Emperor, be blessed with ten thousand years of good fortune, and may Your Majesty, the Empress, enjoy peace and prosperity!"
The several Crown Princes: "????"
Weren't they supposed to shout "Long live Your Majesty, the Emperor" and "Your Majesty, the Empress, live for a thousand years"?
Had they heard incorrectly before?
"All my ministers, rise!" The solemn and majestic words issued from Fan Zehao's mouth.
At this, the Crown Princes and envoys who had come realized that it wasn't that the ministers had recited incorrectly, but that the Cloud Emperor had changed it!
The young Crown Princes could still understand, but the older, more conservative ministers who accompanied them scoffed inwardly.
Which emperor didn't wish for immortality and a life of ten thousand years? Yet this Cloud Emperor was trying to conceal it. Did he want everyone to think of him as an unconventional emperor?
Just to attract a few more glances?
Heh...
"It is truly a fortunate event for our Cloud Country that Crown Princes and ministers from all nations have traveled great distances to be here. If there has been any lack of hospitality, we beg for your indulgence. I, the Emperor, will first raise a cup to all of you to express my gratitude!"
Fan Zehao spoke courteously, deliberately lowering his stance.
Yu Xiaoshuang's bright, beautiful eyes flickered a few times. He raised his cup and smiled, "The arrangements made by His Majesty the Emperor are exceptionally fitting. We feel as if we are in our own homes and cannot find any fault. Of course, it would be even better if we could have a few more of those hot pots from lunch!"
Crown Prince Ji Yinghao of Tianhan Kingdom raised his wine cup and echoed, "Brother Yu speaks the truth. The attendants were very attentive, making us feel truly at ease, without the slightest discomfort!"
With the Crown Princes of the two major nations having spoken, Liang Long, the Crown Prince of the smaller Liang Kingdom, followed suit, wanting to make his presence known.
"The post station was arranged very well. We felt as comfortable as if we were at home. The people of Cloud Country are enthusiastic, the officials are attentive in their reception, and even our daily necessities, including food, were prepared with great care. We are greatly honored to receive such treatment and find absolutely no shortcomings. On the contrary, it was so thoughtful that we are truly overwhelmed!"
Crown Prince Lan Jinfeng of Xue Kingdom nodded repeatedly, adding, "It is indeed so. We are deeply moved!"
These words made Fan Zehao blush with embarrassment.
He had only said a few polite words, and it had come to this?
Zhao Jiaqi lowered her head and glanced at the Crown Princes, thinking to herself: Isn't this "involution" out of fashion now?
Let them compete.
You compete, he competes, everyone competes together. Let them all become tightly wound cabbage rolls!
Prince Ale of the Asi Tribe was burly with dark skin, his demeanor bold, clearly a typical man of the grasslands.
Their nomadic lifestyle meant they had little concept of food and lodging. As long as there was wine, meat, and enough to eat, it was perfect.
A hearty personality was their hallmark. They disliked the affected and bookish mannerisms of the envoys from other vassal states.
Ale raised his wine cup and said to Fan Zehao seated above, "Your Majesty the Emperor, I, Ale, am a rough fellow and do not understand these formalities. But the post station was comfortable, smelled good, and the food and drink were excellent. Thank you, Your Majesty the Emperor, for your hospitality. I, Ale, toast Your Majesty the Emperor. Let's drink this one down first!"
Well, his words were more pleasing than any song.
He wasn't a rough fellow at all; this was clearly a veiled form of flattery. Following his lead, the Crown Princes of various nations raised their cups, wishing the Cloud Emperor good fortune and auspiciousness.
They tilted their heads back and drained their cups, leaving not a single drop behind!