Chapter 916 - 648: Qingyun Palace
A surprised female voice came from the other end of the phone, which puzzled Tina. Ever since her popularity had waned, her agent had been indifferent to her. Now, it was strange for her to receive so many calls.
"Cranny, what's going on?"
Tina asked curiously.
"Tina, haven't you checked your account? The post you made has exploded and is now third on the trending list."
"What? Third on the trending list?"
Hearing this, Tina was taken aback. Although she had seen her post on the trending list last night, it was only at the bottom.
How did it jump to third place after just a night's sleep?
Thinking about it, Tina quickly opened her computer to take a look and was soon dumbfounded.
She thought the post in third place should be the one she made upon arriving in Dragon Country last night, but it turned out to be the one she posted after visiting the Great Tang Nightless City.
At this moment, the post had over 300,000 comments. In the absence of explosive news, this number was quite terrifying.
"What's going on? Why is it so popular?"
Although the Great Tang Nightless City in Dragon Country had been quite popular lately, it wasn't to this exaggerated extent.
Upon looking at the comments closely, she quickly understood. It turned out that people from Dragon Country and Goryeo Country were arguing fiercely because of the Tang Dynasty outfit she wore, quarreling throughout the night, which caused the post's popularity to soar.
"These Goli people are shameless, claiming that Dragon Country's Hanfu Tang costume is Korean clothing."
Tina frowned. Without prior understanding, she might have believed the Goli people's words.
But last night, Mr. Xia Liang explained the history of Hanfu to her, revealing that Goryeo Country used to be a vassal state of Dragon Country, and their so-called Korean clothing actually evolved under the influence of Dragon Country.
"Tina, this is a great opportunity for you. We must maximize the benefits of making it onto the trending list this time."
"Come back immediately; the company has decided to renew your contract, and they've arranged a movie role for you. We want to take full advantage of this popularity to boost your fame."
As she pondered, her agent's voice rang out, but the demands made Tina furrow her brow.
Her current contract with the company was set to expire in less than a week. The company had never thought of renewing it, deeming her worthless, and even her agent had ignored her.
Unexpectedly, after just one appearance on the trending list, the company was willing to renew the contract and even offer her a movie role.
In the past, she might have been delighted to accept such an offer, but now she hesitated.
She had finally come to Dragon Country and hadn't had the chance to explore it thoroughly, yet they were asking her to return.
Moreover, she was dissatisfied with the company's actions. If one day she again became worthless, wouldn't she be abandoned once more?
"Britney, I'm sorry, but I have no plans to return for the time being."
Tina shook her head and said.
"OMG, my dear Tina, do you know what you're saying?"
"Haven't you always wanted to renew your contract? Now the opportunity is here, why won't you agree?"
"And the company has a movie role lined up for you. Are you not tempted at all?"
Hearing Tina's words, her agent exclaimed. She couldn't understand Tina's decision, which she saw as a great gift, expecting Tina to accept with gratitude.
Unexpectedly, Tina refused, and so decisively at that. Her agent had never encountered such a situation before.
Tina was not just rejecting their offer but was also risking her future acting career.
"Cranny, I've made myself clear. I don't plan to return for now. As for the contract, I'll return to terminate it with the company when it expires."
After Tina finished speaking, she hung up the phone, letting out a sigh of relief.
The decision was risky; the company had enough influence to blacklist her in the industry, ruining her acting career.
Yet, she made this choice anyway, perhaps inspired by witnessing the freedom Dragon Country people enjoyed. She no longer wanted to be controlled by others.
"I wonder where Mr. Xia Liang will take me today."
After tidying up, Tina put on the Hanfu Tang costume she bought last night again, deeply fond of the attire.
"Good morning, Miss Tina."
"Good morning, Mr. Xia Liang."
When she walked out of the room, Xia Liang was already waiting outside. After greeting each other, Xia Liang took her for breakfast.
At Tina's insistence, Xia Liang took her to experience Chang'an's morning spicy soup.
"Wow, Mr. Xia Liang, this spicy soup is indeed delicious. I once envied that foodie; now I've finally tasted it myself."
Tina's eyes sparkled. She had thought Aeiri's praise for Qingyun's cuisine was exaggerated, but upon tasting it, she found it entirely true.
"Miss Tina, our Qingyun City has many other delicacies. I'll take you to try them when we have the chance."
Xia Liang said with a smile.
Tina nodded, quickly finishing the spicy soup and scallion pie in front of her, savoring the lingering taste.
"Mr. Xia Liang, where are we going today?"
Tina asked curiously.
"Today, we're going to Qingyun Palace."
Given that Tina was wearing the Hanfu Tang costume today, visiting Qingyun Palace seemed even more fitting.
Tina had no objections to Xia Liang's plan, and soon they got in the car, heading toward Qingyun Palace.
Qingyun Palace, also known as Qingyun Pond, was an imperial resort of the feudal emperors during the Tang Dynasty.
Tang Xuanzong Li Longji visited almost every October, and he would return to Chang'an City only when the visit ended each year, giving rise to the famous saying, 'On the first of October, the Son of Heaven comes; the royal path of blue ropes is dust-free.'
Qingyun Palace, built against the slope of Li Mountain, featured expansive pavilions and palaces, sprawling across the mountain range.
Its hot springs are particularly famous, becoming a playground for the Zhou Dynasty's heavenly sons around three thousand years ago. Back then, the hot springs were called 'Starlight Soup.' Qingyun Palace, because of its location on Li Mountain, is also known as Li Mountain Palace or Li Palace. Bai Juyi, the poet known as the Demon of Poems in Xia Country, once inscribed, 'Li Palace towers high, reaching the clouds.' However, after the Anshi Rebellion, the court's situation changed dramatically, with Tang Xuanzong Li Longji being dethroned, leading to Qingyun Palace's swift decline. After the Tang Dynasty, emperors rarely visited Qingyun Palace.