Chapter 433: Riding a Cat Up the Mountain
That night, a grand banquet was held at the royal palace of the Little Kingdom.
The Little Kingdom wasn’t just home to small people—the nation itself was quite small. As a distinguished guest from afar, Song You was naturally treated with the highest level of hospitality by the king.
The royal palace here was far more elegant and refined than those of the Tanuki or Dog Kingdoms. For one, the people were truly human—they had once been citizens of Great Yan, only reduced in size. From Song You’s observations, the Little Kingdom had largely maintained the administrative system of the Central Plains dynasties in Shenzhou.
The king, however, refrained from calling himself “emperor,” instead humbly adopting the title of “king” out of respect for the Celestial Empire.
As a result, their palace was designed in accordance with Great Yan’s palace traditions, but it was built with exquisite craftsmanship. Intricate carvings adorned railings and beams, while pavilions, terraces, and gardens were all arranged harmoniously within. Streams, artificial mountains, and lush landscapes were seamlessly incorporated into the design.
If not for the fish in the ponds—fish that looked like normal small fish but were actually about the same size as the people—or the palace plants that appeared to be mere flowers and grasses yet were taller than the people themselves, one could easily mistake this place for a palace back in Great Yan.
It was beautiful and unique. A peculiar kind of beauty.
As Song You walked through the palace, he found himself fascinated by its charm, and his knowledge of the world expanded. Even as he sat at his seat, he couldn’t resist gazing around, taking in every detail.
The palace was brightly lit, and music filled the air as performers played instruments, sang, and danced. The musical instruments, which had been scaled down proportionately, produced sounds that were not only smaller in volume but also had distinct tonal differences.
Dancers moved with an elegance unique to their small forms, their flowing garments enhancing their graceful motions in ways unlike those of full-sized humans.
The banquet hall was packed with guests, and servants bustled back and forth.