Chapter 72: The Emperor’s Banquet Part: The welcome
The prince narrowed his eyes slightly.
Something about her had changed.
Hua Jing, unaware of his thoughts, merely hummed to herself, her expression relaxed and at ease as they followed the Emperor and Empress into the main hall.
As Hua Jing walked in step with Zhao Yan, following the Emperor and Empress, she couldn’t help but be mesmerized by the grandeur of the Hall of Radiance.
The sheer extravagance was beyond anything she had ever seen. Every inch of the palace seemed to be drenched in gold, the walls adorned with delicate carvings, intricate tapestries, and priceless jade ornaments. The air carried the faint scent of incense, a fragrance that felt both calming and overwhelming at the same time.
The palace maids, dressed immaculately in elegant silk robes, moved with synchronized precision, their heads bowed and their movements fluid as they lined up along the pathway. Unlike the regular maids she had encountered before, these were clearly trained in the highest levels of palace etiquette. Not a single step was out of place. Every action was performed with perfect grace.
Hua Jing had read about the rigid structure of palace life, about how every servant had a specific role, a specific place to stand, and a specific way to move. But seeing it all unfold before her eyes was something else entirely. It was like watching a grand performance, but this wasn’t a movie set—it was real.
As they approached the main banquet hall, she noticed the emperor’s consorts trailing behind them. Their expressions were carefully neutral, but Hua Jing could sense it. A distinct tension filled the air.
The jealousy was almost palpable.