Chapter 363 - 300, Ascend the Stage
The hurried first audience with the emperor ended just as hastily.
As the emperor behind the silk curtain disappeared deep into the palace, only the golden gauze around the imperial couch swayed gently.
The oppressive power from the supreme authority gradually receded, the five hundred fifty-five stoves were lit one by one, and the Ice Flow no longer raged.
Chen Ji finally exhaled a long, murky breath, and only then did he have the presence of mind to observe the palace that had been built at such enormous expense.
Above his head, the beams were decorated with painted cranes and deer in spring, and the east side featured a black lacquered, gold-plated shrine, housing three gilt bronze statues of The Three Pure Ones, with a cloud and crane patterned incense burner placed in front, its blue smoke curling up.
Amid the swirling smoke, Wu Xiu rolled up the prepared Imperial Decree and handed it to the little eunuch beside him, "Send thirty Jiefan Guards to Guyuan to deliver the decree, there must be no mistakes."
The little eunuch replied in a low voice, "Understood."
Wu Xiu looked at everyone present and said courteously, "The Holy Emperor has returned to the palace. All officials, please leave. Someone light the lanterns and escort the officials out of the palace."
Two rows of little eunuchs holding palace lanterns divided into two lines outside the door.