"CLANG～" The trembling sound of a gong echoed from the distant gate. Immediately after, solemn music drew nearer and nearer—the Emperor of Da Qi was truly coming.
Before Li Huowang could react, the official beside him, who had been sipping vinegar from a shallow dish, suddenly stood up, his face deathly pale, panicking as he rushed toward the door.
When Li Huowang reached the outer courtyard as well, he saw everyone—including the so-called Old Qin and Lord Liang—kneeling on the ground.
The music came ever closer. Thick incense wafted through the air as the round top of the Son of Heaven's imperial carriage slowly peeked out from behind the tall wall.
As the procession approached, pillars painted with crimson cloud-dragons and wrapped in murky blue satin cords followed, with black cloud-dragon feather-patterned curtains strung between the four pillars, tightly enclosing the entire wooden tower.
