Chapter 772

Chapter 772: Banquet of Prosperity

The people inside were chatting in small groups, exchanging greetings and getting to know each other. Everyone present tonight was a future pillar of the Dynasty, and there might come a time when they would need to help each other. Making more friends could never be a bad thing.

On the Yunshui Sea, Lolan Hill leaned over the edge of the ship, her clear and transparent fingers brushing through the Yunshui, creating ripples. Through this pristine water, she gazed down at the bustling city below. The streets were filled with carriages and lanterns, casting orange-yellow lights that divided the giant city into square sections. Some pedestrians moved like invisible grains of sand along the streets.

After a long while, she finally lifted her body from the edge of the ship.

“I looked for a bit longer; I made you wait,” Lolan Hill gradually came back to her senses from the night scene of prosperity.

“It’s fine. In fact, the scenery here is indeed rare in the world. I often come to Yunshui for leisure due to my special status, so I’m not infatuated with it.”

“Now let’s go back. The banquet is about to start.”

Xiao Yubing and Lolan Hill then rowed the jade oars back toward Yuzhang Mountain.

When they reached the shore again, they climbed back onto the terrace. The guards who had been waiting for them stepped forward to secure the boat.

“Let’s go this way; it’s closer.” Xiao Yubing led Lolan Hill up the mountain path.

Walking beside the carved railings made of jade, they passed through several archways and returned to the venue. Unlike earlier when it was empty, many talented individuals were now seated at the banquet.

“You’re back. Please take your seats. Also, Lolan should sit with Yubing at the main table,” Empress Zhaoyue beckoned them and instructed.

Following the announcement by the attendants, the two entered hand in hand.

“The Princess of Linbing has arrived~ The Golden Sparrow Priestess has arrived~”

Loud voices instantly broke the noisy chatter of the crowd, drawing everyone’s attention to the two of them.

Princess Lingbing, dressed in a blue-black palace dress, remained captivating, her beauty and strength making many admire her. The girl accompanying her also attracted numerous glances.

This silver-haired, golden-robed, elegant, and dreamlike maiden was seen for the first time by the crowd. Her appearance stunned and amazed everyone. It couldn’t be denied that Lolan Hill, dressed in her finest, radiated her charm like a magnet, drawing eyes that couldn’t be moved away, following her every step as if they wanted to etch her entire image into their memories.

Who is she? What is her name? I want to know everything about her.

Countless hearts surged with this thought, loudly echoing in their minds, making them impatient yet exhilarated.

“Who is this Golden Sparrow Priestess?”

After a long while, Sudeng Lou turned to ask his neighbor, becoming the first male to regain clarity at the table.

“Is this the current generation’s priestess? It seems the royal family has found a remarkable ally.”

Yi Miaoxin’s gaze was deep and meaningful.

“She is my junior sister, the Immortal Lolan of our Xiangyu Sect,” Gu Lie finally spoke up. He too had been stunned and amazed for a moment.

“Her power may still be slightly lacking, but her fellow sect members have high hopes for her. She will represent our faction in the future.”

The older generation of the Xiangyu Sect was gradually retiring, passing the torch to Jin Hua and Gu Lie.

“Golden Sparrow Priestess, how can this be possible?” Zhuo Fengtang, looking at this girl who seemed to have only Sequence 5 strength, was filled with disbelief.

As the highest title among the priestesses within the Dynasty, only eleven people had received such honor since its founding, most of whom were highly experienced and respected. But this young girl, despite her apparent youth, did not seem to command widespread respect.

Unlike the others present, Zhuo Fengtang was part of the Dynasty’s system. Though he wasn’t raised in the capital, he knew well about the peerages and positions within the Dynasty. Therefore, he understood how difficult it was to reach such a high position. Even if the emperor wished to bestow it, other clans, officials, and families would not easily agree.

It would be like establishing a new faction within the court, adding a seat, even if it doesn’t come with real power, it would still bring significant influence.

Unfortunately, it was during the Burnt Tail Banquet, and many things could not be immediately asked. He could only suppress his curiosity and plan to inquire later.

On the other side, under everyone’s watchful eyes, Xiao Yubing led Lolan Hill to the amber jade round table at the center and sat down gently.

Thus, it seemed to confirm the rumors that the Golden Sparrow Priestess was from the royal family.

Since the Emperor had not yet arrived, and the banquet was about to begin, the talents on the lower terrace quickly exchanged information. Everyone was asking questions, and Gu Lie just

The information about her identity spread quickly.

And in an instant, everyone knew about this young lady’s background.

A disciple from the Xiangyu Sect, the savior of the disaster that befell the mountains at dusk, a member of the royal bloodline, and a newly consecrated Jinque witch.

“Her beauty is unparalleled, captivating the city; like the moon illuminating the long night.”

Some were moved and admired, others envied and felt jealous, while still others were greedy and wanted to possess her. Many gazes continuously met between these two girls.

At this moment, a series of jingling sounds from jade pendants came from afar, followed by one call after another.

“Welcome the Holy Emperor of Heavenly Law!”

The emperor of the House of Plantagenet had arrived.

Twelve guards clad in golden lock armor led the way, behind them were two rows of female officials carrying octagonal palace lanterns, then came close advisors holding scrolls and red brushes, and finally, the emperor walked slowly forward.

His appearance was calm yet imposing, and merely his gaze sweeping over made one feel an indescribable pressure.

“Rise, my ministers.”

Under the gentle words, the people bowed but slowly rose, still not daring to look up directly. It was only Xiao Yubing and Lolan Hill seated at the central table who maintained their usual composure and looked straight at the monarch.

Seeing Xiao Yubing looking at him, the emperor, accustomed to it, did not find it strange. However, he was slightly intrigued by the silver-haired girl with the golden dress beside her.

“You must be Lolan?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Lolan Hill curtsied again.

“Good.” He nodded slightly, then turned his gaze to the crowd, inspecting each of the geniuses from around the world.

“You are all talents of the dynasty, having studied hard and practiced diligently in the past, now you have achieved success and entered the list. Your ambitions will finally be realized; this is indeed fortunate.”

“Today’s banquet has three purposes: first, to pray for peace across the land; second, to offer thanks to heaven and earth; third, to congratulate all of you, who have been listed among the best, winning the sword competition in the Red Tower.”

“May all of you remember today’s aspirations and forge ahead bravely, together building this prosperous era!” The emperor picked up a golden goblet and addressed the crowd.

“Thank you, Your Majesty!”

Immediately, everyone raised their cups and drank together.

“The banquet begins.”

Then, the attendants by the side of the monarch began to announce, and one could see the maids dressed in white silk robes bringing dishes to each table.

The Burnt Tail Banquet was the most famous and sumptuous feast within the dynasty, with over a hundred varieties of dishes. The ingredients used included delicacies from the mountains and seas, as well as vegetarian and meat dishes, striving for comprehensiveness.

The meats included fish, shrimp, crab, chicken, duck, goose, beef, mutton, deer, bear, rabbit, and crane, with a variety of vegetables and noodles.

Not only did they have vegetables from all four seasons, but also special ingredients from the 134 prefectures across the land, used for making dishes.

For instance, the Twenty-Four Solar Terms Dumplings had 24 different flavors in one dish, using nearly 50 types of ingredients.

Others included: Jushengnu (honey-fried fried dough twists), Brahman Light High Noodles (steamed noodles), Empress Red (red crispy pastry), Han Palace Chess (cooked printed round noodles), Longevity Porridge (therapeutic food), Sweet Snow (candied noodles), Single Pot Gold Milk Pastry (steamed pastry), Man Tou Yang Style Sandwich (baked pancake).

Huo Tong (mutton cooked with mutton fat), Bright Shrimp Roast (live shrimp roasted), White Dragon Shining (made from repeatedly pounded tenderloin), Sheep Skin Flower Strands (stir-fried mutton shreds, cut one foot long), Snow Baby (bean sprouts with frog meat), Immortal Balls (milk stewed chicken), Little Heaven Crisp (deer and chicken stir-fried), Chopsticks Spring (roasted quail), Passing Gate Fragrance (various meats fried together).

In addition, there were exquisite viewing dishes showcasing culinary skills and knife work, arranged with vegetable and fruit slices forming flowers, pavilions, dragons, phoenixes, dancing maidens, and fairies.

In the middle of the tables, fires were lit, and different meat pieces were being boiled and roasted in pots. After sprinkling spices, a fragrant aroma filled the banquet hall.

Once the food was ready, the attendants would use wooden plates to serve and bring it to the tables for everyone to enjoy.

Shortly after the banquet started, graceful dancers in feathered gowns descended from the sky, moving gracefully to the music. These dancers danced like lotus flowers blooming and gathering, rising and falling continuously.

Beautiful scenery, grand festival, unmatched at any other time.

After the Burnt Tail Banquet on Yuzhang Mountain began, both the rich and the common folk in the courtyards of the Luo Capital sat down with their families to celebrate this joyous reunion festival of the year.

In this era of peace and prosperity, music and dance flourished, perfectly depicting the current state of the House of Plantagenet.

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