The horizon still held great swathes of fiery clouds, while swallows and sparrows drifted with the wind. Everything seemed leisurely and languid.
Sun Moon Imperial Palace.
Today was livelier than ever before.
A birthday party hosted by Your Majesty the Emperor for Her Majesty the Empress was being held within.
Every corner of the palace had been adorned with lanterns and colorful decorations, creating an especially festive atmosphere.
Palace maids carried all manner of fruit and wine toward Cloud Pool on the western side of the palace, where song-and-dance dramas were performed.
Cloud Pool lay beside the Imperial Garden, its scenery exceptionally beautiful. The enormous stage had long been prepared, and the Mingdu Opera Troupe invited to perform was ready as well, waiting for the birthday party to begin so they could entertain the nobles of Mingdu seated below the stage.
Below the stage, most of the nobles had already arrived. From barons to princes, all were dressed in lavish attire. The male nobles gathered together to discuss business and Soul Tools, occasionally teasing some noble for being bullied by his wife or praising another's heir for being young and promising.
If two families saw eye to eye, they might even arrange a marriage on the spot.
Marriages between noble families were nothing unusual.
The female nobles wore court gowns as they chatted about all things beautiful, occasionally letting out polite laughter.
Yet on the other side was a discussion circle that even a group of low-ranking nobles had no right to join.
The former Hall Master of Mingde Hall, Jing Hongchen, was currently surrounded by several highly ranked prince-level members of the Royal Family, the Imperial Prime Minister, the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Military Affairs, and others. There were also several Rank 9 Soul Tool Masters who