The sun sank in the west, dipping below the mountains. Milu City was lit up from end to end, and the entire country celebrated King Ziqi's birthday.
Bai Bingxue stayed in the palace to receive the leaders of the thirty-seven tribes. General Abu assigned his two daughters, Hong Yun and Hong Lian, to thank Su Jiangcheng, Su Dingfeng, and Sixi.
King Ziqi's birthday banquet was held in the main hall of Wude Hall.
King Ziqi sat upright in the seat of honor, with two consorts attending him on either side.
On the platform below sat the six chief officials—Shi Cao, Hu Cao, Cang Cao, Ke Cao, Bing Cao, and Xing Cao. Each had an individual table before him. Bai Bingxue's seat had also been arranged there.
Along both sides of the hall, beside the corridor pillars, were eight tables, each seating three people. Fine wine and delicacies already filled the tables, and the charcoal fires burned hot, filling the air with warmth as they waited for the guests to present their birthday gifts.
After Ke Cao's chief official Wen Xian asked for permission, King Ziqi swept out his sleeve, and the evening banquet began. Wen Xian drew a deep breath, cleared his throat, and called out loudly, "The leaders of each tribe are invited to offer their birthday congratulations to the king..."
The leaders of the thirty-seven tribes waiting outside the hall straightened their robes and prepared to enter. The attendants at the door announced them in turn.
"General Alu of Yangzong Tribe, together with the leaders of Yinyuan Tribe, Xiula Tribe, Xie'e Tribe, Quzhong Tribe, Xichudian Tribe, and Banxiluokong Tribe, have arrived."
"We offer twenty dan of Shu salt and one hundred fine Wumeng horses."
Bai Bingxue found the names of these tribes strangely familiar, as though her mother had told her about them before.
Before she had time to think further, Uncle Alu entered with the seven leaders. They paid their respects and lined up together. Bai Bingxue leaned forward to examine their clothing and ornaments.
The attendants at the door announced the second group:
"General Age of Buxiong Tribe, together with the leaders of Xiuzhi Tribe, Luomeng Tribe, Misha Tribe, and Yishi Tribe, have arrived."
"We offer one hundred dan of late rice from Annan and one hundred fine horses from Tengyue."
The third group:
"General Abu of Luoqie Tribe, together with the leaders of Yangchengbao Tribe, Luo Tribe, Yushi Tribe, Luowu Tribe, Huazhu Tribe, Hongnongluquan Tribe, and Zhangjiufakuai Tribe, have arrived."
"We offer one hundred bolts of cloth from central Shu and one hundred mares."
The fourth group:
"General A Long of Shizong Tribe, together with the leaders of Tierongdian Tribe, Guanguisituo Tribe, Wangnong Tribe, Qiangxiansan Tribe, and Luoxiong Tribe, have arrived."
"We offer one thousand jin of brass and three thousand jin of iron."
The fifth group:
"General A Pu of Mile Tribe, together with the leaders of Jishu Tribe, Bao'e Tribe, and Weimo Tribe, have arrived."
"We offer ten pairs of ivory tusks and three hundred jin of medicinal herbs."
The sixth group:
"General A Na of Nagou Tribe and General Meng Ti of Momi Tribe, together with the leaders of Luowen Tribe, Rende Tribe, and Yezha Tribe, have arrived."
"We offer ten pieces of blue-green jade and three hundred hides."
The seventh group:
"General A Shu of Bailu Tribe and General A Ke of Moutong Tribe, the leaders of the two tribes, have arrived."
"We offer eight hundred cakes of silver-grown tea."
At White Jade Palace on Penglai Immortal Island, Happy Arhat said with a broad grin, "Although Ziqi Country is small, the leaders of these tribes are sincere. They brought him quite a lot of gifts!"
True Martial Great Emperor replied, "They have also opened a land of enlightenment and understand the virtue of repaying kindness!"
Seeing that the two immortals were willing to chat, Chen Renfeng figured he should steer the story of his tribulation in this direction.
Seeing the two exchange veiled remarks, Ancestor Lu laughed and said, "Let's keep watching. One day, we'll hold a birthday banquet and see how many people bring gifts. Ha ha!"
The leaders presented their birthday gifts one after another, then stood in seven rows in the middle of the hall. The Luoqie Tribe's group was the longest. General Abu's twenty-year-old eldest son, A Wei, and his eight-year-old second son, A Si, also followed at the back of the line.
Sitting above them, Bai Bingxue thought, Grandfather's tribes in Ziqi Country collected so many gifts from just one birthday banquet. They should be able to help when I seek revenge on the Marquis' Residence in the future.
Wen Xian, the chief official of Ke Cao, rose and saluted King Ziqi and everyone present. Then he brought out the birthday ode he had recently stayed up late to write.
Wen Xian had thoroughly studied the classics. In all of Ziqi Country, if literature was measured in ten bushels, he alone possessed eight. In a passionate tone, he began to read:
"Today, the leaders of the thirty-seven tribes have gathered here, bearing a dazzling array of birthday gifts. I, too, am filled with reverence, and offer my congratulations through this piece of writing.
"King Ziqi has received Heaven's mandate to govern the thirty-seven tribes, like the birth of the sun illuminating all things, with boundless grace and blessings. Ten years of prosperity have passed, while the myriad people look up to him with admiration.
"Recalling the founding days, through hardship and danger, all remained steadfast in the face of great trials. The thirty-seven tribes fought bravely to be first. They cracked their whips at Stone City, trampled Shanchan beneath their horses, and shook the southwest with their might. From then on, people from all directions came to offer congratulations.
"Today, the great achievements and glorious accomplishments of the dynasty are all before our eyes. May Your Majesty's longevity be as high as the Snow Mountains, your fortune as deep as the Luoqie Sea. May you live for ten thousand years and a thousand autumns, preserve the state forever, and receive all the world's beauty as the birthday star.
"Let us raise our cups in toast. May the country enjoy peace and the people live in security. May your name be praised for a thousand generations. May our king enjoy boundless longevity!"
The instant Wen Xian finished reading, General Alu took the lead in kneeling and shouted in a booming voice, "May the country enjoy peace and the people live in security! May your name be praised for a thousand generations! May our king enjoy boundless longevity!"
Everyone else knelt as well and shouted in unison, "May the country enjoy peace and the people live in security! May your name be praised for a thousand generations! May our king enjoy boundless longevity!" Their voices rang through the entire hall, shaking down even the spiders and dust from the roof beams.
King Ziqi was delighted and burst into hearty laughter.
After laughing, he said, "The warriors of Ziqi Country may rise. Take your seats first, pick up your wine cups, and drink three cups with me."
Everyone took their seats, filled their cups, and raised them.
King Ziqi said solemnly, "The first cup is to honor our ancestors. They left this land to their descendants." Everyone agreed.
The first cup was poured onto the ground.
"The second cup is to honor the warriors who died beneath the enemy's blades. They defended the tribes' land." Everyone agreed, and the second cup was also poured onto the ground.
"The third cup is for..."
Wen Xian hurriedly advised, "Your Majesty, the third cup should be for offering birthday congratulations to Your Majesty."
"Ahem, yes, yes." King Ziqi laughed happily.
Everyone raised their cups and called out together, "May Your Majesty's longevity be as high as the Snow Mountains, and your fortune as deep as the Luoqie Sea!"
King Ziqi raised his cup and said, "Drink this cup to the dregs!"
Everyone shouted together, "Drink this cup to the dregs!"
All the civil and military officials in the hall, along with the leaders of the thirty-seven tribes, drank heartily. Bai Bingxue also drained her cup.
Once the banquet got underway, the leaders of the thirty-seven tribes began exchanging cups, while the six Cao officials also started making toasts and paying their respects. The atmosphere soon grew lively, and performances meant to entertain the guests began as well.
General Alu pulled Bai Bingxue around to introduce her to the leaders of the thirty-seven tribes. When they heard she was Bai Bing's daughter, they happily declared that they were her uncles too.
Bai Bingxue suddenly gained so many uncles for no reason, and every one of them enthusiastically gave her gifts.
Bai Bingxue had grown used to the quiet of Nine Dragon Valley over the past few years. She had no idea how to handle this. When she saw Uncle Abu, she took the opportunity to speak to him and slipped away.
She asked Uncle Abu about his two daughters, Hong Yun and Hong Lian. Where had her childhood playmates gone that night?
Uncle Abu said that they had gone to Alu Restaurant, the largest restaurant in Milu City, to entertain the disciples of Su Xian Sect.
Bai Bingxue grinned and told Uncle Abu that she would not return to the main hall and was going to find Hong Yun.
At Alu Restaurant, in a private room on the second floor, a waiter led Bai Bingxue to the door. Even from outside, she could hear Hong Yun's laughter.
Bai Bingxue pushed open the door, startling everyone inside.
Hong Yun and Hong Lian hurriedly rose and called out, "Cousin!" The two of them came over, took her hands, and looked her up and down. Bai Bingxue looked them over as well.
Princess Hong Yun wore a long, pale-red dress, with a light-yellow gauze shawl over it. A light-yellow silk sash encircled her waist, concealing a flexible sword within it.
Princess Hong Lian wore a long, pale-blue dress, with the same kind of light-yellow gauze shawl over it.
Women in the northern Gongjiao Country mainly dressed in elegant, light colors. Southern Expedition Country had adopted the style through trade and cultural exchange, and its color combinations were exceptionally harmonious.
"You two cousins look so beautiful. You're truly beauties born with the beauty of a nation," Bai Bingxue praised.
Hong Yun laughed. "Cousin, how could we be prettier than you? Come sit down."
Hong Lian hurried to introduce them. "Cousin, these two gentlemen from the Su family..."
Bai Bingxue interrupted her. "Little Sister Hong Lian, we've met before. We even fought once..."
Hong Lian blushed, while Su Jiangcheng and Su Dingfeng looked awkward. Sixi, however, was quick to smooth things over and said with a laugh, "Sister, the food here is delicious. Come and try some."
Before you continue