King Ziqi's Birthday Banquet, Mirror

The sun dipped below the western mountains, casting long shadows. Milu City was aglow with lights, the entire country celebrating King Ziqi's birthday.

Bai Bingxue remained in the royal palace, hosting the leaders of the thirty-seven tribes. General Abu then assigned his two daughters, Hong Yun and Hong Lian, to thank Su Jiangcheng, Su Dingfeng, and Sixi.

The King of Ziqi's birthday banquet was held in the grand hall of Wude Hall.

King Ziqi sat in the highest seat, flanked by two consorts.

On a raised platform below were the six chief officials: Shi Cao, Hu Cao, Cang Cao, Ke Cao, Bing Cao, and Xing Cao, each with their own independent table. Bai Bingxue's seat was also arranged there.

Within the hall, along the side pillars, were eight tables each, capable of seating three people. Beautiful wine and delicacies were already laid out on the tables, and the charcoal fires burned hotly, awaiting the gifts from the congratulating guests.

After receiving permission from Wen Xian, the chief official of Ke Cao, King Ziqi waved his large sleeve, and the night banquet began. Wen Xian took a deep breath, cleared his throat, and announced loudly, "We invite the leaders of each tribe to offer their birthday wishes to the King..."

Outside the great hall, the leaders of the thirty-seven tribes tidied their robes and prepared to enter. The attendants at the entrance announced each arrival in turn.

"General A'lu of the Yangzong Tribe, along with the leaders of the Yinyuan Tribe, Xiula Tribe, Xie'e Tribe, Quzhong Tribe, Xichudian Tribe, and Banxiluokong Tribe, a total of seven tribes, have arrived."

"They present twenty dan of Shu salt and one hundred fine horses from Wumeng."

Bai Bingxue found the tribal names familiar, as if her mother had told her about them.

Before she could ponder further, her uncle A'lu entered with the seven leaders, bowing and lining up. Bai Bingxue craned her neck to examine their clothing and decorations.

The attendant at the entrance announced the second wave:

"General Age of the Buxiong Tribe, along with the leaders of the Xiuzhi Tribe, Luomeng Tribe, Misha Tribe, and Yishi Tribe, a total of five tribes, have arrived."

"They present one hundred dan of Annan late-season rice and one hundred fine horses from Tengyue."

The third wave:

"General Abu of the Luoqie Tribe, along with the leaders of the Yangchengbao Tribe, Luo Tribe, Yushi Tribe, Luowu Tribe, Huazhu Tribe, Hongnongluquan Tribe, and Zhangjiufakuai Tribe, a total of eight tribes, have arrived."

"They present one hundred bolts of Shu brocade and one hundred mares."

The fourth wave:

"General A Long of the Shizong Tribe, along with the leaders of the Tierongdian Tribe, Guanguisituo Tribe, Wangnong Tribe, Qiangxiansan Tribe, and Luoxiong Tribe, a total of six tribes, have arrived."

"They present one thousand jin of brass and three thousand jin of iron."

The fifth wave:

"General A Pu of the Mile Tribe, along with the leaders of the Jishu Tribe, Bao'e Tribe, and Weimo Tribe, a total of four tribes, have arrived."

"They present ten sets of elephant tusks and three hundred jin of medicinal herbs."

The sixth wave:

"General A Na of the Nagou Tribe, General Meng Ti of the Momi Tribe, along with the leaders of the Luowen Tribe, Rende Tribe, and Yezha Tribe, a total of five tribes, have arrived."

"They present ten pieces of green jade and three hundred beast hides."

The seventh wave:

"General A Shu of the Bailu Tribe, along with General A Ke of the Moutong Tribe, a total of two tribes, have arrived."

"They present eight hundred cakes of Yinsheng tea."

On Penglai Immortal Island, in the White Jade Palace, Happy Arhat chuckled, "Although Ziqi Country is small, the leaders of these tribes are sincere, bringing many gifts for him!"

True Martial Great Emperor replied, "They have also opened up lands for civilization and know how to repay kindness!"

Chen Renfeng saw that the two immortal elders were willing to chat, realizing that the story of their tribulation should lean in this direction.

Ancestor Lu, seeing the two elders exchanging barbs, laughed, "Let's keep watching. One day, we'll host a birthday celebration and see how many people send gifts, haha!"

The tribal leaders presented their gifts in turn, standing in seven rows in the center of the hall. The Luoqie Tribe's line 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 end of the line.

Bai Bingxue sat above, thinking to herself, "My maternal grandfather's Ziqi Country tribes, receiving so many gifts at a birthday banquet... If I need to seek revenge on the Hou Mansion in the future, this could be helpful."

Wen Xian, the chief official of Ke Cao, stood up, bowed to King Ziqi and everyone present, and took out the congratulatory essay he had recently written through sleepless nights.

Wen Xian was well-versed in the classics. If Ziqi Country's literary talent were ten dou, he possessed eight dou. He read with impassioned fervor:

"Today, we are gathered here, the leaders of thirty-seven tribes, to offer birthday wishes, with a dazzling array of gifts. I, too, am filled with respect and offer my words.

King Ziqi governs the thirty-seven tribes by the mandate of heaven, like the birth of the sun, illuminating all things with vast benevolence. Ten years of prosperous scenes, gazed upon by all the people.

Recalling the founding, it was fraught with hardship and obstacles. They did not falter in the face of great trials, and the thirty-seven tribes strove valiantly. They whipped their horses at Stone City, their steeds trampled Shanchan, their might shook the southwest, and from then on, tributes came from all directions.

Today's court, its great achievements and merits, are all before our eyes. May Your Majesty's lifespan be as high as the snow-capped mountains, your blessings as deep as the Luoqie Sea, live for ten thousand years, and forever protect the state. May all the world's beauty be offered to the longevity star.

Let us raise our cups and toast, wishing for national prosperity and peace, for eternal remembrance, and for our King's boundless longevity."

As soon as Wen Xian finished reading, General A'lu took the lead in kneeling, shouting loudly, "May our nation prosper and be at peace, may we be remembered for a thousand years, may our King live for ten thousand years!"

Others also knelt one after another, shouting in unison, "May our nation prosper and be at peace, may we be remembered for a thousand years, may our King live for ten thousand years!" Their voices echoed throughout the entire hall, dislodging spiders and dust from the roof beams.

King Ziqi laughed heartily with joy.

After his laughter subsided, he said, "Warriors of Ziqi Country, rise. Please be seated first, and raise your wine cups. I will drink three cups with you."

Everyone took their seats, filled their cups, and raised them.

King Ziqi said solemnly, "The first cup is to honor our ancestors, for they left this land for their descendants." Everyone agreed.

The first cup was poured onto the ground.

"The second cup is for the warriors who died by the enemy's blade; they defended our land for the tribe." The crowd agreed, and the second cup was also poured onto the ground.

"The third cup is for..."

Wen Xian quickly interjected, "My King, this third cup should be for Your Majesty's birthday."

"Cough, cough, good, good," King Ziqi said with a happy laugh.

Everyone raised their wine cups and said in unison, "May Your Majesty's lifespan be as high as the snow-capped mountains and your fortune as deep as the Luoqie Sea."

King Ziqi raised his cup and said, "Drink this cup to the dregs!"

Everyone said in unison, "Drink this cup to the dregs!"

The civil and military officials in the hall, along with the leaders of the thirty-seven tribes, heartily drank a cup. Bai Bingxue also finished her cup.

The banquet began. The leaders of the thirty-seven tribes started toasting each other, and the officials of the Six Cao also began offering their congratulations and greetings. The atmosphere quickly heated up, and the entertainment performances began.

General Abu pulled Bai Bingxue over to introduce her to the leaders of the thirty-seven tribes. When they heard she was Bai Bing's daughter, they all happily said he was also their uncle.

Bai Bingxue suddenly had so many uncles, and each one enthusiastically gave her a gift.

Bai Bingxue had grown accustomed to the tranquility of Nine Dragon Valley over the past few years and couldn't handle all this. Seeing her Uncle Abu, she took the opportunity to slip away.

She asked Uncle Abu about his two daughters, Hong Yun and Hong Lian, wondering where her childhood playmates were that night.

Uncle Abu said they had gone to the largest restaurant in Milu City, Alu Restaurant, to entertain disciples of the Su Xian Sect.

Bai Bingxue grinned and told Uncle Abu that she wasn't returning to the main hall and was going to find Hong Yun.

At Alu Restaurant, on the second floor, in a private room. A waiter led Bai Bingxue to the door. She could hear Hong Yun's laughter from outside.

Bai Bingxue pushed the door open, and everyone was startled.

Hong Yun and Hong Lian quickly got up and shouted, "Cousin!" They rushed over and took her hands, looking her up and down. Bai Bingxue looked at them too.

Princess Hong Yun was wearing a light red long dress, with a light yellow silk shawl draped over it. Her waist was also tied with a light yellow silk sash, but a flexible sword was hidden within the sash.

Princess Hong Lian was wearing a light blue long dress, with the same light yellow silk shawl draped over it.

Women from the northern Gongjiao Country primarily dressed in elegant styles. The Southern Expedition Country had learned from their trade and cultural exchanges, and the color combinations were very harmonious.

"Two cousins, you're dressed so beautifully. You truly are beauties with national charm." Bai Bingxue complimented them.

Hong Yun laughed, "Cousin, how can you say that? You're the beautiful one. Come sit quickly."

Hong Lian eagerly introduced, "Cousin, these two are Young Master Su..."

Bai Bingxue interrupted, "Little Sister Hong Lian, we've met before. We even fought..."

Hong Lian blushed. Su Jiangcheng and Su Dingfeng looked awkward. Sixi, ever perceptive, said with a smile, "Sister, the food at this place is delicious. Come and try some."