Showing Off

Imperial Capital Accumulated Water Pond.

Ripples spread outward in ring after ring.

A hundred-zhang pillar of blood shot into the heavens, startling the hawk falcons from the clouds and utterly announcing Liang Qu's arrival! Cooking smoke curled upward, carrying the scent of food and fire.

Families everywhere picked up a couple bites of vegetables, cradled their rice bowls, and stepped outside. Braving the cold wind, they gazed at the crimson pillar beneath the setting sun, unable to guess what had happened.

Its height, its might, its sheer magnitude—second only to Moon Gazing Tower in the Imperial City!

Magnificent indeed.

A figure stood slanted atop Moon Gazing Tower.

From that one phrase—"a tall, sturdy Good Family Son"—the chief eunuch understood exactly how delighted the Sacred Emperor was. It was no less than an elder of the family telling a junior, "What a tiger-headed, tiger-brained child!" "Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations! You have stirred up a civil and martial legacy that can cleave open the vast sea. Your Majesty's literary virtue and martial achievement stand peerless beneath heaven!"

"Hahaha, 'cleave open the vast sea'—well said!" The Sacred Emperor kept stroking the railing. "Read quite a few books in your spare time?"

"Mostly miscellaneous books and poetry. This servant has not a shred of genuine talent or learning."

"Go ask when dinner will be served."

"This servant already asked. Approximately three quarters of an hour." Hearing the implication behind his words, the chief eunuch immediately added, "Liang Water Envoy has just broken through a realm. He will likely need quite some time to settle himself."

"No matter. Deliver my edict: Liang Qing may show off for as long as he wishes. Let the envoys of all nations see it, let everyone under heaven see it. Also, tell the Imperial Kitchen to postpone dinner. I