Silver Crown

As the Son of Heaven of Great Yue took his seat, accompanied by the shrill calls and shouts of the red-robed eunuch, Xu Yi once more followed the countless people in the hall in bowing and dancing, full of resentment.

After the grand ceremonial bows were finished, several sharp whip cracks rang out. The commotion outside the hall suddenly swelled.

Giant rhinoceroses, white elephants, yellow lions, and black tigers all made their appearance. After several cries from the Auspicious Beasts, the enormous music troupe entered. Its elegant melodies rang out, long and stately. When the music finally ended, two enormous flying beasts swooped into the hall, making Xu Yi's eyes fly wide.

He had clearly seen a golden dragon and a colorful phoenix, but when he looked again, something seemed off. Their colors had obviously been painted on, and they lacked the might of true dragons and phoenixes.

Clearly, the royal court had cobbled together fake dragons and phoenixes in an effort to revive the ancient imperial rites.

After the golden dragon and colorful phoenix circled the palace and flew back out, several more whip cracks sounded. The red-robed eunuch cried out, "Ministers and envoys, hear the imperial decree!"

At last, the Son of Heaven of Great Yue spoke from his throne. His voice was not loud and lacked vigor, yet it rang clear in everyone's ears. Clearly, a Sound Amplification Array had been set up near the throne.

After a few brief pleasantries, several elderly eunuchs at the front of the hall picked up the thread. They went on for half an incense stick's time, speaking in flowery, grandiose phrases about dragons soaring and phoenixes gathering. Then it was the foreign envoys' turn to present their gifts and offer birthday congratulations.

After an hour of waiting, the envoys from