By instinct, Jiang Wang felt this must be a rather cold and aloof person.
But when Jiang Wang looked over, the man turned his head and gave him a brilliant smile. He didn't seem like the sort who kept others at arm's length.
Jiang Wang smiled and nodded in greeting.
To Ji Zhaonan's right stood the three competitors for the Outer Tower spots,
from front to back: Bao Bozhao, Xie Baoshu, and Chao Yu.
Bao Bozhao was an acquaintance, and looked much more proper than his younger brother Bao Zhongqing.
He had just met Xie Baoshu... Better not mention it.
Chao Yu, a senior general from the Winter Silence Army, was a woman. Jiang Wang hadn't expected that, since her name didn't sound feminine at all.
Her medium-length hair was tied into a braid that hung straight down her back. Her features were somewhat androgynous.
On the Danbi Terrace sat the emperor and empress of Great Qi.
The phoenix throne stood slightly lower than the dragon throne.
Farther down, past several steps,
was where the princes and princesses sat.
Not many of the princes and princesses could attend an occasion like this.
There were just four: Crown Prince Jiang Wuhua, Huaying Palace Mistress Jiang Wuyou, Master of Yangxin Palace Jiang Wuxie, and Master of Changsheng Palace Jiang Wuqi.
Jiang Wuhua sat in the seat of honor on the left, while Jiang Wuyou, as the eldest sister, sat in the seat of honor on the right.
Behind them sat Jiang Wuxie and Jiang Wuqi, respectively.
Jiang Wuhua wore the Crown Prince's formal attire and sat ramrod straight.
Jiang Wuyou wore a frosty-colored martial outfit and was turned slightly to one side, studying the people on the plaza.
Jiang Wuxie wore his brocade robes loosely, his posture the most relaxed of all.