Luo Pei was also present, dressed in the official robes of Third Rank. His dark, lean face was stern. When he saw Su Ziji enter, he said nothing, merely exchanging a glance with him.
"Prince Dai, please take your seat." A Fourth Rank official approached, speaking impeccable Capital City dialect as he guided Su Ziji to the seat of honor.
In the center stood a raised platform with an imperial seat upon it. The dragon throne did not look particularly comfortable, but it symbolized supreme and unparalleled power.
A little lower down were several embroidered stools, presumably seats reserved for the princes. Every stool, from its design to its cushion, was exactly the same.
This was the difference between imperial princes and ordinary ministers. Imperial princes held the highest rank among the nobility. Apart from the Emperor and the Crown Prince, though they too were technically "subjects," their status stood above all other ministers. Even imperial princes without real power received the formal bows of ministers, according to a complete set of rites.
Su Ziji did not stand on ceremony. Invited to take the seat of honor, he went straight over and sat down. Only then did he notice that Prince Qi had arrived before him and was seated opposite, so he studied him.
As though sensing Su Ziji's gaze, Prince Qi turned and looked back coldly. Su Ziji met his eyes for a moment before shifting his gaze away, but Prince Qi gave an "Eh?" and stared fixedly at the spot between Su Ziji's brows.
"How did you get that red mole? Don't tell me you dabbed it on like some woman?" After a while, Prince Qi could not help asking.
"...I don't know either. It suddenly appeared today."
As he spoke, he even rubbed at it. Prince Qi