The tourists gradually grew more numerous.
Many young people walked beneath the jacarandas outside the palace walls in elaborate, gorgeous traditional clothes, carrying themselves like refined scholars, sheltered noble daughters, or wandering martial artists as they chatted and laughed.
They fit the scene surprisingly well.
Handsome men and beautiful women were a sight in themselves, weren't they?
By noon, the street had been cordoned off.
Private cars had vanished from the roadway.
The Royal Guard arrived in military vehicles, fully encased in Powered Armor. They took up positions along both sides of the road and assumed responsibility for security, while police officers came to maintain order. People stopped and gathered beside the sidewalk. Before long, a group approached from the distance.
Every one of them wore traditional clothing.
At their center was a white-haired man in a black dragon robe embroidered with gold thread. Beside him walked the prime minister, the heir to the throne of Yi Nation, and the current heads of Jade Peace Temple and New Orthodox Temple. A large group of other prominent people followed behind.
They admired the flowers, chatting and laughing.
Now and then, they responded to the onlookers.
The atmosphere was hardly solemn. Even their formation was loose, with plenty of people falling behind or drifting toward the roadside.
Pedestrians along the road shouted excitedly.
The young people in the crowd weren't afraid of the Royal Family, either. Some called out, "Your Majesty!" The sillier ones filmed while shouting, "Your Majesty, look at the camera!" When the emperor heard them, he would turn with a smile and exchange a few words with them.
Chen Shu and his two companions stood by the road, watching quietly.
The emperor truly was old now. Age spots had even begun to appear on his face.
Chen Shu had