I, Prince Huaining, today accuse Xu Qingxiao of practicing an Unorthodox Art [double monthly votes requested]
Wuchang Year One.
The thirtieth day of the eighth month.
Outside the Great Hall of the Great Wei Palace.
The Female Emperor's Birthday Celebration was the grandest occasion since Great Wei's new reign began.
The Ministry of Rites had been run ragged preparing for it. Every ceremonial procession, every material used, and every detail of etiquette required painstaking attention.
Even the patterns on the banners had to be designed anew. They needed to catch the eye and embody Great Wei's majesty without appearing overly domineering, all while fitting the birthday theme.
That alone had occupied the Ministry of Rites for more than half a month.
Fortunately, everything had gone well. Today, the preparations were finally complete.
"The Prince of the West presents his birthday gift! One Purple Jade Coral Tree! May Your Majesty enjoy boundless longevity!"
"King Ping of Zhou presents his birthday gift! The Taihe Seed-Field Ancient Jade! May Your Majesty enjoy boundless longevity!"
"The King of Nanlin presents his birthday gift! The Yellow Mountain Ancient Bloodstone! May Your Majesty enjoy boundless longevity!"
Outside the Great Hall, eunuchs received congratulatory cards and announced them loudly. Precious objects were carried into the palace one after another, each a treasure that money could scarcely buy.
Inside the hall, however.
The Female Emperor listened to these congratulations with an utterly calm expression. Rather than these gifts, she would have preferred silver. That would have been more practical.
The Great Wei Treasure Pavilion was already filled with such things. Jewels, jade, rare metals, calligraphy, and paintings lay piled like mountains-all glitter and little use.
As for outside the hall.
Both the Minister of Rites and the Minister of Justice looked weighed down by worries.
"Minister Wang, why do you look so troubled?"
Chen Zhengru spoke. Today was His Majesty's Birthday Celebration. Anyone else