The Jiedushi's residence blazed with lights, its seats filled with guests and friends, the music of strings and pipes never ceasing. Musicians played heavenly melodies on konghou, panpipes, and bili, while dancing girls stepped lightly to the drumbeats, joyous and enchanting.
When the banquet's atmosphere reached its peak, the host, Liu Kun, clapped his hands forcefully and ordered the evening's crowning dish brought in. Six burly soldiers carried an enormous copper platter up the steps, heads high and strides sweeping. Upon it lay an entire ox, roasted golden and glistening with fat. This was no little calf like the "Water-Boiled Calf," but a fully grown bull. To roast it whole, they must have built a gigantic oven expressly for the purpose.
The magnificent whole roast ox drew exclamations of wonder from the assembled envoys, officials, and generals. Household Steward Li Chengyin could not suppress a sneer and muttered scornfully, "Ostentatious."
Proud of his success in staging a lavish banquet rivaling those of Chang'an in such a frontier city, Liu Kun rose with his wine cup and began a long-winded toast. He spoke of fostering cordial relations with neighboring countries, but every sentence was really a boast about Youzhou's formidable military and administrative strength.
Huo Qilang appeared relaxed and indolent, but her gaze flashed like lightning as she watched everyone in the hall closely. While Liu Kun held forth without pause, she saw Li Yuanying's shoulders slowly sink from behind, followed by an almost imperceptible sigh. She asked quietly, "Are you tired, Your Highness?"
Li Yuanying held his proud, beautiful head high and answered as though nothing were wrong, "No."
Stubborn mouth. Huo Qilang secretly stifled a laugh. She knew how fiercely proud he was; even if he could barely hold on, his words would bite nails and chew iron, never