"Ooooh-aaah~~~"
"Cha-cha-cha~..."
The phoenix-headed priest prayed to heaven inside Linde Hall, the desolate melody tugging at everyone's heartstrings.
Emperor Qian had initially wanted to see what tricks Northern Zhou intended to play, but as the genuine spirit-soothing music reached his ears, he gradually relaxed.
He recalled his fearful days as a prince, the last-ditch battle when he entered the palace with his sworn death warriors, his cautious maneuvering against senior ministers and princes after ascending the throne, and his patient schemes in dealing with the other nations...
All my life, I have trodden on thin ice. It seems I am nearing the end...
Fortunately, my wife and children are all still here. Though Great Qian faces troubles within and threats without, the nation is wealthy, its people strong, and its talents countless. I have left Jing Huan a solid foundation...
I still resent not having seen the world united, but such are the times, such is fate. I have no regrets left in this life...
Let those who come after me handle what lies ahead...
Even Li Gongpu, seething with frustration, felt somewhat relieved and muttered inwardly:
Unless the old goes, the new cannot come...
However sharp Xie Jinhuan's edge may be, as long as His Majesty stands, what can he do to me...?
Of all the civil and military officials in Linde Hall, who could have climbed to their present position without a story behind them?
Now they were all immersed in tranquility, their expressions varied. Even after the music ended, they remained silent for a long time.
As the instigator, Guo Ziyan had known this would be the effect. Only after allowing the assembled officials a moment to reflect did he speak first:
"This ancestral birthday melody was intended to teach us not to forget the