Chen Qing did not meet the emperor, because the emperor was invited to a different location than them—inside the imperial palace in Cloud Capital, while they were in the former Court of State Ceremonial in Cloud Capital.
According to Zhang Xiaoyun, His Majesty is the universally recognized emperor, Cloud Capital should naturally receive him with imperial courtesy. The Cloud Capital Palace was originally the emperor's sleeping quarters, so it is perfectly normal for His Majesty to reside there.
Since Chen Qing was a member of a different surname, it was inconvenient for him to live in the palace, so he was arranged to stay at the Court of State Ceremonial.
This reason left Chen Qing completely stunned.
What does Cloud Capital mean by this action?
They acknowledged the emperor and even invited him to stay at the imperial palace in Cloud Capital?
Does legally recognizing the emperor signify that Cloud Capital is extending an olive branch to him?
Chen Qing and Shen Qi both frowned. The Xiao Household's current advantage was obvious, possessing the most powerful ghost soldiers to deal with at this time. If this unknown force in Cloud Capital were to also pledge allegiance to the emperor...
That doesn't sound like a good thing.
"Oh, it's been a long time, King of Qin Highness."
Just as Chen Qing Chen Qing settling in at the Court of State Ceremonial, a familiar voice interrupted his thoughts. When he looked up, he was surprised to see who had approached him.
Chen Baifeng, the Minister of Ministry of Personnel whom Chen Qing once held in high regard, had not been seen for almost a year since the Dragon Palace incident. The situation was tense at the time, and they had parted hastily. He never expected that they would meet again here.
"Your Excellency, Minister," Chen Qing returned the greeting with a cupped hand.
" King of Qin Highness, you are too kind. You are now a king, and I am but a lowly official. How can we treat each other with the courtesy due to equals?"
Chen Qing smiled at the other party, "The Minister now governs the South Sea; how is he any different from a king of a different surname?"
"Hey, Your King of Qin, you can't say things like that lightly." The other party quickly waved his hand. "This humble official is merely following the Emperor's orders to manage the situation in the South Sea on His Majesty's behalf, and has never had any intention of being granted a title of king."
"Oh?" Chen Qing looked at the other person with a cryptic expression. What did that mean?
Does this mean the other party is aligned with the Xiao Household emperor?
Chen Qing didn't believe it. The emperor was extremely ambitious and would never allow an ancient force that threatened him to grow. He didn't believe that the South Sea forces would not take advantage of this opportunity to attack during the northern campaign.
He knew perfectly well that the three hundred dragons of the South Sea were desperately short of life essence, and with so many Dragon Palace troops that hadn't yet been revived, the giant pythons in the north were a natural pool of blood. How could he possibly miss out?
However, if he wanted to seize resources from the north, he would inevitably clash with the Xiao Household emperor, unless... the two had already secretly reached an agreement, or were they simply testing him?
Unable to fathom the other's thoughts, Chen Qing could only suppress his doubts for the time being and smiled, "I haven't had breakfast yet on this journey. Has Lord Chen eaten?"
"I don't have any right now, why don't we go together?" Chen Baifeng personally invited.
Chen Qing had just nodded when he suddenly heard a female voice behind him.
"Since Lord Chen in such high spirits, why don't I join you?"
The voice startled Chen Baifeng, and a hint of surprise flashed in his ever-burning golden eyes.
Since his Dragon Transformation, his senses have become far superior to those of ordinary life forms. He can detect even the Above First Rank martial artists within his faction, even those within ten miles. Yet, Chen Baifeng did not notice the red-clad woman who suddenly appeared.
Who is this guy?
Is this Huaiyang cuisine?
The group found a restaurant that looked quite nice and booked a private room. When the dishes recommended by the owner were served, Chen Qing saw some familiar sights.
Especially the squirrel fish and the crab meat lion's head meatballs, Chen Qing recognized them almost instantly as resembling his past life.
Chen Qing was born and lived in Jiangnan for many years, but the Jiangnan of this world is very different from the Jiangnan of his previous life. Although the Jiangnan here also likes to eat river delicacies, it is mostly based on fresh, fragrant, spicy and numbing flavors. Originally, he thought that such a light cuisine did not exist in this world.
Because the entire Central Plains region is quite humid, even in the north, the cuisine is dominated by Sichuan peppercorns and other strong spices. The Huaiyang cuisine of Cloud Capital is quite unique, especially in its cooking methods, which are not much different from those of my previous life.
Is there such a setting?
Chen Qing couldn't quite remember. The world-building wasn't his doing; it was another master designer. But he remembered that designer was from Sichuan. Surely, they wouldn't make such detailed settings in Cloud Capital?
"I really miss it." Shen Qi picked up a bite with his chopsticks, tasted it, and then squinted his eyes in satisfaction. "It's probably been a hundred years since I've tasted the unique cuisine of Cloud Capital."
"Unique to Cloud Capital?" Chen Qing asked curiously, " Jiangnan is so vast, hasn't anyone opened a restaurant using Cloud Capital cuisine?"
"It seems there really isn't one." Shen Qi frowned and said, "Huh? Why is that? This kind of cuisine that emphasizes the original flavor of river fish may not be to everyone's liking, but it's so exquisite and delicious that it should be very popular with wealthy families. Why hasn't anyone opened a branch outside to try it?"
Ziyue frowned as well. She was originally from Jiangsu and was used to this cuisine. She seemed to have eaten mostly this kind of food when she was in Cloud Capital, but why couldn't she remember it when she was away from home?
Um?
Ziyue suddenly realized what was happening and squinted at the dishes on the table.
I can't remember
"I suddenly remembered," Chen Baifeng said abruptly, "It seems that there was once a branch of the Chen Household in Cloud Capital, but during the war, that branch never left Cloud Capital and it seems that they have lost contact ever since. If I have time later, I might as well go and pay a visit. Maybe I can ask a relative to take me to taste some truly authentic local specialties."
" The Chen Household has a branch here?" Shen Qi looked up and asked curiously, "I've never heard of that before."
"Perhaps they're just keeping a low profile," Chen Baifeng said with a smile.
But suddenly, I felt something was off.
Even if they keep a low profile, as a branch family, they should still have some interaction on a daily basis, right? But Chen Baifeng suddenly felt that he had never dealt with the branch family of Cloud Capital.
No, it seems like we fought before, but we just left Cloud Capital.
"Interesting." The woman in red picked up some food, a look of amusement flashing in her eyes. "This trip was definitely worthwhile; Cloud Capital indeed extraordinary."
Seeing the woman in red speak, Chen Baifeng seized the opportunity to ask, "May I ask who this is?"
"Oh, this is the High Priestess of the Northern Lands Heavenly Python Palace, Kagura."
"Oh?" Chen Baifeng was taken aback, then quickly bowed, "My apologies for my rudeness."
What demonic forces are there in the north?
They were even on the invitation list! This Cloud Capital not only managed to invite the emperor, but also these demons from outer space. They're truly remarkable.
Kagura quickly returned the greeting, "You're too kind, Minister."
Chen Baifeng gave the woman a deep look. This woman in red seemed to understand the meaning of the word "Minister." These demons from the north were indeed no ordinary demons; they seemed to have a very clear understanding of the human court system.
Perhaps the Heavenly Python Palace, like the Dragon Palace, has powerful henchmen in the mortal realm, but all the aristocratic families in the world are connected with the Chen Household. After the establishment of the South Sea, more than 80% of the sorcerer families in the world have submitted to it. I have never heard of any family this woman in red belongs to.
"Does Lady Kagura know anything about this?" Chen Qing asked, looking at Kagura.
What does Your Highness, the King of Qin, mean?
"There's something wrong here," Chen Qing said, looking around. " Shen Qi just said that the cuisine here has never spread out. I suddenly remembered that it seems like Cloud Capital has ever spread, not just its cuisine."
Um?
Only then did everyone realize that it seemed to be true.
Each region has its own unique characteristics, such as the tea ceremony in Jiangnan, the Hu dance and polo in the north, and the opera in Guanzhong. Each region has its own unique features, and Cloud Capital is no exception.
After arriving in Cloud Capital, they discovered that the Cloud Capital songs, unique flower arranging skills, and lanterns lining the streets were all things that, in a bustling city, should be easily spread.
But Chen Qing had never seen it anywhere else, just as people subconsciously forget things from this place once they go outside.
"It seems His Highness King of Qin has realized what's going on." Kagura immediately laughed, "You guessed right, the reason these things haven't spread isn't because the outside world doesn't accept them, but because they can't be taken out of here!"