On the whole day of the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, Shao Xi never left the inn. He always practiced Canghai Jue and Canghai Liuyun Sword Technique in the backyard of the inn. In order to reach the fifth level as soon as possible, he worked hard enough.
Although it is also a sword technique, the speed of practicing Canghai Jue to improve the level is indeed much faster than that of Yinyu Jue. After all, this set of sword techniques requires much lower Qihai when upgrading the level.
Although the requirements for the sea of qi when advancing to the "Qi Transformation Realm" in the future are no different from those of Drinking Yu Jue, at least it is quite necessary to quickly improve the level at the "Qi Control Realm" stage.
Shao Xi has high talent and a good foundation, so it is natural for him to practice ready-made sword techniques and sword techniques. So far, although he has not practiced for a long time, his progress has been rapid.
In fact, what Shao Xi has longed for most is to enter the "Qi Transformation Realm" as soon as possible. Let's not talk about whether it is powerful or not, at least the energy-concrete technique is really cool when released!
After not seeing Lao Wu all day, Shao Xi asked Ning'er, and Ning'er said that Lao Wu left the city early in the morning and didn't tell her what he was going to do. Shao Xi has long been used to strange things. This old guy is haunted all day long, and he doesn't bother to care.
This girl Ning'er is really worry-free. After eating, she locks herself in the room to practice calligraphy and does not disturb Shao Xi's practice. She is really well-behaved and sensible.
After dinner, Shao Xi taught Ning'er how to write in the room. After it was time to hold the lantern, Old Wu, in disguise, returned to the inn. After saying hello to Shao Xi, he went back to his room. He locked himself in the room and did not know what he was doing until the next morning. Xi did not come out when she left the inn.
Early in the morning of the fifth day of the lunar month, Shao Xi changed into a neat new robe. After all, he was going to see the emperor, so he had to dress neatly and neatly.
When they arrived at Bailu Academy, Bai Dinggong and Liu Xingzhai were already waiting in front of the door, and the carriage was ready. It seemed that they had started making preparations before dawn, which showed how seriously they attached importance to it.
The two old masters both changed into neat new robes and looked very formal. It can be seen how much the two of them attach great importance to the "Hundred Scholars Banquet" where hundreds of families gather together, and they feel as if they are facing a formidable enemy.
The three of them got on the carriage, the driver whipped his whip, and the carriage drove out steadily.
Sitting in the carriage, Shao Xi said to the two old masters: "Two masters, this is my first time going to the palace. I don't understand many rules. What should I pay attention to when I get there?"
Liu Xingzhai said with a smile: "Actually, it doesn't matter. Just remember not to talk to strangers, don't walk around, don't look around, don't touch around, don't touch around, don't eat or move around when the Holy One is speaking."
Shao Xi was dumbfounded and said, "Mr. Liu, you have said no so many times and you still say it's nothing?"
"Hahaha! These are just the minimum requirements to enter the palace and meet the saint. If you don't violate these, no one will be killed."
Bai Dinggong also added: "Shao Xi, you must remember, especially not to wander around. There are many places in the forbidden areas of the palace that are not allowed. If you walk around at will and accidentally break into the forbidden areas, no one can save you."
"The student understands that after entering the palace, the student will always be with the two gentlemen and will not cause unnecessary trouble by walking around at will."
Mr. Bai Ding nodded and said, "That will be fine. If there is anything you don't understand, Mr. Liu and I will remind you secretly."
"Let the two gentlemen worry about it."
Liu Xingzhai waved his hand and said: "It doesn't matter, as long as you don't make any big mistakes, even if there is a small problem, with us two old guys here, you don't have to worry."
Because he was going to the palace to meet the saint today, Shao Xi left the dagger in his boots and the soft sword on his waist at the inn for safekeeping by Ning'er before leaving the house. The only thing he brought with him was the folding fan.
Even if you bring things like daggers and soft swords, they will be detained before reaching the palace gate. It's not that they won't be returned to you, but you can't bring them in anyway. And if a scholar from the academy carries these things, he may be taken care of by the Ouchi guards.
The carriage traveled all the way north. Since we were going to a banquet today, we did not go through the main entrance of the palace. Instead, we entered through the Yintai Gate on the north side and went directly to the Linde Hall where the banquet was held.
Because Daliang City was so big, the carriage swayed for half an hour before it arrived at the Yintai Gate in the north of the palace. After the three people got off, the coachman drove the carriage aside.
Because horses are not allowed inside the palace, everyone can only enter the palace on foot.
Arriving in front of the palace gate, I saw that many people had arrived in advance and were queuing up to be inspected by the palace guards.
This is the consistent rule when entering the palace. After all, this is where the royal family resides, and safety is the top priority. Therefore, both civil servants, military officers, and these scholars and masters are treated equally.
When it was Shao Xi's turn and others found nothing, the folding fan in Shao Xi's hand did not make the guards feel any danger. In fact, it was difficult for ordinary people to imagine that a folding fan could be used as a weapon, so the few of them entered smoothly. Within the palace city.
Just separated by a city gate, the landscape inside and outside is completely different. Although it is only a side hall, the scale of Linde Hall is still shocking enough. The flat bluestone road extends to the entrance of the hall. The whole hall is magnificent, with blue bricks and black tiles, cornices and brackets, bluestone steps, and purple wood beams. Although it cannot be said to be majestic, it can still be said to be a grand sight. .
These things may have never been seen by ordinary people in ancient times, but they are not unusual for Shao Xi. In the modern world with advanced information, a person will have to see how many images of this kind of architecture in his lifetime! Therefore, Shao Xi was already used to it.
When Bai Dinggong and Liu Xingzhai saw that Shao Xi did not look around curiously like others, but followed him with calm faces, they couldn't help but secretly praise this young man for being really calm, mature, and well-mannered. With the demeanor of a gentleman, the two of them admired Shao Xi even more.
When you come to the palace, it goes without saying that there are carved beams and painted pillars. There are several rows of tables on each side of the hall, and soft cushions are placed on the brocade seats, all prepared for those who sit down. On the uppermost side of the main hall is a large, simple case, and behind the case is a huge nanmu screen with carved cloud and dragon patterns.
The leading eunuchs in the palace compared the lists in their hands with the invitations handed in by the guests, and guided each of the banquet guests to their respective seats according to their status.
Because Shao Xi was a disciple of Bai Dinggong, he could only sit beside the teacher and have a small table in front of him for the banquet.
Although many people have entered the hall, the hall is extremely quiet. There is only the rustling of the clothes of the banquet guests as they take their seats, but no conversation can be heard, even in low voices.
Shao Xi knelt on the cushions and glanced around with the corner of his eyes. He saw that everyone who came was dressed as a scholar. Although the clothes were of different styles, he could tell that they were all scholars and wives with extraordinary status.
After everyone was seated, there was an extremely boring waiting time. Shao Xi secretly cursed the emperor. The old boy's time is time, but my time is not time? What a bastard to let such a large group of people sit here and wait for one person! However, these words were just curses in my heart.
After a long time, an old eunuch dressed in gorgeous clothes and dressed like a father-in-law came out from behind the screen and shouted in a very sharp and harsh voice: "The Holy One is here——!"
Everyone present hurriedly stood up, bowed and bowed their hands to welcome him.
As soon as the father-in-law finished speaking, a person walked out from behind the screen. He was dressed in a yellow robe with a five-clawed golden dragon embroidered with gold thread. He wore a twenty-four jade belt on his waist and a purple gold crown on his head, with phoenix eyes and silken eyebrows. With his long beard straightened, his face solemn and his aura majestic, he was worthy of being a monarch of his generation, and he indeed looked like an emperor.
The man in front of him is none other than Xiao Changyi, the fifth-generation monarch of the Jingyuan Empire and the reigning emperor of Long'an.
Xiao Changyi stood in front of the case. Everyone knelt down and bowed, shouting "See your majesty!"
Although Shao Xi hated people kneeling and worshiping like this, there was nothing he could do about it at the moment. Who made the one above him the emperor?
Xiao Changyi glanced at the people in the hall and said, "Masters, please get down!"
Everyone dared to stand up after hearing this, but after standing up, they all bowed and stood. The emperor had not yet sat down, and no one dared to sit down in advance.
After Xiao Changyi sat down, he said: "Masters, please take a seat! Today's banquet is not a pilgrimage, so you don't have to be too formal."
After getting Xiao Changyi's permission, everyone shouted "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Until now, everyone dared to sit down.
After sitting down, Shao Xi secretly complained: "It's not easy to have a meal at the emperor's house! I have to kneel and bow, and the food has not been served yet. Fortunately, I had a bowl of porridge before coming. "
As soon as everyone in the palace sat down, the father-in-law walked to the front of the case and announced loudly to everyone in the palace: "I would like to give you a speech to open the banquet!"
This is the custom of royal banquets. Before each banquet, the emperor delivers an opening speech. Afterwards, if those attending the banquet want to give a speech of thanks, they can also stand in line and deliver a speech in the palace to thank the emperor for his hospitality.
The father-in-law bowed and stepped aside. Xiao Changyi stood up and delivered a speech: "The first ancestor conquered the four directions with martial arts and established the world with literature. I have worked hard to maintain it, but there are always failures. However, my world is the world of the people of the world, and my country is also the world. Man's country wants the world to be peaceful, but I cannot achieve it, and the world must support it. You are all knowledgeable and famous people in the world, and the country and the country are stable. You must preach to resolve doubts, write articles to reason, and work tirelessly year after year. The people of today's generation Prepare a banquet to thank you all! Don’t forget that the banquet is food for the world, so you should repay it to the world!"
Shao Xi was sitting down and his head ached when he heard it. The emperor really meant every word, so he omitted all the words that could not be used. It sounded really obscure and difficult to understand. He didn't know whether the masters present understood or not, but he listened in a confused way.
After the emperor finished speaking, the father-in-law stood up and announced loudly: "Thank you for the banquet!"
This kind of thing is usually arranged in advance, and those who are willing will come voluntarily, and those who are not voluntarily will be arranged, so as to avoid the embarrassment of the emperor when no one thanks the banquet.
Shao Xi thought for a while, "Mom sells batches." Why is there so much nonsense just to have a meal?
