Chapter 586: The Xiongnu Royal Court Envoy Group

Xie Tianyao cast his gaze outward.

The entirety of Jinghua was a sea of moving heads, a vast, swarming mass.

This is my empire...

These are my subjects.

He could not help but feel a surge of emotion; the vast Longyan Dynasty had endured for thousands of years. The Longyan Upper Kingdom already boasted a population of four hundred million; looking across the entire world, who could compare, who could possibly compare? During his reign, although he had not achieved much, he had at least ensured that the common people of the world lived in peace and worked in contentment, without large-scale riots caused by starvation. Exploitation certainly existed, but that was due to the inherent class structure; as the Lord of Longyan, what he looked for was stability.

However...

How much longer could this stability last?

This time, the Eighteen Envoys had come with aggressive intent. It was quite clearly meant to put pressure on Longyan.

Longyan...

Was growing old and frail.

Just like himself...

Growing old and frail.

Xie Tianyao raised his hand, and the shouts of "Long live" from the entire crowd slowly died down.

He smiled, and without turning his head, asked Zheng Fu beside him: "Does the Empress believe that, at today's ceremony, Prefect Liu will be able to help me intimidate those petty scoundrels?"

Zheng Fu's delicate body trembled.

Hearing these words, she almost cried out in excitement. How long had it been? How long had it been since she had spoken with the Emperor, let alone such an important question, and asked in such a casual, conversational manner...

So...

He still considered her his Empress.

So, she was still the Empress of this dynasty!

But...

When she was provoked and humiliated by Dong Shuyu in the inner palace, where was this status of Empress?

She suppressed the grievance and the urge to choke back sobs in her heart, took a deep breath, and tried her best to steady herself...

What did the Emperor mean by asking her this?

He did not ask anyone else; why did he specifically ask her?

Her mind raced, but her face wore a gentle smile, her demeanor graceful: "Emperor, Prefect Liu is a person who excels at creating miracles."

"Good!"

"A fine person who creates miracles!"

Once these words were out, Xie Tianyao laughed heartily, unable to stop.

Zheng Fu nervously clenched her fists beneath her robes.

Yes.

Xie Tianyao was forcing her to take a stand. Because the news of her intention to adopt Xie Chan as her daughter had already spread throughout Longyan, Xie Tianyao wanted to ask... Are you choosing to stand on Prefect Liu's side? Are you choosing to betroth Xie Chan to Liu Zheng?

Her answer could only be an affirmation.

This was her current fate.

"Begin!"

Xie Tianyao pondered for a moment, then finally waved his hand.

"The ceremony begins!"

"The Christmas Ceremony, commences!"

Following a loud shout from Grand Eunuch Zhou, the voice spread out layer by layer.

Everyone in Jinghua became excited along with it.

"Welcome, the tributes from all directions!"

"Welcome, the tributes from all directions!"

The first part of this Christmas Ceremony was to welcome guests from all directions. This was also the scene the common people loved to see most, and the liveliest event of the year. There were about twenty-some vassal states of Longyan, but because several were wiped out directly by Prefect Liu yesterday... only the Eighteen Envoys remained.

These Eighteen Envoys were all small nations from the four corners of the Longyan Dynasty.

The relationships between these small nations were often not harmonious in daily life, and there were not a few who even harbored deep-seated hatred.

Therefore, on such an occasion, who wouldn't want to show off their strength, display their might, and suppress the other small nations? The segment of welcoming tributes allowed the people of Jinghua to see these people in different costumes and with different appearances doing their utmost to curry favor with the Longyan Dynasty, and the sense of pride in their hearts naturally surged forth.

Even...

In the eyes of the Longyan people, these Barbarians were like monkeys, left for them to watch and critique.

Who wouldn't enjoy this feeling of being high above?

Welcoming guests from all directions also had a set procedure. These foreign envoy groups, who had already entered Jinghua City, had to go back out through Zhuque Gate, then walk back in, performing all the way, and only after finishing their performance on Zhuque Street and presenting their gifts to the Longyan Emperor would it be considered over.

"Welcome, the Xiongnu Royal Court envoy group!"

Grand Eunuch Zhou roared once more.

At this, the entire Jinghua erupted in uproarious laughter.

The Xiongnu Royal Court?

Over the past few days, they had already been beaten black and blue by Prefect Liu. But fortunately, the Xiongnu were originally a nomadic people, so there was no such thing as the destruction of their nation. Moreover, this envoy group had entered Jinghua before they were beaten. The leader of the envoy group had been kneeling at the gate of Yangxin Hall for the past few days, begging the Longyan imperial court for forgiveness; at this moment, learning that their envoy group was ranked first, one could not tell if they should be glad or sorrowful.

To be glad that...

They could be the first to curry favor with the Longyan Emperor, so that he would order Prefect Liu to spare the Xiongnu Royal Court this time...

To be sorrowful that...

Longyan having the Xiongnu Royal Court—who had been beaten by Prefect Liu until their own parents wouldn't recognize them—come out first, naturally also carried the intent of humiliation.

However.

They had no choice.

Every year at this time, Zhuque Gate and Zhuque Street are at their most open. Of course, this "most open" is only on the surface; in reality, it is also when security is at its strictest. Where does this openness lie? On this day, the Zhuque Gate is thrown wide open to welcome celebrations from all directions.

Therefore, regardless of whether you are riding a horse or carrying a blade, you may enter Jinghua on this day.

This is not only the Longyan Dynasty showing respect for the customs and habits of different peoples.

It is likewise a display of the magnanimity of the Longyan Dynasty.

"Is it starting?"

Liu Zheng was also standing on a high building not far away at this moment; to tell the truth, his heart was also filled with some anticipation. Ever since he arrived in Jinghua, there had been rumors that the programs prepared by these barbarians this year were more shocking and more powerful in effect than the last, all with the goal of putting pressure on the Longyan Dynasty.

So he was also looking forward to it.

In what way would they achieve the effect of "putting pressure"?

At this moment.

It was not only Liu Zheng who was watching these delegations, but also Li Xuanya from the Li Dynasty.

This eldest princess of the Li Dynasty was also nervously watching the movement on Zhuque Street.

She must be the first!

Yes.

The Li Dynasty was in imminent danger, on the verge of destruction... She had to be the most stunning and the most sincere to have any possibility of gaining the favor of the Longyan Emperor!

After much anticipation.

With all eyes upon them.

The honor guard of the Xiongnu Royal Court finally walked slowly from the city gate.

Countless eyes looked over at the same time.

They were also anticipating and curious.

In what way would this Xiongnu Royal Court make its entrance?

However...

At this one glance.

Everyone at the scene almost spat out what they were drinking.

"Oh my..."

"What is this for?"

"My god..."

"Hahahaha, hahahahaha—hic?"

Xie Tianyao was stunned.

Zheng Fu was stunned.

Liu Zheng was stunned.

Li Xuanya was also stunned.

Everyone was not only stunned, but also amused to the point of falling over; the scene became incomparably joyous.

The once arrogant and domineering delegation of the Xiongnu Royal Court.

This time, they came in kneeling...