Chapter 1996: The Pavilion of Petal and Sepal! (1/2)

Edited by: Michyrr

Wang Chong slightly trembled, but he quickly got ahold of himself and grunted, sitting up straight.

But Wang Chong failed to notice that Xu Qiqin was pensively staring at his face, a ripple in her eyes.

Xu Qiqin was able to sense that Wang Chong had far too many worries on his mind, far too many burdens on his shoulders. At times, she truly wished that Wang Chong could live like an ordinary person, that the two of them could be like ordinary people, participating in this wonderful holiday to watch the fireworks and appreciate the scenery. But Xu Qiqin knew that this was all impossible.

This empire needed Wang Chong too much. If he fell, the weight would be too much for the empire and its people. It was only because he was here that the people outside could enjoy the celebration without worries.

Although she was occasionally reluctant, when she thought about it, she realized that it was this sort of Wang Chong, the Wang Chong who placed the concerns of the realm above his own, that was the Wang Chong she adored.

As she thought about this, an enchanting smile slowly formed on her lips.

But she quickly shook out of her stupor and sat together with Wang Chong as the carriage drove toward the palace gates.

The carriage took them all the way up to the golden palace walls.

”Your Highness!”

The guards immediately recognized Wang Chong's carriage and bowed their heads.

There was no one in the Imperial Army who did not know Wang Chong.

All of the foreign emissaries and major officials taking part in tonight's feast could only ride their carriages up to here. Wang Chong took Xu Qiqin's hand, pushed open the carriage door, and walked out.

Two men had been waiting for some time outside.

”Wang Chong, you're finally here!”

King Song and Zhangchou Jianqiong, one dressed in imperial robes and the other in the robes of the Minister of War, stood side by side like two mountains. The moment Wang Chong came out, the two of them noticed the fairy-like Xu Qiqin at his side and teased, ”So Lady Xu was with you! No wonder you kept us waiting!”

Wang Chong smiled and quickly said, ”I've kept Milords waiting. Is everything ready?”

”Mm!”

The two turned stern as the conversation turned to more serious matters.

”Although I don't know what big thing you're planning tonight, Lord Zhangchou and I will do everything we can to assist you. The experts of my estate have already been scattered around and are waiting for my order.”

”No matter what you plan on doing, just like King Song, I give you my full support, and I don't need an explanation from you on this night. I've already given my orders to the Bureau of Military Personnel. All the soldiers under its command are at your beck and call, including the soldiers that were on parade a few days ago,” Zhangchou Jianqiong said.

With the fall of King Qi, Zhangchou Jianqiong ruled the Bureau of Military Personnel without opposition. When he gave the word, all of the hundreds of thousands of soldiers under the command of this office were Wang Chong's to mobilize.

It was a simply unimaginable level of authority.

Wang Chong nodded and sternly said, ”Many thanks!”

Wang Chong had not given any details on what he planned to do tonight, but King Song and Zhangchou Jianqiong had not even asked.

On the night of the feast of all countries, the movement of any soldiers could easily attract attention and accusations of rebellion.

But these two were confident that Wang Chong would never have this problem.

Bong!

As they conversed, a crisp bell rang out from the Imperial Palace. All of them stopped and turned.

”This is the second bell. The feast has already begun. Let's go in,” King Song said.

For tonight's feast, the bell would ring thrice. All of the officials taking part had to enter the palace for the feast before the third strike of the bell. Afterwards, the gates would close to newcomers, only allowing people to leave.

Wang Chong nodded, and the four of them went through the gates.

Past the gates, rows of eunuchs were respectfully waiting in welcome. Several of the older eunuchs became nervous upon seeing Wang Chong's group and rebuked the minor eunuchs into standing aside. They bowed and swiftly came up to welcome him.

”Your Highnesses, Milord, Milady, please come this way. We lowly slaves have your seats ready!”

With four graying eunuchs leading the way, Wang Chong's group headed toward the Pavilion of Petal and Sepal.

The Pavilion of Petal and Sepal, the number one pavilion of the Great Tang!

The name was taken from a line in the Classic of Poetry: 'Do not the petals and sepals of the cherry tree shine splendidly together?' It was the place used by the Great Tang for large-scale celebrations.

(TN: In the 'Classic of Poetry', the line is followed by 'Of all the people in the world, none are equal to brothers'. The stanza compares the relationship of the petal and sepal to that of brothers, each exemplifying the brilliance of the other. The pavilion was built by Emperor Xuanzong for the sake of his brothers, hence the name.)