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墨書 Inktalez
Outside the imperial city, exquisite carriages moved slowly along the road. Yang Yichen, as a Fifth Rank official, could bring his family along, but since he was not yet married, he was alone.
At the palace gate, officials' families had to disembark from their carriages and walk inside, as the carriages were not allowed to pass through.
The women were dressed in luxurious garments, adorned like flowers, and although the weather was cool, it was not yet cold; the young girls were dressed quite lightly.
Their hair accessories sparkled with gold, each competing to outshine the others, filled with ambition to stand out at the banquet.
Years of experience indicated that this was not merely a banquet; it was also an occasion for young gentlemen and ladies to forge romantic connections. The ladies showcased their best postures to attract the attention of potential suitors.
If it were any other time or occasion for performance, they might be seen as noble ladies acting like performers seeking attention. However, such banquets were viewed differently.
In fact, it was a customary practice among the elite.
Today, all officials of the Western Moon Kingdom ranked Fifth Rank and above were summoned to attend, except for those bedridden and unable to rise. They represented the backbone of the court.
As a result, there were more than double the usual guards arranged within the palace to ensure the safety of the officials and their families.
Yang Yichen stepped down from his carriage and walked forward alone. After taking just a few steps, he heard someone calling from behind him: "Lord Yang, please wait."
Turning towards the source of the voice, he saw a young man in his twenties approaching quickly.
This young man was named Ning Hong, twenty-two years old and the younger brother of Ning Ze. Unlike Ning Ze, who followed in the martial tradition of the Ning Family, Ning Hong had a mind full of creative ideas and enjoyed designing peculiar inventions.
Fortunately, the Ning Family was relatively democratic; younger members could choose their paths based on their interests. He had found his strengths in a suitable field and at just twenty-two years old was already serving in the Ministry of Works as a Fifth-Rank Medical Officer.
He held the same rank as Yang Yichen but worked in a different department; he oversaw agriculture and water conservancy while Yang Yichen managed weapons and military supplies.
Both of them are young officials from the Ministry of Works, unlike the older generation who are rigid and like to show off their authority; they are full of energy and drive.
Ning Hong is a very focused person. If he has an idea in his mind, he must try it out himself and implement it immediately. When Yang Yichen first joined the job, he was completely absorbed in his work, oblivious to the outside world.
As a result, he was unaware of the difficulties and cold remarks directed at him until he later discovered this young man by chance.
After communicating, they found many commonalities and shared views on various issues. Male friendship is that simple; they quickly became good friends.
Perhaps it was due to their shared interests and perspectives.
Hearing this, Yang Yichen stepped forward and clasped his hands together: "So it's Lord Ning. Why are you here alone?"
Yang Yichen felt a bit puzzled. Compared to him, a farmer, the Ning family is large and prosperous, one of the prominent families in the capital. Surely there would be many people attending the banquet today.
Unexpectedly, Ning Hong waved his hand, slightly impatient: "You don't know. The women in my family are all a hassle; I don't have time to deal with them, so I came alone."
Although according to rank he could sit near the front with his grandfather, closer to the emperor, that would undoubtedly be uncomfortable.
It’s better for him to sit with his colleagues from the Ministry of Works for a more relaxed experience.
"Let's go in together."
As they entered the palace, instead of taking the usual path towards the Golden Throne Hall, they took a route on the west side leading into the inner palace.
Compared to the vastness in front of the Golden Throne Hall, the roads on either side had their own charm. The cypress trees, symbolizing longevity and enduring national fortune, were evenly distributed along the path. Evergreens stood like the most loyal guardians throughout the seasons.
Wherever one goes, officials and their families are everywhere. Even if they are not familiar with each other or do not belong to the same faction, the formalities must be observed.
Among the many who entered the palace, Yang Yichen, with the lowest status, left a good impression on the palace attendants with his humble demeanor and courtesy.
The main path is flanked by side paths, and the vast imperial palace is divided into numerous palaces. The Imperial Garden is surrounded by these palaces and is located relatively close to the center of the palace.
In the middle of the Imperial Garden, there is a Pavilion and a stage for the emperor or consorts to enjoy leisure activities.
The annual banquets held in the palace take place here.
By the time they reached their destination, the banquet had already been set up. The palace maids were orderly arranging desserts and drinks, while officials were seated according to their ranks.
Yang Yichen sat at the end of the table, which was fine with him as he preferred peace and quiet.
He aimed to give Dugu Han the impression that he was not tied to any faction, presenting himself as someone who remained untainted amidst the political murkiness, wholly devoted to serving the emperor.
Only in this way could he leave a good impression in the emperor's mind and earn his trust.
Thus, he would not align himself with any faction; on the surface, he maintained only casual acquaintances.
This is how politics works: if you choose a side, you must choose wisely; otherwise, you risk disaster. Alternatively, remaining neutral means you gain nothing from the dragon's achievements.
Beside him were other officials of similar rank from different departments.
At this moment, as the emperor had not yet arrived, they chatted among themselves, sharing insights or exchanging compliments.
The officials were merely engaging in superficial pleasantries.
The banquet was divided into two parts; on one side where Yang Yichen was seated, there were only men, while on the other side sat the families of various officials.
One lady remarked to another beside her, "Madam Wang, it has been a while since we last met. Your daughter has become even more beautiful."
"Oh, not at all! Mrs. Lin, you flatter me. Your eldest daughter is truly stunning," came the reply.
These Sister Madams exchanged compliments, secretly competing with each other, determined to overshadow one another and become the highlight of the event.
Among these individuals mingling in the official circles, their words were laden with hidden meanings, and one careless slip could leave them vulnerable to being taken advantage of.
As time passed, the light began to fade. The palace lanterns around the Imperial Garden were gradually lit, illuminating the darkness. The red glow added a festive atmosphere.
It was the Mid-Autumn Festival, a time for family reunions.
In the afternoon at Liu Qingxi's home, after days of busy preparations, various types of mooncakes had been made—plum blossom shaped and round ones adorned with lace.
"Qingxi, since we've just arrived here, we should build good relationships with our neighbors. You should take some mooncakes to them," suggested the Wen Family, who were quite adept at social interactions.
Moments later, Liu Qingxi set out with Summer Lotus, each carrying a basket as they left the house.
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