Chapter 415 Seating
After the sacrificial ceremony ended, everyone began to take their seats.
Excluding members of the royal family, there were a total of 999 guests at this Double Ninth Festival banquet.
But the seating arrangement is very particular.
The first is the top seat, which is naturally dominated by Emperor Yongyuan.
In the Taiji Palace, Emperor Yongyuan and Queen Wu were on the left and at the top.
On both sides of them, there are nine positions on each side.
In other words, twenty of the most important seats are arranged in Tai Chi Palace.
In addition to Emperor Yongyuan and Empress Wu, the other eighteen people can be said to be the most powerful ministers in Daxing.
All the doors of Tai Chi Palace were removed in advance. Even if they were sitting in the palace, they could have an excellent view overlooking the entire banquet venue.
The ninety-nine tables in the banquet venue also have strict hierarchies.
The further to the front of the round table, the fewer people are seated, and the further to the back, the more people are seated.
But even if there were more people, it wouldn't be crowded, it would just be a round table full of people.
Li Xuan was on the roof of Tai Chi Palace, watching these people sit down one by one in an orderly manner, and he was filled with emotion.
"This man, wherever he goes, there is a distinction between superior and inferior."
"This has been the case since ancient times, and it is also the case in Daxing."
"It seems that the root of this is still in 'people'."
Li Xuan looked at the scenery below and couldn't help grinning, finding it interesting.
Princess Ankang and the other royal heirs were relatively close to the front, not far from Li Xuan.
But Li Xuan could only squint to see the rows of tables at the end of the venue.
Moreover, there were actually the most people sitting there.
But even so, there are no ordinary people who can step into this banquet venue.
Li Xuan saw that there were many children here, entering as family members.
The seats for family members are relatively far back, but they are also divided into three, six or nine classes.
After these people sat down elegantly, they began to chat with each other. If they did not know each other, they would warmly say hello and introduce them. This is called harmony and auspiciousness.
At the Double Ninth Festival banquet, Li Xuan estimated that there were more than a thousand people attending.
This was the first time that Li Xuan witnessed such a large-scale aristocratic social occasion.
He and Axiang ate snacks and watched the lively scene below.
With the end of the sacrificial ceremony, something to eat and drink was finally served, but it was not a full meal, just fruit snacks, tea and cakes to fill the stomach.
But these are special foods provided by the royal family. The nobles living in the palace are naturally accustomed to it, but it is a rare experience for these "nobles" outside the palace.
Fortunately, these foods are available in unlimited quantities today. As long as any type of food is missing on the table, the palace maid will replace it with a new plate, and there will never be an empty plate on the table.
Moreover, there were all dignitaries present, so they were very reserved when eating.
Even if he is obviously very hungry or really greedy, he still holds back and maintains the aristocratic elegance on his face.
Even the children didn't mess around. They had obviously been warned before coming here.
After all, if you were embarrassed on such an occasion, it would become news in the aristocratic circles of the capital the next day.
At this point, our Eighteenth Prince must study hard.
At this time, the royal heirs seemed to be much the same as usual. After all, the food and sights in front of them were not unfamiliar to them.
On the contrary, these guests are the most attractive to them.
Some were looking at the ministers at the front tables, and some were looking at the family members at the back tables.
Thoughts vary.
Li Xuan was looking at all of them, admiring this rare scene.
Only the song and dance performance that was going on in front of the stage was not appreciated by many people.
After the sacrificial ceremony, everyone sat down to relieve fatigue and fill their stomachs with snacks.
From this point of view, the process of this banquet is not completely inhumane.
At the same time, the tall altar was covered with a layer of yellow cloth, and many eunuchs in colorful clothes were busy underneath.
It seems that the altar will be dismantled and moved away, and a Cuju court and stands will be set up in this open space.
Li Xuan had already seen the construction materials piled aside.
Speaking of which, the Ministry of Internal Affairs is also very smart in its work. They have prepared these materials in advance and only need to be spliced on site.
The demolition work of the high platform was also carried out very quickly. After all, the colorful eunuchs working on it were all extraordinary warriors, and their speed and strength were far beyond ordinary people.
Looking at it this way, this human race's cultivation method is simply born to work.
"Your Majesty, there seems to be something special at today's Double Ninth Festival banquet?"
Li Xuan was on the roof and heard the movement in Tai Chi Palace.
"Oh? This voice is the silver-haired old man who presided over the sacrifice before?"
Through the voice, Li Xuan recognized his owner.
"It seems that this person has a high status. Not only can he preside over sacrificial ceremonies, but he can also sit in the Tai Chi Palace."
Li Xuan guessed the identity of this person.
Although the singing and dancing performances at the banquet were still going on, it did not prevent Li Xuan from hearing the movements in the palace.
Then, Emperor Yongyuan's voice sounded, and he chuckled twice, then replied:
"Haha, I just asked the princes and princesses to prepare some sideshows to prevent them from always sitting around in the palace with nothing to do."
"What, the emperor is interested?"
Hearing the title of Emperor Yongyuan, Li Xuan couldn't help but feel something in his heart.
"It can't be that Prince Zheng, right?"
At this time, other people's voices sounded in the hall:
"Haha, Your Majesty."
"Not to mention His Highness Prince Zheng, even we are curious."
"We have heard a lot about the Royal Garden Competition held by His Majesty this year. Previously, the Prince and Princess came out of the palace to investigate the case. Now it is also a well-known event in the capital."
"The stories of your highnesses have been spread among the people."
"Your Majesty has good intentions and allows you to go deep into the people and understand the people's sentiments. The people all praise you."
Li Xuan didn't expect that he would sit in the Tai Chi Palace. Even with such a high official position, he would still have to flatter him.
"It seems that some things are basic skills and must be practiced."
Li Xuan pricked up his ears and listened carefully to the conversation in Tai Chi Palace.
It's a rare opportunity for Daxing's big guys to gather together, and you can't go wrong by listening to their conversation.
But after listening for a while, Li Xuan couldn't help but frown.
In addition to blowing rainbow farts on each other, these people below are also blowing rainbow farts on each other.
Either he was saying that Emperor Yongyuan was wise or mighty, or he was praising Daxing's promising future.
In particular, Daxing is about to cross its first thousand years and become a thousand-year dynasty.
Everyone is praising Emperor Yongyuan, saying that he will definitely leave his name in history for this.
Emperor Yongyuan was polite. There were still twenty-five years left, and he might not be able to survive that year.
The people below naturally cheered him up one after another, saying that he was young and strong and had absolutely no problems.
All the heroes and dignitaries said it was a great honor to be able to cross this special year under the leadership of Emperor Yongyuan.
Li Xuan listened for a while and found that this matter seemed to be quite meaningful to them, and the topic always revolved around this point.
During this period, the eunuchs in colorful clothes had completed the dismantling of the altar, and the Cuju venue had basically taken shape.
"Meow, such efficiency!"
Li Xuan exclaimed.
At this time, the song and dance performance also came to an end. After sitting down for a while and eating snacks and tea, the guests also filled their stomachs a little.
"Hoho, it looks like there's going to be a Cuju competition."
The guests were talking a lot and began to look forward to it.
Compared with the previous sacrifices and singing and dancing, Cuju was obviously much more interesting, especially after they were no longer hungry, they were obviously more interested.
Especially the younger children were much more lively than before. After all, the first half of the banquet was still very boring.
Even the high-ranking officials sitting at the front tables no longer had a straight face, they sat upright and showed interest.
Cuju is a sport that most people here have played to some extent when they were children.
Some are even keen now.
In Taiji Palace, Emperor Yongyuan suddenly said:
"I remember that the emperor's uncle was also a good Cuju player back then. I wonder if he is still playing Cuju in recent years?"
"Why don't you take this opportunity to encourage the juniors who are competing today?"
According to King Zheng's seniority, Princess Ankang and others are the juniors of the grandchildren.
As a member of the royal family who is still active in the court, Prince Zheng has the highest seniority and status, so he has this qualification.
But when King Zheng heard this, he immediately stood up from his seat, bent down to salute, and politely declined:
"Your Majesty really thinks highly of my veteran minister."
"How can I still be able to play this young man's game at my old age?"
"Let's leave today's stadium to the real protagonists."
When Emperor Yongyuan saw King Zheng standing up, he quickly raised his hand and pressed it twice:
"Hey, uncle, sit down and talk, why should you be so formal?"
"My children don't have the opportunity to see the heroic appearance of the emperor's uncle. It's because they are not lucky."
Emperor Yongyuan spoke politely and had a kind smile on his face, making him look like the same person when he was alone in the Ganlu Hall.
Empress Wu sat aside, keeping a peaceful smile on her face. She didn't say a word except when necessary. She was extremely low-key.
Although Queen Wu looks low-key, no one in the Taiji Palace dares to underestimate her and the Wu family.
Nowadays, the most popular person in the court is the Wu family.
In particular, the promotion of the empress's ascension to the throne brought the Wu family to the forefront and attracted a lot of criticism.
But Queen Wu and the Wu family are still in peace so far, which shows their methods.
Emperor Yongyuan raised his eyes and found that the Cuju court had been prepared. He only had to wait for the stands to be set up before the Cuju competition could begin.
Taiji Palace is located on a higher ground, and there are long jade steps in front of the palace.
Therefore, even if Emperor Yongyuan and others were sitting in the Tai Chi Palace, they could have a clear view of the Cuju venue.
They will watch the game here later and will not go to the stands.
The stands are for guests.
"This scene is actually bigger than yesterday."
Li Xuan muttered silently on the roof, then turned to Axiang in the bamboo basket and meowed:
"Meow, woo? (Axiang, are you nervous?)"
Axiang didn't understand, so he just blinked and shook his head.
Don't tell me, it's quite cute.
A Xiang is indeed majestic and handsome when he is flying in the air and stretching his body.
But at this time, Axiang hid his body in the bamboo basket and only exposed his head, which was a bit cute.
And where the royal heirs were sitting, Princess Ankang couldn't help but feel a little nervous before the competition.
"Ankang, the first game is between you and Lao San, right?"
The fifth prince and others came over and asked.
Princess Ankang nodded.
"Lao San relies on his high level of cultivation, but the golf course is actually very rough. He is a wild man who can do miracles with great strength. Don't be afraid."
The fifth prince, who had lost to the third prince, commented like this.
"But you also remember to dodge Lao San's shots. Although he hasn't reached the air control realm yet, the skills he practices are disgusting and he can achieve a short-term attachment."
The fifth prince shared his experience. As he spoke, he looked around and secretly rolled up one of his trouser legs under the table.
The fifth prince's calves are extremely white, with smooth skin and not even a few hairs on his legs.
There is only a red mark the size of a fist on Duan Duan's leg. It can be seen that ointment has been applied on it, but it is still far from being healed.
"Wow, Brother Five Emperors, your legs are so white!"
Princess Yuanan exclaimed coldly.
The fifth prince's face turned red and he said angrily:
"Yuan An, don't make trouble. Is this the point?"
"That's the point!"
The fifth prince pointed at the burn marks on his legs.
"Be careful that Lao San attaches his true energy to the ball to attack. You can't tell by looking at the ball. You have to look at Lao San's movements. There are always signs of him mobilizing his true energy."
"If you get hit, it will be just like me yesterday. You won't be able to hold on for long."
Not to mention, the fifth prince's defeat experience is quite useful.
It can be seen that he actually played very seriously in yesterday's game.
Princess Ankang silently remembered the fifth prince's words in her heart, nodding her head like a chicken pecking at rice.
"Ankang, you have to work hard. You can't let that bastard, the third one, get the limelight in front of so many people."
The fifth prince was even more nervous than he was in the previous game. It seemed that the third prince would be more uncomfortable if he won than if he was killed.
Princess Ankang nodded obediently.
"With Ah Xuan here, the imperial sister will definitely win!"
Princess Yuanan said firmly.
The Seventh Princess lay on the table, sleeping in a daze, murmuring in her sleep to cheer Princess Ankang on.
Although no one heard clearly what the Seventh Princess said, let’s just say that.
At this time, Zhao Feng appeared on the Cuju court that had been set up, and then said loudly:
"Dear guests."
"Um???"
When Li Xuan heard this familiar opening statement on the roof, his tail almost turned into a question mark.
"Don't you have to say 'Dear Leader' first?"
"It seems that Old Zhaotou still has a lot to learn."
Li Xuan joked.
And Zhao Feng's voice then sounded in everyone's ears:
"Your Majesty has arranged three Cuju competitions as a sideshow for the Double Ninth Festival banquet today."
"The four contestants participating in the competition are His Royal Highness the First Prince, His Royal Highness the Third Prince, and His Highness the Eighth Prince..."
"And, Her Royal Highness the Thirteenth Princess!"
"Princess Thirteen!?"
As soon as Zhao Fengzi finished introducing the four contestants participating today, whispers began in the banquet venue.
Compared to the three previous Highnesses, many people did not know much about the Thirteenth Princess, so they were very curious.
And those who knew who the Thirteenth Princess was, reacted even more violently.
With eyes full of different emotions, he immediately turned to where the royal heirs were sitting, looking for Princess Ankang.
And a few eyes quickly locked on Princess Ankang.
"That is……"
"Concubine Xiao's child!?"