Translated by: La0o9
Edited by: Juicetin
Proofreader:? Arya
This outpost wasnât too far away from the oasis.
Gu Qing Shan chatted with the ceremonial officer while going on their way, quickly seeing the gigantic palace villa in the oasis.
âOur palace is currently in the process of preparing your welcoming banquet, after you greet His Majesty, you can come with us to pick out some ceremonial clothes, now please come with meâ the ceremonial officer said.
âThen Iâll trouble youâ Gu Qing Shan smiled and replied.
The oasis palace.
His Majesty the Emperor were discussing something in the conference room with 7-8 of his officials.
The ceremonial officer brought Gu Qing Shan over.
âGreetings your Majestyâ Gu Qing Shan bowed.
âHm, you look more spirited every time I see you, young manâ the Emperor evaluated him and smiled: âThe banquet is about to begin, go change your clothes and head straight to the banquet hallâ
Two maids came up and bowed to greet Gu Qing Shan and spoke softly: âPlease follow usâ
Gu Qing Shan is the one who needs a favor, not to mention being in front of so many people, itâs not exactly convenient for him to get into the subject, plus the Emperorâs hospitality isnât something he can just refuse, so he had no choice but to leave to change clothes.
A total of 15 sets of high-society banquet clothes were prepared for Gu Qing Shan.
After choosing one of them, Gu Qing Shan was helped by the two maids.
Two other maids came with a long mirror that touched the ground, reflecting Gu Qing Shan from top to bottom.
His brows were sharp as blades while his eyes contained a sense of distance.
Wearing such a neat outfit, he was also emitting a special presence.
âThank you allâ Gu Qing Shan said.
The maids looked at his reflection, blushed while giggling: âAs expected of you sir, your presence is unrivalledâ
Gu Qing Shan returned a smile and casually asked: âWhy didnât I see your Empress?â
A very normal conversational ice-breaker.
Someone instantly replied: âThe Empress had only just woken up; sheâs currently doing her makeupâ
The dressing room went silent for a second.
Gu Qing Shan evaluated himself in the mirror and asked: âIâve already changed clothes, should I change my shoes as well?â
The maids sighed from relief.
âThere will be a dance later on, so your shoes must also be changed, please wait a moment sirâ two maids went to get a pair of shoes for him.
âThank you. Personally, I like black, brown and dark blue shoesâ Gu Qing Shan said.
The maids exchanged glances.
Seems like His Majestyâs esteemed guest is very particular about his shoes.
If thatâs the case, they should prepare a few more new shoes for the guest to choose from.
âPlease wait here for a bit, we will go get them for youâ one of the maids said.
âVery well, no hurryâ
Gu Qing Shan smiled and sat down comfortably on the sofa.
The maids curtsied and left.
Gu Qing Shan raised a cup of tea that was prepared, took a sip and silently thought about a very minor detail at the end.
The Emperor isnât a friendly person.
Perhaps in some occasions, the Emperor will show a smile or laugh, but he wonât keep up such a smile for long.
His heart is cold.
He is known to have never been pleased by anyone, and definitely will not act to please someone else.
But today, heâs been smiling a lot.
The other thing to mention is that he didnât see the Empress.
They said the Empress had just woken up and is currently doing her makeup.
The night banquet is already about to begin and the Empress had only just got out of bed, why is that?
The maids returned.
Gu Qing Shan put down the cup of tea and smiled.
With the help of the maids, he chose out one of the shoes and wore it outside.
âWhen will the banquet begin?â he asked.
The maids answered: âWhen you arrive at the banquet hall sirâ
The girls surrounded and escorted Gu Qing Shan out.
The banquet hall gate opened.
Gu Qing Shan walked in.
The Emperor was sitting on his throne, gestured to the ceremonial officer as he saw this.
The ceremonial officer gave the cue.
Music began to play.
The dancers began their alluring dance.
A blond girl began to sing with her golden voice.
The animals began their performance.
A fire eater.
The circus.
A comedy routine.
The groups of officials began their lavish feast.
This type of chaotic banquet has always been the Fuxi Emperorâs personal style.
Because these are all the things he enjoys.
He likes having all the things he enjoys the most put in his sight at the same time.
Everyone surrounded the Fuxi Emperor, showering him with praises and compliments.
Although this type of rowdy, chaotic banquet was just like a marketplace, the festive air was exactly as expected.
Gu Qing Shan was led in front of the Emperor.
The Emperor pushed the groups of officials around him away to evaluate Gu Qing Shan.
âLook at you, what a handsome young man, if Anna didnât already act first, I wouldâve gladly given you one of my princessesâ the Emperor teased him.
Everyone broke into laughter.
Gu Qing Shan took a shot glass from the tray next to him.
âA toast to His Majesty, to thank you for todayâs lavish receptionâ
They raised the glass to the Emperor and downed it all in one gulp.
Hearing that, the Fuxi Emperor also raised his own glass and took a sip.
âNo need to feel restrained, you can do as you like here, hereâs to a good eveningâ the Emperor smiled back.
âThis time I came here because I have some official business to negotiate with youâ Gu Qing Shan was about to get straight to the point.
The Emperor waved his hand: âNo need to rush, letâs just enjoy this wonderful evening, we can talk about the rest in the morningâ
Gu Qing Shan could only push his matter back.
But he was a bit confused.
The Fuxi Emperor has always been a practical person, if thereâs official business to take care of, he would always prioritize it first.
But now isnât the time to think about that.
Under the scrutinizing eyes of everyone, Gu Qing Shan took another shot glass and smiled: âThen I can only do as Your Majesty saysâ
âThis is a toast to His Majesty, to the prosperity of the Empire, wishing that all its citizens enjoy dignity and freedomâ
Gu Qing Shan downed it all in one gulp again.
The Fuxi Emperorâs smile became even brighter, clapped his hand and praised: âVery well!â
He then downed his own glass in one gulp.
Gu Qing Shan glanced at him, feeling a deep sense of unease.
The Fuxi Emperor has always wanted the stable advancement of the Empire, but he hates the concept of âfreedomâ the most.
During the Emperorâs visit to the Confederate for the conference, he even refused to stay at the Freedom Hotel and instead used tents in the International Conference Centerâs courtyard as a place to stay.
âFreedomâ is a word that he hates that much.
And I purposefully said that just now.
But the Fuxi Emperor still happily drank without minding it at all.
Whatâs going on?
âGo and eat something, then have a dance, I bet after this, many ladies and young ladies will have their eyes set on youâ the Emperor spoke.
Gu Qing Shan maintained his smile and was about to back down when graceful and luxuriously mature women came into the banquet hall.
An intricate tiara was on her head.
Everyone cleared the way for her while bowing to greet her.
The Fuxi Empress has arrived.
âVarona is here, just in time for you to meet herâ the Emperor said.
The Empressâ name is Varona, a member of the Holy Empireâs Royal family, the Medici clan, as well as the birth sister of the Holy Empireâs previous King, Annaâs aunt.
âYoung scientist Gu, we meet againâ the Empress smiled.
She extended her hand forward.
The Holy Empireâs hand kissing etiquette.
This was the Fuxi Empire, so it wasnât quite appropriate to show etiquette from the Holy Empire, but since she was originally a royalty from the Holy Empire, no one could say anything to that.
Gu Qing Shan received the Empressâ hand and performed the kiss in perfect etiquette.
âSince we last met, Your Majesty the Empress has become much more dazzlingâ Gu Qing Shan said.
He noticed the dark circles under her eyes that not even thick makeup could cover up entirely.