Chapter 251: Holy Daughter of the Southern Domain

After returning to the palace, Xiao Yang became busy.

Memorials from all over the country poured into the Capital City, and the annual year-end reports from officials began.

She met with regional officials, listened to their opinions, managed disasters both large and small, and reviewed official assessments.

These were all trivial matters. Even if Xiao Yang didn’t have to handle them personally, she still needed to be aware of them. While she might be a figurehead, she also had to make the final decisions, ensuring the reins of government remained firmly in her grasp.

In mid-October, various nations had already submitted their National Letters, announcing their intent to come and pay tribute.

After receiving the Empress’s approval, the envoys from each nation began to arrive one after another in mid-November.

It was always the same few nations, and the envoys were all familiar faces.

Now that Da Wei was growing increasingly powerful, they didn’t dare cause any trouble. They each prepared their gifts and came with the utmost courtesy.

In truth, they didn’t really want to come. But the Emperor of Da Wei had created so many novel things. Their spies, who were supposed to be gathering intelligence, ended up sending back no useful information at all. Instead, their reports only served to pique the curiosity of their own monarchs.

If not for fear of death, their rulers would probably have been itching to come visit Da Wei and see for themselves.

And so, these envoys had no choice but to make the trip again. Relying on their thick skins and familiar faces, they hoped to find a way to get their hands on a bicycle, a tricycle, or any of the other novelties to bring back home.

Since they were there to ask for favors, the gifts they brought were far more precious than in previous years. Even in the dead of winter, they had managed to bring quite a few live animals.

Ten peacocks, five snow wolves, two elephants, four bear cubs, one lion, two tigers, two parrots...

"ROAR! ROAR!"

"CHIRP! CHIRP!"

In the vast, open square stood hundreds of cages, all filled with live animals.

The sounds of the beasts rose and fell in waves, and the gasps of the surrounding crowd never ceased.

To Xiao Yang, these animals were nothing special; she had seen them all in zoos. But in this world with its underdeveloped transportation, only Imperial Power could gather so many creatures from all corners of the land.

Mu Yunlian said, "There is a Palace in the eastern part of the city. Its natural layout would be perfect for building a menagerie."

A Royal Family-style zoo.

Xiao Yang nodded. "Alright. Draw up some designs. Make it large, exquisite, and beautiful. We’ll charge admission—and set the price high."

’Isn’t this a perfect way to make money?’

With a collection of rare treasures from all over the world and a high ticket price, who wouldn’t want to go inside and broaden their horizons?

If we also create some exclusive merchandise, anyone who visits and brings some back will gain an incredible amount of prestige.

When it came to making money, Mu Yunlian and Xiao Yang were on the exact same wavelength. Without needing to say much, they exchanged a look, and everything was understood.

While everyone’s attention was captivated by the various animals, Mu Yunlian secretly took Xiao Yang’s hand.

"Your Majesty, the envoy from the Southern Domain is named Yin Tianqi. He is the biological younger brother of the Southern Domain Monarch. I have business dealings with him in the Southern Domain, and we are on fairly good terms."

Xiao Yang hummed in acknowledgment. "And?"

Mu Yunlian continued, "He is not a man of deep schemes. His personality is rather impulsive, and he often speaks without thinking. If he mentions the past and says something inappropriate, I ask for Your Majesty’s permission to offer an explanation."

Xiao Yang raised an eyebrow. "Listening to you, it sounds like you two have quite the colorful past."

Mu Yunlian said, "Not colorful, exactly. I just don’t want anyone to tarnish the image you have of me."

Mu Yunlian and Yin Tianqi did indeed have a certain friendship, to the point of being close confidants. Knowing Yin Tianqi was coming, he had even sent someone to make contact with him. He had even had the Ministry of Rites specially arrange his accommodations.

He didn’t think his past in the Southern Domain was anything shameful, but he knew Yin Tianqi’s personality all too well, so he had to be especially cautious.

However, as it turned out, when someone is dead set on stirring up trouble, there’s no stopping them.

Yin Tianqi was twenty-five years old, with a slender build and a handsome face. He was dressed in the embroidered, ink-blue attire of the Southern Domain, adorned with so many silver ornaments that he clinked and clanked as he walked. Although it looked excessively ornate, no one would mistake him for a woman. It was a style with a very distinct regional character.

He led the other envoys, a brilliant smile on his face, and walked before Xiao Yang. Bowing, he saluted, "I have the honor of meeting the Empress. I have long admired Your Majesty’s great name and have come to pay my respects on my king’s command."

Xiao Yang nodded. "You may rise. It has been a long journey. Please, be seated."

Yin Tianqi bowed once more before walking to his seat at the side. The envoys from the other nations then came forward one by one to pay their respects.

When she had a free moment, Xiao Yang spared Yin Tianqi another glance. He seemed normal enough, but one couldn’t judge a person by appearances alone.

「At dusk」

The banquet began with the Ministry of Rites reading a congratulatory address to welcome the envoys from all nations. Afterward, Xiao Yang said a few conventional words, and the feast commenced.

Fine wine and delicacies were served, music and dance began, and all raised their glasses in a toast.

Most were not well-acquainted and had little to say, so they all spoke in official platitudes. They praised the Empress’s magnificent beauty, lauded Da Wei’s power and prosperity, and casually expressed curiosity about its novel contraptions. They would then tactfully mention how their own kings coveted these items and hoped to get one or two to take back and marvel at.

It was clear that no one wanted to provoke this young yet ruthless Empress, so they spoke with a great deal of tact and observed proper boundaries.

Xiao Yang, for her part, didn’t mind indulging their small requests.

She instructed the Ministry of Industry to customize a special bicycle for each nation according to its unique characteristics, encrusting them with gems and gold to serve as return gifts.

And so, the bicycle achieved the status of a national gift.

Just as the banquet was proceeding harmoniously, Yin Tianqi spoke up. "The Empress possesses all under heaven and is in good health, but there is one matter that is less than perfect."

Xiao Yang did not reply, merely sweeping her gaze toward him.

Yin Tianqi smiled. "I hear that Your Majesty is not yet married. I wonder what kind of brilliant young man would be worthy of Your Majesty?"

Hearing this, one might think he was harboring some ulterior motive and intended to recommend himself.

Mu Yunlian’s gaze, laced with a silent warning, fell upon Yin Tianqi. "That is Her Majesty’s private affair. The Young Prince is overstepping."

It was unclear what conclusions Yin Tianqi had drawn in his own head, but he gave Mu Yunlian a suggestive smile. "Very well, it was improper of me. Therefore, I have specially prepared a dance in the hope of pleasing Your Majesty."

All eyes turned to the Empress, awaiting her command. It was only when Xiao Yang raised a hand that Lin Yi flicked his horsetail whisk and announced, "Permission granted."

A folding screen painted with a hundred blooming flowers was pulled aside, revealing five graceful women in the center. Dressed in multi-colored brocade, they were adorned to look like peacocks.

Four colorful peacocks danced around a single white peacock in the middle.

It had to be said, the dance was indeed novel and beautiful. The white peacock in the center was especially stunning, practically glowing with beauty, and instantly captured everyone’s attention.

When the dance ended, the music seemed to linger in the air, leaving the audience wanting more.

The four colorfully-dressed women bowed and retreated, but the white peacock did not leave. Instead, she slowly removed her veil.

She was smiling, about to speak, when Mu Yunlian’s cold voice cut through the air. "The list of envoys from the Southern Domain made no mention of the Holy Daughter’s attendance!"

Everyone could hear the displeasure in Mu Yunlian’s tone. The woman, however, simply gave a charming smile and curtsied slightly to the Empress. "Qi Yue, Holy Daughter of the Southern Domain Witch Clan, pays her respects to the Empress."