State Banquet, Undercurrents

After passing through the Gate of Supreme Harmony, they arrived at the yard in front of the throne room.

It was different from the usual solemn atmosphere. Today, the drums in the yard were playing. There were about 300 tea-tables placed on both sides of the main road. Right behind the tables were cushions for the guests to sit on.

30 steps behind the tea table were 300 palace guards. All of them had their hands on their swords and their backs were straight.

In front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, there was a long table facing the gate. The empress was sitting behind the table, wearing a black robe embroidered with golden dragons and a nine-dragon crown on her head. She looked around with supreme dignity.

On the right side of the long table, there was a mahogany table. Its position and height were all equal to the long table. This meant that the status of the person at this table was not inferior to the current emperor!