Supreme Golden Palace

Chapter 139 Nobles
Lu Shang tapped the rim of the wine cup with his fingers and suddenly felt a coolness on the glaze. When he looked up, he saw Han Jin staring at the shimmering water.

He pondered for a moment, then said slowly, “Brother Han, I haven’t heard your ‘Qing Yue’ for a long time. Tonight, the breeze is cool in the waterside pavilion, just right to play a tune to accompany the wine.”

Han Jin was taken aback, his fingers unconsciously stroking the jade flute at his waist, and he smiled and said, "Alright, since Brother Lü likes my flute music and enjoys using it with wine, Han Jin will certainly keep you company."

As he spoke, Han Jin had already taken off his jade flute and gently tapped the bamboo joint with his knuckles. The clear and melodious sound spread across the water, startling several koi carp into swishing their tails.

In response to the sound of the flute, Lü Shang leaned back slightly, poured half a cup of fine wine into his mouth, and the wine left a lingering aftertaste.

At the same time, the sound of the flute echoed through the waterside pavilion, as if carrying the mellowing stream of a spring night. It was clear and melodious, yet lively. The startled koi carp, disturbed by the sound waves, swayed their bright red tail fins in twos and threes, shattering the moonlight reflected on the water's surface.

"Wonderful!"

Lü Shang clapped his hands and sighed. On a whim, he picked up the bronze wine vessel from the table and lightly tapped the earthenware wine jar with the tip of the blade, the thumping sound mingling with the sound of the flute.

when!
Seeing Lü Shang respond with a strike, Han Jin's eyes lit up, and he played with even more passion. The sound of the flute rose accordingly, like a mountain stream converging into a river, surging forward.

At this point, Lü Shang's intoxication intensified, and the rhythm of his tapping on the jar became increasingly casual, sometimes rapid, sometimes slow, which resonated with the beat of Han Jin's flute playing.

Finally, Lü Shang declared in a clear voice, "Today's music is clear, ethereal, exquisite, and truly wonderful."

Han Jin responded with a slight smile, her fingertips moving nimbly, the sound of her flute infused with a touch of gentle melodies, like spring flowers quietly blooming, fragrant and delightful.

As the music ended, Han Jin slowly put down her jade flute. Her hair was slightly disheveled by the night wind, but her face showed no sign of joy.

Lü Shang downed the wine in his cup in one gulp and laughed, "That was refreshing!"

"That felt so good!!"

Lü Shang and Han Jin raised their cups, drank heartily, and then looked at each other and laughed.

The next morning, as dawn broke, pale golden sunlight streamed through the carved window lattice and fell upon Lü Shang's bed.

The copper bells on the eaves jingled softly in the breeze, waking him from his slumber.

Lu Shang rubbed his sleepy eyes. The scene of drinking and singing with Han Jin last night was still vivid in his mind. Although he felt great, he also felt a bit lazy after a hangover.

The servants of the Han family were already waiting outside the door. When they saw Lü Shang get up, they immediately brought him water to wash up.

After washing up, Lü Shang bid farewell to Han Jin and hurriedly returned to the Duke of Qi's mansion.

Upon returning to the mansion, the steward Lü Quan had been waiting for him for some time, holding his court robes.

As Lü Quan helped Lü Shang get dressed, he whispered, "Your Highness, it's almost dawn. You must set off as soon as possible, lest you miss the investiture ceremony."

"Okay, I'll be going now."

Lü Shang nodded, his gaze falling on his reflection in the bronze mirror, dressed in court robes, his expression cold and stern.

The scarlet fabric of his court robes draped down, the gold-embroidered qilin pattern gleaming faintly in the mirror. Lü Shang's fingers traced the fish-shaped tally at his waist.
The steward, Lü Quan, said softly, "Young Master, the imperial carriage is already waiting at the main gate."

"Would you like some hangover soup?" Lü Quan took out a plain handkerchief from his sleeve and silently handed it to Lü Shang.

"Need not,"

After receiving the handkerchief, Lü Shang went straight out of the mansion and got into the carriage.

Upon receiving the order, the coachman gave a whistle, and the carriage rolled over the bluestone slabs, making a constant jolt.

As the carriage drove out of the Duke of Qi's mansion, the morning mist had not yet dissipated, lingering in wisps around the street corners and alleyways.

As the carriage drew closer to the palace, its majestic outline came into view. The vermilion gate of the palace's main entrance was faintly visible in the morning mist, and many noble carriages had already gathered before it. When Lü Shang alighted from the carriage, Zuo Tiancheng, Xin Yongfeng, and others were chatting and laughing.

As soon as Lü Shang stepped out of the carriage, the crisp sound of his shoes hitting the bluestone slabs immediately attracted the attention of Zuo Tiancheng, Xin Yongfeng, and the others.

"General,"

Apart from Zuo Tiancheng, generals such as Xin Yongfeng, Shang Silang, and Wei Cheng both respected and feared Lü Shang. Upon seeing Lü Shang, they all bowed and paid their respects.

Zuo Tiancheng raised his hand in a perfunctory salute, his smile carrying a hint of familiarity, and said, "General, you've arrived rather late." He was extremely tall, his black court robe embroidered with silver thread depicting waves, and the jade pendant at his waist jingled softly with his movements.
Lu Shang raised his hand to adjust his crown and said with a faint smile, "I had a pleasant gathering with old friends last night and drank a few too many cups, so I'm late."

As soon as he finished speaking, the deep, resonant tolling of a palace bell came from afar. The long, drawn-out sound seemed to pierce through the morning mist, startling a few white doves under the eaves.

"The time has come, let's go in."

Lü Shang was the first to lift his foot, the sole of his boot slamming heavily onto the bluestone slab, making a clear sound.

The crowd followed, their clothes fluttering and their metal accessories making a soft, clinking sound.

After the palace bell tolled nine times, the vermilion gate creaked open to both sides, and the gilded bronze nails reflected tiny specks of light in the morning light.

Lu Shang stepped across the threshold in his black boots, the qilin pattern on his robe fluttering with each step, the gold embroidery thread flickering in the shadows of the pillars.

The hall was already filled with civil and military officials, their jade tablets standing like a forest. Lü Shang, Zuo Tiancheng, and other meritorious generals walked to the ranks of the military officers.

"Lu Shang, the vanguard of the Northern Expedition!"

The eunuch's shrill voice pierced the silence. Lü Shang straightened his hat and stood solemnly, stepping over the bronze candlesticks in front of the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers. The candlelight cast a deep shadow between his brows.

On the steps of the palace, Emperor Yang Jian, dressed in black robes and crimson skirts, sat upright on a nine-dragon gold-lacquered chair, with twelve jade tassels hanging down from his crown, obscuring half of his face.

"I have heard that your campaign against the Turks in the north has been a series of victories, enhancing the prestige of our nation,"

The emperor raised his hand, and an official beside him stepped forward carrying a vermilion lacquered tray. The gold book and jade seal on the tray gleamed coldly in the candlelight.

"I hereby appoint you as Grand General and Duke of Lu, with a fief of one thousand households. I hope you will never forget the Emperor's boundless grace and my reliance on you."

As Lü Shang was being conferred his title, Zuo Tiancheng had already taken a half-step forward, and the silver sea wave pattern on his black court robe rippled with his movement.

As he looked up, the jade pendant lightly tapped against the buckle of his belt, the clear sound mingling with the dripping of the water clock at the corner of the palace, exceptionally clear in the stillness.

"General Zuo Tiancheng, the Vanguard General of the Northern Expedition,"

After Lü Shang received his title, the eunuch, with a long, drawn-out voice, and the eunuch holding the golden book beside him, turned and walked to the left.

"He adapted to the changing situation in battle and achieved meritorious service in defeating the enemy, thus earning a second-class merit."

The emperor's crown tassels drooped slightly, and twelve jade beads shimmered with tiny specks of light. He said, "Promote him to the rank of Grand Master of the Palace and Grand Master of the Three Departments, and bestow upon him the title of Marquis of Pingyang County, with a fief of eight hundred households."

"Your Majesty, I kowtow to express my gratitude for Your Majesty's grace," Zuo Tiancheng said, placing his palm on the blue bricks and bowing deeply.

"Vanguard Lieutenant Shin Yongfeng,"

The Grand Attendant announced again, and among the ranks of military officers in the palace, Xin Yongfeng stepped forward half a step.

"He beheaded five generals, was granted the title of Grand General of the Palace Attendants, bestowed the title of Earl of Guangwu, and a fief of five hundred households."

When Xin Yongfeng received the printing press, his Adam's apple bobbed, and his fingertips rubbed the edge of the gold book.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Lü Shang standing below the steps, his court robes with unicorn patterns gleaming in the candlelight, and the silk ribbons hanging from his waist moving undulating without wind.

"Wei Cheng and Shang Silang have distinguished themselves in breaking through the enemy lines,"

The Grand Attendant spoke in a slightly lower voice, and the silver book held by the eunuch had simpler engravings.

"He who charges first into battle will be granted the title of Grand Master of the Three Excellencies, and each will be granted the title of Baron within the Passes, with a fief of three hundred households."

"Your subject kowtows in gratitude for the Emperor's grace,"

The two bowed their heads simultaneously as they received the seal.

After the bestowal of titles and rewards, the sound of jade tablets striking each other echoed throughout the hall, and all the officials exclaimed that the emperor was wise and sagacious.

(End of this chapter)