The Great Qin Dynasty: The egg of the Black Bird was revered as a national guardian beast.

today,

The First Emperor did not attend to state affairs as usual.

After spending some time with Xuan Ye, he relayed an order to the people guarding outside.

"Tonight, a banquet will be held at the royal garden."

Although we do not know what the First Emperor was thinking, the order had been issued and we could only obey his will.

Once the banquet begins, the palace becomes crowded with people.

The Commandant of the Guards, who is in charge of the defense of Xianyang and the royal palace, and the Chief of the Palace Guards, who is in charge of the palace guards, are going to be very busy tonight.

Before long, the document carrying the First Emperor's order arrived in the hands of the current Commandant of the Guards, Commandant Jie.

He frowned as he looked at the document in his hand.

A man stood before him, the guard who had delivered the document to him.

"In these turbulent times, why hold a banquet now?"

The Imperial Guard Commandant held the document in his hand.

He raised his head and looked at the guard.

Rumors are now rampant in Xianyang, saying things like the Mandate of Heaven is not right, the ruler has lost his virtue, and the Qin dynasty is in danger.

He didn't know what the First Emperor was thinking.

A banquet was held at the palace during this period.

Even with their rigorous screening, there are always oversights, and someone might take advantage of this to sneak into the palace and attempt an assassination.

Did the First Emperor not know what time it was? Why was this the case?

"His Majesty's intention is precisely because of the turbulent times that this arrangement is made."

"Rumors are rampant, the country is in turmoil, and the people are filled with anxiety. In order to appease the people, Your Majesty has prepared to hold a banquet at night to demonstrate the stability of the country and to reassure the people."

Wei Weijie put down the document and turned his head to ask.

"There can be no changes, or even a postponement?"

"Xianyang is currently in turmoil, with many bandits. If we hold a banquet tonight, I fear Your Majesty's safety may be at risk."

The imperial guard paused for a moment.

But in the end, he shook his head firmly.

"His Majesty's intention is that neither you nor I should interfere. You only need to do your job well and strictly inspect the palace gates."

"His Majesty's safety will be entrusted to the Imperial Physician and the Army."

After speaking, the guard saluted, then slowly took a few steps back before disappearing from the scene.

The Commandant of the Guards sighed and then walked outside.

Since nothing could change, he naturally had to send people to the palace gates to investigate; the banquet was tonight...

We cannot afford to fail!

........

"Squeak squeak".

The wooden door was pushed open, making a slightly grating creaking sound.

A man of noble bearing walked into the room.

A person dressed in purple robes sat upright in the room, his back to the newcomer, making it difficult to see his face clearly.

In Xianyang, where darkness still prevails,

Dressed in purple, yet possessing a strange and unusual quality.

"Doctor," the person who entered said respectfully to the purple-robed figure sitting there.

"Ah, no need for such formalities."

"Now, I am no longer a doctor, and speaking recklessly would be chaotic. Just call me Old Qi."

"Hmm." The man responded, stood there pondering for a while, and then asked, "What brings Elder Qi here?"

"Hmm, do you have any news about the rumors circulating throughout Xianyang City lately?"

"Rumors..." The man stood there and thought for a moment.

He said with apprehension, "There are some rumors that the former nobles of Chu cannot contain themselves and are using this as a test."

He then asked, "Is this why Elder Qi came?"

"In any case, these rumors damage the tyrannical Qin Dynasty, but benefit us. We can simply sit back and watch the tiger scare us."

"Heh, not really. I've been hearing a lot about the Fate-Bound Black Bird lately, so I came to check it out."

The man called Old Qi asked with a smile.

"I heard that the tyrant is going to offer a sacrifice to the heavens?"

"There is such news," the man said cautiously. "The exact time still needs to be determined by the Grand Astrologer."

"It seems that they intend to use a sacrificial ceremony to Heaven to quell the rumors circulating in Xianyang City."

"There are rumors that the Heavenly Fate Black Bird will also arrive."

"The Black Bird," Elder Qi said, as if he had thought of something. "I heard that the tyrant is holding a banquet in the royal garden tonight?"

"Yes, there is such news."

The man looked somewhat frightened. This was a royal garden, and countless guards were stationed at the palace gates to conduct strict checks.

Although they hated the First Emperor to the core,

However, they dared not send anyone in to assassinate the king, as that would be tantamount to suicide!

"Old Qi?"

The room fell silent for a moment. Old Qi stood up, slowly turned around, and looked at the person.

"Don't worry, have you forgotten? I'm from Jimo."

"I will not take the risk. Someone will go and see for me, to see this King of Qin, this First Emperor."

........

In the palace gardens at night,

The flickering orange light illuminated half the sky, and the lights of the world shone brightly, piercing through the vast darkness.

Ritual music echoed through the palaces and pavilions.

Her voice was clear and melodious, yet dignified and solemn.

The dishes were served in individual bronze vessels and placed on the table in front of the courtiers.

Although it was a banquet in the royal garden,

However, those who could come here were all powerful and influential figures in the court, as well as the sons of the First Emperor.

Even so, there were still a lot of people.

Inside the palace, wine cups were clinked and people chattered noisily.

Suddenly, the hall in the distance fell silent. The conversations gradually stopped, and everyone's eyes fell on a dark figure that had attacked from the hall's entrance.

A muffled fanning sound came from the shadowy area.

Bathed in the warm candlelight, its entire body was covered with countless colorful, jet-black feathers.

He silently scanned the hall.

He flapped his large wings and flew in, but everyone made way where he passed.

Until he flew towards that tall building,

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief when they saw the tall building where the First Emperor was located.

The Heavenly Bird of Destiny, he actually came too.

This was the second time the court officials had seen the Heavenly Bird since their parting at court.

Seeing him at tonight's banquet was indeed quite surprising.

Everyone lowered their voices, no longer as casual as before.

As for the officials not far away

A banquet attended entirely by the First Emperor's sons and members of the imperial clan.

They were extremely excited at this point, talking loudly, and some even secretly glancing towards the tall building where the First Emperor was.

It seems that they are considering,

Should we take the opportunity, under the pretext of toasting the First Emperor, to take a look at the Heavenly Bird of Destiny?

But in the end, due to the majesty of the First Emperor, he abandoned this idea.

Unlike the hustle and bustle downstairs, the upstairs was quiet.

Flying up to the top of the building, only the First Emperor sat alone, with a candle burning beside him.

There were also several palace maids, one playing a soft melody, and another pouring wine for the First Emperor.

Two palace maids stood behind him, fanning the First Emperor.

This is a pheasant-tail fan, which originated in the Yin Dynasty.

He gazed at the lights and people below the pavilion, as if lost in thought, or perhaps deep in contemplation.

Perhaps they heard the muffled sound of fanning themselves.

The First Emperor raised his head and looked at Xuan Ye: "The Heavenly Mandate Black Bird has arrived."

He raised his hand and waved it outwards, scattering the debris in four directions.

After the palace maids withdrew, Xuan Ye flapped its wings and landed behind the First Emperor, following his gaze.

"This is my Xianyang, isn't it beautiful?"

Suddenly, the First Emperor asked a question, very carefully, with a smug smile on his face.

It is indeed very beautiful.

The First Emperor knew that Xuan Ye would not respond to him, but he kept talking, just saying it.

In silence, the two of them stood atop the pavilion, gazing at Xianyang shrouded in the night sky.