Chapter 370 - 368: The Youngest Tributor
Seeing that the group of dear wives appeared a bit nervous, Qin Yu held Lin Shuishui with one hand and Zhao Mengli with the other, saying to his dear wives, "There’s no need to be overly rigid. After all, your husband is a Royal Court Tributor; it should be the outsiders who are tense!"
"We simply need to maintain a sense of reverence towards Her Majesty the Empress. As for others, we can act as if they don’t exist!"
"Pfft—"
Leng Ruyu couldn’t help but cover her mouth and chuckle upon hearing this. Qin Yu’s way of comforting people really was unique.
It’s known that those attending the Grand Gathering of the Great Yan Royal Family’s Tributors are bound to be of distinguished identity and status. Such figures are outstanding in the Cyan Mist Hall region.
How could they truly act as if they don’t exist?!
Yet Qin Yu’s words inexplicably brought a sense of ease to the women’s hearts, temporarily allowing them to forget about the cumbersome etiquette and heavy pressure.
So what if they’re remarkable?!
Recently, they’ve heard Yan Yu mention how high the status of a Tributor is.
Never forget, they’re staying inside the core area of the Imperial Palace!
This single point is enough to prove Qin Yu’s status surpasses theirs.
As Qin Yu’s wives, aside from maintaining proper etiquette, they indeed didn’t need to worry much.
Led by the palace maid, Lan Shi, Qin Yu’s group passed through several palaces and finally arrived in front of the grand and brightly lit banquet hall.
"Qin Tributor, please."
Just as he was about to step through the magnificent door, an elegant figure appeared in Qin Yu’s sight.
Her clothing was paired with a mask similar to what Yan Yu used to wear, silently indicating her identity... Flame Guard!
Evidently, this Flame Guard was specially arranged by Her Majesty the Empress to help Qin Yu avoid unnecessary disturbances.
It’s not that there’s a worry of someone troubling him.
With a Flame Guard accompanying him personally, Qin Yu at least didn’t need to explain his identity to others.
At this point, silhouettes were plentiful within the banquet hall, and the guests’ eyes occasionally glanced at the imposing main door.
Evidently, they were filled with curiosity about the newly appointed Royal Court Tributor.
In this atmosphere, a young man with a clear countenance and extraordinary demeanor, guided by the Flame Guard, slowly stepped into the grand hall.
Suddenly, a sense of astonishment and doubt appeared on the faces of those present in the hall.
The Flame Guard represents to the Great Yan Empress!
Throughout the Imperial Palace, very few people qualify to be guided by the Flame Guard.
This young man’s identity is now glaringly obvious!
"This Qin Tributor is so young?!"
Within the brightly lit, guest-packed banquet hall, whispers of disbelief quietly spread, like stones tossed into a calm lake, causing ripples.
None had anticipated that the newly appointed Royal Court Tributor would be such a graceful and young talent.
What was even more shocking was that this young Tributor was not only dashing but approached life with a carefree and unrestrained nature, escorting a host of women as if they were celestial beings, each smiling with beauty not of this world.
Indeed, he is truly a person of character!
So young and yet has so many Dao Companions... that’s truly rare!
One could even say it never happens.
For cultivators, the primary focus should be cultivation; how could there be so much time and energy spent on other matters?
No wonder his realm is still at the Golden Core level!
Of course, although the crowd was filled with astonishment and confusion, none dared question it in the slightest.
This appointment came directly from Her Majesty the Great Yan Empress.
To question Qin Yu is akin to questioning the Great Yan Empress!
There’s only one possibility then: this Tributor must possess some unique trait.
What could it be?
Some people had already begun pondering this question.
However, the man before them was too unfamiliar, and no rumors of Qin Tributor circulated within the Royal Family, leaving them unable to make any judgments.
Guided by the Flame Guard, Qin Yu slowly took a seat. Shortly thereafter, an elder in a modest cyan robe walked over.
Though his face appeared somewhat aged, his deep eyes seemed capable of seeing through worldly matters, emanating a gentle yet wise aura that naturally commanded respect.
"Tributor Qin, my greetings."
The elder moved forward a few steps, slightly bending his body, hands gently crossed at his chest, in a gesture of respect.
Yan Yu’s voice rang out beside Qin Yu, introducing, "That man is the Royal Court Guest Minister, Yang Zhonglang, with high attainment in arrays, having delved into numerous ancient arrays."
"Ah, it’s Guest Minister Yang, honored to meet you."
Qin Yu stood up, intending to return the respectful gesture. Unexpectedly, Yang Zhonglang’s face changed and he hurriedly gestured to stop, revealing a trace of anxiousness.
"Tributor Sir, please do not humble me. I am just a mere Guest Minister; how dare I accept such a grand courtesy from you."
Yang Zhonglang smiled wryly, not daring to overstep in the least.
Although the identity of a Guest Minister is incredibly distinguished, compared to a Tributor, the gap is still vast.
Witnessing this scene, others at the banquet seemed to gain some insight.
They could see that the newly appointed Royal Court Tributor was without any pretensions, speaking amiably, and appearing very approachable.
Immediately, numerous dignitaries of the Imperial Capital took the initiative to step forward to make an impression in front of the new Tributor.
Being a Tributor can only mean one thing... he has unrivaled expertise in a particular field.
Thus, no one looked down upon Qin Yu just because his realm was lower.
The somewhat reserved Su Xihe and her companions gradually relaxed upon realizing the banquet’s atmosphere was far more harmonious than they had envisioned.
Lin Shuishui and Zhao Mengli had already started tasting the Spirit Fruits prepared for them, their eyes shimmering with curiosity as they closely examined the grand scale of the banquet.
Afterward, one by one, prominent figures renowned in the Imperial Capital appeared, and Qin Yu was unable to sit still, for each of these distinguished guests invariably approached to acquaint themselves with him.
"King of Thunder is arriving!"
This was the first announcement Qin Yu heard in the night, ample proof of the extraordinary identity of the person arriving.
Soon, an elderly man holding a staff, hunched over with a natural air of majesty, slowly entered the grand hall doors.
Each step seemed heavy, yet it felt as if stepping on everyone’s hearts, involuntarily giving rise to a sense of awe.
"Greetings, King of Thunder!"
Even those esteemed Royal Court Guest Ministers in the hall all bowed in salutation, their expressions respectful, fully demonstrating profound reverence towards this elder.
"This is Lei Song, a king of a different surname personally conferred by the late emperor, with profound cultivation, on the verge of Harmonization, one of the few formidable figures in the Imperial Capital..."
Yan Yu’s timely voice gave Qin Yu insight; he proactively approached and paid respect to the elder, showing deference.
"Another Tributor has joined Great Yan, and so young too, wonderful, wonderful!"
The elder smiled, nodding repeatedly.