Hao Ren and Han Lingshi were inside the crescent moon palace, while the nice small luxurious palaces had been allocated to the various dignitaries that were coming in from all over the northern reaches of the Southern continent.
Han Lingshi was standing in the balcony adjacent to the study and asked, "Ren, these dignitaries, is it really necessary to take them under control? I mean, what if they went back and decided to attack us."
Hao Ren was standing next to her and said, "If they dared to attack, I will lead the forces and handle things. However, they will not, as Ye Yue has never known failure ever since she started practicing that technique unless she tries it against me.
The reason I want these people to be under control is because I will need the information to all the big things that go on inside the three nations. Even if we manage to ignore the dignitaries from the three nations, we still need to control the people from the three sects and three unions. This is necessary to keep the death toll minimum." Follow current ɴᴏᴠᴇʟs on novel★fire.net
Han Lingshi sighed and said, "When I was fighting to hone my martial skills on the Blue Star, I saw a lot of death and misery caused by conquests. I never wanted to take initiative to do that in this world."
Hao Ren shook his head and said, "We will not take the initiative to launch any attacks, but you have to understand that in this world the strong fight for power, and the powerful fight for status. These narrow minded royals will eventually come knocking on the doors when they see our nation grow prosper."
Han Lingshi said, "That would be fine, because by then, we will have sufficient power to handle them. After all, you will be using the charmed people as your pawns. So, it is better to let the enemy come to us."
Hao Ren nodded, and said, "Ye Yue and the rest will handle that, you on the other hand, need to come along and refine the national seal with your blood."
Han Lingshi was then led inside the study, where Hao Ren showed her the brilliant and delicate jade seal. She was surprised and said, "This is so beautiful."
Hao Ren inverted the seal and said, "A two dimensional replica of the seal is engraved on the bottom. You will handle this seal from now on, even I will not have the authority to make a move without your permission."
Han Lingshi shook her head and said, "This empire is made by you, and I am just the manager who came to work late. You should keep this seal and use it to make a difference. I have no desire for so much power."
Hao Ren was left speechless, as he asked, "But I wanted you to be the owner of the seal though."
Han Lingshi thought for a bit and replied, "If only you agree in mutual decision making powers. I will not have you subjugated under my rule. Firstly, you are my husband, and second you are stronger than me. It is only right for you to have power of your own, or do you think I am some ungrateful vamp who would take hold of power for myself?"
In the last sentence her tone had grown stern. Hao Ren smiled and said, "Fine, I will do what you tell me to. We can discuss matters together. Now can you please drip some drops of blood on the seal."
Han Lingshi nodded, she cut her index finger with her thumb nail and let a few drops of blood seep into the jade seal. The pure white seal transformed. The phoenix on the top turned red along with half of the base.
Hao Ren followed the same procedure and this time the dragon and the rest of the base turned red leaving the jade white crescent moon in the center.
The couple exchanged a smile as they sensed some connection with the seal. At this moment, Hao Ren turned to look in the direction where the forbidden area of the Imperial Graveyard of the former royal family was located and sensed a faint murmur coming from there, he said, "After the coronation, Her Majesty will visit to pay her respects, calm down."
It was as if his words were the heavenly decree, and the graveyard fell silent returning back to its calm state.
Ye Yue stood at the entrance of a big luxurious hall that led to a pavilion. Soon, a Carriage pulled by six silver stags appeared at the gates, with the help of a servant an middle aged man with a dignified appearance stepped down, and walked over with his head held high.
Ye Yue smiled and bowed slightly in greeting, "Welcome, Duke Wen. Welcome to the Splendor Pavilion."
Duke Wen nodded and said, "I did not think that the Crescent Moon Kingdom will as a graceful and strong young lady like yourself to receive guests prior to the Coronation. Such a shame."
Ye Yue maintained her smiled and replied, "This is volunteer work, after all, if His Excellency the Wandering Dragon was to appear, things would be a bit stiff."
Duke Wen's face changed when he heard that Hao Ren would have come in person and he quickly nodded and thanked the Kingdom for such a nice treatment and went inside the pavilion. Ye Yue smiled and heard a voice in her ear, "Xiao Yue, do not play around too much, Boss will not be happy if you scared away these pawns."
Ye Yue replied, "I know Steward Xiao. I will be careful, but that wanna be tried to bad mouth Big Brother."
The coordinator was none other than Xiao Mei. Who replied, "Fine, just do not go overboard with them."
Ye Yue nodded and continued to receive guests and guests. After half an hour, she turned around and moved inside after passing a glance to the guards who nodded and closed the doors. The entire area was cordoned off.
Inside the Pavilion, there were around twenty two people sitting on eleven tables in pairs. These eleven tables were all from seperate forces, and all of them were shot callers ranking equal. The atmosphere was tense, as people were all wary of each other. In the center of the pavilion was a small stage where Ye Yue sat down with a Qin in her lap.
She smiled at the guests and said, "I am sure that everyone here is familiar with each other, but I have been ordered to maintain a proper decorum and follow the protocols of an official event. So, tonight I will be your host along with Prime Minister Maya, who is sitting right behind me on the table."
Maya Okudera stood up and greeted the dignitaries with a slight bow. Ye Yue said, "The guests who are gracing us today with their presence are, Duke Wen Kain of the Fortune Dynasty. His Highness, The Crown Prince of the Windchime Nation, Long Ruyan. Her Highness, Princess Dai Shangguang, the jewel of the Samsara Empire. Grand Elder Tian Ran, of the Bright Blade Sect. Grand Elder Mao Ting, from Great Abyss Sect. Grandmaster Jade Monk of the Pugilist Peak. Great Taoist Ains Heimer of the Scholar Hall. Grand Master Pewter Colt of the Forging Union. Chief Alchemist Lady Ayurvati of the Alchemist Union. Grand Master Xia Congming of the Formation Alliance. Fourth Elder Qin Yuan of the Resonance Music School.
We, the Crescent Moon Kingdom thank you for coming over and gracing us for the imminent Coronation Ceremony."
It was not her place to recieve them as she was not from the royal family, however, the Wandering Dragon had the say so to make it right. He did not need to show up, just the fact that Ye Yue was welcoming them in person was enough to highlight her status.
Apart from that, the Grand Elders and the Masters of the Unions were only as strong as she was, Initial Realm of Dao Integration. The Prince, The Princess and the Duke were only at Soul Transformation Realm. Their helpers or protectors might of Half-Step Dao Integration, but that was about it.
The Crown Prince of the Windchime Nation, Long Ruyan asked, "Senior Ye, what is the purpose of this gathering?"
Although he was raising a question, he humbled himself by addressing Ye Yue as a senior. The young lady replied with a charming smile, and said, "It is to make sure that you all are not bored, but also relaxed during the ceremony. This is also to facilitate better inter-personal relationship among ourselves."
Great Taoist Ains Heimer asked, "Then Lady Ye, do you hold a position among the courtiers of the Crescent Moon Kingdom?"
Ye Yue smiled and replied, "Yes indeed, I am the Foreign Relations Minister under Her Majesty."
The people were surprised, Maya Okudera watched them all from the side, and she typed a few things on the communicator sneakily.
Ye Yue asked, "Well, since everyone is here, how about I play a song for you all before the dinner is served?"
The people agreed, and in the Crescent Moon Palace, Hao Mei received a text, "The game has begun, Your Highness."