The beloved baby has a space

Chapter 441 Meeting with the Imperial Family

The palace of the Great Chang Kingdom was particularly vast, and could even be described as an imperial city.

Because the late emperor had undertaken a large-scale construction project during his reign, expanding the palace of the Great Chang Kingdom and extending the entire city of Wanning by several tens of feet.

Dachang is also the only country on the entire continent that built its imperial palace into an imperial city.

The inner palace was comparable to a large city, the outer imperial city was an even larger city, and then there was Wanning City.

Standing atop Puji Temple, the highest point in Wanning City, one can look down upon the entire city stretching as far as the eye can see. The imperial city, too, is so distant that it appears as a golden and reddish expanse, hidden from outsiders.

Within the imperial city, everywhere one could see green-tiled and carved pavilions, gleaming with gold, the bricks and tiles shimmering, and jade branches growing along the way. Every few places, a palace maid stood with her head bowed in service.

The city wall, nine feet nine inches high, surrounded the imperial city and was divided into layers, resembling a series of exquisite and beautiful cages.

From time to time, armored imperial guards patrolled various places, wielding swords and jade pendants, wearing precious belts and long boots, their footsteps silent yet exuding an imposing aura.

Occasionally, princes and ministers residing in the imperial city would walk around in their official robes, carrying tokens.

Upon seeing the imperial carriage, they hurriedly stepped aside, bowed, and waited for it to pass, their eyes fixed on the ground, not daring to look anywhere else.

Furthermore, they inquired out of curiosity.

Although palace servants were everywhere, no sound could be heard except for the wind, making the entire imperial city extremely solemn.

It resembles a dead city.

"This palace really makes me uncomfortable every time I come here. Luckily, I was smart enough to insist on a residence outside the capital when the imperial family wanted to bestow a title upon me. Otherwise, living in this capital like other old men might have shortened my lifespan by twenty years!" After traveling for an hour, the imperial carriage still hadn't reached the inner palace where the imperial family resided. The Duke of Yong couldn't help but complain.

The voice of Eunuch Xi rang out from outside: "Your Excellency, please be careful with your words."

"I've already spoken softly enough, can you please pretend you didn't hear me?" The Duke couldn't help but roll his eyes. "I'm an old man, what's wrong with being considerate of me? Just because you have good internal strength and sharp hearing doesn't mean you can eavesdrop on other people's whispers. Don't you have any morals? Don't you have any personal space?!"

Grandpa Xi: "..."

The Duke of Yong's voice grew louder and louder, reaching the imperial carriage, when a series of deep, muffled bell tolled outside.

"Silence!" came a warning, the voice booming like a bell.

Duke Yongguo shut his mouth.

Those were members of the Imperial Household Department, who obeyed no one but the laws and regulations of the Imperial Palace and did not show favoritism.

If someone fails to restrain themselves after being reminded in these situations, even the emperor would be arrested and punished.

After a while, Duke Yong rubbed his lower back again, looked at Qin Huai sitting opposite him with meticulous attention to detail, and sighed deeply.

"Being young is an advantage."

Qin Huai nodded and gladly accepted: "Thank you, Grandpa."

"...I didn't praise you!" The imperial city is enormous, divided into several areas such as the Great Imperial City, Inner Imperial City, Inner Palace, Central Palace, and Great Hall, arranged in a U-shape, layer by layer.

On ordinary days, princes and ministers would go to the innermost hall to report to the emperor. They would travel in special carriages, and they had to get out of the carriages and walk outside the central palace.

The audience with the emperor was held every three days, and each time it took at least an hour by carriage and then at least half an hour to walk, which was very tiring.

Some ministers were too lazy to leave, so they lived in the palace officials' residences year-round.

The senior officials were required to be on duty for two hours each day, and the rest of the time was their own business, most of which was spent on the road.

Therefore, many ministers liked to walk and talk about state affairs in areas where conversation was permitted.

Finally, they arrived at the inner palace where the emperor was, and the two disembarked from the imperial carriage.

Despite walking for so long, Grandpa Xi still walked briskly and showed no signs of fatigue.

"His Majesty awaits in the Qinxin Palace. Duke Yong, young master, please—"

As they made their way to Qinxin Palace, palace maids came forward and quickly handed them clean, damp cloths. After they wiped their hands, they were given dry cloths.

After washing my hands, I stepped into the Qinxin Palace.

First, a rich aroma of incense wafted into the air. Looking up, one could see four large, dragon-carved pillars supporting the entire Qinxin Hall, with the gilded throne and table at the very center supported by the pillars.

On the table were writing brushes, ink, paper, and an inkstone, along with a thick stack of memorials to the emperor.

A man was sitting behind a desk, engrossed in reviewing memorials, his expression focused and his brows furrowed.

"Your Majesty, the Duke of Yong and Young Master Qin have arrived," Eunuch Xi whispered.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects!"

The Duke of Yongguo knelt down with a thud.

"This humble subject greets Your Majesty!"

Qin Huai bowed steadily and calmly.

He did not kneel.

The faces of Duke Yong and Eunuch Xi changed instantly.

Only Emperor Minghua, sitting behind the desk, looked at Qin Huai, who was neither humble nor arrogant, and his entire demeanor exuded magnanimity.

"You brat from the Qin family, why do you not kneel before me!"

(End of this chapter)