Chapter 407

Chapter 407: Your Majesty Keeps Looking Over Here

The Dragon Palace’s Grand Banquet for the Four Seas Ceremony.

Under the gaze of everyone, the Dragon Empress walked step by step toward the front.

Every eye followed her movement as she moved forward.

When the Dragon Empress approached Zhu Cici’s position, Zhu Cici looked at this Myriad Ancient Dragon Emperor before her, a feeling that was hard to describe emerged in her heart.

Zhu Cici wasn’t unfamiliar with emperors.

She had met many emperors and even received special permission from the emperor of Qi Kingdom to visit the Imperial Palace anytime.

As a child, Zhu Cici pulled on Grandpa Emperor’s beard countless times.

She had seen an emperor’s joys and anger, experienced his imperial might.

But when the Dragon Empress passed by Zhu Cici, she felt this Dragon Empress’s imperial aura was completely different from other emperors.

Her imperial might was restrained, like everything was compressed into a single pearl.

But because it was too intense, it overflowed.

Perhaps because the other party was a woman, Zhu Cici felt there was some gentleness mixed with the sternness.

This blend of gentleness and severity was accompanied by a deep loneliness in her eyes.

It was as if this woman had walked through countless nights alone, quietly waiting for dawn.

Zhu Cici found herself feeling pity for the Dragon Empress, wanting to get closer but held back by the emperor’s authority.

There was even an inexplicable charm about her.

It seemed like just a word from her would make one willing to brave fire and water for her.

Ao Yiner didn’t have such complex feelings.

This was Ao Yiner’s first time meeting the Northern Sea Dragon Empress.

Strictly speaking, the Northern Sea Dragon Empress should be considered Ao Yiner’s great-aunt. Ao Yiner had heard about this great-aunt countless times and always wanted to meet her.

But during ordinary celebrations of the four seas, even at grand ceremonies, this great-aunt never appeared; instead, ministers from the Northern Sea attended.

Now seeing her, Ao Yiner’s eyes sparkled.

Originally, Ao Yiner was very confident in her own looks, but compared to this great-aunt, she felt she fell short, especially in terms of bearing.

Even Ao Yiner wondered if, as the ruler of the Northern Sea, she could possess such grace.

Probably not. Ao Yiner thought that if she were a man, just one glance would have made her fall in love with her right now.

“Who could possibly be so lucky to be liked by Great-Aunt?”

Suddenly, Ao Yiner recalled that rumor.

When this great-aunt was young, she once met a man from the land, and then they were together.

Ao Yiner became more and more confused.

What kind of man could someone like Great-Aunt possibly like? According to reason, such an outstanding man should be famous throughout the world.

But she hadn’t even heard of him.

She didn’t even know his name.

It was as if he was just an unknown commoner.

But after that man died, Great-Aunt never let go of him, instead pursuing him for ten thousand years.

Even now, Great-Aunt hasn’t given up searching.

Walking along, the Dragon Empress slowly turned her head and looked in Ming’s direction.

Ming, Ao Jin, and others quickly averted their gazes, bowed respectfully.

The Dragon Empress glanced at Ming, paused for half a moment, then turned and stepped onto the steps.

Zhu Cici also secretly glanced at Ming.

Just now, the Dragon Empress’ look towards Ming seemed a bit unusual.

The Dragon Empress reached the top of the steps.

At the highest point, there was a jade table, and the night glow cups on it were no different from those of the guests.

The Dragon Empress turned around and looked at everyone.

She didn’t open her mouth, but her voice echoed across the entire square: “All of you who have come to this Four Seas Ceremony are a great honor to our Northern Sea. On behalf of the Northern Sea, I thank all of you for your presence.”

“Your Majesty is too kind. To be invited by Your Majesty is truly our honor.”

Everyone followed the protocol and said polite words in unison.

The Dragon Empress nodded and extended her hand: “Please take your seats, everyone.”

Everyone: “Your Majesty, please take your seat.”

After the Dragon Empress sat down, she extended her hand again: “Please take your seats, everyone.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

After completing the ceremonial procedures, everyone finally took their seats.

Honestly, this process always feels a bit silly, like ‘you sit first,’ ‘no, you sit first.’ The Dragon Empress sits first, then lets others sit.

Fortunately, the ceremonial procedures weren’t overly complicated.

The Dragon Empress sat high on the platform, doing nothing, yet her presence naturally subdued everyone. Many people looked toward the Dragon Empress, wanting to take another look.

“This Four Seas Ceremony is a celebration of the four seas. I hope all of you will drink to your heart’s content and enjoy this grand occasion of the four seas!” The Dragon Empress continued to speak politely.

Everyone raised their cups: “Thank you, Your Majesty!”

Soon, the dancers entered.

These dancers were all kept in the Imperial Palace and only came out to dance during banquets.

The dancers from the Northern Sea were exceptionally beautiful and graceful, most of them being mermaids or clam girls, and some belonging to the dragon family.

Ming wasn’t particularly good at appreciating dances, but even he, who wasn’t well-versed in dance appreciation, thought these ladies danced incredibly well.

Compared to the last life’s Blue Ocean Star internet celebrities who filmed suggestive videos and the Otaku Dance Zone UP hosts, it was like comparing heaven and earth.

As the Northern Sea’s maidens danced gracefully, palace maids carried dishes in perfect order, knelt down, bowed, squatted, and placed the dishes on each guest’s jade table from their waists, performing the whole set of actions fluidly and elegantly.

As the banquet progressed, everyone drank, chatted, and enjoyed themselves immensely.

If nothing unexpected happened, this banquet would continue until tomorrow morning.

In other words, he’d have to stay here, eat, drink, kneel-sit, and watch the maidens dance until tomorrow morning, “Ming… Ming…”

Just as Ming was thinking about changing his sitting posture, Ao Yiner tugged at his sleeve.

“What’s wrong?” Ming turned his head.

Ao Yiner whispered to Ming, glancing toward the high platform: “Do you feel like His Majesty keeps looking over here?”