381 I Want You

Li Xueyue didn't expect the foreign envoys from Nanhui to arrive so quickly. Less than a week after her discussion with Yu Zhen, they presented themselves. 

The Emperor held a private gathering in a large space near the palace. Behind the gathering was an enormous field of well-kept grass. Beyond it was a heavily-guarded forest. 

"This feels familiar," Li Xueyue mumbled to herself.

The layout was very similar to the Spring Tournament, in that the Imperial Family was seated on a raised platform that overlooked two rows of tables and chairs. 

Large umbrellas suspended over the table provided ample shelter from the sunlight. 

There was a large gap between the two rows of tables, enough for a line of five people walking side by side to pass through. Many people were invited, ranging from the Ministers of the Courts, to highly influential aristocrats.