Opening a Tavern in the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 230 The Royal Carriage Arrives, and the Hunting Begins

Royal Palace

At the first light of dawn, the Tang Dynasty Palace was bustling with activity.

Today, the Emperor led his ministers, princes, empress, and concubines to the royal hunting grounds to hold a grand hunting competition. The ministers' families and children were also able to accompany them.

Inside the palace, palace maids and eunuchs hurriedly shuttled between the palaces and halls, holding exquisite costumes, gorgeous accessories, and various snacks, tea and wine in their hands, making final preparations for those who were about to travel.

A young eunuch was walking so fast that he almost bumped into an oncoming palace maid. The maid quickly stepped aside, nearly dropping the snacks she was holding. She scolded him, "You little eunuch, you're walking so fast! What if you ruin the snacks prepared for the ladies?"

The young eunuch apologized repeatedly: "Sister, please forgive me. I really dare not delay even the slightest bit in fulfilling His Majesty's orders. I hope you will bear with me."

On the path of the Imperial Garden, several old maids were carefully checking every corner to make sure there was nothing wrong.

One of them said, "This trip concerns the reputation of the royal family. We can't make any mistakes. If we make a mistake, our heads will be in danger."

Another maid nodded in agreement, "Yes, for such a grand event, not only do the ladies have to be radiant, but the entire palace must be extremely cautious."

Concubine Li was wearing a pink silk long dress embroidered with gorgeous peach blossoms, as if she was wearing the whole spring on her body.

She faced the mirror and gently put on her flower ornaments. The delicate ornaments made her eyes look even more affectionate.

Concubine Li whispered to the maid beside her, "Does your makeup and clothing today still meet the Emperor's liking?"

The maidservant hurriedly flattered her, "Your Majesty is naturally beautiful. The way you dress today will surely make the Emperor unable to take his eyes off you."

Concubine Wei preferred gorgeous and colorful clothes. She chose a purple brocade robe, which was embroidered with intricate patterns with gold and silver threads. She tied a jade belt inlaid with gems around her waist, highlighting her graceful figure.

She was playing with the jade bracelet in her hand. The jade bracelet was transparent and emerald green, which contrasted beautifully with her skin tone.

Yang Guifei smiled confidently and said to the palace maid, "I heard that many ministers and their families will be attending the hunting party today. I will definitely let everyone know what it means to be a beauty that can captivate a nation."

The palace maids nodded and served carefully.

In the palace of Concubine Xian, she was carefully selecting accessories. She picked up a pearl hairpin and inserted it into her hair. Looking at herself in the mirror, she murmured to herself, "In this harem, if I want to gain the Emperor's favor, I must be attentive in everything I do."

The palace servants were busy arranging various items, not daring to slack off for the slightest, all hoping that their master could stand out in the hunting trip and increase their chances of winning in this treacherous harem struggle.

In the queen's palace, the maids were surrounding the queen and carefully dressing her up.

The Queen faced the mirror, her eyes filled with majesty and anticipation, and said, "During this hunting trip, I will let everyone see the royal family's style and bearing."

The maids responded in unison: "Your Majesty is naturally beautiful. You will definitely outshine all the other beauties today."

The Queen raised her lips slightly, revealing a faint smile, and said softly, "You all just say nice things to cheer me up, but an occasion like today really doesn't allow for any carelessness."

At this moment, a eunuch's shrill voice came from outside the palace: "Your Majesty, the ladies in the other palaces are almost ready. We only need your order to set out for the hunting grounds."

The Queen nodded slightly, stood up, and straightened her clothes. She was full of grace and elegance. As she walked out of the palace, she said, "Then let's go. But don't keep His Majesty and everyone else waiting anxiously."

The palace maids and eunuchs hurriedly surrounded the queen and walked along the long palace road.

Along the way, concubines from other palaces also brought their attendants, walking towards the palace gate in pairs or groups of three or five.

Although they greeted each other with smiles, when their eyes met, there was a different kind of competition, both thinking about

How can we win more favor from the emperor at today's hunting ground?

After leaving the palace, a number of magnificent carriages had already been waiting. The Queen was the first to board the most magnificent phoenix sedan chair. Before lowering the curtain, she reminded everyone: "Be careful and don't break the rules."

Everyone responded in unison, then got into their cars, and the huge convoy slowly drove towards the hunting ground.

Royal hunting grounds

Servants in charge of logistics came and went, placing various supplies in designated locations in an orderly manner.

Exquisite tents had already been set up, covered with gorgeous carpets, comfortable chairs and exquisite tea sets for the royal family and nobles to rest.

In the distance, a group of musicians were tuning their instruments. The faint sounds of stringed instruments could be heard, adding a touch of elegance to the event that was about to begin.

The prey in the hunting ground seemed unaware of the impending danger and were still leisurely foraging and playing in the mountains and forests.

Cheng Yaojin stood aside, talking in low voices with other ministers. The topics mostly revolved around the hunting expedition and recent affairs of the court.

Sometimes he nodded slightly, sometimes his expression was serious, and his eyes showed his concern for national affairs.

Although Cheng Wu tried hard to restrain herself, the anticipation in her eyes was hard to conceal.

She paced back and forth, looking in the direction of the royal team from time to time, imagining the luxury and majesty of the royal team.

Everyone was wondering how the emperor would appear in front of everyone and start this exciting hunting activity.

Just as everyone was looking forward to it, bursts of majestic trumpets sounded in the distance, and the sound of horse hooves and wheels intertwined.

The royal procession was seen marching in a mighty procession, and the first thing that caught the eye was the emperor riding a tall horse and wearing a dragon robe.

He has an upright posture, a stern face, and his eyes reveal an innate majesty and dignity, as if he controls the fate of all things in the world.

The queen's phoenix chariot followed closely behind. She sat in it with graceful manners. The jewels on the phoenix crown sparkled in the sun, and the gold embroidery on her gorgeous clothes sparkled with dazzling light, showing her demeanor as the mother of the country.

The concubines sat in their respective carriages. Concubine Li was still wearing the same pink silk dress, with affectionate eyes and a faint smile.

Yang Guifei is dressed in a purple brocade robe, looking graceful and elegant, gently waving a round fan in her hand, and the charm she inadvertently reveals is eye-catching.

The princes rode on their horses, looking heroic and high-spirited. They were dressed in gorgeous brocade robes, with swords on their waists, and their eyes were full of anticipation and excitement for the hunt.

The princess was sitting in a beautifully decorated carriage. She lifted a corner of the curtain and looked out curiously: "Wow, I'm here!"

Her eyes were clear and bright, and she was wearing a light blue dress.