GBP Chapter 1933: Is it a promise? Or a threat?
Chapter 1933: Is it a promise? Or a threat?
Chu Ning used the simplest and most direct way to clearly define their respective status before they met him.
He didn't need to speak harshly or resort to violence. Simply by being "late", he engraved his absolute authority and control into the bones of these usually high-handed family heads.
Just when some people were about to collapse, their hearts filled with fear, a steady and clear sound of footsteps finally came from outside the pavilion, along with the eunuch's sharp, drawn-out voice:
"Your Majesty—is here—!"
In an instant, all the family heads in the waterside pavilion knelt down in unison as if being pulled by invisible strings, touching the ground with their heads, and shouted in unison:
"Your Majesty, your servants, welcome you! Long live Your Majesty, long live Your Majesty, long live Your Majesty!"
The voice was loud, but it could not conceal the fear and humility deep within.
They bowed their heads to the ground, not daring to look up. They could only see a pair of black dragon boots with gold patterns, slowly and steadily walking past them, with unquestionable majesty, towards the main seat in the center of the water pavilion.
The pair of black dragon boots with gold patterns walked slowly and steadily from their lowered sight, with steady and regular steps. The sleeves of his clothes made a slight sound in the wind, and finally stopped in front of the main seat in the middle of the water pavilion.
There was an indescribable pressure in the air, which was even more frightening than the long wait just now.
"Masters, please stand up."
A flat voice without any emotion sounded from above.
The voice was not loud, but it was clearly heard by everyone, with an unquestionable control.
Everyone felt as if they had been pardoned, but they did not dare to stand up immediately. After expressing their gratitude again, they carefully and slowly stood up according to the strict etiquette.
He stood respectfully with his hands hanging down, his eyes still lowered, not daring to look directly into the holy face.
Only at this moment did they dare to secretly glance at the young emperor who had overthrown the Han Dynasty with iron-blooded means in a short period of time.
Chu Ning was not wearing the complicated imperial robes, but was still wearing a well-tailored dark casual suit, except that the lapels and cuffs were embroidered with simple and majestic dragon patterns in gold thread.
He had a young face, even a bit handsome, but his deep eyes contained a coldness and vicissitudes that did not match his age.
He sat casually in the main seat, seemingly relaxed, but with a profound and majestic demeanor.
It seemed as if the entire Imperial Garden, and even the center of the entire Chang'an City, were concentrated on him alone.
His eyes calmly swept over the group of family leaders below who had different thoughts, with no expression on his face.
He was neither gentle to his newly surrendered ministers nor fierce to his potential rivals, only had an unfathomable indifference.
"Today, I invite you all to come here..."
He spoke, his voice still steady: "It's not to show off military might, nor is it to reminisce about the past."
He paused slightly, causing everyone's heart to hang in the balance.
"It's for...your future."
He said the word "future" lightly, but it was like a huge rock thrown into a seemingly calm lake, stirring up huge waves in the hearts of every family head.
What does it mean?
Is it a promise?
Is it a threat?
Or is it some conspiracy that they have not yet understood?
However, Chu Ning did not continue the topic.
He suddenly changed the subject and raised his hand to signal the musicians standing beside him and the dancers who had been waiting by his side.
"However, in the meantime, how can we waste such a beautiful scenery?"
There seemed to be a very faint arc at the corner of his mouth, but no one could understand the meaning contained in that arc.
"I have specially arranged singing and dancing, please enjoy it."
As soon as he finished speaking, the musicians who had been ready immediately played stringed instruments.
The music rose melodiously, with the unique splendor and regularity of the palace.
A group of dancers with graceful figures and dressed in light colorful gauze dance costumes walked into the open space in the center of the water pavilion gracefully like fluttering butterflies, and began to stretch their waists and dance with their sleeves to the sound of music.
It is November now, and although the sun is still shining today, the air is already filled with the chill of late autumn.
The dancers wore summer-like dance costumes, their skin faintly visible under the gauze. Their dancing was graceful and their smiles were sweet.
But the slightly trembling fingertips and the imperceptible shivering revealed the coldness their bodies were enduring.
This scene formed a strange contrast with the restlessness and uneasiness of the family heads present under their heavy formal attire.
Enjoy singing and dancing?
At this moment, who would have this thought!
The beautiful music and graceful dancing were meaningless in their eyes.
Their minds had long been captivated by Chu Ning's words "for your future" and his unpredictable attitude at the moment.
The delicious food and wine on the table gave off an enticing aroma, but no one picked up their chopsticks.
Everyone's brows were slightly furrowed, their eyes flickered, and a fierce battle was going on in their hearts.
Taking advantage of the fact that the music was a little louder and covered up the noise of the low conversations, the heads of the families began to be unable to contain themselves and exchanged glances with the people they knew around them, or communicated eagerly in almost inaudible whispers.
Wang Jing of the Taiyuan Wang family quietly leaned over to Li You of the Longxi Li family beside him and whispered, his lips barely moving:
"Lord Li, what is the true meaning behind His Majesty's actions? This song and dance... is so inappropriate!"
He was anxious and felt that every moment of waiting was torture.
Li You frowned and whispered in the same low voice, "Brother Wang, please be patient. His Majesty's thoughts are profound and cannot be understood by ordinary people."
"Perhaps this... is another form of intimidation? First, they're wearing us down with waiting, then they're using this insignificant song and dance to keep us guessing, confused, and thrown into disarray?"
On the other side, Zhao Kuo of the Xingyang Zhao family could no longer hold back and said solemnly to several neighboring family heads:
"I don't think it's that simple! This emperor ascended the throne at a young age, yet he was able to annihilate several kingdoms in a row. How could he be someone who only knows how to intimidate others?"
"He deliberately avoided talking about business and instead showed us a song and dance routine. He must have a deeper purpose!"
"Could it be that he wants to see our reaction? Whoever loses patience will reveal his flaws first?"
"But...but what exactly does the future he's talking about refer to?"
A family head surnamed Zheng said anxiously, "Is it a blessing or a curse? You have to give a clear answer! Keeping them hanging like this is really frustrating..."
"Yes, this kind of foggy and misty atmosphere is even more terrifying than directly showing off the sword!"
Someone echoed, a tone full of helplessness.
They whispered and speculated.
Some people said that Chu Ning was deliberately humiliating them to demonstrate his absolute authority.
Some people believe that this is the emperor's intention to observe their patience and loyalty.
Others worry that this is just the calm before the storm, and that after the singing and dancing comes a thunderous showdown.
Various thoughts raced through their minds, but they could not come to a definite conclusion.