On a high platform directly in front of the main hall. His Majesty Emperor Augustine VI sits on a throne, and the only thing that is different from the previous emperors is. Next to the emperor's throne. A throne was placed parallel to his seat - this was the place of the Imperial Regent, of course.

Chen sat next to the old emperor. He had an appropriate smile on his face.

The court band is on the left side of the main hall. Behind a curtain, after His Majesty Emperor Augustine VI stood up from his chair. The ceremonial officer next to him hurriedly waved his hand, and the band immediately stopped playing.

In the main hall, the atmosphere that was cheerful just now suddenly became solemn again.

Soon, a court attendant next to him brought two golden cups. His Majesty Augustin VI and the Prince Regent each picked up one, and everyone understood that this was the beginning of the ceremony of toasting.

"Long live the Empire. ”

The voice was not loud, and everyone could hear that His Majesty Augustin VI's mood was not too high—but it was normal. Because everybody understands. Now this old man who is so happy has been hollowed out.

But. No one would dare to look the old man's tired and impatient face in the face. So everyone obediently picked up the wine glasses beside them and raised them high. Hundreds of people shouted in response: "Long live the Empire!"

And then, Prince Regent Chen also raised his glass, as he raised it. Immediately there was absolute silence in the hall! This regent is now the true ruler of the Empire!

"May the empire prosper. The thorn flower banner will always fly on the continent. The Lord Regent smiled. Then he raised his glass and dipped his lips.

"Long live His Majesty the Emperor!Long live His Royal Highness the Regent!!" Hundreds of people, both men and women, shouted loudly. and drank all the wine in their cups.

Du Wei sat on the left side of the Emperor's throne and the first place at the bottom of the head—the closest to the Emperor and the Regent's place. Judging by this order of ranking. It is also enough to reflect the current status of Duke Tulip in the Empire!

Other. Old Prime Minister Robschaner. He can only sit under Du Wei.

When the toast is over, it's time for tonight's banquet and dance to begin—and the rest of the day is much simpler.

As long as His Majesty the Old Emperor sits in his seat for a short while, pretending to be good, and then he can pretend that he is not good. Let's go back to the palace and rest - and that's the end of tonight's business.

According to tradition. The first dance was supposed to be performed by His Majesty the Emperor and the Empress, but the old Emperor was already old, and the Empress had already died. So since the coup d'état three years ago, this kind of formal late occasion. The first dance at the prom. It was already up to Emperor Chen to replace the old emperor, and he jumped one by one, anyway, in everyone's hearts, he was already the emperor.

In the midst of melodious and gentle dance music. The regent smiled calmly and stood up. He owed a slight debt to the queen regent, who was sitting beside him. Gracefully stretched out his hand.

This was the first time Du Wei had met the queen, who was twenty-eight years old this year, and looked much younger than her actual age, with a gentle and touching countenance, quiet and elegant, judging from her appearance and temperament. To the full grace and elegance of the queen's style - but only Du Wei knows. This woman is afraid that she will not be able to be a queen for the rest of her life.

In fact. Legend has it that this queen was also a very gentle and virtuous woman, who married Prince Chen at the age of sixteen and gave birth to a son and a daughter. And I heard that she was kind and gentle. She has no ambition and is a beautiful woman in peace.

The only slight fly in the ointment is. As the ruler of the empire, Zheng Qin. The queen came from a slightly shabby family - of course, this is also relative. She is not from a humble family, and she is also a local aristocratic family in the south. The family has a little bit of power-}=} is at most a third-rate aristocratic family of the empire, compared to a top land family like the Rollin family. Far too far away, these southern local aristocrats are often looked down upon by the wealthy families of dìdū and considered to be rural land buns.

After Emperor Chen came to power, everyone thought that he should marry a woman of noble origin who was born in the dìdū area as a side room. It's a pity that what is surprising is that he chose another girl from a southern aristocratic family: Miss Dai Li, as his princess, this move. It was immediately taken as a meaningful political signal!

Obviously, in addition to winning over the Dai Li family and erecting a balanced political enemy for Du Wei, this hand also has some other significance: Prince Chen doesn't like the traditional wealthy nobles in the current dìdū are too powerful!

Therefore, it has also caused the land to be in the powerful *** of dìdū for the past two years. There is a sign of a "strong south wind".

Since they were all trained in the court from an early age, the court dances of the regent and queen were very superb. The skillful dancing and various perfect techniques are vividly displayed. And the two were originally handsome men and beautiful women. After a dance. There was an immediate round of applause - a heartfelt admiration, not just respect for the status of the two dancers.

According to custom, the first dance is performed by the owner of the palace after it has been danced. The regent and the queen bowed gracefully to each other in thanks. Then he walked back to the throne hand in hand: "All right, everyone. I hope you all have a great time tonight!"

Then, the second dance music played...... But after the song plays. And no one moved!

The nobles of the Roland Empire ***. I still pay a lot of attention to traditional etiquette.

Because, in this ***. Everything runs according to "status and rank"! The first dance belongs to His Majesty the Emperor. Then the second dance begins, although everyone can dance. But there is another very subtle "tradition".

There's a conventional, unwritten rule: after the second dance is played. It is only after this person who is in the venue tonight, except for His Majesty the Emperor, who has the highest status, to enter the dance hall first-}=} before the others can leave the stage one after another. Otherwise, it will be considered an impudent and arrogant act!

And on this occasion tonight, apart from the emperor and the regent, the highest status of the people. Count and count. There are only two: Du Wei, the Grand Duke of Tulip in the Imperial Land, is counted as one, and he has a lifelong career in the sea. The old Robschaner, who has been the prime minister of the empire for many years, is counted as one.

If the two of them sit still. The others went down first...... Then it is likely to be misunderstood: Do you think that your position is more noble than that of the Duke of Tulip and the Prime Minister?

The prelude to the dance music has ended, and neither Du Wei nor the old prime minister have moved, and everyone knows it. The old prime minister's health has deteriorated in recent years, and dancing is no longer suitable for him.

In the past, this kind of banquet was held. He usually doesn't participate if he can, and Du Wei is also in the northwest all year round. In the past, except for the first dance performed by the regent. The first person to go down is often the Minister of Finance of the Empire, or the Marquis of two or three wealthy families in other places to take the lead, and sometimes the Count of Villa will jump first.

But on occasions like today. The old prime minister is here, and the Duke Tulip is also here! In this case, who dares to move first?

Du Wei is a duke, except for the royal family, so to speak. The Duke is already the highest knighthood! (Only the royal family can be crowned a prince).

He was already an imperial general, and he was also the Minister of Military Administration in the Northwest Region! Moreover, in a court meeting, the regent deliberately arranged for Du Wei to sit in the position of "first on the left" of his land. It is already clear that a signal has been released: Du Wei will become the prime minister of the empire in the future!

The news of that time has been circulated through various channels.

Now this prominent young minister of the empire is sitting there, at this time, if anyone who is proud of his identity is the first to move, it is clearly provoking the Tulip family who has tens of thousands of soldiers in the world!!

The nobles below were waiting for Du Wei to make the first move. And in addition to the men, almost all the young aristocratic and wealthy girls present were also waiting with anticipation on their faces!

Why?

I am waiting for myself to accept the invitation of Duke Tulip as a dance partner!!

It is well known that Du Wei did not bring a dance partner tonight. He is unmarried, Qin is far away in the northwest!

And although the news of Du Wei's engagement place blocked the royal family's marriage channel. But with his current prestige and power, who would believe that the future first minister of the empire would marry only one wife?

Although those who are really wealthy will not marry their daughters to Du Wei as a side room (in their opinion, this behavior is too humiliating, and marrying the emperor or regent as a little wife is almost the same). But some second- and third-rate aristocratic families. There are absolutely a hundred people who are willing to marry their daughters to Du Weidi!

After learning the news that Du Wei was attending tonight's banquet, it was a whole day today. How many aristocratic girls have spent all their attention on dressing themselves up as fancy. In the main hall at the moment. Countless bright and moving. A girl dressed up in a thousand charms. They all stared at Du Wei sitting there with their big flickering eyes, if they could eat people. I'm afraid that our young young duke has been eaten to the point that he doesn't even have bones.

Du Wei felt a little embarrassed.

He knew this traditional etiquette, but ...... Looking at those aristocratic girls with expectant faces. He was a little hairy in his heart, in fact, if he was in his usual state, he could have a good choice: for example, invite a princess to dance!

That's pretty good. Because from the identity. It's a sign of respect for royalty. And from a private matter. It is impossible for him to marry a princess as a side chamber. This puts an end to a lot of unnecessary reverie.

Unfortunately, yes. Princess Louise, who was supposed to be the perfect dance partner for Du Wei tonight, is now far away in the northwestern city of Gilliat, acting as a nurse and caring for the brave knight she thinks.

Du Wei's eyes rolled. Then he suddenly laughed and stood up. In plain sight. Walked to the lower right of the Lord Regent as the ground with his head held high......

For a moment, this kind of action immediately made the hearts of several aristocratic families near that place ripple, and several of them were so excited that their faces turned red.

But. Then, Du Wei quickly walked in front of his "target", and then he smiled the most graceful and charming on his face, and owed his body. The sound is warm like chūn wind. A hand was stretched out. Softly said, "Is it okay?" Your Highness?"

In one sentence, almost all the aristocratic girls present were reassured, even those men. They all seemed to have round eyes, staring at Du Wei incredulously!

Because of this "His Highness" sitting in front of Du Wei. It was the eight-year-old daughter of His Royal Highness Prince Regent. Princess Karina!

Karina dressed up tonight. She was only eight years old. It was the first time I had participated in such a formal banquet. This eight-year-old girl. The appearance inherited the handsomeness of the prince of Chen and the beauty of his mother, at a young age. has been born with clear eyebrows and beautiful eyes, and his facial features are jīng. A futuristic beauty billet.

Although Du Wei's actions startled her, the eight-year-old little princess had no idea that the Duke would invite her......

But. Trained in strict royal etiquette, she quickly calmed down. coughed, and quickly stood up, his eyes inevitably a little wild. With a childish voice. Nervously replied, "That's my honor......" hesitated. The little princess added a salutation: "...... Teacher!"

Du Wei was stunned for a moment, and then immediately remembered that he had also taken on the task of being the family teacher of the sons and daughters of Prince Chen, and he smiled. Holding the little girl's hand. Slowly walked off the dance floor......

There was a palpable sigh of helplessness all around. But no one dared to say anything. Because Karina is very young though. But after all, she is a real princess!

With Du Weidi taking the lead. The other guests finally dared to move, and when Du Wei danced with Princess Karina in his arms, many of the surrounding nobles invited their dance partners to come down.

The little girl's body has not yet grown. Du Wei bent slightly. Accommodating the difference in height between the two, he easily took Princess Karina's weight with one hand, and half-hugged the child and gently rotated to the rhythm of the dance.

Princess Karina was visibly excited and agitated, her little face flushed. Under the tension. Even forgot the strict training to dance steps. I almost stepped on Du Wei's feet a few times.

"Ahh......h

Du Wei smiled calmly: "No need to apologize, Your Highness, in fact, you have done me a great favor." ”

Karina's eyes rolled. Clever and wise, she immediately understood what Du Wei meant - worthy of being a child of the royal family.

"Teacher......" Karina suddenly leaned over and whispered in Du Wei's ear, "Did you know that this is the first dance in my life." ”

Du Wei laughed and looked at this cute little girl. I didn't pinch her cute nose after holding back, and smiled gently: "That's my honor." Your Highness. ”

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At the end of the dance, Du Wei held Karina's hand. Sent her back to her seat. Nodded and left. Karina had a look of disappointment in her eyes, and sitting next to her was ten-year-old Prince Charlie.

Charlie looked at his sister. Suddenly smiled: "Dearly, I heard that this time he will stay more when he returns to dìdū, I think tomorrow I can go to my father and ask the teacher to start our formal lessons." What do you think?"

Karina immediately glanced at her brother in surprise, and then suppressed her excitement: "Okay! Thank you for that!"

Prince Charles smiled faintly and looked at Du Wei in the distance: "Don't thank me...... Because, too, I'm looking forward to the tulip duke's lesson! He's the most famous genius on the continent right now! I really want to ask him to teach me how to ride a broomstick that can fly to the sky. There is also a hot air balloon flight. And ......"

Karina smiled, she looked at her brother's excited expression, but the little girl couldn't help but think of the first volume of the "General History of the Mainland" that fell into her hands!

All the notes above Du Wei Di have been in this year or so. Karina has read them all. Although she couldn't understand a lot of things, little Karina was undoubtedly fascinated by them.

She subconsciously looked at her toes - luckily, she had picked out a new pair of her favorite dancing shoes in preparation for tonight's dance! When you go back, you should treasure these dancing shoes.

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Shortly after the end of the first piece, when the second dance begins. Prince Chen gave Du Wei a look. The two glanced at each other. They all understood what the other meant: it was almost time.

According to the plan, in the intervals after the end of the second dance. It is then possible to declare that His Majesty the Old Emperor has left first, and then everyone can send His Majesty back to rest - as has been the case in every public appearance in recent years.

At this moment, His Majesty's performance of the "Old Emperor" can be called perfect. He didn't show the slightest flaw. Use to sit in the throne. The jīng gods are somewhat distant, some the jīng gods are not focused, and there is a faint impatience and boredom. These manifestations. It is also very consistent with the consistent performance of the real Augustine VI.

Finally. The second song ends. Just when Prince Chen and Du Wei were relieved: tonight's test was finally successfully passed.

Prince Chen was about to stand up and announce, but at this moment......

Outside the main hall. A rumbling drum sounded, followed by the horn of the honor guard, which showed that another dignitary of high status was coming!

Really. A loud voice. It was the ceremonial official who stood outside the main hall and announced:

"Continental Temple of Light. His Majesty Pope Paul XVI is here!!"