The hurried first audience with the emperor ended just as hastily.
As the emperor behind the silk curtain disappeared deep into the palace, only the golden gauze around the imperial couch swayed gently.
The oppressive power from the supreme authority gradually receded, the five hundred fifty-five stoves were lit one by one, and the Ice Flow no longer raged.
Chen Ji finally exhaled a long, murky breath, and only then did he have the presence of mind to observe the palace that had been built at such enormous expense.
Above his head, the beams were decorated with painted cranes and deer in spring, and the east side featured a black lacquered, gold-plated shrine, housing three gilt bronze statues of The Three Pure Ones, with a cloud and crane patterned incense burner placed in front, its blue smoke curling up.
