Chapter 58: The Moon Emperor

The Treasure Hall? Why had nobody from the Imperial Guard ever mentioned it? Damn it, had she known earlier that besides the treasure-storing tower, there was also a Treasure Hall, she definitely would have checked it out first. Perhaps she could have walked away today with martial arts secret manuals in hand.

While she was thinking, they had already arrived at the imperial court. Beneath the hundred-step white jade staircase, civil and military officials stood quietly, waiting to enter the hall.

Official court robes came in five colors. Bright red denoted the first rank, which was the color Zhao Erdong was wearing at this moment.

Deep blue denoted the second rank, dark cyan the third rank, ink green the fourth rank, and deep purple the fifth rank. Officials below the fifth rank were not permitted to enter the court for audience.

Princes and imperial sons, clad in bright yellow court robes, stood out prominently among the courtiers.

Guided by Eunuch Su, Zhao Erdong walked all the way behind the Fourth Prince, Yue Moli. Yue Moli turned his head slightly, then quickly turned it back, looking somewhat displeased. "Be earlier next time."

"Understood." Zhao Erdong nodded slightly, unconcerned. He was the boss, after all; even if she hadn't been late, he would have found an excuse to lecture her.

At this moment, Zhao Erdong stood right in the center of a full row of people wearing first-rank bright red court robes. Although she held no real power, she was nonetheless a genuine first-rank official. The others swept probing glances at her, and Zhao Erdong returned their stares unhesitatingly. To those who smiled at her, she smiled back; to those who looked at her with cold scrutiny, she gave cold stares in return. Naturally, among this crowd was her unlucky old father, Zhao Tianjiang.

Zhao Tianjiang had also noticed Zhao Erdong, his eyes filled with profound puzzlement. Clearly, this scoundrel had not recognized her at all, and much like the Fourth Prince, merely felt she looked somewhat familiar.

Dare one ask if there truly existed a father who could not recognize his own daughter?

It had only been a few months since they parted ways; no matter how much one changed, how could a father fail to recognize his own flesh and blood? What an absolute joke.

She was well aware of what Zhao Tianjiang had done over the past few months. He had petitioned the emperor to strip her of her status as the legitimate daughter of the house, and had sworn a vicious oath to sever all ties of father and daughter with her, erasing Zhao Erdong's name from the family genealogy.

Since that was the case, she was quite happy to be completely free, no longer bound by family rules. The surname Zhao that she, Zhao Erdong, bore was no longer a gift bestowed by Zhao Tianjiang, but a nobility that was inherent to her very being.

"Court is in session—" A high-pitched, shrill chant echoed through the air as the crowd slowly ascended the stairs, heading straight for the imperial hall.

High doors covered in gold lacquer, pillars wrapped in carved dragons, floors paved with warm jade, and beams inlaid with precious stones.

Even the phrase "splendid and magnificent" was insufficient to describe the grandeur of the imperial hall. Coming from another world, Zhao Erdong considered herself someone who had seen great sights, yet she was still captivated by this breathtaking spectacle. No wonder people everywhere yearned for this golden dragon throne, willing to trample over the corpses of tens of thousands just to sit upon this supreme seat of power.

Upon the golden dragon throne, the emperor sat with an imposing air that required no anger. She had heard he was around forty years of age, but looking at him now, he easily resembled an old man of fifty or sixty. Although his dominance was palpable and imperial majesty surrounded him, the exhaustion and aging on his face could not be concealed.

At this moment, Zhao Erdong thought once again that this golden dragon throne was nothing special after all, seeing as it had tortured a peerlessly handsome man in his prime into such a state.

After officials of various ranks had finished their reports and petitions, the emperor looked toward Yue Moli. "Moli, I heard that the appraiser has already been selected. Is she present at court today?"

Yue Moli stepped forward, bowing respectfully to the emperor. "Replying to the Emperor, this son has brought her to court." Yue Moli turned his head to look at Zhao Erdong and raised his chin toward her.

Zhao Erdong nodded in return, took a stride forward, and bowed to the emperor in salute. "Newly appointed appraiser Zhao Erdong pays respects to the Emperor."