HCB Chapter 1260 Tokugawa Ieyasu
Chapter 1260 Tokugawa Ieyasu
The walls were covered with authentic works by contemporary masters of calligraphy and painting from the Great Qian Dynasty. Each piece was "invited" from the imperial treasury by the Imperial Guards. The brushstrokes were vigorous and powerful, and the rich fragrance of ink mixed strangely with the ambergris that permeated the hall, creating a dizzying aroma called "power".
Most of the Japanese daimyo present had never even smelled this aroma in their dreams.
The daimyo and samurai who had traveled day and night from all over Japan were dressed in their most magnificent clothes, piling on everything that could represent their wealth.
They were like a flock of peacocks eager to display their plumage, scrutinizing each other and secretly vying for dominance.
Just moments before, they were mortal enemies fighting to the death on the battlefield, but now they can squeeze out fake smiles and praise each other for how rare the fabric of their kimonos is and how beautiful the scabbards of their katanas are.
Everyone was afraid that if they overlooked any detail, they would be labeled as "vulgar" by that high and mighty prince of the Celestial Empire.
Tokugawa Ieyasu, the ruthless warlord known for his forbearance during the Warring States period, also concealed all his sharpness at this moment. He wore a seemingly simple dark blue haori, but the silk lining inside the cuffs was a Song brocade worth a thousand gold pieces.
He looked at his "colleagues" around him, who were making a fuss over a novel decoration. A hint of contempt flashed in his cloudy old eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a deeper sense of apprehension.
He understood that this tea party was a filter.
Weed out the fools who only possess brute force and keep the smart ones who know how to "comply".
And he had to be the smartest one.
The atmosphere in the hall, under the luxurious decorations, felt even more oppressive.
The gold and silver utensils reflected the candlelight, making one's eyes dazzled.
The daimyo knelt on the soft cushions, sitting upright, but their backs were already soaked with cold sweat.
Time passes minute by minute.
That invisible pressure made everyone restless.
at last.
"Squeak-"
The enormous palace door at the far end of the hall, carved from a single piece of golden nanmu wood, was silently pushed open to both sides by two imperial guards dressed in flying fish robes.
A dazzling light shone in from outside the door.
The noisy hall fell silent instantly.
Everyone's breath was taken away in that instant.
They saw the most beautiful woman they had ever seen in their lives.
And the strongest man.
In the very center of the council hall, on the enormous throne made of gold and ivory, lay a complete snow-white tiger skin.
Murong Yan casually leaned against it, resting her chin on one hand, her posture languid yet exuding supreme majesty.
She was still wearing the same Phoenix Descent dress that served as her only nightgown.
Inside this magnificent and luxurious hall, the ultra-black Suzhou brocade fabric, like the deepest corner of the night sky, absorbed all the dazzling light around it, thus highlighting an even more mysterious and noble aura.
Beside her, Lin Zhen, dressed casually, sat at her feet, holding a small silver teaspoon and intently fiddling with the exquisite tea set in front of him, which was also made of gold.
The veil on his face had been removed, and his handsome, otherworldly face appeared exceptionally soft in the candlelight.
His gaze towards Murong Yan was filled with doting affection and tenderness, as if in his eyes, the whole world consisted only of the woman he loved most.
Sen no Rikyu, who was hailed as the "God of Tea Ceremony," was now kneeling beside Lin Zhen like the most humble servant.
His wrinkled old face no longer held any trace of its former arrogance and haughtiness, only endless respect and piety remained.
He was carefully placing the finest "Junshan Silver Needle" tea, from the Celestial Empire, into the gold-made teapot with an almost reverent gesture.
This scene completely overturned the perceptions of all the Japanese daimyo present!
The "god" in their hearts, the "Tea Saint" whom they felt was an unparalleled honor even to meet once.
And now he's actually serving as a lowly tea servant to that prince of the Celestial Empire?!
This...this is simply unbelievable!
However, what shocked and amazed them even more was yet to come.
After Lin Zhen brewed the first cup of tea in the golden teapot, it was clear that he had done so.
He didn't drink it himself.
They didn't give any of the so-called "Japanese nobles" present.
He carefully and tenderly presented the first cup of golden tea, which exuded an exotic orchid fragrance, to the beautiful queen in his arms.
"Yan'er, have a taste."
His voice was so soft it could melt water.
"This is 'Phoenix Seeking Phoenix' that my husband specially brewed for you."
Looking into his deep eyes, which were filled with starlight and love, Murong Yan's beautiful face blossomed into an incredibly happy and sweet smile.
She took the teacup and took a small sip.
A refreshing sweetness, indescribable in any language, instantly blossomed on her tongue.
It felt as if the entire spring had melted in her mouth.
"Delicious."
She exclaimed with genuine admiration.
"As long as you like it."
Lin Zhen smiled like a child who had received candy after receiving her praise.
His satisfied and happy appearance left all the Japanese daimyo present speechless and their worldviews shattered!
They never expected it.
That legendary Eastern war god, whose strategies were flawless and whose decisiveness in killing was like that of a god or demon.
In front of the woman he loves, he actually acts like a henpecked husband, completely subservient to her.
This...this contrast is just too much!
However, while they were still shocked and puzzled by the "divine love" between this unconventional Eastern emperor and empress, they were still in a state of shock and confusion.
Lin Zhen's next words made everyone's hearts leap into their throats once again!
"Alright, my wife will drink the first cup of tea."
Lin Zhen's face regained its calm and composed expression.
He slowly poured the second cup of tea into the "Number One Bowl Under Heaven"—Inaba Tenmoku—which all Japanese daimyo regarded as a god and dreamed of.
He glanced at the group of so-called "Japanese elites" who were already craning their necks with a look full of amusement and mockery.
"Now, it's your turn."
A wicked smile, like that of a devil, curled at the corners of his mouth.
"This second cup of tea, and the remaining ten precious spots to enter the 'Royal Tea Academy'."
"I, the King, shall now commence the auction!"
“The highest bidder gets it!”
"Now begin your performance."
boom!
Lin Zhen's words were like a super bomb thrown into a boiling oil pan!
Instantly, the entire council hall erupted in chaos!
All the daimyo and samurai of Japan were like madmen injected with the most violent stimulants!
They were all red-faced and shouting themselves hoarse as they began to frantically offer prices!
"I! I'll offer ten thousand taels of gold! Plus half of all tax revenue from my territory for the next ten years!"