From cute to empress

Chapter 271 The Secrets Behind Foreign Etiquette

After a few days of traveling north, we finally arrived in Kyoto, our neighboring country. To our surprise, the welcome was not the tense and tense atmosphere we had imagined. Instead, the king of the neighboring country treated us with great hospitality and the highest level of etiquette. The city was decorated with lanterns and colorful lights, creating a peaceful and festive atmosphere.

"Your Majesty has come a long way and must have had some hard work!" The king of the neighboring country was a burly middle-aged man with a thick beard that exuded a sense of heroism. His hearty laughter made me feel a little more relaxed.

"Your Majesty, you are too polite. I am here for the cultural exchange between our two countries. I hope to take this opportunity to enhance mutual understanding and maintain friendship for generations." I smiled slightly, and my every move showed the style of an empress.

Over the next few days, our neighboring country arranged a rich itinerary, including grand banquets, wonderful song and dance performances, and visits to historical sites. I tried my best to experience the unique cultural charm of this country. However, when visiting a local art exhibition, I couldn't help but frown.

The exhibition hall is filled with works of various styles. However, unlike the traditional paintings of the Zhou Dynasty that pursue artistic conception and charm, most of these works are rich in color and exaggerated in shape. Some of them even seem "weird" to me.

"Your Majesty, what do you think?" Beside me, the Minister of Culture of the neighboring country was looking at me expectantly.

I pondered for a moment, then pointed to a painting depicting a war scene and asked, "This painting seems to be different from what we understand as 'art'?"

In the painting, the soldiers have hideous faces, twisted limbs, and blood splattered everywhere. It is full of violence and killing, which is far from the aesthetic concept of the Great Zhou Dynasty that advocates peace and restraint.

The Minister of Culture followed my gaze and laughed heartily. "Your Majesty, you may not know this, but this is the masterpiece of one of our country's most beloved artists. With his unique perspective and technique, he depicts the cruelty of war and the complexity of human nature, and enjoys high acclaim both at home and abroad."

I nodded and said nothing more, but I knew in my heart that the cultural differences between the two countries were far greater than I had imagined, and it would not be easy to truly achieve integration.

In the subsequent talks, the two sides discussed in depth the details of the cooperation project. However, as I expected, they still had difficulty reaching an agreement on some key issues.

"Your Majesty, regarding the funding issue of the cooperation project..." Before the neighboring country's Minister of Culture finished his words, I felt a hand gently resting on my shoulder.

"Your Majesty, I have something important to report." Zhen Youcai's voice sounded in my ears. His tone was low, but it revealed a hint of subtle solemnity.

I gave Zhen Youcai a reassuring look, signaling him to reconsider. After the neighboring country's culture minister finished explaining their cooperation proposal, I spoke, "I understand your country's intentions, but this matter is of great importance. We need some time to carefully consider it."

The neighboring king naturally understood the pros and cons of this, so he smiled heartily and said, "Of course. This matter is not urgent. Your Majesty can take your time to consider it."

That night, I summoned Zhen Youcai to the study and asked him what he wanted to report during the day.

"Your Majesty, while investigating the art market in neighboring countries, I discovered some irregularities." Zhen Youcai's expression was solemn. "Some so-called 'masterpieces' are actually mass-produced by workshops. Some even profiteer by selling forgeries."

I frowned. This is no small matter. If it is allowed to develop, it will not only damage the results of cultural exchanges between the two countries, but will also shake the foundation of the Great Zhou.

"Is there any solid evidence for this?" I asked in a deep voice.

"I have already got some clues, but further investigation and evidence collection are needed." Zhen Youcai said in a firm tone.

I nodded, signaling him to continue his secret investigation and make sure to find out the truth.

A few days later, a neighboring country hosted a grand farewell dinner for us, during which an art critic from that country toasted me and proposed a bold idea.

"Your Majesty, I have an idea that might solve the problem of cultural integration between our two countries." His eyes sparkled. "We could try to establish a brand new art academy, hiring the best artists from both countries as instructors. Through exchange and learning, young people from both countries can draw on each other's strengths and overcome their weaknesses, creating a brand new art form that retains traditional characteristics while incorporating the spirit of the times."

This idea sparked a new light in my eyes. If it could be realized, it would surely become a milestone in the history of cultural exchange between our two countries. However, just as I finished speaking, I heard a cold snort from the side.

"Ridiculous! The cultural differences between our two countries are so great, how can they be easily integrated?" an old official from a neighboring country retorted with displeasure. "Doing so will only tarnish our traditional art!"

My heart sank. It seemed that there was still a long way to go before we could truly achieve cultural integration...

Just as I was about to speak to ease the atmosphere, I suddenly felt an earthquake and the entire palace shook violently.

"There's an earthquake! Protect His Majesty!"

In the chaos, my vision went black, and I lost consciousness. When I regained consciousness, I found myself in the wilderness, with no one around me. As consciousness gradually returned, I felt a splitting headache, the whistling wind, and the chirping of unfamiliar birds. I struggled to open my eyes, only to find myself lying on a patch of grass. The sun was setting, and the sky was a blood-red. My memory was still lingering on the earthquake at the banquet; I had no idea what happened after that.

"Help! Help!" I struggled to my feet, only to find no one around me, only endless wilderness and distant mountains. Fear quickly wrapped around me like a vine. Where were my guards? Where was General Zhen? Where were they?

I wandered aimlessly in the wilderness for a long time until night fell, and fear and despair overwhelmed me like a tide. Only then did I realize that I, the empress of the Great Zhou, was alone in a foreign land.

Meanwhile, thousands of miles away, Zhen Youcai was terrified. After the earthquake, he immediately sought out the king of a neighboring kingdom, only to be told he had disappeared in the chaos, his fate uncertain. Unable to believe or accept this truth, he desperately led his personal guards, overcoming numerous obstacles and penetrating deep into the heart of the neighboring kingdom, all in a desperate bid to retrieve his beloved woman.

"Your Majesty, where are you..." Zhen Youcai gazed at the endless yellow sand, his heart filled with worry and self-blame. He knew that this trip to a neighboring country was fraught with danger. He should have warned me to be careful, instead of putting me in danger just to investigate those so-called art forgeries.

However, time waits for no one, and he must race against time. Based on the descriptions of local residents, he tracked me all the way, from the prosperous capital to the remote mountain villages. He went to all possible places, but there was still no news of me.

"Sir, we've been searching for three days and three nights, and we're still..." a personal guard advised worriedly, "This is already the border of a neighboring country. If we go any further, we'll enter the Death Desert. The environment there is harsh and extremely dangerous. We..."

"Shut up!" Zhen Youcai stood up suddenly, his eyes determined. "I want to see you alive or dead. Even if I have to travel all over the land, I will find your Majesty!"