At night, Shen Tianyu and Rong Jian went back to their respective rooms to get ready . Though, Shen Tianyu needed more time to get ready, it wasn't by much . The maids had already planned what make-up to put on her the day before . As for accessories, since she wasn't a n.o.ble or anything, there was no need to bring something too ornate . She picked a landscape paper fan from the ones presented before her . As she walked down the stairs, she saw Rong Jian and smiled at him . The smile nailed him in place as she descended .

Rong Jian was wearing a black robe layered with grey . The robe was embroidered with light grey landscape features such as branches and mountains . It contrasted with his usual golden mask and black eyes to emit a more mysterious air than usual but with a refined grace . On his waist hung a dark grey scented sachet embroidered with light grey fish . He wasn't holding any accessories in his hands, which hung at his sides . His hair was put in the usual jade coronet style with an obsidian hairpin to match his clothes, the tip of which was in the shape of a cloud .

Shen Tianyu was wearing the dress she had chosen with Wuchang yesterday . The maids had decided too heavy of a make-up would not only make it look obvious, it might even diminish her beauty and charms so they went with a more natural approach . They merely shaded in her eyebrows and put a little blush to enhance her natural beauty . On her waist hung a silver bell with light violet ta.s.sels that jingled lightly as she moved . Her hair was let down, flowing down to her waist, with strings of pearls woven into them that would sometimes collide with each other . Next to her forehead was a headband made of feathers, dyed light blue, that wrapped around her head to the other side . The sides of her head was covered in the feathers, making it look like m.u.f.flers, while the band behind her head wasn't as thick . In her free hand that wasn't griping the railing, was a closed bamboo fan . Her nails were even painted with a clear coat of polish to make them s.h.i.+ne .

When she arrived in front of Rong Jian, she tilted her head at him, which caused the strings of pearls to collide, making a small "clack clack" sound . Rong Jian finally snapped out of his stupor and smiled at her .

"My G.o.ddess . " He said as he bowed and offered a hand to her to hold onto .

Shen Tianyu giggled as she put her hand in his offered one . "You're exaggerating . I haven't even gone all out yet . "

"I hope you don't or my heart won't be able to take it . " Rong Jian responded, patting his chest where his heart was with his free hand .

The two got on a carriage from Lavender Palace . It was actually quite simple, following Shen Tianyu's usual minimalist style . The roof was painted Lavender with lavender ta.s.sels hanging down . The window was blocked by a piece of lavender cloth . The inside was even scattered with lavender before, emitting the same smell . Other than that, the carriage showed it's wooden surface, the horses weren't anything impressive either . The inside was enough to seat two or three people .

"How stingy . They invite us to a banquet but don't even provide a carriage, not everyone can afford one, you know . " Shen Tianyu complained once they were seated and the carriage started moving .

"True, or maybe they a.s.sumed everyone in the Finals would be from n.o.ble families and didn't have tie to prepare?" Rong Jian responded .

Shen Tianyu just smiled in reply as she put her head in her hands and looked vacantly at the covered window . They both had another possibility in their minds that they didn't voice aloud . That was, display of power and wealth . Shen Tianyu had read about these Imperial Banquets before . Everyone came in lavish carriages, including the small and dwindling families to try to catch the emperor's attention . If not, at least they will look imposing and wealthy in front of the peasants who can't even afford one . The more ornate a carriage was, the more wealth and status it showed the family had . Shen Tianyu wasn't concerned about it though . She wouldn't be staying here so what's the use in establis.h.i.+ng herself?

They arrived in front of the Palace gates and the driver gave both their invitations to the guard for ident.i.ty verification .

"The two in the carriage, state your name and business . " The guards said anyways . They probably harbored doubt since the carriage was so plain .

"Shen Tian, here for the Welcome Banquet . " Shen Tianyu replied simply .

"Rong Jing, also here for the Welcome Banquet . " Rong Jian also responded .

Only after going through their invitations for a while to make sure they weren't fake were they finally let through . The carriage traveled some more before it fully stopped .

"Miss, this is the furthest the carriage can go . " the driver told them .

"Okay, we'll go the rest of the way ourselves then . thanks for the hard work . " Shen Tianyu said as she got up .

When the two descended, they saw a number of other carriages much more lavish than theirs, parked in their surroundings . They followed the crowd of people ad went towards where the banquet was held chatting casually about this and that . However, they were on alert for any suspicious actions . After all, all officials were invited to the banquet and many of them had probably brought their children, most of whom had partic.i.p.ated in the election Tournament . It wouldn't be a surprise if they had ideas in their head and attacked them with the intention to have their children take their place on the roster . After all, to outsiders, they were just n.o.bodies that popped out from thin air, with absolutely no backing . Even if they died, no one would bother looking for their corpse . Even so, Shen Tianyu would rather not reveal her ident.i.ty . The people that want her dead or control her were way more dangerous than some n.o.bility from a third-rate country .