On the sixteenth day of the first month, the day opened the royal court.
At dawn, as the twilight gently rose in the east.
At the hour of the rabbit, accompanied by the vast ringing of the bells, over a thousand court officials and royal relatives entered from the Shenyuan Gate, lining up in civil and military order on the steps in front of Di Hong Palace, standing by rank, with some stepping inside the hall.
Of the highest status were the royal princes and princesses, naturally taking their places at the very front.
Equally of Superior Grade, various dukes, marquesses, and Commandery Princes and Princesses stood aligned behind.
By rights, according to the custom of Great Yong, those of Superior Grade need not concern themselves with mundane court affairs, focusing instead on matters of the Cultivation World, and so need not attend court unless there were pressing matters.
