Ye Palace Hall.
A vast, brightly lit room with hundreds of lanterns that hung from the carved wooden beams above.
The floor was paved with polished stone that reflected the light, and long banquet tables lined both sides of the hall, filled with dishes of hot meat, bowls of fresh fruit, and tall pitchers of fragrant wine.
Music played softly in the background as servants walked back and forth, filling empty cups and setting down platters of roasted duck, spiced pork, and sweet cakes.
Ye Liuman stood near the center of the hall, holding a jade cup in his hand.
He wore a rich robe of deep green silk, lined with gold thread along the collar and sleeves.
On his face was a proud, booming smile, though behind his eyes, a flicker of nervous irritation lurked.
Around him stood seven or eight elders from the branch houses and allied clans.
They crowded close, leaning in, their faces eager and hungry.
