The sharp-eyed ministers, summoned to Qiankun Palace to discuss state affairs, noticed a Glazed Cup on the Emperor's desk that was the very antithesis of his usual style.
An Emperor's preferences, no matter how strictly convention dictated they be concealed, were an open secret.
After all, so many pairs of eyes watched him day in and day out.
Xie Che favored ornate and elaborate objects. Everything had to be meticulously carved to reflect the style of his prosperous reign—only because the common people were safe and wealthy under his rule could they afford their Emperor's taste for luxury. However, he only liked to spend money and effort on his personal effects. He didn't commission grand spectacles or enjoy ostentatious inspection tours, so his expenses were limited and didn't place an excessive burden on the nation or drain the treasury's silver.
The Glazed Cup on the Emperor's desk, however, was a stark departure from his usual tastes.
