My Enemy Became My Cultivation Companion-Chapter 870 - 523: The King Yan Behind the Scenes (Triple Release)

The banquet was held at Bright Moon Hall, originally a dining establishment, but with the increasing presence of dignitaries, more banquets were arranged here, going on all night. The shopkeeper hired dancers and a band, gradually making it the premier banquet venue in Wuchang Prefecture, where nobility passed by amidst embroidered melodies, and a year easily slips by in the autumn wind.

Lanterns swayed below the corridor in the wind, while out on the street, carriages moved in succession, and blue-cloth sedans entered like a stream. Those of higher status or official rank rode directly into the courtyard, while commoners had to dismount their sedans and tether their horses at the gate, then be led in by servants.

Su Hongtao, dressed in a Hu silk casual robe, waited in the front courtyard to receive guests.

A man in a brocade robe had just crossed the threshold, and Su Hongtao already reached over with both hands, supporting the other's elbow through his sleeves, one saying "Thanks for attending the banquet," while the other replied "I'm honored to join."

The one responding was none other than Wang Fu, currently appointed governor by the court. The governor is a court-appointed official in charge of local affairs, overseeing various regions and unifying authority to prevent jurisdictional conflicts and finger-pointing. In theory, Su Hongtao, Kou Jun, and Han Xiu were expected to follow Wang Fu's orders, but in the Hu-Guang area, local interests were deeply entwined and old ties ran deep, so Su and Kou joined forces, sidelining Wang Fu from his gubernatorial role.

Facing Su Hongtao, Wang Fu's expression was unchanged, without the slightest hint of anomaly. Su Hongtao wondered whether Wang Fu had willingly relinquished much of his power; in the officialdom, if one couldn't master such restraint, they couldn't climb to such a position.

A series of people then entered the courtyard, and Su Hongtao mostly greeted them with a bow and salute, exchanging names with acquaintances, some polite small talk. Among the brocade robes, Anshan Gong's light blue Hu silk robe seemed exceptionally noble, sparking people's admiration.

When a sedan bearing an official insignia entered the courtyard, Su Hongtao's gaze deepened as the curtain was lifted, revealing Han Xiu slowly stepping out.

Su Hongtao advanced two steps, greeted with a smile, "Han Zishen, thank you for coming to the banquet. I apologize for interrupting your duties. Please take a seat."

"Just handling a few old cases, nothing much," Han Xiu replied coldly, his voice emotionless, "Tonight, I hope Anshan Gong will persuade Lord Kou to secure Wuchang Prefecture's canal operation accounts for me."

"Enjoy the banquet... Don't discuss business tonight."

Han Xiu sneered, made a casual bow, then proceeded into the banquet.

Once Han Xiu was gone, Su Hongtao's eyes turned frosty. As the matter of appeasement moves forward, the friction between him and Han Xiu has become increasingly pronounced, almost to the point of a complete rupture, still remembering their first meeting at the station upon assuming office when they exchanged poems and shared ambitions to rid the nation of corruption, mutually acknowledging each other as confidants. ...Those fleeting moments had left Su Hongtao visibly older, evoking a sense of melancholy.

Will the next time they drink wine and recite poetry about long-term ambitions be under the shadow of a butcher's knife, on the execution ground?

Just as he thought about this, a servant led three people in, and Su Hongtao turned to look, his expression changed subtly, with no trace of sentimentality anymore, as if suddenly facing a life-threatening situation.

The one coming was Chu Yiyuan, accompanied by two unknown men who appeared to be members of the White Lotus Sect, disguised as merchants and scholars.

"Sorry to disturb you," Chu Yiyuan stepped forward and then introduced, "Anshan Gong, allow me to introduce to you, this is Young Master Qin, and this is Mr. Chen."

"The honor is mine."

Su Hongtao gave a quick glance, exchanged pleasantries, and turned to respond to other officials calling out to him.

People like them, who couldn't be seen in public, should stay in the shadows.

The target tonight is Han Xiu.

......

In the hall, the Eight Immortals table had long been set up, with guests gradually taking their seats. On the table were dried fruits and tea, placed in boxes, while the dishes had yet to be served, guests chatted leisurely, accompanied by tea.

In the grand hall, Chen Yi held a bowl, tasting tea; the flavor was thick, but not particularly pleasant, merely pleasing to the eye, inferior to those brewed by Yin Tingxue. He pondered slightly, then glanced over and witnessed Dong Gong Ruoshu secretly stuffing dried fruits into her mouth.

Chen Yi shook his head; this stupid girl, despite being the Crown Princess Consort, surely knows manners but lacks the underlying understanding. If instructed to uphold etiquette, she would, but you must tell her to do so; even if she ignores etiquette, she does not feel embarrassed.

It's unclear whether it's a child's innocence or obliviousness. Dong Gong Ruoshu, noticing Chen Yi watching her, didn't feel awkward but instead peeled a longan and handed it to Chen Yi.

"You haven't washed your hands, don't peel it for me."

She simply swallowed the longan herself, seemingly indifferent to Chen Yi's disdain. Miss Donggong may be a bit foolish, but thank goodness she is; otherwise, she'd be a bit too smart.

Chen Yi turned his head back, just in time to hear the rustling sound of guests standing up, realizing that Su Hongtao had entered the banquet.

After everyone greeted and took their seats, Chen Yi noticed a monk accompanying Su Hongtao.

The monk had benevolent eyes and a kind face, dressed in a simple gray robe, embodying the demeanor of a virtuous high monk. The Taoist wore a mixed-yarn cap, his face exhibiting an inhuman pallor. The robe's design wasn't the usual eight trigrams pattern but rather cloud and thunder motifs with Xiezhi, of a mysterious hue and presenting a solemn appearance contrary to the usual Taoist reclusive demeanor.

Chen Yi turned to ask Chu Yiyuan, "Who are those two?"

"Them? One is the Abbot of Baolian Temple, an old acquaintance of the Su Family, with significant connections involving us. I'll explain to you later, the other... hasn't been seen before, likely invited by Su Hongtao himself."

Baolian Temple...

Chen Yi's gaze deepened slightly; when lifting his eyes again, he saw Ji Yuan's glance sweeping across the room, seemingly not recognizing him.

Entering the banquet naturally means no weapons can be carried, and even Square Land is not allowed. Otherwise, Chen Yi couldn't say if he might impulsively take Ji Yuan's head publicly.