Chapter 466: Chapter 466: Lay It All Out_1

The Mu Family’s old residence.

In the Hall of Deliberation.

At this moment, the hall was teeming with distinguished friends, with esteemed guests filling the seats, toasting and drinking – a scene brimming with joy and celebration.

Only the rich or noble could enter this hall, and they were at least renowned figures from the three southeastern states or exceptional magnates from the Imperial Capital.

For example, Zhu Guangbo and Bai Yunfei, despite their statuses, could only find seats in the most unobtrusive corner, right by the entrance.

Even Bu Hongwei, the head of the Qingzhou War Department, could only sit at the very end.

In front of them were either white-haired elders wearing traditional Tang suits or men and women exuding authority in their black uniforms.

There were even a few Great Xia Three-Star Generals, bearing three stars on their shoulders, who could only take places in the middle.

From this, one could gauge the profound background and immense network of influence the Mu Family commanded over the three southeastern states!

But amidst the entire hall, an honorary seat next to Mu Changchun remained empty, which seemed somewhat out of place amidst the festive atmosphere.

Those worthy of being here were no fools; they had long observed this scene but each kept their thoughts to themselves, with no one broaching the subject.

Just as everyone was toasting and drinking, a mysterious figure silently appeared and filled the empty seat of honor.

"Wasn’t it supposed to be three hours?" 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Mu Changchun, putting down his wine cup, turned his head to look at the person who had taken the empty seat.

"Is it not time yet?" the person slowly picked up a cup of wine.

Mu Changchun chuckled, "An hour and a half!"

"The other party hasn’t arrived?" the person asked an unrelated question, "Seems a bit impatient!"

Upon hearing this, Mu Changchun laughed heartily, suddenly grabbed the person’s hand, and stood up.

"My dear old friends, please quiet down for a moment!"

As his voice fell, those busy with their toasts were taken aback, turning towards him with surprised gazes.

"Allow me to introduce him!" Mu Changchun announced with a cheerful laugh, "The young man standing beside me is Ye Fei. You can all refer to him as Mr. Ye!"

"He is my close friend despite our age difference, and he’s also the most formidable Divine Doctor in our Great Xia!"

As soon as he said this, the entire hall erupted into an uproar.

Especially a few hot-blooded disciples of the Mu Family, who were indignant and began to shout out loudly in protest.

"What status does he have to sit on an equal footing with our Family Head?"

"Kid, you’re too arrogant; be sensible and get down from there immediately."

"Our Family Head respects the talented and has a habit of indulging you mountebanks from the rivers and lakes, but we won’t allow it."

"Get down from there, what Divine Doctor, to dare be so disrespectful to our Family Head."

As the clamor grew, several experts with exquisite medical skills also immediately started to denounce Ye Fei, solely because Mu Changchun had called him the most formidable Divine Doctor in Great Xia!

Mu Changchun did not expect that his introduction of Ye Fei would instantly lead to such dissent.

Just as his expression darkened, preparing to retort, Ye Fei stopped him.

"It seems like everyone here is quite unhappy with me taking this seat?"

As soon as these words were uttered, the scene once again descended into a noisy uproar of protest.

"Each of us here is either wealthy or noble, what do you count as to dare sit on par with Elder Mu Changchun?"

"Exactly, what do you take us for?"

"Young man, do you even understand the rules, do you know what respect for the elderly and prioritization of the young mean?"

"You may indeed have saved the elder, but don’t think that just because you saved someone, you can be so disrespectful in the Mu Family."

...

After listening to their commotion, Ye Fei smiled and turned to look at Mu Changchun, seeing the old man’s face turn livid, even his lips quivering in anger, and couldn’t help but smile faintly.

"Elder, it looks like this birthday banquet might end in shambles!"

"So be it," Mu Changchun clenched his back teeth and barked, "A bunch who can’t recognize a real treasure, I wouldn’t bother with such so-called friends!"

With his roar, the entire place suddenly fell silent, everyone exchanging looks of utter astonishment.

They couldn’t comprehend why they were being reprimanded by Mu Changchun for defending the honor of the Mu Family.

Just then, a white-haired elder dressed in a silver-white robe slowly stood up.

"Brother Mu, we’ve sincerely come to celebrate your birthday today. What do you mean by your words?"

"Exactly." Another short, plump elder stood up with hands behind his back, commanding, "Mu Changchun, had you not sent out an invitation, why would I have bothered to travel thousands of miles from the southwest to come here?"

"Family Head Wu Jinlong of the Wu Family!" Mu Changchun jeered with a sneer, "Family Head Shan Yuantai of the Shan Family."

"Are you two truly here to celebrate my birthday in earnest?"

"I think you’ve come here to spy and find amusement in my misfortune, eh?"

"Don’t think I’m unaware that both of your families have long since pledged allegiance to the Bao Long Clan."

"You’re nothing but treacherous, disloyal subjects colluding with external forces!"

These words instantly diverted everyone’s gaze towards the two elders who had spoken up, faces showing shock and disbelief.

The two referred to as Wu Jinlong and Shan Yuantai also instantly turned pale.

"Show your hand!" Mu Changchun fixated his gaze on the two shocked elders, "With the two invitations you hold, how many Houtian experts from the Bao Long Clan did you manage to bring inside?"