The night was deep, and the Jinling Prince Mansion was brilliantly illuminated.

Although out of superstition, the mansion was only rebuilt on a corner of the ruins of the old court of the Great Xing Dynasty, it was still the Prince Mansion. The banquet hall, with its gilded pillars, glazed cups, and shark gauze curtains, all showcased the immense wealth of the Imperial Family.

As Qiu Mingyuan had expected, King Jinling was seated at the head, with the leaders of the Gusu Lu Family and the Qiantang Xie Family—Mr. Lu and Mr. Xie—seated on either side.

The two were dressed in rich clothes, exuding an elegant demeanor, yet a trace of anxiety lingered in their eyes.

As for Li Yan, he pretended to be oblivious, drinking and eating.

The dishes at this Prince Mansion’s banquet were indeed exquisite. Though they had Jinling’s unique style, the knife skills, cooking techniques, and presentation all exuded luxury.

Take the main dish of "Jinling Auspicious," for instance: it was based on Jinling’s most famous salted duck. The selected ducks were free-range Osmanthus Ducks, raised for a hundred days by Tai Lake, marinated in a secret old brine with aged Shaoxing wine, Huai salt, star anise, and cinnamon, then smoked slowly over pine, cypress, and osmanthus branches until the skin turned a golden red and shiny, with the aroma infused in the bones.

The duck slices were required to be "as thin as cicada wings, resembling peonies," assembled into a pattern of auspicious beasts like a Qilin or wishful cloud patterns, served with amber-colored sugar-preserved osmanthus brew and tender ginger buds.

There was also "Jade Belt and Pearl River Soup."

It was made from the tender meat of knife fish, the fat under the scales of shad, and safely processed fugu milt by top chefs, with chicken mushroom and ham stock, simmered into a creamy white thick soup over low heat.

Served in a transparent glazed cup, the soup surface floated a crystal "Jade Belt" made from sturgeon fish tendons, extremely fresh and luxurious, symbolizing "Jade Belt across the river, long-lasting blessings."

Li Yan praised as he ate, as if he was truly just here for the meal.

Only the people from the two aristocratic families wore anxious expressions, looking towards King Jinling from time to time, but King Jinling also appeared troubled, unwilling to speak for a long time.

At this moment, the sound of silk and bamboo began, and a troupe of elaborately dressed performers took the stage. Water sleeves rose gently, the singing was melodious, it was the Kun Opera "Peony Pavilion," popular in Jiangnan at the time.

Li Yan’s extraordinary eye power swept over the stage and confirmed that the performers were ordinary people.

No mana fluctuations around them, nor any aura of Evil Spirits.

It was no wonder he was cautious, as the Ghost Theater Troupe was a formidable enemy at the moment.

But the scene before him confirmed Qiu Mingyuan’s judgment. This banquet, named as King Jinling’s birthday banquet, was actually a "peace wine" arranged by the Lu and Xie Families, leveraging the authority of the Prince Mansion.

After a few rounds of wine, the atmosphere grew subtle.

King Jinling finally made up his mind, put down the jade chopsticks, cleared his throat, turned his gaze to Li Yan, and showed a warm smile: "Young Hero Li, at a youthful age, has repeatedly made remarkable achievements in Jinling City, this king is very impressed. However, stability is key in the Jiangnan region. The heads of the Lu and Xie Families also admire your style and wish to toast and resolve past grievances."

He paused, implying, "The matter of the Lin Family involves many, there might be misunderstandings. The case of Locust Tree Village has its court protocols and Mystical Sect’s regulations to handle, as a young hero running around, why not take a rest?"

"The two families are willing to make some compensation to maintain the dignity of Jiangnan’s gentry and jointly resist the Taillake demonic atmosphere."

Li Yan sat still, his fingertips unconsciously rubbing the cold edge of the wine cup.

Looking at the glazed cup, before his eyes was the mingling of goblets and cups, soft words and gentle voices were in his ears, but what flashed through his mind were the mountains of "human cocoons" piled up in the underground passage of the Locust Tree Village ancestral hall, the stiff numb faces of Zhou Dayong’s wife and children, and the boatman’s tale of the weavers’ heavy taxes.

The Jiangnan people struggled in deep water and blazing fire, while the instigators or accomplices lightly discussed "dignity" and "compensation" in this luxurious hall.

A surge of anger burned in his heart, how could he agree.

He slowly raised his eyes, with a smile, sweeping over King Jinling and the two family heads: "Your intentions, Your Highness, are appreciated by Li. But such matters belong to the court’s jurisdiction, I am but a drifter of the pugilistic world, not capable of such."

The atmosphere in the hall froze instantly.

The music of silk and bamboo had stopped at some point, and the performers retreated in panic.

Mr. Lu’s smile stiffened on his face, Mr. Xie’s eyes flickered with a hint of fierceness.

The warmth faded from King Jinling’s face, replaced by a hint of embarrassment and deeper impatience, he waved his hand: "Young hero takes this too seriously, let’s speak frankly..."

But Li Yan interrupted him, eyes directly meeting the seemingly noble Prince, his voice not loud but clear: "Li does have a question, Your Highness, with your noble identity, above worldly affairs, why would you be willing to personally mediate for the matter of the two families?"

This was also his point of confusion.

Located in Jinling, with many taboos, successive Kings of Jinling lived cautiously, fearing being caught by the court’s officials, so how dare this Prince get involved in this mess?

King Jinling’s throat moved, wanting to speak but hesitating, ultimately saying vaguely: "This king... also considers the bigger picture, to maintain the peace of Jiangnan..."

Li Yan keenly caught the panic and helplessness in the other’s eyes.

Clearly reluctant, or perhaps unable to delve deeper into the reasons.

At this suffocating moment, a familiar smell instantly alerted Li Yan—it was mixed with the earthy stench of underground passages, the sweat of despair, and the scent of resentment.

His eyes narrowed slightly, locking onto a servant carrying a tray, walking with lowered steps.

The servant’s pace seemed respectful, but his body was as taut as a bow, his eyes through the hanging bangs, fixed on Mr. Xie.

It was Captain Zhou from Locust Tree Village!

Li Yan immediately remembered the man, a cold smile appeared on his lips.

This man, whose family was ruined, how could he stop him from seeking revenge.

The world is not short of intrigue, nor is it short of the wrath of a commoner.

As he approached the main table and was about to set down the dish—

"Stop!"

A guard beside Mr. Lu also sensed something was wrong and shouted sternly.