Chapter 1062: Chapter 898: Meeting the Real Person

The servants stationed outside the side hall were at a loss as well. They saw the visitors arriving without any guide, yet the two had already appeared outside the side hall. What was going on?

Logically, it was impossible for such an esteemed guest to arrive at the residence without being escorted by servants. But if they weren’t invited guests for this banquet, then how did they enter without invitations?

The two servants at the door were just about to inquire, but a loud yell erupted from inside the room. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"Bold! Who dares to linger outside the door?"

Li Taixing glanced around the room, confident that everyone he had invited was already present. So who exactly was this person?

Furthermore, the other party’s words were disrespectful, with quite the audacious tone. Clearly, the visitors were up to no good.

The people inside exchanged glances, craning their necks to see outside the side hall.

Upon hearing their lord’s angry shout, the servants realized something was amiss—these two were clearly gatecrashers.

Now, they didn’t care who these people were. If they let these people enter the hall, the lord might blame them, spelling trouble for them.

"Hey! Who are you? Our Lord Prefect is hosting a banquet for esteemed guests. Do you have invitations?"

One of the servants stepped forward to ask, with a hint of displeasure in his voice.

Had it not been for the leading individual’s luxurious attire and noble demeanor, he would have been far less courteous.

"Invitations? We do not have any!" Gu Chengyu appeared as though he suddenly realized something, tapping his forehead as if slightly troubled.

The servant’s face immediately sank. How did they get in without invitations? What on earth was happening with the gatekeepers? This would undoubtedly cause trouble for them.

Realizing the two were intruders, the servants decided they wouldn’t be polite anymore.

"You need to leave right away..." One servant had just begun speaking when suddenly, with a swish, a flash of silver appeared, followed by a chilling and ominous sensation wrapping around his neck, making him shiver uncontrollably.

He glanced down and saw an icy, shining sword resting against his neck. He was instantly terrified and almost couldn’t stand.

The other servant, realizing the situation, was also frightened into silence, swallowing hard, unable to move.

"Enough talk, move aside!" Ming Mo, having achieved his goal, took down the sword and cast a warning glance at the two.

Li Taixing waited a moment inside, but no one came to report back, and the intruder was silent.

Angered, he stood up from his seat and beckoned his steward besides him, "Go outside and see what’s happening. Find out who dares to speak so insolently."

He was the leading Magistrate; being humiliated in front of so many merchants made it unbearable for him.

Say what you may about him, but he intended to see who dared mock him like this.

Gu Chengyu swaggered into the hall with Min Feng, and the crowd, already craning their necks, finally saw him in person.

The young man stood with one hand behind his back, while the other held a long, cloth-wrapped item.

Upon closer look at his face, his features were as exquisite as a painting, and his eyes strikingly dark—truly the visage that could charm anyone.

With a golden crown, jade belt, and a peach-red round-collared robe that emphasized his rosy lips and pearly teeth, the vivid attire seemed perfectly harmonized on him, adding to his charm.

"Don’t panic, Mr. Li, I am not here for any villainous acts." Gu Chengyu chuckled, entered the side hall with Ming Mo.

Li Taixing’s face turned ashen. If he didn’t recognize the person by now, he’d be an utter fool.

Anyone who refers to themselves as "I" in that manner is clearly a court official. Considering his appearance, and earlier comments about the commerce meetings, who else could he be but Gu Chengyu?

He never imagined he’d meet him in person today, let alone under these circumstances.

"How daring! This is the imperial envoy sent by the court to Jiangnan. Upon meeting him, shouldn’t everyone hurry forward to pay respects?"

Ming Mo raised his chin high, scanned the crowd with disdain, and barked sternly.

The crowd suddenly snapped to attention. An imperial envoy? They glanced at Li Taixing seated at the head, seeing him remain still, leaving them unsure.

This person had intruded the Magistrate’s mansion claiming to be an imperial envoy. They remained skeptical at heart.

An imperial envoy sent by the court is typically announced ahead to the local officials in preparation for a reception. Why did this envoy arrive with just one follower, and why did he barge in unannounced? It was unheard of.

Gu Chengyu didn’t get angry seeing their hesitation.

With one hand, he retrieved a shining token from his chest pocket, raised it high, and stated loudly, "Here is the Imperial Gold Medal from the Emperor himself. Seeing the gold medal is like the Emperor’s presence. Shouldn’t Yingnan Prefecture Magistrate Li Taixing be kneeling?"

Upon seeing the gleaming token, Li Taixing realized today would not end well.

He immediately dashed from his seat and knelt on the ground before reaching Gu Chengyu, "Long live the Emperor!"

The crowd panicked; they had never seen a gold medal in their lifetimes.

But they weren’t unworldly—seeing Li Taixing kneeling made them hold back nothing.

After a brief chaos, everyone knelt together in unison.

As Xia Mingqun joined the crowd in chanting for the Emperor, his heart thumped uneasily.

Today was not auspicious at all.

Originally, he wished to draw Li Taixing in to act as a vanguard. Yet, unexpectedly, the visitor arrived at Yingnan Mansion, casting doubt on his plans for the day.

Seeing their ill-intentioned appearance, Xia Mingqun felt impending trouble.

Gu Chengyu waited for everyone to rise before surveying the gathered crowd with interest.

"Mr. Li, such spirits—good wine and food, songs and dances—it’s truly delightful. Yet, alas, I am weary from my travels, starving and exhausted!"

Gu Chengyu sighed, prompting dead silence in the hall with nobody daring to speak.

"I was unaware of the imperial envoy’s arrival and failed to greet appropriately. I hope Lord Imperial Envoy forgives me. After a long journey, perhaps you’d like to dine first. Once I arrange accommodations, you can rest."

Li Taixing, seasoned in officialdom, recovered quickly, treating Gu Chengyu with respect, concealing the deep prejudice he’d developed against him.

Gu Chengyu nodded, "I’ll trouble you then, Mr. Li. My unexpected visit must have been presumptuous."

"You are too kind! Someone, find a seat for Lord Imperial Envoy." Li Taixing called out, inwardly grumbling at how thick-skinned Gu Chengyu was.

But now—how should he arrange seating? In the Dayan Dynasty, the left seat was most esteemed, initially intended for the Vice Governor Guo Haoshou.

But Xia Clan Leader had a unique status, not only as the Xia Clan’s leader but also an Advanced Scholar. Yet after achieving the scholarly degree, he didn’t take office, instead managing clan affairs, hence his seat was at the head.