Chapter 1063: Chapter 899: Not Fully Cooked

In fact, this is also unreasonable, because although Xia Clan Leader has a respectable background, he is after all not an official of the court.

However, Xia Clan Leader is his most esteemed guest for this invitation, and Guo Haoshou serves as one of the hosts of the banquet, so it makes sense for him to be seated at the right-hand chief position.

As for whether the other two accompanying officials might be dissatisfied, that is not within his consideration.

But now Gu Chengyu has arrived, and his status as the imperial envoy makes it impossible for him to be seated after Xia Clan Leader.

Even if he were to give up the main seat, it wouldn’t be excessive. However, today he is the host, and after all, he and Gu Chengyu are of equal rank, so even if he doesn’t relent, Gu Chengyu would have no grounds to object.

Just as Li Taixing hesitated over whether to yield his seat, Xia Mingqun wisely stood up and moved aside.

Li Taixing immediately understood and hastily instructed the servants to arrange the seat ahead of his own.

He felt quite comforted by Xia Clan Leader’s thoughtfulness.

"I, Xia Mingqun, Clan Leader of the Xia Family, pay respects to Lord Imperial Envoy. Lord Imperial Envoy has traveled from the Capital to Jiangnan for disaster relief; it’s a blessing for the people of Jiangnan!"

As soon as Gu Chengyu sat down, Xia Clan Leader smilingly began to praise him.

"Xia Clan Leader, you’re too kind. I am merely here under the Emperor’s orders, unworthy of such praise from Xia Clan Leader."

Gu Chengyu placed the Imperial Sword on the table and replied with a smile.

The people in the room immediately turned their attention to the item tightly wrapped in cloth on the table, its shape suggesting it was a sword.

Li Taixing immediately realized that this was indeed the Imperial Sword bestowed by the Emperor?

Guo Tongzhi, seeing this, couldn’t help but feel a secret satisfaction. Did Li Taixing really believe that currying favor with Chief Minister Xia would allow him to rise smoothly?

He had heard that the Imperial Envoy standing right before him was a favorite of the Emperor, highly regarded.

This trip to Jiangnan for disaster relief, before even reaching Jiangnan, he had already been promoted thrice, indicating how strong the Emperor’s favor was.

For Li Taixing to oppose him because of Xia Qing was certainly unwise.

The Emperor’s intentions were already quite clear in supporting this person to become a new dignitary of the court.

If he offended Gu Shaoqing, who was at the peak of his popularity, even if Li Taixing managed to cling to a powerful ally, it would not be possible for him to escape unscathed.

After all, what did Li Taixing count for in Chief Minister Xia’s eyes? If it weren’t for Min Feng coming to Jiangnan, would Chief Minister Xia personally write to Li Taixing?

He wasn’t weighing his own worth; people need self-awareness and wild fantasies are not advisable.

In the struggle between these two, Li Taixing’s involvement would surely yield no good results.

Gu Chengyu was clearly not someone to be trifled with; Li Taixing seemed to have hit a snag this time.

Guo Tongzhi couldn’t help but feel a sense of schadenfreude, his eyes shifting as he planned to add fuel to the fire. If Li Taixing thoroughly offended Gu Shaoqing, perhaps the post of Magistrate might become vacant.

Gu Chengyu glanced at the dishes on the table; there was fish and meat. Hmm! Very good, as he was feeling quite hungry, so he decided to eat first and talk later.

Gu Chengyu picked up his chopsticks and ate with relish, while everyone in the side hall glanced at each other, not daring to speak rashly.

They had no choice but to watch those elegant hands fly up and down, eating gracefully yet quickly.

Before long, more than half the plates on the table became empty. Having not eaten all day, Gu Chengyu was as hungry as a horse.

Ming Mo watched everyone with a menacing glare, his fierce gaze coupled with his hand resting on the sword hilt. It was as if anyone who dared disturb his lord’s meal would have to contend with his sword.

After wiping his mouth with a cloth, Gu Chengyu was full and satisfied, and it was time to take care of business.

He lifted his head to find everyone staring at him unblinkingly, which made Gu Chengyu chuckle softly.

"Is the banquet not to everyone’s taste? Why is everyone just sitting still? Please, don’t be shy, enjoy your meal!"

This down-to-earth remark nearly made Li Taixing faint from anger; after all, he was the host, so how could it be Gu Chengyu’s place to inquire about this?

"Whether today’s banquet suits everyone’s taste, I do not know, but it surely seems to agree with Mr. Gu’s!"

Li Taixing glanced suggestively at the plates on the table, clearly indicating that the food was nearly all gone.

Gu Chengyu earnestly nodded, "Quite alright! It’s just that the fish isn’t tender enough, and the crystal pork knuckle isn’t cooked well enough; otherwise, it’s fine!"

This serious critique made everyone present gape, while Li Taixing’s temples throbbed visibly.

"Mr. Gu, I heard you were presiding over Hangtian Prefecture a few days ago; what brings you to my residence today? Has something happened?"

Li Taixing finally could empathize with Chief Minister Xia’s sentiments in the letters he wrote, complaining about how troublesome Gu Chengyu was.

He now understood that this person was truly a rascal.

"Oh? Mr. Li wasn’t aware? I came along with the disaster victims." Gu Chengyu glanced at Li Taixing in surprise, suddenly noticing someone was nearing him.

A pair of delicate hands was about to touch the Imperial Sword, and Ming Mo quickly clutched the person’s wrist.

"What’s your intention?" He raised his sword-like eyebrows, startling the hand’s owner.

Gu Chengyu turned to look in response to the sound, seeing a maiden holding a tray.

This girl should have been standing behind serving them; now caught by Ming Mo, she looked panicked.

Seeing Gu Chengyu looking over, she hurriedly knelt and kowtowed, "Please forgive, my lord! I just wanted to place the item aside to prevent it from being splashed with soup. I didn’t know it couldn’t be moved; I beg your grace, please show mercy!"

Gu Chengyu glanced at the girl, noting her head was lowered, continuously kowtowing. He assumed she might be unfamiliar with the rules and intended to let her off.

Yet habitually cautious, he then said, "Raise your head!"

Upon hearing his command to raise her head, her cheeks immediately flushed as she shyly looked up, with her head slightly lifted.

Gu Chengyu noticed her eyes were filled with shyness, yearning, hope, and a bit of fear, devoid of any particularly intriguing emotions.

He waved for her to leave, "You may go."

He had Ming Mo to attend to him and wasn’t fond of others lingering by his side.

The officials and merchants in the hall all brightened their eyes, Xia Clan Leader and Li Taixing exchanged a glance, their eyes reflecting understanding.

Young men are invariably charmed; what young man wouldn’t admire beauty?

Li Taixing had noticed the girl several times, surprised by her exquisite beauty, puzzled as to why he hadn’t seen her before?

But he assumed she was a newly purchased and trained servant and didn’t pay much attention. As long as Gu Chengyu had some thoughts for this girl, why not present her to him? This was a perfect chance to scheme against Gu Chengyu.

This person was even younger than Min Feng; if Min Feng couldn’t resist the gentle kind of allure, Gu Chengyu would likely be no different.

Anyway, speaking for oneself, all present were men, who’s to say they didn’t enjoy beautiful women?