Chapter 342: The carriage is here; is that any way to speak to Young Master Guan!

The three most prominent singing troupes that dominate the West Wing Pavilion are:

Qimo Qimo Chunfang.

Moon Splendor Pavilion.

Purple Xiao Pavilion.

This year's Flowers Banquet is being held at Qimo Qimo Chunfang. Because the scale of this event far exceeds those of the past, a magnificent stage was specially constructed. To ensure the venue was spacious enough, the three troupes spared no expense to purchase the surrounding land and commissioned the Ministry of Works to lead the construction and renovation, a project that took over three months.

By the banks of the Zhi River, a stage building capable of holding ten thousand people has risen from the ground.

In the center is a square stage for the top courtesans to showcase their talents.

Directly in front of the stage is a four-story building, the best viewing spot, reserved for academy masters, high-ranking court officials, noble ladies from the Nine Great Clans, imperial concubines, and famous scholars of Great Qi.

A plaque hangs above it—"Invite Zui Xian Lou."

The areas surrounding the three sides, where tables and chairs are placed, are divided into four grades: A, B, C, and D. These seats are mostly occupied by wealthy merchants from various regions, juniors from the Nine Great Clans, and ordinary court officials.

As for the common folk of Bianjing, they watch from afar on both banks of the Zhi River. This happens every year, and the cheers from the people on both banks are always deafening.

Now!

The place is brightly lit, the brilliant lights resembling a winding long dragon.

Strings of gorgeous lanterns float on the waves of the Zhi River, and two-story flower boats drift leisurely.

The people from both banks have flocked here, tens of thousands gathered together. Looking down from a high vantage point, the crowd is surging, dense and packed.

Couples lift their children onto their shoulders, peering through the sea of bobbing heads at the stage that is already ablaze with light.

Straining their necks in anticipation!

By now, many members of the Nine Great Clans have already entered the Invite Zui Xian Lou.

The lower areas are also already filled with many people.

They are just waiting for the Flowers Banquet to begin; once the top courtesans take the stage, the scene will become even more lively.

Behind the stage.

The top courtesans from the three troupes have arrived early.

The event will open with singing and dancing, for which they have been preparing for a long time. There were rehearsals the day before, and afterwards, many top courtesans will take the stage to perform talents and recite poetry.

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At this moment!

In a small tavern residence at the West Wing Pavilion.

This is the temporary waiting area booked by the Xie, Li, and Sima families for today's Flowers Banquet.

Xie Hong, Old Madam Xie, and the heads of the other two families have already headed to the magnificent high building in front of the stage, the "Invite Zui Xian Lou."

Xie Yuan is pacing back and forth in the main hall on the first floor, unable to stop.

"Xie Yuan, why are you pacing back and forth?"

Xie Ling said impatiently, "It's annoying this young lady."

Xie Yuan ignores her, looking at the servant he just sent out, rubbing his hands in anxiety.

"The Xie family has been at the Flowers Banquet for over an hour; how could they have been gone for so long!"

"Why hasn't Brother Guan arrived yet, and there's no word from the servant I sent."

Also present is Zhang Yunzhi, who is also frowning, secretly worried in her heart. A long time has passed, and there has been no sign of the person in the carriage behind.

Among them is also a noble person, Gongsun Gongsun Niangzi Xu of the Sima family.

Sima Muqing's father, Sima Changfeng, is the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works in the court.

If it weren't for the fact that Prime Minister Su just sent someone to look for him, Sima Changfeng would still be waiting here, worried about his wife and daughter, his face equally anxious.

The imperial guards and the Demon-Slaughtering Division have entered the West Wing Pavilion, guarding it layer by layer, making it difficult to leave now.

Martial law is in effect today!

Most of the three families have already headed to the Flowers Banquet.

There are a few others in the tavern hall.

Beside Zhang Yunzhi is another woman, Li Shuwan, the woman Xie Guan met at the Hongjing Courtyard. She was originally a woman of an outside surname introduced to him by Xie Yuan's mother for a blind date.

Li Shuwan is meticulously dressed today, appearing even more graceful and slender, her eyebrows like a painting, a pair of phoenix eyes revealing a gentle expression.

The two women are close friends, having agreed to meet at the Flowers Banquet, so they are not in a hurry waiting here.

Li Shuwan looks at Zhang Yuzhi's furrowed brow and comforts her, "It's probably just heavy carriage traffic on the road, making it hard to maneuver. Don't worry."

"Today is the Flowers Banquet; the academy scholars and Great Qi's high officials are all here. No thieves would dare to cause trouble."

Zhang Yuzhi nods slowly. Bianjing has been peaceful for a long time, and her heart settles slightly.

Beside Li Shuwan sits a man with a sturdy build, wearing purple sable fur. He is handsome, playing with a golden-furred civet cat in his hands. He looks fair and handsome, though his face is somewhat sickly, and there is a touch of effeminacy in his peach-blossom eyes.

He holds a handkerchief, stopping a long bout of coughing, while the person beside him hurriedly pats his back to help him catch his breath.

The man raises his hand slightly, signaling he is fine.

The people in the hall don't pay much attention; this Eleventh Prince, Chen Yong, has been sickly since childhood, and everyone is used to it.

The Nine Great Clans and the royal family have intermarried for generations, so they don't look up to princes or princesses.

In fact, many juniors of the Nine Great Clans have even bullied princes.

Chen Yong and Li Shuwan are cousins, and he is also taking his time, not in a hurry.

At this moment, an untimely, somewhat familiar female voice sneers:

"What is there to worry about for a concubine-born son like him."

A young girl walks in at the hall entrance.

The girl is tall, her skin like snow, her jet-black hair as smooth as a waterfall, reaching down to her buttocks.

It is Li Yutong of the Li family, who was at the Xie family gate. She didn't like this Xie Guan from the start and is now speaking sarcastically.

Following behind Li Yutong is Xie Renfeng.

Xie Renfeng has a smile on his lips as he follows her into the main hall.

The few are familiar with each other, and somewhat at odds, so they don't greet each other.

Xie Renfeng nods to Li Shuwan and the Eleventh Prince, Chen Yong.

Chen Yong nods slightly, stroking the civet cat in his hands.

Xie Yuan, however, has no mind for bickering, looking out at the entrance.

Suddenly, his eyes light up.

"The carriage is here!"

The crisp sound of horse hooves rings out.

The servant sent out also shouts anxiously, "Young Master Yuan, the carriage from the Sima family residence is here."

"Young Master Guan is following the Sima family carriage."

Zhang Yuzhi hurriedly stands up from her chair and walks to the entrance.

Xie Renfeng is slightly stunned, but only shakes his head. He hired assassins from the Blood Moon Hall to assassinate a powerless, solitary concubine-born son of the Xie family; how could it fail!

The few gather at the entrance, looking at the carriage.

The Sima family servant left here is also happy, "Yes, it's the Madam's carriage."

Strangely!

The carriage of Gongsun Gongsun Niangzi Xu from the Sima family is not in front, but an ordinary carriage is leading the way.

Li Yutong actually came here with hidden worries about Xu Xiyue in her heart. Regarding this birth mother, she feels both resentment for abandoning her and a lingering dependence from her childhood; her feelings are complex and hard to put into words.

Chen Yong, the Eleventh Prince, gently picks up the civet cat and walks to the entrance, somewhat curious about who this "Xie Guan" really is.

The carriage drives over slowly!

The coachman driving for the Sima family sees so many noble young masters and ladies looking over and breaks into a sweat, feeling nervous inside.

Just as they reached the bridgehead, the Madam told him to drive in front, and he felt it was inappropriate. How could a coachman like him dare to lead a Xie family young master?

He didn't dare to disobey the Madam's order, and after experiencing today's disaster and surviving, he inevitably feels a bit of relief.

At this moment!

Under everyone's gaze, he can't help but feel timid again, at a loss for what to do, only puffing out his chest and looking straight ahead.

"Whoa—"

The old coachman pulls the reins, the horse snorts, and it stops at the tavern entrance.

Xie Yuan is just about to shout, "Brother Guan!"

Xu Xiyue has already lifted the carriage window, revealing a graceful face.

Xie Yuan, Zhang Yuzhi, and the others all bow slowly.

The Sima family servant looks happy and hurriedly says:

"Greetings, Gongsun Gongsun Niangzi Xu."

"The Madam has finally arrived; the Master just left."

Sima Muqing also helps Xu Xiyue step down from the carriage.

Sima Muqing has adjusted her mood along the way, her expression normal, smiling and greeting Zhang Yuzhi and Li Shuwan.

Seeing the mother and daughter so harmonious, Li Yutong lets out a cold snort.

Xie Renfeng stares at the carriage in front, having a bad premonition.

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【In the carriage, you have read the "Jin Gang Indestructible Body Divine Art" given by Master Lianchi and the demonic art "Yama Fetal Profound Energy" from beginning to end.】

【Although you have the ability to never forget what you see, you still read them several times until you knew them by heart.】

【You rub your hands together gently, and a flame of heart-lung fire ignites the cassock and handkerchief.】

【Burning them to ashes, you flick your finger, and a breeze blows the carriage curtain, sending the ashes out.】

【The two precious arts that lead directly to the Ninth Grade of the Martial Path—the Buddhist Jin Gang Indestructible Body Divine Art focuses on cultivating oneself, bringing body refinement to the extreme, as if indestructible, reaching the ultimate power of this realm.】

【Moreover, when cultivated to the extreme, one can open the "Power Store," achieving strength unimaginable to ordinary people.】

【"Yama Fetal Profound Energy" focuses on cultivating a soul body within the body. Every strike carries Yama internal energy, with powerful force, forming water-fire immortal robes outside the body, impervious to water and fire, and possessing extremely powerful recovery capabilities. As long as the soul body does not die, the true spirit does not perish.】

【It can even release the soul body "Yama" to fight two enemies at once.】

【Both martial arts are top-tier heavenly treasures of this realm.】

【You ponder slightly in your heart; you have now reached the Fourth Realm of the Martial Path, "Fetal Refining," nourishing this innate Qi within your body.】

【In the Buddhist sect, it is called "Nurturing the Holy Fetus," and in the demonic sect, it is called "Feeding the Demon."】

【The names are different, but they are actually different applications of this innate Qi dispersing into the limbs and bones, each with its own merits.】

【The Buddhist sect first opens the seven orifices—the seven orifices of the human head, including the two eyes, two ears, two nostrils, and the mouth.】

【Afterwards, through the liver opening into the eyes—the eyes are the orifices of the liver; if liver blood is sufficient, vision is normal. The nose opens into the lungs, the mouth into the spleen, and so on. It is like water flowing into a channel, but progress is slow.】

【The demonic sect does the opposite, first opening the kidneys, lungs, and internal organs, with extremely fast progress.】

【There is no distinction between high and low; the demonic sect breaks through realms extremely fast in the early stages, while the Buddhist sect is like a trickling stream nourishing the body, making it easier to break through barriers in the later stages.】

【As you ponder in your heart.】

【The carriage has already stopped slowly.】

【The coachman was caught off guard and forgot to remind you to get off the carriage for a moment.】

【Xu Xiyue, this Gongsun Gongsun Niangzi of the Xu family, has already stepped down from the carriage and nods to everyone.】

【Xie Yuan waits for the person inside the carriage in front.】

【Zhang Yuzhi is also somewhat nervous; if Gongsun Gongsun Niangzi Xu has arrived, then something must have really happened behind.】

【She has Primordial Spirit cultivation, but feels the carriage is empty.】

【Xie Renfeng frowns slightly.】

【You lift the carriage curtain gently, and the coachman finally comes to his senses, hurriedly saying: "Young Master Guan, we have arrived!"】

【You walk down from the carriage slowly, looking at Xie Yuan in the front and greeting him with a smile.】

【"Sorry to have kept Sixth Brother waiting."】

【Xie Yuan breathes a sigh of relief, laughing: "Brother Guan, you finally arrived."】

【"Did something urgent happen on the road?"】

【"That's a long story, it was delayed for a long time."】

【Xie Renfeng's expression changes, somewhat surprised: "Xie Guan, you are fine!"】

【You turn around to look at this Xie Renfeng, suddenly laughing: "Why, Third Cousin, you don't seem very happy."】

【Xie Renfeng's face is gloomy, knowing he spoke out of turn, and stops talking.】

【Zhang Yuzhi is thoughtful hearing this.】

【You greet them with a smile: "Miss Yunzhi, Miss Shuwan."】

【Li Shuwan smiles: "Young Master Guan, long time no see."】

【Since meeting at the Hongjing Courtyard last time, she has had a deep impression of this person. The characters written by his pen have a bit of the style of the Second Master, and the poetry he composed was also excellent.】

【Xie Ling also follows behind Zhang Yuzhi, poking her head out.】

【Your eyes fall on a stranger in the field, a young master holding a civet cat.】

【Li Shuwan introduces: "This is the Eleventh Prince of the current dynasty, Chen Yong, and also my cousin."】

【You are not surprised; the people coming from the Nine Great Clans are not ordinary, and a prince is normal, so you bow: "Greetings, Your Highness."】

【Chen Yong strokes the civet cat, nodding slightly, his eyes lingering on you a few more times; you do have a good appearance.】

【Li Yutong was impatient in her heart, and seeing you now, she says sarcastically:】

【"You, a concubine-born son of the Xie family, shouldn't you kneel and bow when meeting the Eleventh Prince."】

【"What qualification do you have to stand here."】

【Xie Yuan is just about to speak.】

【"Li Yutong, how dare you speak to Young Master Guan like that."】

【A dignified female voice rings out.】

【Everyone is shocked.】

【Looking for the source of the voice, it is actually Gongsun Gongsun Niangzi Xu of the Sima family, Xu Xiyue, who was standing to the side after getting off the carriage.】

【Xu Xiyue's beautiful eyebrows are slightly raised, her tone serious, her face showing a bit more coldness.】

【Li Yutong is stunned. Since Xu Xiyue remarried into the Sima family, this mother has mostly felt ashamed towards her and never lectured her, sending gifts during festivals.】

【When did she scold her for an outsider!】

【Chen Yong is slightly surprised; he naturally knows the relationship between this Gongsun Gongsun Niangzi Xu and the Li and Sima families.】

【She would actually scold her own daughter for a concubine-born son of the Xie family on such an occasion.】

【This Xie Guan doesn't seem simple.】

【Zhang Yuan is surprised. This Gongsun Gongsun Niangzi Xu is no small matter in the Sima family; most of the Sima family's business in Bianjing is managed by this lady, equivalent to the Sima family's money bag.】

【She has a close friendship with the current Empress, and the Moon Splendor Pavilion in the West Wing Pavilion has Xu Xiyue's business in it.】

【Even now, the father of Li Yutong of the Li family has never remarried because of her; the relationships are intertwined and hard to untangle.】

【Gongsun Gongsun Niangzi Xu would actually speak up for Brother Guan; Xie Yuan knows Xie Guan has never stepped out of the small courtyard for thirteen years, so where would he know any Gongsun Gongsun Niangzi of the Sima family.】

【Xu Xiyue's face sinks: "Li Yutong, apologize to Young Master Guan yet. As a young lady of the Li family, how can you be so rude."】

【She looks at you again and smiles gently: "Please forgive me, Young Master Guan."】

【You smile slightly, waving your hand: "Madam, you are too kind."】

【Li Yutong has tears swirling in her eyes, biting her silver teeth, full of grievance, lifting her skirt, her smooth hair swaying at her buttocks, turning around and boarding the carriage.】

【Xie Renfeng also follows and leaves, looking at you before leaving, thinking to himself that you were really lucky this time, but you won't have this luck next time.】

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 343 =====