Chapter 568

First Volume, Chapter 568: Birthday Banquet

Qin Feng's heart sank.

Li Qian invited Xie Yun'er to the Birthday Banquet—his intent was easy to guess.

He merely wanted to use Xie Yun'er to restrain Qin Feng.

The Northern Di Envoy Group's stay in Jingdu will last at most three months, at least a little over a month.

In other words, before the Northern Di Envoy Group arrives, the Shu Wei Zhi Zheng will be decided.

With such tight timing, Li Qian will naturally spare no effort.

It is predictable that Li Qian will pour all his strength into settling the matter once and for all at the Birthday Banquet!

Though he knew this journey was dangerous, Qin Feng still decided to attend the banquet—there was no other reason.

If it's fortune, it won't turn to misfortune; if it's misfortune, you can't escape it.

Moreover, he hadn't seen Xie Yun'er in days; this was a perfect chance to reunite with her.

The day of the Birthday Banquet was drawing near, and before he knew it, it had arrived.

The entire Jingdu City became extraordinarily lively.

Officials of Third Rank and above, due to the sensitivity of their status, came in few numbers.

But officials below Third Rank had no reservations—they arrived in droves, carrying lavish gifts.

Added to them were the young scions of Jingzhong, merchants, and literary masters.

At the banquet site, voices rose in a clamor, the scene wildly bustling.

The venue was chosen with great care: it was a villa belonging to Lin Taibao.

This villa usually stood idle; only when Jiangnan Lin Family members came to Jingdu did they stay here.

Hosting the banquet at Lin Family's villa was, without doubt, a public declaration to all of Jingdu that the Second Prince had won Lin Taibao's support.

Thus, it was a powerful alliance.

Many fence-sitters quickly joined the crowd of celebrants, arriving to offer their congratulations.

The elder guests had already entered the villa ahead of time.

Only those of high virtue and prestige could enter first; juniors had to wait their turn.

Hence, the Gate was crowded with large numbers of young men.

The atmosphere had been harmonious and joyful.

After all, those willing to attend the banquet, even if not staunch supporters of the Second Prince, harbored at least some favorable sentiment.

Since everyone belonged to the same circle, they were naturally warm and courteous.

Until a sudden shout shattered the harmony of the scene.

"The Marquis of Qin arrives!"

Qin Xiaofu's shrill voice carried powerfully.

All eyes in the scene turned toward Qin Feng.

Every single one, to varying degrees, revealed contempt.

Facing the hostile stares from all sides, Qin Feng paid no mind.

With his hands behind his back, he walked with the slow, dignified gait of an old official, striding boldly toward the Gate.

The crowd already disliked Qin Feng; seeing he showed not the slightest restraint, their anger flared.

At first, it was only murmurs, but as more people joined, the whispers turned into loud rebukes.

"Look at his smug face—what a petty man risen to power!"

"Hmph, has this fellow forgotten how he groveled before His Highness and the Emperor back in Jingdu?"

"Sending him to the Front Line was a mistake!"

"What's so great about him? He just happened to earn some merit on the Front Line!"

"Why did the Second Prince invite him? This fellow isn't even fit to carry the Second Prince's shoes!"

"How could the Second Prince possibly lower himself to deal with such an ungrateful wretch?"

"That's right! Though this fellow earned merit on the Front Line, out of propriety, the Prince should host him to show appreciation."

"A wretch?! Hahaha—what a wretch!"

The gathered young scions burst into laughter, eyeing Qin Feng as if he were a traitor who had stolen the empire.

Qin Feng didn't care.

Whether merchant or court official, cultivation is about thick skin.

If you can't bear a little gossip, you might as well go home and farm.

Qin Xiaofu, however, flew into a rage.

He was about to roll up his sleeves and retort to the young scions when Qin Feng grabbed him by the arm.

"Don't mind them."

Qin Xiaofu couldn't swallow this Hatred.

"Master, they're slandering you—aren't you angry at all?"

"You're a Marquis! You've shed blood for Shedynasty!"

"These bastards don't remember your merits—they're throwing Stones at One Who Has Fallen. They're nothing but ungrateful scoundrels."

"If Master can't bear to lose face, I'll fight for this Hatred on your behalf."

Seeing this boy's fierce loyalty, Qin Feng felt a surge of emotion.

As for fighting for dignity—even if he wanted to, it wasn't Qin Xiaofu's place to do so.

This was Jingdu, the center of Shedynasty's Authority; everyone here was either rich or noble.

As a Marquis of Ten Battalion Commander, Qin Feng could easily trade barbs with them.

Qin Xiaofu is a servant—even if he is Qin Feng's servant—no subordinate may ever defy his superior.

"Little patience disrupts great plans."

Qin Feng ignored the surrounding murmurs, stepped forward toward the Door, and was just about to enter when a figure suddenly appeared before him.

"The senior officials have not yet taken their seats; it is not yet your turn, junior."

"Wait outside properly. When it's your turn to enter, they will call you."

The Qin Player stood with hands on hips, blocking the Gate, eyeing Qin Feng with open contempt.

Qin Feng didn't care; he stepped two paces aside, leaned back against the stone beast by the entrance, and waited silently.

The Qin Player gave Qin Feng a withering look and walked away without turning her head.

After about one incense stick time, the Qin Player reappeared at the Gate.

In hand, she held a list, glanced at the waiting youths, and cleared her throat.

"The senior officials and the Duke have taken their seats. The junior attendees will now enter in order."

"When your name is called, you enter."

"This is His Highness's Birthday Banquet—observe proper decorum."

As she spoke, the Qin Player glanced at Qin Feng.

Qin Feng leaned against the stone beast, legs crossed, standing in the most relaxed posture possible.

Sensing the Qin Player's hostile gaze, Qin Feng rubbed his nose unconsciously.

"Even if I'm handsome, you don't need to stare at me like that."

The Qin Player's eyes nearly rolled into the sky.

She spat at Qin Feng, ignored him, and continued reading from the list.

"Young Master Wang Bing, take your seat."

"Young Master Chen Lin, take your seat..."

The Qin Player called out names one by one; in an instant, all the sons of Third Rank officials had entered the courtyard.

Logically, Qin Feng himself, as a Marquis of Ten Battalion Commander and a man who had rendered great service,

should have been the first to enter.

Those sons of Third Rank officials might have had good fathers, but they themselves held no noble titles, no official posts, no merits.

How dare they stand ahead of him?

Clearly, the Qin Player was deliberately humiliating him!

Qin Feng saw through it but said nothing—he had prepared himself mentally for this kind of treatment today.

The Qin Player continued calling names: after the Third Rank officials came the Fourth Rank, then the Fifth and Seventh.

She kept Qin Feng waiting on the sidelines the entire time.

In an instant, only a few court youths remained outside.

And those left were all insignificant types.

"Son of Zhou, Chief Clerk of the Ministry of Justice's Gate Division, Zhou Ming, take your seat."

The Chief Clerk was merely a Seventh Rank official—yet he had gone ahead of Qin Feng.