However, before Feng Jixing and Lin Muyu had even stepped out of the door, the sound of hurried footsteps could be heard from outside. A guard from the Divine Marquis Residence said respectfully, "Duke Fan, Sir Zhuang Yan has sent someone to deliver an invitation. He said that there will be a banquet at the Drunken Immortal Restaurant tomorrow afternoon, and Duke Fan is invited."
"The Drunken Immortal Restaurant?"
Zeng Yifan frowned and said, "Call him in."
"Yes!"
The person sent by Zhuang Yan did not look like a soldier, but more like a businessman. He was fat and had a moustache. When he saw Lin Muyu and Feng Jixing, he immediately smiled and said, "So Your Highnesses are here too, that's even better. Both of you are also invited to the Drunken Immortal Restaurant tomorrow afternoon. This is Sir Zhuang Yan's invitation."
He took out four invitation cards at once. Not only were Zeng Yifan, Lin Muyu and Feng Jixing invited, even Wei Chou was included.
"What is Sir Zhuang Yan planning to do?" Lin Muyu asked.
The messenger shook his head and said, "This lowly one is just a messenger. As for the details, this lowly one doesn't know. However, Lord Zhuang Yan said that tomorrow at noon, there will be an earth-shattering announcement at the Drunken Immortal Inn. I hope that the two princes, Duke Fan, and Minister Wei will not miss it."
"Who else did he invite?" Feng Jixing asked.
"Hmm … the three Highnesses, the three Dukes and many Marquises have been invited. In addition, the Ministry of War, Ministry of Manpower, Ministry of Justice, Divine Temple and Elixir Department of Lanyan City have also been invited. There are about a hundred people in total."
"Alright, that's all. You can go now. Tell Zhuang Yan that we will be there on time tomorrow."
"Yes, then I'll take my leave."
After the messenger left, the people in the living room frowned.
"His movements are quite fast. We didn't even have time to make a move before he made the first move," Lin Muyu said lightly, "Tomorrow's lunch at the Drunken Immortal Restaurant won't be that delicious."
Zeng Yifan nodded. "A few days ago, I heard that Zhuang Yan had also invited the various feudal princes to a banquet. Liu Xiyu, Su Changying, Zhou Heng, Zhao Xinpei, Yang Zhong, and the other feudal princes were all present. The Imperial Army only has a hundred thousand troops, but the hundreds of feudal princes have six or seven times more troops than us. They can already be considered to have the power to decide life and death."
As he spoke, Zeng Yifan sat down and sighed. "Originally, we could enjoy peace after defeating the Celestial Pole Continent, but I didn't expect that the empire's chaos had only just begun."
Feng Jixing said, "Zhuang Yan and the others don't have good intentions. In my opinion, we should cut the Gordian knot and kill the feudal princes' leaders, ending all troubles once and for all."
"Your Highness Prince Xin, times have changed. It's no longer the time for you to kill hundreds of generals in the seven seas. Back then, the main forces of the Empire's army still existed and Tang Lan was still around, so they still had some reservations. But now, the chaos in the feudal vassal states' armies is no longer something that people like Tang Lu can compare to. Zhuang Yan, Su Changying, and Liu Xiyu … Which one of them isn't a sly old fox? If we really kill them with our status as Divine Realm experts, their subordinates will also lead their armies to attack Lanyan City.
Lin Muyu said, "We'll talk about it after we go to the Drunken Immortal Restaurant tomorrow afternoon."
"Mhm." Feng Jixing nodded.
Lin Muyu then looked at Wei Chou and said, "Deploy 2,000 people from the Longdan Army Camp to guard the surroundings of the Drunken Immortal Restaurant. If anything really goes wrong, we'd rather kill the innocent than let them off. Don't leave any feudal princes alive!"
Wei Chou cupped his fists. "Yes, I understand!"
Feng Jixing muttered, "This matter … Should we tell Her Highness Yin and Princess Xi?"
"The two of them have just been freed from the war. It's better not to tell them. We'll make the decision ourselves. I think Xiao Yin and Xiao Xi won't blame us."
"Alright!"
…
The next day, at noon, there were no other customers in the Drunken Immortal Restaurant on Tongtian Street. The entire place was under martial law by the guards of the feudal princes' armies. However, the streets outside the Drunken Immortal Restaurant were tightly guarded by the armored cavalry of the Longdan Army Camp. If there were any disturbances, the hundreds of guards of the feudal princes' armies naturally wouldn't be a match for the battle-hardened elites of the Longdan Army Camp.
Lin Muyu and Feng Jixing arrived at the Drunken Immortal Restaurant together. When the two of them entered, they discovered that Qin Yan, Su Yu, and Zhen Yifan were already there. The huge Drunken Immortal Restaurant had already been booked by Zhuang Yan today. There was no one else. All the guests were important ministers of the imperial court.
The Ministry of War and the Ministry of Justice all came forward to pay their respects. Lin Muyu and Feng Jixing each nodded their heads in return. In reality, with their status, there was no need for them to do so.
Not long after, Zhuang Yan, Liu Xiyu, and the rest walked out from inside. Zhuang Yan laughed heartily and knelt down, saying, "This general pays his respects to the three Highnesses. It is the honor of us feudal princes that the three Highnesses are willing to give us face."
"Lord Zhuang need not be so courteous. Rise," Lin Muyu said.
"Then, everyone, please take your seats!"
Zhuang Yan nodded his head with a smile. He led Lin Muyu, Feng Jixing, Qin Yan, and the rest straight to a large table in the center. The guests at this table were all first-rank. Aside from the three princes and three dukes, there were also the Minister of War, the Minister of Justice, the Minister of Revenue, and so on. Every single one of them was a heavyweight who could make Lanyan City tremble with a stomp of their feet.
Lin Muyu and Feng Jixing remained silent. There was no such thing as a good banquet. Today was destined to be a bad day.
Delicious delicacies quickly filled the table, and the aroma of wine filled the air. Lin Muyu and Feng Jixing had been away from home for many years, so they never had the chance to taste the delicacies of the Drunken Immortal Restaurant. Today, they couldn't help but be tempted, but they still had to endure it. After all, something big was definitely going to happen today.
"I wonder why Lord Zhuang has set up a banquet to entertain us today?" Zhuang Yifan squinted his eyes and asked with a smile.
Zhuang Yan smiled slightly and said, "Everyone here is the cornerstone of the Empire. The three princes rule the world, the four dukes rule the world, and the five dukes guard the four directions. The Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue provide the most solid logistical support for the Empire's army. Only by working together can we drive away the powerful enemy. Compared to everyone here, we feudal princes who recruit our own troops simply have no qualifications to speak of. However, the troops in our hands only recognize our faces, so … today, the purpose of this Zhuang hosting this banquet is to familiarize ourselves with each other, so that we can work together in the future and make preparations for our loyalty to the Empire."
His loyal and courageous appearance made it hard for anyone to doubt him.
Lin Muyu's face was expressionless. After so many years, she could tell at a glance that Zhuang Yan was only a scheming villain. He was still thousands of miles away from being a loyal official. Thus, Lin Muyu said, "When will the banquet start? I'm hungry. "
"Ha, Your Highness Prince Qin, please wait a moment."
Zhuang Yan laughed and said, "Today, other than everyone here, this general has also invited a highly respected elder of the Empire's royal family. With him here, the Empire can truly be at peace for a long time."
"Oh?"
Lin Muyu was a little displeased and said, "Who is this person? How can he have such a big tone?"
"We found this person in Heaven's Pivot Province. He has already concealed his identity for many years, escaping from Fairy Lake to live in the northeast of Heaven's Pivot Province, living like a hunter. I think … Your Highness Prince Zhong should be quite familiar with him."
Zhuang Yan looked deeply at Qin Yan.
Qin Yan was slightly stunned, "I …? What am I familiar with? Call him over first. "
"Alright."
Zhuang Yan clapped his hands and said, "Men, invite His Highness in!"
Immediately, the curtains at the back of the hall were pulled open. An old man with grizzled hair and beard walked over under the support of two guards. His spirit was still considered hale and hearty, but his appearance was incomparably aged. Everyone stared dumbfounded with their mouths agape, feeling that he was somewhat familiar. Even Lin Muyu and Feng Jixing were dumbfounded. They seemed to have seen this person before somewhere, but … they could not quite remember.
Among the crowd, only Qin Yan slowly stood up and walked over in a daze, saying in a trembling voice, "Royal Father … is that you? Royal Father … "
The arrival was precisely Prince Ji Ning, Qin Kuan! Qin Jin, Qin Yi's younger brother!
Qin Kuan's old tears flowed down, his palm trembling as he supported Qin Yan's arm, "Ah Yan … My Ah Yan has grown up. Father misses you and your brother every day. Today, I can finally see you guys …"
Qin Yan lost his voice and cried bitterly, "Royal Father … for so many years, we already thought that you were already dead … Why, why would you appear here today?"
Qin Xiao said, "Back then, Second Brother did not listen to my advice and killed Royal Brother, fratricidal. But he did not want to kill me. He just sent someone to a faraway place on a horse alone. He said before that as long as I concealed my identity, he would not pursue it. Otherwise, he would definitely send people to hunt me down. For so many years … I've always been hiding deep in the mountains without anyone knowing … Ah Yan, your brother, he …"
Qin Yan's tears flowed, "My brother, he already died for the country during the Lanyan City Rebellion 11 years ago!"
"My Ah Lei …"
Qin Kuan's entire body trembled. Only when he got this news from Qin Yan's mouth did he truly feel the pain of losing a loved one.
Zhuang Yan walked forward and supported Qin Kuan, saying, "Your Highness, please take a seat. Commander Qin Lei sacrificed his life for the country. He is the pride of the empire. You should be happy for him."
Qin Xiao nodded and took a seat.
Lin Muyu and Feng Jixing stood up at the same time and said respectfully, "Greetings, Your Highness Prince Yunning!"
"I know you two …" Qin Kuan said faintly, "You are Lin Muyu, Royal Brother's adopted son, and you are Feng Jixing, the commander of the Imperial Army."
"That's right."
"You two are already Dukes now …" Qin Kuan looked at their cloaks and naturally knew their identities.
Su'Er said, "Your Highness Prince Yunning, Yu has been conferred the title of Qin King, Feng Jixing has been conferred the title of Xin King, and your son Qin Yan has been conferred the title of Zhong King. For so many years, it was the three of them who have been ruling the world of Great Qin."
"I know, I know all of it …"
Feng Jixing smiled, "Your Highness Prince Yunning is Her Highness Empress's uncle. It's great that you can return safe and sound. The empire has gained another capable official, it's a blessing. Why don't … Your Highness be escorted by us to Ze Tian Palace to see Her Highness Empress?"
Qin Kuan was startled and didn't say anything. Instead, Zhuang Yan smiled, "Your Highness Prince Yunning must be tired from the journey. Don't rush to see Her Highness Empress for now. Why don't you wait for the morning court meeting?"
Feng Jixing said coldly, "Since when did a small governor of Xiyang City like you have the right to decide Prince Yunning's matters?"
His words were filled with murderous intent, and Zhuang Yan couldn't help but turn pale.
Lin Muyu quickly pressed her hand on Feng Jixing's wrist and said, "Brother Feng, let's wait for Prince Yunning's opinion first."
Qin Kuan coughed violently and said, "Then … tomorrow morning. We're not in a hurry anyway. I've been traveling in the mountains for so many years, and I've heard a lot of things. I can write a memorial to Her Highness Empress."
Lin Muyu nodded, "Hmm, okay."
Feng Jixing glared at Lin Muyu, seemingly dissatisfied.
Meanwhile, Lin Muyu's voice passed into Feng Jixing's ears like a silk thread, "I know Zhuang Yan wants to control us through Prince Yunning, but we can't act rashly. After all, we have to show respect to Prince Yunning, the emperor's uncle, and even more so to Yan. He just learned that his father is still alive. How can we pour cold water on him now?"
Feng Jixing's anger gradually subsided. He nodded and didn't say anything more. He started to eat.
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