Where does that wicked woman get her conscience?

Chapter 280 The Standoff at the Banquet

The banquet venue occupied the entire courtyard, with the bluestone path completely covered by red felt. On both sides stood gilded bronze censers as tall as a person, burning sandalwood incense that warmed the tip of one's nose.

Hundreds of red tables were lined up one after another, and in the distance, gongs and drums were beating loudly on the stage. At this moment, Uncle Fu was shouting to direct the servants to serve the dishes.

The number of people present was countless, and their laughter and the sounds of children playing mingled together, making it a large and exceptionally lively event.

Xiao Yueluo was still recovering from her illness, so she didn't join in the commotion and simply sat quietly on the high seat with Chunxue.

The commotion below seemed to be veiled by a layer of gauze. Her fingertips rested on the soft cushion on her knees, and her gaze swept lightly over the audience.

Seeing the lively and festive scene and Zhuge Tianxia leading the palace masters in conversation, her expression softened even more.

Guests are arriving in droves, and even people from the Heavenly Palace have come.

Guan Xun became the center of attention as soon as he stepped into the banquet hall.

A simple white dress accentuated her slender figure, and her cool and noble temperament overshadowed all the red silk and gold ornaments in the room, attracting the attention of the guests, who whispered their praises.

Xiao Yueluo, seated high above, spotted her immediately and beckoned to her, "Xun'er!"

As soon as Guan Xun stepped forward, she reached out and grasped his slightly cool wrist, asking in detail about his daily life these past few days. Her tone was full of concern, and at the end she sighed softly, saying that she had not been able to stay by his side.

The guests below could easily see the intimate relationship between the two.

The daughter, who had been lost for many years and was finally found, was cherished like a precious gem.

Many people immediately lowered their voices and urged their younger relatives to go over and strike up a conversation, hoping to take the opportunity to build a relationship.

"Sister, sister!" Zhuge Zhao couldn't sit still. When he saw Guan Xun arrive, he immediately took a step to go over, but before he could move, several acquaintances pulled him towards the stage to watch the excitement.

"You'll get used to it. If you need anything, just tell your mother." After giving a few simple instructions, Xiao Yueluo asked Guan Xun to talk to the young men from those aristocratic families so he could get to know more people.

As soon as Duan Huaiyan saw Guan Xun had a free moment, he immediately put away his folding fan, pushed through the bustling crowd, and strode over, smiling as he said, "Xun'er, it's been a long time. Do you still recognize me? I have a very deep impression of you."

"What?" Guan Xun looked him up and down, a teasing smile playing on his lips. "You're not calling me 'Grandma' anymore?"

"Uh." Duan Huaiyan was taken aback, then shook his head helplessly after a pause. "You're always making fun of people. When I first met you, I never imagined that you were also from one of the Three Great Halls. What a coincidence."

As the two were talking, Zhuge Tianxia heard a servant report that the young lady had arrived. He hurriedly turned around and was about to call for someone when a loud announcement suddenly came from outside the hall.

"A distinguished guest from the Holy Light Temple has arrived!"

Upon hearing this, everyone's attention was immediately drawn to it.

Zhuge Tianxia followed the gaze of the crowd.

Upon seeing who it was, the expressions of all the guests were strangely inexplicable.

No one expected that the one who came was the Lord of the Holy Light Temple himself.

The man stood at the entrance of the hall, tall and imposing, with a dignified appearance. His bright yellow robes, illuminated by the firelight, exuded an oppressive aura that kept strangers at bay.

Instantly, everyone was in an uproar, their faces filled with shock.

The people from the two halls had just gone through a life-or-death battle not long ago, and the enmity between them was quite significant. And now, the Lord of the Holy Light Hall actually came to visit them in person.

Guan Xun also looked in that direction following the sound, his gaze sweeping lightly over the figure dressed in bright yellow robes, before raising an eyebrow.

Such a powerful aura! His strength is even slightly greater than Zhuge Tianxia's.

The Palace Master of the Heavenly Palace didn't even show his face, but the head of the Holy Light Palace came in person. This matter is definitely not that simple, and he probably has ill intentions.

Duan Huaiyan, who was standing next to her, also noticed that something was wrong. He leaned closer and whispered, "Do you think the Lord of the Holy Light Palace came here specifically to cause trouble?"

"Perhaps." Guan Xun shrugged casually, glancing indifferently at the people at the palace gate, showing no sign of caring.

"Oh dear, oh dear." Zhuge Tianxia's brows furrowed imperceptibly for a moment before he slowly stepped forward.

"What a rare guest! I never expected that the Lord of the Holy Light Palace would have time to come in person today."

He raised his hand in a perfunctory gesture, his tone calm and seemingly normal, but his mind was in turmoil.

Why did this old man come in person? We just had a life-or-death struggle a while ago, could he be plotting something at the banquet?

The Holy Light Palace Master, Taishi Wenzheng, swept his cold and sharp gaze around the palace. When his eyes swept over the red silk and gold decorations all over the palace, a slight smirk appeared on his lips, hiding his mockery: "How festive, Palace Master Zhuge."

“Of course.” Zhuge Tianxia smirked. “A welcome party for our daughter should be a grand and joyous affair.”

The two chatted back and forth, their faces wearing feigned politeness. There was no apparent conflict between them, but any of the more perceptive guests in the hall could sense the tension in the air. This atmosphere caused the surrounding noise to unconsciously subside.

Tai Shiwen stood upright, like a hard iron rod stuck in the doorway. He stared at Zhuge Tianxia and said in a deep voice, "Oh? Is that so? I'd like to see which one of your daughters is capable of causing my Holy Light Hall to lose a middle hall master just before the tribute is due."

Upon hearing this, everyone at the banquet immediately fell silent, not daring to even breathe.

Listen to what they're saying; they've definitely come here to settle scores.

Zhuge Tianxia's expression darkened instantly, and he immediately sneered, "Hmph, you can't say that, Hall Master Taishi. It was your Hall Master who insisted on challenging him, and as a result, he was outmatched and lost. He only has himself to blame. Today, it is I..."

He was interrupted in halfway through his sentence by Taishi Wenzheng's stern voice.

He sneered, his eyes suddenly sharpening: "I think it's Palace Master Zhuge who's ambitious, wanting to run wild over the Holy Light Palace so he can monopolize the power over the two city gates."

"How could that be?" Zhuge Tianxia replied unhurriedly, his words carrying a hint of disdain. "The Grand Historian is as suspicious as ever. Thinking too much is not good for your health. When you get old, it's best not to be suspicious."

Taishi Wenzheng was inherently highly competitive and sensitive, so these words hit him where it hurt.

His face darkened instantly, and he no longer bothered to maintain the pretense of politeness. His words were full of undisguised sarcasm: "It's one thing for you to go against the Holy Light Temple at every turn, but you also allow some wild girl who appeared out of nowhere to disturb one of my branch temples! I think you're partly responsible for this."

"Isn't it possible that Palace Master Zhuge wants to devour both main halls so that he can bring all four city gates under his control?"

These words were clearly intended to incite the people of the Heavenly Palace present, to make them suspicious of the True Inheritance Palace as well. To put it bluntly, they wanted to drag others into the mess and make the situation even more muddy.

Zhuge Tianxia could not possibly fail to understand this implication, and his anger flared up instantly.

But this is their own banquet, and all the guests in the hall are watching. If he were to lose his temper on the spot, where would the True Inheritance Hall's reputation be?

He immediately had no choice but to suppress his anger and said with a cold expression, "If you are here today with the intention of attending the banquet, please take a seat. If not, please leave. The banquet is about to begin, and no one has time to wait around."

This was already a generous offer, but Taishi Wenzheng simply wouldn't accept it.

He stood motionless at the doorway, hands behind his back, like an iron statue, his cold gaze sweeping across the hall, determined to find the person responsible.

"I want to see what kind of genius won the championship and dared to disturb my Holy Light Palace!"

These words completely pierced the last thin veil...

Zhuge Tianxia could no longer contain his anger and shouted out his full name: "Taishi Wenzheng! I'll say it again: if you come to the banquet with sincerity, the True Inheritance Hall will surely welcome you. If you're here to cause trouble, turn left at the door and we won't see you off!"

The tense atmosphere made everyone hold their breath, and the entire banquet hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Just as the two were locked in a stalemate, a message suddenly came from outside the hall.

"Our distinguished guest has arrived at Shangju Pavilion!"

The news was like a pebble thrown into still water, instantly breaking the tense atmosphere.

The surrounding crowd began to whisper among themselves, and even the two people facing off subtly changed their expressions.

Why would Shangjuge come here?