470: Chapter 470 He's going to stand up and choose too!

Xiang Liang took a deep breath, doing his best to suppress the tide of wariness and hostility toward Zhao Fusu surging in his heart. His face instantly shifted to a calm and majestic expression, as if the inner turmoil from just a moment ago had never occurred.

He strode forward with a dignified air toward the gathering crowd, cupping his hands in greeting and speaking in a resonant voice, "I am Xiang Liang. I am honored by your kind regard and for giving me the face to travel a thousand miles for this meeting. I have failed to welcome you from afar; it is truly a great discourtesy on my part, a great discourtesy indeed!"

The corners of Zhao Fusu's mouth quirked up slightly as a faint smile quietly emerged. His eyes were full of interest as he silently watched Xiang Liang's every move, as if enjoying a brilliant performance.

Perhaps it was a miraculous change brought about by his transmigration, but his perception was far keener than that of ordinary people.

Long ago, when Xiang Liang was staring at him intensely from the shadows, he had already sensed that gaze like needles on his back; he simply hadn't made a scene about it earlier.

He thought to himself that Xiang Liang's targeting of him was likely because he had just won over a group of nobles from the Six States. With his influence growing, Xiang Liang could no longer sit still and had impatiently jumped out, eager to demonstrate his leadership status in this gathering.

"Everyone, please come inside."

With a perfectly measured smile on his face, Xiang Liang made an elegant gesture of invitation and said in a friendly tone, "I have meticulously prepared a sumptuous feast for everyone. I hope you will not find it lacking."

Upon hearing this, the crowd filed into the hall filled with delicacies.

The hall was decorated in an antique style, with carved beams and painted rafters exuding luxury.

As soon as Tian Feng of the Qi State, Han Zhao of the Han State, and Zhao Xuan of the Zhao State took their seats, they did their best to maintain their noble etiquette.

Tian Feng sat upright with his back perfectly straight, a posture that seemed like an instinct carved into his noble bones, allowing for not even a hint of slackness.

Though Han Zhao's frame was thin and weak, he still strove to maintain an elegant bearing, nodding slightly in greeting. His every gesture exuded a charm refined by the passage of time.

Zhao Xuan was accustomed to being pragmatic in his daily life, but at this moment, he also tried his best to make his behavior conform to his noble status, attempting to show the proper grace for the occasion.

In contrast, Zhao Fusu appeared exceptionally relaxed and at ease.

In the current Great Qin, it was fashionable for high society to use tables and chairs. As the saying goes, those below follow the example of those above; anyone with some family wealth who could afford them had followed suit, adopting tables and chairs for dining.

The delicacies Xiang Liang used to host the crowd were meticulously arranged on round tables.

Each round table had ten seats, just enough for ten people to sit.

There was a lot of significance to the seating at these round tables; one could by no means sit wherever they pleased.

If it were a gathering of relatives at a drinking table, everyone would sit as they liked. After all, being family, they wouldn't care too much about rules and etiquette.

But if it were a social occasion, especially a drinking table where leaders were present, sitting so haphazardly would be highly inappropriate.

Not only was there a science to taking a seat, but the arrangement of the tables also held hidden complexities.

In this antique hall, nine tables were arranged in a neat, symmetrical fashion.

The two tables in the front row were particularly eye-catching. The table on the left was traditionally reserved for those of esteemed status.

When arranging the seats, Xiang Liang intentionally or unintentionally placed Tian Feng of the Qi State, Han Zhao of the Han State, and Zhao Xuan of the Zhao State at the table on the left in the first row.

This move of his could be described as killing two birds with one stone.

On one hand, he wanted to win over these former nobles of the Six States, using their influence among the remnants of those states to attract more people to his camp and expand his power. On the other hand, he also intended to deliberately suppress Zhao Fusu and assert his own dominant position.

Xiang Liang's lips curled up slightly as a trace of imperceptible provocation flashed in his eyes. He swept an inconspicuous glance toward Zhao Fusu, as if declaring his absolute control over the entire situation.

Zhao Fusu naturally saw through Xiang Liang's intentions at a glance; he only gave a faint, indifferent smile.

Originally, he had only orchestrated this "Infernal Affairs" act because he thought it would be fun.

But now that Xiang Liang was actually pulling this stunt on him openly, it truly caused a sliver of displeasure to rise in his heart.

Zhao Fusu's eyes instantly sharpened; he also wanted to step forward and run!

Xiang Liang's strength was indeed formidable, but his own strength was far more formidable than Xiang Liang's.

He was far more qualified than Xiang Liang to be the leader.