365: Chapter 365 The Banquet

Deng Yue smiled awkwardly and didn't answer.

He couldn't exactly say that this generation's Empress was very lazy and disliked managing state affairs, even once suggesting to the Cabinet that the position of Empress be abolished.

The result...

Was unanimous opposition, especially from the Yin Family and the Ruan Family, who almost came to blows over it.

Don't misunderstand.

It wasn't the Yin Family and the Ruan Family fighting each other; it was the Yin Family and Ruan Family joining forces to fight the Empress.

Finally, after a deadlock, they were forced to agree that within the Vermilion Bird Empire, the title of Empress would be changed to Palace Master, meaning the Master of the Vermilion Bird Palace.

But no one expected that this was just the beginning.

A month later.

This Empress started causing trouble again, gradually becoming a hands-off manager; she didn't want to handle big matters and was too lazy to handle small ones.

Eventually, several Cabinet Elders sought out the Empress.

The Empress said that since she was now the Palace Master, she only looked after the affairs within the Vermilion Bird Palace; imperial matters had nothing to do with her and she wouldn't touch them at all.

The Cabinet Elders were fuming.

Of course.

The Elders weren't pushovers either. In just three months, they moved all the important imperial departments into the Vermilion Bird Palace. This way, the Vermilion Bird Empress—oh, no, the Vermilion Bird Palace Master—still had to manage what needed managing.

However, after a few years, the Empress still threw in the towel and completely stopped managing affairs.

The group continued forward.

After some twists and turns, they arrived at a side hall.

"The two of you will have to make do with staying here. There's a banquet later; I'll come to pick you up. There are also staff waiting outside; just call out if you need anything."

"Thanks, Brother Deng. Go ahead with your work."

Deng Yue left to report on his duties.

Xiao Weiqing and Lou Xiaoxing looked over the suite. Although the exterior was in an ancient style, the interior was fully modernized with intelligent humanoid robots.

...

Night fell.

Deng Yue arrived as promised.

"Gentlemen, it's time."

Xiao Weiqing nodded. "Let's go."

The two set out together. Xiao Weiqing was dressed in casual clothes, prioritizing comfort.

Lou Xiaoxing had also changed into ordinary clothes, no longer wearing that suit because he felt it looked foolish.

The three of them headed deeper into the palace.

Five minutes later.

Deng Yue led them through a large gate. From this point on, they had entered the private territory of the Yun Clan's imperial Family.

It was said that the place hosting the banquet tonight was Yun Xi's private residence.

Beyond the gate, the area was brightly lit.

After walking for a few more minutes...

The three arrived at a modern-style courtyard. It wasn't large, only about eight or nine hundred square meters. Besides a Villa, the courtyard featured ten long tables laden with various foods and drinks, and quite a few people had already arrived early.

The banquet was being held here. Those in attendance were members of the various major families of the Vermilion Bird Empire; ordinary people didn't have the status to participate.

"Gentlemen, I'll take my leave first."

After Deng Yue left...

Lou Xiaoxing said, "Hey, why haven't I seen that princess?"

Xiao Weiqing shook his head and scanned the crowd. There were fewer than thirty people in total.

Among them were eight individuals at the Peak of the Seventh Realm; these were their companions for the upcoming trip to the No. 9 Civilization Ruins.

The rest were young people around twenty years old, with strengths only in the third or fourth realm, plus a few who had just entered the Fifth Realm. They were all Juniors of the various major families, invited mainly because they were around the same age as Xiao Weiqing.

As the two entered the courtyard, many eyes turned toward them, especially those of several beautifully dressed girls.

Xiao Weiqing was slightly surprised. "Oh?"

Lou Xiaoxing asked curiously, "What is it?"

"I've spotted an acquaintance. Come, let's go take a look."

Xiao Weiqing led Lou Xiaoxing toward a corner.

"Ruan Dong, long time no see."

Indeed.

The acquaintance in the corner was none other than Ruan Dong of the Ruan Family.

Hearing Xiao Weiqing's voice, Ruan Dong turned around and gave an imperceptible sigh.

"Long time no see."

Xiao Weiqing smiled. "What's wrong? You don't look very happy."

"Heh... I would be very happy if I hadn't seen you," Ruan Dong said with a forced smile.

Before coming, Ruan Dong knew what this banquet was for, knew that Xiao Weiqing was coming, and even knew that Xiao Weiqing was one of the main stars of the event. He hadn't wanted to come, but his elders had forced him, leaving him no choice.

"What's the matter?"

"Two years have passed, and you still haven't moved on?"

Upon hearing this...

Ruan Dong clenched his fists. "None of your damn business!"

In truth, Ruan Dong had moved on long ago. As the most talented member of the Ruan Family's current generation, how could he be trapped by romantic feelings? However, Xiao Weiqing's tone was just inexplicably irritating.

Ruan Dong glanced at Lou Xiaoxing, displaying the poise of a noble scion as he introduced himself:

"Ruan Dong, of the Ruan Family."

Lou Xiaoxing nodded in response. "Lou Xiaoxing, of Great Xia."

"Lou Xiaoxing? You're the other person representing Great Xia in the No. 9 Civilization Ruins this time?"

Ruan Dong naturally knew the name Lou Xiaoxing. In fact, the major families had known the list of personnel entering the No. 9 Civilization Ruins for the Vermilion Bird Empire for some time.

"Yeah. Are you going too?"

Ruan Dong shook his head. "I'm not. My strength isn't sufficient."

"I know. I can tell you've only just had your Second Awakening and entered the Fifth Realm."

Hearing this...

Ruan Dong looked at Lou Xiaoxing in disbelief. 'Then why the hell did you ask? Are you trying to insult me?'

Birds of a feather really do flock together; anyone hanging around Xiao Weiqing was clearly no good.

"I have things to do. Suit yourselves."

After saying that, Ruan Dong left to find another corner to stay in.

Lou Xiaoxing asked, "Is he angry?"

"Seems like it."

...

Ten minutes later.

Just as the scions of the various families were chatting and laughing together...

In the courtyard...

Soothing soft music began to play.

Almost everyone looked toward the Villa in unison.

Accompanied by two maidservants, Yun Xi walked out. She was wearing a graceful formal dress that accentuated her fine figure, making everyone's eyes light up.

Some were infatuated, while others were simply appreciative.

Even Xiao Weiqing had to admit that Yun Xi was indeed beautiful.

"Sigh, what a pity."

Lou Xiaoxing let out a sigh of lament.

"What's wrong?"

"I just asked around. Since the Yun Family is the Vermilion Bird royalty, anyone who marries a Yun woman has to marry into their Family as a matrilocal husband."

Xiao Weiqing laughed. "You actually care about that?"

"Of course! The Lou Family has had a single son for four generations. My son definitely has to take my surname."

"That is indeed a pity then,"

Xiao Weiqing teased.

"What about you?"

"What about me?" Xiao Weiqing was puzzled.

"Really not interested? Based on my observations, the way she looks at you isn't ordinary. There's definitely something going on between you two."

Xiao Weiqing chuckled. "No interest. There's only bad blood between us, nothing else."

"Oh? Could it be the 'star-crossed rivals' trope?"

Lou Xiaoxing rubbed his chin and said.

"What 'star-crossed rivals' trope?"

"You know, where they start as enemies because of some incident or misunderstanding, and then, as the misunderstanding is slowly resolved, the two of them end up together."

Xiao Weiqing was amused. "Where do you get these theories from?"

"Operas, TV dramas, movies, novels—they're all like that," Lou Xiaoxing said as if it were a matter of course.

Xiao Weiqing dismissed it. "Impossible."

The conflict between him and Yun Xi was no small misunderstanding. Back then, if either of them had been slightly weaker, they would have been killed by the other.

"You never know."

Xiao Weiqing shook his head, not bothering to argue further with Lou Xiaoxing.

He watched as...

Yun Xi slowly walked to the center of the courtyard and said softly:

"Everyone, please make yourselves at home."

At that moment...

A middle-aged man around forty years old stepped forward and spoke up:

"Yun Xi, where is the Palace Master?"