111: So arrogant, so arrogant

Inside the main hall.

Lanterns hung high, creating a festive atmosphere, and delicious food and wine were already prepared, making everyone's mouths water.

Numerous high-ranking officials and nobles gathered, though the other five Ministers and Marquis and Generals were not present.

However, some young people from various factions were there, with representatives from both the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of War.

From the Ministry of Personnel, it was naturally the Su family's eldest daughter, Su Muxue.

From the Ministry of War, it was a young man holding a folding fan, with a face full of spring breeze. This was the second son of the Minister of War, Yan Zhiche.

Yan Zhiche was currently conversing quietly with a young woman, who was none other than the eldest daughter of the Gu Family, one of the four major merchant families, Gu Mingya.

When Xie Weilou and Yan Junlin entered the main hall, everyone present immediately rose.

"Greetings, First Prince!"

Everyone bowed to Yan Junlin.

Yan Junlin smiled and waved his hand, saying, "Everyone, there's no need for such formality. Today is Grandfather Changsun's main event, so you don't need to pay too much attention to me!"

After speaking, he and Xie Weilou casually found a seat, then poured themselves some fine wine and began to savor it.

"......"

Su Muxue looked at Xie Weilou, slightly lost in thought.

"Heh heh!"

A mocking sound rang out, seeming somewhat abrupt.

Everyone present looked over and saw Yan Zhiche staring at Xie Weilou with a playful expression.

Seeing this, they felt that a good show was about to begin, adopting expressions of onlookers.

Gu Mingya's face was filled with excitement, anticipating a confrontation between Yan Zhiche and Xie Weilou.

"A fool who doesn't know what's good for him!"

Su Muxue glanced at Yan Zhiche, her expression filled with disdain. Everyone said Xie Weilou was a good-for-nothing, but that was him hiding his true abilities.

But what about Yan Zhiche? He was a complete fool! Openly provoking Xie Weilou, was he tired of living?

Xie Weilou was drinking with Yan Junlin when he heard the mocking sound. He couldn't help but look at Yan Zhiche and asked in surprise, "What are you laughing at?"

Yan Zhiche sneered, "Naturally, I'm laughing at someone!"

Xie Weilou's gaze fell on Yan Junlin: "This person is mocking over here, and I don't know him at all, so he shouldn't be mocking me, First Prince. This is directed at you, you're being mocked!"

Yan Zhiche's expression froze, and he immediately said, "First Prince, no..."

Bang!

Yan Junlin gripped his wine cup and slammed it onto the table. He glared at Yan Zhiche: "What are you laughing at?"

At this moment, he felt somewhat speechless. Even if Yan Zhiche had a hundred guts, he wouldn't dare to mock him. This was clearly aimed at Xie Weilou.

Yan Zhiche's face changed, and he quickly explained, "First Prince, I'm not laughing at you! I'm mocking Xie..."

"Hmm?"

Xie Weilou raised an eyebrow, and the wine cup in his hand flew out.

Bang!

The wine cup struck Yan Zhiche's face hard, causing his head to bleed.

"Ah..."

Yan Zhiche clutched his face and let out a cry of pain.

Xie Weilou said coldly, "Where did this nameless nobody come from, daring to mock This Young Master? Are you tired of living?"

Yan Zhiche glared at Xie Weilou and said, "Xie Weilou, how dare you! How dare you strike me! My father is the Minister of War."

"Minister of War? So arrogant, so presumptuous, one would think your father is the Prime Minister of the current dynasty."

Xie Weilou grabbed the wine pot from the table.

Yan Zhiche's expression was startled, and he instinctively retreated.

Yan Junlin quickly said, "Brother Xie, there's no need to waste a pot of fine wine."

He glared at Yan Zhiche: "Get over here!"

After speaking, he pulled hard.

Yan Zhiche was instantly pulled in front of Xie Weilou.

Xie Weilou was not polite. He raised his hand and delivered a powerful slap.

Crack!

A crisp sound rang out, and Yan Zhiche's already broken skin on his face splattered with blood again.

"Ah..."

Yan Zhiche fell to the ground, letting out an even more agonizing scream. He clutched his face and continuously rolled around.

Yan Junlin said coldly, "Brother Xie is the esteemed Young Master of Marquis Zhenxi, and also the future Marquis Zhenxi. Furthermore, he is as close as a brother to me. How dare a nameless nobody like you mock him? You don't know what's good for you!"

He had just mentioned a term, 'nameless nobody'. He was hitting a nameless nobody, even if Yan Zhiche revealed his identity, he was sorry, but he didn't hear it!

Even if the Minister of War had complaints later, he would have many explanations.

"......"

The onlookers' hearts tightened. Xie Weilou's actions were indeed ruthless, without the slightest hesitation.

What was even more terrifying was that Yan Junlin directly stood up for him. With the First Prince's protection, who would dare to say that Xie Weilou was all alone and not to be feared?

"Useless!"

Gu Mingya looked at Yan Zhiche screaming on the ground, feeling a hint of cold mockery. Compared to Yan Zhixiao, Yan Zhiche was indeed very useless.

Unfortunately, Yan Zhixiao was dead, and the Gu Family still needed to establish a connection with the Minister's Residence through Yan Zhiche.

Yan Junlin reached out and took the wine pot from Xie Weilou's hand. He poured a cup of wine and handed it to Xie Weilou: "Brother Xie, are you appeased now?"

Xie Weilou took the fine wine and said with a sincere expression, "I pledge my undying loyalty to the First Prince!"

"Hahaha!"

Yan Junlin laughed heartily and quickly said, "Brother Xie's matters are This Prince's matters. If any ignorant fool dares to provoke you, rest assured, This Prince will make them wish they were dead!"

After speaking, he glanced at everyone present.

Everyone's expressions were solemn, and they silently avoided his gaze, not daring to speak much.

"What's going on?"

A questioning voice rang out as Yan Wuhai entered the main hall.

"Greetings, Second Prince."

Everyone present quickly bowed to Yan Wuhai.

Yan Wuhai gently waved his hand: "Everyone, there's no need for such formality."

He glanced at Yan Zhiche, then looked at one of the officials, asking in confusion, "What happened?"

The official quickly recounted the incident.

After listening, Yan Wuhai's face darkened. He glared at Yan Zhiche: "Presumptuous! Brother Xie is the Young Master of Marquis Zhenxi. How dare you, a mere second son of a Minister, speak so disrespectfully?"

"......"

Yan Junlin raised an eyebrow. Yan Wuhai's addressing him as 'Brother Xie' made him feel very displeased!

That dog, Second Brother, also learned to curry favor? He truly should be thrown into a latrine to cool down!

Yan Zhiche was still screaming.

Yan Wuhai waved his hand impatiently: "Take him away, don't disturb Grandfather Changsun's birthday banquet."

The Changsun family guards immediately acted, taking Yan Zhiche away.

The scene quieted down considerably.

Yan Wuhai looked at Xie Weilou and cupped his fists, saying, "Brother Xie, I've resolved this small trouble for you. You don't need to dwell on it."

"Thank you, Second Prince."

Xie Weilou quickly waved his hand.

These princes, each and every one of them is an actor!

The surrounding people's expressions were solemn. Yan Wuhai's action was sending a message: was he trying to win over Xie Weilou?

If so, Xie Weilou's value would soar again.

"Grandfather Changsun has arrived!"

Just then, a voice rang out.

An old man dressed in brocade robes entered the main hall. His face was wrinkled, but his complexion was good, and he had a gentle smile.

Beside him, Changsun Ming and a girl of eighteen or nineteen were supporting him. This girl was the eldest daughter of the Changsun family, Miss Grandson Zhirou.

"Greetings, Grandfather Changsun."

Everyone bowed to Grandfather Changsun.

Grandfather Changsun, also known as Changsun Qi, was the previous Minister of Works.

Although he had retired and no longer attended court, he still wielded immense power and should not be underestimated. The Changsun family was still under his command.