Sensing Zu'an's doubts, Sang Hong explained, "Look at Xu Yu, did he ever truly get angry from beginning to end?"

Zu An immediately looked over, and sure enough, although Xu Yu was questioning Jian Taiding, his eyes remained calm. The look he gave the adjutant was not one of anger, but of mockery.

At this moment, Xu Yu also spoke up: "I am also thinking about the reputation of your Governor's Office. This position of Assistant Commander may not be secure. It would be even more embarrassing if he were to be kicked out."

Jian Taiding smiled faintly, taking it as him being sarcastic.

The military officer laughed loudly, his voice making everyone's ears ring: "I'm sitting here securely now, aren't I? Whoever wants to sit here later, let them come to me themselves, and let's see who can sit securely."

As he spoke, the wine dripped down his beard, adding to his air of boldness and ruthlessness.

Sang Hong said in a low voice, "Judging from his laughter just now, this person seems to have the strength of a seventh-rank cultivator. No wonder he is so arrogant."

Zu An scanned the entire arena. Those with higher cultivation levels than the adjutant were already seated in the front row, while the others were inferior to him. No wonder he was so confident.

The other officials in the room watched this scene with varying expressions; some looked worried, clearly those who were on good terms with Xu Yu.

Some of the gloating clearly came from the other camp.

Overall, most of them looked on as if they were waiting to see Xu Yu make a fool of himself.

At this moment, Prefect Zuo Su looked at Sang Hong, signaling him to say something.

Sang Hong frowned slightly. Although he was sent by the imperial court and should theoretically help Xu Yu, who was also from the imperial court, he was new to the area. If he immediately showed his bias and took sides, it would obviously be detrimental to the subsequent work.

However, refusing outright could easily offend the prefect's office.

Fortunately, a commotion arose nearby, which relieved his predicament.

"What's all this commotion?" Zuo Su looked into the distance with displeasure, only to see a group of guards backing away.

"Reporting to your Excellency, this person insists on coming in," the guards said with mournful faces.

Zuo Su was furious, thinking to himself, "Are they all incompetent fools? I just lost face in front of the imperial envoy, and now I can't even stop idle people. Aren't I just making a fool of myself in front of everyone?"

As expected, Jian Taiding played with the cup in his hand, looking at them with a half-smile. Sima Yuxuan next to him said with a smile, "I suggested holding a welcome banquet at the Governor's Mansion before, but it was rejected by Lord Zuo. I was a little puzzled before, but now I understand. How can a banquet held at the Governor's Mansion be as wonderful as one held at the Prefect's Mansion?"

Zuo Su snorted coldly, about to order the man to be thrown out, when a lazy voice came: "I was invited by your Prefect, why don't you believe me?"

The other guards shouted, "How could the Prefect possibly hire someone like you!"

"Get out of here immediately! Offending the imperial envoy is a capital offense!"

...

Just then, Xu Yu, who had been resting with his eyes closed, spoke up: "He is indeed a friend I invited. Let him in."

His status was equivalent to that of the prefect, and since he had spoken, the guards naturally dared not obstruct him any longer and made way for him.

Only then did everyone see the newcomer's appearance clearly. He was dressed in shabby, tattered clothes, and even in the dead of winter, he was wearing straw sandals with his toes sticking out, seemingly unafraid of getting frostbite.

His face was unkempt, his eyes were half-open as if he hadn't woken up yet, and he carried a large wine jug on his body, the smell of alcohol wafting from a distance.

The officials present frowned, wondering how Prefect Xu could have such a friend.

However, no one spoke. No one who could rise to this position was a fool. Could an ordinary person become a friend of the Chief of the Imperial Guard?

Moreover, just by looking at him wearing only straw sandals in the freezing cold, and seeing that his toes showed no signs of frostbite, you could tell that he was definitely not an ordinary person.

Even Jian Taiding frowned and looked the man up and down, feeling that the other party was somewhat unpredictable.

Zu An was extremely shocked, because he recognized the other party as the one who had drawn his sword against him in the Pei residence. According to Xiao Jianren's guess, it was likely the third disciple of the chief priest, the former sword immortal Xiao Yao.

At this moment, the drunkard seemed to sense something and looked at Zu An, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes.

Zu An thought to himself that it was fortunate that he had disguised himself at the time, otherwise it would be a bit embarrassing to be recognized now. After all, the Pei family's father was there, and it would be difficult to explain that he had sneaked into the residence of the Pei family's daughter.

"Brother Xiao, over here." At this moment, Xu Yu stood up and waved to the drunkard.

Zu An's heart skipped a beat; indeed, the surname was Xiao.

At this moment, the drunkard shifted his gaze and went straight to Xu Yu's side.

Xu Yu said apologetically, "I had prepared a seat for you, but unfortunately this person took it."

"Oh~" the drunkard said, turned around and walked to the back, seemingly looking for another seat.

At this moment, the clerk burst into laughter: "Prefect Xu, is this the friend you value? He's nothing but a good-for-nothing drunkard!"

Hearing his words, the drunkard slowly turned around: "Is this your friend?"

He didn't even look at the adjutant, but instead looked at Xu Yu.

Xu Yu hesitated for a moment: "We're just colleagues in the officialdom, we don't have much interaction."

The drunkard nodded, then walked up to the military officer and looked down at him, saying, "Get lost."

His tone was completely devoid of any anger, as if he were not angry at all, but talking about something as trivial as an ordinary matter.

General Dian: "???"

Not to mention him, even the other officials in the room were somewhat bewildered. Although they often did things to disgust their political enemies, they still paid attention to methods and rarely engaged in such ruthless direct conflict.

At this moment, the military advisor finally realized what was happening and flew into a rage: "What did you say, you brat?"

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