The Imperial Palace, Yingchun Hall.

At this moment, inside the hall, from the inside out, more than forty round tables were neatly arranged on both sides of the hall, each table could accommodate twenty people at the same time.

Each large table has a nameplate for the banquet attendees so that they can find their seats.

Inside the hall, countless palace maids and eunuchs were busy placing plates of exquisite pastries on round tables.

On both sides of the Spring Festival Gate, there were many eunuchs welcoming guests and imperial guards on duty.

By this time, many people had already arrived. After handing their invitations to the welcoming eunuchs, they were guided by the eunuchs to their seats inside the hall.

"Huh? What are these big tables??"

An official who was the first to step into the Hall of Welcoming Spring was taken aback when he saw a large round table in the hall.

The young eunuch leading the way chuckled, "This is all His Majesty's idea. His Majesty said that since it's a banquet, people should sit around a table together; that's how it shows liveliness and intimacy, isn't it?"

"Hmm, that makes sense!"

The official nodded in agreement, then found his nameplate on a large table in the middle on the left and sat down in his assigned seat.

After taking his seat, the official glanced at the nameplates of the people at the table and, finding that their ranks and status were all comparable to his own, nodded with satisfaction.

Before long, as more and more people entered the main hall, the hall gradually became lively. People sitting around the tables greeted each other warmly. Because of their similar status, they chatted happily with each other.

"The Grand Tutor, the General-in-Chief, the Grand Commandant, the Minister of Education, and the Minister of Works have arrived!!"

At the welcoming eunuch's loud call, everyone in the hall immediately fell silent.

Everyone turned to look, and saw Chen Fan, Dou Wu, Li Ying, Hu Guang, and Yuan Feng, with Chen Fan and Dou Wu at the head, walking into the hall together with smiles on their faces.

Everyone stood up and bowed to these high-ranking officials.

"Hehe~, today is a royal banquet hosted by His Majesty, not held in the court, so there's no need for such formalities!"

After Chen Fan chuckled and asked everyone to sit down, he, Hu Guang, Li Ying, and the others walked toward a round table at the head of the right side of the main hall.

As the Grand Dukes and the Three Dukes entered the hall, the Nine Ministers and officials of the court with a rank of 1,000 shi or above followed suit. Everyone who entered the hall headed towards the interior.

After all the court officials had taken their seats, renowned scholars of Confucian classics such as Zheng Xuan, Cai Yong, Zang Yan, and Guo Tai, as well as some prominent Confucian scholars from the opposition parties, entered the hall and, guided by a eunuch, walked toward the round table at the head of the left side of the hall.

Following closely behind were the doctoral students from the three academies of Mo Shang, Gongshu Lian, Hua Tuo, and Zhang Zhongjing, who were personally led by Zhang Rang to Chen Fan and the others' table.

"Huh? Are these Marquis Moyang and Marquis Yiting? What's going on with them??"

Seeing that Mo Shang, Gongshu Lian, Hua Tuo and others had also sat at Chen Fan's table, sharing the table with the Grand Duke and the Three Dukes, the people around were shocked.

After all the officials and members of the Confucian school were seated, it was the turn of the young students and students outside the hall to enter.

The young people, looking somewhat reserved, entered the hall under the guidance of the eunuch. Although their seats were on the outermost side of the hall, they were still very excited.

"Ouch~, slow down, slow down!"

Cao Cao, walking behind, was also being supported by Yuan Shao, limping and clutching his backside as he made his way into the hall.

"Pfft!"

When Wen Chou saw Cao Cao's embarrassing state from behind, he couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"Wentai, what did those two do last night? How did they end up like this?"

While chuckling, Wen Chou nudged the stern-faced Sun Jian with his elbow.

"boring!!"

Sun Jian glanced at Wen Chou and then ignored the boring fellow.

Anyone with a discerning eye can see that Cao Cao was the one who got beaten, so how come it sounded so terrible coming from Wen Chou's mouth?

"Hey~, you're the boring one..."

"Second brother, this is His Majesty's banquet; you mustn't speak nonsense!!"

Yan Liang, standing to the side, was also somewhat exasperated and quickly reprimanded Wen Chou in a low voice.

"Okay, I got it!!"

Wen Chou chuckled awkwardly, said nothing more, and followed Yan Liang into the hall.

"Hey, Aman, why is the place all full? There don't seem to be any seats for us here?"

Yuan Shao, supporting the baby, walked around the dozen or so round tables outside the main hall under the mocking gazes of the crowd, but couldn't find his name.

Cao Cao, meanwhile, stood beside Yuan Shao, covering his face and bowing his head, not daring to utter a word.

Sun Jian, Liu Bei, and others also couldn't find their names or seats, leaving them in a dilemma, unsure whether to move forward or backward.

"His Majesty has arrived!!"

Just as the group was at a loss, with Zhao Zhong's shout, Liu Hong walked slowly toward Yingchun Hall surrounded by the crowd.

Young ministers such as Xi Zhicai, Tian Feng, Ju Shou, and Zhou Yi also followed behind Liu Hong.

"Your Majesty, we, your humble servants, pay our respects!"

Upon approaching, Yuan Shao, Cao Cao, Sun Jian, and others who were blocking the entrance to the hall turned around first, and everyone inside the hall also stood up and bowed to Liu Hong.

"Please, everyone, no need for formalities! Please be seated!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

After exchanging greetings, Liu Hong smiled and looked at Cao Cao and his companions, who seemed somewhat uneasy.

"What are you all doing standing here instead of taking your seats? The palace guards don't need you!"

The straightforward Dian Wei, standing to the side, said in a gruff voice, "Your Majesty, we have not found our seats!"

This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!