Upon hearing Lu Yunxue's words, a barely perceptible hint of anger flashed across Pei Jianzhi's face, but he quickly put on a nonchalant tone and said...
“I disdain to associate with people who rely on their fathers’ influence. Only those achievements I have made myself, without relying on others, are worthy of praise.”
"Xue'er, just you wait and see. In the future, I, Pei Jianzhi, will definitely crush him under my feet. Tonight is our home turf, and we absolutely cannot let him steal the spotlight."
After saying that, the two walked side by side toward the palace.
Inside the palace, music and rituals resounded, and officials from all sides came and went in an endless stream.
The civil and military officials were seated on both sides, chatting and laughing as if they were old friends.
It was as if those behind-the-scenes schemes and factional strife had never happened.
Everyone was having a great time and was very happy.
The victory celebration banquet tonight will be held inside the Zhengde Hall.
Countless women dressed in gorgeous palace attire were busy moving around inside the hall, and Mu Zian looked around curiously.
Many women in the seating area cast flirtatious glances at Mu Zi'an through the thin veil.
After all, Mu Zi'an tonight truly deserves the description: "A gentleman as fine as jade, unparalleled in the world."
However, some officials were whispering among themselves at that moment.
"I didn't expect the Duke of Zhenguo to come tonight as well."
"I heard that it was invited by the Heroine Marquis and Pei Jianzhi. There's going to be a good show tonight."
"I wonder how the Duke of Zhenguo feels when he sees the woman he once loved with another man."
For a moment, many officials cast sympathetic glances at Mu Zi'an.
After all, they had all witnessed how crazy Mu Zi'an was for love back then.
They didn't believe that Mu Zi'an could break up with Lu Yunxue so decisively. To them, Mu Zi'an's attendance tonight must be to win back Lu Yunxue's heart.
Mu Zian sat in his seat, silently drinking his wine, but his mind was completely elsewhere.
His sharp gaze swept across the seats before him; he was certain that among these court officials and ministers, there were those who wanted to harm him.
Just then, Lu Yunxue and Pei Jianzhi appeared hand in hand inside the main hall.
The moment the two appeared, the once bustling hall fell silent.
Upon seeing Mu Zian sitting in the head seat, Pei Jianzhi felt displeased and stepped forward provocatively.
"Greetings, Duke Zhenguo, I am Pei Jianzhi."
Pei Jianzhi wore a mocking smile.
It was as if he was telling Mu Zian that even if you were the Duke of Zhenguo, so what? The woman you loved but couldn't have was easily won over by him.
However, Mu Zian's response to Pei Jianzhi was only a simple and cold word.
"roll!"
The voice wasn't loud, but all the officials present could hear it clearly.
Pei Jianzhi never expected that Mu Zian would show him no respect at all, and his face turned bright red.
"What does the Duke of Zhenguo mean by this? Could it be that I have offended you in some way?"
Mu Zian held the wine glass in his hand, looked Pei Jianzhi up and down, and then sneered.
"A good dog doesn't block the way."
Upon hearing this, Lu Yunxue frowned.
"Mu Zi'an, this is a palace banquet, how can you be so rude!"
Mu Zian looked at the two people in front of him with disdain and said.
"I'm used to being rude, what can you do about it?"
Arrogant and domineering are the perfect words to describe Mu Zian right now.
"you!"
Lu Yunxue wanted to say something, but Pei Jianzhi grabbed her arm.
Although he was furious, he knew that now was not the time to turn against them.
"Since the Duke of Zhenguo is in a bad mood, we will not disturb him."
The two stepped back, but Lu Yunxue was clearly still somewhat unconvinced.
However, Pei Jianzhi said...
"Xue'er, be patient for now. Don't forget we have important matters to attend to tonight. What's wrong with letting him be arrogant for a while?"
Lu Yunxue gritted her teeth and nodded.
Pei Jianzhi pulled aside a young eunuch and asked.
"Where are our seats?"
The young eunuch glanced at the two of them and then smiled.
"Please follow me, both of you."
A moment later, seeing that he had been relegated to the very last seat outside the door, Pei Jianzhi was furious!
"Why is my seat so far back? Did you take me to the wrong seat?"
The young eunuch chuckled upon hearing this.
"No, these are the seats for Lord Lu and General Pei. They were all arranged by the palace steward, so there's no mistake."
Lu Yunxue frowned.
He himself sat at the end of the table, while Mu Zi'an sat above the head of the table.
The difference is simply enormous!
Just as Lu Yunxue was about to get angry, a shrill voice came from outside the palace gate.
"Her Highness the Ninth Princess has arrived!"
The next moment, Xiao Xiuning, dressed in gorgeous clothes, slowly walked into the main hall.
Lu Yunxue and Pei Jianzhi were startled and quickly bowed.
"Your Highness, this humble subject pays respects!"
Xiao Xiuning looked at the two of them expressionlessly, and then asked.
"I remember that the Heroine Marquis is a woman who is engaged. Why is she entering the palace hand in hand with another man today? Has she forgotten all propriety and shame?"
Upon hearing this, Lu Yunxue trembled slightly, and Pei Jianzhi immediately replied.
"Your Highness, the Marquis of Jin Guo has severed all ties with Mu Zi'an!"
Xiao Xiuning snorted coldly upon hearing this.
"Did I ask you? Are all members of the Pei family as rude as you? If so, I should ask the head of the Pei family how he educates his children."
An aura of royal authority swept over us.
Pei Jianzhi was so frightened that he immediately knelt down on the ground.
"Please forgive me, Your Highness!"
At this moment, everyone's eyes in the hall were focused on this place.
Being publicly reprimanded by the Ninth Princess made Lu Yunxue and Pei Jianzhi lose all face!
Mu Zian naturally turned his gaze over out of curiosity, and his eyes met Xiao Xiuning's.
Xiao Xiuning gave Mu Zian a playful look, as if to say, "How would you say I've helped you get revenge?"
This contrast really made Mu Zian quite restless.
After all, in terms of looks, the Ninth Princess was even more beautiful than Lu Yunxue, especially her innate noble air, which was something that no one else could imitate.
Xiao Xiuning ignored Lu Yunxue and Pei Jianzhi kneeling on the ground and walked straight to the main seat in Zhengde Hall.
"My father is unwell today, so I, the princess, will preside over the celebration banquet on his behalf."
Upon hearing this, the officials present began to whisper among themselves.
Tonight's victory celebration banquet is truly bizarre. Originally, Lu Yunxue, as the first female marquis of Dali, should have been the undisputed protagonist of this celebration banquet.
However, Lu Yunxue was placed at the very end of the table. The emperor, who was supposed to be present, did not come. Instead, he sent the Ninth Princess to take charge of the situation.
It's important to understand that if the emperor doesn't attend in person, the level of the banquet drops significantly.
Not only that, neither the current prime minister nor the mighty general came, as if they had all agreed to it beforehand.
What was supposed to be a grand celebration banquet now seemed rather eerie.
A drumbeat resounded! The banquet officially began.
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