Chapter 292 - Chapter 292: Chapter 261 Banquet_1 (1/2)

Chapter 292: Chapter 261 Banquet_1

“Oh!”

Facing Lu Kui’s alarmist talk, Xu Mu only responded lightly, his expression barely changing.

“Sigh! I’m just trying to look out for you, Friend Xu. But if you won’t believe me, then forget it!”

Seeing that Xu Mu didn’t seem to believe him at all, Lu Kui shook his head and sighed.

“I only believe in making my own destiny!” Xu Mu smiled and said.

Just as Lu Kui was about to say something, Qiao Qianqian’s voice came from nearby.

“What are you two talking about? Can I also listen in?” Qiao Qianqian asked with a playful laugh.

“Oh, it’s nothing, it’s nothing!” Lu Kui laughed, “The banquet is about to start, let’s go up. It wouldn’t be good to keep her highness waiting!”

Lu Kui strode towards the small hill where the Inviting Moon Platform was located.

“Friend Xu, what were you talking about?” Qiao Qianqian pressed.

“Nothing!”

“Really, nothing?”

Qiao Qianqian seemed somewhat disbelieving.

“Really nothing!”

“Alright then!”

Qiao Qianqian didn’t press any further and walked alongside Xu Mu toward the small hill.

The Inviting Moon Platform was on top of the hill, with stairs on both sides. They chose to climb from the left. On reaching the top, apart from Lu Kui, Jia Zhiyi and Hong Xi had also arrived.

Now, including them, only Xu Lingyu was missing from the hangers-on of the aristocrats.

As for Li Youlan, they might have to wait a little longer.

“This way, please, honorable guests!”

A maid on the Inviting Moon Platform guided them to their seats.

The banquet seats were arranged in two columns centered on the Inviting Moon Platform. Four seats on one side, three on the other, and one seat at the head in the middle.

The head seat was reserved for the host, surely it was for Li Youlan.

Xu Mu was seated in the first position to the left of the head seat, with two maids standing dutifully behind him. Qiao Qianqian was seated to his left. The seat to be assigned for Qiao Qianqian was still vacant, presumably reserved for Xu Lingyu.

Apart from Xu Lingyu, there was only Wang Yongan, whom they had not yet met.

Across from them was also an empty table, presumably for Wang Yongan. Next to it was Lu Kui, followed by Jia Zhiyi, and at the end, Hong Xi.

“Her highness really favors you!”

Qiao Qianqian lightly laughed.

“How so, Friend Qiao?” Xu Mu asked with confusion.

“Are you really naive, or are you feigning ignorance?” Qiao Qianqian expressed surprise.

“I am genuinely confused!”

Seeing that Xu Mu didn’t seem to be pretending, Qiao Qianqian explained: “In the Da Yuan Dynasty, the left side is considered the more respected side. In the past, her Highness would always leave the seat to her left vacant. Letting you sit here now just goes to show just how much regard she has for you!”

“I see!”

Is this being favored? Isn’t it just setting me up to be roasted on the fire!

I may not be a fool, but I understand Li Youlan’s intentions. Whether it’s arranging accommodations or seating, she deliberately incites conflict.

It’s only a matter of who will be the scapegoat.

Xu Mu glanced at the empty seat opposite him, then looked at Lu Kui, who was holding a wine cup and cheerfully offering a toast.

As for Hong Xi and Jia Zhiyi, one was engrossed in eating, and the other seemed to be constantly teasing a small black bird on their shoulder.

Next to him, Qiao Qianqian was inspecting the Spirit Fruit on the table.

“This fruit was picked a bit early, I bet it would be hard for its seed to grow!”

Qiao Qianqian held a bright red Spirit Date in her hand and murmured to herself.

She turned her head to look at Xu Mu’s table and noticed a green fruit with white tendrils that her table lacked.

“A Dragon Whisker Fruit! How partial of her highness!” Qiao Qianqian commented a bit sourly.

“I didn’t play favorites!”