Chapter 391 Something Strange Must Be Amiss
“Enter.”
Shi Xuan showed no displeasure at his banquet being interrupted, speaking lightly.
A guard hurried into the courtyard, dropping to one knee. “Reporting to His Highness Changsun, His Majesty summons you to the palace feast. He says two princesses and one heir of the Holy Dynasty have arrived.”
Shi Xuan narrowed his eyes and said faintly, “These people truly came at an ill time.”
Chu Feng laughed. “Go on. For now, you’re still the lead role. If you don’t show your face, the world will soon forget you exist.”
“Disciple’s hospitality is lacking. I beg master’s forgiveness.” Shi Xuan spoke apologetically.
“It matters not. We will drink by ourselves.” Chu Feng was unconcerned.
It was not yet their time to appear—best to let the dust settle first.
After Shi Xuan departed, the others continued the feast.
“Your Highness Xuan, we have arrived.”
“Mm.”
Shi Xuan responded, then changed into palace attire before stepping down slowly. Outside, a line of guards waited respectfully. The captain of the guard bowed. “Your Highness, tonight’s banquet is held in the Imperial Garden. Please follow me.”
“Lead the way.”
Shi Xuan wondered why the Holy Dynasty’s heir and princesses would come early to the palace, though he did not ask.
After all, he was the personal disciple of the foremost Great Sage of the era—his standing far above that of so-called heirs and princesses. Though the Holy Dynasty had countless experts, only its emperor was a Saint, its crown prince a Great Sage, and the other princes no more than Nirvana cultivators. Their children were mostly on par with him in cultivation, and even the talented ones were only at Divine Transformation.
Figures of such stature would never appear at something as small as his engagement feast.
All along the way Shi Xuan remained silent. The guard captain, however, glanced at him several times, as though hesitating to speak.
Shi Xuan, ever perceptive, asked directly, “Is there some problem with tonight’s palace banquet?”
“Replying to His Highness Changsun, tonight’s banquet is not hosted by His Majesty, but by the Ninth Prince. And apart from the Holy Dynasty’s guests, there are others who should not have come.”
After speaking, the guard captain hesitated again, his expression uneasy.
Shi Xuan chuckled at the sight. “Then tell me, who are these uninvited guests?”
“Among them are your nine fiancées. According to custom, with half a month left until the engagement, they should not be present. But the princes of the Holy Dynasty brought them along.”
The guard captain quickly lowered his head, uncertain of Shi Xuan’s reaction.
For over a year, rumors had spread that His Highness Changsun was mediocre at Wendao Academy, and that this engagement was arranged by the crown prince merely to stabilize his position. Given his temperament, learning that his nine fiancées had acted with such impropriety, it was feared he might erupt in anger at the banquet.
If so, the shame would not fall only on His Highness Changsun, but upon the entire Northern Wasteland Kingdom.
“That’s all?”
Shi Xuan’s lips curved slightly, revealing a subtle, meaningful smile. “I thought it was something serious. Since the honored guests invited them, it is only proper that they represent me in showing hospitality.”
He understood well the saying that abnormal behavior hides trouble, but for now he wanted to see what tricks these clowns would attempt.
After passing through several halls, the two arrived outside the Imperial Garden.
The guards at the entrance, upon seeing Shi Xuan, immediately shouted, “His Highness Changsun has arrived!”
At that cry, the cultivators inside who had been speaking in hushed groups stopped at once, turning their eyes toward the entrance.
Shi Xuan entered in a pale yellow robe, his expression calm.
“We pay respects to His Highness Changsun.”
“No need for formality.”
Though Shi Xuan did not release his aura, the pressure accumulated over years gave him a natural air of authority.
His eyes swept across the hall before settling on the royals of the Northern Abyss.
Shi Xuan cupped his hands. “Shi Xuan greets the honored guests.”
The leading young man smiled faintly. “Shi junior brother is too courteous. You are the host, we are the guests—what sense is there in the host saluting his guests?”
Though he spoke politely, he made no effort to lower himself, carrying an air of superiority.
Shi Xuan smiled lightly. “Elder brother Xu is too kind.”
The exchange, formal and polished, would make outsiders think the two had a friendly relationship.
Shi Xuan’s arrival instantly enlivened the banquet. Wherever he stood, attention followed.
The Ninth Prince quickly stepped forward. “Xuan’er, since you are here, this old man will not join you young people’s gathering.”
Shi Xuan replied with a laugh, “Ninth Uncle is only five hundred years old. How can you call yourself an old man?”
On the Xuantian Continent, cultivators married and had children much later, especially in great clans like the Shi family. Among the direct line, generational gaps of several centuries were normal.
The Ninth Prince chuckled. “You brat, don’t tease me. Treat your guests well. Even though you have entered Wendao Academy, our Shi family remains under the Northern Abyss Holy Dynasty.”
Shi Xuan answered respectfully. “Ninth Uncle, rest assured. I know what must be done.”
“Good. Then I am at ease.”
With that, the Ninth Prince departed.
Soon palace servants brought wine. Shi Xuan raised his cup, greeting each prince and princess of the Holy Dynasty. While exchanging courtesies, he subtly tested them, seeking the reason behind their early arrival.
Yet these heirs and princesses were all shrewd, giving nothing away.
As Shi Xuan conversed, a figure approached.
“Brother Xuan, Zhiruo comes to toast you.”
At the name, memories surfaced in Shi Xuan’s mind. Zhao Zhiruo, a princess of a kingdom under the Great Wilderness, was the only one among his nine fiancées who had not shamed him.
Turning, he saw her. A tall, graceful woman in a flowing green dress, her beauty elegant, her bearing refined. With a cup of wine in her hand, she smiled radiantly at him.
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