Chapter 043
Chapter 43: Cruel Words Shouldn’t Be Spoken Too Soon
When they reached the banquet hall, Yuan Ying felt a hint of reluctance.
She had enjoyed speaking with Shi Zi Chu along the way. Although Shi Zi Chu appeared youthful, her knowledge ran deep. Their conversation flowed smoothly, making Yuan Ying regret that they’d met so late.
Entering the banquet hall together, they saw that most seats were already filled.
Shi Zi Chu calmly glanced around the hall. [So many familiar faces here!]
City Lord Yan warmly called out to her with kindness, “Little friend Shi, come this way. Your seat is over here.”
Her seat was placed at the head of the left side, second only to the main seat—the most honorable position.
Shi Zi Chu gently raised her hand, offered a graceful bow, and walked slowly toward her seat, her skirt fluttering in elegant curves with every step.
Countless gazes, filled with awe and curiosity, followed her closely.
When Shi Zi Chu reached her seat, she lightly lifted her skirt to sit, then raised her eyes and softly addressed City Lord Yan, “I’ve come to this banquet in Master’s stead and have troubled City Lord and Elder Yuan Ying greatly. As a junior, I felt uneasy coming empty-handed, so I’ve prepared a small gift. I hope you will accept it.”
Chu Zhi Rou abruptly lifted her head, eyes wide with disbelief.
Shi Zi Chu had come in place of their master?!
[How can that be possible!]
Master had always disliked banquets like these. How could he have sent Shi Zi Chu in his stead?!
But Chu Zhi Rou’s shock and doubt went unnoticed by everyone.
A maid, clever enough to seize the moment, stepped forward to receive the red sandalwood box from Shi Zi Chu’s hand and hurriedly carried it to City Lord Yan.
City Lord Yan accepted and put the box away, a gentle smile spreading across his face. “Little friend Shi truly is the cherished disciple of Venerable Xing Lan.”
After praising her, City Lord Yan instructed the maids to serve the banquet.
The maids entered gracefully, carrying dishes one after another. Soon the tables were filled with delicacies.
The soothing music of strings and flutes soon filled the hall, enhancing the elegant atmosphere.
The spiritual energy radiating from the sumptuous dishes delighted the guests even more.
From her less prestigious seat, Chu Zhi Rou watched Shi Zi Chu with anticipation tinged by malice.
[Formal banquets have so many rules. Shi Zi Chu, a countryside orphan, surely doesn’t know these customs!]
If Shi Zi Chu embarrassed herself here, Master, who valued propriety highly, would surely dislike her.
Chu Zhi Rou delicately lifted her chopsticks, her movements refined and beautiful, clearly well-trained.
But Shi Zi Chu, sitting calmly at the left head seat, tucked her sleeve gracefully with one hand and held chopsticks gently in the other, eating slowly with an easy, natural charm.
Many appreciative gazes fell upon her.
The clan chief of the Nan Rong Clan, already an “old acquaintance” of Shi Zi Chu, put down his chopsticks and raised his cup toward her, saying, “Young Lady Shi, have you come to this banquet on behalf of Venerable Xing Lan?”
At his words, nearly every gaze in the hall turned toward Shi Zi Chu.
Shi Zi Chu set down her chopsticks and slowly swallowed her food before lifting her own cup. She calmly replied, “Master is occupied discussing the banquet list with Senior Uncle Meng and had no time. So, he allowed me to attend in his stead, to gain experience.”
Chu Zhi Rou’s hand tightened around her chopsticks until her knuckles turned white.
She looked again at Shi Zi Chu. Seeing Shi Zi Chu’s seemingly boastful expression, a wave of jealousy and resentment filled her heart.
A clear, melodious voice dripping with malice suddenly rang out, “Venerable Xing Lan never enjoys such gatherings. Who knows if some shameless creature stole an invitation card to sneak in?”
That woman raised her cup toward City Lord Yan. “Some people have quite the reputation. City Lord Yan mustn’t be deceived!”
Shi Zi Chu’s expression remained gentle, relaxed, and composed. She lowered her eyes calmly and took a small sip of wine.
“Miss Yu Wen, that invitation was personally delivered by this City Lord to Venerable Xing Lan,” City Lord Yan said sternly, his earlier smile fading. “Besides, given Venerable Xing Lan’s abilities, stealing from him is hardly possible.”
City Lord Yan’s meaning was clear, though subtly expressed with a quiet chuckle.
Those attending this banquet were all intelligent enough to understand, especially given how highly City Lord Yan regarded Shi Zi Chu.
The guests silently observed, amused.
Shi Zi Chu set down her cup, her manner suggesting she openly admitted to theft. “If Master allowed me to take the invitation, clearly he approved.”
Yu Wen Wan’s eyebrows instantly shot up as she snapped harshly, “You thieving, shameless thing—”
Clan Chief Wan Yan couldn’t bear it any longer and slightly released his suppressive aura.
Under that sudden pressure, Yu Wen Wan’s furious voice abruptly choked off, as if an invisible hand had gripped her throat.
Clan Chief Wan Yan turned his head, his authoritative voice calmly echoing, “Miss Yu Wen, we were all present when Venerable Xing Lan allowed Little Friend Shi to attend in his place.”
Yu Wen Wan met Shi Zi Chu’s innocent, smiling eyes. A sudden chill shot down her spine, forcing her to grip her chair to steady herself.
“I thought I’d made myself clear earlier,” Shi Zi Chu said softly, smiling innocently.
Yu Wen Wan glared at Shi Zi Chu’s false innocence, eyes flashing with rage, her teeth clenched. [This wretch!]
Clan Chief Yu Wen glanced toward Yu Wen Wan, then raised his cup toward Shi Zi Chu, speaking slowly, “The younger generation lacks discipline. Little Friend Shi, please be generous; let me apologize on their behalf.”
Shi Zi Chu maintained her gentle smile but reached instead for her chopsticks.
“I wouldn’t dare accept such praise from Clan Chief Yu Wen. I’ve always been petty and spiteful; I’m not deserving of any praise for generosity.”
Her sweet voice drifted through the hall, even more pleasing than the music.
Clan Chief Yu Wen’s expression tightened slightly at Shi Zi Chu’s blunt response. He lowered his cup, a stiff smile on his lips.
“You are still young, Little Friend Shi. One shouldn’t act too harshly,” Clan Chief Yu Wen said slowly, reaching out to pick up his chopsticks again. “It’s wise to leave some room for the future.”
Shi Zi Chu’s gentle smile remained as she lifted a piece of meat into her bowl.
“Clan Chief Yu Wen, something suddenly crossed my mind.”
Her beautiful peach-blossom eyes lifted, calm and cold, contrasting sharply with her smile.
“You’ve lived long and seen much. I’d like your opinion.” Shi Zi Chu’s smile deepened. “If Master learned someone attempted my assassination, do you think he’d seek justice for me?”
Clan Chief Yu Wen’s arrogance and composure gradually faded as he stared at Shi Zi Chu’s smiling face.
He knew that Yu Wen Ying had entered the Floating Flower Secret Realm—and he knew Yu Wen Ying’s life lamp had already gone out!
But he had kept it quiet because Yu Wen Ying had gone to that secret realm to kill Shi Zi Chu.
When Ye He Qi also visited the Floating Flower Secret Realm, he assumed Ye He Qi had taken care of Yu Wen Ying as a warning.
But now… could it actually have been Shi Zi Chu?!
[Impossible!]
Shi Zi Chu had only a water spiritual root, still at the late Foundation Establishment stage!
Watching Clan Chief Yu Wen’s face pale slightly, Shi Zi Chu smiled even more beautifully.
At a nearby seat, Ye He Qi lifted his cup, subtly hiding his growing smile behind it.
Yu Wen Ying’s corpse was still in Shi Zi Chu’s possession.
Everyone knew how fiercely protective Venerable Xing Lan was. If Shi Zi Chu presented Yu Wen Ying’s body as proof…
When the day of reckoning came, Yu Wen Clan would truly suffer.
But Clan Chief Yu Wen would never anger Shi Zi Chu and offend Venerable Xing Lan over a dead person.
He quietly sipped his wine.
Sometimes, cruel words shouldn’t be spoken too soon.
Jun Yue Hua’s cold, deep voice suddenly broke the silence. “Venerable Xing Lan’s protectiveness is well-known. I recall that Nan Rong Clan once…”
Clan Chief Nan Rong cleared his throat sharply, casting Jun Yue Hua a friendly but warning glance.
[Why bring up Nan Rong Clan when we’re discussing Yu Wen Clan’s troubles?!]
Jun Yue Hua calmly raised his cup and said no more.