Chapter 733: Kicking a Steel Plate

In the Emperor’s Room, on the sixth floor of the Yangchun Inn in Dayu City.

A man in dark robes sat by the window, his features as fine as a painting and his bearing extraordinary. His gaze was fixed on the bustling crowd below.

"Master, two invitations have appeared in Dayu City. One is from Old Prince Feng of Nanyuan, and the other is from Elder Chen. They are both for the twelfth of June, at the same time and place," the guard said, handing over the two cards.

The man turned, his gaze landing on Elder Chen’s invitation.

"Elder Chen hasn’t celebrated his birthday in years. Who sent this invitation?" His voice was clear and elegant, a pleasure to hear.

"It was sent by a young woman who returned from the sea."

"Look into it."

"Yes."

The guard withdrew.

The man turned his head to gaze into the distance, where the sea stretched out to the horizon. The breeze carried the reek of fish, causing him to frown slightly.

He disliked the smell of fish.

About the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the guard returned to the room.

"Master, I have an update. Her name is Ye Qianning. She entered Dayu City a month ago, claiming to be an old acquaintance of Elder Chen. She said they haven’t seen each other in years and, since she arrived in time for his birthday, she decided to arrange a banquet for him."

Upon hearing the name Ye Qianning, the man’s slender, pale fingers twitched slightly.

"Master, I also discovered that Xiang Minghou, the former General of Beili, and Qian Fanji, the former Chief of Staff of Beili, have both entered Dayu City. Li Mu, a representative for the Beili merchant guild, also arrived three days ago, escorted by Beili’s new General, Zhan Chi. All of them rushed to the Yan Hui Inn right after entering the city three days ago. According to the Shopkeeper, they were all there to see Miss Ye. For the past three days, these men have gone to the Yan Hui Inn every day to dine with her, seemingly unconcerned about the invitation from Old Prince Feng," the guard reported, laying out all he had discovered.

A flicker of doubt crossed the man’s phoenix eyes. ’Is this Ye Qianning really the same Ye Qianning from back then?’

’Xiang Minghou, Qian Fanji, Zhan Chi, Elder Chen’s birthday, Ye Qianning...’

’It seems no one else in the world could bring these people together. Has she really returned? Back from the dead?’

"Master, I’ve just heard that many people are planning to attend Old Prince Feng’s birthday celebration. Those who received his invitations have scoured nearly every curio shop in Dayu City. The emissaries from East Shu and Beili even brawled in the street over a birthday gift. As things stand, it seems no one will be attending Elder Chen’s birthday. Prince Feng clearly wants to overshadow Elder Chen. It looks like this Miss Ye is about to hit a brick wall."

’A brick wall?’

A faint smile touched the man’s lips. ’If she’s really that girl from all those years ago, then the one who’s about to hit a brick wall is Old Prince Feng.’

"Master?"

The guard stared at his master’s smiling lips, thinking he must be seeing things.

The man stood, flicked his sleeves, and strode out the door.

The guard hurried to follow.

「Immortal Sea Building」

As noon approached, the Immortal Sea Building was bustling with activity. It was filled with merchants from all corners of the land, gathered for a trade summit. For years, the Immortal Sea Building’s seafood had been ranked number one among the four great nations.

The restaurant boasted a vast array of seafood dishes. Some were prepared so exquisitely that they no longer tasted of the sea, proving more delicious than any meat.

Old Prince Feng’s birthday celebration was also supposed to be at the Immortal Sea Building. However, Ye Qianning had booked the entire venue for that day, and no establishment would take on two such major events simultaneously.

Because of this, Prince Feng’s steward had visited several times, even offering to pay multiple times the price to convince the Shopkeeper, but the Shopkeeper wouldn’t budge. ℯℯ𝑙.

At the time, Old Prince Feng had been solely focused on striking a blow against the Gu family and Elder Chen. He only sent someone to book the Immortal Sea Building after the invitations had already gone out. He never imagined that with everything else settled, the venue itself would be unavailable.