Martial Arrogance Dragon Soul-Chapter 210 - 200 Attending a Banquet at the Imperial Palace
Watching the figures of Mu Hongtu and Mu Yunlan depart, Qin Qing felt nothing but indifference.
He then turned to the City Defense Captain and said with a cupped fist, "This gentleman, my name is Qin Qing, and this is my senior sister Jiang Ruorong. We have been invited by the Third Prince to attend a banquet at the Wanhe Palace!"
The City Defense Captain, upon hearing Qin Qing’s polite words, softened his expression and said to Qin Qing with a cupped fist:
"Qin Qing, my apologies for any offense. Nowadays in Luochuan, there are few who do not know the name Qin Qing. I also received orders today that you would be coming to attend the banquet. It was just in front of others earlier, so I was only putting on an act. I hope Qin Qing won’t take it to heart!"
Qin Qing nodded slightly.
He had also guessed that the captain was only putting on an act in front of Mu Hongtu.
After all, the big accusations thrown around by Mu Hongtu were not something anyone would dare take lightly.
"By the way, I was once a subordinate of General Zhao, following him in the battles at the Northern Pass. It was only because my elderly mother fell ill that I had to return to Luochuan... Ah!" The City Defense Captain sighed deeply, his eyes filled with a nostalgic expression: "I really miss those days at the Northern Pass, fighting bloody battles alongside General Zhao."
"Oh... Qin Qing." The City Defense Captain then self-deprecatingly smiled, "I’ve said so much and forgot to tell you my name. I am Chu Feng!"
"So you’re a subordinate of the Prince of Zhennan!" Qin Qing said with clasped fists, "General Chu."
"I’m no general," Chu Feng shook his head with a smile, "If young brother Qin holds me in regard, just call me Brother Chu."
"Brother Chu!" Qin Qing nodded, "It’s hard to fulfill both loyalty and filial piety since ancient times. It’s understandable that Brother Chu would return to Luochuan for your mother. Besides, serving the Imperial Court here, there’s no need for self-reproach!"
Chu Feng showed a bitter smile, "Young brother Qin is good at comforting others. Indeed, I serve the Imperial Court here, but this feeling... it’s completely different from facing the enemy and fighting in the battlefields at the Northern Pass... I wonder how my old comrades, those brothers, are faring now..."
"Look at me, talking about all this. Brother Qin, since you’re going to the banquet at Wanhe Palace, you shouldn’t delay any longer. Go on your way!" Chu Feng said further.
"Alright!" Qin Qing nodded and then clasped his fist again, "Brother Chu, if there’s a chance in the future, let’s have a few drinks together!"
"Definitely!" Chu Feng replied, "When I find some free time, I’ll come to Qiushui Villa and look for brother Qin."
"Haha, it’s a deal!" Qin Qing laughed.
...
"I didn’t expect this City Defense Captain to be a former subordinate of Prince of Zhennan Zhao Tianyin," Qin Qing said, smiling to himself.
"Last time, this Captain Chu didn’t mention the Prince of Zhennan to you," Jiang Ruorong said.
Qin Qing nodded, "Last time it must have been due to Sikong Tu and the Ninth Prince being there. Sikong Tu and Shangguan Yong are allies, and they clearly don’t get along with the Prince of Zhennan. Captain Chu must have been worried about causing trouble."
"That must be the case. Although the Great Qian Dynasty is not large compared to those ancient countries and even could be called a speck of dust, the struggles within this speck of dust are extremely complex," Jiang Ruorong sighed.
"Yes!" Qin Qing exhaled softly, had he not come to Luochuan, he wouldn’t have known how complicated the Great Qian was. Shangguan Yong wielded power over the court, yet he clearly clashed with figures like the Prince of Zhennan.
And now the nine princes were also in a fierce current, scrambling for the position of the Crown Prince.
Ever since Qin Qing had emerged from Tianjue City, he had become involuntarily involved in the vortex of the Great Qian Dynasty, especially after killing Shangguan Xuan, Qin Qing could no longer extricate himself.
Now, to save his father, Qin Qing would sink even deeper into the vortex.
"When one is in this world, there are many things that are beyond one’s control!"
"Since I can no longer escape, I shall face the storm and fight!"
"If I cannot break free from the vortex, then I shall tear the vortex apart!"
Qin Qing’s gaze became even more resolute.
...
Qin Qing and Jiang Ruorong were in conversation as they arrived at Wanhe Palace.
Before even entering Wanhe Palace, they could already hear the sounds of laughter and merriment from within the palace walls, accompanied by the music of string and woodwind instruments.
Besides that, there was the overflowing fragrance of wine.
This was an extremely rich and aromatic wine, and although they were still separated by a wall, the strong scent of the alcohol had already wafted out.
Inside the imperial palace, there was naturally no lack of fine wine.
However, when Qin Qing and Jiang Ruorong set foot into Wanhe Palace, numerous gazes immediately converged on them.
The majority of those who came to the banquet were people from Luochuan Imperial City, either relatives of the royal family or descendants of the renowned local families; some had elders who held important positions in the Imperial Court, while others were descendants of the influential families of the imperial city. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞
There were also some elites from the various Martial Institutes and academies in Luochuan.
Most of these people knew each other.
Nevertheless, the appearance of Qin Qing and Jiang Ruorong caused many to feel puzzled.
To the majority of them, these two faces seemed unfamiliar.
"Who are these two?" someone asked out of curiosity.
"These two are quite young, but the man is indeed handsome, and the woman is a rare beauty, truly a well-matched pair."
"At such a young age, to receive the invitations of several princes, they must not be ordinary people."
"Haha, I know who he is!" a voice tinged with heavy sarcasm rang out.
The owner of the voice was Sikong Tu.
"Oh? General Sikong, who are these two?" someone immediately asked.
Sikong Tu scoffed with derision but didn’t answer, instead turning his gaze elsewhere.
Elsewhere, Mu Yunlan was standing there; a young man in luxurious clothing, with a jade pendant tied around his waist, stood in front of her, though his expression held a hint of ingratiating intent toward her.
Noticing Sikong Tu’s gaze turn toward her, Mu Yunlan slightly furrowed her brows.
And the young man standing by Mu Yunlan’s side had roughly guessed the reason for this.
"Miss Yun Lan, could this person be the descendant of that criminal—Qin Qing?" the young man deliberately raised his voice as he spoke.
"What? Qin Qing?"
"Is that Qin Qing?"
"The Qin Qing from the Great Qian Martial Institute who, in his freshman status, seized the top spot in the entire Institute and killed Shangguan Xuan, yet Shangguan Yong was unable to handle him?"
Instantly, even more eyes fell upon Qin Qing.
Many of them were filled with curiosity, wanting to see for themselves if the Qin Qing who had already caused quite a commotion in Luochuan had any extraordinary abilities.
But most harbored ill intentions, even outright malice.
The appearance of the name "Qin Qing" meant that the pride of these scions of the noble families of the imperial city had been seriously provoked.
"He’s just a native from some insignificant place and moreover the descendant of a criminal. How does such a dirty, lowly creature deserve to step into this noble land of the imperial palace?" the young man beside Mu Yunlan once again spoke with cold mockery.
