I just reached the maximum level, and you want me to be a puppet emperor?

Chapter 466 Innocence Isn't Just an Act! (Please Subscribe and Vote for Monthly Tickets)

In response to Xu Zifeng's invitation, Liu Hao smiled and said, "Since Young Master Xu is hosting a banquet, we should naturally go and show our support."

Xu Zifeng nodded in satisfaction and then asked, "By the way, have you seen Wu Qi?"

Xiao Ming pointed out the window: "They just left. They said they were going to the Ministry of Rites."

After leaving the teahouse, Xu Zifeng went straight to the Prince of Anxi's mansion.

Upon hearing his purpose, Li Ji readily agreed: "How could I refuse Prince Xu's invitation to a banquet?"

It's obvious that Li Ji will agree.

When Li Ji was fighting against the sea tribe with the Prince of Zhennan's army, he had received the Prince of Zhennan's favor, so he would definitely give Xu Zifeng face and help Xu Zifeng when necessary.

However, this necessity refers to situations where there is no conflict with Li Chen. If there is a conflict with Li Chen, Li Ji will definitely help Li Chen.

There's a saying that goes something like this: Li Ji himself is a core member of the royal family, so he would never rebel against the royal family.

After leaving the Prince of Anxi's residence, Xu Zifeng's confidence soared.

He decided to try his luck at the newly established Ministry of Clan Affairs, since inviting one more minister-level figure would elevate the banquet's status.

However, he was turned away at the religious affairs department.

"Minister Lin said she appreciates Your Highness's kindness, but she is too busy with official duties to spare the time," the guard respectfully relayed.

Xu Zifeng was somewhat disappointed, but there was nothing he could do. His relationship with Lin Yue'e was neither particularly good nor bad, so it was normal for Lin Yue'e to refuse him.

Next, he went to the Ministry of Revenue, where he met a drinking buddy.

To make matters worse, Lin Mo from the Ministry of Revenue was away on a business trip.

Lin Mo was genuinely busy; as the saying goes, the capable are often burdened with more work, and he was indeed that capable person.

On his way to the Ministry of Rites, Xu Zifeng suddenly felt a little melancholy.

Standing on Zhuque Street, watching the crowds coming and going, he realized for the first time how few truly close friends he had had in all his years in the capital.

"Your Highness?" A familiar voice came from behind.

Xu Zifeng turned around and saw Wu Qi walking quickly towards him: "I heard you were looking for me?"

Xu Zifeng perked up: "Yes, I'm hosting a banquet at my residence tonight, you absolutely must come!"

Wu Qi laughed and said, "How could I dare refuse the invitation from the young master?"

As they walked and talked, Xu Zifeng's mood gradually improved.

A banquet was held at the Prince of Zhennan's mansion, which was decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, creating a lively and festive atmosphere.

Xu Zifeng invited almost all the wealthy and powerful people he knew in the capital, barely filling the entire courtyard.

The Gu cultivators from the southern border, dressed in colorful ethnic costumes, stood in a corner, curiously observing the magnificent royal palace, occasionally letting out exclamations of amazement.

Li Ji, Wu Qi, and Liu Hao arrived the earliest, and the three of them sat at the main table, enjoying tea and chatting.

"I heard we'll be meeting the Miss Wei tonight, the one who caused Xiao Ming and Fang Qian to fight?" Li Ji asked with interest.

Wu Qi winked and said, "That's right. It's said that Xiao Ming even delayed a case in the Ministry of Justice because of her."

Then the group looked at Xu Zifeng, since only Xu Zifeng had ever met the so-called Miss Wei.

Xu Zifeng shook his head with a wry smile: "You'll see when you see it."

Just then, a commotion suddenly broke out at the entrance of the courtyard.

Xiao Ming walked in triumphantly, accompanied by a stunningly beautiful woman.

The woman was in her early twenties. A lake-blue dress accentuated her graceful figure, and a single white magnolia hairpin adorned her hair, which made her appear elegant and refined.

Her eyebrows and eyes were like a painting, her lips like a dot of rouge, and her skirt rippled like water as she walked, exuding both elegance and a touch of liveliness.

"This must be Miss Wei Manying?" Li Ji's eyes lit up, and he stood up to greet her. Wei Manying gave a graceful bow, her voice as clear as a babbling brook: "Greetings, Your Highness Prince Anxi."

She turned to the others, greeting them one by one with proper manners and elegant speech, neither overly enthusiastic nor lacking in warmth.

Xiao Ming smugly enjoyed the envious glances from everyone.

Although Wei Manying is not yet his woman, he is already content tonight without that eyesore Fang Qian.

Wei Manying appeared calm on the surface, but she was secretly making plans in her heart.

She had long wanted to come to such an event, where powerful and influential people gathered, to expand her network, but her status prevented her from taking the initiative to speak up.

When Xiao Ming invited her this time, she pretended to be reserved and declined a couple of times before agreeing.

Just as Wei Manying became the focus of everyone's attention, a commotion suddenly broke out on the other side of the courtyard.

Then, Li Meng, dressed in purple, walked gracefully towards them, accompanied by Ma Hei.

The silver ornaments in her hair jingled, and the silver bells on her wrists made a crisp sound with each step.

Unlike Wei Manying's dignified elegance, Li Meng's beauty carries the wildness and innocence unique to southern Xinjiang. Her almond-shaped eyes are crystal clear, and two shallow dimples appear on her cheeks when she smiles.

"This is..." Li Ji almost dropped the wine glass in his hand.

Xu Zifeng introduced, "This is Miss Li Meng from the Southern Border Witchcraft Holy Land, the daughter of the Holy Lord."

Everyone present took a deep breath.

Who would have thought that tonight I would see two beauties with very different styles, yet both stunningly beautiful?
Ma Hei followed Li Meng nervously, afraid that she would embarrass herself because she was unfamiliar with the etiquette of the Central Plains.

Unexpectedly, Li Meng's innocent and charming conversation became the highlight, and the young men from prominent families flocked around her, trying their best to make her happy.

"Miss Li, this silver bracelet is truly exquisite. Is it a unique craft from southern Xinjiang?"

"I've heard that the Moonflower Gu Flower in Southern Xinjiang only blooms at night. I wonder if I've ever had the chance to see it?"

"Is this your first time visiting the capital, Miss Li? Would you like me to be your guide?"

Xiao Ming completely forgot about Wei Manying and rushed to Li Meng: "Miss Li, I am Xiao Ming, a senior official in the Ministry of Justice, and I have long admired the culture of the Southern Frontier."

This is just another instance of a sycophant falling into his old habits.

Seeing this, Xu Zifeng quickly kicked Xiao Ming hard under the table.

Xiao Ming then came to his senses, turned around and saw that Wei Manying's face was already as cold as ice, so he quickly retreated with an awkward smile.

The banquet began in this delicate atmosphere.

Fine wines and delicacies were served continuously, and amidst the clinking of glasses, the powerful and wealthy each harbored their own thoughts.

Wei Manying maintained her perfect smile, seemingly harboring no hostility towards Li Meng's arrival.

Li Meng, with her innocent and carefree spirit, savored the Central Plains delicacies she had never seen before, occasionally letting out surprised exclamations.

Xiao Ming looked around, reluctant to neglect Wei Manying, yet unable to resist stealing glances at Li Meng.

Xu Zifeng was busy greeting guests and occasionally trying to lighten the mood.

Wei Manying got to know all the powerful and influential people present before leaving.

She knew that if she tried to compete with Li Meng here, she would be disliked, so it was better to leave a good impression that she couldn't hold her liquor.

She could also see that Li Meng's innocence was genuine.

Moreover, Wei Manying has her own social skills. If she weren't the only one who receives special favor here, there would be no point in her staying any longer.

After Wei Manying left, Xiao Ming wanted to see her off, so he naturally left as well.

What Wei Manying didn't know was that if she had left a little later, she would have seen the true powerful figures of the Tian Ce Dynasty!
Because the person who appeared next made everyone in the audience stand up!
(End of this chapter)