In the beginning, he was ranked alongside An Shigeng as a spoiled brat.

While Murong Jiu was spending time with her family, Zhang Xiaoshan's side was also constantly receiving guests.

As the renowned young master of the Zhang family, Zhang Xiaoshan was not only a legendary expert in the martial arts world, but his reputation and status were no less than those of true reclusive masters.

Therefore, even those highly respected seniors spoke humbly in front of Zhang Xiaoshan.

This is what it means to have a certain status in the martial arts world.

In the martial arts world, strength is respected and reputation is valued.

Zhang Xiaoshan did not exchange pleasantries with the others.

After all, in the world of martial arts, loyalty is one thing, but whether one is reasonable or not is another.

On the contrary, Zhang Xiaoshan's so-called "heroic spirit" is not "pretentious," which makes him seem like a chivalrous and genuine person.

"Hey, Blackie, this place is pretty big, but where's the toilet?"

"Boy, don't mess around. Today is a gathering of heroes, and those who have come are all highly respected figures in the martial arts world."

Moreover, this banquet is being personally prepared by Madam Zhang; it's not a place where you can act recklessly.

Upon hearing that Little Fish was planning to make a quick getaway to pee, Black Spider's expression turned strange.

Although Little Fish has been much more well-behaved lately, his understanding of Little Fish must be brewing an even bigger conspiracy.

And on the occasion of the owner's birthday, it would be even less likely that it would allow the little fish to act recklessly.

"Brother Lao Hei, what are you saying? I was just going to the toilet."

"Fine, you didn't tell me, but you don't even trust me, brother. I'll just go to the garden and take care of it right there."

"you···"

Black Spider was about to dissuade him when Little Fish's figure had already disappeared from sight.

Looking at Little Fish's figure, Black Spider couldn't help but shake his head.

He knew there was a 90% chance Xiaoyuer was causing trouble, but he wasn't Xiaoyuer's hands or feet, so naturally he couldn't control him.

Meanwhile, the hall was already packed with customers.

The banquet, originally planned to be held inside the hall, had to have most of the tables moved outside, as the number of martial arts enthusiasts arriving was at least three times the expected amount.

Fortunately, the Murong family had plenty of spare tables and chairs, otherwise they would have had to eat in shifts.

There's one table inside and one table outside.

Those who are able to enter the hall must be renowned figures in the martial arts world.

On the contrary, Hua Wuque, who should have appeared, has yet to show up.

"Wishing Elder Murong boundless happiness and longevity!"

“Okay! Okay! Okay!

"Many thanks to all my fellow martial arts practitioners for coming to celebrate my birthday. I hope you have enjoyed the food and drinks. If there has been any neglect, I hope you will forgive me."

They responded with clasped hands, but when Murong Zhengde started the banquet, a huge cake, as big as a small mountain, appeared before everyone's eyes.

"Uncle, today is your birthday. This is a gift I prepared last night—may you live as long as the Southern Mountains!"

Looking at the undulating mountains before them, which resembled miniature versions of the mountains, everyone was stunned.

Using cream to represent a snowy winter landscape, fruit platters to create spectacular displays, and coconut flakes to decorate snowflakes on ancient trees... it's a breathtaking panorama of a vast landscape.

This is the standard size of the four-story Zhang Family Red Mansion!

At this moment, many martial arts practitioners thought of the Zhang family's daughter's birthday banquet, which was the legendary cake.

No wonder it's so luxurious!

"Good! Good! Good..."

Looking at the lifelike landscape before him, Murong Zhengde, holding a kitchen knife, felt a pang of reluctance.

This doesn't seem like food, but rather a precious work of art.

However, Murong Zhengde quickly used his superb knife skills to cut it into small pieces the size of a palm, drizzled some cream on the side, added some fruit, and made it look exceptionally exquisite.

If you are full or have eaten too much, you will naturally feel tired of it.

But the banquet had not yet truly begun, and the rich aroma of the cream cake captivated many.

This has left many people confused and uncertain.

For many renowned figures in the martial arts world, who wouldn't want to hold such a grand and splendid birthday banquet?

money is not a problem.

But they live far from Lin'an Prefecture, so it's impossible for them to host a banquet there.

As for directly inviting people over, not only was there no precedent before, but even now, the people making cakes for others are all women from the Zhang family.

If it weren't for the delicate relationship between the Zhang family and the Murong family, the Zhang family might not even have sent any direct descendants; a few head managers from the surrounding area would have been enough.

"Everyone, please take your seats!"

After finishing the cake, everyone was still reluctant to leave.

But looking at the empty round table, which was meant to feed thousands of people, everyone naturally understood that it was impossible for them to eat their fill, as there was still a grand feast to come.

At this moment, Hongxiao came over and whispered a few words to Zhang Xiaoshan, which made Zhang Xiaoshan frown.

This little rascal really dares to do such a thing?

This is someone's 60th birthday banquet, and they actually dared to put laxatives at their banquet?

If Zhang Xiaoshan were a son, he might wipe out an entire family in a fit of rage, and anyone else would also be extremely enraged.

After all, a birthday banquet is not a place for frivolous fun.

How many birthday celebrations does one have in a lifetime? A rare and joyous day.

We usually just crack a few jokes and have some fun, and then it's over.

But to do such a thing at someone else's 60th birthday banquet—how many people in the world have such a magnanimous heart?

That little rascal is the epitome of someone who is utterly despised by everyone.

"Leave him out for three days."

"Yes, son!"

After Hongxiao left, the banquet slowly began to get on track.

Zhang Xiaoshan sat next to the old man who was celebrating his birthday, and next to him was Murong Jiu.

As for Huang Rong, besides disliking the atmosphere in the hall, the main reason was that Zhang Xiaoshan's attitude this time was somewhat ambiguous, and as the empress, she couldn't help but feel jealous.

Out of sight, out of mind, so I got busy in the kitchen.

First, practice cooking in a large pot. This large pot of food weighs two or three hundred pounds, and it's not something an ordinary chef can handle by flipping the wok. It's inevitable that it will become too runny.

Secondly, it was out of consideration for Murong Jiu, so they had no choice but to give in.

As one exquisite dish after another was served, not only outside, but even inside the hall, everything was devoured in a flash, leaving nothing behind.

Even when cooking in large batches, Huang Rong's culinary skills and abilities still resulted in a dish that was perfect, in no way inferior to the stir-fries of the Red Mansion.

Even Murong Zhengde couldn't help but sigh after taking a bite.

With such culinary skills, her position as the empress is unshakeable.

After all, the Zhang family lacked nothing: charming beauties, gentle maids...

The key to winning a man's heart is his stomach.

Moreover, Zhang Xiaoshan was able to host a grand banquet for the world under the circumstances at that time, making Huang Rong's position even more unshakeable.

Chapter 302 Murong Jiu Sacrifices Himself to Go West to Xingxiu Sea

The social gatherings, with toasts and drinks, began at noon and lasted until night.

Each table was served two or three jars of liquor, weighing twenty or thirty kilograms each, and the once exquisite dishes on the tables had been replaced with roast chicken, roast pork, peanuts, and so on.

After such a heavy drinking session, the martial arts heroes had nowhere to sleep after they lay down. This wasn't just one or two people, but at least a thousand.

Left with no other choice, Murong Zhengde had to turn the servants' rooms into a large communal sleeping area.

As for the renowned martial arts masters, they gathered in the guest rooms.

Fortunately, there were many martial arts practitioners who were on good terms with each other, so once the arrangements were made, there was no need to worry about other problems.

Inside Murong Jiu's villa, Zhang Xiaoshan also drank quite a bit of wine.

Although the protagonist is Murong Zhengde, as the person of the highest status, Zhang Xiaoshan has many more people who show him respect.

If Zhang Xiaoshan hadn't used his internal energy to force out the wine, he probably would have collapsed halfway through.

"Young master, the bathwater is ready."

"Ok!"

He reeked of alcohol, and most notably, there were oil and wine stains on his clothes.

Even though Zhang Xiaoshan's martial arts skills had reached a level where he was immune to both heat and cold, the smell of alcohol and grease from his actions inevitably clung to his body after the meal.

As for dodging?

These are toasts, not water splashes; Zhang Xiaoshan must not lose his composure in terms of etiquette.

Hongxiao helped Zhang Xiaohan remove her brocade robes and took them to be washed, while Zhang Xiaoshan lay in the bathtub enjoying a rare moment of peace.

After the banquet, most of the men lay down.

Unlike the previous two days, which were filled with noise and social engagements, the resort didn't quiet down until 11 or 12 o'clock.

"Ninth Sister!"

A hazy, graceful figure appeared as Murong Jiu walked in, her face flushed with shyness.

Her exquisite figure was wrapped in a bright red veil, her beautiful face flushed with rosy cheeks, and her shy demeanor as she lowered her head was like a begonia in spring slumber, standing gracefully.

"Young master, today is my father's sixtieth birthday. Jiu'er knows that as a servant, I can never obtain any official status. Therefore, today's birthday banquet will serve as a betrothal gift, and tonight will be our wedding night!"

"Alright!"

Zhang Xiaoshan didn't act like Liu Xiahui, so why pretend to be a virtuous gentleman?

From the moment the Zhang family began to raise Murong Jiu, Murong Jiu's fate was already sealed.

With so many resources, it's not about giving them to the enemy or training a loyal follower to be used by others. Besides, this time it's like a son-in-law coming to visit; what else is there for him to pretend to be?

Even though Huang Rong heard this from outside, she did not come in to disturb them.

The fact that there wasn't a simple wedding was already unfair to Murong Jiu, but it just benefited some bastard.

A single red blossom, glistening with dew and fragrant, makes the clouds and rain of Wushan seem like a futile heartbreak!

···

The next morning, Zhang Xiaoshan did not disturb Murong Jiu, who was sleeping with a pained expression. He washed up and dressed with the help of Hongxiao and Jiangxue.

Most of the martial arts heroes are leaving today, so Zhang Xiaoshan naturally has to see them off.

Otherwise, these people might rush in. It would have been better to just see the guests off with Murong Zhengde, which would have saved a lot of trouble.

Besides, last night was someone else's wedding night, and Zhang Xiaoshan had to stand up for them.

"Young Master Zhang!"

Inside the kitchen, Zhang Xiaoshan held a jade bowl of porridge while watching the strangely shaped little fish perched on the roof beam.

Black Spider, standing to the side, was also helpless. After learning the whole story, he did not plead for mercy.

Just kidding, putting laxatives at someone's birthday banquet on their joyous occasion—even killing Xiaoyuer would be deserved.

At this moment, the only eye that Xiaoyuer could move was its pupil, which was fixed on the jade bowl in Zhang Xiaoshan's hand. The eight-treasure lotus seed porridge inside was not the eight-treasure porridge of later generations, but rather red dates from the South China Sea, snow lotus seeds from Xingxiu Sea, and tribute longan...

Not only is it fragrant, but it also melts in your mouth.

This was originally a tonic that Huang Rong prepared for Murong Jiu, but Zhang Xiaoshan asked for a bowl of it.

"Want some? You have no idea how much trouble you've caused. Just wait and see."

Xiaoyuer looked at Zhang Xiaoshan with a hint of resentment.