Chapter 87 Banquet in the Pavilion Garden

Chapter 87: Banquet in the Pavilion Garden

The guard said, "Stop right there. His Majesty has ordered that only..."

"Bang!"

Before the guard could finish, he was sent flying by Luo Yunchen: "Who allowed you to approach him!"

The air froze. The manor guards were all terrified by Luo Yunchen's sudden fury.

Seeing that Luo Yunchen and his group were about to walk away, a guard, acting on instinct, didn't dare step forward. He quickly said, "Your Highness, His Majesty has ordered that no guards are allowed in today's family banquet."

Luo Yunchen stopped. This time he did not rage, but simply waved to the guards behind him: "Wait outside."

Su Zheng knew he had his reasons and said nothing. He and Luo Yunchen walked side by side to the pavilion garden.

The seated guests looked out and saw two tall, straight figures approaching slowly side by side.

As the two drew closer, Luo Wenqing unconsciously furrowed his brow, a flicker of distaste in his eyes.

After so many years, seeing this son again, Luo Wenqing still could not bring himself to like him.

Clearly he was the father, the king, the one who should have the upper hand over him. Why was there no fear in his son's gaze when he looked at him? No reverence! No respect!

Why didn't he try harder to please him?!

Luo Wenqing suppressed his disgust, shifted his gaze to the servant leading the way, and said impatiently: "Didn't I say this is a family banquet? No outsiders are allowed in! Why are you letting just anyone in? Throw them out!"

"Father, who do you want to throw out?"

"Naturally, anyone who has no right to be here!"

"Then please, Father, throw out all these beasts sitting here."

"You! How dare you!"

Wu Shi stared at Luo Yunchen for a long while before finally recognizing him. Seeing that Luo Yunchen, on his return, neither paid respects nor offered greetings, but instead spoke rudely, she said with displeasure: "Chen'er, you are Chen'er, aren't you? How can you speak to your father this way? Kneel down at once and beg for your father's forgiveness!"

"Father doesn't need to forgive me. I have something to say to you. Please dismiss these troublesome people yourself."

Having said this, Luo Yunchen took Su Zheng's hand and led him to an empty seat nearby. He moved the wine jug aside and said to Su Zheng: "Don't drink this wine, but the dishes are fine. Let me pick some for you to taste."

Saying this, he took the serving chopsticks and picked some food from the banquet table onto an empty plate for Su Zheng.

Su Zheng ate without hesitation.

Their interaction, as if no one else was present, and the sight of a prince serving a mysterious man like this, shocked the guests, who were filled with contempt and disdain.

Luo Wenqing was simply furious. He slammed the table and shouted: "Luo Yunchen, are you rebelling? Guards!"

At Luo Wenqing's command, in an instant, a group of guards swiftly entered the pavilion garden, surrounding everyone at the feast.

The guests knew these guards were all targeting Luo Yunchen and his companion, so they felt no tension or fear. Instead, they looked on with glee, watching the two with malicious glee, expecting to see them beg for mercy.

But to their disappointment and surprise, the two acted as if they didn't see the guards at all. One was diligently serving dishes, the other focused on eating with full attention.

A concubine favored by Luo Wenqing couldn't help speaking sarcastically: "I never knew the prince had such hobbies. Playing around outside is one thing, but bringing someone back to the manor—that's just dirtying it..."

"Ah!"

"Aah!"

Shrieks erupted one after another, accompanied by the clatter of tables and chairs. Many turned pale with fright, stumbling and falling to the ground.

The favored concubine who had just mocked Luo Yunchen and Su Zheng now had a bamboo chopstick piercing straight through her slender neck.

Thick blood flowed down the chopstick. She was dead before she could even show fear, with only stunned disbelief in her eyes.

Luo Wenqing shot up from his seat, his chest heaving violently. Watching his beloved concubine turn into a corpse in an instant, he didn't know if he was more terrified or enraged.

After a long moment, Luo Wenqing regained his composure and shouted, slamming the table: "Seize them! Seize them for me! Arrest these two scoundrels! Kill anyone who resists!"

Luo Wenqing shouted, but for a long time, the guards made no move. He grew even angrier: "Are you deaf? I told you to seize them! Do it now!"

The guards remained motionless.

Luo Yunchen calmly fixed a plate for Su Zheng, making sure Su Zheng had enough to eat and would not run out of food.

Then, during the pause, he explained to his father: "Father, don't waste your energy. Before I returned to the manor, I had already replaced all the key guards. These guards are all under my command."

Not waiting for Luo Wenqing's shock to subside, he said calmly to the others: "Will you leave on your own, or be carried out like her?"

The guests looked from Luo Yunchen to Luo Wenqing, fear evident on their faces.

Finally, someone bowed to Luo Wenqing and said softly: "Your Majesty, I am unwell. I'll take my leave."

Once someone took the lead, others quickly followed. In a short while, most of the banquet guests had dispersed.

Wu Shi refused to be driven away by her own son. She demanded of Luo Yunchen: "Chen'er, I am your mother! Are you going to kill your own mother?"

"Mother can try if she's curious."

"You!" Wu Shi was furious, but she dared not try. She stormed off.

When only Luo Yunchen, Su Zheng, and Luo Wenqing were left (apart from the guards), Luo Yunchen said to his father: "Father, don't bother trying to contact the Fifth Prince anymore. I have already killed him."

"What?!" Luo Wenqing was shocked. "How could you, you actually... you..."

"Father, whatever you wanted to do or did in the past, you won't have the chance to do again. Also, I'm having someone take over the manor affairs and restore the Northern Plains Prince's manor to its former state. There won't be extra rooms for your concubines and mistresses. I will have them all moved to your courtyard. From now on, you and Mother will get a fixed monthly allowance, no more, no less. As for how you support your mistresses, that's your own affair. That's all you need to know, Father. The manor and the Northern Abyss Army no longer require your concern. Please return to your courtyard."

After having someone coax and force Luo Wenqing back to his courtyard, Luo Yunchen wiped his hands and then wiped the corner of Su Zheng's mouth. He said in a softer tone: "Brother, are you still hungry? Would you like to see my courtyard?"

Su Zheng nodded. "Let's go. Don't waste this food. Give it to the servants."

"Don't worry, brother. I'll arrange it immediately."

After giving his orders, Luo Yunchen led Su Zheng to the courtyard where he had lived as a child.