Chancellor Gui bowed. "Your Highness, please take your seat."
Long Jianji snorted. "Today is the Spring Welcome Banquet. I don't want to see bloodshed. Old Gui, have you forgotten what Long Jingtian said with his own mouth thirty years ago? The throne in the Winter Palace would always be kept for me. What, I want to sit in it today, and Long Jingtian means to break his word and keep it for himself? Or are you, Old Gui, going to defy your master's orders?"
Cold sweat streamed down Chancellor Gui's forehead. He pondered for a moment, recalling his master's wariness toward this man, then waved at the two golden-armored guards and barked, "You dare block His Highness's way? You're asking for death! Go to the Hall of Punishment and accept your penalty later."
Then he cupped his hands toward Long Jianji. "Your Highness, please!"
Long Jianji gave a faint snort, strode up the jade steps, and settled into the snow-white throne at the center. Resting his hands on its armrests, he surveyed the scene with a bold, soaring air and laughed. "King Tu, Chancellor Niu, there's no need to stand on ceremony. I'm half a host here in the Eastern Sea, after all. Old Gui, make sure our two guests are well looked after."
Chancellor Gui hastily had two finer tables set up beneath the steps, then invited King Tu and Chancellor Niu to take their seats.
After a series of twists and turns, the banquet finally got underway. Dishes of every kind, rare delicacies from land and sea, were borne to the tables in a steady stream by bright and beautiful maids.
Standing before the steps, Chancellor Gui raised his cup. "Before we drink our first cup, I must solemnly introduce a new dignitary of the Eastern Sea to