The Banquet She Forbade, Su Chen Insisted On Attending

As these words fell.

The expressions of the few people on the sidelines shifted.

Shen Zhi frowned first.

"Xu Tinglan, what are you up to again?"

The woman in the moon-white dress did not look at him.

She simply kept the thin letter extended in mid-air, her gaze fixed steadily on Su Chen.

"Whether you accept it or not is up to you."

"What is in the letter?"

Xiao Wu spoke first.

She stepped in front of Su Chen, staring at Xu Tinglan, her gaze far from polite.

"You say 'don't go,' and expect people to just believe you?"

Only then did Xu Tinglan turn to look at her.

Her gaze was light, sweeping first over the Carrot Wooden Hairpin in Xiao Wu's hair, then landing on the beads of sweat still damp on her forehead.

"You just finished fighting."

"It's normal to have a short temper."

"I won't argue with you."

Xiao Wu felt even more annoyed.

"Who is arguing with you?"

"I am asking you a question."

Xu Tinglan did not take the bait of her sharp tone.

She simply looked back at Su Chen.

"The banquet tonight is not a celebration."

"It is a culling."

Han Su, standing not far away, saw his expression darken instantly.

"Xu Tinglan."

"Since when is it the turn of the Internal Affairs Department to come out and spout nonsense?"

Xu Tinglan finally turned her face.

She looked at Han Su, her voice remaining light.

"Did I say something wrong?"

"Those invited tonight are not just people from the branch hall."

"Several families in the city who are close to the branch hall are also on the list."

"Who you want to observe, and who you want to force to take a side—everyone knows it in their hearts."

Han Su's eyes turned cold.

"You are from the Internal Affairs Department, not the Judgment Department."

"Who gave you the nerve to stir up trouble here in public?"

The string of small silver keys at Xu Tinglan's waist clinked softly.

She was neither hurried nor retreating.

"Why are you so anxious?"

"I am merely reminding the Holy Son."

"As for whether it is 'stirring up trouble'—"

She paused for a moment.

"You know that best yourself."

The atmosphere on the sidelines tightened instantly.

Shen Zhi stood in the middle, his eyelids twitching twice.

He knew that Xu Tinglan had never liked to show her face.

For someone like her, even a single extra word was usually too much.

The fact that she dared to defy Han Su in public meant that she truly held something in her hands.

Only then did Su Chen reach out and take the thin letter.

The letter paper was thin.

And very cold.

The seal lacked wax, bearing only a faint silver pattern.

He did not rush to open it.

"Why did you warn me?"

Xu Tinglan looked at him.

"Because if you truly didn't go, the contents of this letter would be useful."

"If you decide to go."

"It can only count as half a trump card."

Hearing this, Xiao Wu's brows knitted even tighter.

"Can you stop talking in circles?"

"Keep it simple."

Xu Tinglan looked at her.

"To keep it simple."

"At the banquet tonight, someone will test you."

"Others will use the pretense of toasts and gifts to force you to declare your stance."

"And still others."

Her gaze swept past Han Su.

"Will take advantage of the chaos to take things that shouldn't be taken."

Su Chen pressed his fingertips lightly against the edge of the envelope.

"What things?"

"The entry and exit logs for the second level of the Branch Hall Secret Vault."

Xu Tinglan's voice was low.

"And a copy of the External Transfer Registry from the last three months."

As soon as these words were spoken, Han Su's expression finally changed.

It was not anger.

It was an uncontrollable gloom.

Su Chen saw it clearly.

This meant that what was written in the letter was likely true.

Xiao Wu did not understand the intricacies involved, but she could read Han Su's reaction.

She immediately turned her head to look at Su Chen.

"Something's fishy."

"Mm."

Su Chen responded, finally tearing the letter open.

Inside were only two pages.

The handwriting was thin and steady.

One page listed the attendees for tonight.

Han Su, the Branch Hall Deacon, people from several Suotuo City merchant guilds, and two external Deacons from the Martial Soul Hall.

The other page was a hand-drawn map.

The Branch Hall Rear Hall, Banquet Hall, Side Corridor, Secret Vault Entrance, and Key Room were all marked.

In the bottom right corner, a line of tiny text was pressed.

Tonight at 7:45 PM, the keys will change hands.

Su Chen finished reading and folded the paper back up.

"What do you want me to do?"

Xu Tinglan answered quickly.

"It's very simple."

"Either don't go."

"Or if you go, don't just eat."

Hearing this, Xiao Wu gave a soft huff.

"After all that talk, isn't it just that you want to drag him into the fray to do your bidding?"

Xu Tinglan did not deny it.

"Correct."

"Because the only person who can suppress Han Su right now is him."

"And as someone from the Internal Affairs Department, I have the keys in my hand, but no blade."

She said this very bluntly.

Xiao Wu was caught off guard by the retort.

She hated people who hid schemes behind every word they spoke.

Yet, because Xu Tinglan laid her schemes out in the open, it was hard to find fault with her.

Shen Zhi spoke up at this moment.

"Xu Tinglan."

"Since you knew there was a problem tonight, why didn't you report it directly to the Main Hall?"

Xu Tinglan looked at him.

"Do you really think I haven't reported it?"

Shen Zhi paused.

"No one took the case?"

"They took it."

"And they suppressed it."

Her tone finally turned a bit colder as she said this.

"Because the Suotuo Branch Hall is rotten, and it isn't just Han Su."

The area fell silent.

The wind whipped across the tattered flags, creating a continuous rustling sound.

Xiao Wu subconsciously took half a step closer to Su Chen.

"Then we definitely shouldn't go tonight."

"Who said we aren't going?"

Su Chen tucked the letter into his sleeve, his tone indifferent.

Xiao Wu was stunned.

"You're still going?"

"She already said it's a trap."

"It's precisely because it's a trap that we go."

Su Chen turned his head to look at her.

"Otherwise, how else would we see clearly who is going to make a move and who is going to panic tonight?"

Xiao Wu opened her mouth.

She had wanted to say that this was too risky.

But the moment she met Su Chen's gaze, she knew his mind was made up.

She pressed her lips together.

"Then I'm going too."

"You were going to go anyway."

"I mean, following you."

"Mm."

Su Chen answered very naturally.

"You follow me."

Xiao Wu finally relaxed a little.

Xu Tinglan watched the two of them, her gaze lingering on Su Chen's face for a moment before falling onto Xiao Wu.

"She had better not stray too far from you tonight."

"In the Banquet Hall, there will be more than just wine."

Xiao Wu immediately retorted.

"I'm not made of porcelain."

"I know," Xu Tinglan said.

"But some people will choose the softest target to strike at."

This sentence made Xiao Wu's expression turn cold instantly.

"Let them try."

Han Su finally lost his patience.

He stepped forward, his gray-gold robes fluttering in the wind.

"Enough."

"Xu Tinglan, you have crossed the line far too many times today."

"Guards."

Two branch hall guards immediately stepped forward.

Xu Tinglan didn't even blink.

"You intend to move against me here?"

Han Su stared at her.

"If you continue to spout nonsense, I will naturally have to deal with you according to the branch hall rules."

"Rules?"

Su Chen suddenly let out a laugh.

Han Su's movements came to an abrupt halt.

Su Chen turned around, his gaze falling upon the two guards.

"Stand down."

The two men exchanged a glance, and to everyone's surprise, they didn't dare to advance any further.

Han Su's face turned livid.

"Your Highness Holy Son, this is an internal matter of the branch hall—"

"She is speaking to me right now."

Su Chen cut him off.

"What right do you have to interrupt?"

As these words fell, the scene went silent once more.

What Han Su hated most was being suppressed like this in public.

Yet, at this moment, he didn't dare to utter a single harsh word.

Su Chen didn't look at him again, turning his attention solely to Xu Tinglan.

"Will you be present at the banquet tonight?"

"I will."

"And the key is in your hands?"

"The first half is with me."

Xu Tinglan lightly lifted the string of small silver keys at her waist.

"For the second half, it will be borrowed by someone."

"Borrowed by whom?"

"The Chief Deacon of the accounts office, Lu Ming."

"One of Han Su's men?"

"Not on the surface."

"And in reality?"

"You can assume he is."

Su Chen nodded.

"Fine, I understand."

Xu Tinglan looked at him, as if waiting for the next sentence.

Su Chen, however, said nothing more.

She remained silent for two breaths before giving a slight nod.

"Then I will wait for you."

With that, she turned and walked away.

The hem of her moon-white skirt brushed against the floor, making almost no sound.

The string of small silver keys at her waist chimed softly as she walked, a faint sound that was quickly swallowed by the crowd.

Xiao Wu stared at her retreating figure, and after a few seconds, she spoke in a low voice.

"The way she talks is strange."

"What's strange about it?"

"What does she mean by 'I will wait for you'?"

Xiao Wu wrinkled her nose.

"Sounds like they've dug a pit for you in advance."

Su Chen glanced at her.

"Then stay close to me."

Xiao Wu had been on guard, but she froze when she heard that.

"Huh?"

"You're afraid I'll fall into a pit, aren't you?" Su Chen said in a calm tone. "Then keep an eye on me tonight."

Xiao Wu burst into a smile.

"Fine."

"Then I'll spend the whole night watching you."

Shen Zhi stood to the side, silently turning his face away.

He suddenly regretted staying here.

Han Su watched all of this, his expression growing increasingly dark.

He knew very well.

Tonight's banquet was supposed to be the place where he would seize people, screen them, and stabilize the situation.

But now, before Su Chen had even stepped into the Banquet Hall, he had already half-flipped the board.

What was most disgusting was that the board had been handed over by Xu Tinglan herself.

Han Su suppressed his anger, forcing his tone to remain level.

"Since the Holy Son has decided to attend the banquet, the branch hall will naturally await your arrival."

"However."

He glanced at Xiao Wu.

"The branch hall's night banquet has rules; miscellaneous people—"

"She is not a miscellaneous person."

Su Chen cut him off directly.

"She is with me."

Xiao Wu lifted her chin, seizing the opportunity to chime in.

"Hear that?"

"Stop trying to find an excuse for yourself."

The knuckles of the hand hidden in Han Su's sleeve bulged.

Yet, he still lowered his head.

"Fine."

"Then I will see you tonight."

With that, he turned and left.

His back was straight.

But his footsteps were much heavier than when he arrived.

Once Han Su's men dispersed, the oppressive atmosphere around the area finally lifted.

Xiao Wu immediately turned her head.

"What do we do now?"

"Find a place to rest first."

Shen Zhi took over the conversation.

"The Enrollment Banquet is at night; going to the branch hall now is like walking into a cage early."

"I have an old lounge behind the training grounds that no one uses."

"We can settle there for now."

Su Chen nodded.

"Lead the way."

The lounge was not large.

But it was quiet enough.

The wooden window was half-open, revealing a row of old birch trees outside; as the wind blew, the leaves rustled against each other.

Inside the room, there was a long table, two chairs, and a soft couch.

In the corner, there was a copper basin filled with freshly changed water.

As soon as Xiao Wu entered the room, she took the Carrot Wooden Hairpin from her hair and carefully placed it on the corner of the table.

Then, she sat directly on the edge of the soft couch and rubbed her lower legs.

"Finally, I can sit for a while."

Su Chen glanced at her.

"Are your legs still sore?"

"A little."

"How much is a little?"

"Just... it's fine."

"Stubborn."

Su Chen walked over to her, crouched down, and gave the training boot at her feet a light tap.

"Take it off."

Xiao Wu's eyes widened.

"What for?"

"What do you think?"

"How would I know?"

"The laces are tied too tight."

Su Chen looked up at her.

"You were walking with a slight limp after you came off the field earlier."

Xiao Wu fell silent at once.

She hadn't expected him to notice such a small detail.

After two breaths, she muttered softly.

"How do your eyes see everything?"

"Because someone refuses to tell the truth."

Xiao Wu pursed her lips, but in the end, she obediently stretched her leg out toward him.

Su Chen didn't touch anywhere else.

He simply unlaced the training boot on her foot, adjusted the tension, and tied it back up.

His movements were not fast.

But they were very steady.

Xiao Wu looked down at his slender fingers, and suddenly, the tips of her ears felt a little hot.

She coughed, wanting to find something to say.

"Have you ever tied anyone else's shoelaces before?"

"No."

"Really?"

"Why do you always ask questions like that?"

Xiao Wu was choked for a moment, then glared at him.

"Can't I just ask casually?"

"You can."

Su Chen tightened the final knot and stood up.

"You can ask as much as you want today."

"Why?"

"Because tonight might not be this relaxed."

This sentence instantly suppressed all the messy little thoughts in Xiao Wu's mind.

She sat up a bit straighter.

"Do you really think something will happen tonight?"

"Yes."

Su Chen said it with certainty.

"And it won't be as simple as just a table of food and wine."

Shen Zhi walked in from outside at this moment, holding two sets of fresh outer robes and a simple seating chart for the evening banquet.

"I just went to take a look."

"The setup for the Banquet Hall has already begun."

"The main table is in the center, with the branch hall members on the left and the outsiders on the right."

He spread the map out on the table.

"Han Su's seat is to the front side of the main table."

"Xu Tinglan usually stands behind and to the side; she won't be at the table."

"As for you two."

He tapped two positions in the bottom right corner of the map.

"There's a high probability you'll be placed here."

Xiao Wu leaned in to take a look.

"So far off to the side?"

"Being off to the side makes it easier for people to make a move."

Su Chen pressed his fingers against the edge of the map.

"With the front being lively and something happening in the back, it's perfect."

Shen Zhi looked at him.

"Do you have a plan?"

"A little bit."

"Let's hear it."

Su Chen, however, did not answer.

He simply pushed the map toward Xiao Wu.

"Memorize the positions first."

"After you enter the venue tonight, look for three things first."

Xiao Wu immediately turned serious.

"Which three?"

"The wine decanters."

"The people serving the dishes."

"And who is standing closest to Xu Tinglan."

Xiao Wu nodded.

"Got it."

"And what about you?"

"I'll watch Han Su."

The wind outside the window grew a little stronger.

The sound of rustling leaves grew more and more urgent.

No one in the room was joking anymore.

The banquet had not yet begun.

But that invisible rope was already tightening, inch by inch.

Just then, three light, measured knocks suddenly sounded at the door.

Shen Zhi turned his head immediately.

"Who is it?"

No one answered from outside.

Instead, a very small silver key was slowly slid in under the gap of the door.

Tied to the end of the key was a short length of moon-white silk thread.