World-Ending Demon Emperor
Chapter 373 - 203: Zhi Yan’s Night, Qin Shu’s Wedding Night! (Important reservation required)_2

Chapter 373: 203: Zhi Yan’s Night, Qin Shu’s Wedding Night! (Important reservation required)_2

Then, the eunuch led the Forbidden Army, taking Suo Lun to the Princess’s Mansion.

From the outer city to the inner city, Suo Lun suddenly found the route strikingly familiar.

Half an hour later, they arrived outside the grand gates of the Princess’s Mansion.

Indeed, it felt very familiar, as Suo Lun was essentially returning home—the Princess’s Mansion had previously been the Tianshui City Earldom.

In other words, when the King had driven Suo Lun out of the City of Rage Wave, he had reclaimed the Earldom and simply changed the sign to transform it into the Princess’s Mansion.

The deeper meaning behind this move was completely enigmatic.

...

At this moment, the Princess’s Mansion was adorned with countless lanterns, illuminating the surroundings brightly.

Outside the Princess’s Mansion stood a multitude of welcoming eunuchs and Samurai, and countless maids darted about.

Tonight was a significant day, as the King had decreed the formal establishment of the Princess’s Mansion, and a few days prior, invites had been sent to all the Nobles and Lords under the heavens, asking them to attend the evening banquet at the Princess’s Mansion.

However...

The entrance to the Princess’s Mansion was utterly deserted, not a soul in sight.

Not a single carriage nor sedan chair was present.

What’s more, when the Princess’s Mansion was still the Tianshui City Earldom, this street was lined with the residences of numerous noble families.

However, overnight, the street was cleared of all its nobility, leaving not a trace behind.

Everyone was drawing a clear line between themselves and Princess Zhi Yan, or to be precise, with King Quo Bian.

It could be said that from the moment the King announced the establishment of the Princess’s Mansion, it became utterly isolated, as if at enmity with the entire world.

Not to mention, the news of King Quo Bian’s paralysis had spread throughout the entire City of Rage Wave in just a few days.

Put in the harshest terms, everyone was simply waiting for King Quo Bian’s demise, and for His Highness Zhi Li to ascend as the new King.

As for His Highness Zhi Li’s defeat at Tianshui City and Suo Lun’s successful recapture of the Tianshui City Territory, this would have been a significant event. But in light of the shocking changes in the City of Rage Wave, it had become inconsequential, nothing more than a mere ripple.

...

Guided by the eunuch, Suo Lun entered the Princess’s Mansion, once the Tianshui City Earldom.

Upon reaching the banquet hall, there were hundreds of tables set, with countless delicacies to enjoy, and over a hundred eunuchs and maids stood at every corner of the hall, attempting to attend to every individual.

However...

The entire banquet hall was filled with maids, eunuchs, fine wines, and delicacies, brightly lit and lavishly decorated, but not a single guest in attendance.

Yes, not a single one.

The vast hall hosted only two persons, Princess Zhi Yan and Duke Zhi Ting.

"Her Highness the Princess, Count Suo Lun has arrived," called the eunuch from outside.

Instantly, Duke Zhi Ting stepped forward to greet him, saying, "Our evening’s first guest, or perhaps the only guest, has finally arrived."

Then, Duke Zhi Ting approached and embraced Suo Lun warmly.

The vast hall was so empty, with hundreds of tables laden with fine food and drink, yet devoid of people.

"Oh, I misspoke!" said Duke Zhi Ting. "You are not a guest, but rather half the host, or even the host himself."

Then, with his arm around Suo Lun, Duke Zhi Ting led him to the table where Princess Zhi Yan was seated.

"Greetings to Her Highness the Princess," Suo Lun bowed as a sign of respect.

Suo Lun then joined the Princess and the Duke at one table.

"Has the banquet just started?" Suo Lun inquired.

"It’s nearly over," replied Duke Zhi Ting. "No guests will come now."

A wave of profound sorrow surged within Suo Lun—Quo Bian had reigned for over two decades, ranking among the most enlightened and magnificent kings in the nation’s history.

Yet, on this night, he was slapped in the face by all the Nobles and Lords.

Truly, it was blow after blow to the King’s face.

"If we are all hosts, perhaps we do not need to be waited on," suggested Duke Zhi Ting to the Princess.

Princess Zhi Yan smiled and said, "No need."

Thereupon, Duke Zhi Ting waved his hand, and all the maids and eunuchs departed.

The immense banquet hall was left with no guests, only the three hosts: Princess Zhi Yan, Duke Zhi Ting, and Suo Lun.

"Why did Count Suo Lun arrive so late?" Duke Zhi Ting asked. "Where is Gao Ningshi? Why has he not returned?"

"We were ambushed by the Underworld Society," Suo Lun explained. "Thirteen assassins of the Warrior Layer and above—all of Gao Ningshi and his men have perished."

Upon hearing this, Princess Zhi Yan and Duke Zhi Ting turned pale.

Zhi Li had finally cast aside all pretense, paying no heed to King Quo Bian’s Order of No Killing.

Duke Zhi Ting was plunged into deep sorrow and sighed, "Gao Ningshi has been with me for twenty-three years, as if he were a part of my very being, and now he’s gone... it feels so unfamiliar."

There was silence among the three.

Duke Zhi Ting then said, "Suo Lun, do you know there’s another banquet tonight?"

"I’m aware," Suo Lun said. "The engagement banquet of Ling Ao, Zhi Li’s attendant."

"Do you know how it’s going over there?" Duke Zhi Ting asked.

"The place is bustling," Suo Lun replied.

Duke Zhi Ting laughed bitterly, "Bustling is an understatement. There are thousands of Nobles, Lords, and elite citizens attending the feast, with carriages backed up ten miles outside Duke Turing’s Mansion. The food, drinks, and space prepared for the banquet are completely insufficient, and they’ve even started setting up tables outside in the street."

His voice was filled with forlornness.

There, a mere engagement banquet for Zhi Li’s attendant was teeming with guests, forcing the tables onto the street.

Here, however, at the banquet for the King’s only daughter, Princess Zhi Yan, not a single guest had arrived.