"Big Brother, what's wrong with him? Did someone upset Big Brother?" Gong Chenyi asked, feigning surprise, then sneered.
"Big Brother, I advise you to save your strength. You can't defeat me."
"Tonight is my imperial mother's birthday banquet. You are not allowed to cause trouble, or I will not spare you!" Gong Chenyi sneered, then stood up.
"Hmph!" Chu Yunfei snorted angrily and ignored him.
Seeing Chu Yunfei's silence, Gong Chenyi became even more arrogant and presumptuous.
"Big Brother, don't sulk. It's not worth it to bother with a good-for-nothing like me who has no background. You should be happy; tonight is a rare opportunity. You must seize it." Gong Chenyi said with a grin, his gaze falling on Chu Chen on the other side of the hall.
"What do you mean?" Chu Yunfei frowned and asked.
"You'll know soon enough." Gong Chenyi smiled mysteriously, his eyes fixed on Chu Chen.
"Gong Chenyi, what exactly are you up to?" Chu Yunfei pressed, frowning.
"Heh heh..." Gong Chenyi chuckled slyly and didn't elaborate.
On the other side of the hall, Chu Chen slowly opened his eyes, a sharp and cold killing intent flashing in his deep black irises.
"Tonight's banquet is probably a Hongmen Banquet," Chu Chen murmured to himself, his heart filled with caution. He felt that Gong Chenyi had ill intentions.
Gong Chenyi's ambition had been evident to Chu Chen since childhood, and Chu Chen was well aware of it.
"Chu Chen, you must be careful. This madman Gong Chenyi will surely use our imperial mother's name to get rid of you. You won't even have a chance to resist then." Ye Jianying cautioned in his mind.
"I've already guessed as much," Chu Chen replied indifferently.
"Alas..." Ye Jianying sighed helplessly. "The current situation is very unfavorable for you. Your identity has been exposed. The Gong family will definitely target you. If you show up at this banquet, you'll be in grave danger."
Chu Chen said expressionlessly, "What will be, will be." A moment later, a carriage drove into the imperial palace.
"Haha! Welcome, Third Prince and Ninth Prince!" A middle-aged man walked up with a fawning smile.
"Prime Minister Liu, you've worked hard," Gong Chenyi said politely, then exchanged pleasantries with the middle-aged man. They seemed to know each other.
"I ask for your help in looking after my younger brother at tonight's banquet," Gong Chenyi said courteously.
"Your Highness Third Prince is too kind! I have a deep relationship with the Chu family, so taking care of the younger generation of the Chu family is my duty." Prime Minister Liu chuckled, a hint of apprehension in his gaze toward Gong Chenyi. Although Gong Chenyi was the fifth prince, he was known to have no backing. On the other hand, Gong Chenyi's younger brother, Gong Chenwu, the eighth prince, held immense power, even surpassing the third prince.
"Thank you, Prime Minister!" Gong Chenyi said with a bright smile.
"Third Prince, please come in." Prime Minister Liu gestured for him to enter.
Gong Chenyi nodded and then led the way into the imperial palace hall, with Gong Chenwu following closely behind.
"Lord Chu, it's been a long time." Prime Minister Liu smiled.
"Indeed, it has been a long time, Prime Minister Liu," Chu Chen replied, nodding, and then walked into the hall.
In the center of the hall, there was a circular stone platform surrounded by rows of seats, numbering two to three hundred.
"Tonight, the royal family is hosting a banquet. We hope all our friends who have traveled from afar will have a pleasant time," Prime Minister Liu's resonant voice echoed throughout the palace.
Immediately, numerous palace maids bowed in greeting, creating a spectacular scene.
"Guards, bestow seats!" Prime Minister Liu waved his hand.
Several palace maids stepped forward, arranged the seats, and served tea and pastries.
"Thank you, Prime Minister." Everyone clasped their fists in gratitude.
"You're finally here! We've been waiting for you!" As soon as Gong Chenyi sat down, he eagerly greeted Gong Chenyi.
"Third Brother, what do you think of my clothes today? Aren't they beautiful?" Gong Chenyi asked boastfully, his face beaming with pride. Gong Chenyi was wearing a golden robe with a jade belt, and a dragon pattern embroidered on his chest, making him appear handsome and dashing.
"Show-off," Gong Chenyi said disdainfully, secretly cursing him as an idiot. Chu Chen's cold, dark eyes flickered with killing intent.
"How dare you speak to me like that, Crown Prince!" Gong Chenyi glared at Chu Chen menacingly and said ferociously, "Chu Chen, who do you think you are? How dare you lecture me? Believe it or not, I'll kill you right now?"
"Hmph!" Chu Chen snorted disdainfully. Gong Chenyi's threats might work on others, but they were useless against Chu Chen. His face twitched a few times. Enraged, he said, "Do you think I won't dare to touch you just because you have Father Emperor's backing?" Chu Chen remained expressionless, too lazy to bother.
At this moment, Chu Yunfei suddenly reminded him coldly, "Chenyi, the banquet is about to begin. If you don't want to embarrass yourself, sit down quickly."
"Hmph! I'll see how long you can keep up this act!" Gong Chenyi glared at Chu Chen fiercely. He then obediently sat down, thinking to himself, "Chu Chen, this time, I will make you kneel and beg for my forgiveness!"
"Third Prince, is this the eldest son of the Chu manor, Chu Chen?" A noble young man beside Gong Chenyi asked with a smile. Hearing this, the noble young man shook his head and chuckled, "I heard His Majesty demoted Chu Chen to commoner status."
"Haha! Chu Chen, you've fallen on hard times!" Gong Chenyi said with schadenfreude, feeling extremely gratified. "Chu Chen, how did you become so pathetic? You were so glorious back then, and now you've fallen to such a state!" Gong Chenyi abandoned his pretense of humility and became sharp-tongued and petty, utterly losing his composure.
"My affairs are none of your business!" Chu Chen said coldly.
"Tsk tsk, truly a commoner, speaking so rudely!" Gong Chenyi sneered inwardly. "Chu Chen, I will make you lose all face and completely lose Father Emperor's favor!" He didn't have time to deal with Gong Chenyi and was busy drinking and eating. Gong Chenyi narrowed his eyes sinisterly and said. "Chu Chen, do you think you can escape responsibility by hiding and not showing up? You underestimate me too much."
"Third Prince, what are you talking about?" Suddenly, a deep and hoarse voice sounded in Gong Chenyi's ear. The sudden voice made Gong Chenyi tremble all over. He turned around abruptly and saw Chu Chen holding a wine cup, leisurely sipping his wine. His demeanor was not that of a prisoner at all; it was as if he were the protagonist, and Gong Chenyi was merely a supporting character.
Chu Chen shrugged and said with a smile, "The imperial palace is the pinnacle of imperial power. Of course, I would attend the banquet. Is there anything strange about that?"
"Heh heh, Chu Chen, do you really think that with your useless status, you can attend the banquet? Stop dreaming!" Gong Chenyi said mockingly, not taking Chu Chen seriously at all.
"You can shut up now," Chu Chen said coldly, his voice laced with anger.
"You..." Gong Chenyi was instantly infuriated and flew into a rage.