The palace banquet was held in Chang'an Hall of the Yanling royal palace. Chu Jin followed the servant's guidance to his seat, and as he looked up, he met Qi Jue's gaze, who nodded in acknowledgment.

At the end of every year, the monarch would host a banquet for all the officials to celebrate the festival together and also to maintain relations among them. The officials present were mostly unfamiliar faces to Chu Jin, but according to the information he had gathered, he could match each one to their name.

Xiao Zhuo had not yet arrived, giving everyone time for pleasantries. Chu Jin sat in his seat, slowly pouring himself a cup of wine while his gaze swept over everyone present.

He noticed that besides a few ministers drinking and conversing cheerfully around Qi Jue and Shen Ke, another group of people was gathered around a man with a pale, sallow complexion. His build was similar to Shen Ke's, but he appeared extremely gaunt, as if he had just recovered from a long illness. Even so, his attire and accessories were exceptionally exquisite, but the smile on his face was rather unsettling.

Chu Jin mentally went through a few names and then understood.

This must be the current favorite of the Yanling monarch, Supervisor of Attendants Lou Ya.

The rumors about this Lord Lou were no less numerous than those about anyone else. It was said that he started as a minor local official and climbed his way up to his current position step by step, using any means necessary. He had apparently once served under Shen Ke and had gone to great lengths, practically working himself to the bone, to curry favor with him. However, Shen Ke had always been lukewarm towards him and even had him transferred to the border to suffer for a few years.

Chu Jin took a sip of wine and thought with some amusement, 'This Grand Marshal of Yanling seems to have offended quite a few people. It's a good thing Qi Jue is around to smooth things over, otherwise he'd probably be resented by many.'

Just as he was thinking this, Lou Ya from across the hall suddenly looked over through the crowd. His eyes flashed, and he then smiled, “So the Heir is here as well.”

Chu Jin raised an eyebrow, watching him walk through the crowd. As the distance closed, it became even more apparent that Lou Ya's complexion was not very good. “Lord Lou.”

“The Heir knows of me?” Lou Ya was momentarily surprised, then his smile deepened, tinged with a bit of smugness. “I was originally planning to introduce myself. I didn't expect the Heir to have heard my name. Did someone mention me to you?”

Chu Jin took in his expression completely. The sentence he had prepared lingered on his lips before he swallowed it back down. He curved his lips into a smile and deliberately said what the other wanted to hear, “Yes, I heard of Lord Lou's name back in Old Qin, and it was always spoken of with praise.”

Lou Ya discreetly glanced in Shen Ke's direction before waving his hand dismissively. “The Heir flatters me. My meager achievements cannot compare to Grand Marshal Shen.”

Although he said that, his brows relaxed, and he seemed extremely pleased. After a moment, as if remembering something, he asked, “By the way, I haven't asked how the Heir's life at Heshan Academy is. Are you accustomed to it?”

Almost everyone who made small talk with him asked this question. Chu Jin patiently replied, “Everything is well.”

“I heard that Heshan Academy has three hundred rules of discipline, promoting a pure heart and few desires, unlike Xiangjing, which is a fine place for pleasure-seeking,” Lou Ya said with a look of concern and in a familiar tone. “The Heir must find it quite difficult to adapt, no? Why not come to my residence after the banquet? I can invite a few of Xiangjing's finest beauties to drink with us......”

“There's no need.” To his surprise, Chu Jin, with a smile on his face, rejected him without leaving any room for negotiation. “I am returning to the academy tomorrow. My time is tight, so I'm afraid I must decline Lord Lou's kind offer.”

If it were the past, to maintain his facade of a useless drunkard, he would have definitely accepted Lou Ya's proposal. The hazy fragrance of cosmetics, the intoxicating melody of strings and bamboo, countless hands reaching across the table to offer wine...... For more than a decade, day in and day out, this was how he had lived.

In the past, he had nothing to care about, no one he was eager to see. At worst, he would get drunk for a day, vomit until the world spun, and then slowly wake up in an empty room in the evening.

But it was different now. Someone was waiting for him.

Lou Ya was stunned, clearly not expecting the refusal. His smile froze, but he quickly returned to normal. “I see. Why are you in such a hurry to leave?”

Chu Jin replied casually, “It's nothing. I just have a precious bird at home, and I don't trust others to look after it.”

Lou Ya's expression eased slightly, and he said with a suggestive smile, “I've long heard of the Heir's romantic reputation. Indeed, after getting used to all this common entertainment, even Xiangjing City can't compare to a little bird.”

“I wonder what kind of bird it is that can make a man as worldly as the Heir so constantly concerned?”

He was eager to save some face, so he simply went with the flow and attributed it to Chu Jin's idleness and indulgence in his pet bird. Chu Jin found it amusing. 'This Lord Lou really cares about his image. So sensitive and vain,' he thought. He twitched the corner of his lips, too lazy to respond, but then he heard someone say slowly, “The late king loved birds. He had a hundred cages placed in the palace. One of them was particularly intelligent; it could chirp to tell the time and accompanied the king at his side. Every time the late king went on a trip, he would bring it with him, attended by servants.”

Chu Jin tilted his head slightly and saw the Grand Censor, elegant in his white robes, sitting upright at his table. Beside him was Shen Ke, who was frowning.

Qi Jue faced Lou Ya, his expression composed, and asked in return, “If the late king was like this, why can't the Heir be as well? Lord Lou, wouldn't you agree?”

Lou Ya's expression was indescribable for a moment. He stared motionlessly at Qi Jue for a while, then glanced at the cold-faced Shen Ke, and finally smiled again. “Lord Censor is right.”

After saying that, he spoke no more and returned to his seat. Chu Jin watched Lou Ya's retreating back thoughtfully, the man's recent smile flashing through his mind again.

This Lord Lou did indeed have his exceptional qualities to have reached his current position, such as his forbearance. He could be publicly rebuffed by the Grand Censor and still be able to swallow his anger, with his reply and expression showing no flaws.

Who knows how many years he has endured like this. A person like that would be the most terrifying once they finally snap.

Chu Jin withdrew his gaze and took a sip of wine.

The pleasantries before the banquet did not last long. Soon, Xiao Zhuo, surrounded by palace attendants, unhurriedly entered the grand hall.

He was quite young, just past the age of thirty, but compared to his brothers, he was much shorter in stature.

This monarch of Yanling wore an approachable smile, appearing just as magnanimous and gentle as the rumors described. This was the second time Chu Jin had seen him, and compared to before, Xiao Zhuo's complexion was much better. He gestured with his hand to the officials who had risen to bow, and said in a gentle voice, “Rise. Be seated.”

The banquet began. Palace maids glided in from both sides, passing exquisite jade plates from hand to hand, delivering fine delicacies and excellent wine to each table. In the hall, dozens of Yanling beauties in glass slippers and gold-threaded garments played enchanting music and danced gracefully.

Such a scene of peace and prosperity, with song and dance, unconsciously put people at ease. Xiao Zhuo's voice was also exceptionally soft, making him seem incredibly affable. When he chatted with everyone, it was like discussing household matters. From this perspective, Xiao Zhuo truly fit the public's image of a kind and amiable ruler.

Amidst his desultory chatter, the officials gradually let down their guard and began to drink freely.

Seeing that the atmosphere was just right, Xiao Zhuo took a light sip of wine, his gaze falling on Shen Ke as if by chance. Then, he slowed his voice, “Minister Shen.”

As soon as these words were spoken, the sound of chopsticks below quieted considerably.

Shen Ke put down his wine cup and looked over. “Your servant is here.”

Facing the monarch, his expression was as impassive as ever. However, Xiao Zhuo didn't mind in the least and continued in a gentle voice, “Yanchao has achieved countless merits on the front lines. I believe you deserve credit for this as well. To have raised such an invincible great general for our Yanling is a testament to your hard work and my honor. The late king had you, I have Yanchao, and Yanling has the Shen Family. This is truly a great fortune.”

He paused, then said with a hint of a smile in his voice, “Therefore, I wish to enfeoff the Shen Family as a Loyal and Brave Hereditary Family.”

The hall instantly fell silent. Then, everyone's eyes turned to Shen Ke.

A Loyal and Brave Hereditary Family—such an honor was beyond the reach of any other official. It required a great family's century of painstaking effort and devoted service to earn such a title. From then on, to put it bluntly, even if the descendants of the Shen Family were completely incompetent, they could still enjoy a lifetime of glory and wealth.

This was a reward that everyone coveted but could never hope to obtain.

Under the various gazes filled with different thoughts, Shen Ke remained calm. “I thank Your Majesty for your kind intentions, but this servant is not yet worthy of such a reward. I ask Your Majesty to retract the order.”

Upon hearing this, the crowd's gazes shifted again, now tinged with disbelief, as if shocked that Shen Ke would actually refuse such a great honor.

“You are worthy.” Xiao Zhuo's expression did not change in the slightest at Shen Ke's words, as if he had long anticipated this answer. He looked at Shen Ke for a long time with a smile in his eyes before saying unhurriedly, “Don't be so quick to refuse. I also plan to posthumously ennoble Madam Shen as a First-Rank Titled Dame.”

At these words, Shen Ke's expression finally changed, but it was definitely not the joy or excitement everyone had expected.

On the contrary, as the stern look on his face crumbled away bit by bit, what was revealed was an extreme rage. But before Chu Jin could discern the meaning behind this anger, he abruptly lowered his head.

What could possibly make Grand Marshal Shen's face change so suddenly?

Chu Jin felt that there was definitely more to Xiao Zhuo's words than met the eye. He narrowed his eyes slightly and silently replayed what Xiao Zhuo had just said in his mind.

Was it the mention of Madam Shen? Since it was an ennoblement, why use the word “posthumously”?

He vaguely realized something, but then he saw Shen Ke lift his face, the agitation between his brows not yet fully faded. A trace of disgust flashed in his eyes as he said coldly, “This servant does not need it.”

This could be said to be an utterly blunt refusal. The crowd was in an uproar, and the hall was instantly filled with whispers. Although they were wary of Shen Ke's presence, words like “ungrateful” and “arrogant” inevitably reached everyone's ears.

Everything was developing just as the monarch had anticipated.

In the tense and stagnant atmosphere, Lou Ya spoke up at just the right moment, “Grand Marshal Shen, this is a great honor for the entire Shen Family. You absolutely must not make an impulsive decision due to personal feelings.”

The meaning behind these words couldn't be clearer, and the way everyone looked at Shen Ke had now changed.

Shen Ke didn't answer, not even sparing Lord Lou a single glance.

Beside him, Qi Jue said lightly, “Lord Lou seems to greatly desire this reward. Since Grand Marshal Shen doesn't want it, perhaps you could ask His Majesty to bestow it upon Lord Lou instead—I just wonder if the Lou Family, with a foundation of barely ten years, is worthy of it?”

The Grand Censor had always prided himself on being refined and courteous, rarely speaking with such a sharp tongue. Now that he had shown his teeth, the officials looked as if they had swallowed flies, and Lou Ya nearly choked.

Chu Jin thought, 'Qi Yu is truly a major failure on the part of this Lord Censor. If that guy had even a third of his father's skill, he would have accomplished something great long ago.'

Lou Ya's face was ugly. He wanted to say more, but he met Shen Ke's icy gaze and was instantly defeated.

While the officials below were bickering merrily, Xiao Zhuo was not the least bit affected. He instead put on a regretful expression and forced a smile, “Since that's the case, there's not much I can say.”

He was the very image of a humble and wise monarch, targeted by a powerful minister and forced to compromise.

The crowd looked at Shen Ke with even greater displeasure, but Xiao Zhuo very considerately came to his defense, “I was inconsiderate in this matter. My dear ministers, let us not discuss it further. Servants, bring the next course.”