Chapter 1698: Chapter 45: Never to Be Forgotten
Qu Shunhua gestured to the empty seat nearby, indicating for Ye Laner to sit down. She smiled gracefully, "Even if the leftovers were unbearably bad, would you still talk bad about me? If my Huangliang Platform collapses, who will support you?"
Ye Laner scoffed, "Whoever wants to believe those words can listen to them."
She looked towards Jiang Wang: "I had some matters to attend to and arrived late, I hope you can forgive me, Young Master Jiang."
"We also just arrived," Jiang Wang replied with a slight smile.
Ye Laner took a couple more steps, rather than sitting in the vacant spot, she looked at Chu Yuzhi and smiled at him, "I prefer the position where General Chu is seated, facing northeast, gazing southwest, overlooking the winds and gazing at the clouds."
"Who can refuse Miss Ye?" Chu Yuzhi chuckled effortlessly, picking up his chair and changing positions with Ye Laner, helping her set up her chair.
Ye Laner thanked him and then sat down gracefully.
Right to the side of Jiang Wang.
Jiang Wang almost detected a subtle fragrance, but it quickly dissipated, leaving a fleeting feeling of loss.
He maintained a polite smile, nodding in greeting to the newly arrived diner.
Ye Laner also smiled and nodded.
Qu Shunhua, as today’s host for the banquet, looked at Jiang Wang and then at Ye Laner, and laughed, "We all are familiar with each other here. I assume you two don’t need an introduction either, being both the best under heaven, surely your hearts communicate instinctively!"
One is the world’s greatest Inner Mansion.
The other is the world’s greatest beauty.
Of course, this best Inner Mansion has already reached the Outer Building, while the greatest beauty is currently confined to the territories of Chuguo.
At least if Jiang Wang were to judge, he definitely wouldn’t think Ye Laner is the world’s greatest beauty.
Ye Laner playfully glared at Qu Shunhua, "Young Master Jiang’s achievements, fighting on Guanhe Platform, are what deserve to be called the best under heaven. How could I claim such a title? It’s laughable to even mention."
She turned to Jiang Wang, "It’s been a long time, Young Master Jiang, your elegance surpasses that of the past!"
Jiang Wang felt momentarily stunned.
It wasn’t because Ye Laner’s greeting him.
Nor because Ye Laner was too beautiful.
But because the polite phrases he usually used... were preemptively used by Ye Laner!
Fortunately, he quickly regained composure and first replied with–
"Oh?"
Upon uttering that, he realized his response was foolish and left the other person at a disadvantage without a follow-up.
Quick-wittedly, he added, jokingly, "Care to elaborate?"
Ye Laner’s smile froze for a moment.
This Yellow River Leader’s current way of speaking was quite far from his past demeanor at Guanhe Platform, it was really... overly slick,
Especially combined with that insincere smile, it carried a bit of the aura of an old man seasoned in romantic encounters.
Zuo Guangshu likely felt embarrassed again, silently looking out the window.
Qu Shunhua still held a good impression of Brother Jiang, believing that Brother Jiang was just temporarily captivated by beauty, which is why he spoke out of turn.
For young people, being infatuated with beauty is normal, isn’t it?
Doesn’t little Guangshu often speak nonsensically in front of me too?
Thus, she hurried to the rescue, "Brother Jiang’s grace cannot be summed up in a few words. Wasn’t each of his battles at Guanhe Platform, such as defeating Xiang Bei, dueling the Yama Emperor, and the decisive battle with Yellow Sheri, renowned?"
She looked at Jiang Wang with sincerity and said, "Later I also learned of Brother Jiang single-handedly fighting against four human demons and putting them to death, declaring his legendary achievements in history as the first Inner Mansion. Would you care to share such renowned battles with us?"
Jiang Wang felt it was inappropriate to brag in front of so many people, as it wasn’t the time for flaunting privately with An’an or Zuo Guangshu.
He felt embarrassed and said, "Well, there’s no use talking about past bravery, let’s look forward."
After this, his words took on a more genuine tone, "The Inner Mansion Realm is already over. The glory of the past can only remain in the past; it cannot shine in Star Tower."
"Well said!" Chu Yuzhi spoke openly, "Not letting passing clouds obstruct one’s sight, Brother Jiang’s Realm truly impresses Chu."
Ye Laner thought, these words are indeed true. If what Jiang Wang said reflects his sincere thoughts, then the Inner Mansion Realm’s Yellow River Leader surely isn’t his final destination.
As they were conversing, five young maidens, each holding a set of exquisite wooden boxes, walked up the tower.
The boxes were opened to reveal dining utensils: ivory chopsticks, jade bowls, Ru kiln porcelain plates, and a phoenix-patterned glowing cup...
They meticulously arranged them, presenting them in front of the seated five guests.
Afterward, each stood behind the five guests as maids to serve and assist during the meal.
Then a waitstaff came up the tower, carrying a dragon boat-shaped jade dish, approaching the table. The aroma already wafted even before lifting the cover.
The dishes from Huangliang Platform’s kitchen had been delivered.
Everyone stopped talking and waited silently for the dishes to be served.
This dragon boat-shaped jade dish, gently placed in the center of the round table, surprisingly appeared very lively.
The exquisite craftsmanship of this jade dish alone indicated its value.
The maid standing next to Jiang Wang, presumably the main attendant for this table, introduced in a measured voice, "Tonight’s banquet is the Dragon Rising Banquet. The first dish is called ’Jade Dragon’."
"The Jade Dragon is also known as Fish Dragon, said to be a dragon species; however, that’s merely legend. But its abundant spiritual power is true, and its long whiskers resembling dragon whiskers are also true."
She extended her hand to lift the jade cover, handing it to the maid who had brought the dish upstairs.
Interestingly, the fragrance was noticeable before the lid lifted, yet once unveiled, there was no scent at all.
The guests saw, in the dragon boat-shaped jade dish, within the crystal-clear fish soup, a Jade Dragonfish, boasting long whiskers and golden scales, gently swimming.
