books44 Chapter 188 Flower Banquet
Chapter 188 Flower Banquet
Chapter 188 Hundred Flowers Banquet
"I'm so sorry, this is our first time in Moyun Kingdom and we're not very familiar with the area, which is why we took a longer route."
"Although I rushed as fast as I could, I was still late. Please forgive me!" Bai Ke explained to everyone with an embarrassed expression.
"Young Master Bai has already apologized, so what else can we say! Haha, it's also my fault. When I sent out the invitations, I didn't consider that everyone was still unfamiliar with the route to Moyun Kingdom, so I didn't send anyone."
"How about this? In a few days, I'll find some time to show everyone from Tian Ce Palace around and be a good host." The Second Prince said to them with a smile, trying to smooth things over for Bai Ke.
Seeing that the Second Prince had spoken so eloquently, no one dared to say anything more. They all nodded in agreement, echoing the Second Prince's sentiments. They praised the Second Prince for his magnanimity and regal bearing, saying he was truly worthy of being a member of the royal family.
Bai Ke, on the other hand, was somewhat puzzled as to why the Second Prince, Yuan Su, was suddenly being so agreeable. He had originally thought that there would be quite a few obstacles after this banquet.
Something unusual is bound to happen. Let's take it one step at a time and see.
After exchanging pleasantries, the Second Prince invited everyone to sit down and instructed his servants to serve tea to Bai Ke and his three companions.
"Yesterday, Elder Master received an invitation sent by the Second Prince and originally intended to come in person. However, during our stay in Moyun Kingdom, there are some matters that require Elder Master's personal attention."
Therefore, I was unable to spare the time, so the elder sent me with a few disciples to attend the banquet. I hope the Second Prince understands.
"Young Master Bai, you are too kind. It is already an honor for Yuan Su to come today amidst your busy schedules. How could I possibly have any objections?"
"That's good, thank you for your understanding, Second Prince!" Bai Ke bowed to the Second Prince Yuan Su.
"There's no need for thanks between us. Ever since my sparring session with Young Master Bai at the training ground, I've come to realize that you are truly a heroic young man, indeed extraordinary."
"I, Yuansu, accept my defeat wholeheartedly this time. Aside from my father and General Elu, I have never truly submitted to anyone. And you, though only a year younger than me, possess such high cultivation; I truly admire you!"
"You flatter me, Second Prince."
"Young Master Bai, please don't be modest. Today we must drink to our hearts' content! Men, fill up the cups for Young Master Bai and those young brothers!"
Upon hearing the order, the attendant immediately stepped forward to refill Bai Ke's wine.
“Young Master Bai, I’ll call you Bai Ke from now on. It’s too formal to call you ‘Young Master’ all the time. You can also call me by my name.”
"Alright! Then I won't stand on ceremony and will just call you by your name."
"Haha, good! I wasn't wrong, you're a straightforward person. Unlike the others, who are all fussy and hesitant like women."
“That is incorrect,” Bai Ke replied.
"What? Is there something wrong with what I said?"
"Of course there's a problem. Yuansu, you need to understand that the reason I agreed to this wasn't entirely because I was easygoing. It's because I don't submit to you, nor to the Moyun Kingdom."
As a prince, you are deeply favored by the king and your status in the Kingdom of Moyun is immeasurable. Most people around you will only cautiously observe your expression, unlike me who can be so uninhibited. Therefore, I am unworthy of your praise.”
"Hmm, now that you mention it, it does make a lot of sense. Hahaha, come on! I'll toast to your clear-headedness and straightforwardness!" With that, he raised his glass to Bai Ke.
"I also toast to your cheerful and open-mindedness!" Bai Ke also raised his wine glass to the Second Prince in return.
"Hey? With such fine wine, delicious food, and beautiful scenery, how can we not have singing and dancing to accompany us?" During the banquet, a person dressed in a royal blue silk robe suddenly said.
“Yes, that’s right. Such a beautiful day and night, it would be a shame not to have some singing and dancing. Come on, bring out the singing and dancing!” the Second Prince ordered the attendants beside him.
After receiving the order, the servant clapped his hands lightly, and with two crisp claps, several musicians and a dozen beautiful dancers filed in and bowed to the crowd.
"Begin. If you perform well, I, the prince, will reward you handsomely."
"Yes!" The musicians and dancers bowed to the Second Prince Yuan Su again and began their performance.
As the music began, the dancers started to sway gracefully. The guests clinked glasses and enjoyed a lively atmosphere.
Some were whispering and comparing the dancers' looks and figures, such as the young man in blue who had just spoken.
Some of them chatted and laughed together, clinking glasses and exchanging toasts, like the Second Prince.
Others, like Bai Ke, quietly sipped their wine, sitting there and observing the scene before them.
After everyone had played around for a while, the Second Prince Yuan Su noticed that Bai Ke was sitting there, neither appreciating the singing and dancing nor chatting with anyone.
He would only occasionally exchange a few words with the disciples he brought with him. He assumed that Bai Ke didn't like these things, so he waved to the people in front of him, telling the musicians and dancers to leave.
"I'm tired of seeing the same old song and dance performances at every banquet. Do you have any good ideas? Let's try something new."
“In that case, let’s play pitch-pot! These games are very popular among the common people these days, how about we give it a try?” one of the noblemen said.
"Hey? That's right, why don't we send someone to get some bottles and arrows, and we can have a go and see who's better!" someone chimed in.
Upon hearing this, everyone agreed and began to echo his sentiments.
"Since everyone wants to try it, let's have a go." After saying that, the Second Prince Yuansu began to have people prepare the things needed for pitch-pot.
Before long, the servants had everything prepared. They arranged bottles of varying sizes in an orderly fashion in the open space in the middle of the banquet hall, while another servant stood beside them, holding a tray for holding arrows.
"Let me explain the rules of this game. Do you see these bottles on the ground? They are arranged from largest to smallest opening. What we need to do is take an arrow and throw it into the lake from a certain distance."
We'll take turns, one by one. Whoever throws their arrow into the pot can then throw it into the next bottle. If they miss, they lose and have to go down and drink. During this game, no one can use any spiritual power, okay?
"Haha, great! This game sounds really interesting, I'll go first!" the Second Prince said loudly with a laugh.
Then he took a few arrows from the servant, and outside a designated boundary, he gently tossed the arrows at the mouth of the bottle in front of him. The arrows flew out, drew a perfect parabola in the air, and then, with a "thud," easily entered the mouth of the bottle.
Everyone applauded and cheered, and Bai Ke chuckled, finding it amusing. The Second Prince, however, showed little excitement, as if this was expected. He was confident in his ability to handle such bottle openings; this level of difficulty was no challenge for him.