An aura of authority swept across the pavilion, and the previously buzzing whispers fell instantly silent.
Until Zhao Yuan had departed, the two who had spoken the loudest earlier exchanged a lingering look of dread, both seeing stark terror in the other's eyes. They had too much to drink, daring to gossip so brazenly regardless of the occasion. Although the master of the Xu family was merely a vice minister, the Ministry of Rites was a lucrative post; without powerful backing behind the scenes, how could he have stood so firmly?
Virtually everyone's attention was captivated by this farce. Shen Yanzhi sat alone in his seat, turning a cup over in his palm as he lost himself in thought.
Chapter 476