Chapter 756: Birthday Banquet

In the dead of night at Yan Hui Inn.

Gu Shuo stood by a door, leaning quietly against the frame. For the past two days, he had been receiving a constant stream of news from Dayu City, keeping him perfectly clear on all that had transpired.

He knew. She was really back.

Just before dawn, the shopkeeper of Yan Hui Inn was getting out of bed. Yawning, he headed downstairs and glimpsed a figure standing in the corridor. He first thought it was a thief, but upon taking a closer look, he nearly thought his eyes were deceiving him.

"Isn’t this Boss Gu?" The Shopkeeper rubbed his eyes.

"Mm."

"Boss Gu, you’re back in the city. Why are you standing outside Miss Ye’s room instead of being at the Immortal Sea Building?" the Shopkeeper asked, puzzled.

"It’s nothing."

The Shopkeeper suddenly seemed to recall the rumors from the past couple of days. "Boss Gu, is Miss Ye really the young proprietor of the Immortal Sea Building?"

"Mm."

"Well, I’ll be! I knew she was no ordinary person the moment I first saw her. I never thought she’d be your daughter... uh, wait, that’s not right. If she’s your daughter, why is her surname Ye?"

"Keep your voice down. Don’t wake her," Gu Shuo said coolly.

The Shopkeeper chuckled. "Impossible. Miss Ye didn’t come back at all yesterday."

Gu Shuo froze, then turned and pushed the door open. As expected, the room was empty, the bedding folded neatly.

He quickly recovered, however. Reaching up to touch his forehead, he gave a self-deprecating smile. ’I didn’t even notice there was no one breathing in the room.’

"Boss Gu, Miss Ye has been busy preparing a birthday gift for Elder Chen these past couple of days, so she’s hardly been back to the inn." The Shopkeeper added, a thought striking him, "Today is Elder Chen’s birthday, isn’t it? Has he returned?"

Gu Shuo nodded and walked out of the room.

"I’ll get cleaned up in a bit and go wish Elder Chen a happy birthday..."

The Shopkeeper called after Gu Shuo’s retreating back, then gleefully headed downstairs.

Dayu City was already bustling before dawn.

This was especially true for the restaurant across from the Immortal Sea Building, which was decorated with lanterns and colorful banners. Firecrackers had been popping since the sky first began to lighten.

The kitchen was in an uproar, having started preparations for the birthday feast in the early hours of the morning.

All five floors of the restaurant had been cleared out and set up with large dining tables.

Servants and guards were already waiting at the entrance, where the steward from the Phoenix Royal Mansion was assigning everyone their roles for greeting the guests.

In contrast to the bustle across the street, the Immortal Sea Building was far more tranquil.

As day broke, crowds began to flood the street where the Immortal Sea Building stood, most having come to watch the spectacle.

The sudden appearance of a young proprietor at the Immortal Sea Building, one who had publicly challenged Old Prince Feng and forced him to move his birthday banquet at the last minute, was no small matter of audacity.

This was Nanyuan, after all. Few would dare risk offending the Old Prince on his own turf, especially not to celebrate the birthday of a man who had been stripped of his citizenship.

Elder Chen was old and useless now; there was no point in trying to curry favor with him.

Old Prince Feng arrived at the restaurant after his morning meal, dressed in festive red birthday robes. The moment he arrived, well-wishers began to stream in.

"Congratulations, Old Prince! May your longevity rival the mountains!"

"Congratulations, Old Prince! Many happy returns of the day!"

"Congratulations, Old Prince! May your good fortune be as boundless as the East Sea!"

"Hahahaha! Excellent, excellent! Everyone, please, come inside!" Old Prince Feng was beaming. His mood became even better when he saw Elder Chen emerging from the Immortal Sea Building.

Elder Chen had barely slept a wink all night, his mind filled with thoughts of his dear young apprentice. After washing up, he couldn’t wait to step outside.

"Heh heh, Elder Chen. Long time no see." Old Prince Feng took the initiative to approach him. "Your birthday is also on the twelfth of the sixth month, I see. I heard the young proprietor of the Immortal Sea Building is hosting a banquet for you. Why is it so desolate in there?"