I Became the Eye Candy: Four Bigshots Claimed to be My Dad?-Chapter 144: Is This a Last Meal?

"If Prime Minister Gao wishes to kowtow, this old man won’t stop him. And of course, my little girl is more than worthy of it." Dean Chen showed him no deference whatsoever.

"You..." Prime Minister Gao just snorted. He didn’t want to get into a verbal spat in front of everyone.

Ye Qianning glanced over. The first people to move against her had been Prime Minister Gao’s men. They were the ones who had injured Fourth Granny. ’I will settle this score sooner or later.’

Qian Fanji, Gu Shuo, Xiang Minghou, and the rest of their group all looked over. ’He really picked the wrong place to court death!’

"It is the third quarter-hour of noon. Let the banquet begin."

Suddenly, a tutor shouted.

As the tutor’s voice faded, young students brought out bowls and chopsticks, placing them before each guest.

"..."

Everyone present—whether they held a grudge, bore no ill will, or were just there to watch the drama unfold—was dumbfounded. Even Xiang Minghou, Old Gu, and their entire group were stunned.

Ye Qianning was floored, too.

’Isn’t the third quarter-hour of noon the time for the execution block?’

’Good heavens, are we eating a condemned prisoner’s last meal?’

No one dared to touch their chopsticks. Who would eat a condemned man’s meal at the executioner’s hour? Besides, the banquet feast consisted of nothing more than white rice and pickled vegetables. How was anyone supposed to stomach that?

Xiang Minghou said nothing. He was the first to pick up his bowl and begin eating.

’Last meal or not, who cares.’ Men like him, who spent their lives on the march and in battle, were never superstitious about such things.

Fate determined life and death; he never believed in ghosts or mysticism.

Gu Shuo and Qian Fanji also began to eat.

Old Gu was used to eating the Dean’s pickled vegetables and had grown quite fond of them. ’Why hesitate when there’s food to be eaten?’

"Well now, these pickled vegetables are quite good. Did you pickle them yourself, Dean?" Prince Changyang remarked, taking a bite.

"I’m glad they are to the Prince’s liking," Dean Chen said with a cheerful laugh.

"Delicious. It’s been many years since I’ve had a taste of the Dean’s handiwork," Prince Changyang said. He then held up his bowl toward Prince Helian. "You should try some. Weren’t these your favorite back in the day?"

Prince Helian also began eating. "They are indeed delicious."

Seeing this, the rest of the guests also picked up their bowls and began to eat, adopting an air of ’if this is a condemned man’s meal, then so be it. We’re all eating, so if we die, we die together.’

Prime Minister Gao and his faction of supporters, however, still hadn’t touched their food, their expressions defiant.

By the time most people were halfway through their meals, Prime Minister Gao still had not moved his chopsticks.

"Why aren’t you eating, Prime Minister Gao?" Dean Chen asked, his voice cold.

"Everyone here is a distinguished individual. For Dean Chen to host a banquet and serve only a bowl of white rice... isn’t that a bit too shabby? Furthermore, you set the banquet for the third quarter-hour of noon. Just what are you trying to imply, Dean Chen?" Prime Minister Gao snorted.

"I believe my meaning is perfectly clear to everyone. If the Prime Minister is so confused, perhaps his mind is not as sharp as it should be. This old man is beginning to think the Prime Minister is truly unfit for his position," Dean Chen stated.

"Hmph! To think the entire Capital City fawns over a mere child. Dean Chen, you have far too little regard for the Emperor!" Prime Minister Gao’s face was flushed with anger.

"The Emperor can judge my conduct for himself. Guards, show our guest out," Dean Chen said, his voice hardening.

As the Dean’s voice faded, four guards appeared in a flash at Prime Minister Gao’s side. The lead guard said, "Prime Minister Gao. If you please."

"Dean, what is the meaning of this?" Prime Minister Gao’s expression changed.

"You came to a Lou Mountain banquet, yet you refuse to eat. In that case, Lou Mountain does not welcome you. Please leave," Dean Chen said, issuing the order to expel him.

Prime Minister Gao had come to witness the Yin-Yang Convergence, so naturally, he didn’t want to leave. He remained seated, refusing to move.

"Didn’t the Dean’s invitation ask us all here to witness the Yin-Yang Convergence? Whether one eats at the banquet is a personal choice. Is it not a gross breach of etiquette for the Dean to simply throw people out?" an official beside Prime Minister Gao spoke up.

Dean Chen didn’t even glance at him. "Lord Qiao is to be expelled from the mountain as well. Henceforth, no son or daughter from the Qiao household shall be permitted to enter Lou Mountain Academy."