Chapter 1007: Chen Jianqiu
The Water Palace was vast, accommodating the offices of the Great Sage of the Poluo Daoist Mansion, the Second Deputy, and several other Deputy Mansion Masters. It also contained formal ceremonial halls, grand dining chambers for entertaining guests,
and the residences of the Great Sage and the Second Deputy.
Some Deputy Mansion Masters did not reside within the Sheji Palace, as they had bought their own estates elsewhere. However, they still had residences reserved for them within the palace.
As night fell, one of the lakeside halls of the Water Palace blazed with light, its glow scattering across the lake.
Tonight, the halls were filled with guests.
Since there were too many attendees, the banquet was held in a Western-style reception format.
Qi Xuansu was the undisputed center of attention, surrounded by flatterers like stars circling the moon. It was much like the Imperial Preceptor during the grand banquet in Fenglin.
Qi Xuansu held a cup of amber-hued rice wine, using the traditional Central Plains style three-legged bronze goblet. He raised his cup only occasionally, maintaining the reserved poise befitting a Second Deputy, exuding an air of confidence. However, no one dared show the slightest dissatisfaction.
In truth, Qi Xuansu was not entirely accustomed to being the star of the show. Having long played the supporting role and always the one standing beside others, he felt awkward now that he had suddenly become the main figure that everyone surrounded. The difference was enormous.
He possessed considerable autonomy and authority as a Second Deputy and was not merely a subordinate to the Mansion Master. Instead, a Second Deputy was one of the three balancing powers within the Daoist Mansion. That was why Shi Bingyun could confront Li Ruoshui openly and why Li Tianlan could stir up storms in the Jiangnan Daoist Mansion.
In other words, aside from the Great Sage of the Daoist Mansion, as long as the other three—Mansion Master, Chief Deputy, and Second Deputy—agreed to a policy, it would move forward even without reporting to the Golden Tower Council.
Thus, this sea of guests was not really here for Qi Xuansu, but for the power he now held with his office.