They entered Phoebe's room and stopped in front of a huge mirror. Phoebe then stopped in front of a pile of black evening dresses with exquisitely rolled gold trim, including a full set of boots and underwear.
"Change first and I'll help you with the outer garments in a moment." Phoebe left after handing the pile of clothes to Han Shuo and went to wait outside.
Han Shuo looked at the shirt, boots and bow tie with a pained expression. He hesitated, then followed Phoebe's request and put them on. He looked at himself in the mirror and felt that he'd become noticeably stronger and more handsome.
"Are you ready yet?" Phoebe asked outside.
"Yes, I'm done." Han Shuo replied.
When she heard Han Shuo's answer, Phoebe came in from outside and looked Han Shuo up and down with her clear eyes. She nodded, "It suits you very well. You look quite dashing in these clothes!"
"Oh, is that so? I feel quite good too." Han Shuo smiled faintly with a careless reply.
"Let me help you with the outer jacket." Phoebe walked next to Han Shuo and picked up the jacket in Han Shuo's hands with ease. She didn't wait for Han Shuo to speak and took the initiative to help Han Shuo into the jacket, her expression quite happy.
The two of them stood close together as the faint scent that surrounded Phoebe wafted into Han Shuo's mouth and nose. Add to that Phoebe's indescribably tender movements, and it all made Han Shuo's face flush and his heart race.
After Phoebe had helped Han Shuo into all of his evening clothes and helped him tie his tie, Phoebe took a small step back and focused her sparkling, beautiful eyes on Han Shuo, taking a deep look.
"I didn't think you were so fit. This set of formal wear seems to fit you quite well." Phoebe breathed softly with some surprise as she looked attentively at Han Shuo.
"Then have you finished what I asked you to do?" Han Shuo finally couldn't help but ask what was most important to him after he had held back his words so far.
She rolled her eyes at Han Shuo in a bad mood and said unhappily, "Can we not talk about your business for now and talk about it after the banquet is over?"
Han Shuo hadn't thought that his careless question would cause Phoebe's unhappiness. Privately, he thought that a woman's heart was hard to read. He was asking someone else for a favour and could only nod his head with a rueful smile.
"Alright, alright. Don't give me that unwilling and reluctant look. I promise that as long as you accompany me to the banquet and back, you'll leave the Guild satisfied." Phoebe said when she saw Han Shuo's wry grin.
She then told him to wait for a while and turned to go to her room. After the sounds of rifling through clothes, a stunning Phoebe appeared in front of Han Shuo, dressed in a simple, elegant pale-blue dress with a light dusting of powder.
The unadorned, elegant pale blue dress
tapered from the torso to a slim waist, completely offsetting the perfect curves of her chest and slim waist. The skirt that began around her lower body rippled like the petals of a beautiful flower. It was as if waves were lapping against her as she walked. Her gorgeous cheeks were even more mesmerising due to the presence of light make-up. Han Shuo was stunned the moment he saw her.
"What's wrong, why are you looking at me like that?" Phoebe seemed a bit proud as she threw her head back a bit arrogantly and asked Han Shuo.
"No, nothing." Han Shuo's lips were a little dry and he answered after swallowing some saliva.
Laughing lightly, Phoebe lifted her head and walked out. A faint scent drifted around Han Shuo as she passed him. She opened her mouth after reaching the door, "Let's go to the banquet now."
Following Phoebe's lead, Han Shuo entered a carriage that had long since been prepared. Two journeymen swordsmen acted as groomsmen, spurring the horses on into the distance.
"Where are we going?" Han Shuo couldn't help but open his mouth with a question when he saw Phoebe sitting in the carriage, seemingly thinking of something.
"The Finance Minister of the Empire is holding a banquet and has invited several notable businessmen of the Empire. It's a meeting of the businessmen and a good time to discuss business." Phoebe looked at Han Shuo and opened her mouth to explain.
Han Shuo began, "Then isn't this Lawrence's father's banquet?"
"Huh? How do you know that Lawrence is the son of the Finance Minister of the Empire?" Phoebe was a little surprised and asked Han Shuo with confusion.
"Lawrence and I are good friends, we're both from the Academy. We've also done some business transaction together, so of course I know a few things about him." Han Shuo didn't tell Phoebe that Lisa had been the one to tell him about Lawrence. He spoke matter-of-factly, giving the impression that the two of them had a close relationship.
Phoebe didn't suspect a thing as she nodded, "So that's the case. I didn't know you were close to my older brother. That surprises me."
The two of them chatted about Lawrence afterwards. It was mostly Han Shuo who took the chance to ask questions and Phoebe who answered. Contrary to Han Shuo's expectations, Phoebe didn't know much about Lawrence. She only knew that he was the son of the Empire's Finance Minister, and although they had the same master, the two of them didn't see much of each other.
According to Phoebe, Lawrence didn't seem to be someone who focused on training martial arts. He spent more time studying random things with their teacher than martial arts, so it wasn't surprising that Lawrence's martial arts skills weren't that extraordinary.
Phoebe was unsure about more of Lawrence's affairs. She only knew that he was good with people and had a good relationship with her teacher. Lawrence was also a bit resourceful and seemed to have a lot of secrets about himself, but Phoebe was unsure of that as well.
The two of them had unknowingly arrived at their destination as they chatted. It wasn't until Han Shuo got out of the carriage that he realised they weren't too far from the palace.
As he and Phoebe stepped out of the carriage and walked to the door of a luxurious, opulent mansion, a well-mannered butler was already waiting to welcome Han Shuo and Phoebe inside. They made their way through a corridor and arrived in a courtyard surrounded by artificial mountains and rivers. They noticed that all sorts of soft and comfortable chairs had been set up around them, with many exquisite sweet delicacies and fine wines set up on the plains around the artificial mountains.
People dressed in extravagant clothes were scattered all around, holding wine glasses in their hands and chatting with smiles on their faces. When Han Shuo and Phoebe walked in, the stunning Phoebe immediately drew the hot glances of many of the gentlemen in the area, as well as a few envious glances from some of the noble ladies.
"Hello Phoebe, I'm very happy that you could come and attend the banquet this time." An ordinary looking middle-aged man with normal features called softly from the grass next to the flowing water, walking over with a smile.
"Uncle Eevee, how could Phoebe not dare to attend an event you've invited her to?" Phoebe tugged at Han Shuo and walked in the direction of the Lancelot Empire's Minister of Finance, Eevee.
Eevee Egadi was Lawrence Egadi's father. Han Shuo stared at Eevee, watching him closely and wondering how Eevee could produce such a handsome son as Lawrence, given his own ordinary features. He found it truly incredible.
"Is this handsome young man your boyfriend?" Eevee looked at Han Shuo with a smile and asked in surprise when he saw Han Shuo standing by her side.
"Yes, Uncle Eevee, his name is Bryan and he's also quite close to older brother Lawrence." Phoebe nodded and replied with a smile. She deliberately moved closer to Han Shuo as they spoke, reaching out to take his wrist and speaking with a look of happy satisfaction.
Although he knew that Phoebe was doing this to deliberately prove her relationship with Eevee, Han Shuo still felt something strange in his heart when Phoebe held him so tightly.
"Oh, so that is the case. Hehehe, Lawrence also came back from school today and is changing into his evening clothes. I think he'll be out soon. You two can have a nice chat later." Eevee said in surprise and then smiled at Han Shuo and Phoebe. "I'm a bit busy today and have other guests to attend to, I'm afraid I'll have to leave you for now."
"No worries Uncle Eevee, go do what you have to do!" Phoebe said politely.
Eevee had just left when a middle-aged man with a protruding belly walked towards Phoebe with a glass of wine in his hand. The man suddenly saw Han Shuo was standing next to Phoebe before he reached her and his face immediately darkened, but he covered it quite well.
"It's been a few days, but Miss Phoebe is as beautiful and enchanting as ever. I don't know if you've considered the matter I raised with you last time?" When the person reached Phoebe, his passionate gaze stared at Phoebe relentlessly as he spoke the question.
"Sorry, Mr Cameron, our Boozt Merchant's Guild is not prepared to join your merchant's guild." Phoebe's face returned to its cold expression as she glanced at Cameron and spoke timidly.
Cameron's face changed as he stared deeply at Phoebe and said, "Our merchant guild exists to oppose the Brut Merchant Alliance. As members of the Brut Merchant Alliance, the McGrady Guild seems to pose quite a threat to your Boozt Merchant Guild. I hope you can seriously consider my proposal."
"Hello, Mr Cameron! Who are you talking to?" A familiar voice suddenly sounded from behind, as a curvaceous and seductive Emily suddenly appeared behind Han Shuo.
Her facial expression had been relaxed and carefree when it suddenly changed after she caught sight of Han Shuo as her body turned. When her gaze landed on Phoebe, who was holding onto Han Shuo's arm, her eyes danced even more as a strange gaze was fixed on Han Shuo.