“Come in!” Zhou Li’s calm voice drifted out.
Nangong Yan’er’s face lit up with joy as she hurried inside and placed the breakfast on the table.
“Your Highness, try it quickly. I made all of this myself.”
Zhou Li glanced at the delicate pastries and let out a faint sneer.
So this woman really put in the effort.
But could it be that she prepared these for Chu Yun, and after that boy refused them, she brought the leftovers to me?
After all, in the original novel, Nangong Yan’er often made pastries for Chu Yun.
With that thought, Zhou Li deliberately put on a troubled expression and said, “Yan’er, although these pastries look delicious, I am afraid I do not have the fortune to enjoy them.”
“Ah? Why?” Nangong Yan’er asked, confused.
Zhou Li spread his hands. “I have no money.”
Nangong Yan’er froze for a moment, as if realizing something, then explained with slight embarrassment, “No… no payment is needed…”
“That will not do. I am not someone who defaults on debts. How about this, when my monthly stipend arrives, you can make another portion for me?” Zhou Li said teasingly.
“I…” A trace of disappointment flashed through Nangong Yan’er’s beautiful eyes.
“Oh right, why did you suddenly decide to make breakfast for me?” Zhou Li asked casually.
“Isn’t that what I should do?” Nangong Yan’er replied with a gentle smile.
“Oh? I thought perhaps you prepared it for someone else, and when that person did not want it, you brought it to me instead. It seems I was being narrow-minded.”
Hearing this, Nangong Yan’er’s expression changed slightly before quickly returning to normal.
That fleeting shift did not escape Zhou Li’s notice.
So I guessed correctly.
In truth, as Zhou Li suspected, these pastries had originally been prepared for Chu Yun. But after Chu Yun ate a few and felt full, these were what remained.
Nangong Yan’er had brought them to Zhou Li, intending to ease the recent tension between them.
After all, the Duke of the Southern State’s Mansion still relied on the Prince of Han as support. If things continued this way, separation would only be a matter of time. Besides, Nangong Yan’er herself was not accustomed to Zhou Li acting like this.
After speaking, Zhou Li stood up and walked toward the door. “That is enough. I have matters to attend to. You can share those with your good sisters.”
Seeing Zhou Li about to leave, Nangong Yan’er suddenly remembered the fragrance on him from the previous night, and alarm bells rang in her mind. “Your Highness!”
Zhou Li stopped and turned back. “What is it? Something else?”
Nangong Yan’er bit her lip and gathered her courage. “Your Highness, I was married to you in a grand procession. Can you tell me about the fragrance on you last night…”
“You are still concerned about that?” Zhou Li frowned.
Why is this woman so fixated on that question?
Zhou Li took a deep breath and said slowly, “Then I will make it clear. I have not violated the way of husband and wife.”
“Yesterday I went to Vermilion Bird Street on business. Perhaps I accidentally brushed against some rouge and powder there. Are you satisfied with that answer?”
“Now I am heading to the Royal Palace to meet Father Emperor. Are you at ease?”
Hearing Zhou Li’s explanation, Nangong Yan’er’s doubts eased slightly. She nodded gently.
Seeing this, Zhou Li said no more and strode away.
…
As Zhou Li arrived at the Royal Palace, he heard someone calling out.
“Fourth Brother!”
He turned and saw the Seventh Prince, Zhou Ning.
The Seventh Prince had maintained a fairly good relationship with the original host.
“Seventh Brother, what brings you to the palace today?” Zhou Li asked.
“Hehehe, I recently obtained a fine horse and planned to come show it off to Crown Prince Brother,” Zhou Ning said cheerfully.
“Oh, I see.”
At that moment, another voice rang out. “Seventh Brother, when you have something good, why do you only think of Eldest Brother and not your Second Brother?”
Zhou Li and Zhou Ning turned toward the sound and saw the King of Zhao, Zhou Kun.
Behind him stood a young man dressed in black, with upright features and a massive black sword strapped to his back. The most distinctive feature, however, was the slight curve at the corner of his lips, almost like a trademark smirk.
This young man was the primary protagonist of the novel, Chu Yun.
Zhou Li quietly observed Chu Yun, looking him up and down.
He is not even more handsome than me. I truly do not understand how Nangong Yan’er’s eyes work.
“Oh? Fourth Brother is here as well,” Zhou Kun said with a faint smile.
“Oh, Second Brother,” Zhou Li replied calmly.
Among the twelve princes, the most powerful were Crown Prince Zhou Qian and King of Zhao Zhou Kun. The two frequently engaged in open and covert struggles over the imperial throne.
The Crown Prince faction was supported by the Six Ministries, while the King of Zhao faction was backed by the Prime Minister.
The Seventh Prince Zhou Ning, Ninth Prince Zhou Chen, Eleventh Prince Zhou Wen, and Twelfth Prince Zhou An belonged to the Crown Prince faction.
King of Wei Zhou Xuan, Sixth Prince Zhou Qing, Eighth Prince Zhou Yang, and Tenth Prince Zhou Wu belonged to the King of Zhao faction.
The Prince of Han Zhou Li and the Prince of Qin Zhou Ting did not participate in any factional disputes.
Even so, Zhou Li had little fondness for this Second Brother, whose character was truly disgraceful.
Not only did Zhou Kun keep numerous wives and concubines, he also frequently abused palace maids by relying on his power. Compared to him, although the Crown Prince was no saint, he seemed like one in comparison.
“Seventh Brother, what fine horse is it? Why not bring it out for Second Brother to see?” Zhou Kun asked with a smile.
Zhou Ning replied coldly, “It is nothing special. I would rather not embarrass myself.”
“Oh? Whether it is a good horse or not, I will know once I test it.” Zhou Kun grinned lewdly, his words layered with hidden meaning.
Zhou Ning’s expression darkened. “You!”
Just as Zhou Ning was about to step forward to argue, Zhou Li stopped him.
“Seventh Brother, calm down. I am sure Second Brother is merely joking. Am I right?” Zhou Li said with a smile toward Zhou Kun.
“Hahaha, Fourth Brother truly sees clearly. No wonder Father Emperor and Empress Mother favor you more.”
“You flatter me, Second Brother. However…” Zhou Li’s gaze shifted to Chu Yun behind Zhou Kun. “And this young gentleman is?”
At this, Zhou Kun’s lips curled into a malicious smile.
He naturally knew about Chu Yun and Nangong Yan’er’s relationship. Seeing that Zhou Li seemed unaware, he found it amusing.
Zhou Li, seeing that smile, immediately guessed that Zhou Kun knew about Chu Yun and Nangong Yan’er. This Second Brother probably thought he was still kept in the dark and wanted to watch a spectacle.
The thought made Zhou Li want to laugh. He suddenly looked forward to seeing Zhou Kun’s attempt at amusement backfire.
“Oh, this one is the top-ranked student of Dragon Martial Academy this year, Brother Chu Yun,” Zhou Kun introduced.
Chu Yun quickly bowed toward Zhou Li and Zhou Ning.
“This commoner Chu Yun greets the Prince of Han and the Seventh Prince.”
On the surface, he appeared respectful. But from an angle the two could not see, a playful smile flickered across his lips.
How could that escape Zhou Li’s notice? Quite the actor, are you? Then I shall play along.
With a gentle smile, Zhou Li slowly walked up to Chu Yun and placed his hand on Chu Yun’s shoulder as if in appreciation.
“Indeed, a dragon among men.”
“It is truly a blessing for the Sacred Martial Immortal Empire to have such a talented youth as Brother Chu Yun,” Zhou Li said warmly, his tone full of praise.
However, at the very moment he spoke, his palm suddenly exerted force. A subtle yet immense pressure descended upon Chu Yun’s shoulder like a towering mountain crushing an egg.