cold clothes

This humorous exchange successfully pleased Zhao Hong, who smiled and said no more.

The three father and sons watched the Nuo opera with great concentration. Zhao Hong would occasionally talk to Zhao Yin, but he didn't say a word to Zhao Qun, as if Zhao Qun had been neglected.

After the play ended, Zhao Hong seemed a little tired. He waved for the two brothers to leave and went to rest.

Zhao Qun and Zhao Yin returned to Renming Palace side by side. Zhao Qun looked rather unwell. Zhao Yin glanced at him and feigned concern, saying, "Third brother looks exhausted. He must have been at Zichen Palace serving Father Emperor long ago. Father Emperor must be very pleased."

Zhao Qun paused slightly, his gaze subtly shifting to Zhao Yin. He had a feeling that Zhao Yin's smile held a hint of schadenfreude, as if he were deliberately mocking him, but he hoped it was just his imagination.

"I hope so," Zhao Qun replied dismissively. As soon as he finished speaking, he realized he had been petty. His fifth brother always spoke like that, and his discomfort likely stemmed from their father's earlier differential treatment, which he was now taking out his anger on his fifth brother.

After reflecting on this, Zhao Qun composed himself and spoke to Zhao Yin, "Fifth Prince, don't you have to go to the Ministry of Justice on duty today?"

"Today is a day off."

"Oh I got it."

Zhao Yin's eyes flickered, then he smiled slightly: "It's rare to have some free time. We brothers haven't gotten together in a long time. Why don't we cook some wine and chat?"

"Okay, let's go!" Zhao Qun laughed heartily and naturally put his arm around Zhao Yin's shoulder.

The bronze charcoal stove inside the hall was burning red-hot, and the warm aroma of wine filled the room. The two brothers, Zhao Qun and Zhao Yin, looked calm and composed, and the atmosphere was peaceful.

Zhao Yin took a sip of wine and smiled, "Next spring, my third brother will get married and build his own residence. In the future, the two of us brothers will have even fewer opportunities to get together."

"Fifth Imperial Brother is welcome to visit my residence anytime."

"Hehe, I expected my third brother to say that, but we are far apart, and it is difficult to meet. Just like me, I live outside the palace all year round and can't see my mother and brother."

"My fifth brother's words make me feel very guilty."

"Please don't misunderstand, I didn't mean to blame my elder brother, I just suddenly felt a bit sentimental." Zhao Yin lowered his eyes slightly and said casually, "It's very likely that we will be even further apart in the future."

Zhao Qun paused, his hand holding the cup still. "Fifth Imperial Brother refers to..."

"As you may already know, there has been some unrest in the north. Our merchants and Xiongnu merchants have clashed several times at the border markets, and the situation is becoming tense again."

Zhao Qun knew about it, but he thought it was just a minor trade dispute, since nothing major had been reported. However, after hearing Zhao Yin's words, he felt that something must have happened that he didn't know about.

Was the Emperor deliberately concealing the truth? He only told a small number of people, including the Fifth Prince…

After a moment's thought, Zhao Qun said cheerfully, "Our Great Qi is prosperous and our army is strong. We are not afraid of the Xiongnu even if they break the treaty and invade. However, my fifth brother is indeed very concerned about the northern lands. He is worthy of living in the north for four years."

“Yes, the North is bitterly cold. I only stayed there for four years, but the people there will live there for generations to come,” Zhao Yin sighed.

“Even though my fifth brother holds a high position in the court, he still cares about the people. I admit I am not as good as him,” Zhao Qun said with a helpless smile.

“Your Majesty is too modest. This is something I, as a court official, should do. If Your Majesty were in my position, you would do a better job.” Zhao Yin paused, then said in a slightly more relaxed tone, “Of course, Your Majesty’s current leisure is only temporary. You must make the most of it. By the way, I heard that Your Majesty has indeed been doing quite well lately.”

"Well, that's true."

Zhao Yin's eyes gleamed with a mocking light as he raised his wine cup as if to clink glasses with Zhao Qun: "Although it's late, Your Majesty congratulates Your Majesty on winning the heart of your beauty."

“Haha,” Zhao Qun laughed as he met Zhao Yin’s hand. “I have to thank Fifth Brother for inviting me that night.”

"That's quite a coincidence, but I always felt that my brother had planned this all along."

Zhao Qun was taken aback. "Hey, you could even tell that?"

"The news of my brother keeping a mistress in a golden house has spread throughout the capital. To be honest, I was really surprised that my brother would dote on a woman so much," Zhao Yin said with a squinting smile.

"I never expected it myself. She is such a beautiful and intelligent woman, skilled in both literature and martial arts. It's truly amazing. To be honest, I intend to make her my concubine, so I created some difficulties for her. However, I think she can handle them." Zhao Qun spoke of Leng Yi, who lived in his outer residence, with a hint of pride in his voice. Later, he realized this and made it even more obvious, as if he couldn't help but want to show off to Zhao Yin.

"A problem? What kind of problem?"

"Huh, you're not focused on my idea of ​​making her a concubine, but on this?" Zhao Qun asked in surprise.

"..." Zhao Yin was silent for a moment, then smiled softly, "Since Your Majesty admires her so much, it's not surprising that you want to make her a concubine."

“That seems to be true.” Zhao Qun nodded slowly, and then he enthusiastically told Zhao Yin about Leng Yi’s plan to enter the royal family to learn court etiquette.

Zhao Yin listened silently, pondering to himself: The Wang family...