The west wing is not far from Xiao Heye's room; just walk through the corridor and turn left.

That was his study. Li Xun had found a lot of potted plants and flowers and put them inside. There were more flower pots than books on the bookshelf.

Xiao Heye pushed open the door and went inside. There wasn't a single oil lamp lit; it was pitch black.

As soon as the door closed, all that could be heard was the sound of round beads rolling onto the wooden table, one after another, thud, thud, thud...

Han Zhou sat lazily on the bench behind the desk, one leg casually bent and propped up on the chair, while the other leg stretched out long. Hearing the door open, he knew Xiao Heye had entered. His lips twitched, but he continued to play with the beads in his hand.

Xiao Heye took a tinderbox from the table, blew on it, and lit the oil lamp. Immediately, the room was lit up. The two men's eyes met, and then they smiled at each other.

Han Zhou spoke first: "Brother."

He put the beads away, smiled, and asked him, "Where did you go? Why are you only coming back now?"

Xiao Heye paused for a moment, then casually pulled up a round-backed chair and sat down opposite Han Zhou: "I went to the Imperial Household Department to take care of some business."

"Oh." Han Zhou raised an eyebrow and joked, "I thought you went to find a woman."

Xiao Heye gave him a cold glance, his face dark.

Han Zhou pursed his lips, then quickly sat up straight and stopped joking with him. He poured a cup of hot tea and moved it in front of Xiao Heye, glancing at the cold, handsome face carefully before asking suspiciously, "Brother, what's wrong with your mouth?"

Xiao Heye lowered his eyes, picked up his teacup, and took a small sip: "It's nothing, it's just broken."

"Hanzhou, why didn't you tell me you were going to the palace beforehand?" He put down his teacup, his expression calm.

Han Zhou narrowed his handsome yet mischievous phoenix eyes and said, "I missed you, brother. I wanted to give you a surprise, so I didn't tell you beforehand. You won't be mad at me, will you?"

"It's nothing, but in the future, when you go to the palace, you should send someone to tell me first."

"I understand." Han Zhou casually picked up a book and started reading.

Xiao Heye stood up, walked to the bookshelf, took an envelope from one of the hidden compartments, and handed it to him. "Have you been too idle lately, or are you just too bored staying in the Eastern Depot?"

Han Zhou took the envelope and eagerly opened it, excitedly saying as he read, "Brother, our plan has begun?" Looking at the list inside, Han Zhou licked his lips with a wicked smile and said with satisfaction, "When do we move out?"

"Tomorrow night." Xiao Heye stared at him coldly, saying, "Remember to clean things up thoroughly. Now that His Highness the Crown Prince is back, send him a few more generous gifts."

Han Zhou flicked the list with his finger. "Any other instructions?"

"It's gone."

Han Zhou got up, put the list back into the envelope, placed it on the table, and then walked out.

Xiao Heye glanced at the envelope on the table and said calmly, "Aren't you going to take it?"

Han Zhou chuckled, tilted his head, pointed to his head, and said confidently, "Brother, they're all here."

Oh right, Xiao Heye almost forgot that Han Zhou's unique skill was photographic memory.

The two grew up together. Han Zhou was exceptionally intelligent; he could learn martial arts after reading a book only once, which was his natural talent.

Xiao Heye walked over and patted Han Zhou on the shoulder, then stepped out of the room first, saying, "I'll see you out."

Han Zhou gazed at the tall, imposing figure, grinning like a child. He then quickly followed, draping his elbow over Xiao Heye's shoulder, and they walked side-by-side out of the courtyard.

As Han Zhou passed by Tingyu Tower, he saw that the lights were still on upstairs. He touched his chin, looked at Xiao Heye thoughtfully, but did not ask any questions.

Han Zhou and Xiao Heye are both extremely intelligent and cunning people. They are meticulous and far-sighted in everything they do. Some of the things they say may not be the truth, and some questions may not be answered.

Thinking this way, Han Zhou was able to refrain from asking his brother, because... Han Zhou had always had a thirst for knowledge. Also, some things were better left unsaid; it was better to find out for oneself than to have someone else tell him.

Objectively, rationally, and carefully...investigate thoroughly.

Han Zhou is such a person. He is eccentric, acts strangely, has a photographic memory, and most importantly, he is exceptionally skilled, insidious, and ruthless.

These last two advantages were learned from Xiao Heye.

After passing Tingyu Tower, they arrived at the edge of Taiye Pond. Hanzhou looked back and forth several times but couldn't find the incense hall again. So he asked Xiao Heye, "Wasn't there an incense hall there before? Where did it go?"

Xiao Heye calmly said, "I'll tear it down; it's an eyesore."

Han Zhou frowned, nodded, and said, "That's right. My brother has never believed in Buddhism. Only our Empress believes in Buddhism, right?"

He did not answer.

Everyone in the palace knew that the Empress was a devout Buddhist. Wherever she went, she never let go of her prayer beads, as if she were constantly praying, as if she were the most sincere believer in the world.

"That's enough for now, Hanzhou. Go back and 'take good care' of my godfather." Xiao Heye's tone was cold and sinister, his face expressionless. The "taking care" he spoke of was a different kind of care.

Han Zhou understood this.

Han Zhou looked at him and said cheerfully, "Don't worry, brother, I take good care of our good godfather every day."

"Then I'm leaving." He waved and stepped onto the stone bridge.

Reaching the middle of the bridge, Han Zhou suddenly turned around, his playful demeanor completely gone, and asked him with a gloomy look in his eyes, "Brother, do you know that you smell...very pungent?"

Xiao Heye lowered his head slightly and smelled his clothes; they had a pleasant fragrance… He liked it very much.

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