Chapter 449

"Hey, we're brothers, why are you being so polite, elder brother?"

The Crown Prince helped the First Prince up, but his gaze fell on Duan Huaichuan, with a hint of admiration in his eyes.

He heard what the two of them said.

Duan Huaichuan refused to submit to the eldest prince, not even giving him the slightest hint, which pleased the crown prince greatly.

That's exactly the kind of talent he needs—someone who can stand firmly by his side.

After all, talented people who are good at fighting can't be used if they just drift with the tide.

The Crown Prince's arrival completely ruined the First Prince's plans for the day, and he was also in a bad mood.

The eldest prince was quite pleased when he saw Duan Huaichuan being respectful to him, but now, seeing Duan Huaichuan smiling and talking to the crown prince, the eldest prince felt inexplicably uneasy.

After exchanging a few words of laughter, the Crown Prince turned to the First Prince and said, "Today's Qionglin Banquet is meant for the newly appointed scholars to relax and enjoy themselves. Brother, it's a bit inappropriate for us to be here."

His voice carried a subtle warning, which clearly reached the ears of the eldest prince.

The eldest prince gritted his teeth inwardly: "...Second brother is right."

The prince smiled and said loudly, "However, it has been a long time since we brothers have seen each other. Brother, why don't you come over to my place for a drink?"

"Then I shall respectfully accept your offer."

"What are you saying, brother!"

The two men left in a friendly and respectful manner. Duan Huaichuan watched their retreating figures, his lips slowly curving into a smile.

Chen Zongwen once said that one should rely on one's own true abilities to succeed in the imperial court; forming cliques and engaging in self-serving activities will not end well.

His current allegiance to the Crown Prince is only because Yunxi is there and he can't rest easy there; it doesn't mean he enjoys factional strife.

However, it seems that joining the Crown Prince's faction has some other advantages now.

That means you no longer have to worry about being disturbed by others.

Duan Huaichuan watched the two princes leave one after the other and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Speaking of which, he hadn't seen Yunxi for a long time. Chen Zongwen and Madam Chen would probably be coming to Luoyang soon, and he needed to find an opportunity to discuss with Yunxi what to do.

With that thought in mind, Duan Huaichuan left the pavilion.

——

The banquet at Qionglin ended in the afternoon. Duan Huaichuan returned to the Marquis's residence and found Yunxi already sitting in the courtyard of the guest residence.

She lowered her head slightly, looking somewhat melancholy.

Duan Huaichuan's gaze narrowed slightly, and he subconsciously slowed his pace.

Yunxi only came to her senses after Duan Huaichuan sat down opposite her: "Brother Huaichuan."

Upon hearing that long-unheard form of address, Yunxi was taken aback, and her expression became somewhat unnatural.

Seeing this, Duan Huaichuan couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

No wonder.

He felt that it had been a long time since Yunxi had called him that, and he was sure that Shen Rang was behind it.

However, since Shen Rang was now standing by Yun Xi's side, Duan Huaichuan could only suppress his displeasure and ask, "When did you arrive? Have you been waiting long?"

Yunxi shook her head: "I just arrived a little while ago."

Duan Huaichuan nodded, and was about to pour her a cup of tea when he remembered that she was pregnant, so he said, "I'll go and get a pot of warm water."

He picked up the teapot, his gaze still fixed on Yunxi: "Xi'er, in private, please call me as before."