Lu Jingze feigned illness and did not attend court for several days, which greatly worried his elder brother, Lu Nancheng.
My brother, who's clueless about relationships, finally met someone he genuinely likes, and then I had to send him on a business trip.
Thinking about this filled Lu Nancheng with worry.
Therefore, after careful consideration, Lu Nancheng specially summoned Ye Lanfeng, the heir of the Duke of Anyang's mansion.
When Ye Lanfeng entered the palace to pay his respects, Lu Nancheng summoned him to his side and gave him a long and detailed explanation before letting him leave.
After leaving the palace gates, Ye Lanfeng went straight to the Jing Prince's residence without lingering.
He was very familiar with the Prince Jing's residence.
He's shameless; otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to follow the cold-faced Prince Jing for so many years.
The palace frequently bestowed gifts, which is why the Prince Jing's residence stored a large quantity of fine wines and spirits.
As for someone like Ye Lanfeng, who was addicted to wine, he would naturally go to Prince Jing's mansion often to ask for fine wine.
But ever since his last visit, Lu Jingze has explicitly forbidden him from setting foot in the Prince Jing's residence again.
Although Lu Jingze didn't say why, who was Ye Lanfeng?
That was the existence of Hua Manting, who could make many girls cheer and yearn for her with just a raised eyebrow!
He could easily see through Lu Jingze's little scheme!
She must be jealous of Ye Lanfeng's naturally handsome face and afraid that she would steal the heart of his beloved.
Tsk tsk!
I never expected that after so many years together, Lu Jingze would be so stingy.
Although Ye is fond of womanizing, he is by no means the kind of person who would steal a friend's wife.
Even if the Emperor didn't say anything, he, who considered himself Lu Jingze's closest brother, was already planning to go and see him.
Just as Ye Lanfeng was secretly admiring his own loyalty and righteousness, he never expected that Lu Jingze would throw a bucket of ice-cold water over his head...
Upon first seeing the incomparably handsome and peerless Prince Ye, Lu Jingze frowned.
What brings you here?
Look at those cold and heartless words!
Only someone as magnanimous as him could accept this!
"I heard you've been absent from court for several days, so I came to visit you."
Lu Jingze, however, showed no appreciation and replied expressionlessly, "I'm fine, you can go back."
Ye Lanfeng was so angry he gritted his teeth, cursing inwardly that this guy's personality was unpleasant.
Even so, Ye Lanfeng was still unwilling to give up easily.
He said with a forced smile, "No, no! Look how far I've come all this way, you can't just send me away without even a simple meal, can you?"
Seeing his ingratiating expression, Lu Jingze gave a faint "hmm," then went about his business, carefully watering the flowers in front of him with the watering can.
When it was time to eat, just as he had wished, Lu Jingze instructed the kitchen to prepare a table of food and wine.
After the food and drinks were served, the two sat facing each other.
At first, the atmosphere was a bit awkward and dull, but after a few drinks, Lu Jingze gradually relaxed, and Ye Lanfeng also started talking.
"To be honest, I'm not just here to visit you. I'm also here on the Emperor's orders. Your long absence from court has caused quite a stir in the court."
As Ye Lanfeng spoke, he observed the changes in Lu Jingze's expression.
"Um."
“You seem to be doing quite well. I just saw you watering the flowers, and you don’t look as dejected as the Emperor did when he was worried.”
Hearing this, Lu Jingze didn't seem to care much about Ye Lanfeng's words.
Ye Lanfeng didn't stop there. Instead, as if he had suddenly realized something, he exclaimed, "Oh! I see! Lu Jingze, you wouldn't be trying to take this opportunity to deliberately avoid attending court, would you?"
Upon hearing this, Lu Jingze couldn't help but roll his eyes at him.
Ye Lanfeng withdrew his teasing expression and tentatively asked, "Could it be that you're worried about your little girl's safety?"
Seeing that Lu Jingze did not refute her, Ye Lanfeng immediately understood, "You're overthinking it. You've even selected the imperial guards from around the emperor and sent them to her side. There's probably nothing safer than that!"
Ye Lanfeng was actually lying to himself when he said those words.
The dangers of the North are far greater than any other, but now that the journey has begun, this is all he can say to those who have already set out.
So, after a slight pause, he continued to comfort her, "In my opinion, you have done all you could, and you should be able to put your mind at ease."
After a long silence, Lu Jingze slowly uttered, "I want to go with her."
Although the words were not spoken loudly, they startled Ye Lanfeng so much that he spilled his wine all over himself.
He didn't care whether his clothes were dirty or not, and hurriedly stopped them.
"Absolutely not! Trading with the Northern Territory is a matter of utmost importance. Who in the court doesn't know the enormous profits it holds? In recent years, besides the perilous environment of the Northern Territory, various factions in the court have been mutually restraining and checking each other. Everyone is eyeing this lucrative opportunity, which is why this matter has been repeatedly delayed. If you go, it will undoubtedly expose the trade to everyone!"
Faced with Ye Lanfeng's barrage of dissuasion, Lu Jingze simply replied with three words: "I understand."
These three simple words finally made Ye Lanfeng understand the root cause of Lu Jingze's suffering and struggle these past few days.
Lu Jingze, who is usually the most calm and composed, is now so infatuated with love. Ye Lanfeng couldn't help but sigh inwardly: Love really can move the abstinent and make the rational lose control!
My brother is completely and utterly in love with this!
For a moment, no one spoke. After a while, Ye Lanfeng came to his senses and patted Lu Jingze's shoulder heavily.
"Alright, alright, since you understand yourself, there's nothing else I can do but have a good drink with you!"
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