On this day, Hongzhou, who had not visited for a long time, suddenly came to Hongli's residence.
Hongli had just arrived when he arrived right after him.
Unlike inside the palace, outside the palace there were not many rules. When Hongzhou came to Hongli's residence, it was like a bird leaving its cage. Sitting on the stone bench in the courtyard, he could always forget everything, forget that his identity was that of someone who was imprisoned.
Hongli came out to greet him and saw Hongzhou dressed in a purple robe with a white jade tiger pendant at his waist. His handsome face was beaming with smiles as he walked confidently toward him. Hongli was overjoyed.
"What brings you to visit me today? It's been so long since you last came to my residence... I'm afraid you've almost forgotten!" Hongli teased.
Although she's reached marriageable age, the youthful look on her face hasn't faded yet.
"I've been busy with my wedding lately, and I finally managed to find some time to visit you today, so you'd better treat me well." Hongzhou had been coveting Hongli's hidden antique jar for a long time.
Hongli had already seen through this little scheme. He figured that the boy would be getting married in a few days, and the two brothers should have a good drink together.
"You've been wanting my jar of wine for ages, haven't you? I'll let you have a taste today." With that, he ordered the kitchen to prepare a whole roasted lamb, and then led Hongzhou to a locust tree. "I don't know how many years this jar of wine has been sitting in there, and I've never thought of drinking it. You're getting married in a few days, so let's have a good chat over this wine."
Hongli told Hongzhou to stand aside while he began to scoop out the wine. Soon, Hongzhou smelled a fragrant aroma. "This wine is indeed excellent; it's worth all these years of longing for it." Hongzhou was a wine lover, and now that such fine wine was before him, he couldn't wait to taste it.
"Of course, it will be a delicious dish when paired with a whole roasted lamb." The two men brought a jar of wine to the bench in the courtyard, where the whole roasted lamb was already served.
The two brothers poured the wine into their glasses, and Hongzhou took a small sip. The aroma of the wine filled his mouth and filled his nostrils; it was initially a little spicy, but gradually became sweet.
"Good wine, good wine!" Hongzhou couldn't help but exclaim. Ever since he went on a trip with his father and tasted the pure wine at a century-old shop, he had never tasted such good wine again.
Hongli also took a bite, and found it to be quite delicious. He then tore off a piece of lamb leg and threw it into Hongzhou's bowl.
"How is Hongzhou doing lately? He's getting married soon, is he ready to be the groom?" Hongli asked.
Since he left the palace to establish his own residence, he has not been very familiar with Hongzhou's situation.
When asked about marriage, Hongzhou naturally became somewhat awkward, and his eyes and expression became slightly unnatural.
"Preparations are almost complete, but I've been quite busy these past few days. I heard you've been studying with the Thirteenth Prince these past few days; have you found anything interesting or fun?" Hongzhou asked.
"I'm just going there to learn things, mostly dry and boring stuff. But if you look into the details, there's still some charm to it," Hongli said.
Hongli knew that Hongzhou had never been fond of court affairs, so he mentioned that he had learned some horseback riding and archery from the Thirteenth Prince. Hongzhou was very interested and they agreed to go horseback riding together next time.
The two hadn't seen each other for a long time, so they naturally talked more. Then it dawned on them that Hongzhou needed to relieve himself. Hongli laughed and said, "It must be because this wine was too delicious; you drank too much!" He then burst into laughter.
Hongzhou ignored him and followed the servant to the toilet.
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