Upon hearing Hongli's words, Hongzhou paused for a moment, then quickly recovered from his surprise and said, "It's nothing." He then took the teapot from the steward and poured Hongli a cup of tea.
Upon hearing Hongzhou's words, Hongli felt even more that Hongzhou was hiding something, so he said, "There's no need for such formality between brothers like us."
Upon hearing the word "brother," Hongzhou felt as if an unnamed hand was gripping his heart, causing a sharp pain. However, he could not reveal the real reason, and simply said, "Your Majesty, I just caught a cold and felt a little unwell, which is why I did not go to the palace to perform my duties."
Hongli was no fool. He glanced at Hongzhou's ears out of the corner of his eye and knew that Hongzhou was lying. Hongzhou's ears would turn red when he lied, so Hongli knew that Hongzhou was just trying to appease him.
"It's a cold, should we have the imperial physicians come and take a look?" Hongli asked deliberately.
"It's nothing. Wu Kuzha prepared some medicinal meals for my brother these past few days, and he's much better now, so there's no need to cause any more trouble," Hongzhou quickly said, though it was just an excuse. If the imperial physician came, things would only get more awkward.
Seeing Hongzhou like this, Hongli didn't object and had no choice but to go along with him. So he said, "Then you should rest well these days and make sure you don't develop any chronic illness."
"Yes, thank you for your understanding, Your Majesty." Seeing that Hongli was no longer pressing the matter, Hongzhou quickly replied.
Unable to get any information today, and with Hongzhou unwilling to comply, Hongli stopped pursuing the matter and bid farewell to Hongzhou, saying, "Then I will return to my residence first."
"Your Majesty, please dine here at the Prince He's residence today. It has been a long time since Your Majesty and I have drunk and made merry together." Seeing that Hongli was about to leave, Hongzhou, perhaps feeling a little guilty, quickly said.
Upon hearing Hongzhou's words, Hongli pondered for a moment. Although Hongzhou had been trying to conceal his melancholy, Hongli could still tell. Perhaps he could use drinking as an excuse to ask Hongzhou what was troubling him, so he nodded in agreement.
Seeing Hongli nod, Hongzhou hurriedly said to his personal attendant who was standing by his side, "Quickly tell the kitchen staff to prepare. Prince Bao wants to have a good drink with me soon."
"Yes." After saying that, the steward hurriedly went to the kitchen to instruct the servants to prepare some food. After all, it was rare for Prince Bao to come to Prince He's residence, so they couldn't neglect him.
Soon after, the kitchen staff brought up the prepared wine and dishes, and the two brothers began to drink and eat meat in the courtyard outside the study, talking freely about their thoughts and feelings.
Meanwhile, Wu Kuzha, who was waiting for Hongzhou in the main courtyard, asked the maid beside her, "Is Your Highness going to Rongyi Courtyard for dinner today?"
"Reporting to the Princess Consort, the servant from the Prince's side just came to inform him that the Prince will not be having dinner at Rongyi Courtyard tonight."
Upon hearing the maid's words, Wu Kuzha asked in confusion, "Why?"
"Reporting to the Princess Consort, Prince Bao has arrived, so the Prince has set up a banquet in the study to drink with him."
Upon hearing this, Lady Wukuza paused for a moment. Since becoming regent, Prince Bao had been busy with state affairs all day long. It was said that Prince Bao had not had time to rest at the residence of the three new princesses. Yet now he had come to the Prince He's residence and was drinking with the prince. So Lady Wukuza asked with some doubt, "Prince Bao has come?"
"Yes," the maid replied respectfully.
After a moment's thought, Wu Kuzha slowly said, "Go and pay your respects to Prince Bao."
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