"Isn't your second brother here?"
The two brothers followed the path to the front yard, but didn't see Duan Tingye standing by the door. Duan Tingxuan became unhappy and thought to himself, what a bastard, he is being lazy at this time and leaving me, his brother, to entertain the guests. Is it because I haven't had time to deal with him these days, so he's become a little cocky again?
"Several groups of guests have arrived. The master is talking to the marquises and dukes, and the second brother has been arranged to accompany the remaining dukes and sons. Now that the ministers have not arrived yet, the master asked the eldest brother to receive the ministers. Perhaps the emperor will send a prince, and naturally the eldest brother will be responsible for the reception at that time."
After hearing what Duan Tingfang said, Duan Tingxuan realized that he had wronged Duan Tingye. Yin nodded and said to Duan Tingfang: "In that case, you can come with me. There should be many people from the Hanlin Academy today. It will be good for you to make friends with them. In the future, you can ask for advice on articles or something, right?"
"Ah? I...how can I do that?"
Duan Tingfang panicked immediately, but his elder brother glanced at him and said, "What's wrong with that? Just show the same spirit you used to tease me just now. Do you think those nerds in the Hanlin Academy are more difficult to deal with than your brother?"
Is my brother taking revenge on me because I just made fun of him?
Third Master Duan looked at the young marquis in a daze: Why didn't he realize that this elder brother had this kind of temperament before? He always felt that he was wise and calm, cold and self-sustaining. Now that he thought about it, could it be that he was blind for the past ten years, so he imagined such a petty guy to have such a glorious image?
The sun passed slowly in the sky, and it was still half an hour before noon. Duan Tingfang stood beside Duan Tingxuan, his legs straight, and the forced smile on his face made his face stiff. He looked at the sun and murmured, "The prince should have come at this time in the past, but it's not this time this year, so he probably won't come. Brother, let's go back."
"Wait a little longer." Duan Tingxuan frowned, but heard Duan Tingfang muttering: "Even if he doesn't come, there's no need to be so solemn, right? In fact, there are so many nobles in the capital. If you look closely, which family doesn't have some connection with the royal family? But I don't see other families having this honor, so there's no need for our family to take the lead."
Duan Tingxuan said in a deep voice: "You think I am disappointed? What a joke. Who am I, your elder brother? How could I be disappointed by something like this? The reason why I am solemn is because I have a bad premonition..."
Before he could even say the word "thank you", the young marquis stopped talking. He stared at the dozen people who suddenly rushed in from outside the gate, and tugged at the corner of Duan Tingfang's clothes and said, "Brother, look and see if anyone is coming. My eyes seem to be blurry."
"I... I seem to be blinded too. Is that... the Crown Prince?"
Duan Tingfang usually pretends to be aloof. But when he really sees the big scene, his legs suddenly become weak. Not to mention him, even Duan Tingxuan, who has been through many battles and doesn't take the princes seriously, has goose bumps. How can Master Duan San be any better?
"My eldest cousin."
"My eldest cousin."
"My eldest cousin."
…
A series of shouts woke Duan Tingxuan from his shock. He looked at the princes ranging from eight to twenty years old in silence, and finally forced a smile on his face. He said weakly: "Your Highnesses... why are you all here?"
"My second brother and mother said that today is the old lady's birthday, and my sister-in-law will prepare a lot of delicious food. Mother said that she cannot leave the palace, so she asked me to come and bring some food back for her." The eighth prince Jiang Changxun was only eleven years old, but he was the most lively and courageous among the princes. When he heard Duan Tingxuan's question, he immediately told the truth.
Damn, you don't even try to hide it at all. Concubine Duan, do you remember that as a concubine you need to consider your image?
Duan Tingxuan roared in his heart, and when he saw Jiang Changning's expression, he was no longer so polite: "The Second Prince is really filial, but I don't understand, if you come, can't you bring food to Concubine Duan? Why do you have to let His Highness the Eleventh Prince suffer?"
Jiang Changning shook his head left and right, as if he was looking at someone. He obviously didn't take Duan Tingxuan's sarcasm seriously. Just when Duan Tingxuan was about to lose control of his anger, he saw his face light up and waved towards the street next to him, "This way, Qinghu, this way."
"Here I come." A handsome young man came running over breathlessly with a scroll tucked under his arm. When he got closer, Jiang Changning scolded him, "I told you I had prepared the gifts, so you don't have to make any effort, but you just wouldn't let me. Do you think you can get through this door without my protection?"
"Are you kidding? Tingxuan is my classmate. Even without His Highness, I don't believe I can't enter the Anping Marquis' Mansion." The man called Qinghu smiled gently, then turned to Duan Tingxuan: "Tingxuan, long time no see."
Duan Tingxuan's eyes went dark: Jiang Changning came with his brother, and clearly stated that not only did he eat and take things, he even brought his best friend along. Unfortunately, this best friend was also his best friend, otherwise he would definitely turn against him and kick him out.
"Tingxuan, why are you all standing outside the door? Are you afraid that others don't know that Anping Marquis' Mansion is in the limelight today?"
Jiang Chang actually smiled and spoke, earning a glare from Duan Tingxuan: "Do you know that the Anping Marquis' Mansion is too popular today? You are princes, can you behave with some dignity? Why are you rushing here in such a rush? Who can afford this grace?"
But he couldn't vent his anger. Didn't he see the little princes looking at him eagerly? Duan Tingxuan could talk and laugh with the crown prince, the second prince, and the fourth prince, but he couldn't let these little guys down. Not to mention that he just called him "cousin" in a friendly and flattering way. After all, this was the emperor's son. How dare he be rude?
Taking a deep breath, he pulled the stiffened Duan Tingfang aside and said with a forced smile, "Your Highnesses, please come in."
"Brother Crown Prince, I see that my eldest cousin doesn't seem very happy."
I don't know which little prince said this timidly, but I heard His Royal Highness the Crown Prince calmly say, "This is normal. When a wolf is staring at a lamb and drooling, suddenly a dozen wolves come and compete with it for food. It can't beat these wolves, so it must be in a bad mood."
"I see. Should we eat more later? My cousin is already in a bad mood. We'll be at a loss if we don't eat more."
"Hahaha, not bad, not bad. In the future you can go to the Ministry of Internal Affairs to help your fourth brother settle accounts."
The sound of talking and laughing coming from the front made Duan Tingxuan's face darken: Which bear prince is this? Why is his speech so irritating?
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