“We have prepared a small present for Noble Consort Duan that will nurse her body. We hope that Fourth Brother will not decline.”
“Then thank you, Eldest Brother.”
“After Fourth Brother goes to the imperial ancestral temple tomorrow, Imperial Father should be bestowing an estate to you. Brother come visit again then for your estate’s housewarming.”
Duan Yue continued nodding with a smile. After making some more small talk with those three elder brothers, he personally escorted them out of Nanqiao Palace. However, his gaze instantly turned distant as he watched those three people leave.
Only after a long time did he turn around and follow the path through the garden toward the study.
“Your Highness.” The junior eunuch followed his master with fear and trepidation. It hadn’t been long since this master came to Nanqiao Palace, and he was usually smiling, but for some reason, the junior eunuch couldn’t help feeling a chill seep into his heart.
Which personage in Phoenix Imperial City was a simple one?
“Bring their presents to the study first.”
“Understood.”
Duan Yue entered the study and carelessly kicked the door closed. He kicked back on the divan in front of the window and lay down for a while with his legs crossed and his hands behind his head.
This was until the junior eunuch knocked the door and entered.
He led a group of junior eunuch and junior royal maids in carrying all the presents into the study.
“Your Highness.”
Duan Yue nodded and waved to dismiss them. Afterwards, he flashed in front of the pile of presents.
He spent the whole afternoon opening presents. After opening them one by one, he examined them for a while before putting them back into their boxes one by one.
He exchanged some of the contents of the gift boxes and also threw out some others.
By the time he finished admiring all of them, it was already dusk.
Duan Yue sat down in front of the desk and looked at the tree outside the window. After letting his mind wander for a while, he then pressed open a concealed space under the desk.
He took out a rolled-up scroll from within.
He propped his forehead with one hand while slowly unscrolling this painting with the other hand.
Duan Yue’s gaze landed on the expressionless girl in the painting. He caressed her face gently and murmured, “When will you come.”
“Your Highness, would you like the lamps lighted and dinner served?”
Duan Yue let out a long sigh and rolled up the scroll again, putting it into the concealed space under the desk.
He got up and strode outside. “We’re going to Chengren Palace.”
After a moment, Chengren Palace’s senior royal maid came in quickly and reported, “Your Highness, His Highness has come.”
Noble Consort Duan stood up in delight. Just as she was about to go out to welcome her son, she saw his handsome figure appear at the entrance. He walked toward her with large strides.
“Mom.” Duan Yue sauntered over to his mother’s side with a grin.
Elderly Nanny Lin, who had taken care of Duan Yue and his mother for many years while still on Sikong Planet, said with a smile, “His Fourth Highness must not have yet eaten dinner. This old servant will call for dinner to be served.”
Noble Consort Duan grasped her son’s hand with a smile and tapped his forehead with her finger. “You child have no sense of etiquette. Look at this indolent attire of yours. You still think that this is the Duan Clan on Sikong Planet?”
“Mom, does your son need to doll up before coming over to your place?”
Noble Consort Duan burst out in chuckles and gave him both an annoyed and amused glare. She took the comb the senior royal maid handed her and unhurriedly combed out her son’s long hair. She couldn’t resist nagging, “Son, you’re not young anymore. After coming back from acknowledging your ancestors at the imperial ancestral temple, how about your mom having your Imperial Father arrange a marriage for you?”
