As dawn breaks, golden sunshine pierces the mist, spilling onto the ancient and solemn glazed tiles of the Qin princely mansion, creating a faint glow.
Xuanyuan Zan clad in the dragon robe, with a steady stride, crossed the long corridor, his mind brimming with a thousand thoughts.
The city's younger brother, known for his abstinence from women, actually broke the rules for a concubine.
If it had been any other woman, it might have been overlooked, but it just so happens that the woman is from the Western Regions...
He had no choice but to come and remind him lest he fall into the trap of another's beauty.
"His Majesty has arrived!"
The eunuch's shrill voice pierced the morning's tranquility, startling everything in the courtyard.
As the emperor approached, the guards and servants within the Qin Mansion were instantly on their knees, bowing in reverence. They exclaimed in unison with respect, "Long live the emperor! Long live the emperor! Long live the emperor for thousands upon thousands of years!"
In a flash, a vast array of people were kneeling down.
"Please get up."
Xuanyuan Zan gently waved his hand, summoning the eunuch Li Fu to inquire: "Where is Prince Qin?"
Li Fu approached with deference, his face stiff upon hearing the emperor's words, but dared not refuse to answer, "Reporting to Your Majesty, Prince Qin is in the Bright Dawn Garden."
Xuanyuan Cheng nodded slightly, "Send someone to notify him, tell him that the emperor is waiting in the front yard."
He was not convenient to go to the back yard, even his closest brother would not be allowed.
Soon, a young eunuch hurried off to report to the Bright Dawn Pavilion.
In the Bright Dawn Pavilion, the fragrance of flowers was overpowering, filled with tenderness and laziness.
"Prince, Your Majesty has arrived at the prince's mansion and is waiting in the front courtyard."
A young eunuch hurried to the Bright Dawn Pavilion, stood at the door of the closed room, and shouted through the carved window.
Xuanyuan Cheng, lying on the bed, heard the sound and opened his eyes quickly, his eyes deep and lazy.
"What time is it?"
He furrowed his brow and asked the young eunuch outside the door.
"Reporting to the prince, it is already the mid- ninth hour."
The young eunuch standing at the door responded respectfully.
Inside the room, Xuanyuan Cheng's brow furrowed slightly, "It's so late already?"
Thinking that he had missed attending the court session, he helplessly rubbed his brow, but it did not trouble him.
Just about to get up from the bed.
Suddenly, the woman in his arms turned over, her jade leg rolling onto his abdomen, and her two snow-white jade arms wrapping around his neck.
Xuanyuan Cheng: "……”
The woman was sleeping quite soundly, with a slight upturn of the corner of her mouth, and she didn't know what kind of sweet dream she was having.
"What a seductive spirit. Even in her sleep, she's restless."
Xuanyuan Cheng muttered a low curse, gazing at those tempting red lips, and couldn't resist gently kissing them.
The woman in his arms grumbled and seemed to be unhappy to have her sweet dream interrupted, turning over and continuing to sleep.
But she also let go of him, her leg no longer resting on his abdomen, and her jade arms ceased to wrap around his neck.
Xuanyuan Cheng smiled twice, but he didn't tease her. He got out of bed carefully, making as little noise as possible, afraid of waking her.
He quickly put on his outer robe and opened the door to leave.
Sunlight filtered through the sparse clouds, casting patchy light over the front courtyard of the Qin Mansion, intertwining with the golden glow and the greenish stone paths of the mansion to create a tranquil yet solemn scene.
Xuanyuan Zan clad in a dragon robe stood with his hands behind his back in the pavilion, exuding an air of imperial authority that was self-evident without anger. His eyes were fixed on the figure that was slowly approaching.
"Big Brother."
Xuanyuan Cheng stepped into the pavilion, bowed, and his voice carried a subtle fatigue that was not easily noticeable.
He was dressed in a simple black robe, the collar disheveled, indicating that he had hurriedly put it on and had not had a chance to properly tidy it.
Xuanyuan Zan glanced at him and lightly lifted his hand, indicating that a bow was not necessary. His gaze towards him carried both reprimand and concern: "Younger Brother City, why did you not attend the court today?"
Xuanyuan Cheng drooped his eyes slightly and offered an explanation, "Last night, I felt a slight cold and was not feeling well, so I couldn't get up early. Since the Bright Dawn Pavilion was quiet, I rested there for the night."
Although his words were calm, a trace of subtle complex emotions flashed across his eyes.
Xuanyuan Zan's brow furrowed slightly, and his tone carried a hint of seriousness: "Hmph, what do you mean by feeling a slight cold? Prince, you seem perfectly healthy. Don't you dare try to fool your elder brother."
Xuanyuan Cheng lightly laughed, swept up his robe, and sat down on a stone bench in the pavilion.
He poured himself a cup of tea and said indifferently, "Wasn't it just that I missed the morning court? See how worried Brother looks. It seems there's a big problem."
He held the teacup to his lips and sipped lightly, truly not caring about the matter at all.
"As long as the country remains stable, your attendance at the court is of no consequence to me."
Xuanyuan Zan glanced at him and swept up his robe, sitting down opposite him.
Continuing, "But how is it that I hear the woman in the Bright Dawn Pavilion is the Western dancer that you were granted by me a few days ago?"
Either he doesn't care about women or he's too immersed, it's really troublesome.
"Hmm, what's the matter?"
Xuanyuan Cheng gently pushed a freshly brewed cup of green tea towards him with a faint smile.
"Hmph, what's the problem? You're not playing dumb, are you?"
Xuanyuan Zan glanced at him, picked up the cup of green tea pushed in front of him, and took a sip.
After drinking, he put the cup down again and looked at him dissatisfied: "The Western princesses were presented as tribute. How can you be so careless? What if they are spies or sent to kill you? Have you thought about the consequences?"
Xuanyuan Cheng raised an eyebrow, looking at Xuanyuan Zan with a puzzled expression, "Aren't you the one who granted her to me as a favor?"
Upon hearing this, Xuanyuan Zan's face twitched and he suddenly remembered that.
At the time, he was afraid of trouble, so he threw this trouble to Xuanyuan City.
He coughed lightly twice, his expression a little unnatural, "Brother is just reminding you to be careful and not to indulge too much in the pleasures of the flesh."
"She has been in the Qin Mansion for over two weeks, and I visited her courtyard last night..."
Xuanyuan City, holding a cup of green tea, leisurely tasting it, his eyes fixed on Xuanyuan Zan, his thin lips slightly curved, and said in a low voice.
Xuanyuan Zan stared at him, his expression conveying a disbelief that he wasn't indulged in the pleasures of the flesh. He huffed, "Even though you went to see her last night, you broke with precedent by allowing her to stay in the Bright Dawn Pavilion, which is reserved for concubines, and for not attending the morning court because of her?"
"Brother, this is my courtyard's matter."
Xuanyuan City's eyebrows and eyes flickered with displeasure, but he still explained, "Brother, please be assured that I have already dispatched people to investigate, and her identity is clear."
Upon hearing this, Xuanyuan Zan felt a bit at ease in his heart, but he still warned with some unease, "City younger brother, as brothers we have a deep affection for each other, and I naturally trust you. But for self-protection and survival, one must be vigilant. Matters concerning the Western Regions are far more complex than they appear, and you must handle them carefully."
He was able to sit on the throne, with a large part of the credit going to his dear brother's support, otherwise, he wouldn't be able to trust him so much.
And handed over the military power to the other party, allowing his reputation to surpass that of the emperor.
They are brothers born from the same mother, and their relationship is naturally better than that of ordinary people.
Of course, the most important thing is that Xuanyuan City has no ambitions, is dedicated to the country, and supports him unconditionally.
Xuanyuan Zan also did enough to trust him and dare to give him the power without jealousy.
This is the key to the good relationship between the two brothers.
"Brother, you are right. I understand in my heart."
Xuanyuan City nodded slightly, thinking of something, suddenly saying, "By the way, I want to request permission to bestow her the title of concubine and give her a legitimate identity. I hope that Brother will have mercy and grant my request."
A concubine is a legitimate member of the royal family, one who needs to be listed on the Jade Butterfly, and naturally requires the approval of Emperor Xuanyuan Zang.
Xuanyuan Zan frowned, staring at him with disdain, "City younger brother, do you know what you are talking about? Even if you like her privately, just treat her well is enough. Why do you need to give her a title?"
It's a concubine.
Xuanyuan City smiled faintly, a touch of affection twinkling in his eyes. His gaze met Xuanyuan Zang's, and he said seriously, "Brother, she is from the Western Regions, but she has great talent and character. I really like her."
Xuanyuan Zan slightly shook his head, sighed, and said, "Your mother probably won't agree. How about this? Wait until she gives birth to your son and then bestow the title of concubine on her. In this way, it will also be legitimate, and others won't say anything."
Seeing him frown without speaking, Xuanyuan Zang added, "If you don't want her position to be too low, you can first bestow her the title of concubine."
Either he doesn't indulge in women, or now that he's finally willing to touch a woman, he didn't expect her to be a romantic type.
At this moment, Xuanyuan Zang suddenly felt some regret about having her granted to the Qin Palace in the first place.
If only he had known back then, he would have kept her in the palace and sent people to keep an eye on her.
"That's right, Brother."
Xuanyuan Chen did not know what Xuanyuan Zang was thinking, but after a moment of silence, he accepted his suggestion.
