After three rounds of wine, the atmosphere between the two men was no longer as tense as when they first met. Pang Xiao rinsed his mouth and said: “You asked me out today – is there something you need to discuss?”

Ji Zeyu put down his chopsticks and looked down at the bowls and dishes before him for a moment. Suddenly he raised his head, his rippling peach blossom eyes filled with complex, indescribable emotions that ultimately settled into silence.

“Do you like the Qin family daughter?”

Pang Xiao hadn’t expected him to ask so directly. Thinking of the outside rumors, and facing Ji Zeyu with whom he was unwilling to hide certain things, he nodded: “Yes, I do like her.”

“But don’t forget – she’s the daughter of your father’s killer!” Ji Zeyu’s voice carried some urgency.

Pang Xiao lowered his eyes, his heart churning through countless thoughts. He quickly reviewed all the recent events in his mind, then finally sighed: “I know.”

He still had to maintain some wariness. He wouldn’t harm Ji Zeyu, but he couldn’t help but guard against others.

Seeing his dejected, conflicted appearance and connecting it to his forcible abduction of Qin Yining into the mansion, Ji Zeyu interpreted his reaction differently and somewhat understood his complex feelings.

“Forget it. Since you like her, keeping her by your side to serve you in the future isn’t a problem. How old is she? She didn’t participate in past events, so the fault isn’t hers. Moreover, wasn’t she switched and abandoned in the wilderness? If she hadn’t been fortunate, she probably wouldn’t have survived to today. Consider the suffering she endured back then as having already offset the sins on her. You’re a heroic figure – there’s no reason to be diminished by a young woman. In future, do less of these things like ‘forcibly abducting commoner women’ that could ruin your reputation.”

Ji Zeyu’s voice was low and tone flat, but every word showed his concern for Pang Xiao.

Outsiders only thought Ji Zeyu was a cold-hearted “ice block” who kept people at a thousand-mile distance, but Pang Xiao knew that though this person didn’t speak much normally, he never spared words when talking to him.

After all, they were sworn brothers – years of brotherhood couldn’t be erased just by saying so.

“Good.” Though Pang Xiao couldn’t explain the intricate details to Ji Zeyu, this didn’t prevent him from appreciating Ji Zeyu’s good intentions.

Seeing him smile like this, Ji Zeyu also smiled slightly, then sighed: “That day I was rash, charging into the surrendered ministers’ convoy. I didn’t know you had developed true feelings for Qin Shi then, never expecting you would go to rescue her. This matter was my fault. Fortunately she’s fine and you’re fine too, otherwise I would surely die of guilt and regret.”

The rescue incident had already been dismissed as nonsense. Zuo Jinwei had already paid a painful price for his several reports and mockery of His Majesty. Pang Xiao had been completely cleared of this matter.

Pang Xiao smiled heartily at Ji Zeyu: “This matter was thanks to Minister Zuo. I didn’t exert much effort.”

Ji Zeyu raised an eyebrow: “Oh?”

Pang Xiao didn’t continue this topic, instead saying: “I haven’t congratulated you on your betrothal to Princess Imperial Anyang yet. Marrying a princess might not be a bad thing for you – you should seize the opportunity well.”

Becoming a prince consort meant becoming Li Qitian’s brother-in-law. Even if Li Qitian was wary of the nobility, he would have to consider reputation and family face before dealing with Ji Zeyu.

Ji Zeyu naturally understood that Pang Xiao was thinking of him.

With a somewhat forced smile, he said: “I have no romantic feelings for Anyang. I also know Anyang has feelings for you. This time it was His Majesty’s imperial decree – both Anyang and I had to comply.”

“I guessed as much.” Pang Xiao extended his long arm to pat Ji Zeyu’s shoulder. “I know what kind of person you are, Ji Lan. You’re so accustomed to freedom, showing no favor to any woman – how could you lower yourself to marry a princess? Once you become a prince consort, certain prospects become fixed. To advance even one more step would require ten times the effort of others.”

“I’m not afraid of any of that.” Ji Zeyu smiled faintly, tilted his head back to drink, his Adam’s apple visible above his snow-white collar moving up and down. “What I fear most is that we three brothers will end up killing each other.”

They had rented out the entire third floor of “Climbing Sparrow Tower,” with trusted subordinates guarding inside and out, so their conversation became increasingly uninhibited.

Pang Xiao smiled wistfully: “As the saying goes, ‘In one’s position, one plans accordingly.’ This saying isn’t without reason. Back when we were in those positions, how could we have imagined that someday our elevated status would make us desire more things?”

“It’s not greed, but self-preservation,” Ji Zeyu said.

“Yes, for self-preservation, and to protect those we care about.” Pang Xiao nodded.

The two looked at each other and couldn’t help but smile bitterly.

They were actually in the same situation now – both had achievements so great they overshadowed their master and were feared by His Majesty.

Pang Xiao knew in his heart that their conversation today was actually reserved and guarded on both sides.

But he understood that all this was unavoidable.

Their current positions no longer allowed them to be as unrestrained as before.

The two men very tacitly drank and chatted casually, no longer mentioning serious matters, only talking about things that happened after their separation – various sights and experiences from different places, scenic views and landscapes.

What they saw in the northern Tatars and southern Great Yan were naturally different. As they spoke to each other, they seemed to appreciate the worlds each had seen through the other’s eyes.

If outsiders saw Pang Xiao and Ji Zeyu’s current appearance, they would surely be extremely surprised. Not to mention outsiders – even Li Qitian had never seen Ji Zeyu so talkative, nor had he seen Pang Xiao remove his various masks and simply gather with friends to laugh and talk.

Both Pang Xiao and Ji Zeyu had the same thought at this moment.

Regardless of how the world changed, regardless of what path they would take in the future, as long as they could still reminisce about the past together like this when they met, laugh and curse freely, setting aside all identities and conflicts without calculation or comparison – that would be enough to feel satisfied.

When the sky darkened outside the window, they had also chatted to their heart’s content and ordered attendants to come help them change clothes.

Both had drunk quite a bit. Though not completely drunk, they were in high spirits.

Ji Zeyu’s face was flushed red, making his handsome features even more breathtakingly beautiful: “Pang Zhixi, that silver-white blood-sweating horse of yours is now with me. I’m not giving it back.”

“That won’t do – I gave that to Yi Jie’er.” Under the influence of alcohol, the somewhat excited Pang Xiao blurted out Qin Yining’s intimate name.

Ji Zeyu frowned: “Won’t do but it has to do. I found it so it’s mine. What does Qin Shi, a woman, need such a fine horse for?”

“She’s keeping it for fun.”

Ji Zeyu snorted with laughter: “I don’t care. I’m just informing you. I won’t give it back – you can’t come steal it, can you?”

“Really…” Pang Xiao laughed helplessly. “Who would have thought you, Ji Lan, learned to act like a scoundrel. You’re openly robbing Yi Jie’er’s things. A grown man robbing a young woman’s mount – aren’t you ashamed?”

“Not just robbing the mount? I… cough cough…” Ji Zeyu’s throat felt dry and he couldn’t help coughing, finally vomiting.

The attendants busily helped Ji Zeyu rinse his mouth.

Watching from the side, Pang Xiao also felt like vomiting.

Ji Zeyu waved at Pang Xiao without lifting his head.

Pang Xiao said: “I’ll find you for drinks another day. I’m heading back first.”

Ji Zeyu nodded silently.

Only after Pang Xiao went downstairs and his horse had gone far did Ji Zeyu sit down in the armchair by the private room door, rubbing his temples with closed eyes and sighing softly.