"Elder Brother!"
Xu Tianzhen bounded over to Xu Lanqing. She wore a fitted outfit, her short hair was neat and practical, and when she smiled, a tiny canine tooth showed at the corner of her mouth.
"What brings you here?" Xu Lanqing looked behind her. There was no one else—she'd come alone.
"Obviously, I came to see you! The palace is so boring. I just went to Third Brother's place, but it wasn't fun at all." Xu Tianzhen beamed innocently.
She glanced at Ma Xiaotao beside them and couldn't help puffing out her chest—then realized that only made the comparison more devastating.
Tsk. A cow.
Xu Lanqing introduced the two of them, then turned to Ma Xiaotao. "You said you were hungry, right? Head to the kitchen first. There's food there."
"Oh."
Ma Xiaotao glanced at Xu Tianzhen and Xu Lanqing, nodded indifferently, and followed a guard who had come over from a distance.
"There's nothing fun here either. The palace is always like this. If you want something to do, go to Mingdu Academy. It's lively there, with so many people."
Xu Lanqing returned to the hall and sat down at a table. Xu Tianzhen followed and sat beside him.
Xu Tianzhen rested her cheek against the tabletop. "Mother said it's not safe outside right now. A whole building collapsed yesterday—the Mingyue Hotel, right in the city center."
"I did that."
"Wow, something that exciting happened and you didn't invite me? That's so disloyal!"
"If I'd invited you, I'd be under house arrest for more than just a few days."
"Tch. Coward."
"If you don't need anything, go back. I'm going to rest." Xu Lanqing showed her the door.
"How cruel! Can you really bear to drive away your adorable little sister? Boo-hoo..." Xu Tianzhen looked at him with