"Such a grand gesture from you, Lord Cui-I hardly deserve it," Su Ziji said courteously.
Cui Zhaoqian smiled wryly. "I did not know your identity, Duke of Dai, and offended you on several occasions. How could you not deserve this bow?"
"That is all in the past. Besides, you already explained yourself to me, Lord Cui. On our journey back from the southwest, we even had a thoroughly pleasant conversation. Surely asking forgiveness again today is quite unnecessary? And as you just said, you did not know my identity at the time. Those who act in ignorance bear no guilt."
"This is no place to talk. Why don't you come over there with me, Lord Cui?" As Su Ziji spoke, he gestured for Cui Zhaoqian to join him in the corridor beside the path.
Cui Zhaoqian also felt that they were blocking the way and that talking here was hardly seemly, so he agreed.
Once they reached the corridor, Su Ziji wasted no words. "Lord Cui, as it happens, I was just about to ask you for a favor."
Cui Zhaoqian was immediately surprised.
Under Great Xu's system, princes stood above the official ranks, dukes were equivalent to the first rank, and marquises to the second rank. The Duke of Dai was no longer the man he had once been. His standing had soared to heights that even Cui Zhaoqian could only gaze up at. Under such circumstances, what favor could the Duke of Dai possibly need from him today?
Could he be trying to win him over?
But although Cui Zhaoqian was somewhat surprised by the Duke of Dai's actions, with Prince Qi and Duan Yanxing's cautionary examples before him, he did not believe someone as clever as the Duke of Dai would do anything so foolish.
The thought