And so, barely a cup of tea's time later.
Before the imposing, magnificent gates of the Chancellor's Residence.
The two groups who had just said their farewells now stood staring at one another across a stone-paved road some ten feet wide.
Ye Tianchen: "..."
Su Wanwan: ʘᴗʘ!
A subtle awkwardness hung in the air.
The corner of Ye Tianchen's mouth visibly stiffened for a moment. Unable to help himself, he turned to Pei Junyao and asked:
"What brings you to the Chancellor's Residence?"
Pei Junyao smiled. "My wife and I came to see my younger cousin."
"Younger cousin?" Ye Tianchen's eyes narrowed slightly, bewilderment filling his heart.
As he puzzled over this, the Chancellor's Residence's heavy vermilion gates slowly opened from within.
A refined, noble figure dressed in white walked leisurely out.
He wore a jade crown and had a tall, slender build, an elegant, gentle bearing, and eyes as clear as glass.
It was none other than Xie Junheng, the legitimate son of the chancellor in Chen Capital, whose mother was the former Grand Princess Pingyang.
Seeing the two groups outside the gates, Xie Junheng showed no surprise whatsoever. He merely smiled and first greeted Ye Tianchen with cupped hands.
"Brother Ye, it's been a long time."
Ye Tianchen smiled. "Junheng."
The two were old acquaintances, and after exchanging a few pleasantries, they were as familiar as ever.
Then Xie Junheng turned toward Pei Junyao. Genuine affection instantly rippled through his eyes, and he strode forward to greet him. "Cousin. You've finally arrived in the capital. I've been waiting for days."
Pei Junyao raised a brow. "It's been a few years. You look more and more like your mother."
Beside him, Liu Niang also smiled in greeting. "Young Master Xie."
Xie Junheng hastily stepped aside to avoid receiving her