Cheng Cui bore an eighty-percent resemblance to his younger brother, and their builds were much the same.
If not for his thick beard, they would have looked practically like twins.
Yet at that moment, Cheng Cui looked very grave, without the slightest trace of joy.
Cheng Ji failed to notice his elder brother's mood. He happily took Cheng Cui's hand and showed off the armor he wore with a broad grin.
"Brother, look! Director of Attendant Guards!"
"Hahaha, I've made something of myself too! Surely I haven't let down your high hopes this time?!"
Seeing his smug younger brother, Cheng Cui's face darkened. Keeping his composure, he asked, "Wasn't the agreement that you'd be promoted to Crown Prince's Palace Attendant? How did it become Director of Attendant Guards?"
"Hahaha, brother, come inside first!"
Cheng Ji happily pulled his brother into the Inner Chamber, gave him the seat of honor, and sat beside him.
"Isn't it all thanks to you? I was supposed to become a palace attendant, but the General Who Conquers the West said that, out of regard for you, he would promote me to Director of Attendant Guards!"
"Brother, a palace attendant is really just one of the Palace Guards. To put it plainly, he stands guard in the imperial Palace with a weapon! What sort of office is that? But things are different now. I'm the commander of the emperor's Imperial Guards. All the Imperial Guards have to obey me, and I have more than a hundred men under my command... What does a Crown Prince's Palace Attendant amount to next to that?"
Seeing Cheng Ji's smug expression, Cheng Cui's face darkened further.
"You don't know a damn thing!"
"You fool!!"
"Do you really think a Crown Prince's Palace Attendant just guards the imperial Palace? Like Gentleman