His face was silent. After a long while, he turned toward Yong Ji. "What about your plan? Didn't you have something in reserve?"
Yong Ji did not answer. He poured himself a cup of wine.
Li Yujin turned to look behind him. Li Chen was carrying a cup of wine toward Li Cannan's table. Remembering the two remarks they had made one after the other just now, Li Yujin could not help the slight curl of his lips despite his heavy thoughts.
His younger brother Chen had never wanted much, but had always seen things clearly, carefully guarding the boundaries he had drawn for himself... It would be good if he could simply grow up like this, Li Yujin thought.
"Brother Yujin," Yong Ji said.
Li Yujin turned back. Yong Ji drank that cup of wine and said evenly, "Most beautiful things do not endure."
He was not looking at Li Yujin. Following his gaze, Li Yujin saw Li Zhi's table. The Fourth Highness had broken off a pear blossom branch and placed it in the pure jade vase before him. His expression was calm as he watched the entrance to Qiongju Garden.
Li Chen had now moved beside Li Cannan's table. He quietly offered her the clear wine in his hand. "Sister Nan, I've come to apologize. D-don't be angry anymore."
Li Cannan kept her head lowered without speaking. Li Chen tightened his grip on the cup nervously and said softly, "Really, Sister Nan, I didn't mean to embarrass you... It doesn't matter who makes this marriage, but you really aren't suited to going to the Northern Frontier... If you have to marry into the King of Yan's Residence, I'll still do everything I can to let you stay in the Divine Capital..."
He truly seemed to have no