Zhu Gaoyang shook his head and said no more on the matter, smiling. "Then when Her Highness Jinyang becomes Crown Prince in a little while, with ten thousand households in the Divine Capital pledging themselves to her and her star at its zenith, who knows how many outstanding talents will flock to her banner? Just don't come looking for me to drink because you've been neglected, Young Hero Pei."
Pei Ye fell silent for a moment, then glanced at him. "Brother Zhu, have you ever actually been romantically involved with a woman?"
"...Huh?"
Pei Ye looked at him.
"I have... what does whether I have or not have to do with this? Either way, I'm ten years older than you. I've seen more."
"Have you or haven't you?"
"...Your Sister Xing Zhi?"
"Only Sister Xing Zhi?"
Zhu Gaoyang narrowed his keen eyes. "What do you mean, 'only Sister Xing Zhi'? How many did you want? Your Sister Xing Zhi and I have known each other since we were children... anyway, I never really had a chance to meet anyone else afterward."
Pei Ye was silent for a moment, then sighed softly. "Brother Zhu, I don't understand these things, but you don't understand them and think you do. It was my fault for letting you fool me last time. Let's not discuss this subject again."
Zhu Gaoyang frowned deeply, displeased. "What do you mean, I don't understand but think I do? When Shang Lang had something going on before, I was the one advising him the whole time, all right? You just failed to grasp what I meant."
"Really? Then did Brother Shang Lang succeed?"
"..."
Pei Ye looked at him.
"No."
"Mm."
"..."
The two riders galloped on. Zhu Gaoyang was plainly unconvinced all along the way, but neither of