After paying his respects to the emperor, Murong Hua cast a disdainful glance at Huo Wei.
"The empress dowager's decision to renovate the hot - spring palace at this moment is the most appropriate one. It will also let Xie Xuanjin of Dongning see the strength of our Northern Yan," he said calmly.
Murong Min had just read the memorial resubmitted by Huo Wei and found that the expenses were indeed huge. Just as he was hesitating, he felt that what the second prince said seemed to make sense.
"Now is just the beginning of our cooperation with Dongning. If we can't even handle the renovation of a palace well, won't we be at a disadvantage from the very start in front of Dongning?"
Huo Wei frowned slightly. "But this will affect the military supplies allocated to the border by the Ministry of War next year. It's not appropriate."
Murong Hua sneered. "Prince Yuzhang has a military background. All he cares about are those soldiers.
The empress dowager is the mother of the country of Northern Yan. How can the needs of the soldiers delay the requests of the empress?"
Then he lowered his voice. "Huo Wei, don't be so stingy. You're already a prince. Why do you still look so shabby?"
Murong Min scolded, "Second son, what are you talking about?"
Huo Wei's face turned cold. He felt something was strange. According to reason, Murong Hua should have made enemies with Dugu Luanyue last time. Why was he so helpful to her this time?
On the mountain path, when the blood - sweating treasure horse overturned the phoenix carriage, Murong Hua had said in front of everyone that he would save himself and ignore Dugu Luanyue.
It was obvious that Murong Hua's interference this time was with a purpose.
Murong Hua said, "Your son has a way to let the crown prince of Dongning witness the strength of Northern Yan and satisfy the empress of Northern Yan at the same time.
Your son is thinking entirely for Father. We can achieve great results with little money. I'm sure Father will be satisfied."
Murong Min glanced at Huo Wei but didn't say it directly. However, Huo Wei understood the meaning in that look. Then he smiled faintly.
"Father, your son is very busy with military affairs and may not be able to handle this well. How about letting the second prince share your worries about the renovation of the hot - spring palace this time?"
Murong Min nodded. "Alright."
Murong Hua took over the matter of renovating the hot - spring palace from Huo Wei. He was very happy. After leaving the Zichen Hall, he strode towards the imperial garden.
Huo Wei followed him at a distance.
He saw Murong Hua stop at the Liufang Pavilion in the imperial garden. Dugu Luanyue was sitting inside, sipping tea and chatting and laughing with Murong Hua.
Inside the Liufang Pavilion, Mei Jiang caught a glimpse of Huo Wei's figure from the corner of her eye and reminded, "Your ladyship, Prince Yuzhang is also nearby."
Dugu Luanyue smiled. "Invite Prince Yuzhang over too. Let him taste the new rock tea from Southern Chu. It tastes really good."
Outside the Liufang Pavilion, snow was falling. Inside the pavilion, it was very warm with a stove. There were several kinds of snacks on the stone table to go with the new rock tea.
Huo Wei walked in from outside the courtyard in a black robe and sat down. Seeing Murong Hua secretly sizing up Dugu Luanyue, he felt annoyed.
"Didn't the second prince just take over the matter of renovating the hot - spring palace? How come he still has time to enjoy the snow and drink tea in the imperial garden?"
Murong Hua withdrew his gaze from Dugu Luanyue and said coldly, "Does Prince Yuzhang even care about this prince's business?"
Dugu Luanyue and Mei Jiang exchanged a knowing look and smiled.
At this moment, the atmosphere in the Liufang Pavilion was extremely tense. She got up to pour tea for the two of them.
"I'm at least your elder. I'm sitting right in front of you. What are you arguing about? Can't you talk nicely?"
The empress's beautiful face was smiling. Against the backdrop of the snow - covered scenery, she was the second most beautiful sight in the world.
Suddenly, her hand trembled, and the tea spilled out. Murong Hua quickly got up and took a half - step back.
She quickly took out a light - pink silk handkerchief from her sleeve and handed it over, concerned. "Second prince, are you burned?"
Murong Hua took the handkerchief with the rose fragrance and wiped his robe. "It's okay, Mother. Don't worry. This little bit of tea won't burn your son."
According to the rules, all of Murong Min's children should call her Mother. The other princes and princesses called her so obediently, almost getting used to it.
Only Huo Wei always called her the empress or even her name directly. He hardly ever called her Mother.
Huo Wei sat on one side sipping tea and said calmly, "Your ladyship, there's no need to worry so much. The second prince is eager for experience. It's just a little bit of tea."
Dugu Luanyue looked up at him. "They are all the emperor's children. How can I not worry?"
Murong Hua said, "Mother, you're being too polite. Mother is clearly a kind and intelligent person. Your son has obtained Father's permission. I will be in full charge of the renovation of the hot - spring palace. Mother, please feel free to put forward any requirements."
Dugu Luanyue said, "I believe in the second son's intelligence. When you're free, come to my palace. I'll discuss it with you."
Huo Wei tightened his grip on the teacup. What a good show of motherly kindness and filial piety! Inviting Murong Hua to her palace. Had Dugu Luanyue changed her target?
Just as he was lost in thought, Murong Hua left with a smile on his face to handle the renovation of the hot - spring palace.
Huo Wei was left sitting face - to - face with Dugu Luanyue. For some unknown reason, he was filled with anger and kicked over the stone bench where Murong Hua had been sitting.
The stone bench was solid and not light, but Huo Wei kicked it so hard that it rolled down the steps.
At this moment, his thick, ink - like eyebrows were filled with a lot of hostility. He glared at her. "Changed the target to seduce?"
Dugu Luanyue was startled and looked at him strangely. "Huo Wei, what's wrong with you?"
Huo Wei said coldly, "Did you seduce Murong Hua in private and make him take the initiative to take over the renovation of the hot - spring palace for you?"
Dugu Luanyue chuckled, poured herself a cup of tea, picked up the teacup with her slender fingers, and took a sip.
"Isn't this what you wanted? Last time in your prince's mansion, Prince Yuzhang himself said that the emperor has so many sons. Why don't I pick one?
I'm just doing what you had in mind. Why are you so angry?"
Huo Wei's sharp eyebrows turned cold. "You picked the most useless coward. Have you chosen your own burial place?"
Dugu Luanyue was a bit angry. "Huo Wei, what exactly do you mean? If you don't want to do something, someone is willing to do it. Why are you angry?
I got the emperor to approve the memorial in the morning, and you went to stop and reject it in the afternoon. Now that someone else is doing it, it's good for both you and me."
She had never seduced Murong Hua. Moreover, seducing someone like Murong Hua was useless. He didn't have the iron - blooded means or a wise mind. He would surely hold her back in the future.
So, she spread the word through the concubines in the harem.
Moreover, she actually had a feud with Murong Hua since the carriage - overturning incident on the mountain path.
Huo Wei was usually cold and self - disciplined. But today, the hidden fierce look in his eyes seemed to be hard to suppress. He said in a deep voice,
"Stop targeting the emperor's princes. Pay attention to your own identity."
Dugu Luanyue got up and left. When she walked past Huo Wei, he suddenly grabbed her arm.