Nine Thousand Years (34)

Du Chaogong's gaze was deep, his handsome face magnificent. He merely said unhurriedly, "Your Highness is right. Your servant also does not know why there are so many foolish people in the world with wicked hearts and low intelligence, who dare to embezzle even the funds for building the levee. Such unprincipled and selfish people, your servant believes, will not see a second occurrence under Your Highness's supervision."

Having said that, he raised his eyes, a cold smile hidden at the corner of his lips as he continued unhurriedly, "This levee is damaged but not necessarily beyond saving, though the previous materials were entirely garbage. When Your Highness repairs it, remember to supervise closely, lest some vile person spots a loophole and plays tricks again when it is completed."

This scolding was truly satisfying, as could be seen from Chu An's face turning from green to white. He knew full well that the man was mocking him, but Chu An could only swallow his anger, thinking to himself: *Let Du Chaogong laugh now; when he can no longer mobilize those military resources, he will get what's coming to him!*

Chu An forced a smile and said nothing more: "Of course, of course."

With that, Du Chaogong and his entourage entered the traveling palace.

Previously, when presiding over the levee repairs, he had stayed in his own manor. Now, Chu An had moved into the traveling palace, his status rising like a meteor—truly a case of a petty man achieving success.

Du Chaogong walked in first, with Chu Fengqi following behind. His clothes were simple, his eyes naturally warm, and his face was as exquisitely beautiful as pure white porcelain—elegant, steady, yet not dull. Just a touch of adornment was enough to leave people breathless, as if seeing a flower in full bloom.

Previously, he had been malnourished, but now he had completely transformed, so much so that Chu An did not even recognize him. Furthermore, Chu Fengqi did not bow or greet him, so Chu An only thought he was a somewhat unique young servant and paid him no mind.

Chu An led them to their resting quarters and then left, not even bothering to maintain superficial politeness, going off to attend to his own business.

Du Chaogong did not bring many people, nor did he plan to stay long; in the future, it would suffice to send someone to supervise. If he really used this method to atone for his sins, and the matter got out, Du Chaogong would surely be laughed at by the entire world.

The weather had turned cold. Even with a charcoal brazier burning in the room, a persistent chill remained hard to dispel.

Chu Fengqi brought along his self-made health-preserving tea, brewed a pot of hot tea for Du Chaogong, carefully took out his personal cup to wash it clean, and then poured the boiling water in.

The tea fragrance wafted, carrying a hint of the early summer warmth of newly sprouted young lotus.

Having brewed the tea, the youth brought it before Du Chaogong: "Nine Thousand Years, please taste this. This is a new flavor that this lowly one has just come up with."

These past few days, he had been busy non-stop, from washing clothes and making incense to researching menus and cooking. On this trip out, Chu Fengqi planned to visit the library pavilion to buy a few books to broaden his horizons.