Dugu Mo arrived at the front courtyard and saw Dugu Chen looking around. He snorted inwardly and then curled up the corners of his handsome mouth, "This servant, Dugu Mo, greets the Crown Prince." He clasped his fist and bowed, paying respects to the Crown Prince.

"Third brother, how many times have I told you to dispense with these formalities when it’s just us?" The Crown Prince stepped forward to help Dugu Mo up, his expression one of helpless resignation.

"Big brother, rituals should not be neglected," Dugu Mo said, smiling at the Crown Prince.

"Second brother, I’m already married. When will I get to drink your wedding wine?"

A dark light flashed in Dugu Chen’s eyes and then disappeared. When he looked at Dugu Mo, his face showed helplessness.

"No rush. The princess is still young. I will welcome her next year, after she has passed the examinations," Dugu Mo replied, momentarily stunned before bursting into laughter. "I didn’t expect second brother to be so tender and protective of the fairer sex."

Dugu Chen also smiled faintly, "Of course, one should be tender and protective of one’s own woman." 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Seeing this, Dugu Han sighed, "You all have your beautiful brides, and here I am, still a lonely man."

"Big brother, if you were to let it be known, I reckon it wouldn’t be half a day before a line of beauties stretches from the Crown Prince Residence to the city gates," Dugu Mo teased the Crown Prince with a twinkle in his eyes.

"Crown Prince cousin, Chen cousin," Feng Conghui, holding onto Xiao Jiazhen, ran up, looking joyously at the Crown Prince and Dugu Chen.

Seeing this, Dugu Mo looked up to the Crown Prince and Dugu Chen and said, "Big brother, second brother, I’m going to see if father and mother have arrived. You two chat ahead." He nodded and headed toward the main gate, receiving all kinds of blessings along the way.

Seeing Dugu Mo turning away, Conghui rolled her eyes and huffed.

"Conghui cousin, how are your father and mother doing?" It occurred to him that he hadn’t visited his aunt and uncle at the Zhennan King’s Residence in a while.

"My father king and mother concubine are the same as always, no change," she replied, waving her handkerchief, feeling a headache at the thought of her father king and mother concubine, who daily pressured her to be a lady and were looking for a husband for her—the mere thought was irritating.

Then she turned to the quiet Xiao Jiazhen, "How are your uncle and aunt doing?"

"The same as always, only my brother’s marriage is still giving them headaches," Jiazhen responded with a sense of helplessness, recalling her own brother, who was quite a character.

Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince chuckled. Speaking of Xiao Zhiqi, he too felt a bit of a headache. To avoid his mother’s relentless marriage plots, Xiao Zhiqi submitted a petition to be assigned elsewhere as a magistrate, infuriating their uncle who almost cut off relations. It took much persuasion to quell his anger, though he still held a grudge, determined to find a bride for Xiao Zhiqi.

After listening for a while, Dugu Chen shook his head, unable to help himself. His cousin was already twenty-three and still not married; no wonder his uncle and aunt were anxious.

Just as he was about to ask about his cousin Zhiqi, he noticed someone watching him from the shadows. Instinctively turning his head, his sharp phoenix eyes glinted, spotting someone in a distant tree giving him hand signals.

With a sense of confusion, if he remembered correctly, that should be a Hidden Guard from the small lady’s service. Why would they be signaling to him? Could it be... He dared not continue the thought and hastened towards a secluded corner of the front courtyard.

"Second brother, where are you going?" The Crown Prince casually glanced at Dugu Chen, noticing his flustered and slightly pallid complexion.

Dugu Chen didn’t have time to answer and merely waved his hand as Xuan Yue and Huang Yi saw their master hurrying away and promptly followed.

After sending Zongzheng Tinglan back to the Xuanyuan Mansion, Wan Hun rushed back urgently, only to be one step too late. After searching the room for a while and finding no one there, he had no choice but to reveal himself and seek out the Prince Mo.