Chun De feigned annoyance. "Are you just like your Imperial Uncle? Must I personally come and invite you myself?"
Zhou Junlin chuckled. "Mother, I was wrong."
Chun De had a seat brought for him, placing him directly across from Song Xilan. She raised her eyes to steal a glance at her beloved, her face flushing in spite of herself.
"Speaking of which, I should have held a welcome reception for you long ago, after your return from quelling the rebellion in Qi Guan City."
Chun De was still magnanimous toward Zhou Junlin. She knew he was the Prince whom Emperor Cheng Xiao valued most, and very likely the future Emperor. Treating him well today was a way to secure a future for her own disappointing son.
"It is I who should have come to the palace to pay my respects to you sooner, Mother. Oh, speaking of which, where is Brother Wei? I don't see him."
The mention of him filled Chun De with frustration. "Why bring him up out of the blue? For me, it's out of sight, out of mind!"
