“If you are talking about changes… there were some. After all, he was still young when he left the palace.” Long Xi tried his best to recall. “When I first met him after he left, I just felt rather unfamiliar around him. We had been quite close previously. Chi Tong was also in the palace then. We were a little older than Long Yue and on rather appropriate terms with him. Long Yue was very weak then, and we were the ones who often protected him. But…”
“When I met him again, he was obviously no longer as timid. However, he was kept by Grand Tutor’s side and didn’t speak much. He was not as affectionate as before when he met me and Chi Tong.”
Long Xi couldn’t help feeling rather regretful as he spoke. Although he was no longer as close to Long Yue now, the memories of their youth together lingered in his heart.
Ji Fengyan could hear the regret in Long Xi’s voice, but didn’t pay much attention to it. “From then on, you and Long Yue seldom met up?”
Long Xi nodded. “Very seldom. Even after he officially moved out of the palace, I did not meet up with him in private. We usually only see each other during official events, and even then, we would just greet each other.”
Ji Fengyan narrowed her eyes.
There was a three-year gap during which Long Xi did not understand what was happening with Long Yue. No one could be sure what happened to Long Yue during those years. Most importantly… Long Yue was still young when he left the palace. Any changes could be explained away using puberty. She was completely clueless at this point.
“Miss Ji, have you discovered anything? Why the sudden question?” Long Xi looked seriously at Ji Fengyan.
Ji Fengyan shook her head.
“It’s nothing. I can’t be sure for the time being. Oh yes, where is your brother’s residence?”
Long Xi gave a slight start. Although hesitant, he told her.
Meanwhile, Long Yue departed Long Xi’s residence with a smile on his face. However, that smile gradually faded after he exited the front door. He glanced at the tightly shut door with a sharpness that was unusual for one so young.
“Your Highness, how was it?” The guard who was waiting outside immediately came forth to ask Long Yue.
Long Yue held a peculiar expression. He looked away and addressed the guard. “Help me investigate the background of that girl in my brother’s residence.”
The guard was slightly shocked. He then remembered that there was a girl who had left today’s auction with Long Xi. And if he was not wrong, she was the one who made that twenty million bid for the Nine Revolutions Soul Return Elixir.
“Yes, I will do so.”
Long Yue nodded. He then walked back to his own residence.
Long Yue’s residence was just beside the Grand Tutor’s. The main door was protected day and night by several guards, who immediately opened the gate when they noticed Long Yue’s return.
Compared to Long Xi’s simple lodgings, Long Yue’s residence was rather luxurious. Size alone, it was already three times bigger than Long Xi’s and full of countless treasures. Gold instruments and precious jewels could be seen everywhere. Maids wearing long skirts passed gracefully between the buildings, each more beautiful than the last.