2225 Duan Yue's Pinings

The Ultramarine Province, Phoenix Imperial City.

White snow danced and blanketed the entire city.

Inside the spacious but solitary Taiji Palace.

Duan Yue, who was dressed simply, leaned against the window and looked out into the horizon for a long time. It was a mystery what he was thinking about.

His personal junior eunuch quickly walked inside and exclaimed in surpise.

"Your Highness, you have already stood at the window for nealry two hours!" The junior eunuch asked, "Would you like Xiao'ke'zi to bring you food?"

Duan Yue looked at him indifferently and waved his hand. "I'm not hungry. You can go take a break."

He only wanted to be alone for a while.

The junior eunuch quickly said, "Your Highness, you haven't eaten for nearly the entire day. You can make any requests of Xiao'ke'zi."

Duan Yue was annoyed from his nagging and left the window, sitting down at the table. "Alright, just brew some tea."

"Your Highness!"

"Why are you so naggy?" Duan Yue glared at him. "With my cultivation, I won't starve to death even if I go two weeks without a grain of rice. What are you worrying for?"

Xiao'ke'zi pressed his lips together and exited pitifully.

Before he could retreat from the chamber, a dignified and solemn-looking maidservant hurried inside.

The maidservant glanced at Xiao'ke'zi from the corner of her eye. She didn't ask anything even though he looked deflated.

Subsequently, she curtsied and said, "Your Highness, the name list for the winter hunt has come out. Your Highness also has to accompany His Majesty on this outing. There is less than 20 days before departure. We will need to quickly prepare everything needed."

Xiao'ke'zi pursed his mouth and rolled his eyes. "Nanny Yuanzhen. With His Highness's cultivation, what is there that isn't in his inner world? What is there to prepare?"

The maidservant glared at Xiao'ke'zi. "Insolent! Mind how you speak to His Highness."

Duan Yue glanced at the junior eunuch who was pursing his mouth. He couldn't help but chuckle, and tossed down the book he was holding. "Alright, alright, set the table for a meal."

This lad was rather gutsy to be bantering about his master.

Xiao'ke'zi giggled and quickly acknowledged his orders. He ran out to get food ready to be served.

"Your Highness, it is a rather long journey to the destination for the winter hunt." Yuanzhen lowered her head and said, "Midwinter has set in, and the snow is making travel difficult. Your Highness does not have many people to attend to your needs, so this maidservant will draft up a list of names tomorrow. Your Highness can decide who you want to bring with you, or if you need to add any people or supplies…"

"Alright, you don't need to do all that." Duan Yue waved his hand listlessly. He shook his head and said, "Just you and Xiao'ke'zi will suffice."

"How can that do." Yuanzhen said disapprovingly, "Since Your Highness doesn't care to deal with these matters, this maidservant will decide the list of people who will go. You have to at least bring guards and attendants with you at the very least…"

Duan Yue didn't even process what Yuanzhen was rambling about. He merely propped his chin on his hand and looked far into the distance at the snow outside the window. He was a bit concerned.

"How long will the snow in the Ultramarine Province fall?" Duan Yue muttered.

Yuanzhen was startled. She turned to look outside the window and said softly, "Each time, the heavy snows in the Ultramarine Province will last for a week. It is quite a long time."

"When I was on the Sikong Planet, I had heard of this saying. The Divine Province's phoenix tree, the Ultramarine Province's flower of the snow territory, and the Nether Province's ghostly grass respectively live in the hottest, coldest, and most poisonous lands."