"Wording like that could sell a place to anyone with an eye for beauty and practicality. Ā Perhaps you should go into real estate, instead, Yuanxun?" Ā It was difficult to not take the opportunity to make a light-hearted comment and run with it, especially after listening to all of the thought Zhuge Ke had clearly been putting into this. Ā How long had the older male been considering such an important move? Ā Zigao did not figure that it had been for an extended amount of time, as his advisor always seemed to try building the foundations of plans as soon as possible, but it was sometimes difficult to tell what was going on in the man's head. Ā "Though I would miss you terribly."
Adopting a more relaxed stance, celadon-coloured eyes turned from his companion to look out at the land before them thoughtfully. Ā The Crown Prince stood silent for for a few moments as he weighed his options and the possibilities for the future carefully. Ā Of course he would never make such an important decision on the spot, but it was a matter to be closely examined upon its delivery nonetheless.
Speaking up, eyes still locked on the distance to the south, he replied, "Joking aside, you make valid points. Ā While I cannot make a decision at this time, regardless of whether I am heir to the throne or sitting upon it myself, I have heard your words and feel that they hold true merit." Already he felt his speech beginning to right itself as it always did when important affairs were involved. Ā "While no location is perfect and every one has its faults and weaknesses, I should like to compile a comprehensive report on the area for inspection. Ā Should I come into the crown and propose such a relocation, doubtless almost every official and their mother will want a well-supported argument as to why such a move is necessary. Ā Luckily, LĆ¼ Dai had some success in subduing the native people in Yulin, so between that and my father's work, we may not have much to worry about with them."
"How would you feel about taking a trip with me to personally put together such a list sometime soon?"
The shift in the man beside him did not go unnoticed, bright eyes sliding to their sides to watch him before the question was out in the air.
Ah, so that was it, was it?
A light sigh escaped the young lord, eyes closing as his head shook slowly from side to side. Ā It was true that the past few months had been relatively free of problems, and had Deng not been painfully aware of his own state of poor fettle, he might have begun to wonder if perhaps he was finally growing out of his lifelong ailments. Ā Last evening, however, the hopeful prince had suffered a small slip in constitution, though after retiring to an early rest he had woken feeling as renewed as ever. Ā No one in his personal circle had been present, so he held doubts that Zhuge Ke had heard about it. Ā Sometimes Zigao swore that his appointed advisor had an extra sense specifically aimed at knowing exactly what was going on with him.
"There isn't any need for worry, Yuanxun. Ā I'm fine, really. Ā If you fret too much, you'llĀ be the one in need of constant looking-after, and Wu hardly needs its pillars being old and rickety before they're truly old, hm?"
