[The man snorts in a way that says he refuses to believe anything good about Dorian until the man bothers to prove it. Instead, he moves on.]

Xichen and Meng Yao's contracts with you are ending soon. I would request to take their contracts next.

[Mingjue closes his eyes and sighs then looks at his brother.]

I feel I need to. I cannot move on or heal without that time with them, Huaisang. You've cared for them all this time. Let me take them when their contracts expire.

[Huaisang will note that his brother's tone is very respectful. He's not making this so much an emotional issue even if emotions are involved. But, he wants to be formal about this and make this request rather than simply taking the contracts as they expire.

Because his brother deserves that respect. At least, that's what Mingjue is trying to show him in his own way.]