Chapter 1172: Chapter 738 Agreent
For the past half a month, the area in front of the Pri Minister’s Mansion has been bustling with activity.
Due to the sudden submission of the Immortal Tax Law, most of the high-ranking officials of the Pri Minister Party in the court had not received any prior notice. Naturally, they rushed to the Pri Minister’s Mansion afterward to see what was happening, though their purposes were different.
So ca to gather information to plan for the future.
So visited just to show their loyalty.
And so ca specifically to bid farewell…
Although they were grateful for the Pri Minister’s support, as the critically injured Imperial Censor said in the court that day, “When war breaks out, the common people suffer more than anyone,” the Pri Minister’s actions were too extre, and the paths had diverged. To return ho and abstain from aiding the sects was already their greatest compromise.
As the highest-ranking person in the Pri Minister Mansion after the anticipated seclusion, Xu Yuan had t with many high-ranking officials recently, but it was his first ti personally going to the mansion gate to welco soone, as he did today.
As moonlight spilled over, the heavy mansion doors slowly opened.
Sitting quietly in the carriage before the gate, Li Zhaoyuan glanced aside upon hearing the sound. Seeing the main gate of the Pri Minister’s Mansion open, his brows slightly raised, and at the sight of the elegantly dressed young man walking out from within, a trace of surprise involuntarily flickered in his deep eyes.
The Pri Minister’s Mansion, being the second imperial palace within Capital City, had its rules for etiquette. Though he entered the capital with a formidable force, he was still publicly just an illegitimate prince, prepared for another round of humiliation by the Pri Minister’s third son, yet didn’t expect to receive such high regard.
Smoothing away the oddness in his eyes, he alighted from the carriage and greeted the handso young man who had already approached the carriage with a calm salute. Tonight, he wore not the Python Robe but a blue and white patterned luxurious garnt, exuding an air of leisurely calm:
“Visiting at this late hour, my manners may not suffice; I hope the Third Young Master can be forgiving.”
Xu Yuan raised his hand to offer a formal return salute, saying:
“Your Highness jests, please co in.”
After exchanging courtesies, they entered the mansion together.
The clear glow of the full moon illuminated every corner.
Following alongside Xu Yuan, Li Zhaoyuan discreetly surveyed the empty surrounding corridors resembling a garden box.
There should be many visitors at the Pri Minister’s Mansion, but along the way, he saw no aides, servants, or outside visitors.
He waited at the gate for less than a quarter of an hour before Xu Changtian had entirely cleared the area and personally ca to welco him….
Tis have changed, have they not?
“Does Your Highness find it strange?”
Walking amidst the cool waterside pavilion, Xu Yuan’s flat voice unexpected arose: “Strange that Xu Changtian would treat you with such courtesy?”
The night was silent, footsteps echoed.
Li Zhaoyuan replied:
“Such significant courtesy indeed makes feel flattered.”
Half amused, Xu Yuan glanced back and asked:
“And if I humiliated you as before, would Your Highness suffer in silence as in the past?”
Upon hearing this, Li Zhaoyuan also laughed:
“Why not try, Third Young Master, to find out?”
Hearing this reply, Xu Yuan waved his hand:
“Your Majesty’s order to bring you to the capital is almost an obvious move. Ti changes; neither you nor I can act as before, the consequences must always be considered.”
Li Zhaoyuan pondered for a mont, calmly said:
“If today you acted as before, I might still yield as before.”
Xu Yuan chuckled softly, saying:
“I know, but does it have any aning? Soone like you wouldn’t care about such surface humiliation. With my current status, if I were to engage in such childish acts, it might actually make you laugh instead?”
Li Zhaoyuan was silent for a while, then said:
“Third Young Master truly has changed a lot. Observing you in the Northern Frontier, you seed to have military talent, yet eting you today, you already possess the deanor of a Commander, you can even restrain your emotions when facing extrely wicked people.”
Catching the soft sarcasm within, Xu Yuan didn’t mind:
“As one nears the peak, you’ve also changed a lot, but with such straightforward words, it’s hard for to respond.”
With that said,
Xu Yuan shifted the topic, saying:
“Considering the ti, if Your Highness entered the city, shouldn’t you have sought directly, not visiting the palace first?”
Li Zhaoyuan responded with false pleasantries:
“The path to the palace is coincidentally on the way, so I thought of visiting the Third Young Master first.”
Xu Yuan stopped, directly revealing the other’s formality, asked back:
“On the way? Earlier, Your Highness stationed the troops to the north of the city, and the Pri Minister Mansion is to the south of the Palace City. What, is it that Your Highness entered the capital through the South Gate today? No need for formalities between us, just say whatever needs to be said, I am very busy.”
Hearing these words, Li Zhaoyuan unhurriedly raised his eyes to look at Xu Yuan for a mont, said:
“If that’s the case, then I will not be polite anymore.
“Third Young Master, I know you despise . My visit tonight is to nd the rift between us.”
Xu Yuan thought for a mont, asked:
“Is it necessary?”
A sweeping trend had begun, and even if Xu Yuan detested Li Zhaoyuan, he had to endure it, just as Li Zhaoyuan once endured those slaps, the pain of being forced to swallow down the one he loved.
Li Zhaoyuan chuckled generously, said:
“The Immortal Tax Law has already reached every corner of Dayan. The situation cannot tolerate a struggle between Imperial Chancellor. Our continuous enmity will ultimately affect the bigger picture.”
Hearing the other’s acknowledgnt of his approaching ascension, Xu Yuan said:
“If that’s the case, there’s no rush; seek after you assu the position of Crown Prince.”
“…..”
When the words fell, silence followed.
Li Zhaoyuan sighed lightly, stood up, clasped hands in salute to Xu Yuan, and prepared to turn and leave.
Seeing this, Xu Yuan raised an eyebrow, calling out:
“Preparing to leave?”
Li Zhaoyuan said with serious star-filled eyes:
“What you said, I agree with. It was presumptuous of to visit tonight.”
Hearing this, the corners of Xu Yuan’s lips curved, and he said calmly:
“Such pretense is unbecoming of the Crown Prince. Since you’re already here, let’s hear what you have to say. I’d like to see what proposal you have for easing the gap between us.”
Li Zhaoyuan, after brief contemplation, said softly:
“Third Young Master, the incident with you and Qingyan being ambushed was orchestrated by .”
Xu Yuan’s gaze remained placid, said:
“Why bring up sothing everyone already knows?”
Li Zhaoyuan ignored him, continued on his own accord:
“Therefore, I can offer you an opportunity.”
“….” Xu Yuan frowned upon hearing this.
“An opportunity to assassinate without repercussions from the Imperial Family.”
“……”
Hearing this, a flash of surprise finally appeared in Xu Yuan’s eyes, curiously laughed:
“Your Highness, at this stage, such empty words…”
“I am not joking, and my father has already granted his consent to this matter.”
Li Zhaoyuan spoke with great calmness, as if the matter he described did not concern his own life: “The nature of mountains and rivers can change, but not one’s innate nature. I understand your nature well, Third Young Master. For future grand plans, I am willing to take this risk.”
Upon hearing this, Xu Yuan lightly laughed:
“Regardless of the ans?”
“Regardless of the ans.”
“So now, I can kill you?”
When the words fell, the energy around Xu Yuan began to surge, Spiritual Vision directly locking onto Li Zhaoyuan before him.
Li Zhaoyuan seed to notice, but his expression never wavered, the energy chanism around him similarly began to rise, looking directly into Xu Yuan’s eyes:
“Third Young Master, I hope you are careful; you have only one chance.”
“….”
Staring at each other for a few breaths, Xu Yuan chuckled, dispersing his cultivation technique, said:
“Impressive courage, yet my dislike for you isn’t solely because of that assassination?”
“Is it because of those millions of common people?”
Li Zhaoyuan quickly reacted, a hint of amusent flickering in his eyes as he leisurely retorted:
“If that were the case, Third Young Master, you would have no reason to dislike . The rise of power is always bloodstained; I am, my father is, and so is the Pri Minister. Surely, you wouldn’t believe the power of the Pri Minister’s Mansion was never tainted with the blood of common people? Forty years ago during the Tatar Chao rebellion and fifty years ago at the breaches of the Two Rivers, the Pri Minister was the mastermind, and countless less fatal strategies abound, with casualties in the millions. The total casualties of these common people far surpass re millions?
“Just like , my father and the Pri Minister both act for what they desire in their hearts. If you despise , you ought to despise the other two as well!”
For a general to erge victorious, countless bones must dry.
The current Imperial power and Pri Minister power are both built over mountains of corpses and seas of blood.
Of course, Xu Yuan knew this.
He took a deep breath, speaking softly:
“Your Highness, what my father and Your Majesty desire in their hearts — and what you desire in yours —
“That’s the essence of why I despise you.”
“Alright, I accept the opportunity you give. If you survive, I’ll join hands with you in setting up the sect!”
“Mu Xi, see the guest out!”
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