Chapter 1172: Chapter 738 Agreement

For the past half a month, the area in front of the Prime 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 Prime Minister Party in the court had not received any prior notice. Naturally, they rushed to the Prime Minister’s Mansion afterward to see what was happening, though their purposes were different.

Some came to gather information to plan for the future.

Some visited just to show their loyalty.

And some came specifically to bid farewell…

Although they were grateful for the Prime 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 Prime Minister’s actions were too extreme, and the paths had diverged. To return home and abstain from aiding the sects was already their greatest compromise.

As the highest-ranking person in the Prime Minister Mansion after the anticipated seclusion, Xu Yuan had met with many high-ranking officials recently, but it was his first time personally going to the mansion gate to welcome someone, 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 Prime 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 Prime 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 Prime 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 handsome 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 garment, 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 come 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 Prime 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 came to welcome him….

Times 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 me 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. Time changes; neither you nor I can act as before, the consequences must always be considered.”

Li Zhaoyuan pondered for a moment, 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 meaning? Someone 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 seemed to have military talent, yet meeting you today, you already possess the demeanor of a Commander, you can even restrain your emotions when facing extremely 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 me to respond.”

With that said,

Xu Yuan shifted the topic, saying:

“Considering the time, if Your Highness entered the city, shouldn’t you have sought me 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 Prime 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 moment, said:

“If that’s the case, then I will not be polite anymore.

“Third Young Master, I know you despise me. My visit tonight is to mend the rift between us.”

Xu Yuan thought for a moment, 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 acknowledgment of his approaching ascension, Xu Yuan said:

“If that’s the case, there’s no rush; seek me after you assume 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 me 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 me.”

Xu Yuan’s gaze remained placid, said:

“Why bring up something 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 me 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 means?”

“Regardless of the means.”

“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 seemed to notice, but his expression never wavered, the energy mechanism 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 amusement flickering in his eyes as he leisurely retorted:

“If that were the case, Third Young Master, you would have no reason to dislike me. The rise of power is always bloodstained; I am, my father is, and so is the Prime Minister. Surely, you wouldn’t believe the power of the Prime 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 Prime Minister was the mastermind, and countless less fatal strategies abound, with casualties in the millions. The total casualties of these common people far surpass mere millions?

“Just like me, my father and the Prime Minister both act for what they desire in their hearts. If you despise me, you ought to despise the other two as well!”

For a general to emerge victorious, countless bones must dry.

The current Imperial power and Prime 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!”