Eager

Compared to the three cities of the palace, inner and outer, the streets within the palace city appeared somewhat deserted. There were no bustling markets or hawkers, only grand courtyards, and a few carriages and maids going out to shop.

The palace was very large, but the population was small.

Aside from members of the royal family and their staff, there were also individuals of special status.

The gathering place of the Great Yan Heavenly Dragons.

The Black Dragon Carriage traveled down the street. Because Xu Yinhe didn't speak, Xu Yuan looked at the street scene on both sides through the carriage window with a bit of boredom.

They were traveling along Heavenly Peace Road, the central axis that divides the entire Imperial Capital.

If you walk straight ahead, you will reach the South Court Gate of the Imperial Palace.

As he walked, Xu Yuan's gaze became somewhat strange, eventually settling on a phoenix-topped building with more than ten floors ahead.

Well, the Imperial Music Bureau) is actually located right next to this central axis.

These members of the imperial family who lived within the palace generally did not leave the palace.

Firstly, to avoid suspicion; secondly, according to the Great Yan Emperor's decree, imperial descendants should set an example and not harass the common people.

Therefore, in order to meet the needs of these second-generation rich kids, the palace has developed its own system of various entertainment facilities.

As far as I can remember, Xu Yuan had been here once before.

Because of a rumor that all the courtesans in the Imperial Music Bureau were exceptionally beautiful.

They came with high expectations, but left disappointed.

The brothels in the palace, specially provided for the royal family, were not as good as the privately owned ones outside.

The monopolistic operation meant that the music and entertainment Imperial Music Bureau within the palace were completely untouched by the harsh realities of the market.

Lacking ambition, despite its elegant environment, the core remains the same old cumbersome formalities from a century ago.

In my memory, the Black Dragon Carriage had already sped past that willow-lined street.

Xu Yuan glanced at it one last time and unconsciously smiled slightly:

"Ha, with no competition, no ambition, and nothing changing for a century, these people really have it."

Xu Yinhe raised his eyes and glanced at the third son, a thoughtful look in them, and asked:

Why are you suddenly bringing this up?

Xu Yuan snapped out of his daze and coughed awkwardly.

"Father, I've been to this Imperial Music Bureau before. Now that I'm here again, it suddenly occurred to me that if outside capital were allowed to enter the palace and open branches, I estimate that eight or nine out of ten shops on this street would go bankrupt."

Upon hearing this, Xu Yinhe's eyes showed a hint of approval:

"Very good, your perspective on things has indeed changed."

He paused, glanced out the car window again, and smiled slightly:

"More than forty years have passed, and that street has indeed remained unchanged, but everything that exists has its reason, and for this palace complex, it is sufficient."

"."

Xu Yuan glanced at his father with a strange look, then silently looked back out the window.

About fifteen minutes after passing the Imperial Music Bureau, Heavenly Peace Road, which served as the central axis, gradually narrowed, and the speed of the Black Dragon Carriage gradually decreased.

Further ahead lies the location of the Hanlin Academy, the Supervisory Court, and the Six Ministries—the core central government agencies.

These institutions were originally located in the palace, but they were later relocated to this palace complex after renovations.

It was noon.

On both sides of the street, many people dressed in official robes of various colors took the opportunity to go out for a stroll. They chatted and laughed or discussed government affairs, but when they caught sight of a black dragon carriage driving by in the distance, they all immediately fell silent.

Silence spread along the street at an eerily rapid pace.

As the carriage passed by, the officials on both sides bowed in respect.

For a moment, sunlight streamed down like a waterfall, and the only sounds on the street, besides the deathly silent crowd, were the hoofbeats of the Black Dragon Carriage on the ground.

He was not required to bow when entering the court, nor was he allowed to use his name when paying homage; he was permitted to enter the palace with a sword and shoes, and was granted the authority to wield the imperial axe and use the emperor's carriage.

"Tsk tsk. Look at this spectacle."

In the shade of the sunlight, a car chassis adorned with nine black pythons sat quietly.

The Third Prince sat on the soft couch with his legs crossed, eating a fruit platter as he casually remarked, "Except for not kneeling, Lord Xu is basically treated the same as Father Emperor."

At this moment, Eunuch Hou was kneeling on a prayer mat to the side, suddenly asked:

"Your Highness, Lord Xu has already entered the palace. Do you still wish to go to the palace to pay your respects to His Majesty?"

Upon hearing this Third Prince pondered for a moment, then sighed deeply.

"Forget it, let's go back to the manor and not get involved in this matter."

Upon hearing this, Eunuch Hou tentatively whispered:

"But what if Zhou Chen is actually Xu Changtian?"

The Third Prince casually waved his hand:

"It's just a guess to begin with. Aside from his cultivation level and the time he returned to the capital, there's not enough other evidence. I'll wait until I have time to meet this Young Master Xu before making any further statements."

Eunuch Hou said cautiously:

"At the very least, you should remind His Majesty so that he can be prepared, and at the very least, you should let His Crown Prince know."

"Hou Cheng, I've noticed you really enjoy contradicting me?"

The Third Prince raised an eyebrow. "Every time I make a decision, you have to do this. Is it fun?"

Upon hearing this, Eunuch Hou immediately buried his head in the floor of the carriage frame:

"This servant dares not."

The Third Prince glanced at Eunuch Hou, his tone serious:

"Hou Cheng, I'll only tell you this once: don't mention Zhou Chen to anyone."

". yes."

Eunuch Hou glanced cautiously at the Third Prince's face, and seeing that the other party was not truly angry, he said softly, "But Your Highness, why did you do this?"

The Third Prince sighed and tapped his folding fan against Eunuch Hou's official hat.

"If this gets out, it might be fine if it's false, but if it's true, I don't know if Xu Changtian will live or die, but I'll most likely die."

Eunuch Hou frowned:

"Your Highness, are you...?"

"Father had thirteen sons and nine daughters, while Lord Xu only has two."

"." Eunuch Hou.

The Third Prince gave a soft snort, his eyes filled with helplessness:

"Now that relations with the Prime Minister's Estate have finally eased due to the war in the Northern Border, wouldn't suddenly request an audience on this matter just create more trouble?"

"Hou Cheng, remember my words."

"We are not enemies with the Prime Minister's Estate, at least not now."

"This servant will remember."

After passing the center of power in the dynasty, the carriage went directly into the palace.

The car was silent.

This was the first time Xu Yuan had witnessed his father's power in the imperial court.

Judging from the way things were just now, even if I don't want to rebel, I might find myself in power any day.

Thinking about it, he subconsciously glanced at his father inside the car, only to find that Xu Yinhe was also looking at him.

After a moment of eye contact, Xu Yinhe smiled and asked:

"Changtian, what are your thoughts?"

Xu Yuan smacked his lips, feigning ignorance:

"Power is a good thing."

Xu Yinhe remained noncommittal.

"Power is indeed a good thing, but what else?"

Seeing this, Xu Yuan knew he couldn't hide it any longer. He glanced into the depths of the palace and whispered:

"If I were the emperor, I wouldn't tolerate it."

"Can't stand it?"

Xu Yinhe couldn't help but chuckle upon hearing this word, but then sighed softly:

"Heh, it's indeed unbearable, but Li Yaoxuan can endure what others cannot, and for that, I admire him greatly."

Xu Yuan was a little quieter:

"Father, do you mean that we can't tolerate anyone except the Emperor?"

Xu Yinhe narrowed his eyes and replied:

"I'm still confirming this, but Li Yaoxuan once said that the Second Prince looks a lot like him when he was young. What do you think?"

"."

Xu Yuan's pupils contracted slightly.

That's very direct.

The struggle for the throne among princes is a matter of national importance, and many scholars in brothels would discuss this topic after drinking.

This kind of thing has always been something that ordinary people enjoy talking about.

But coming from the mouth of this gray-haired old man, it's highly likely that it will be implemented.

But what's going on here?

Weren't the Prime Minister's Estate and the royal family just entering their honeymoon period? Why does it seem like they're about to tear each other apart again?

Composing himself, Xu Yuan hesitated for a moment:

"Father, isn't it a bit too early to consider this matter now? Is it because of the prophecy from the Heavenly Oversight Pavilion?"

Tianyan said that the emperor would die this year.

But the future predicted by the Heavenly Oversight Pavilion has been completely distorted because of him.

Xu Yinhe said quietly:

"I have never believed in these prophecies. Apart from some other evidence, I can tell from the matter of the Northern Border that Li Yaoxuan is really anxious."

Xu Primordial Spirit gradually became serious.

Xu Yinhe gently comforted him:

"I'm telling you this not so you can come up with a solution, but so you can prepare yourself mentally and have a better understanding when you meet Li Yaoxuan."

After the words were spoken, silence fell, and the carriage continued its journey deeper into the interior.

A quarter of an hour later, the Black Dragon Carriage stopped next to the Great Celebration Hall.

Subsequently,

A sharp, thin eunuch's voice echoed through the palace:

"Lord Xu has arrived!"

Calvin

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