Extortion

A beautiful figure, with fair skin revealed in the dim light of a snowy day.

Xu Yuan realized he couldn't see through the woman in front of him named Li Qingyan, just as he couldn't see how thick the bra covering her chest was.

After spending a month together in the same carriage and room, he knew she was very smart, smart enough to see through many things at a glance.

Therefore, Xu Yuan was not very surprised by her previous suspicions about him.

The superficially naughty young master secretly hides his clumsiness. This kind of thing is almost ruined in the picture-book dramas of this world.

He chose to stay in Beifeng City, and she asked him about it, a question that was understandable as a probe.

What Xu Yuan couldn't understand was Li Qingyan's attitude towards him.

From the startling remarks at our first meeting to the current composure and near-openness we share.

If the two had a foundation of feelings for each other, Xu Yuan wouldn't be surprised by these things. The problem is that Xu Yuan couldn't see any affection for him in her.

If Xu Yuan hadn't been so adept at manipulating people, even a shrewd young master would probably have been completely worn down by Li Qingyan's manipulations.

Her profound cultivation made her decisive and uncompromising in many matters before him, yet she would also make you feel valued in small things.

The gentleness that a strong person inadvertently reveals, coupled with her stunning beauty of jade cheeks and cherry lips, is something that not everyone can resist.

When you are resting, she will gently cover you with a blanket, and just as naturally as when you enter the city, she will prepare a warm coat for you. She will also make you feel the difference between how she treats you and how she treats others.

In his previous life, Xu Yuan would have already retreated by now.

The desire to determine the outcome is in one's own heart.

There's always someone better than you when it comes to skill levels. You can try to bluff your way through, but you need to be careful not to bluff a shark.

He simply couldn't understand why Li Qingyan was doing this.

The marriage between the two was merely a political alliance to temporarily build mutual trust Prime Minister's Estate and the royal family. Although both sides said things like they couldn't disobey and should just let things take their course, whether the wedding could proceed as scheduled was still uncertain.

The current Great Yan court is essentially equivalent to having two emperors jointly ruling the world.

As Li Yaoxuan was drawing to a close, the conflict between imperial power and the power of the prime minister was beginning to outweigh the conflict between the imperial clans and the court.

Based on Li Qingyan's performance, Xu Yuan didn't believe she couldn't understand.

But she did it anyway.

Is he betting that Xu Yuan is love-struck?

In his previous life, Xu Yuan had seen some video materials about cases where people's romantic obsessions influenced national policies, but those were all isolated cases.

Moreover, his current public identity is that of a spoiled brat. If he dares to do anything outrageous in secret, Xu Changge could break his legs.

"."

Her mind raced, and the only sound in the room was the clicking of her armor as she put it on.

Xu Yuan watched as Li Qingyan calmly donned her armor in front of him.

One by one, the armor pieces were put on methodically, completely concealing her fair skin exposed to the cold air within the heavy armor.

Li Qingyan suddenly turned her gaze, and the gleaming gold-trimmed red dragon armor made her eyes appear sharp and almost blinding.

"What's on your mind?"

Xu Yuan collected his thoughts, deciding not to dwell on things he couldn't understand, since he wouldn't fall for it anyway, and smiled:

"I was wondering, don't you feel suffocated and uncomfortable wearing your chest wrapped up all the time?"

"Chest tightness?"

Li Qingyan raised an eyebrow, looked at Xu Yuan calmly, and asked in return, "It seems that among your many beauties, there are still some who, like me, need to bind their breasts."

Xu Yuan didn't reply.

Li Qingyan pondered for a moment, then smiled slightly, "If you won't tell me, then let me guess. It should be that princess from the Marquis of Western Pacification's family, right?"

"." Xu Yuan.

After a moment of silence, Xu Yuan waved his hand dismissively:

"Princess, you are being suspicious. Junwu is fond of women. She and I are brothers, not lovers."

"Mirror grinding?"

A hint of surprise flashed in Li Qingyan's phoenix eyes, but she quickly concealed it. "The Marquis of Western Pacification only has one son, this princess is quite interesting."

Xu Yuan sized up Li Qingyan, then changed the subject:

"I suggest that you stop bothering me every day, Princess. Don't you feel uncomfortable?"

Li Qingyan put on his arm armor and fastened his sword to his waist, then casually replied:

"I've gotten used to it; if I don't get involved in military affairs, it can easily affect morale."

Xu Yuan was taken aback after hearing this, his eyes flashing.

I understand.

It looks quite turbulent.

After a moment's pause, Xu Yuan smiled and waved his hand:

"That's not what I meant. Wearing a bodice for too long will deform it and make it look unattractive."

"."

After he finished speaking, the air fell silent for a moment.

Li Qingyan paused slightly as she adjusted her arm armor, glancing back at the smiling man with narrowed, scrutinizing eyes.

Upon seeing this gaze, Xu Yuan immediately wanted to make excuses, but unexpectedly, Li Qingyan's thin lips curled slightly:

"Rest assured, my husband. I am not one of those weak and ordinary people. Moreover, I know my own body well. On our wedding night, if you can not disappoint me, I will certainly not disappoint you."

"." Xu Yuan.

Oh no, he made a dirty joke, but it feels like she's the one teasing him now.

Li Qingyan secured the last piece of the vest and said earnestly:

"I won't waste any more words. I'll give you one night. Be at the Yulin Army in the south of the city at 9:00 AM sharp tomorrow. I'll be waiting for you there."

Having said that,

The woman in military uniform strode out of the room with a swift and decisive movement, disappearing in an instant into the swirling snow.

As night fell, the wind and snow howled in my ears.

Although the style of the fireworks districts in the Northern Border differs somewhat from that in the heart of the Great Yan, they are largely the same.

The Northern Border is completely inferior to the Great Desert in this respect, where one can fully experience the exotic charm brought by the Great Desert dancers.

However, there's no way around it; Barbarian Tribe females covered in spikes are truly difficult for most people to handle, except for a few eccentric individuals.

The private room on the top floor was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood and the gentle strains of string music.

"You ask me what kind of person my elder sister is?"

The Third Prince stared at the Blood-robed Man opposite him with a slightly amused expression:

"If I had known what kind of person she was, I would have already won her over and recruited my elder sister to my elder brother's side."

As he spoke, Li Yunqing picked a fresh fruit from the fruit plate and put it in his mouth. He chewed on the sweet juice and smiled, saying:

"If my elder sister supports my elder brother, then the struggle for the throne will be a sure thing. After all, my elder sister represents the attitude of Marquis of Martial Achievement of our Great Yan Army."

Xu Yuan sighed upon hearing this, then smiled and said:

"In that case, it is indeed true. The 200,000 elite Beifeng Army, plus the 100,000 Yulin Army bestowed upon Wu Yuan by His Majesty, are more than enough to stage a palace coup in the Imperial Capital."

"Brother, even though we're plotting something, can you not be so direct?" The Third Prince's eye twitched.

Xu Yuan shrugged, then suddenly asked with interest:

"Junqing, I'm very curious about something. Could you please answer it for me?"

Upon hearing this, Li Yunqing became wary, but outwardly replied with a smile:

"Changtian, ask me anything, and I will answer to the best of my knowledge."

"Oh"

Xu Yuan chuckled softly and pointed to the large array that had been activated in the sky:

"Your royal bloodline makes you the primary controller of the arrays set up in all the counties and prefectures of the land, but what would happen if two royal families fought over control?"

Li Yunqing's expression turned strange upon hearing this:

"You are unaware of this matter?"

Xu Yuan blinked and pointed to himself:

Should I have known about this?

Li Yunqing chuckled softly:

"Although this matter is top secret, it shouldn't be considered a secret in your Prime Minister's Estate. To prevent brothers from fighting each other and arbitrarily using formations to massacre their own clansmen, the control of the great formation within the city can be checked and balanced."

Xu Yuan glanced thoughtfully at the dark sky outside the window:

"So, if Junqing wanted to, you could also control the City Protection Array of Beifeng City?"

Li Yunqing hissed and began to give a heads-up:

"Theoretically, that's true, but if I dare to move now, my elder sister will definitely chop me up."

Xu Yuan waved his hand:

"Don't be nervous, I didn't mean for you to activate the City Protection Array, Junqing."

Li Yunqing breathed a sigh of relief and his smile returned:

"That's good, that's good."

Xu Yuan leaned back on the soft couch, staring at Li Yunqing, and suddenly chuckled:

"Let's skip the small talk. You asked me to come over tonight to continue discussing what we didn't finish this afternoon?"

"."

Li Yunqing was stunned for a moment:

"What's left undone?"

Xu Yuan was also stunned for a moment, then said matter-of-factly:

"I support your bid for the throne!"

Li Yunqing's eyes looked strange:

"No, I already said I'm going to Yingzhou Island."

"Aren't you kidding me?"

"Who said I was joking?"

"."

silence,

They stared at each other, wide-eyed.

After a while,

Xu Yuan exhaled and asked:

"So what do you want from me?"

"Discussing the matter of fleeing."

"." Xu Yuan.

After a moment's pause, Xu Yuan said in a low voice:

"You ran away, why are you looking for me?"

Li Yunqing sighed and said with a melancholy look in his eyes:

"Changtian, in the eyes of ordinary people, I, the Third Prince, am of imperial lineage, but you should know that my status in the Northern Border is currently very awkward, neither here nor there. I am unaware of important matters, and knowing the trivial matters is of no use to me."

"The more critical the situation, the more my second brother can use his abilities to gain support in the army. But what about me? I'm just a businessman. What can I do here in Beifeng City? Resell military supplies to make money? My imperial sister would be crazy if she didn't chop me up."

Xu Yuan remained unmoved after hearing this:

"So?"

Li Yunqing hesitated for a moment, then stood up and sat down next to Xu Yuan, saying with a smile:

"So, little brother, I'm just asking you, big brother, for help in finding a way to survive."

"Don't call me brother, I can't accept it."

"Third Young Master, you are my elder sister's husband, so you naturally deserve to be called 'brother' by me."

"Alright."

Xu Yuan smiled and shook his head, "You are, after all, Wu Yuan's younger brother. Even if the city falls, she should arrange a way out for you."

Li Yunqing clicked his tongue, glanced in the direction of the government office, and whispered:

"Tsk, that's not what I'm worried about. I'm worried about that person in the government office."

"The Second Prince?"

Xu Yuan asked decisively, "Do you think he will kill you?"

Li Yunqing had completely gotten used to this guy's directness and nodded:

"With the city in chaos, killing me would be like cutting off the Crown Prince's arm. My second brother would definitely not miss this opportunity."

Xu Yuan pondered for a moment, his thoughts churning.

With Li Yunqing's death, the royal family's merchant guilds and his Imperial Shadow Guard will inevitably be replaced and placed under new management.

Whether they will still be part of the Crown Prince Prince's faction by then is uncertain.

After a pause, Xu Yuan asked with a strange expression:

"Your family is truly harmonious and loving towards each other."

Li Yunqing grinned:

"My family has had many families where the fathers were kind and the sons were filial."

"." Xu Yuan.

A moment of silence,

Xu Yuan smiled and reached out to pour wine, Li Yunqing very considerately picked up the wine pot first and poured wine for Xu Yuan.

Xu Yuan watched this scene without stopping them, and took a small sip from the refilled wine cup:

"But how can I help you with this?"

Li Yunqing seemed to have prepared his answer beforehand, and said in a low voice:

"We came to Beifeng City alone, without any guards. I would like to ask you, brother, to lend us a second-grade expert."

"Second rank?" Xu Yuan frowned.

Before leaving, Lou Ji left him the contact information for some of her spies, including many powerful individuals, but only one second-grade Origin Beginning expert.

After a moment's thought, Xu Yuan asked in a low voice:

"What do you want to do with a second-rank expert? Take you out of the city and circle back into the Great Yan territory via the mountains?"

Seeing that Xu Yuan did not immediately refuse, Li Yunqing's eyes lit up:

"Of course I can't do that. The soldiers in the Northern Border are fighting to the death. If I did that, it would be desertion, and my father would surely punish me. It might even implicate my elder brother."

Xu Yuan stroked the bronze wine cup and asked:

"So you mean you want to go to the Houting County as an envoy of the royal family to seek help?"

"."

Li Yunqing's expression was serious, and he cupped his hands in a respectful gesture:

"The Third Young Master is incredibly insightful."

Xu Yuan glanced in the direction of the Yulin Army in the south of the city:

"Will your elder sister agree to this?"

Li Yunqing shook his head:

"Of course not. I'll act first and report later. I'll leave a letter for my elder sister in the government office, then control the formation in the north of the city to leave and head north to seek help from the sects in the Houting County. It won't affect the overall situation, and the reason is legitimate. Even if my second elder brother wants to investigate, he won't be able to do anything about it."

Xu Yuan listened carefully to Li Yunqing's escape plan and nodded:

"This plan is feasible."

Li Yunqing poured Xu Yuan more wine and asked softly:

"Then, brother, you..."

Xu Yuan didn't speak, but slowly raised one hand and placed it in front of Li Yunqing's eyes, then gently rubbed his index finger and thumb together.

If you pay, everything is negotiable.

He had just commissioned that old man Jiang He to develop the Calamity-Breaking Pill, which was a time when money was being burned. It would be against all reason not to take advantage of this tycoon who controlled the Imperial Clan Chamber of Commerce.

Li Yunqing naturally understood and readily held up five fingers.

Xu Yuan's eyes revealed a perfectly timed look of astonishment:

Five million taels?

"."

Li Yunqing's eye twitched.

It's all over.

Just as he was about to deny it, Xu Yuan said:

"Since you're so generous, Junqing, I, as your older brother, naturally can't let your kindness go to waste. Shall we use silver notes, land deeds, or a merchant guild contract?"

Li Yunqing paused for a moment, then tentatively said:

"Changtian, what I mean is fifty."

"Well"

Xu Yuan sighed and interrupted, saying:

"Junqing, look at my memory! I'm mistaken. It seems our Prime Minister's Estate doesn't have any officials of the second rank in Beifeng City."

Li Yunqing gritted his teeth and spoke slowly and deliberately:

"What I mean is, the difference of 500,000 taels might have to wait until we return to the capital to pay in cash. Right now, I only have 4.5 million taels on me."

Upon hearing this, Xu Yuan didn't say anything more, but simply reached out his hand.

Li Yunqing's cheek twitched with pain as he placed stacks of ten thousand taels of silver notes on the table:

"We hope the Third Young Master will make arrangements as soon as possible."