Bitter

The incense smoke curled gently, but was scattered by the river breeze.

Leaning against the soft couch, hands behind his back supporting his cheek, Xu Yuan stared at the gentle smile on Li Zhaoyuan's handsome face, feeling slightly disappointed.

Even though everyone knows who did something, the consequences of admitting or denying it are worlds apart.

Evidence is a good thing.

Even if you know who did it, you can't openly take action against them without evidence.

If action is to be taken, then it will be done through underhanded means.

Before coming here, Xu Yuan still harbored a few glimmers of hope.

I hope Li Zhaoyuan will break down, confront the fox-cooking, and then do something drastic.

Unfortunately, Li Zhaoyuan was more patient than he had imagined.

"You're really good at holding back."

"."

As he finished speaking, a perfectly timed hint of doubt flickered in Li Zhaoyuan's eyes:

"Hmm? What do you mean?"

Xu Yuan was not surprised by this, and chuckled softly:

"Heh, it's nothing. Once bitten, twice shy. Being assassinated on this trip has made me a bit paranoid."

Li Zhaoyuan frowned slightly:

"Is Changtian doubting me?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Yuan made no attempt to hide his feelings, speaking very directly:

"I did have that suspicion before I came, but now..."

At this point, he suddenly smiled, a bright and sunny smile, glancing at the porcelain pot that now only contained broth and spices:

"... I no longer have that doubt."

"After all, no one should be able to bring themselves to kiss their lover."

Li Zhaoyuan smiled Wan'er, his soft, deep voice low and magnetic:

"So that's what you meant, Changtian. No wonder you said those things while I was dining. But Changtian, there are some things I'd like to remind you of."

Xu Yuan raised an eyebrow, leaned slightly closer, and chuckled softly:

"Yuan, I wish to hear your teachings, Your Majesty."

"It's not so much instruction as a reminder, but rather a reminder."

Li Zhaoyuan casually placed the napkin he had used to wipe his mouth into the trash can, his eyes gentle and his smile warm.

"Since that person dared to assassinate you and Qingyan, they wouldn't care about these things. Don't you think it's too naive to retaliate in this way?"

Xu Yuan looked puzzled, then leaned closer and sighed softly:

"To kill someone is to destroy their spirit; how can that be considered childish?"

Li Zhaoyuan chuckled softly upon hearing this, his voice steady and cheerful:

"Changtian, as I just said, anyone who dares to assassinate you and Qingyan without these skills is not even human, so how can you talk about destroying their spirit?"

A strange glint flashed in Xu Yuan's eyes, and he lightly licked the corner of his lips with the tip of his tongue:

"Then, if you were me, brother, what would you do?"

Li Zhaoyuan lowered his eyes and gently stroked the jade thumb ring on his index finger:

"Slaying the great demon should be a joyous occasion shared by the soldiers and civilians. It will not only achieve the desired effect but also boost morale and bring fame and fortune."

"."

He fell silent, the river breeze ruffling his long, tied-up hair and the dark light in his pupils.

"Hehehahaha"

A soft laugh broke the silence.

Xu Yuan propped himself up on the table, then patted his spotless robes and bowed respectfully.

"Brother, I have learned Changtian. Qingyan is still waiting for me tonight, so I will not disturb you any longer."

After saying that, he turned around and walked towards the old wooden door of the attic.

The boots tread lightly on the ground, but the footsteps suddenly paused as the person reached the door.

Xu Yuan seemed to suddenly remember something and abruptly asked:

"Brother, why did you initially decide to establish your own government and military headquarters in the capital?"

According to the ancestral system of the Great Yan, princes could choose to establish a pre-reign residence in the capital or be directly granted a fiefdom and sent to a foreign territory.

However, in the last five hundred years, very few princes born to palace maids have dared to apply to establish their own residences and schools in Di'an City.

The reason is quite simple.

He will die.

A summary of historical experience.

Leaving aside the princes born to the Empress, who is the mother of the nation, compared to the princes born to concubines, noble ladies, and other high-ranking officials, palace maids could not provide any help to the princes; on the contrary, they were even a hindrance.

Princes born to concubines who were palace maids would be deposed on average within one to two years once they were granted the right to establish their own residences, and then quietly die of illness after the new emperor ascended the throne.

Only by not competing or grabbing can one attain a peaceful and prosperous life.

"."

As the words fell, Li Zhaoyuan looked at the man in brocade robes standing at the door, his voice low and gentle:

"Changtian, you're actually curious about this?"

Xu Yuan turned around and looked at the white-robed prince sitting by the window:

"Just curious, if it's inconvenient."

"It's alright."

Li Zhaoyuan chuckled softly:

"But do you want to hear the truth or a lie?"

Xu Yuan was taken aback, somewhat surprised that the other party would actually joke, then laughed and said:

"Of course it's the truth."

Li Zhaoyuan nodded slightly, a hint of reminiscence flickering in his calm, deep black eyes.

After a long pause, he chuckled softly, his tone tinged with a rare self-deprecation:

"Because... I don't want to be bullied by those good-for-nothings."

"."

"Don't believe me?"

"What do you think?" Xu Yuan asked with a forced smile.

"Although you don't believe me, Changtian, this is the truth." Li Zhaoyuan's voice returned to its usual calm.

Xu Yuan shook his head and chuckled softly:

"Your Highness, as a prince, it would seem rather hypocritical of you to say such a thing."

Li Zhaoyuan stared at Xu Yuan with a calm gaze, his voice carrying a faint hint of laughter:

"Changtian, not all fathers are like Lord Xu, and not all families are like the Prime Minister's Mansion."

Xu Yuan narrowed his eyes:

"Could it be that there are wicked servants in the palace who are bullying their masters?"

Li Zhaoyuan did not answer the question, but glanced out the window instead.

"You can ask Junqing about these things."

After saying that,

The warm light from the Fire Spirit Lamp cast a shadow on half of his handsome face, making it appear both bright and dark.

Xu Yuan narrowed his eyes, pondered for a few moments, chuckled softly, and waved his hand:

"Alright then, I believe what you say, Your Majesty. Take care."

Having said that,

He pushed open the door and stepped out; Li Zhaoyuan's soft voice came from behind him:

"You too, the journey back to Beijing is long, be careful."

Everything fell silent.

Even when no one was around, Li Zhaoyuan's posture remained impeccable.

He sat there quietly, his calm gaze fixed on the white fox pelt left on the table.

[Li Zhaoyuan, I owe you a favor]

What? Then why did you save me?

[This is your mercy, and has nothing to do with me?]

Your hypocritical demeanor is truly disgusting.

[.]

[.]

[My injury is a result of your human race's greed.]

My injury has healed, I'm leaving now, is there anything you want to say?

[You're as utterly despicable as ever. I'll transform back into human form when I return to the Ancient Abyss.]

[This narcissistic man isn't doing this because of you; I'm here to get revenge on that person.]

[.]

[.]

If I die on this journey, will you be sad?

There were no sighs, no complicated expressions, only a tranquility like that of a still lake or deep pool.

Li Zhaoyuan looked up at the sky, slowly raised his hand, then clenched it tightly, and chuckled softly.

The figure disappeared from the attic, and the breeze stirred up gently ruffled the white fox's soft fur.

"I won't."

Stepping out of the attic, Xu Yuan looked up at the pitch-black sky and watched the swirling snowflakes fall.

After standing there for a few moments, he took a step away. As he passed the door of the main room, the door was suddenly pushed open from the inside.

A figure draped in a python robe stepped out, raised his hand, and greeted them with a smile:

"Oh, you're done talking? So fast?"

"Oh, all done? So fast?"

Xu Yuan replied with a smile, "Why are you waiting for me here on purpose?"

"."

Li Yunqing ignored Xu Yuan's lewd remarks, put his hands behind his back, stepped into the snow, and glanced at the pavilion:

"How did your talk with your second brother go?"

"Good."

"Don't be so ambiguous, tell me the details."

"I made him eat your imperial sister-in-law."

"." Li Yunqing.

After a moment of silence, Li Yunqing subconsciously glanced into the room behind him.

Xu Yuan glanced behind him and saw a seductive, snow-white body lying on the bed with her back to the door. The lines of her waist and hips were particularly alluring under the thin gauze quilt.

They looked away and met each other's gaze for a moment.

Xu Yuan glanced at the room again.

Li Yunqing closed the door discreetly.

"What you mean by 'eat' is..."

At this point, he pointed to the door behind him.

Xu Yuan shook his head and made a gesture as if he were eating.

Li Yunqing's lips twitched slightly.

I gave a thumbs up.

It's just unclear whether it's for Xu Yuan in front of him or for Li Zhaoyuan in the pavilion.

Xu Yuan smiled slightly, then asked with a strange grin:

"Heh Junqing, since you don't intend to get involved, why are you asking these questions?"

Li Yunqing composed himself, not asking who the so-called "Emperor's sister-in-law" was, and muttered under his breath:

"I have to ask. What if your conflict escalates and my brother decides to kill you? I'll have to be buried with you."

"That's quite a direct question," Xu Yuan chuckled. "Aren't you afraid your imperial brother will overhear?"

Li Yunqing spread his hands and said very straightforwardly:

"I didn't say anything major or involving any matters of principle, so it's fine to listen to this."

Xu Yuan's words were meaningful:

"You actually knew he could eavesdrop, so you refused me just now because you were afraid your brother would overhear?"

"."

Li Yunqing cursed the bastard inwardly and said in a low voice:

"I'm warning you, don't try to sow discord. I'm completely devoted to my older brother."

"Boring, I'm leaving."

Xu Yuan patted him on the shoulder and then prepared to leave.

Smack

Li Yunqing grabbed Xu Yuan's wrist.

Xu Yuan turned around.

Li Yunqing forced a smile:

"Brother, if you are going back to the capital, why don't you take me with you?"

Xu Yuan's eyes were strange.

Li Yunqing clicked his tongue, glanced at the upper floor, and whispered:

"The Northern Border is about to fall into chaos, and now Father is indecisive. As my elder brother's right-hand man, if I were assassinated, it's unlikely that the matter would be thoroughly investigated."

Xu Yuan chuckled lightly:

"With such a large business guild under your control, you don't even have a single strong individual, do you?"

Li Yunqing clicked his tongue lightly.

"I manage the Imperial Clan Chamber of Commerce. If I dare to get involved in military affairs again, will I lose my head? Don't even mention my royal brother, my father probably won't tolerate me."

Xu Yuan raised an eyebrow.

That emperor and his father were indeed comrades who had spent most of their lives together; their power structures were so similar.

When Hua Hong needs manpower, he usually has to hire people from the Tian'an Martial Hall or the Black Scale Army.

Thinking of this, Xu Yuan stroked his chin and stared at the mistress in front of him:

"Then go find your elder brother. Li Yucheng is the Crown Prince, and he should have many powerful men with him. Why don't you just have him send someone to pick you up?"

If the Crown Prince can protect Li Yunqing, then he will certainly protect him.

To leave such a loyal and devoted younger brother unattended is not only disheartening, but also disheartening.

Li Yunqing's cultivation level is now about the same as his.

One is a fourth-rank Body Fusion, the other a fifth-rank Soul Condensation.

If Xu Yuan were to be assassinated by a high-level cultivator, the outcome might be uncertain, given his presence with his younger sister. However, Li Yunqing would almost certainly not survive.

If a powerful figure were to accompany him, things might be different. Even if he were ultimately assassinated, the accompanying powerful figure could at least glean some clues and evidence from the assassin's Cultivation Method and combat skills, so as to settle scores later.

Li Yunqing looked slightly embarrassed and sighed:

"Isn't it because my elder brother said we can't spare any manpower right now?"

"Can't spare any manpower?"

Xu Yuan's eyes looked a little strange, then he realized what was going on, narrowed his eyes, and smiled:

"So your father won't allow it?"

"."

Li Yunqing didn't dare to answer Xu Yuan's question.

He knows very well what he can say and what he cannot say.

Sometimes he felt really pathetic, having to ask strangers for help just to survive.

Faced with Li Yunqing's expectant gaze, Xu Yuan did not immediately answer her request.

While the ancestral system of princes establishing their own residences and holding official positions could ensure the selection of the best emperor through competition, it was also inevitable that turmoil would occur during the power transition between old and new emperors.

Li Yaoxuan's days are numbered, and on his deathbed he will inevitably pave the way for a new emperor, a path that will surely be fraught with bloodshed.

Xu Yuan was unsure whether the Crown Prince would simply surrender and await his fate, but logically speaking, he shouldn't, and neither should Li Zhaoyuan.

He quite liked Li Yunqing's personality, but the problem was that if he died, it seemed that the Prime Minister's Mansion's mansion would benefit more.

The more turbulent the power transition within the imperial family, the more things the Prime Minister's Mansion can manipulate.

As he pondered, Xu Yuan looked at the face before him that bore a striking resemblance to Li Qingyan's, and sighed:

"Junqing!"

"I'm here," Li Yunqing replied immediately.

I'll take you with me before I leave.

Li Yunqing's face lit up with joy. "How much silver?"

"." Xu Yuan.

With a flick of his sleeve, Xu Yuan chuckled and said:

"No money needed, just consider it a favor you owe me."

Li Yunqing's expression was strange, his eyes scrutinizing.

This kid... did he get a sex change?

Hmm. Could they be plotting something even bigger?

Xu Yuan noticed the other person's gaze and grinned:

"You have to do the job if you take the money. I'm not even sure I'll make it back alive, let alone you."

Li Yunqing's heart sank. He glanced at the pavilion and whispered:

"The talks broke down? Knowing my second brother's personality, he shouldn't be able to resist having an affair with the Empress Dowager."

"Who knows? Anyway, before he left, he said the Imperial Capital was far away and told me to be careful."

"..." Li Yunqing smacked his lips.

Xu Yuan spread his hands, suddenly remembering Li Zhaoyuan's words, and asked softly:

"By the way, do you have wicked servants who bully their masters in your royal harem?"

"Ah?"

Li Yunqing was taken aback, then his eyes showed a hint of hesitation. "Could it be that my second brother said something to you?"

Xu Yuan didn't answer, he just looked at him.

Li Yunqing clicked his tongue, then looked up with a hint of reminiscence:

"I was the third child of the Empress Dowager, so I was never bullied, but my second brother must have had a tough childhood."

Xu Yuan's expression was strange:

"Even princes suffer?"

You don't think so?

Li Yunqing stared at Xu Yuan with a half-smile:

"The power struggles within the harem are no less intense than those in the imperial court."

"Changtian, most of my brothers and sisters died in the womb before they were born, and many died in childhood. I know the names of at least thirteen of them."