I

Xu Yuan frowned slightly, his expression looking somewhat strange.

He knew the saying that the imperial family was the most ruthless, but hearing for the first time about the bloodshed beneath the glittering golden throne still made him feel somewhat uncomfortable.

Thirteen.

These are not outsiders, but one's beloved blood relatives.

Seeing Xu Yuan's expression, Li Yunqing raised his hand and patted him on the shoulder, smiling nonchalantly:

"This number is only what I know; there are likely many more that I don't know."

As he spoke, a hint of regret and relief crept into his voice:

"Fortunately, I was born into a good family. No one dares to offend the Queen Mother, otherwise, it would be questionable whether I would even be born alive."

Xu Yuan exhaled a puff of white mist in the cold, snowy night, a half-smile playing on his lips:

"Your family members are truly cold-blooded."

Li Yunqing's smile remained unchanged as he stared at him meaningfully for several moments before suddenly smiling:

"Changtian, if your family doesn't fall, it will most likely end up like mine."

"Same as yours?"

Xu Yuan chuckled and brushed his hand away, "Junqing, are you implying something to me?"

"."

Li Yunqing hissed, "Don't do that. Let's be sincere with each other. This is the only way for every great Lineage to survive."

Speaking of this,

Li Yunqing rubbed his wrist:

"You should know that a large part of your Xu Estate's wealth actually comes from the Feng Family, right?"

Xu Yuan stared at the other person:

"Of course I know that."

When that father first entered the capital, he was the most talented in both literature and military affairs in the world. After Li Yaoxuan ascended the throne, he was promoted to Ministry of Revenue and then married his mother, who was the eldest daughter of the Feng Family.

Of course, although it's called a wedding, it's actually more like a son-in-law moving into his wife's family.

After all, the Feng Family was a true aristocratic Aristocratic Clan back then, having produced two empresses and four imperial concubines in the past five hundred years, and possessing the third largest merchant guild in the world, apart from the two state-owned merchant guilds of the Great Yan Dynasty and the royal family.

The Prime Minister's Mansion has been able to develop to its current state thanks in no small part to the assistance of the Feng Family.

Li Yunqing let out a long breath, his voice lingering:

"Since you know this, do you know where the Feng Family's descendants are now?"

Xu Yuan's eyes showed a thoughtful look:

"Most of them live in the Feng Family home at the Serene Elegance Mountain."

Li Yunqing shook his head:

"Changtian".

"What I'm referring to is why the Feng Family, who once Imperial Capital, now has no members left in the Imperial Capital?"

"Well, your maternal uncle doesn't count. Although his surname is Feng, he doesn't handle affairs."

Xu Yuan narrowed his eyes but remained silent.

Li Yunqing chuckled softly.

"It seems you didn't know?"

"."

Xu Yuan lowered his eyes slightly.

As the first in line to inherit the throne in private, he had naturally read many stories about his father's youth, but this past history of the Prime Minister's Mansion's residence was only briefly mentioned in the internal reports.

After pondering for a while, Xu Yuan patted his robes and went to a snow-covered pavilion in the courtyard.

"I've heard of it, but there aren't many records in the Prime Minister's Mansion's internal documents."

Li Yunqing stood still, and upon hearing this, he smiled slyly.

"Because your father got rid of all those disobedient old fogies in the Feng Family."

"Yes, your maternal grandfathers, your dozen or so uncles and aunts, and even your infant cousins—if they posed any threat, Lord Xu eliminated them all without exception."

"So, Changtian, the love and harmony you have in your family now is built on the bloodshed of the Feng Family's annihilation."

"."

Xu Yuan subconsciously stopped in his tracks, turned around, and looked back calmly:

Why are you telling me this?

Li Yunqing grinned, his eyes deep and unfathomable.

"I just feel that Changtian doesn't seem to understand some things thoroughly enough. If things continue like this, you're unlikely to become the next Lord Xu."

"."

Suddenly, there was silence.

In the stillness of the night, a soft laugh suddenly broke the silence.

Xu Yuan stared at him:

"Junqing, is our relationship really that good?"

Li Yunqing also smiled and shook his head:

"No, but I think we're quite similar in some ways, so I hope you can make it to the end."

"If that's the case, why don't you take to the field yourself?"

"Because I'm afraid of dying."

"." Xu Yuan.

Seeing the other person's smug expression, Xu Yuan's narrow, phoenix-shaped eyes narrowed slightly.

Is it true that I'm afraid of death?

It might be true, but it's more likely not.

With a sigh, Xu Yuan chuckled softly:

"Then Junqing."

As he spoke, Xu Yuan lowered his voice slightly and glanced at the dark sky to the side:

"But you're overthinking it."

"In life, one should have things to do and things not to do."

Li Yunqing chuckled, his tone somewhat sarcastic:

"Third Young Master, you can say this now because you have a choice. When you don't have a choice, everything you do will just be empty talk."

Xu Yuan's eyes flickered for a moment, but he did not deny it:

"Perhaps, but there should be a bottom line in everything."

A moment of silence,

Xu Yuan then looked at the other person as if he had thought of something, and asked with a strange expression:

"Li Yunqing, why are you suddenly having such a heart-to-heart talk with me? Are you afraid I won't take you back to the capital?"

"." Li Yunqing.

After a few quiet moments, Li Yunqing immediately denied it:

"No, no, how could that be?"

"."

Xu Yuan turned around and walked straight towards the mansion's gate, waving his hand without looking back.

"Heh, no need to see me off, I'm leaving."

"Well, about our trip back to Beijing, brother?"

"Tsk, why don't you try another one? Go keep your girlfriend company."

"."

Li Yunqing didn't say anything more. After watching Xu Yuan's figure disappear around the corner of the archway, he chuckled and went straight into the room.

With the door closed, all wind and cold were kept out.

The beautiful courtesan who had been lying on the bed with her back to the door had now sat up.

Her voluptuous, curvaceous figure was draped only in a thin blue and white veil, revealing glimpses of her fair and rosy skin beneath.

Watching him return to the house, the alluring courtesan smiled, her voice soft and gentle:

"That Third Young Master noticed?"

Li Yunqing removed his python robe, sat down on the edge of the bed, and lay down, resting his head on the woman's plump, jade-like legs.

"What did you see?"

The alluring courtesan smiled gently, her smile soft and tender.

"Naturally, it refers to the relationship between this servant and Your Highness."

Li Yunqing looked at the blue bed curtains and said softly:

"On the way back to the capital, he knew my temperament. I don't care about women I don't love, and that guy would definitely notice something like closing a door."

The alluring courtesan shifted slightly, gently pressing the man's forehead, her eyes showing no trace of jealousy.

"Oh? Your Highness was frightened by the Third Young Master and the Second Prince?"

"To be honest, a little."

Li Yunqing pondered for a moment, then chuckled softly:

"I couldn't bring myself to do that to you."

The alluring courtesan paused for a moment, a gentle glint in her eyes, and murmured:

"Your Highness, you are still too soft-hearted."

Li Yunqing lay on his side, his fingertips tracing between the woman's legs:

"Back then, after Father Emperor entrusted part of the Imperial Shadow Guard to me, my elder brother immediately arranged for you to monitor me. If you don't submit, you won't survive."

The alluring courtesan paused for a moment, bit her lip, and whispered:

"Your Highness, you were almost mistaken for..."

"Shh."

Li Yunqing gently placed his index finger between the alluring courtesan's full, red lips, and took a deep breath, looking completely bewildered. "That's why we have to follow Xu Changtian. If he dies on the way back to the capital, I'll really be dead."

A seductive blush spread across the alluring courtesan's face, and she slightly tightened her legs.

"His Majesty's actions are likely a reminder to Your Highness."

"What are you reminding me of?"

Li Yunqing's voice was laced with laughter, deep and resonant. "Just a reminder to me, not fighting or grabbing might also mean you could die at any moment?"

"Yes"

The alluring courtesan's face flushed even more, and her soft voice trembled slightly:

"Anything the Crown Prince possesses can be yours, Your Highness, after all... after all, the Empress is actually..."

"I know this, but I cannot bring myself to harm my elder brother. After this trip, I will send troops out to sea."

The alluring courtesan's eyes held a complex expression. "Your Highness, I don't know how."

"Alright, my mind is made up."

Li Yunqing interrupted the alluring courtesan, teasingly saying, "In this atmosphere, it would be rather unappetizing to talk about state affairs instead of romance. We haven't seen each other for a long time, shouldn't we catch up? Relax, Your Majesty."

As soon as he finished speaking,

Apart from the rustling of clothes and the chirping of a nightingale, there was no other sound from inside the room.

Walking out of the mansion gate alone, Xu Yuan looked at the Black Dragon Carriage parked under the ancient sycamore tree and walked slowly towards it.

But just as he stepped off the gate, a familiar, husky female voice rang out from the side:

"Did Second Brother eat?"

"."

Upon hearing this, Xu Yuan stopped in his tracks, startled.

Looking back, I saw a woman in a red robe leaning against the wall with her arms crossed. A few snowflakes on the shoulders of her red robe told me that she had been there for some time.

His Spirit Sight couldn't detect this wicked woman anymore.

Li Qingyan's beautiful crimson eyes gleamed with a bewitching light in the shadows as she asked in a low voice:

Why aren't you saying anything?

No wonder it's a military formation.

Xu Yuan realized what was happening and then smiled gently:

Why are you here?

Li Qingyan walked over with her long, slender legs, a smile in her eyes. She glanced at the Black Dragon Carriage and spoke with a hint of mockery:

"Your Highness, my young master requests your presence for a chat."

"With such blatant public display, I can't help but pretend I didn't hear it."

Xu Yuan raised an eyebrow, glanced at the stray snowflakes in her dark hair, leaned closer, and smiled:

"You were covered in snow, but you came right over as soon as you heard. Were you worried about me?"

Li Qingyan was very tall, with a slender and graceful figure that made it almost impossible for her to look him in the eye.

Blinking, Li Qingyan's eyes curved into crescent moons, her hair glistening like jade in the wind and snow. She tiptoed and breathed Ru Lan into his ear:

"Yes, I was worried. Are you surprised?"

"."

The delicate fragrance from the woman's hair wafted into his nostrils on the breeze, causing his heart to flutter slightly for a moment.

No, that wicked woman is trying to trick him again.

"That was indeed somewhat unexpected."

Looking at her earlobe so close to his face, Xu Yuan let out a soft sigh, "I thought you'd be very busy in the military."

Her earlobes flushed slightly, and Li Qingyan subtly took a step back, saying softly:

"It is indeed quite busy, but we haven't broken camp yet, and with a deputy general overseeing things inside, I can spare some time to come out."

Then she asked:

"So, my second brother ate it."

Xu Yuan turned and walked into the carriage:

"I ate it, and I ate it with great relish."

Upon hearing this, Li Qingyan frowned slightly, a cold glint appearing on her red lips, and strode after him:

"I thought I would need to step in."

"."

Xu Yuan suddenly stopped, the snow on the road sank, and he turned around, staring at her with a slightly strange look in his eyes.

They locked eyes for a moment,

Li Qingyan also stopped in her tracks, a hint of doubt flashing in her sharp, beautiful eyes, and she chuckled softly:

"What? It's only been a few hours, and you look at me like I don't recognize you."

Xu Yuan crossed his arms, stroked his chin, and said strangely:

"Wait a minute, Qingyan, why aren't you referring to yourself as 'this palace' anymore?"

"."

Li Qingyan remained silent for a moment, his eyes looking at someone as if they were an idiot.

"You reacted quickly."

"Oh, of course." Xu Yuan laughed.

"."

Li Qingyan narrowed his eyes, his gaze turning dangerous.

As Xu Yuan wondered what was happening, she suddenly raised a jade-like finger and pressed it against his chest, then with a slight effort, easily pinned him against the Black Dragon Carriage behind him.

"Thump!"

The vehicle didn't shake, but the dull thud was particularly noticeable in the quiet snowy night.

Her exquisite features were hidden in the shadows, her eyes gleaming with a soft light, and her voice was gentle:

"Changtian, when we headed south, I always addressed you as 'me,' you... your reaction was indeed quite quick."

"?"

"." Li Qingyan.

Xu Yuan leaned against the cold car body, his expression strange.

Li Qingyan shook his head, turned around and left.

"If you don't remember, then forget it."

"."

Xu Yuan suddenly realized what was happening and reached out to grab her fair wrist.

Li Qingyan didn't dodge; she turned and glanced at him quietly.

Xu Yuan chuckled softly:

"You mentioned telepathy. When we're all together, you always refer to yourself as 'This Empress,' so I didn't notice."

"Oh"

Are you angry?

"I'm angry?"

"As expected, you're still angry. Commander, you should be more magnanimous. You're not Tianyan, why are you getting angry over something like this?"

"." Tianyan.

After a moment of silence, Li Qingyan rolled her eyes at him, ignored him, and casually asked:

"I'm not going to waste time with your nonsense. When are you planning to leave?"

Xu Yuan pondered for a moment upon hearing this:

"It should be within the next two days. The Northern Border is too complicated right now, and with my low cultivation level, staying here would only be a burden."

Li Qingyan raised his crimson eyes and glanced at the dark sky, then asked:

"What arrangements did Chief Lou make?"

"Not yet determined."

Xu Yuan shook his head, then glanced at Li Yunqing's residence and asked in a low voice:

"But Qingyan, it seems your younger brother has a lover?"

"What?" Li Qingyan's eyes showed confusion.

Xu Yuan murmured thoughtfully:

"Looks like he doesn't know, but that guy actually brought his lover to such a dangerous place."

Li Qingyan frowned slightly, keenly sensing something amiss:

"What's the meaning?"

Xu Yuan pondered for a moment, then shook his head:

"It's nothing, maybe I'm overthinking it."

Li Qingyan narrowed his eyes:

"Xu Changtian, explain yourself. If you don't, I will go find him myself."

Xu Yuan pulled her back and said with a smile:

"They're just doing serious business, what are you doing going in there, older sister? If you want to learn, I can teach you."

Li Qingyan turned her head and stared at his smiling gaze, letting out an unnatural soft hum:

"Since you don't want me to get involved, then you can handle it yourself."

Before the words were finished,

'Thump!'

The car swayed slightly. Xu Yuan braced himself against the car and looked at her, who was so close to him.

"After this parting, I don't know when we'll meet again. Qingyan, is there nothing you'd like to say to me?"

A winter's lament, a chilling wind howls, and snow falls in disarray.

Her jade-like back pressed tightly against the cold car body, Li Qingyan looked into the smiling eyes of the man before her:

"You want my promise?"

Xu Yuan chuckled, and the two drew a little closer together:

"Li Qingyan is a man of his word? I dare not believe that."

Li Qingyan leaned back slightly, revealing her swan-like white neck, her hair resting against the carriage window, her voice carrying a seductive tone:

"So you want something more practical, like teaching me 'serious business'?"

I haven't missed an update in a month.

I'm begging for monthly votes, sob sob.