Dream

As night deepened and the stars shifted, the bustling Di'an City gradually fell silent.

Xu Yuan sat upright before the tea table, his eyes flickering in the moonlight streaming through the window.

Li Yucheng returned to the palace.

The large room was empty, and the sight of one person sitting alone made it seem rather lonely.

Even though Li Yaoxuan had tacitly allowed him to make some preparations, as the Crown Prince who was already overseeing the country, Li Yucheng still had to carry out his recruitment of officials in secret.

Before dawn, he had to return to the palace to prepare for the morning court session of the new day.

Xu Yuan picked up the teapot that Li Yucheng had brewed before leaving, poured himself a cup, drank it all in one gulp, and a slight smile appeared on his lips.

The person is gone, but the tea is still warm.

That night, the two talked a lot.

Once they started talking, their conversation ranged from basic livelihood issues to current government policies, from external concerns to internal problems, and the two enjoyed themselves immensely.

However, to Xu Yuan's surprise, Li Yucheng never mentioned recruitment at all.

It seems that his previous remarks changed Li Yucheng's mind and reduced the importance he placed on his current false identity.

He rose from a dispensable undercover agent to a trusted advisor who could help him govern the world.

Thinking of this, Xu Yuan sighed softly.

Judging from what I've seen and heard tonight, this Crown Prince, who is now middle-aged, does indeed fit Xu Yuan Yuan's definition of a benevolent ruler.

Of course, all of this is predicated on the premise that Li Yucheng did not play him.

In the power center of the Great Yan, everyone is a Grandmaster of acting who can make you cry. Xu Yuan would naturally not make the mistake of easily trusting others.

However, judging from the way the two talked tonight, he should still have a chance to meet the Crown Prince again.

We can observe further at that time.

Xu Yuan stood up from the tea table and prepared to go and rest.

Although he had broken through the Body Fusion and his body no longer needed sleep, Xu Yuan always felt like something was missing if he didn't sleep at night.

But just then, someone knocked on the wooden door of Heavenly Incense Room.

"Knock knock knock"

Xu Yuan stopped and turned around, instinctively wanting to use his Spirit Sight to investigate, but ultimately restrained himself.

Although Spirit Sight is extremely concealed, it can still be detected by experts at the Mortal Shedding level. In order to avoid exposing his identity, he should not abuse it during this period.

I walked over and opened the door. What came into view was an elderly man who looked a little old, but had sharp eyes.

Xu Yuan sized up the newcomer, and a name flashed through his mind.

Wang Yuqian.

The Vice Minister of Ministry of War, which is also his father in his current capacity.

Xu Yuan glanced at the other person and raised his eyebrows slightly.

He didn't quite understand how the other party had managed to find this place.

Although he was puzzled, Xu Yuan did not speak immediately. He turned around and went into the room, sitting back down at the tea table where he had been talking with Li Yucheng.

But this time,

He took the seat of honor.

The old man had no objection to this and followed Xu Yuan into the room.

The moment he stepped into the room, Xu Yuan slightly raised the finger he was using to pour tea, and the door closed automatically. The array set up inside the room immediately began to operate, completely isolating all sounds from inside and outside.

Xu Yuan poured a cup of fragrant tea for the old man and placed it on the tea table opposite him. He slowly raised his eyes and asked:

"Won't Elder Wang sit down?"

Wang Yuqian looked at the man opposite him who bore a striking resemblance to his son, his expression one of utmost respect. He bowed deeply and then knelt down.

"Yes, Third Young Master."

Xu Yuan smiled slightly, poured himself some tea, and casually asked:

"Old Wang, how did you find this place?"

This room was booked by Li Yucheng, and he had only been gone for less than half an hour when this Ministry of War Minister of War came looking for him. Isn't the Crown Prince being a little too reckless?

Wang Yuqian hesitated slightly upon hearing the question, and replied softly:

"The servant reports that you have reserved two private rooms on the entire Mystic Moon Tower tonight."

Xu Yuan understood instantly upon hearing this:

"It seems that person booked the private room under my name."

"That person?"

Although Wang Yuqian was old, he reacted quickly and subconsciously looked at the two empty porcelain teacups on the side of the tea table.

Xu Yuan smiled slightly and casually said:

"Crown Prince Li Yucheng"

The person before him was someone his father absolutely trusted, so there was naturally no need to hide anything.

and,

The other party is the father of this person, and there are some things that need to be known in advance so that preparations can be made.

"."

Upon hearing this, Wang Yuqian's pupils contracted slightly.

The Third Young Master is secretly meeting with the Crown Prince here?

After a moment's thought, Wang Yuqian subconsciously realized he had almost stumbled upon the Third Young Master's plan, so he immediately bowed and quickly said:

"Third Young Master, this old man had no idea what you would do tonight."

"."

Xu Yuan was somewhat surprised to see the old man's fear and trepidation, but he quickly understood.

Although the other party was a veteran official who had experienced the ups and downs of the court for decades and wielded power that was above all others, this power was rooted in the behemoth that was the Prime Minister's Prime Minister's Mansion.

His feigned death now demonstrates his importance in the Prime Minister's Mansion.

In other words,

In the eyes of this Vice Minister of Ministry of War, Xu Yuan was someone who could decide the life and death of his entire family with a single word, just like Prime Minister.

The thought flashed through his mind, Xu Yuan just smiled and waved his hand, laughing nonchalantly:

Why must Elder Wang do this?

"Tonight's events happened suddenly. I was also summoned here unexpectedly by the Crown Prince. Besides, if outsiders saw you, as a father, being so respectful to your offspring, wouldn't that be too strange?"

"While I am disguising my identity, Mr. Wang only needs to treat me as a junior."

"."

After a moment of silence, Wang Yuqian slowly raised his eyes and nodded hesitantly.

Although she was puzzled as to why the Crown Prince was looking for the Third Young Master, she wisely refrained from asking further questions.

Xu Yuan tapped on the table and asked softly:

"I don't like being tricked into talking. Old Master Wang must have something to tell me, right?"

"Yes, the Prime Minister instructed me to tell the young master that he may return to the residence soon."

"Oh?"

"The Prime Minister said that the formation on the Fourth Miss's side has made some progress, and he needs you Third Young Master, to verify it when you return."

"." Xu Yuan.

After a brief silence, a hint of excitement gradually appeared in Xu Yuan's eyes.

He hadn't expected things to progress so quickly. Less than two months had passed since he told the other party about his needs, Dora A-Yao had already made a breakthrough.

After a moment's hesitation, Xu Yuan stood up and prepared to leave.

Upon seeing this, Wang Yuqian, the Vice Minister of Ministry of War, quickly called out to Xu Yuan, saying:

"Young master, please be patient. I am only here to inform you in advance. It is only the hour of Yin (3-5 AM), and I need to go to the palace for the morning court session. I will be able to take you to the Prime Minister's Mansion after I return."

Xu Yuan was taken aback by these words, then raised his hand to tap his head, sat back down, and laughed:

"Hearing this good news, I forgot about this matter. Thank you for reminding me, Elder Wang."

The Third Young Master of the Prime Minister's Prime Minister's Mansion is dead, and given his current status, there is no reason for him to go to the Prime Minister's Mansion alone.

Moreover, there are many spies from various factions around the Prime Minister's Estate. If he wants to go home, he can only enter the residence legitimately by being accompanied by this old man.

After a pause, Xu Yuan asked softly again:

"Besides that, Old Wang has other matters to attend to."

"None available."

"In that case," Xu Yuan said, raising his teacup and bowing slightly to the other person.

Upon seeing this, Wang Yuqian immediately understood, and a smile appeared on his aged face:

"If there are no major matters at the morning court session, it will likely end around 7:00 AM, so I won't disturb your rest any longer, Third Young Master."

Having said that,

Wang Yuqian slowly stood up and bowed to Xu Yuan.

Before the formalities were completed,

Looking at the old man before him, Xu Yuan glanced at the porcelain cup that Li Yucheng had just used, and as if he had thought of something, suddenly asked:

"Old Wang, what do you think of the Crown Prince?"

The old man was taken aback by these words, his eyes subconsciously glancing at the young man sitting opposite him. After a moment's thought, he said softly:

"What is it that you are referring to, young master?"

Xu Yuan lightly tapped the tea table and said softly:

"The Crown Prince has been regent for over ten years, and Elder Wang is a pillar of the court. He must know the Crown Prince's character quite well, right?"

"As a person."

Wang Yuqian murmured, carefully choosing his words, and said softly:

"In my experience of more than ten years, His Highness the Crown Prince is a gentleman."

"So, he will be a benevolent ruler?"

"."

Wang Yuqian's eye twitched, but he didn't reply.

As a seasoned veteran of the officialdom, he felt he couldn't accept that remark.

However, the fate of the emperor is still uncertain, hence the meaning behind the young master's words.

Noticing the old man's gaze, Xu Yuan immediately realized he had misspoke and chuckled softly:

"Don't take it seriously, it was just a casual remark."

Wang Yuqian nodded with a smile upon hearing this, but the thoughtful look in his eyes deepened.

"." Xu Yuan.

Oh no, it seems like nothing I say will be believed now.

The old man had warned him before that now, his every move, even a casual remark, would be read and analyzed word by word by those below.

He is still struggling to adjust to his new identity.

As Xu Yuan sighed inwardly, he suddenly heard the old man opposite him speak in a slightly probing tone:

"Third Young Master, His Highness the Crown Prince is a gentleman in terms of character, and among the court officials, he is also known as a benevolent ruler. Many of the decrees he issued during his time as regent were indeed related to the livelihood of the common people."

Speaking of this,

Wang Yuqian bowed slightly before continuing:

However, for various reasons, these decrees were basically rejected by the Prime Minister.

Upon hearing this, Xu Yuan's eyes narrowed slightly.

Upon seeing this, Wang Yuqian's voice also became much softer:

"The reason why the Prime Minister criticized them is that the cost of implementing these policies is too high, and it is difficult for them to reach the grassroots government offices."

Xu Yuan rubbed his temples; he understood what the other person meant.

While the implication was that the Crown Prince Prince's policies were somewhat impractical, it was actually a reminder to Xu Yuan that the Prime Minister's attitude towards the Crown Prince was not exactly favorable.

You, as the son, should take it easy.

After a moment of silence, Xu Yuan smiled softly, a smile tinged with mystery:

"I am aware of this matter. Mystic Moon Tower is quite far from the palace. Elder Wang, you should go to court first."

"If it's too late,"

"According to the rules of the imperial court, you may be punished."

Wang Yuqian's body trembled slightly, his posture becoming even more hunched, as he bowed:

"It's the Third Young Master. This old man will take his leave now."

"."

After watching the wooden door of the other room close again, Xu Yuan lay back on the slightly cold wooden floor, his gaze silently fixed on the ornately decorated ceiling.

I don't know how much time passed,

With a soft sigh, Xu Yuan got up from the ground.

He has already made contact with the three princes from the royal family who are qualified to vie for the throne, the eldest, the second, and the third.

If that old man wants to carry on his original ideals, then he will inevitably need to choose one of them as the next partner.

Although the Prime Minister's Mansion is large, without the support of the royal family, given the current state of the world, they would most likely repeat the mistakes of the story in Cangyuan if they fought alone.

From a purely rational perspective, Li Zhaoyuan, who paved his way to the throne with the lives of millions of ordinary people, is actually the most suitable person to become the next emperor under the current circumstances.

It has been two months since I woke up.

Regarding Li Zhaoyuan, numerous internal reports from the Prime Minister's Mansion's residence concerning the Northern Border war all point to one thing:

He has almost completely assimilated the soldiers he borrowed from the sect.

and,

Li Zhaoyuan has begun to gradually break free from the control of the Northern Border by utilizing the various military industries left behind by the sect.

Despite various obstacles, his plan was progressing step by step under his control.

From every angle, the Second Prince Li Zhaoyuan is very much like his father, and he is undoubtedly the best partner for cooperation.

Unfortunately, whether out of personal feelings or from a broader perspective, Li Zhaoyuan was excluded.

Even though he is currently trying his best to break free from the sect's control, it has already made it difficult for the Prime Minister's Mansion to trust him anymore.

As for Li Yucheng...

Xu Yuan slowly walked through the silk curtain and stood on the railing where he had stood with the Crown Prince earlier.

At this moment, Mystic Moon Tower, the moonlight cascaded like a waterfall, but the myriad lights of Di'an City had already been extinguished, and the bustling scene they had shared had transformed into tranquility.

"I want to give it a try."

The gentle words spoken by the middle-aged Crown Prince at that moment subconsciously surfaced in Xu Yuan's mind, and he couldn't help but smile slightly, though the smile was tinged with helplessness.

He learned from Li Yunqing that Li Yucheng was actually very cunning, and even his own younger brother was monitored so closely, but Xu Yuan didn't really care about that.

The other party is at the center of power; if he didn't have the shrewdness behind him, he would probably have been played to death by others long ago. There is actually no conflict between his ruthlessness and vigilance towards political enemies and his benevolence towards the common people.

After talking all night, Xu Yuan found himself admiring Li Yucheng's character.

and,

His words tonight seemed to have planted a seed in the Crown Prince's heart.

If it were a different time, a different place, and a different political climate, Xu Yuan might actually be willing to go on a crazy adventure with this Crown Prince.

Unfortunately, the current state of affairs is insufficient to support their grand ambitions.

Xu Yuan knew very well that some things couldn't be done just because you wanted to.

Ambitious ambitions that exceed reality

That's an unrealistic dream that will crush those who pursue it to pieces.

Thinking of this, Xu Yuan sighed softly and subconsciously looked in the direction of the palace.

After thinking it over,

He still felt that Li Yunqing was the most suitable partner for the Prime Minister's Mansion's residence.