Chance Encounter
Although Wang Yuqian held the high-ranking position of Vice Minister of Ministry of War, his carriage was not luxurious.
There were no soft couches, no tea tables, and no elegant items like incense. The carriage was also a low-level Demon Beast, the Red Date Horse. If it weren't for the purple-gold patterns on the body that were unique to a third-rank official of the imperial court, it would have looked like an ordinary merchant carriage.
The two sat upright inside, and the interior space of the vehicle even seemed somewhat cramped.
However, there was no other way. Keeping the carriage simple meant that even if the emperor couldn't see it, it could at least show that the person was honest and incorruptible to some extent.
Without the aid of shock absorbers, the carriage bumped along the way, and at three-quarters past 9 AM, it finally arrived at the magnificent gate of the Prime Minister's Estate.
Xu Yuan slightly rolled down the car window and peered out.
Somewhat unexpectedly, they weren't the first chassis manufacturers to come and visit.
The wide street in front of the Prime Minister's Mansion was already bustling with activity, with many carriages parked on both sides. The servants and guests of the Prime Minister's Prime Minister's Mansion were constantly guiding these carriages into the residence.
Among them were lavishly decorated unicorn -Demon Horse -drawn carriages, as well as carriages decorated with patterns reserved for high-ranking officials. Xu Yuan even spotted the crimson patterns reserved for second-rank officials.
After a quick glance, Xu Yuan turned his gaze to the old man opposite him in the car:
"Mr. Wang, is today a special day?"
Upon hearing this, Wang Yuqian glanced at the Third Young Master opposite him with a slightly strange expression, and then whispered a reminder:
"With the year-end approaching, the triennial examinations for officials have begun, and the Prime Minister's Mansion's staff from various regions will also be coming to the capital to report on their duties. Taking this opportunity to bring you back to the residence will ensure that no one notices anything amiss."
Upon hearing this, Xu Yuan suddenly realized something, and some memories flooded back to him.
In my increasingly hazy childhood memories, as the year drew to a close, my usually quiet home would inexplicably become much more lively.
At the time, I just thought it was lively and fun, and didn't think much of it, but looking at it now...
No wonder there are rumors circulating that without the Prime Minister's approval, government orders cannot leave the Golden Throne Hall.
A quick glance revealed that the carriages that came to the Prime Minister's Mansion's residence today to pay their respects included more than ten officials of the third or fourth rank, and these people could basically be said to represent half of the court.
Although many carriages came to pay their respects, perhaps because of the purple and gold patterns on the carriages that belonged to a third-rank official, Xu Yuan and his group did not have to wait long.
Soon a steward came to the carriage where they were and led the two of them through an antique side gate along a path into the mansion.
Although there were many people in the mansion, the imposing and majestic buildings of the Prime Minister's Mansion were not noisy. No officials or staff members made a loud noise. They dispersed to various parts of the Prime Minister's Mansion in twos and threes, led by their attendants.
Led by the steward, Xu Yuan and Wang Yuqian arrived at the huge lake inside the Prime Minister's Mansion without any hindrance.
Looking at the beautiful wetland lake in front of him, Xu Yuan subconsciously stopped in his tracks.
Although winter has arrived, the lake has not frozen over, and a gentle breeze makes the surface shimmer.
However, Xu Yuan wasn't looking at the lake, but rather at the pavilion in the center of the lake, and the woman on the pavilion.
It had been quite some time since he woke up, but this was the first time Xu Yuan had seen Ran Qingmo inside the Prime Minister's Mansion.
Her skin was as white as snow, her clothes as black as ink, and her long hair as if it had been washed clean, just as she looked when they parted.
There was no eye contact between them; she simply sat quietly by the window, gazing blankly at the rippling lake.
Staring at the girl's flawless profile, a sigh flickered in Xu Yuan's eyes.
"Young Master Wang, what's wrong?"
The steward's quiet voice interrupted Xu Yuan's thoughts.
Before he could speak, the steward of the Prime Minister's Mansion's residence glanced in the direction Xu Yuan was looking, and then explained softly:
"That was a distinguished guest of the Prime Minister. Even the steward is not allowed to set foot in that area. However, the Fourth Miss used to go there often to see that girl from the Blue Rain Pavilion."
Xu Yuan was taken aback by these words, but then realized that this was the steward's way of showing him goodwill.
The other person was reminding him that although he was the son of a vice minister, that young lady was of even higher status and was not someone he could aspire to be with.
Xu Yuan remained silent for a moment, then withdrew his gaze and nodded slightly.
"Wang was aware of this."
After saying this, the steward smiled slightly and continued to lead the way, while Xu Yuan and Wang Yuqian silently followed behind him.
A gust of cold wind howled through the warm sunshine, scattering fallen leaves from the ancient trees by the lake and bringing the woman in black inside the pavilion back to her senses.
As her gaze fell upon the three people walking across the lake, Ran Qingmo subconsciously glanced at them, finally settling on the back of one of the young men. Her dark pupils then narrowed slightly.
A layer of ice crystals condensed on the window frame, and in the next instant, the girl sitting in the attic suddenly disappeared.
When she reappeared, she was already in front of Xu Yuan and the other two.
Upon seeing the girl blocking his path, the deacon leading the way paused slightly, then immediately bowed respectfully.
"Miss, have you come here for something?"
"."
Ran Qingmo ignored the steward's words and stared directly at the young man among the three.
"."
Their gazes met in the air.
Xu Yuan reacted quickly, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes, but his heart skipped a beat.
He didn't know why Ran Qingmo suddenly blocked his way. Looking at the girl in front of him, he felt a sense of worry, but also a strange sense of anticipation.
But soon,
His worries and expectations vanished together.
He saw a visible hint of disappointment in her clear, beautiful eyes.
"I'm sorry, I mistook you for someone else."
The old man hadn't lied to him after all; no one below the level of a saint could see through this human skin mask.
Thinking to himself, Xu Yuan replied softly in a refined and gentle voice:
"Oh? Does Mr. Wang resemble the young lady's old friend?"
Ran Qingmo stared at Xu Yuan's face for a few moments, then gently shook her head.
"Just a glimpse of his back."
After saying that, Xu Yuan wanted to say something more to the Big Ice Block, but Ran Qingmo had already lowered her head in disappointment, silently turned around and walked alone across the water towards the Lake Heart Pavilion.
"."
Watching that desolate figure depart, Xu Yuan unconsciously pursed his lips slightly.
Because of the deal he made with the State Preceptor, he had that father weave an elaborate information cocoon for the Big Ice Block.
No one in the Prime Minister's Mansion was allowed to mention his death.
And given that Big Ice Block was always cultivating, he wouldn't casually leave the Prime Minister's Mansion.
Therefore, even though news of his death had been circulating for half a month, Big Ice Block was still completely unaware of it.
Thinking of this, Xu Yuan clenched his fist slightly.
But seeing her sitting by the window in a daze today, I suppose she has already become somewhat suspicious.
after all,
She once told him that she wasn't stupid.