No Regrets for the Move

Night deepened.

The lights of Di'an City flickered and spread under the moonless night, and pedestrians thronged the well-connected temple fair streets. Red Cangyang patrolling the streets took off and landed at the Drill Ground of the Exotic Beast Bureau at the four corners of the outer city, while in the more distant night sky, the flying beasts of the City Defense Bureau patrolling the city could be vaguely seen, leaving trails of faint blue light as they reported on the situation in the outskirts of Di'an.

The bustling prosperity of the capital seemed to have disturbed the heavens, and as a night breeze blew by, wisps of white light quietly drifted down to earth.

The fiery red ancient city was adorned with a touch of purity by the falling snow, adding a unique winter tranquility to the bustling city.

Following the myriad lights upwards, at the deepest part of the imperial city and palace, atop Nine Dragon Mountain stands a tall pavilion in the shadows of the night. The light emanating from the pavilion's roof is like a pair of eyes, silently watching the magnificent prosperity of the ancient city below.

A cold wind howled, and a snowflake drifted down from the dark sky, falling into the room through the cracks in the window frame, where it was gently caught by a wrinkled hand.

Watching the crystal-clear snowflakes in my palm gradually melt away, a cool sensation spread from my palm.

Clench your fist; the snow water will evaporate.

Leaning against the bed by the window, Li Yaoxuan gazed at the swirling snow outside, a complex emotion flickering in his cloudy eyes.

"Is this snow never going to stop?"

The room was dimly lit, with only a few candles casting flickering flames, and another figure could be vaguely seen in the shadows of the room.

Eunuch Nie, dressed in a python robe bestowed upon him, stood to the side. Hearing the sound, he raised his eyes and tentatively observed the Emperor's expression before speaking softly:

"Your Majesty, you are burdened with state affairs. Please take care of your health. This snow should stop by next spring."

"I know."

Li Yaoxuan's deep voice was very soft, with a hint of weakness. "But my time is running out."

Eunuch Nie opened his mouth, but after nearly a century of companionship, he swallowed his words.

The Emperor does not need sympathy, much less the comfort of these hypocritical words of "Long live the Emperor."

The elegant, dimly lit attic fell silent. With a few soft coughs, the hunched figure projected on the wall appeared somewhat frail.

After putting away the blood-stained cloth, Li Yaoxuan seemed to remember something and asked:

"A few days ago, I sensed a sword outside the city. What were the results of the Imperial Shadow Guard's investigation?"

Upon hearing this, Eunuch Nie quickly stepped forward, bowed before the bed, and took out a secret letter from his sleeve, presenting it with both hands:

"When the Imperial Shadow Guard went to investigate, the traces of the battle had already been cleared away, leaving only a patch of destroyed farmland. Before I could investigate further, His Highness the Third Prince approached me."

"His Highness said he did it, and he wanted to capture Princess Xien before going to Dongying Island."

"That's more like something the third brother would do."

Li Yaoxuan showed no surprise. He reached out and took the letter, unfolding the folded Xuan paper inside. "How did the third prince explain the relationship with the Prime Minister's Mansion's residence?"

"Your Majesty, before Xu Changtian was assassinated, Your Highness lent him one of your personal attendants," Eunuch Nie replied softly, his head bowed. "This time, we're using that favor to ask the Prime Minister's Mansion's residence for help."

Li Yaoxuan's gaze swept upwards for a moment as he surveyed the Xuan paper:

"Hmm, the one the Crown Prince gave to the third prince?"

"Yes, and that attendant is dead."

Is that so?

Li Yaoxuan lowered his eyelids again and said unhurriedly, "This favor is indeed enough, but it probably won't be enough to persuade Feng Jiuxuan to come. In other words, the sword I sensed that night belonged to the eldest son of the Xu Family."

As they spoke, Li Yaoxuan had already finished reading the thousands of words of investigation results on the Xuan paper. The firelight from the burning Xuan paper illuminated his aged face, which was tinged with a hint of death, but his words carried a smile:

"The Xu Family is as shameless as ever. Since they agreed to the third son's request, they actually took the person away afterwards. But in that case, it's highly likely that they found what they wanted from that Princess Xien."

As he spoke, Li Yaoxuan gently pressed his temples and glanced out the window:

"Xu Yinhe is currently hosting a private banquet at his Prime Minister's Estate. Send someone over to demand an explanation from them on behalf of the Third Prince."

"Do you want the person directly?" Eunuch Nie hesitated slightly.

"We can ask for people, or we can ask for other things, but in short, the Prime Minister's Mansion needs to give us an explanation."

Li Yaoxuan gently shook his head. "The third prince reported this matter to you because he wanted me to stand up for him, didn't he?"

Upon hearing this Eunuch Nie understood.

From a public standpoint, Princess Xien was also an envoy from another country stationed at the Grand Court of State Ceremonial, and it would be against the rules for the Prime Minister's Mansion to imprison her privately.

Personally, this matter was handled by His Highness the Third Prince, and it was against the rules for the Prime Minister's residence to detain Princess Xien, turning the Prime Minister's Mansion on the guests.

Rules are a good thing.

The power of the Prime Minister's Estate allows them to act like thugs and refuse to hand over the person in this matter, but if they really do that, then the Li family, the imperial family, can turn the tables on them in other matters in the future.

but

"Your Majesty, shall we depart tonight?"

"You think it's unacceptable?"

"But tonight is the last day of the Prime Minister's Mansion banquet at the Prime Minister's residence." Eunuch Nie glanced discreetly at the old man on the bed.

Over the decades, the Prime Minister's Mansion has developed its own set of rules.

The days leading up to the grand banquet were a mixed bag, including members of the Imperial Faction, members of the Sect Alliance, and rising talents, serving as a platform for the powerful and influential of the Great Yan to negotiate and exchange ideas.

But the final dinner was completely different.

The Prime Minister's Estate will activate its protective array, severing all internal connections with the outside world. Those who can participate in the banquet are all true high-ranking members of the Prime Minister's Estate.

They went there at that time to demand an explanation.

"I know."

Li Yaoxuan's voice was calm. "So not only should we go, but we should go openly and honestly."

"."

Eunuch Nie understood what the Emperor wanted to do.

Members of the royal family rarely participate in this year-end banquet at the Prime Minister's Estate.

This ambiguous attitude of turning a blind eye is easily perceived by those with discerning eyes as a sign that the relationship between the emperor and the prime minister has not yet broken down.

Sending someone tonight to demand an explanation for His Highness the Third Prince is just a pretext. Even without this, the Emperor would have sent someone for other reasons.

This is sending a signal.

After a brief silence, Eunuch Nie said in a low voice:

"Your Majesty, once a move is made, there's no going back."

"."

silence.

The cold wind howled, and the silence was eerily quiet.

Li Yaoxuan did not answer Eunuch Nie's question.

"Yes, ma'am. I'll go and make the arrangements right away."

Eunuch Nie took a breath, bowed deeply, took a few steps back, and turned to leave.

The cold wind seeping in through the window disturbed the candlelight and also ruffled the old man's dry white hair.

He gazed in the direction of the Prime Minister's Prime Minister's Mansion for a long time, then sighed softly.

"It's better to make a move and never regret it than to remain indecisive."

A brand new month, time to shut myself in and write.