He Died

After a slight moment of distraction, Xu Yuan subconsciously stood up, his voice slightly questioning:

"Didn't she go to the State Preceptor's residence to celebrate the New Year today? Why is she still here?"

As he spoke, Xu Yuan rubbed his dizzy head and headed toward the inner courtyard gate. However, he was really drunk. Even walking in a straight line in the flat hall would take three turns. The dizzying atmosphere around him made it difficult for him to maintain his balance, even when he was using the Blood Origin Heart-Fall Technique. He had to take a few quick steps and grab onto the beams and pillars in the hall to avoid falling flat on his face.

The wind and snow gently caressed his black robe. Xu Yinhe at the entrance of the hall, glancing back at Xu Yuan's slightly amused gesture, his voice calm:

It's almost time for the hour of Chou (1-3 AM).

1:00 AM (丑时)

After a moment's thought, Xu Yuan realized that Ran Qingmo Shi (1-3 AM) was after Zi Shi (11 AM-1 PM). The distance between the State Preceptor's residence and the Prime Minister's Estate's residence was not actually that far. The journey by ordinary beast-drawn carriage would only take about a quarter of an hour. Ran Qingmo's walking speed would certainly be even shorter. However, according to his father, Ran Qingmo had already been wandering around outside for almost half an hour.

Thinking of this, Xu Yuan, supporting himself on the beam, sighed softly:

"She probably spent the New Year with the State Preceptor and then came back."

That's roughly it.

Xu Yuan chuckled softly and then fell silent.

"Aren't you going to see her?"

"."

When drunk, thoughts run slow, and the strings of reason snap easily, but Xu Yuan wasn't at that point yet. After a moment of silence, he glanced at the snow falling under the dark sky and said softly:

"If I had seen her tonight, why have I hidden it in the first place?"

However, after a moment of silence, Xu Yuan still asked:

"Father, how long will this faked death last?"

Xu Yinhe glanced towards the direction of the palace with his deep eyes and said:

"At least, until he passes away."

Xu Yuan's expression turned slightly serious:

"Li Yaoxuan?"

Xu Yinhe's voice was very calm:

"Besides him, there should be no one else in the dynasty whose death can be described as 'imperial demise'."

"I see."

Xu Yuan's voice carried a hint of disappointment.

Xu Yinhe hesitated for a moment, then spoke up to explain:

"He will definitely make a move against the Prime Minister's Mansion before he dies. I am not afraid, but you cannot."

Xu Yuan gently shook his head:

"I suddenly remembered that the Heavenly Oversight Pavilion said Li Yaoxuan would pass away last year."

Xu Yinhe glanced at Xu Yuan with slight surprise and reminded him:

"Such unfounded predictions are not credible."

"I know."

Xu Yuan responded softly, but there was a hint of regret in his eyes.

According to the timeline of "Cangyuan", the prediction of the Heavenly Oversight Pavilion was actually quite accurate. In the 46th year of Jiajing, the Jiajing Emperor did indeed pass away.

However, after a moment's pause, Xu Yuan straightened up, glanced in the direction of the inner courtyard gate, and said:

"Father, can I ask you for a favor?"

Xu Yinhe's expression remained unchanged, and his words were still sharp and incisive:

"About the Sword Sect?"

Xu Yuan smiled upon hearing this:

"Nothing can be hidden from you."

A hint of helplessness flashed in Xu Yinhe's eyes:

"Ever since your first return to the capital, you've been studying a lot of internal documents about the Sword Sect in your study. But such matters are beyond my control. The Sword Sect is the leader of the Sect Alliance, and only by eliminating it with swift and decisive measures can we deter other sects."

Xu Yuan rubbed his temples, stepped forward, a knowing smile playing on his lips, and said:

"Of course I know that, but Father, what I mean is, could the affairs of the Sword Sect be entrusted to me?"

Xu Yinhe's eyes instantly sharpened like a hawk's as he stared at Xu Yuan:

"You've already discussed this matter with your father once."

After killing Qin Mo, the main character of the story, in Jingjiang Prefecture, Xu Yuan had already used the Heavenly Message Crystal on Xu Changge's body to ask his father for a chance.

But this time, he wanted more.

With eyes fixed on him, perhaps due to intoxication, Xu Yuan seemed unconcerned. After taking a deep breath, he said softly:

"Last time I just asked for a chance, this time I want to take full responsibility for it."

Things are different now. Back then, he could only begin his cultivation. Now, after experiencing Flourishing Mountain and the Northern Border, he believes his father will give him that opportunity again.

Xu Yinhe slowly closed his eyes and asked softly:

"Because of Ran Jianli's disciple?"

Xu Yuan smiled slightly:

"Yes, I promised her I would find a way to save the Sword Sect, and she believed me."

A thoughtful look crossed Xu Yinhe's eyes, as if he understood something, but he still uttered a single sentence in a low voice:

"This is a promise that cannot be kept."

How will you know it can't be done if you don't try?

"Changtian, you're still a little drunk tonight."

"If I were truly drunk, I would have already gone to see Ran Qingmo."

"."

"."

The wind and snow howled, and the hall was silent.

Xu Yinhe clenched and unclenched the fists behind his back, letting out a helpless sigh.

What are you planning to do?

Xu Yuan was delighted to hear this, but looking at the middle-aged man with graying temples in front of him, his feelings were inexplicably complicated.

This father was so good to them. Even though destroying the Sword Sect was an important part of his grand plan, he was still willing to make changes because of him.

After carefully considering his words with slow, deliberate thought, Xu Yuan quickly said:

"I've actually been working on this for a long time, but I can't tell you the specific plan yet, Father. All I can tell you now is that if my plan goes smoothly, we won't even need to use force against the Sword Sect."

Xu Yinhe smiled slightly upon hearing this.

"Changtian, you can't fulfill a promise by making another one."

This reply was not unexpected for Xu Yuan.

Making empty promises is a skill, but this old man is clearly not the type to accept empty promises.

Xu Yuan chuckled softly, looked at his father, and said:

"Therefore, I will not seek any assistance from the Prime Minister's Prime Minister's Mansion in this matter. I only need you to inform me of your entire plan against the Sword Sect, and then grant me the authority to command that commander once when the plan is implemented. Just once will suffice."

Xu Yinhe still didn't agree immediately. After pondering for a moment, he asked:

"What if your plan fails?"

"I will personally destroy the Sword Sect."

"."

"."

After receiving his father's promise, Xu Yuan braved the wind and snow and staggered out of the main hall of the inner courtyard. On his way back to his own courtyard, he inevitably passed by the main gate of the inner courtyard.

The snow on the ground had reached above ankle height in the past hour or so, and the crunching sound of footsteps carried far in the quiet night.

Xu Yuan's gaze lingered on the heavy, wide courtyard gate for a moment before he silently looked away, without stopping in his tracks.

Ran Qingmo should be behind that door.

On this long New Year's Eve, she wanted to come to the inner courtyard to ask him if he had gone home for the New Year, but she was afraid of disturbing their reunion.

He could even picture the Big Ice Block pacing behind that door, hesitating whether or not to knock.

A smile unconsciously crept onto Xu Yuan's lips, but he didn't stop walking.

The sound of his footsteps in the Big Ice Block.

Separated by only a door, Ran Qingmo could probably see him with just a slight probe Will Soul.

However, Xu Yuan was not worried at all.

Because her master said it was impolite.

Therefore, during his travels, Big Ice Block never Will Soul to randomly explore other people's courtyards.

Lost in thought, Xu Yuan had unknowingly passed the inner courtyard gate and returned to his own courtyard with his eyes lowered.

However, whether it was due to his drunkenness or just his imagination, before he stepped into his own courtyard, he heard the inner gate seem to have been opened from the inside.

Xu Yinhe's gaze calmly swept over the snow outside the door, which was covered with footprints, and landed on the girl in black standing at the door.

The girl in black stopped in her tracks, her dark eyes widening as she looked at the suddenly opened door and the middle-aged man standing in the doorway.

She seemed surprised that someone would suddenly open the door.

However, after seeing who it was, he understood.

She's been discovered.

A moment of silence,

Ran Qingmo looked at the middle-aged man at the door and cautiously asked:

"Uncle, did Xu Yuan come home today?"

"."

Without an immediate response, the middle-aged man stared silently at the girl in black, seemingly considering something.

After a long while,

Under Ran Qingmo's expectant gaze, Xu Yinhe softly said:

He is dead.

"."

"."

Silence. The sound of falling snow can be heard.

A cautious expression froze on Ran Qingmo's face. She blinked, then her beautiful, dark eyes widened. Her slender red fingers clenched tightly beneath her sleeves, and her red lips parted as if she wanted to say something, but no words came out.

She's not stupid.

She immediately recalled what she had seen and heard in the Prime Minister's Mansion these past few days.

None of the servants or guests in the Prime Minister's Mansion ever mentioned Xu Yuan.

This is unreasonable.

It's really unreasonable.

"Creak."

In silence,

She instinctively took a step back into the snow, her gaze shifting from serene to chaotic as she looked at the middle-aged man in the black robe. Her breathing became labored, her usually calm and elegant voice now tinged with confusion and bewilderment.

"He's dead?"

Seeing the girl's reaction, Xu Yinhe sighed inwardly, his expression remaining unchanged, and his voice maintaining the same tone:

"Yes, he just said it himself."

Happy Lantern Festival!