Ying'er took Xu Yuan to a place in the northwest of the estate, a cluster of courtyards guarded with extraordinary vigilance.
Xu Yuan knew this place well.
Because in the enormous Jingjiang Xu Estate, this was the only area he, despite being its master, had no permission to enter.
Of course,
that might also have had something to do with his habit of borrowing things from his own household and selling them.
Xu Yuan reckoned there was probably some kind of treasure vault somewhere in this area. That was why they guarded it like thieves were lurking about—even from him, the Third Young Master.
Still, he did remember having been inside once or twice.
His old man and Xu Changge would occasionally call him, and the "phone" was located underground in this area.
But what could an old man and his son possibly have to talk about on the phone?
When he spoke with Xu Changge, they could at least yell at each other a few times if they got riled up. But when he spoke with his Prime Minister father, they had absolutely nothing in common.
Their conversations were almost always the same template—
"Father, you wanted to see me."
"Mm."
Two sentences, then silence.
"How have you been lately?"
"Fine."
"Mm."
"Mm."
Then more silence.
His father would ask a question, he would answer, and then they would both fall silent.
Once the silence became so awkward that neither side could stand it, the call from the Imperial Capital would cut off without a word.
For his father, calling him didn't necessarily mean he had something to discuss. Most of the time, he just wanted to hear his son's voice.
The underground chamber was vast and quiet.
The only thing in the enormous room was a crystal sphere