The Agreement

For nearly half a month now, the front of the Prime Minister's Mansion had always been thronged with carriages and horses.

The Immortal Equalization Tax Law had been submitted far too suddenly. The overwhelming majority of the Prime Minister Faction's high-ranking officials had received no prior word whatsoever, so naturally, they rushed to the Prime Minister's Mansion afterward to assess the situation. Yet each had come for a different purpose.

Some came to test the waters and lay their plans for the future.

Some visited merely to pick a side and declare their loyalty.

Still others had come specifically to bid farewell.

Though they were grateful for the Prime Minister's patronage, as the severely wounded censor had said before the court that day, "Once war begins, the common folk will suffer casualties beyond counting." The Prime Minister's Mansion had gone too far; their paths no longer aligned. Retiring from office and returning home, refusing to aid the sect any further—this was already the greatest compromise they could make.

As the highest-ranking person within the Prime Minister's Estate after the Prime Minister entered seclusion, Xu Yuan had made time to receive quite a few senior officials these past days. But this was the first time he had personally come to the estate gates to welcome someone.

Moonlight spilled down as the heavy gates slowly swung open.

Hearing the sound, Li Zhaoyuan glanced sideways from within the carriage waiting before the gates. Seeing that the Prime Minister's Mansion had opened its main entrance, his brow lifted slightly. Then, when he saw the richly dressed young man emerging from within, a flicker of surprise unconsciously crossed his deep-set eyes.

As the Capital City's second imperial palace, the Prime Minister's Estate observed rules in every rite. Though he had entered the capital carrying the