Let Me Explain, Fairy
Chapter 219 - 174 Major Event

Chapter 219: Chapter 174 Major Event

"Father, do you mean... he will commit suicide?"

Xu Yuan frowned.

Xu Yinhè’s voice was even-tempered, his conviction stemming from past witness:

"Yes."

Xu Yuan hesitated slightly before asking:

"But I have already promised him that I would ask you to spare him."

Intelligent men are not fearless of death. With his promise, why would he still seek death?

Xu Yinhè didn’t follow Xu Yuan’s words, but instead posed a sudden question:

"Thirty years ago, Lou Ji sowed the seeds of spring on behalf of Father throughout the land. Most of these seeds have perished, Bai Zhao is one of the fruits that ripened. I indeed agree with what you’ve just said—many people reach their limits because of the platforms they are on, not their own limitations. Perhaps Bai Zhao is such a person.

"But Father wants to ask you a question."

"Please ask."

"Who is Father?"

"..."

Silence.

The abrupt question caught Xu Yuan off guard, making him subconsciously glance at Xu Xinyao beside him.

Xu Xinyao shook her head, indicating she too did not understand their father’s meaning.

After a long pause,

he had a guess in his heart, but said with some uncertainty:

"The Prime Minister of Dayan?"

Xu Yinhè was pleased with his third son’s perceptive nature, nodding with a smile before asking:

"Then, what kind of issue requires you to plead with Father to save him, this seed once casually sown by Father?"

"....." Xu Yuan’s pupils contracted.

He instantly understood his father’s implication.

The actual importance of the matter no longer mattered.

Even if the problem encountered was an insignificant trifle, the moment he uttered those words to Bai Zhao, because it involved a promise from the Prime Minister of Dayan, Bai Zhao would elevate the issue immensely in his heart.

And what’s more, the matter could not be explained; any attempt would only make things worse.

Xu Xinyao spoke at this point:

"Father, Third Brother has a bad reputation; outsiders won’t believe he could find anyone else."

Even the protectors in the Prime Minister’s Mansion with a bit of competence looked down on the Third Brother, let alone the significant officials with real power. When encountering problems, the Third brother could only turn to Father or the eldest brother.

"....."

Xu Yinhè did not answer this question.

After a long while, Xu Changge’s tone was calm as he spoke:

"Xinyao, what you take for common knowledge about Changtian among your acquaintances is but a fraction of the whole world. Most people don’t even know how many children Father has, let alone the senior court officials and the higher-ups of the Sects and their close kin."

"But the things Third Brother did in the Imperial Capital...."

"The Imperial Capital is vast, and the world is larger still. Not everyone can use a Communication Crystal, nor does everyone dare to speculate recklessly."

"......" Xu Xinyao fell silent.

After the siblings finished speaking, they lapsed into silence.

After a long while,

Xu Yuan slowly lifted his gaze, his expression tinged with complexity:

"I have sent Yuan Hao to fetch him."

This time Xu Yinhè answered:

"Yuan Hao will obey your orders. If Bai Zhao has not killed himself by then, Yuan Hao will not let him die, but that might only delay his death for a while."

"Delay his death for a while...."

Xu Yuan frowned:

"Doesn’t that prove that I have indeed saved him?"

Xu Yinhè enunciated each word:

"His existence will be a thorn embedded in your heart, and if he is truly clever, he would not be unaware of this.

"When a lord suspects a vassal, the vassal knows he must be executed. If not executed, they will revolt."

"......" Xu Yuan frowned but said nothing.

Xu Yinhe spoke earnestly:

"However, since you’ve mentioned it, as your father, I promise you I can spare his life because if your judgment is correct, he won’t choose to live."

As he spoke, a rare hint of complexity flickered through the weathered eyes of the Prime Minister, sharp as those of a hawk.

"Changtian, perhaps you think now that it’s of minor importance, Bai Zhao’s cultivation is weak, and house arrest or surveillance can solve the problem, but when Changtian truly understands our current situation, the enemies we are facing, you’ll realize that there are things you must do and people you must kill."

"..."

Xu Changge looked at his father, whose expressions of joy and anger were not easily discerned, as he inadvertently revealed his true feelings, her almond-shaped eyes slightly drooping.

In the years following Chang’an’s death, he had encountered some matters, his father had killed many of his close friends from his youth.

After a pause,

Xu Yinhe’s expression returned to calm, and he smiled gently:

"Alright, Changtian, you still have time to consider. If you choose to walk this path, remember what your father is telling you now,

"Your every move will affect many people’s lives and death, and you will face many difficult decisions."

"I hope that when you return to the Imperial Capital, you can give your father a definite answer."

"...."

Xu Yuan remained silent, his eyes thoughtful.

Xu Yinhe smiled, his tone growing gentler, then asked:

"Now that the minor issue is resolved, what was that major matter you mentioned?"

The major matter...

Upon hearing this, Xu Yuan’s heart skipped a beat, and he glanced at Xu Xinyao:

"Xinyao, please step out for a moment."

Having said that, he began to lead his visibly surprised and reluctant younger sister out of the secret room.

"....." Xu Xinyao.

Upon hearing this voice, the father and son inside the carriage exchanged a look.

Xu Changge raised an eyebrow but soon smiled in understanding.

Xinyao has been protected too well, seeing everything too innocently. It seems this third brother must have something quite important to say...

"Xu Changge, don’t just stand there, you too."

"......" Xu Changge.

However, at this moment, Xu Yinhe suddenly spoke:

"Changtian, what matter is so secretive?"

This statement served as a deterrent to Xu Yuan’s attempt to clear the room.

Seeing this, Xu Yuan stopped pushing Xu Xinyao away and simply said:

"I wish to ask father a question, one that will determine the answer to the question you asked me earlier, whether I will choose the path you have laid out for me."

Xu Yinhe was quiet for a moment, then responded:

"Go ahead, you may ask directly."

"...."

Xu Yuan narrowed his eyes, puzzled, but quickly understood his father’s intent.

It seemed like a show of trust for Xu Changge and Xu Xinyao, but it was actually a move to crush any lingering thoughts they might have.

Though Xu Changge and Xu Xinyao might never have entertained such thoughts, Xu Yinhe had to act in this manner.

The Prime Minister’s Mansion was too large and its power too great. If a successor was chosen, any thoughts from others had to be thoroughly eliminated.

For both Xu Changge and Xu Xinyao had staunch supporters within the high ranks of the Prime Minister’s Mansion.

Xu Xinyao had the backing of a group of doves, with at least the head of the Geometry Institute, Jiang He, definitely on her side, while Xu Changge had the support of a group advocating military expansion. They might not like Xu Changge’s temperament, but they would surely appreciate his iron-fisted approach.

But the matter he wanted to inquire about... could it really be disclosed to Xu Xinyao and Xu Changge now?

Xu Yuan fell silent for a short while, then sought confirmation:

"Father, are you sure?"

Xu Yinhe: "Ask."

Xu Yuan patted Xu Xinyao’s head as a gesture of comfort, turned his eyes back, and, after a brief consideration, decided to be straightforward:

"Father,

"How long can you live?"