Let Me Explain, Fairy
Chapter 277 - 210 Anxious

Chapter 277: Chapter 210 Anxious

Compared with the Imperial, Inner, and Outer cities, the streets within the Palace City appeared somewhat desolate, lacking the bustling markets and shouting vendors. Instead, there were just some high-walled courtyards and occasionally a few carriages and maids out on shopping errands.

The Palace City was vast, but the residents were few.

Other than some members of the Imperial Family and their aides, there were only some individuals with special statuses.

The gathering place of Dayan’s dragon people.

As the Black Dragon carriage traveled along the street and because Xu Yinhè did not speak, Xu Yuan, slightly bored, looked out the window at the street scenes on both sides.

The road they were taking was Tian’an Road, which was the central axis dividing the entire Imperial Capital.

If one followed it straight down, it would lead to the Southern Dynasty Gate of the Imperial Palace.

As they traveled, Xu Yuan’s expression became somewhat strange, eventually fixing his gaze on a phoenix-crowned structure with over a dozen stories ahead.

Well, the entertainment district actually nestled right beside this central axis as well.

Those royals and nobles who lived within the Palace City generally did not leave it.

One reason was to avoid suspicion, the other was that Dayan’s Great Ancestor decreed that members of the Imperial Family should set an example and must not disturb the common people.

Therefore, to satisfy the needs of these scions, the Palace City had its unique ecosystem of entertainment facilities.

In his memory, Xu Yuan had been here once before.

Because a rumor in the streets claimed that the entertainers of the Palace City’s entertainment district were unmatched beauties.

He had come for the reputation, only to return disappointed.

This exclusive Hook Bar for the Imperial Family’s progeny was inferior to the privately owned ones outside.

The monopolized management meant that the entertainment district within the Palace City had never been subjected to the harsh trial of the market.

Lacking the drive to improve, although the environment was elegant, the core was still the same cumbersome and intricate system from a century ago.

Amidst his recollections, the Black Dragon carriage had already swept past that smoke-willow alley.

Glancing one last time, Xu Yuan unconsciously smiled to himself,

"Heh... Without competition, without progress, unchanged for a hundred years, these people really can endure it."

Xu Yinhè lifted his gaze to look at this Third Prince, his eyes showing a trace of thought, and asked,

"Why suddenly speak of this?"

Xu Yuan came back to his senses and coughed lightly, embarrassedly,

"Father, I have been to that entertainment district once before. Returning here, I suddenly thought that if we let capital and silver taels from the outside world enter to open branch stores in the Palace City, I estimate that eight or nine out of ten shops on this street would collapse."

Xu Yinhè’s eyes showed a hint of approval upon hearing this,

"Not bad, your way of looking at things really has changed."

After a pause, he glanced outside the window again, and smiled slightly,

"Over forty years, that street indeed hasn’t changed a bit, but everything that exists has its reason, and for inside the Palace City, it’s sufficient."

"....."

Xu Yuan looked at his father with a strange expression, then silently turned his gaze back to continue looking out the window.

About a quarter of an hour after passing the entertainment district, the Tian’an Road, being the central axis, gradually narrowed, and the speed of the Black Dragon carriage also decreased.

Further ahead were the central institutions like the Hanlin Academy, the Inspectorate, and the Six Ministries, which had originally been set up inside the Imperial Palace but were later moved to the Palace City.

It was around noon,

Many officials in various robes took this opportunity to step out for a stroll, either chatting jovially or discussing state affairs. However, when they caught sight of a Black Dragon carriage driving by in the distance, all of them immediately fell silent.

Silence, a peculiarly swift silence, spread down the street.

Wherever the carriage passed, officials on both sides bowed deeply in salute.

For a time, sunlight poured down like a waterfall, and on the entire street, apart from the silent crowd, there was only the sound of the carriage’s hooves striking the ground.

Entering the court without haste, bowing without kneeling, ascending the hall with sword and boots, wielding the imperial insignia, using the Emperor’s ceremonial carriage.

"Tsk tsk... Look at this pomp."

In the shadow of the sunlight, a carriage adorned with nine black pythons quietly stood.

The Third Prince sat with his legs crossed on a soft couch, eating fruit from a plate while casually saying, "Apart from not kneeling, Minister Xu is almost treated like Father Emperor himself."

Hou Cheng, kneeling on a cushion next to him, suddenly asked at this moment,

"Your Highness, with Minister Xu having entered the palace, do you still plan on going in to see the Emperor?"

The Third Prince pondered upon hearing this and let out a long sigh,

"Forget it, let’s head back to the mansion. Better not to get involved in this matter."

Hou Cheng cautiously said in a soft voice,

"But... what if that Zhou Chen is actually Xu Changtian?"

The Third Prince waved his hand dismissively,

"It’s just a speculation after all. Apart from the cultivation level and the timing of his return to the capital, there is no substantial evidence. I’ll meet with this Xu Third Young Master when I have time."

Hou Cheng, with caution in his voice, said,

"At the very least, you should remind the Emperor so that he is prepared. At the minimum, the Crown Prince should be informed."

"Hou Cheng, I’ve noticed how you enjoy playing devil’s advocate with me,"

the Third Prince raised an eyebrow, "Every time I make a decision, you have to do this. Is it fun for you?"

Hearing this, Hou Cheng immediately bowed his head to the floor of the carriage,

"This servant would not dare."

The Third Prince glanced at Hou Cheng, his tone carrying a hint of seriousness,

"Hou Cheng, I will only say this once, do not mention the matter about Zhou Chen to anyone."

"...Yes."

Hou Cheng carefully glanced at the Third Prince’s expression, and seeing that the other party was not truly angry, he whispered softly, "But why would Your Highness want to do this?"

The Third Prince sighed and tapped the fan against Hou Cheng’s official hat:

"If this matter gets out and it turns out to be false, it’s still okay. If it’s true, I am not sure whether Xu Changtian will live or die, but I am most likely going to die."

Hou Cheng frowned:

"Your Highness, you are..."

"The Emperor has thirteen sons and nine daughters, while Minister Xu only has two left."

"....." Hou Cheng.

The Third Prince huffed, looking quite helpless:

"Now that the war in the Northern Frontier has finally eased the tension with the Prime Minister’s Mansion, bringing this matter up all of a sudden would only cause trouble, wouldn’t it?

"Hou Cheng, remember my words,

"We are not enemies with the Prime Minister’s Mansion, at least not now."

"This servant... will keep it in mind."

.....

The carriage passed the center of power in the Imperial Dynasty and went straight into the Imperial Palace.

Inside the carriage was silence,

This was the first time Xu Yuan witnessed his father’s power in the court.

Seeing the situation earlier, even if he did not wish to rebel, he might unexpectedly be donned with the yellow robe one day.

Thinking this, he subconsciously glanced at his father in the carriage but found that Xu Yinhè was also looking at him.

After a moment of eye contact, Xu Yinhè asked with a smile:

"Changtian, what are your thoughts?"

Xu Yuan clicked his tongue and feigned ignorance:

"Power is a good thing."

Xu Yinhè neither agreed nor disagreed:

"Power is indeed a good thing. What else besides that?"

Seeing the situation, Xu Yuan knew he could not dodge the question. He glanced towards the depths of the Imperial Palace and said softly:

"If I were the Emperor, I couldn’t tolerate it."

"Couldn’t tolerate it?"

Xu Yinhè couldn’t help but chuckle upon hearing this term, but soon let out a wistful sigh:

"Heh... indeed hard to tolerate, but Li Yaoxuan can endure what others cannot, and for that, your father really admires him."

Xu Yuan fell silent for a while:

"Father, do you mean that no one else but the Emperor can tolerate it?"

Xu Yinhè narrowed his eyes and answered:

"That, your father is still confirming. However, Li Yaoxuan once said the Second Prince is very much like him in his youth. What do you think?"

"..."

Xu Yuan’s pupils constricted slightly.

These words were very direct.

The struggle between Princes for succession, the great affairs of the family and state, were topics often discussed by scholars in the Hook Bar after a few drinks.

Such matters have always been of great interest to the public.

But coming from the grey-haired old father in front of him, they were most likely about to be implemented.

But what was going on?

Hadn’t their Prime Minister’s Mansion just entered a honeymoon phase with the Imperial Family? Why did it seem like they were about to tear each other apart again?

Gathering his thoughts, Xu Yuan hesitated a bit:

"Father, isn’t it a bit too early to think about this now? Is it because of the prophecy from Jiatiange?"

Tianyan had mentioned that the Emperor would die this year.

But the future predicted by Jiatiange had already changed beyond recognition because of him.

Xu Yinhè said somberly:

"Your father has never believed in these prophecies. Besides some other corroborating evidence, just the matter of the Northern Frontier alone is enough for your father to feel that Li Yaoxuan is in a real hurry."

Xu Yuan’s expression gradually became solemn.

Xu Yinhè’s voice was gentle as he comforted:

"Your father mentions this not because he wants you to find a solution, but to prepare you mentally. When you meet Li Yaoxuan, it’ll be good for you to have the bottom line."

With that, the conversation ended, and the carriage kept moving deeper.

A quarter of an hour later, the black dragon carriage stopped beside Daqing Hall.

Then,

A sharp and delicate eunuch’s voice echoed through the palace:

"Minister Xu has arrived—"