Let Me Explain, Fairy
Chapter 317 - 231 Heart-to-Heart

Chapter 317: Chapter 231 Heart-to-Heart

The great hall was cavernous, and as soon as one stepped inside, the sound of wind and snow from the outside world was completely sealed off.

The entire hall was empty, with several stout pillars supporting the dome, and a few topographic sand tables were laid out below.

The echoing sound of boots stepping on the stone-brick floor made the entire hall silent and vast.

Xu Yuan estimated in his mind that this was probably the command center of the Northern Border’s front line.

But there was no one there?

While contemplating, Xu Yuan continued walking into the interior of the hall.

According to Dayan’s architectural customs, behind this kind of hall, there are usually several courtyards for important people to rest.

If Li Qingyan wasn’t in this council hall, he should be further back.

Just as he was thinking this, Xu Yuan suddenly heard the sound of armor friction coming from the corridor behind the hall.

The clattering sound of heavy armor pieces rubbing against each other.

He halted his steps and looked up.

Suddenly, a handsome young man appeared, walking out from the back.

He wore a set of heavy armor with a black base and red trim, carved with formation patterns.

However, a large piece of the man’s sturdy armor was damaged, revealing the underlining gambeson and breastplate, all soaked with the black blood of the Barbarian Tribes.

It was none other than Yuan Hao, who had been detained by Li Qingyan.

Xu Yuan called out with a hint of surprise:

"Commander Yuan?"

"......"

Seeing Xu Yuan in the hall, Yuan Hao also looked somewhat surprised.

In his mind, Xu Yuan should have already fled the city by this time.

He had told the other that the Northern Border City could hold out at most for ten days.

A gentleman does not stand under a collapsing wall.

When the city falls, those barbarians wouldn’t fear his status as the son of Dayan’s Prime Minister; on the contrary, they might be even more excited.

Gathering his thoughts, Yuan Hao quickly stepped forward, giving a clasped-hands salute:

"Third Young Master."

Xu Yuan glanced over Yuan Hao’s armor and asked with a hint of puzzlement:

"Commander Yuan, what is this..."

Yuan Hao was not just a blunt-headed warrior; he knew well that the Third Young Master’s identity had to be kept secret. He gave a clasped-hands salute:

"Just now, I followed an order to take advantage of the unsteady footing of the Barbarian Tribes and launched a raid on their camp. I was on my way to report to Prince Wu Yuan."

Xu Yuan let out a soft "hiss":

"I heard from Lou Ji that Li Qingyan has strictly forbidden anyone from leaving the city, hasn’t he?"

Yuan Hao cooperated with the act truthfully:

"Currently, although my Black Scale Army is ordered by Prince Wu Yuan, we also follow the orders from the Prime Minister’s Mansion."

"Was it Lou Ji who asked you to do this?" Xu Yuan pondered for a moment.

"....." Rolling his eyes inwardly, Yuan Hao looked troubled and said nothing.

"You can’t say, can you..."

Xu Yuan murmured, nodding slightly, then spoke again:

"Commander Yuan, just now I saw someone being executed in the drill ground outside."

Yuan Hao was taken aback for a moment, glancing outside the hall, then frowned:

"Already beheaded?"

"Mmm." Xu Yuan nodded.

Yuan Hao sighed with a hint of regret:

"Yes, our men. No matter what, the Black Scale Army’s sortie contradicts the current orders of Prince Wu Yuan, which necessitated making a few key figures take the fall to appease the public. If we don’t execute, the Sects might revolt."

Xu Yuan frowned slightly and asked in a low voice:

"Our men?"

Hearing this question, Yuan Hao gave Xu Yuan a peculiar look, followed by a cryptic chuckle:

"It was from Lady Lou Ji’s list, His Highness ordered us to do it ourselves."

Xu Yuan seemed contemplative: "Did they commit any wrongdoing?"

Yuan Hao chuckled:

"It’s a pity about those two; both had excellent cultivation talents. However, to secure more cultivation resources, they extended their hands toward the logistics supplies."

Xu Yuan raised an eyebrow:

"How so?"

Yuan Hao answered smilingly:

"Now that the Northern Border City’s supplies are scarce, prices for all kinds of goods have skyrocketed on the market. Those two, in charge of the Black Scale Army’s storage in the city, sold quite a lot of items at high prices on the black market."

As he spoke, Yuan Hao’s tone shifted, and he sighed:

"Although it was supposed to be me who personally took action, seeing that the execution has been carried out, being killed by barbarians... it’s just not satisfying, tsk..."

Observing Yuan Hao’s regretful expression, Xu Yuan’s eye twitched, and he cleared his throat:

"I understand. Commander Yuan, you may leave now. Is Li Qingyan in the Inner Court?"

Yuan Hao clasped his hands:

"Prince Wu Yuan and the two other Princes are all resting in the Inner Court."

Having said that,

the sound of armor friction accompanied by footsteps rose again, ultimately fading away at the entrance of the great hall......

....

Behind the council hall was a long, narrow pavilion.

The heavy snow fell gently in the courtyards on both sides of the corridor, covering pavilions, terraces, and towers in a blanket of white.

Walking down the pavilion for about a dozen meters or so, Xu Yuan suddenly stopped near a gazebo at a fork in the corridor. There, he vaguely saw someone sitting quietly inside.

Drinking wine and admiring the snow, his gaze was melancholic as he watched the falling snowflakes.

As he watched, the person suddenly turned his head.

Their eyes met abruptly amidst the snow.

Both could see surprise in each other’s eyes as if to say:

This guy, he hasn’t fled yet?

Collecting his gaze, the Third Prince cheerfully called out to Xu Yuan:

"Third Young Master, care to join me in appreciating the snow and enjoying some wine?"

After a moment’s hesitation, Xu Yuan decided not to hurry to meet Li Qingyan and instead walked slowly towards the gazebo.

Approaching it, Xu Yuan noticed the gazebo’s setup and remarked, slightly amused:

"The Northern Border is under siege, yet the Third Prince knows how to enjoy himself, with soundproof formations and warm sun formations and all."

On the wooden table inside the gazebo was a rack for warming wine, with a grill next to it roasting various meats, sizzling enticingly.