Let Me Explain, Fairy
Chapter 717 - 448 She’s Not Silly_2

Chapter 717: Chapter 448 She’s Not Silly_2

If such jokes are made too often, perhaps one day you’ll wake up to find a group of your men blocking your door with an imperial dragon robe in hand, kneeling and insisting you put it on.

Nodding his head, Xu Yuan steered the topic back, whispering:

"In any case, people change, no matter how firm their ideals were back then. Decades have passed, and there have been changes, more or less.

"While a step back could let you enjoy wealth and honor, as a leader you still wish to pursue the old ideals. It’s not surprising that some people have developed different thoughts.

"Purging these people might cause temporary pain, but it will be greatly beneficial in the long run."

As he spoke,

Xu Yuan’s tone shifted, lending a hint of surprise to his voice:

"However, Father, you mentioned that there are Sect members in the court?"

This news was more surprising to Xu Yuan than his old man planning a significant purge.

Though his father’s words were light, they carried a heavy meaning.

In the Golden Throne Hall, the Emperor and this old man—two vigorous men—had long been in control of the court, which had been cleansed until only the Royalist Faction and the Prime Minister’s Mansion remained.

Now, the presence of Sect members in the court suggested that there were moles within the Prime Minister’s Mansion and the Royalists.

And to Xu Yuan’s question, Xu Yinhè’s response seemed only natural:

"Changtian, do not underestimate the people of this world, nor the Sects. Their current passivity is only due to their internal interests not being aligned—for now.

"The Black Scale Army, the Geometry Institute, and even among Lou Ji’s Black Scale Guards might have their operatives."

Upon hearing this, Xu Yuan sighed softly.

Even if his older sister Lou Ji’s intelligence work was impeccable, it couldn’t avoid this issue.

This was a foundational problem caused by the rapid expansion of the Prime Minister’s Mansion.

The Prime Minister’s Mansion, having grown into a behemoth over decades, naturally had to absorb a lot of fresh blood from outside.

Just as Lou Ji was able to scatter seeds all over the world decades ago, letting them sprout and grow into underlings of the Black Scale Guards, the Sects, and even the Imperial Family could do the same within the Prime Minister’s Mansion.

Seeing the calm and steady demeanor of the old man across from him, Xu Yuan knew in his heart.

This old man was giving him the lowdown.

He was telling him that the current situation at the Prime Minister’s Mansion wasn’t as glorious as it seemed on the surface.

Although there was room for error, a single misstep could still come at a high cost.

After a short contemplation, Xu Yuan suddenly asked:

"Father, since those people are hidden within the court, why would they choose to reveal themselves now? And... you still need a reason to suppress them."

Xu Yinhè smiled faintly, replying softly:

"Because the State Preceptor has arrived in the Capital."

The State Preceptor arriving in the Capital...

When Xu Yuan heard this, his thoughts spread out, and he instantly understood why those hidden within the factions of the Emperor and Prime Minister in the court would choose this moment to turn against them.

The Sects needed to make some statements about the Northern Frontier in the court.

It was a cumbersome and tedious necessity, but necessary nonetheless.

The rites and music were not yet in disarray; everything had to proceed by the book.

Within the Dayan Empire, the absolute righteousness was that which emanated from the temple hall.

If these voices were absent from the court, then the Sects’ standpoint on matters of the Northern Frontier would remain entirely passive due to righteousness.

With this in mind, Xu Yuan looked towards his father and murmured:

"Father, the State Preceptor has chosen this moment to come to the Capital..."

"And he has brought his disciple with him," Xu Yinhè interrupted his murmur.

"..." Xu Yuan.

Hiss... Who was the State Preceptor’s disciple again?

Licking the corner of his lips, Xu Yuan tentatively asked:

"Ran Qingmo... has she come as well?"

"Yes."

Xu Yinhè’s lips curled into a smile, but his gaze at Xu Yuan was complex:

"Moreover, she is currently within the Prime Minister’s Mansion."

"..."

The moment Xu Yuan heard this, his gaze went blank, feeling as if his brain had momentarily crashed.

It wasn’t the surprise of the Big Ice Lump being in the Prime Minister’s Mansion that shocked him; he couldn’t grasp why the Big Ice Lump would be staying there.

With the State Preceptor’s arrival in the Capital, the significant ministers in the court who originally belonged to the factions of the Emperor and Prime Minister turned against them in favor of the Sect camp.

Now that his old man was dealing with those Sect members in the court, the Big Ice Lump, the State Preceptor’s disciple, had stayed within their Prime Minister’s Mansion...

What did this mean?

Watching his son’s reaction, Xu Yinhè seemed quite pleased.

He was satisfied with the initial look of confusion, rather than delight, that flashed in his eyes.

This indicates he was not a person whose rational judgment would be swayed by emotions.

"If you have any doubts, you may directly ask your father."

"...."

Upon hearing this, Xu Yuan felt slightly relieved inside.

He feared his dad might give him a look at this moment, expecting him to figure things out on his own.

Fortunately, none of the high-ranking members of the Prime Minister’s Mansion, including his father, have this habit of speaking to him, the Crown Prince, in riddles.

"Given the current situation, why would Ran Qingmo be inside my Prime Minister’s Mansion?"

Xu Yinhè directly explained:

"Because your father has reached an agreement with Ran Jianli for a collaboration against Jiatiange, and one of the conditions is to ensure the safety of his disciple, Ran Qingmo."

Against Jiatiange...

Xu Yuan involuntarily pictured the put-upon face of the Saintess in his mind and felt a headache coming on.

What’s this all about?

Ganging up with the main wife to give the second wife a beating?

This amusing thought flashed by, and then Xu Yuan’s mind quickly returned to the main topic at hand.

It was not surprising to Xu Yuan that his dad would target Jiatiange.

After he was assassinated and turned into a monster, as a father, it was natural for his dad not to let this grievance go.

"But... we should have no evidence."

"Your father is simply using their own methods against them. There’s no need for any evidence, just a list provided by Ran Jianli."

"Then on this list..." Xu Yuan’s voice was low, probing.

"Don’t worry, that Saintess isn’t on it."

"...." said Xu Yuan.

After a brief silence, Xu Yuan let out a deep sigh and asked in a low voice:

"I roughly understand this matter now, but Father, what exactly happened in the Northern Frontier during the month I was unconscious?"

In response to this question, Xu Yinhè didn’t immediately answer, but said:

"The situation in the Northern Frontier is somewhat complicated, and it’s not easy to explain in a few words. If you’re curious, you may go to the study and read the memorials and the internal reports from the past month."

As he said this,

Xu Yinhè paused for a moment, observing a trace of subtle worry in the eyes of his third son, and sighed:

"You don’t have to worry, even if you were out of commission, that girl Wu Yuan wouldn’t be in any trouble."

Upon hearing this additional comment, Xu Yuan let out a sheepish smile.

He felt completely seen through by his father.

"Ah..."

Xu Yinhè let out a light sigh, straightened the Black Dragon Robe on his body and slowly stood up, appearing to ask casually with a smile:

"Changtian, since Ran Jianli’s disciple is within the mansion, do you want to see her? She has been waiting for you here for over a month."

"....."

As this question reached him, envisioning Big Ice Lump with a veil overhead, a smile unwittingly crept onto Xu Yuan’s lips. He was about to nod in agreement, but swallowed his words before they escaped.

In a low voice, Xu Yuan asked:

"Did Father just mention announcing my death to the world?"

"Yes."

"Then, Father, do you and the State Preceptor collaborate, and does he know the specifics of my situation?"

"He does not."

"....."

After a pause, Xu Yuan said softly:

"In that case... it’s better not to meet."

Xu Yinhè stood within the pavilion, with the warm breeze blowing gently across his black robe, gazing intently at Xu Yuan:

"Changtian, do you... not trust that girl with the surname Ran?"

With a look of resignation, Xu Yuan shook his head:

"No, I trust her. If I tell her that the fact I’m alive needs to be kept a secret, she would not divulge this to her master."

"Then why not see her?" asked Xu Yinhè.

A moment of silence followed.

Xu Yuan looked up at the expanse of blue sky and murmured softly:

"Although Ran Qingmo doesn’t seem clever, she’s actually... not stupid..."

"If I tell her about this, it would put her in a difficult position."