Let Me Explain, Fairy
Chapter 744 - 464: Dream_2

Chapter 744: Chapter 464: Dream_2

"During the time I’m masquerading as someone else, Elder Wang need only treat me as his junior."

"..."

After a brief silence, Wang Yuqian slowly lifted his eyes, hesitating slightly before nodding.

Although curious about the reason the Crown Prince sought out the Third Young Master, he understood the propriety of not asking further.

Xu Yuan tapped on the table and asked softly,

"This young master dislikes circumlocutions. Elder Wang must have come here for a particular reason to convey to me, correct?"

"Indeed, the Prime Minister instructed this humble elder to tell the young master that you may return to the mansion these days."

"Oh?"

"The Prime Minister mentioned that there has been a breakthrough in the formation managed by the Fourth Miss and requires the Third Young Master to return and verify it."

"...." Xu Yuan.

After a moment of quiet, Xu Yuan’s eyes gradually showed a hint of excitement.

He hadn’t expected the progress to be this swift; it had been less than two months since he communicated his requirements to the other party, and A’Yao had already achieved a breakthrough.

After a brief contemplation, Xu Yuan slowly stood up, ready to leave.

Seeing this, Wang Yuqian, the deputy minister of the Ministry of War, hastily said,

"Young master... please hold your peace and be patient. This old man is here merely to inform you beforehand. It is only the hour of Yin now; I must first attend the early court session in the palace. After I return, I can then take you with me to the Prime Minister’s Mansion."

Upon hearing this, Xu Yuan was taken aback and then raised his hand to knock on his head, sat back down, and laughed,

"Hearing such good news, I indeed forgot about that matter. Thank you for the reminder, Elder Wang."

The Prime Minister’s Mansion’s Third Young Master is dead, and in his current guise, there is no reason he could go to the Prime Minister’s Mansion alone.

Moreover, there are many watchful eyes from all sides around the Prime Minister’s Mansion. If he wants to return home, only by being accompanied by this elderly gentleman can he enter the mansion with proper justification.

Pausing for a moment, Xu Yuan asked softly again,

"Besides this, does Elder Wang have any other matters?"

"None for the moment."

"In that case..." Xu Yuan said while raising the teacup in front of him and saluting the other party with his hands.

Seeing this, Wang Yuqian immediately understood and a smile appeared on his aged face,

"If nothing serious arises during the morning court, I should be able to return by the hour of Chen, and I will not disturb the Third Young Master’s rest any longer."

After saying this,

Wang Yuqian slowly stood up and bowed to Xu Yuan.

Before he could finish his courtesy,

Observing the elder before him, Xu Yuan glanced at the porcelain cup that Li Yucheng had just used and seemed to think of something; he suddenly asked aloud,

"Elder Wang, what is your opinion of the Crown Prince?"

The elder was startled by the question, and his gaze involuntarily flicked over to the young master seated opposite him. After a moment of pondering, he said softly,

"May I ask what the young master is referring to?"

Xu Yuan tapped lightly on the teacup and said softly,

"The Crown Prince has been serving as regent for over a decade, and Elder Wang is a pillar of the court. I presume you must have a good understanding of the Crown Prince’s character?"

"Character..."

Wang Yuqian murmured, cautiously choosing his words before replying softly,

"Based on what this old official has observed over the past decade, the Crown Prince is a gentleman."

"So you’re saying... he would make a benevolent ruler?"

"...."

Wang Yuqian’s eyes twitched but he did not respond.

As an old hand at political maneuvering, he felt that was not a statement he could endorse.

However, considering the current uncertainty over the throne, he pondered the implications of the young master’s words...

Noticing the old man’s gaze, Xu Yuan immediately realized his slip of the tongue and quickly followed up with a low chuckle,

"Those were casual words, not to be taken to heart."

Wang Yuqian nodded with a smile upon hearing this, but his eyes grew more pensive.

"...." Xu Yuan.

This was bad; now it seemed like whatever he said would not be believed.

His adoptive father had warned him before that his every action, even casual remarks, would be scrutinized word for word by those around him.

He was still struggling to adapt to the change in his status...

As he sighed inwardly, Xu Yuan suddenly heard the elderly man across from him say in a slightly probing tone,

"Third Young Master, speaking of character, the Crown Prince is indeed a gentleman. As for his administration during his tenure as regent, he is also known among the courtiers for his benevolence, having enacted many policies indeed related to the livelihood of the common people."

Upon saying this,

Wang Yuqian slightly bent his body before continuing:

"However, due to various reasons, these policies were basically vetoed by the Prime Minister."

Hearing this, Xu Yuan’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Seeing this, Wang Yuqian’s voice became much softer:

"The Prime Minister refuted them on the grounds that these policies would be too costly to implement and difficult to enforce at the local government level."

Xu Yuan rubbed his temples, understanding the implication of the other’s words.

On the surface, it seemed to point out that the Crown Prince’s policies were somewhat unrealistic, but in reality, it was a reminder to Xu Yuan that the Prime Minister’s attitude towards the Crown Prince was not exactly favorable.

As his son, you should tread carefully.

After a moment of silent astonishment, Xu Yuan smiled lightly, his smile deep and subtle:

"I am aware of this. Xuan Yue Lou is quite far from the Palace City, Elder Wang, you should go to court first.

"If you’re late,

"according to court protocol, you might face punishment."

Wang Yuqian’s body trembled slightly and bent even more as he bowed:

"Yes... Third Young Master, I shall take my leave first."

"..."

Watching as the wooden door of the opposite chamber closed once more, Xu Yuan laid back directly on the somewhat cold wooden floor, silently staring at the ornate ceiling.

Time passed unknowingly,

and with a light sigh, Xu Yuan rose from the floor.

Of the three princes currently eligible to contest for succession in the Imperial Family, he had already made contact with all three.

If his father wished to carry on with his original aspirations, then one of them would necessarily have to be chosen as the next collaborator.

Although the Prime Minister’s Mansion was extensive, without the support of the Imperial Family, given the current state of affairs in the world, they would most likely repeat the setbacks illustrated in the "Cangyuan Chronicles" if they were to fight on their own.

From a perspective of absolute rationality, Li Zhaoyuan, who paved his way to the throne with the lives of millions of commoners, was actually the most suited to become the next Emperor in the current situation.

Two months after awakening,

regarding Li Zhaoyuan, numerous internal reports about the Northern Frontier in the inner courts of the Prime Minister’s Mansion all pointed towards one fact,

he had almost completely assimilated the troops borrowed from the Sects.

Moreover,

Li Zhaoyuan had begun to gradually break free of the Sects’ control through the various military industries left by the Northern Border Sects.

Despite various obstructions, his plans were methodically advancing under his control.

From every aspect, Second Prince Li Zhaoyuan really did resemble his father, making him undoubtedly the best candidate for collaboration.

However, unfortunately, whether due to personal feelings or the overall situation, Li Zhaoyuan was excluded.

Even though he was now vigorously trying to break free from the Sects’ control, it made the Prime Minister’s Mansion find it very difficult to trust him again.

As for... Li Yucheng.

Xu Yuan walked slowly past the silk curtains, coming to stand at the balustrade where he had previously stood with the Crown Prince.

At this moment, beneath Xuan Yue Lou, the moonlight spilled like a waterfall, yet the myriad lights of Di’an City had already been extinguished, and the once bustling view admired by the two had turned into a world of quietude.

"I, would like to give it a try."

The soft words the middle-aged Crown Prince had said here involuntarily surfaced in Xu Yuan’s mind, prompting a faint smile from him, though the smile carried a touch of helplessness.

From Li Yunqing, he knew that Li Yucheng was actually very shrewd, monitoring even his own younger brother so closely, but Xu Yuan didn’t mind this.

Being in the center of power, if he lacked cunning, he would have been played to death by others long ago.

Moreover,

the cruelty towards political enemies and the benevolence towards the world’s common people don’t necessarily clash.

After a night’s conversation, Xu Yuan came to appreciate Li Yucheng’s character.

Tonight, his words seemed to have planted a seed in the heart of the Crown Prince.

If it were another time, another place, and under different world circumstances, Xu Yuan might truly be willing to indulge in madness with the Crown Prince.

But regretfully, the current state of the world could not support the latter’s grand ambitions.

Because Xu Yuan knew very well that some things were not simply achieved by wishing to do them.

Ambitions surpassing reality,

turn into nothing but an impractical dream.

Reflecting on this, Xu Yuan sighed deeply, his gaze drifting unconsciously towards the direction of the Palace City.

After pondering,

he still believed that Li Yunqing was more suitable as the collaborator for the Prime Minister’s Mansion....