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墨書 Inktalez
Li Qianyuan was greatly surprised. As a national legend, everyone had believed that Prince Yu had been in seclusion at Prince Yu's Residence in the capital all these years. It was only because he had not accepted any visitors since achieving the title of Master that people were unaware of his current situation.
Therefore, he never expected that the esteemed Prince Yu actually lived in this simple little farmhouse courtyard!
No, this courtyard was not just simple; from Li Qianyuan's perspective, it could even be described as close to shabby. Any ordinary household in the capital would live in better conditions than this.
From the signs around, it seemed that this small courtyard had existed for many years—perhaps over ten years.
Could it be that since achieving the title of Master, Prince Yu had been living here? Looking at Qing Di in front of him, Li Qianyuan suddenly had this thought, and soon his speculation was confirmed.
He saw Qing Di walk to the front of the courtyard and pull on a thin rope hanging down from above. After a series of clear and pleasant bell sounds, footsteps soon came from inside the door. Li Qianyuan and the three Guards instinctively tightened their grips on their sword hilts.
Regardless of whether Prince Yu lived here or not, they could not let their guard down; this was an instinct of being palace Guards.
Then, the door of the courtyard opened, revealing a figure. However, it was not Prince Yu as Li Qianyuan had imagined, but an elderly man in gray robes with a weathered face.
Looking at this old man, Li Qianyuan felt a sense of familiarity but could not immediately recall who he was. However, he sensed a dangerous aura from him and instinctively stepped forward to shield His Majesty behind him.
"No need," Qing Di waved his hand at that moment, signaling him to step back.
"I thought it was someone else; it turns out it is Your Majesty who has arrived. This old minister greets Your Majesty," the gray-robed elder said with a hint of surprise in his eyes upon seeing Qing Di, slowly bowing in respect.
"Elder Wei, no need for formalities. Since you are no longer serving in court, there is no need for such courtesies between ruler and subject," Qing Di quickly stepped forward to help the old man up.
Elder Wei! Li Qianyuan suddenly remembered who this old man was—one of the four great attendants in the palace and the most trusted personal Guard of the late emperor. His martial arts skills were profound and unmatched beneath the level of Master.
It was said that after the late emperor's death, Elder Wei had retired to his hometown and disappeared without a trace. He never expected to find him here.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. May I ask what brings you here this time?" Elder Wei asked after expressing his gratitude.
"Is Yu Qi here?"
Yu Qi was indeed Prince Yu's name; naturally, within the Silver Moon Kingdom, only a handful could address him by that name.
“Prince is still in seclusion. Your Majesty, if there are no urgent matters, the old minister can wait until Prince comes out to convey your message.”
“Seclusion?” Qing Di frowned slightly, then smiled gently. “This matter is quite important and urgent. I wonder if Elder Wei could go in and disturb him a bit?”
“Well... Prince mentioned before his seclusion that this time is very important and should not be disturbed lightly,” Elder Wei said, looking somewhat troubled.
A flash of anger crossed Qing Di's face. He was already in a bad mood from the loss of his beloved son, and though he had been suppressing his anger due to his deep-seated nature, he never expected to be blocked at the door by an old man here. How could he not be furious!
However, despite his anger, he knew he could do nothing to this old fellow and could only smile again, saying, “In that case, I do not wish to make things difficult for Elder Wei. You only need to go in and tell Yu Qi that the ten-year period is approaching. I came today for the last of the three promises made back then. The reasons are all written in this confidential report. As long as you take it in, Yu Qi will understand after reading it.”
Saying this, Qing Di took out a sealed letter from his bosom and handed it to Elder Wei.
Upon hearing this, Elder Wei's expression became serious; he clearly understood what the three matters mentioned by Qing Di were. He immediately accepted the letter and bowed, saying, “Since this is the reason for my visit, it is clear that Prince will not blame the old minister for this. I will go in and report to Your Majesty.”
With that, Elder Wei took the letter and walked inside, leaving Qing Di and the four others waiting outside.
Li Qianyuan was left dumbfounded. He never expected that as a monarch, Qing Di would have to request an audience with someone and could not even enter through the door. Although the other party was a Martial Arts Master, this attitude seemed a bit excessive.
However, upon reflection, he thought that Prince Yu had the right to act this way; after all, the throne of Qing Di, which was right before him, was something he looked down upon and could easily discard.
It seemed that although His Majesty and Prince Yu were brothers, their relationship did not appear to be very good, Li Qianyuan thought to himself.
Qing Di seemed unaware of his guard's somewhat unusual expression; he merely gazed into the distance with a distant look in his eyes, not revealing what he was truly thinking.
After a while, footsteps sounded again as Elder Wei reappeared. The sealed letter was no longer in his hand; it was clear that he had presented it to Prince Yu.
“Elder Wei, what did Yu Qi say?” Upon seeing Elder Wei come out, Qing Di quickly asked.
“I have presented the letter to Prince, who has read it. He said he understands Your Majesty's intentions and will go to Qingyang City fifteen days after he comes out of seclusion to retrieve the head of that Rebel.”
“Fifteen days?” Qing Di became anxious. “Can’t it be done sooner? By then, perhaps that Rebel will have escaped who knows where! It will be like searching for a needle in a haystack!”
“Prince said that this time of seclusion is crucial; even if there are major issues, they cannot be interrupted. However, he also mentioned that once he comes out of seclusion, no matter where that Rebel escapes to, he will have ways to find him. Moreover, even those unruly Loose Cultivators in Qingyang City, he will suppress them all together. Would this satisfy Your Majesty?”
Qing Di sighed in relief, "Since Yu Qi is confident, I won't say much more. I will return to the palace and wait for good news from Yu Qi."
"Your Majesty, safe travels," Elder Wei bowed.
Qing Di said nothing further and turned to leave. However, after taking a few steps, Elder Wei's voice came from behind him again, "By the way, I forgot to mention to Your Majesty that Prince said once this matter is resolved, his promise to the late Emperor will be considered fulfilled. He will no longer be a member of the royal family, and the brotherly bond with Your Majesty will also be severed. I hope Your Majesty can take care of yourself in the future."
Qing Di paused but did not turn around. He replied in a deep voice, "I am well aware of that; you need not remind me!"
With that, he paid no further attention and quickly left.
Yet after walking a distance and no longer being able to see the small courtyard, Qing Di stopped again and turned to look in that direction, letting out a sigh.
In order to solidify his throne, he had once pleaded with his father on his deathbed to leave a decree mandating that if Yu Qi ever became a Martial Arts Master, he must protect him for ten years and accomplish three tasks for him. Today’s matter was the last of those three tasks.
Thinking about how after this task was completed, the two brothers would have no more ties and would become like strangers, even Qing Di's already cold imperial heart felt a tinge of sadness.
Li Qianyuan and the others noticed an unprecedented expression on Qing Di's face. Coupled with Elder Wei's earlier words, they were filled with various speculations but dared not speak further. They could only stand silently behind Qing Di, fulfilling their duty as guards.
After a while, Qing Di's mood settled. He was ultimately a king; although momentarily saddened, there was no turning back now, so he decided not to dwell on it.
At present, he had more important matters at hand. That rebel was definitely not just a lucky young man; there was likely more to his background than met the eye. This was something he needed to investigate! (To be continued.)
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