Chapter 104 The Fellow Villager is Cunning
"You and I both know perfectly well that we are not of this world. You are going to great lengths to test me simply to confirm this."
Fang Xu's pupils, hidden beneath his veil, suddenly contracted, and his previously indifferent aura instantly froze.
Li Bao'er was actually a time traveler just like him! Ignoring his shock, Li Bao'er continued coldly, "I don't care why you came here, nor what your schemes are for this position of Imperial Preceptor. But there's one thing you need to understand clearly."
"Regarding Ling Jin's matter, if you're willing to talk about it, I'll accept your kindness. But if you're trying to use this to manipulate things, or if you have ulterior motives..." Li Bao'er smiled slightly, but that smile was icy cold, "I believe that a mere charge is enough to send you from your high position as Imperial Preceptor to an abyss of eternal damnation. You should understand that I have that ability."
Bao'er continued, "Since we parted at Longhua Temple, the situation in the palace has changed."
"You have designated my half-sister, Li Yan, as the 'woman of destiny.' This move is the result of the strong push by Consort Zhang's faction. In recent years, you have always maintained neutrality in the palace and have not been involved in factional struggles on the surface. Now that Li Yan is going to marry the Crown Prince as a concubine, the Empress's faction will definitely make things difficult for you."
"Fang Xu, what is your purpose in coming here from another time?"
After Li Bao'er finished speaking, his face under his veil grew even paler, and his fingertips unconsciously tightened.
His guess was right; Li Bao'er's various unusual reactions were exactly as he had imagined.
But she not only knew she was a time traveler, she also saw clearly her actions in supporting Li Yan's faction. This woman was cunning and far more complex than she appeared.
Alarm bells rang in Fang Xu's mind. He hadn't transmigrated without any support. He was originally bound to something called the [Imperial Preceptor Cultivation System], which helped him gradually ascend to the supreme position of Imperial Preceptor, to glimpse the secrets of heaven, and to stir up the winds of change.
The system's ultimate mission is to assist the true "chosen one" in ascending the throne, and the system's target is none other than the Third Prince, Mu Yuan!
But just six months ago, the system suddenly went silent without warning. No matter how he called out to it, there was no response. Only unfinished tasks and a bunch of permissions that were gradually becoming invalid were left behind.
He became a true streaker, struggling alone in this cannibalistic palace. Supporting Li Yan was both a step in completing the system's legacy mission and a way to find a new backer and leverage after losing the system.
In the end, he really is a rip-off. He didn't transmigrate into a book and didn't know what would happen in the future. If he's not careful, he could really die!
Fang Xu's mission is to assist Mu Yuan in ascending the throne! He and Mu Cenlin, whom Li Bao'er is trying to protect, are mortal enemies!
Fang Xu dared not gamble. The panic of losing the system and the sense of isolation in this strange world made him unable to trust anyone, especially the woman in front of him who also came from another world but stood on the opposite side.
Fang Xu suppressed the turmoil in his heart, raised his light amber eyes, and tried to maintain his last bit of composure and aloofness:
"Your Highness is mistaken. The selection of the chosen woman was based on observing the stars and following the way of heaven, not on personal gain. As for the talk of time travel, that is utter nonsense. I do not know where Your Highness heard such absurd words, but please be careful with your words to avoid bringing trouble upon yourself."
Li Bao'er wasn't surprised at all by his answer. She hadn't expected this old fox to reveal his secrets so easily; she was just giving him a warning, letting him know he wasn't someone to be trifled with.
She was already very unhappy because he had publicly mocked her at Longhua Temple last time.
Li Bao'er was too lazy to beat around the bush anymore and went straight to her original point: "Fang Xu, I don't have time to talk to you about celestial phenomena and astrology. How much do you actually know about Ling Jin? Get to the point!"
Fang Xu was clearly taken aback by how easily she let go of the topic of her transmigrated identity, and paused for a moment.
This person doesn't play by the rules.
His brow furrowed slightly beneath his veil as he quickly weighed the options in his mind. Since Li Bao'er had clearly sided with Mu Cenlin, while his mission target was Mu Yuan, their positions were now directly opposed.
Revealing some information about Ling Jin could temporarily satisfy her demands, and perhaps even allow us to use her to create some trouble for the Crown Prince? After all, the relationship between Xi Yuan and the Crown Prince is no small matter.
Having made up his mind, Fang Xu's voice regained its usual indifference, yet it revealed crucial information: "This man, Xi Yuan, has a very close relationship with the Crown Prince. His Highness the Crown Prince... played a crucial role in his successful infiltration of the capital this time."
Li Bao'er's eyes narrowed! The Crown Prince?! This situation is indeed more complex than she had imagined!
Before she could process the news, Fang Xu threw out an even more shocking question: "When the Princess brought Ling Jin back to the Prime Minister's residence, didn't she notice... that inconspicuous dark red flame-shaped totem below the collar of his neck?"
He paused slightly, seemingly observing Li Bao'er's reaction, before slowly uttering the second half of his sentence:
"That is a unique mark of the Western Regions royal family. Only direct descendants of the emperor are qualified to be branded with it."
Having obtained the information she wanted, Li Bao'er didn't linger any longer and turned to leave decisively. On the observatory, only Fang Xu remained once more, amidst the seemingly endless silence.
He slowly walked to the railing, gazing at the distant palace walls and the gradually darkening imperial city. The composure he had shown when facing Li Bao'er had faded, replaced by a deep-seated weariness and struggle.
There are truly people in this world, just like him, who don't belong here. He is not alone.
But this realization brought not the joy of meeting an old friend in a foreign land, but rather a heavy weight pressing on their hearts. Because their positions were destined to be opposed from the very beginning.
Fang Xu painfully closed his eyes, trying to sense his system again, but there was still only deathly silence.
If he fails to complete the mission... will he be trapped in this world forever?
This thought filled Fang Xu with a suffocating panic. He didn't want to stay here! This world, with its rigid hierarchy and rife with intrigue, had never brought him a moment of true peace, even as he held the high position of Imperial Advisor. He longed to return!
But to complete the mission, one must assist Mu Yuan in ascending the throne. That means... one must eliminate Mu Cenlin, and it also means that sooner or later one will have to confront Li Bao'er, a life-or-death struggle.
When Fang Xu opened his eyes again, only a cold and resolute look remained in his light amber eyes.
Li Bao'er, if you insist on blocking Mu Yuan's path, then I have no choice but to... eliminate you as well.
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