The next day, Ye Yi got up early as usual and immediately began cultivating.
When it was time for breakfast, Ye Yi asked the housekeeper.
"Did the Prime Minister return this morning?"
"Master went to the city wall last night and hasn't returned yet," the steward said respectfully from the side.
Upon hearing this, Ye Yi calmly ate his breakfast, but his eyes revealed a strange thoughtfulness.
Because the fighting in Chang'an City didn't stop all night yesterday.
Clearly, the Northern You Kingdom's troops were starting to panic and began launching repeated attacks.
If Ye Yi hadn't caught a glimpse of the void, he would have thought that the Empress had successfully defeated Cangyan Daoist and was launching a fierce attack on Chang'an City.
However, after seeing the void, Ye Yi calmed down, realizing that the Northern You Kingdom's army was doomed.
Sure enough, just as Ye Yi put down his breakfast, stepped out of the lobby and stretched, he heard an angry voice from the air.
"Hmph, I will remember the grudge I have against Daoist Cangyan today. If I have the opportunity in the future, I will definitely repay you properly."
"Hahaha, this humble Taoist awaits the Empress's arrival." Clearly, Daoist Cangyan paid no heed to the Empress's threat.
However, after the two finished talking, a loud shout rang out throughout Chang'an.
"May the Xia Kingdom be victorious! May the Xia Kingdom be victorious! May the Prime Minister be mighty! Long live the Emperor!"
Hearing the shouts around him, Ye Yi glanced at the butler standing proudly to the side and couldn't help but say something.
"No wonder the King of Xia suspected the Prime Minister."
However, the war in this other world is really fast; it was resolved in just two days.
Actually, this is not the real war in this fantasy world.
This southward campaign was a blitzkrieg by the Northern You Empress; if it was thwarted, she would immediately retreat.
After all, the nomadic tribes and Yeti people in the north are no joke. Even if we put our mid-level generals in the rear to hold them off, we can't hold them off for long.
Of course, no matter how fast the blitzkrieg was, it was impossible for him to retreat so quickly. However, the Empress knew very well that once the Zixiao Pavilion joined the battle, it would be difficult for the Northern You Kingdom to be quickly bogged down in Chang'an.
If other countries were to react soon, the Northern You army would definitely be blocked outside Chang'an, which would cause trouble for the Northern You headquarters.
Therefore, with these considerations in mind, the Northern Empress immediately withdrew her troops and began to consolidate the recovered territories, while relying on these territories to advance her own power.
After the Northern Nether Empress left, Daoist Cangyan turned around and glanced at Ye Yi in the Prime Minister's residence, then immediately led the people of Zixiao Pavilion back to Zixiao Pavilion.
The reason for this is that Daoist Cangyan's lifespan is much shorter than that of the Empress, and after the Empress gains territory, her strength will definitely surpass that of Daoist Cangyan.
Therefore, Daoist Cangyan needs to cultivate quickly to ensure that he will not be tyrannized by the Empress in the future.
However, Daoist Cangyan also had a little ulterior motive: after completing the task assigned by Ye Yi, he wondered if he would gain anything of value.
As for Ye Yi in Chang'an, he is still a junior in Cangyan Daoist's eyes, so there is no need to care about him so much.
After the war in Chang'an ended, the city became prosperous again. At the same time, a pair of soldiers in armor arrived at the Prime Minister's residence.
They came before Ye Yi, immediately knelt down, and said respectfully.
"Sir, His Majesty is preparing a grand banquet to thank the meritorious officials for defeating the Northern You army. We invite you to attend."
Looking at the armored soldiers kneeling before him, Ye Yi showed no emotion, but his eyes betrayed his disgust. However, Ye Yi suppressed his disgust and spoke.
“Tell your emperor that since it’s a grand banquet for meritorious officials, it has nothing to do with me. I’m not a citizen of Xia, so I don’t need to attend the banquet.”
There was a commotion among the armored soldiers in front of him, and then the leader and a soldier behind him exchanged a glance.
Although this movement was very subtle, Ye Yi still managed to catch it.
The armored soldier behind him nodded very slightly, and only then did the leading armored soldier stand up and speak.
"In that case, I shall take my leave. We will convey everything you have to His Majesty."
"Go ahead, go ahead. What would it look like for an outsider like me to attend a banquet in Xia Kingdom?" Ye Yi said, waving his hand.
Watching the armored soldiers' departing figures, Ye Yi couldn't help but touch his chin, then a smile of interest appeared on his lips.
Clearly, this curiosity was directed at the person behind the leader of the armored soldiers. Ye Yi was very curious about that person's background and why he had infiltrated the armored soldiers to meet Ye Yi.
However, this time Ye Yi did not immediately activate his administrator privileges to view it. Instead, he prepared to take it one step at a time. Now, this situation has finally piqued Ye Yi's interest in exploring it.
"Sir, won't His Majesty be angry at your refusal of His Majesty's kindness?" The usually quiet butler couldn't help but ask.
Looking at the puzzled butler beside him, Ye Yi gave a half-smile and said.
"This is also for your husband's own good."
After saying that, he left the scene without looking back, while Ye Yi's butler still had a deep frown on his face.
Unbeknownst to him, Ye Yi had once again walked to the back garden where he and the Prime Minister had taken a walk that evening. Looking at the beautiful garden, Ye Yi sighed.
"As expected of the Prime Minister, I couldn't see anything last night, but now that I look at it, it is indeed a painting of contentment and tranquility."
"Hehe, young sir, what refined taste you have!" a sharp voice rang out.
Ye Yi frowned immediately, then turned to look at the person who had appeared behind him.
The man was dressed as a palace eunuch. Ye Yi frowned and thought for a moment before speaking as if he remembered something.
"Are you the eunuch who was following behind the old king yesterday?"
“Young master, you have such a good memory! I am deeply honored that you can remember such a lowly person as myself,” the eunuch said.
"I don't know what business you have with me, sir. But even if you are looking for me, it is not the way of a gentleman for you to sneak into the back garden of the Prime Minister's residence like this."
"Oh dear, young master, you think too highly of me. How could I possibly be worthy of the title of gentleman? But I have no choice but to see you."
"What is it?"
"I have a favor to ask, young sir. Please persuade the Prime Minister to resign as soon as possible. If he puts those gentlemen in the court in a difficult position, the Prime Minister's life may be in danger," the eunuch advised Ye Yi.
Looking at the worried eunuch in front of him, Ye Yi narrowed his eyes.
"I'm curious whether these are your true feelings or just what someone told you."
"Oh dear, young sir, you are wise! I have known the Prime Minister for a long time, how could I possibly persecute him? So please, young sir, persuade the Prime Minister. I left the palace in secret, so I must return immediately. Please, young sir, consider my words carefully."
After the eunuch finished speaking, he quickly disappeared from Ye Yi's sight.
Looking at the spot where the eunuch had stood, Ye Yi fell into deep thought.
However, Ye Yi chuckled softly and muttered to himself.
"Why think so much? I'm a high-level user in this world."
After saying that, he seriously looked at the surrounding scenery.
Night fell quickly, and Ye Yi saw Shang Xiang again in the back garden.
"You look to be in good health, Your Excellency," Ye Yi remarked, watching the Prime Minister stroll along the road.
"Yes, once the Northern You retreats, our country will be safe," the Prime Minister said with a smile, clearly in a good mood.
Seeing the Prime Minister's happy mood, Ye Yi felt reluctant, but still spoke softly.
“Prime Minister, I often encounter people coming into your residence.”
As expected, the prime minister's expression changed, and he immediately spoke.
"Oh? What business do they have with my young friend at my Prime Minister's residence?"
"They asked me to persuade the Prime Minister to give up his position and step down peacefully." After saying that, Ye Yi stared intently at the Prime Minister's face, wanting to see what he was thinking.
However, as a century-old politician, how could the Prime Minister easily reveal his true feelings? Therefore, Ye Yi gained nothing for the time being.
"Hehe, young friend, you need not concern yourself with my thoughts. Tomorrow, I will bid farewell to His Majesty. I am already too old and frail to serve His Majesty and protect this country," the Prime Minister said calmly.
At this moment, Ye Yi couldn't tell whether the Prime Minister wanted to give up on this place or was unwilling to give up.
“Since the Prime Minister is already prepared to step down, then I will stay at the Prime Minister’s residence for a while longer and keep him company,” Ye Yi said with a light laugh.
"That's excellent. With you by my side, young friend, I am perfectly safe," the Prime Minister said, alluding to something.
The two then fell silent. After a while, Ye Yi and the Prime Minister bid farewell and left the back garden.
Back in his room, Ye Yi didn't know what dangers the resignation of the prime minister would bring, but judging from the various signs that had been shown before, this resignation would definitely not be so easy.
Putting everything else aside, just considering the token Ye Yi possesses and the powerful figures he has offended by protecting him, the Prime Minister and Ye Yi are bound to make a move against him.
For these powerful figures, only a deceased prime minister meets their goals; otherwise, it is a failure.
Secondly, there's the royal family's view on the Prime Minister. Ye Yi originally thought that as long as the Prime Minister stepped down, the royal family would definitely not have any thoughts about him, and might even take the initiative to protect him.
However, it seems that there are still many unknowns, because the royal family is now divided into two factions: one led by the current emperor and the other led by the old king.
The old king was still powerful enough, so there was no problem, because this is a world where the strong are respected.
However, now that the old king is about to die of old age, he certainly does not have the aura to suppress a country alone, so he may not have much power in the royal family anymore.
Based on this calculation, the royal family is very likely to target the prime minister. After all, the king has been suppressed by the old king and the prime minister his whole life. Now that the two have lost their power, Ye Yi believes that this emperor will definitely be ruthless in order to take revenge on his suppressed life.
As for other forces, there are certainly others who want to eliminate the Prime Minister, but Ye Yi has only just arrived in Xia Kingdom, and the specifics are still unclear. Therefore, it's unknown which other forces are still at large.
After figuring everything out, Ye Yi fell asleep again.
Over the next few days, Ye Yi practiced martial arts, slept, ate, and quietly observed the increasingly strange atmosphere in Chang'an City from the Prime Minister's residence.
That day, after Ye Yi finished practicing martial arts, he saw the steward dismissing the servants and maids.
Seeing this, Ye Yi immediately understood that the Prime Minister was truly about to step down.
"Sir." The butler noticed Ye Yi and immediately greeted him.
Looking at the somewhat gray-haired old man in front of him, Ye Yi suddenly asked.
"Old sir, how long have you been following the photo?"
Upon hearing Ye Yi's words, the butler was first taken aback, then pointed to his own nose and said.
"Are you talking to me, sir?"
Ye Yi nodded slightly, indicating that he was right and that he was asking Ye Yi.
After confirming it, the butler sighed sadly and said...
"I have been serving the Prime Minister for a hundred years. I have been by his side ever since he began serving Emperor Shizong."
Ye Yi fell silent, because he felt as if he had touched a raw nerve with the housekeeper.
However, the butler soon added.
"I have a favor to ask of you, sir, and I beg you to grant it."
"Speak. I will definitely do it if it is within my power," Ye Yi replied with a sense of guilt.
The butler paused for a moment before speaking slowly.
“The master said he doesn’t want me to suffer with him this time, so he absolutely refuses to let me go with him. I want you to take good care of the master for me.”
Looking at the butler's sincere face, Ye Yi nodded gently and said.
“Okay, as long as I’m by your side, I will take good care of you.”
"Thank you very much, sir," the butler said, somewhat moved.
Ye Yi gently patted the steward on the shoulder, and then slowly strolled around the Prime Minister's residence.
Finally, I saw the photobomb reading a book in a pavilion.
Ye Yi immediately stepped forward, breaking the quiet atmosphere.
"Hehe, the Prime Minister is so carefree. He actually stepped down and can still quietly read a book."
"Haha, if I hadn't stepped down, I wouldn't have been able to concentrate on my studies. My mind would be filled with thoughts of the rise and fall of the nation. But now that I've stepped down, things are much more peaceful, so of course I should read more and cultivate myself."
The Prime Minister said softly.
"What refined taste!" Ye Yi exclaimed.
"Haha, being free from the burdens of official duties is my greatest pleasure now." The Prime Minister showed no sadness whatsoever.
But at that moment, Ye Yi said softly.
"Prime Minister, where are you planning to go after stepping down this time?"
"I'm planning to travel to the South and see more of the land. I've been in the Central Plains for too long and I'd like to see the water towns of Jiangnan in the South." The Prime Minister immediately expressed his inner thoughts, clearly indicating that he had already made all the necessary preparations.
“Jiangnan. But does the Prime Minister know that this journey has not been peaceful?” Ye Yi said.
"I already know, but I don't believe they can take my life. And young friend, you don't need to call me Prime Minister anymore. My name is Li Yuanhuai, please don't forget it," the Prime Minister said softly.
"Alright, from now on I'll call you Elder." Ye Yi said.
“Okay,” Li Yuanhuai said.
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