Xie Chong swayed, staring at the Prime Minister in disbelief. He wasn't stupid; he understood what his grandfather meant. He was telling Xie Chong that the Xie family couldn't avoid this calamity; it was only a matter of time.
Moreover, if it breaks out, the Xie family will face annihilation.
Having Xie Chong do these things was merely a precautionary measure, giving the Xie family a way out.
In the Prime Minister's eyes, Xie Chong was a way out.
As long as the green hills remain, there will always be firewood to burn. As long as a bloodline survives, he dares to face the ancestors of the Xie family even in the afterlife.
But what kind of heinous crime could have led the Xie family, with its deep-rooted influence, into such a dead end?
Xie Chong didn't even dare to think about it.
“Achong…” The Prime Minister patted his shoulder to comfort him, “You are still young, and I shouldn’t be telling you these things, making you face the facts too early and live in fear from now on. But I have no choice, I have to let you know these things so that you know what to do.”
Xie Chong looked up, his eyes red and swollen. "Grandfather... what should I do? Is it enough to please Princess Ningding?"
"Hmm...that's fine. As for other matters, don't interfere at all." The Prime Minister's heart ached. "In front of the princess, pretend you know nothing. Don't have any feelings towards the princess, and don't even think about touching her."
Achong, your hands must remain clean; do not get involved in any dirty dealings concerning the Xie family. Only then will the princess agree to save you, and only then will His Majesty consider sparing your life. Do you understand?
"Grandfather...Grandson understands..."
Xie Chong couldn't hold back any longer and choked out, "But...but Grandfather, how can you ask me to accept the fact that the Xie family might be destroyed? How can you ask me to pretend that I know nothing? Grandfather...can't do it!"
“Grandfather knows this is cruel to you, but Achong, it is also your responsibility!” The Prime Minister stroked the top of his head, his eyes full of affection. “If that day really comes, your responsibility is to live on for everyone in the Xie family.”
When all your loved ones have left you, yet you still have to live on in this world, and the only means to survive is by relying on the people who killed your entire family, isn't that a kind of torture?
Xie Chong felt that the future was bleak.
He never imagined that before entering this study, he was still the respectable eldest grandson of the Xie family, but after entering this place, all the good things vanished.
The bloody future unfolded before him, leaving him helpless.
He didn't know what to do...
He had no idea how he would face everyone in the mansion after leaving this study.
He did not possess the same strong ability to remain steadfast in dealing with situations as his grandfather.
He didn't!
Xie Chong buried his face in his hands, letting hot tears roll down and disappear into his palms.
He didn't want to cry, but now, he didn't know what else he could do but cry.
The prime minister saw him break down, but said nothing. He just sat there quietly beside him, looking out the window, his face expressionless, as if he were lost in thought.
He sat there until the sun began to set, and the crimson glow of the sunset spread across the earth. Only then did Xie Chong slowly straighten up, the brokenness in his eyes vanishing, replaced by determination. "Grandfather... I am willing to do as you say."
"Alright..." The Prime Minister shifted his body. "That's good. Go... pack your things, then take Xizhu to dine with the princess. Achong, remember, once you leave this room, you must completely forget what I told you. Can you do that?"
"Grandfather, rest assured!" Xie Chong stood up, cupped his hands, and bowed deeply to the Prime Minister. "Grandson knows what to do."
The Prime Minister didn't speak, but simply nodded, letting Xie Chong leave.
As he stepped out of the courtyard, the servant was already waiting outside. Upon seeing him come out, he stepped forward and said, "Young master, the eldest young lady just sent word that she is going to the princess's Yuanshan Courtyard to keep her company for a while. You can come over once you're ready."
"good…"
Xie Chong stopped, turned around, and saw Uncle Cheng standing straight at the gate of the courtyard. He nodded slightly.
Uncle Cheng smiled gently, nodded in acknowledgment, then turned and went inside to find the Prime Minister.
"Master, the eldest young master has left!"
"Um…"
The Prime Minister stood up and moved his aching body. He had been sitting for too long and was unsteady on his feet. He swayed slightly and Uncle Cheng stepped forward to support him.
"My lord, let me help you go outside for a walk... to stretch your muscles!"
"Alright!"
As he aged, his health deteriorated. Although he held the high position of prime minister after the new emperor ascended the throne, second only to the emperor, the new emperor was not as easy to fool as the previous one. He had to be on high alert every day to deal with him.
To be honest, ever since the emperor secretly sent the crown prince to the south to investigate the salt and iron case, the prime minister has never felt at ease.
He had served as an official for many years, holding a high position during the reign of the late emperor. The late emperor was incompetent, arrogant, and extravagant, so the officials below him catered to his tastes and amassed wealth for him. Since the prime minister had risen to this position, he naturally did many shady things for the late emperor.
When the new emperor ascended the throne, he purged a large number of people on charges of corruption and bribery. The prime minister was not among them. This was partly because he had served the new emperor for a long time and had taken sides early, thus contributing to the success of the new emperor's rise to power. On the other hand, it was because he had acted discreetly, and if the new emperor wanted to let him go, it would be difficult to trace him back to the emperor.
But the current situation cannot be easily overturned.
The Prime Minister was exhausted. "Uncle Cheng, from today onwards, keep a close eye on my eldest son. Make sure he cuts off all contact with the late Emperor's former subordinates and has no further contact with them. To be honest, if His Majesty hadn't noticed his contact with these people, he wouldn't have sent Princess Ningding to our residence to intimidate us."
I used family discipline on him; he won't be able to get out of bed for ten days to half a month, which will calm him down for a few days and see if he can come to his senses.
A ruler can tolerate either greed or sycophancy, as long as it serves him.
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