Chapter 187: Don't Think Too Much

"My Lord? Prime Minister Wang, you are killing me with that."

Hearing Wang Xuesong's form of address, Ren Yidao's eyes flickered, but the smile on his face remained unchanged as he cupped his hands and said:

"In front of Prime Minister Wang, who would dare call themselves 'My Lord'?"

Toward this Prime Minister, Ren Yidao actually held a fair amount of respect in his heart.

It was not just anyone who could spend so many years dealing with the Li Family and still manage to retreat unscathed.

This old man, though he possessed little strength and seemed so frail that a gust of wind could blow him over, was a genuine pillar of the nation.

Especially his own elder brother, Li Long; although he seemed easy to get along with on a daily basis, that was only when serious matters were not involved.

If one were to truly work with him, that casual and self-centered personality would likely be a true hell.

"Hehe, Lord Ren, do not belittle yourself. At this moment, there are few in Wentian City whose status is more exalted than yours."

Wang Xuesong smiled kindly, holding his teacup and shaking his head slowly.

This old man, who had been shrewd in the imperial court for a lifetime, looked at this moment like nothing more than a kind and amiable elder.

He had the image of a harmless, wealthy old man.

However, anyone who knew anything about him would never lightly trust his appearance.

In the rising and falling officialdom of Wentian, every single person who underestimated this old man met a bad end.

Not one or two, but every single one!

As eras changed and generation after generation of newcomers replaced the old in the court, only this Prime Minister stood firm like a mountain amidst the waves.

This was a capability that left people stunned.

And in the hearts of many, "ruthless" was the synonym for Wang Xuesong in their eyes.

This old codger, who looked so kind and amiable, was wicked to the core!

Matters of raiding homes and exterminating clans, although he never personally directed them, had never been few in number over these years.

His Majesty ignored state affairs, so it couldn't be that he was just bored and ordered them, right?

Impossible, absolutely impossible!

It was just that this old codger Wang Xuesong was ruthless.

"Although this old man does not know why His Majesty would bestow such a title upon you, the title of Imperial Brother is not something just anyone can bear."

Watching the youth before him who was young to an excessive degree, Wang Xuesong's heart was not as calm as it appeared on the surface.

Having spent so many years with Li Long, although Wang Xuesong could not see him every day, he was one of the few people in this court who understood him best.

Although Li Long liked to play through life on a daily basis, he had never disappointed anyone when it came to serious matters.

Before meeting Ren Yidao, Wang Xuesong had already concluded in his heart that this youth must have his own extraordinary qualities.

And after they truly met, he became even more firm in his thinking.

His expectations for Ren Yidao himself had been set very high, yet he did not feel disappointed after meeting him.

Meeting is not as good as hearing?

No, seeing with one's own eyes is better than hearing!

It was not that Wang Xuesong had never seen so-called young talents; he had witnessed plenty of geniuses from the other three regions.

But not a single one could make Wang Xuesong feel so amazed upon a first meeting.

There was a kind of composure in this youth that had settled after being polished by time.

Especially in a quiet place like a teahouse, it could reveal his difference from others even more.

Although he sat there, he seemed to have merged into this elegant atmosphere.

Such a temperament—he had only seen a similar one in the Second Prince before.

It was close to the Dao.

"Regardless of how you managed to obtain such esteem from His Majesty, Lord Ren must never underestimate yourself."

Underestimate?

To this, Ren Yidao only smiled and did not clarify.

What reason do I have to underestimate myself?

I may not have much else, but I certainly have plenty of self-confidence.

At my age, can others have so many adopted daughters?

Hmm?

Can they?

That's right, this is the confidence my adopted daughters bring me.

The two sat opposite each other for a while longer, and Wang Xuesong finally finished a cup of tea and asked:

"Speaking of which, Lord Ren, what exactly is the reason you invited me here as a guest today?"

Although Wang Xuesong had always wanted to find an opportunity to see this mysterious young man with his own eyes, today's event was not something he had initiated.

He had come to this newly opened teahouse because he had received an invitation from Ren Yidao and took the opportunity to go gladly.

"Prime Minister Wang, what do you think of this place?"

"What do I think..."

Recalling what he had seen and heard today, Wang Xuesong pondered for a moment, then smiled:

"In this old man's view, Lord Ren's teahouse can be called truly ingenious."

"It is astonishing."

These words were indeed from the bottom of his heart.

Before this, Wang Xuesong had never imagined he would see so many foxes in a teahouse.

If that were all, there would be nothing much to say, but what truly surprised Wang Xuesong was the many familiar faces he had seen on the second floor.

Ever since the princes and Princess grew up, it had been many years since he had seen them set everything aside and frolic together like this.

If this were before, it would have been something he dared not even imagine.

Although there was affection between them, it had long since soured due to all sorts of matters.

As people grow, they become trapped by all kinds of other things.

Perhaps one gains much, but one also loses much.

The companions of one's youth may not necessarily walk with you into the future.

On the road named "growing up," everyone enters different forks in the path, and then they drift completely apart.

Family, friends, enemies, lovers... not a single person can accompany you to the very end.

Growing up is a process of gradually becoming lonely.

Wang Xuesong had experienced such a process, and millions upon millions of others had experienced it too.

But at this moment, he saw another possibility.

A temporary parting is not forever; at the crossroads of life, perhaps they will meet again.

But here, it was achieved.

Under the influence of a certain event, they cast aside everything that bound them and threw themselves heart and soul into this isolated environment.

They became real, and they became childish, seemingly finding back the childlike innocence and fun lost for many years.

Every prince and Princess, every person walking and struggling in this officialdom... no, or rather, every person walking and struggling in this world is the same.

For the sake of disguise, for the sake of protecting the softness within their hearts, their faces all more or less wear a layer of hypocritical mask.

They might feel exhausted, feel it is hard, and want a chance to catch their breath.

And now, they have been given such a chance to escape all of this and vent.

Judging from the fact that Ren Yidao comes from the Divine Path Sect, Wang Xuesong finds it hard to believe that he would expend so much energy for the sake of money.

A greater possibility should be for something else.

For instance, for some hidden purpose that others cannot yet see.

If Ren Yidao knew what Wang Xuesong was thinking, he would surely be greatly shocked.

Huh?

Don't overthink it.

I just wanted to find some free labor to help me brush my tail.

Really.