In the thirteenth year of the Tianbao era: I became Yang Guozhong's eldest son.

Before 3 PM, the Imperial Street outside the Hua'e Xianghui Tower was already packed with carriages and horses.

Yang Xuan got off the carriage and looked up at the tall building standing next to Xingqing Palace.

With its vermilion railings and upturned eaves, layered pavilions stand one on top of another, and glazed tiles gleam with a golden light under the sun.

The steps in front of the building are wide, with guards standing solemnly on both sides holding halberds. The armor plates gently collide in the wind, making a soft and orderly sound.

Looking further inside, the palace lanterns had already been lit, and the red silk curtains swayed gently in the breeze. The faint sounds of string and wind instruments drifted out from inside the building, like a layer of soft mist, enveloping the last vestiges of Chang'an's prosperity.

If you didn't know how things would turn out a year from now, this place would seem like a dream of a peaceful and prosperous world that never ends.

Unfortunately, Yang Xuan knew this.

He knew better than anyone that a spark was buried beneath this dream.

"Young Master, I heard that His Majesty is personally hosting a banquet today to send off Governor An." Afu followed behind, lowering her voice, her tone revealing nervousness. "The Prime Minister has already entered the palace ahead of us and specifically sent someone to tell you that you must not be disrespectful when you arrive."

Yang Xuan hummed in agreement but did not speak immediately.

Today he changed into a brand new purple robe, the goldfish pouch at his waist was still there, and the jade belt was also properly tied. At first glance, he was still the pampered eldest son of the Yang family, but his eyes were much more somber than they had been a few days ago.

Disrespectful behavior?

His coming today was bound to be disrespectful.

However, this "loss" must be measured in terms of gains and losses. It must be a loss that causes Yang Guozhong pain, angers Emperor Xuanzong, and incurs the wrath of An Lushan, yet one cannot simply send oneself to a death row.

Yang Xuan walked while silently calculating in his mind.

Given Emperor Xuanzong's current temperament, what he dislikes most is not the incompetence of his ministers, but rather their public sullenness.

Today's farewell banquet is not only a dignified occasion for An Lushan, but also a show for the world.

An Lushan was a barbarian general, a border garrison commander, and a living signboard used by Emperor Xuanzong to suppress his court officials and demonstrate that "I can control the four barbarians."

If anyone causes trouble at this banquet, it won't just be a slap in the face to An Lushan, but to Emperor Xuanzong.

Therefore, this step we take today must not be solely aimed at An Lushan.

Yang Guozhong has to push him out first.

Only in this way could the subsequent falling out between father and son be logical and reasonable.

As he stepped onto the stone steps, he encountered several officials in scarlet robes entering through a side door.

When the group saw him, they all paused in their tracks.

"So it was Yang Dalang."

The speaker was a vice-minister of the Censorate, surnamed Pei, who was over forty years old, with a fair complexion and short beard. He spoke with a smile in his eyes, but the smile did not reach his eyes at all.

Yang Xuan recognized this person.

This man usually loved to criticize Yang Guozhong for forming cliques and engaging in corrupt practices in the Censorate, but when he came to Yang's residence, he bowed lower than anyone else.

"Minister Pei".

Yang Xuan cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, demonstrating impeccable manners.

Pei Zhongcheng smiled and looked him over: "I've heard that the eldest son has recently gained the Prime Minister's favor. Now that Governor An is leaving the capital, the Prime Minister will surely need to rely on you, his eldest son."

This statement appears to be flattery, but it is actually a probe.

To find out if Yang Guozhong is planning to make a move at today's court banquet.

Another official chimed in with a smile, "Who doesn't know that the Right Chancellor dotes on his eldest son? With the eldest son here today, Governor An will probably have to offer him a few more toasts."

Although they spoke politely, their expressions betrayed a hint of schadenfreude.

Everyone in the court knew that Yang Guozhong and An Lushan had a long-standing feud.

One controls the central government, the other holds the border troops; they both wish they could devour each other alive.

Now that An Lushan has left the capital, Emperor Xuanzong insists on putting on a show of filial piety and harmony between the emperor and his subjects. The more lively this performance is, the deeper the knife is hidden beneath.

Yang Xuan understood in his heart, but only smiled faintly on his face.

"Gentlemen, you jest. Today is a banquet hosted by His Majesty, with civil and military officials all present. How could I, a junior, possibly have the right to be invited or not? I am merely serving at the very end."

He spoke in a flat and unremarkable manner.

Several officials glanced at him again.

They knew perfectly well what kind of person Yang's eldest son was in the past.

Cockfighting, horse racing, drinking, and listening to music—it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say he was the most extravagant playboy among the wealthy and powerful.

But the man in front of him spoke slowly and deliberately, even his eyebrows and eyes were closed, and he had a calmness that was completely different from Yang Guozhong.

Pei Zhongcheng's eyes flickered slightly, and he was about to say something more when the eunuch in front of the building announced loudly, "Gentlemen, please take your seats—"

Everyone had no choice but to stop talking.

As Yang Xuan followed the crowd inside, the moment he crossed the threshold, he was greeted by a rich and luxurious atmosphere, a blend of warm fragrance, the smell of wine, and the sounds of silk and bamboo instruments.

The building is extremely large.

The courtyard was covered with a scarlet carpet, with low tables on either side, and gold and silver utensils on the tables dazzled the eye.

At the very top is the throne, behind which is a nine-curved gilded screen, and in front of the screen, incense smoke rises continuously from the incense burner.

Palace maids stood on either side, holding round fans, their robes as colorful as clouds. Further down, they were seated according to rank, with purple robes in front, scarlet robes next, and green robes behind.

Yang Xuan glanced around and quickly found several key locations.

The empty seat to the lower right of the throne was clearly reserved for Yang Guifei.

Gao Lishi was already seated in the seat closest to the emperor on the left.

A little below that is Yang Guozhong.

Looking across, An Lushan's position was equally conspicuous, almost directly opposite Yang Guozhong.

This is not a typical seating arrangement.

This was a balance that Emperor Xuanzong deliberately presented to the public—a right prime minister in the central government and a military governor in a border town, checking and balancing each other, yet both ultimately under the emperor's control.

And this is precisely the most dangerous place.

Because anyone who tries to disrupt this "balance" will first be seen as a spoilsport by Emperor Xuanzong.

"Young Master, your seat is over there."

A young eunuch bent down to lead the way.

Yang Xuan's seat was indeed not high; it was near the front, but not in the core, only slightly closer than that of ordinary attendant officials.

This position is perfect—it allows him to see everyone in the room clearly, and it also allows others to see him.

Not long after he sat down, Yang Guozhong glanced in their direction as if it were an unintentional gesture.

That glance was extremely faint.

If it were the original owner of this body, she would most likely just glance at him casually, as if he were her father.

But Yang Xuan understood.

That's not looking, that's confirming.

Make sure he's arrived, make sure he remembers the instructions from yesterday's study, and make sure the knife can be drawn on time today.

Yang Xuan lowered his eyes, poured himself a glass of wine, and did not respond.

He knew Yang Guozhong would be anxious.

The more urgent the better.

Outside the palace, the spring sun shines over Chang'an, but inside the palace, lanterns are lit early in the morning.

After a couple of rounds of drinks, the building gradually became lively.

The dancers filed in, first performing a soft dance, then a whirling dance, while the pipa, konghou, and jiegu all sounded at the same time, making people's chests tremble.

The assembled officials and nobles wore smiles and raised their cups, as if they had no worries whatsoever.

Yang Xuan was not stunned by the scene.

He was looking at people.

Let's look at Gao Lishi first.

Gao Lishi sat in the seat closest to the throne, his head bowed, as if he were only listening to the music and watching the dance, occasionally glancing at the wine cup for Emperor Xuanzong or passing on a message.

But whenever someone came in or out, or whenever there was hushed conversation at the table, the old eunuch's gaze would always sweep over them without leaving a trace.

This is a person who lives as a shadow.

The shadow usually doesn't speak, but once it moves, it must be the emperor's will.

Let's look at Yang Guozhong next.

Today, Yang Guozhong was dressed in a purple robe with wide sleeves. He was slightly plump, with his chin slightly raised. Sitting there, he exuded an aura that made everyone else want to revolve around him.

He smiled and even raised his cup to An Lushan twice, but with each smile, the disgust in his eyes deepened.

As for An Lushan—

Yang Xuan looked at the person opposite him.

That fat man was even more pretentious today than at the previous banquet.

At the welcoming banquet earlier, he was only smiling insincerely.

Today, in front of the Emperor, he even perfected his posture and mannerisms.

When he stood up, he bent his waist very low. When offering a toast, he held the cup with both hands. Whenever Emperor Xuanzong laughed, he would pat his belly and laugh three times.

Whenever Yang Guifei said a word, he would immediately switch to an affectionate and ingratiating expression, just like a fat dog that would roll around on the ground.

But Yang Xuan knew that this person wasn't a dog at heart.

It's a wolf.

Moreover, these were wolves that had already smelled blood and were just waiting to turn and head north.