Therefore, it is very clear.

At present, Empress Dowager Xiang's situation is not optimistic and may even be somewhat critical.

In this manner,

the pressure Xiaozhao must face has also increased significantly.

After all, according to the normal historical trajectory,

Empress Dowager Xiang passes away early next year, and Liu Kuang would accuse Deng Duo in July.

The Prince Cai's Mansion case erupts, leading to the severe punishment of Deng Duo and several of Xiaozhao's key allies, resulting in conflicts between Emperor Huizong and Xiaozhao.

That is to say,

six months after Empress Dowager Xiang's death, Emperor Huizong cleared away some obstacles... perhaps larger obstacles, and then focused his attention on his greatest remaining rival.

It should be noted,

when the Prince Cai's Mansion case erupted, Xiaozhao's birth mother and greatest supporter, the Zhu Family, still had a year to live, which was far from the theoretically optimal timing.

That Emperor Huizong acted at this time indicates that certain issues were almost resolved.

In other words,...

time for Xu Yun to do certain things is also running out.

Thinking of this,

Xu Yun couldn't help but take a deep breath and said to Old Su:

"Master, I would like to travel outside for a while, and I hope for your approval."

"Travel outside?"

Hearing this, Old Su was momentarily taken aback,

Xu Yun had been at the mansion for over ten days, and as a Guest, coming and going was quite simple.

Unlike servants who could only leave when working.

However, apart from a previous visit to find Xiaoli, he hadn't stepped out again.

Of course,

this is partly due to being caught up in lessons with Old Su and partly due to Wang Yue's illness.

Upon hearing that Xu Yun was going out, Old Su quickly returned to his senses and readily nodded:

"Xiaowang, since you've been listed as a Guest, you only need to inform the gatekeeper to leave; there's no need to specially consult with me."

He then suddenly thought of something and added:

"...Is it that you need gold and silver, and lack funds on you?"

Xu Yun quickly shook his head, saying:

"It's unrelated to money. I wish to borrow the master's calling card to visit someone in the Capital City."

Calling cards were an indispensable tool for interaction among the ancient nobility.

They originated during the Han Dynasty when flat wooden strips were used to denote names and residences,

thus also known as "name cards."

After the invention of papermaking, they gradually replaced wood with paper.

The requirements for calling cards were high, generally including title + position + origin + name + courtesy name + respectful salutation + 'bai'.

For instance, 'The famous web writer Hu Jianren respectfully visits the Reader Lord' etc.

Additionally, calling cards usually needed a seal, making them very formal and useful visiting tools.

Of course,

since Old Su is retired now, the calling card isn't as significant, so he doesn't need to accompany it personally.

For example, when visiting Xiaoli's Family previously, Mr. Xie gave Yongzhu a calling card.

Therefore, faced with Xu Yun's request, Old Su was silent for a moment, not directly refusing, but asking:

"A calling card? Which influential individual are you seeking?"

Xu Yun shook his head, leaned in, and whispered a name:

"Not a current official, but..."

"What, visiting him?"

Hearing this, Old Su was startled, furrowing his brows in surprise:

"This person is not simple. Rarely did I have interactions with such individuals when I was in office; now that I'm retired..."

"Last night, I suddenly recalled a manuscript, recording a comet named Halley, along with several rare star charts....."

"In the First Year, where is my calling card? Quickly, fetch it!"

....

Half an hour later.

Xu Yun called Zhang San and left the Su Mansion through the main gate.

As a Guest of Old Su, Xu Yun was entitled to the carriage service for travels.

However, as mentioned earlier.

Old Su's only carriage was taken today by his son, Xiaosu number six.

Thus, Xu Yun had to walk a bit more, heading to the carriage stand to rent a carriage, much like taking a taxi nowadays.

Of course,

the fare was still covered by Old Su.

As a third-class "Dai" servant, Xiaosan, although having many opportunities to travel, had only ever ridden wagons carrying grain.

Therefore, hearing about a genuine carriage made him quite excited:

"Brother Wang, where are we going this time?"

Xu Yun handed him a piece of paper with an address written on it, saying:

"This place, have you been there?"

Zhang San took the paper, glanced at it, and embarrassedly scratched his head:

"Brother Wang, I can't read....."

Realizing this, Xu Yun slapped his forehead, took back the paper, and read out:

"Next to Wuqi Temple, River King Lane on Pupa Road..."

"Oh, Wuqi Temple—that place, I know."

Hearing this name, Xiaosan clapped his hands:

"We still have to enter through the Vermilion Bird Gate, but last time we went east, this time we go west along the Bian River, nearly reaching the area around Zheng Gate."

"Brother Wang, are we visiting a big merchant's house this time?"

Xu Yun smiled at him and asked while walking:

"What makes you say that?"

Xiaosan pointed in a direction. In the Bianjing City, it was rare to see buildings above two stories, so the five-story structure was highly noticeable in the distance:

"The Alum Building is right there, and just past the West Corner Tower Street, there's the Imperial Censorate and Western Ministry, a house in that area costs tens of thousands of guan!"

Hearing such a number, Xu Yun couldn't help but click his tongue in amazement:

"Goodness, a house costs tens of thousands of guan?"