"Why are you laughing, Master Fan?"
This was an expected question from Haitang. Fan Xian coughed twice, his eyes full of smiles as he explained, "I really like the way you walk."
Haitang was slightly taken aback, and anger flashed in her eyes.
Fan Xian hurriedly said, "May heaven smite me if I deceive you."
Haitang had no choice but to believe the viciousness of this oath, but she still didn't understand. She had been laughed at by the people of the palace for many years. Why did this young man behind her like the way she walked? Thinking of Fan Xian's shameless methods on the shore of the North Sea, Haitang was even more confused.
The two of them sank into silence once more, walking out of the palace, accompanied by the green trees and black eaves of the mountain. Haitang's position in Northern Qi was indeed very respected. Along the way, the eunuchs and palace maids they saw, as soon as they heard the lazy sound of cloth shoes rubbing against the ground, rushed to hide under a tree by the side of the road, and respectfully bowed to the lazy village girl, not daring to look her in the eye.
"His Majesty favors me so much that I am a little afraid," Fan Xian finally said, carefully testing the waters.
"There is no need to be modest, Master Fan." Haitang replied expressionlessly, "His Majesty loves poetry. When the Banxianzhai Poetry Anthology was published, all the scholars of the world had a copy, and His Majesty was no exception. After Zhuang Mohan and Master Qing rebelled against the capital, His Majesty had a long conversation with His Majesty in the palace. From that day on, His Majesty never stopped mentioning Master Fan's name. He often said that if Northern Qi had a talent for poetry like yours, it would be wonderful, and that it would be a great regret. Now that you have escorted Xiao En back to the capital, and the two countries are in a standoff, His Majesty is naturally worried about your safety. "
Fan Xian was silent. Only now did he realize that there was such a story between this young Emperor and him, who he had never met. But the young Emperor had a worried expression on his face, and presumably there was something he wanted to tell him. But there were many eyes and ears in the palace, and the Emperor did not want to say it in front of Haitang — he didn't know what it was.
"Oh? Fan Xian furrowed his brows slightly as if he didn't quite believe her words.
Haitang said softly, "Today, Master Fan, when you saw the palace and the forest, you blurted out the words' Unity of Heaven and Man '. I am impressed. In the future, when you are not busy with state affairs, Master Fan, if you have time, I hope you will not be stingy with your advice. After my master read the Banxianzhai Poetry Collection, he was silent for a few moments and praised you greatly. I was a bit surprised at first, but after talking with you today, I know that your reputation is well deserved."
"You flatter me." Her words were spoken with some sincerity, so Fan Xian responded with even more sincerity. "In the matter of Yan Bingyun, I ask for your assistance."
"I've never been involved in politics," Haitang said softly.
Fan Xian frowned. "Then why did the girl go to the North Sea alone to kill Xiao En? Did she not know that if Xiao En really died, it would have a great impact on this agreement?"
Haitang smiled. "Master Fan seemed to have thought about killing Xiao En before I made my move. Why did you suddenly change your mind?"
"Because I am also very interested in Xiao En's secret." Fan Xian rubbed his slightly damp hands together and turned his head to look at the vast palace.
Haitang said calmly, "I killed Xiao En because his secret would cause great trouble for many people."
The two of them stopped at the same time under a large tree. The green leaves on their heads were like clothes, blocking out the sun and making for a cool and refreshing scene. Fan Xian looked at Haitang's calm and steady shoulders and suddenly said, "In this world, there are no secrets that last forever."
"If Xiao En were to live, perhaps many people would die."
Fan Xian raised his eyebrows. He knew that Haitang's groundless bemoaning of the state of the universe and pitying the fate of mankind made her seem like a scoundrel in many ways, but he couldn't change anything with just a few words.
"His Majesty seems to have something to ask of you, Master Fan," said Haitang.
Fan Xian was slightly taken aback. He knew that she had seen through him as well. After thinking for a moment, he asked sincerely, "What does Miss Haitang want to tell me?"
Haitang said quietly, "I don't know either. But if it has anything to do with Si Lili, please let me know, Master Fan."
Fan Xian didn't immediately agree. He sank into a slight dilemma. What did the Emperor of a great nation want from him? Could it really be Si Lili? But he had neither the people nor the power in Northern Qi. What could he do?
"Lili is a pitiful girl. Good girl." Haitang's hands were still in her pockets. "If Master Fan can help, please."
Fan Xian thought of all the things that had happened on the carriage to the north. For a moment, he was at a loss for words. So the two of them fell silent again. They slowly walked forward, letting the green leaves above their heads and the sunlight above them dance and weave their shadows. They fell on each other's green robes and flowery garments.
Fan Xian suddenly took a few steps forward, walking side by side with Haitang. Haitang tilted her head and glanced at him. She didn't say anything.
Fan Xian gradually let go of his worries. He imitated Haitang's country girl's posture. He lifted his chin slightly and looked around lazily. His green robes had no pockets, so he couldn't intervene. He could only put his hands behind his back like an old pedant. He moved his hips forward and relaxed every muscle in his body. He let his seemingly heavy feet drag his body, which felt like it was about to fall apart, along the stone path.
Haitang tilted her head again and glanced at him. She didn't seem to understand why he wanted to imitate her walking posture. The emotions in her eyes were complicated.
Fan Xian had a warm smile on his face. It was as if he didn't notice her gaze. He walked side by side with her lazily. Haitang couldn't be bothered with this troublemaker anymore. She moved her neck slightly, as if it was very comfortable. Fan Xian also stretched and yawned.
The sun was near the middle of the sky, and the sunlight was blazing.
The sound of two pairs of feet scraping against the ground gradually merged into one, making people feel sleepy for no reason. The two of them dragged their feet as they walked through the palace. They looked very much like a lazy couple in the countryside, hurrying home from the fields to take an afternoon nap.
A drop of sweat seeped out from the tip of Haitang's nose. That ordinary face had a strange charm.
"The antidote you gave me last time was too strong. It was a bit bitter." Haitang reveled in the sunlight.
Fan Xian smiled. He knew that she had seen through his trick that day. He said quietly, "I am the Commissioner of the Overwatch Council. I am not a sage who seeks the Way of Heaven. It is normal for me to use some tricks. I hope you don't mind. Of course, if you really do mind, you can also give me... that medicine."
His words were a bit frivolous, but Haitang didn't blush like other women. She said lightly, "If there is a chance, I will."
Fan Xian sweated profusely. He then heard her say, "You are the Commissioner of the Overwatch Council. You walk in the dark. Why is it that after going from Danzhou to the capital of the Kingdom of Qing, you have so wantonly shone? Just like you are walking in the sunlight right now. "
"The dark night has given me black eyes, but I will use them to find light."
Fan Xian continued to borrow the brilliant words of his brother from that world, even though he had died quite a useless and bastard. As expected, Haitang was slightly startled. She tilted her head and looked at him. Presumably, her view of Fan Xian had unknowingly undergone some sort of change.
Fan Xian smiled and continued, "Of course, the dark night has given me black eyes. I have more opportunities to use them... to roll my eyes at the world."
Haitang finally smiled. As the saying goes, a sweet smile can be seen between bamboo fences. Haitang all over the mountains are vulgar. If the palace walls were bamboo fences, why should I fear the vulgarity of the world?
— — —
Outside the palace, Fan Xian exchanged a few words with the anxious Tiger Guards and Wang Qinian. Under the escort of the Northern Qi Imperial Guards, Fan Xian, the head envoy of the Kingdom of Qing, sat in a carriage outside the courtyard. He had just gotten off the carriage when he saw the chaos in front of him. He couldn't help but be slightly surprised.
When he took two steps toward the main gate of the courtyard and saw the scene clearly, he couldn't help but be greatly shocked.
In front of the gate, there were many Northern Qi bailiffs and guards squatting on the ground picking up things. Behind each person was a large sack. Every now and then, they would pick up an item and throw it inside. Judging by the way they were dragging it, it seemed that the item was rather heavy. Fan Xian was very curious. He asked Wang Qinian, who was beside him, "What's going on?"
Wang Qinian was also very puzzled.
As they walked forward, they discovered that the large open space in front of the courtyard was filled with all sorts of knives. Some were decorated with emerald sheaths, some were simple and unadorned, some were modern, and of course, most of them were the small curved knives that the people of Northern Qi loved to carry with them.
Fan Xian sucked in a breath of cold air. "Hurry up and snatch those sacks back. Since they were thrown in front of our gate, even if they are to be sold as scrap metal, we will have to earn this extra income ourselves." Today, he had been in the palace admiring the scenery, chatting, and imitating a village girl's walk. He was in a very good mood, so now that he was cracking a joke, he had some of Fan Sizhe's elegance.
Wang Qinian laughed bitterly. "Sir, you really have a good state of mind. You can still joke like this."
Fan Xian laughed helplessly. "What else can I do? Do I really have to catch every single knife? " Ever since he had almost been hit in the nose by Ye Ling 'er, the daughter of the Jingdou garrison, Fan Xian had come to understand the rules of this world's martial arts duels — throw a knife at the opponent's feet. If the opponent accepts the challenge, they will pick up the knife.
"It's only been half a day. Why are there suddenly so many troublemakers?" he asked with a frown.
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