The Plum Garden was behind Guangxin Palace. The environment was quiet and secluded. Passing through the sky platform, they arrived at the Wind Singing Pavilion, which was where Sir Fan junior was recovering from his injuries. Although it was the Emperor who had specially ordered him to stay in the Palace to recover, and everyone in the Palace knew how much Sir Fan junior had done for the royal family, it did not feel appropriate for a male official to stay in the Palace for a long time. Fan Xian knew this, so he just stayed in the Plum Garden. As for the people from the other Palaces who came to visit, he always used the excuse that he was not feeling well.
At this time, a cheerful and somewhat naive noblewoman came up to the Wind Singing Pavilion with familiarity. She held a child in her hand and a few serving girls followed behind her.
Fan Xian was slightly surprised. Realizing it was Yi Guipin, he didn't say anything. Ever since he had woken up, Yi Guipin had brought the Third Prince here every day to sit. First, they were relatives. Second, he had saved the Third Prince's life in the Hanging Temple. She had used this as an excuse, so it was not good for him to stop her. Third, Fan Xian knew that this lady's intentions were sincere.
"Auntie, didn't you say you didn't need to come? Why did you bring something today? "he said with a smile.
According to etiquette, he had to call her "Lady." Last year, when he first entered the Palace, Yi Guipin liked Fan Xian to call her "Auntie." She liked this kind of intimate form of address, so Fan Xian didn't insist. Today, the serving girls behind Yi Guipin were carrying a few food boxes. He didn't know what was inside.
"Soup made from cordyceps." Yi Guipin bowed to the two girls at his side and pulled a chair over without any regard for herself. She sat down beside Fan Xian and said, "It's not from the Palace. Your family cooked it and had me send it over."
Fan Xian made an "oh" sound and looked at the serving girls who were busy pouring the soup. Among them, there was one with familiar features. He smiled and said, "Xing'er has also come."
Xing'er was the little serving girl who had taken him to various Palaces to visit when he first entered the Palace. She had not expected that Sir Fan junior would still remember her. Involuntarily, she blushed slightly and made a sound as small as a mosquito.
This caused everyone to laugh. Yi Gui Pin jokingly scolded, "You're injured to this extent and you still don't forget …"
Suddenly, she felt that she could not continue speaking, and so she smiled sweetly and stopped. She was not very old, and she had a natural, simple, and beautiful temperament, so it was easy for her to get close to people. She turned her head and said a few words to Wan'er, and then talked to Ruoruo about family matters. She told them to be at ease in the palace, and that there would be no problems with Fan Manor.
The Third Prince, who was sitting beside her, appeared to be much more obedient than usual. He did not have the violent and arrogant attitude he had in the Baoyue Brothel. He lowered his head with a bitter expression and did not say a word. He only occasionally raised his head and sneaked a glance at the patient on the bed.
What happened in the Floating Temple had already made him let go of the anger he felt toward Fan Xian in the Bao Yue house. After all, at that time, aside from his "big cousin," no one else cared about his life or death, including his two brothers. They only cared about saving their father. At that time, if Fan Xian had not been there, he feared that his little life would have been cut short by the hands of that ninth-level assassin.
No matter how precocious an eight-year-old child was, in the end, he was only at an age where he could judge who was close to him based purely on his likes and dislikes. The Third Prince looked at Fan Xian's pale face and thought of Fan Xian blocking in front of him at the Hanging Temple. Fan Xian's incomparably confident and heroic manner made him feel an indescribable sense of respect in his heart.
Wan'er glanced at the Third Prince and asked with surprise, "Third Prince, why are you so quiet today?"
The Third Prince laughed and said, "Sister Chen, it's nothing."
Wan'er became even more awkward and smiled. "It's as if you've changed into a different person."
Yi Guipin glanced at her son with heartache and said, "If it wasn't for Fan Xian, I'm afraid this kid wouldn't even have his life. After such a big fright, it's best if he behaved himself."
Fan Xian lay on the bed and couldn't turn his head. He could only watch these women and children talk out of the corner of his eye. With Xing 'er serving him, he slowly drank a bowl of soup made from cordyceps. When Xing 'er took back the bowl, she quickly squeezed the palm of his hand. Her fingertips were incomparably soft and smooth.
Fan Xian was slightly startled. He knew that this little serving girl would certainly not tease him at this time. He understood that Yi Guipin must have something to say to him in private. He paused and then said, "Wan 'er, take the Third Prince to walk around the garden. Sister, you should come as well."
The sister-in-law and sister-in-law looked at each other and knew that he had something to say to Yi Guipin. They slowly rose and pulled the reluctant Third Prince into the depths of the garden. On the way, they also took the eunuchs and serving girls who served at the side.
At this time, only Fan Xian and Yi Guipin were left in the Wind Singing Pavilion. However, it was not convenient for a young official to be alone with a young lady, so Xing 'er conscientiously stayed behind.
Fan Xian turned his head with some difficulty and glanced at Xing 'er.
Yi Guipin understood and smiled slightly. "She's a little girl from home. She's not afraid."
"Auntie." Fan Xian forced a smile. "What is it now that you need to be so careful? I've been heavily injured and just woke up two days ago. "
Yi Guipin waved her handkerchief and smiled. "If I don't come to find you, don't you want to find me?"
There was not a hint of warmth in her words, but she knew that Fan Xian wanted to know what was going on outside the palace. The assassination attempt in the Floating Temple was very strange. Not only were the masters in the palace anxious, but the officials outside the palace were also very uneasy. Even the common people in the capital were talking about it, and they felt that it was very strange. At the dining tables and in the wine shops, people were cursing the assassins and quietly guessing the assassins' true origins. They came up with hundreds of answers. Yi Guipin knew that the Emperor wanted Fan Xian to heal in peace, so he had cut off all his sources of information. It just so happened that she could help him obtain some.
"Aren't you afraid the Emperor will blame you?" Fan Xian looked at her with a not-quite-there smile.
"It's already this time of year." Yi Guipin's words were very direct. She chuckled. "Other than you, I have no one else to rely on."
Fan Xian understood what she meant. There were a total of four ladies in the Palace who had children. The empress didn't need to be mentioned, but the princes of Lady Ning and Lady Shu had all grown up. They had their own power, which was Yi Guipin in front of him. Although her family background was noble and she had the Fan manor as a power outside the Palace, the Third Prince was too young.
After a moment of silence, he recounted the scene in the Hanging Temple.
Although she had already heard it from her son's mouth, Yi Guipin was still very worried. Her hands gripped her handkerchief tightly. It was as if she was worried that the assassin hidden among the guards would kill her son with one blow.
After listening to it, she said in a hateful voice, "How could there be an assassin hiding among the guards? I've thoroughly investigated all three generations of the guards in the Palace. "
"It shouldn't be targeted at the old …" Fan Xian smiled. "Can I call him the Third Prince?"
"You're the older brother. Of course, you can call him that."
"It's not targeted at the Third Prince …" Fan Xian quietly explained. "Perhaps the assassin will kill the Third Prince, but the Emperor is still his true goal. Aunt, don't worry. Although the Crown Prince is a bit worried about the power of the family, and my relationship with the Second Prince is not very good, the Third Prince is still too young. He shouldn't be the first target."
To say these words in the Palace was indeed a bit bold. Although there was no one around the Wind Singing Pavilion eavesdropping, Yi Guipin's expression still changed. She smiled unnaturally.
What she was most worried about was whether there were people in the Palace who had ill intentions toward her son. Hearing Fan Xian's explanation, she relaxed a great deal. She then began to tell the Fan manor in a quiet voice about the situation of the investigation outside the Palace. Fan Xian didn't know the progress of the investigation. Because of her paternal family, she had many spies outside the Palace. What she found was pretty much the truth.
"Gong Dian has already been captured."
Fan Xian made a light sound of acknowledgement and did not reveal the shock in the depths of his heart. Yi Guipin used the word "captured." It meant that the court had already decided on this matter. However, it was not strange. As the Commander of the Imperial Army and the head of the guards, when the assassination happened in the Hanging Temple, he was not at the Emperor's side. Just this reason alone was enough to trample Commander Gong to the ground. In addition, countless feet would step on him and make it so that he would never be able to rise again.
What Fan Xian was more interested in was what this extremely muddle-headed Commander was doing at the time.
…
…
"He was in Luozhou, 40 li to the south of the capital. Using his own words, he went to do something by imperial edict." As Yi Guipin spoke, she revealed a confused expression. Even if Gong Dian wanted to absolve himself of a crime, he could not say "by imperial edict." Once these words reached the Emperor, it would immediately be seen through.
"As for what he went to do, the Overwatch Council interrogated him for two days and still did not explain clearly."
Fan Xian involuntarily sucked in a cold breath and sighed. "I always knew Gong Dian was an honest person, but I did not expect him to be so stupid."
"Hmm?"
Fan Xian shook his head and sighed. "Since it was not the Emperor's edict for him to go to Luozhou to do something, then it must be that person. However, the problem is that an assassination had occurred. How could he bring that person out as a reinforcement? Even if he brought it out, the Emperor would not admit it. I'm afraid he would die even faster. "
Yi Guipin still could not get used to Fan Xian's straightforward and bold words. She smiled bitterly and said, "These things … let's not worry about them."
"Yes, we have no right to care." Fan Xian sighed. "The Ye family is going to be in big trouble this time. Has the identity of the assassin been investigated?"
"The first assassin to act was the ninth-level ace who died." A glimmer of lingering fear flashed through Yi Guipin's eyes. "I heard it was an assassin from the manor of the Left Virtuous Prince of Xi Hu. He has already infiltrated Qing Kingdom for 14 years."
"How did he get involved with Xi Hu?" Fan Xian asked with surprise. "How could a Hu person work in the Palace for so long without being discovered?"
"This Hu person has a powerful background." Yi Guipin thought for a moment, organized her words, and explained.
Only now did Fan Xian know that the Hu assassin who died at the hands of Eunuch Hong was the descendant of the "fake princess" sent over when the Qing Kingdom was founded. Although many years had passed, she still retained the appearance of a Qing person. In reality, this marriage was very famous. When Xi Hu was at its worst, the other party had wanted to plead for peace and submit. They had sent a group of descendants from that marriage group back to Jingdou. However, the Qing people firmly refused their submission.
That group later miserably returned to Xi Hu. No one expected that they would leave an ace in Jingdou and choose this time to explode.
"How did he sneak into the Palace to become a guard? Who did the procedures? "
"The person who did it died a long time ago." Yi Guipin furrowed her brows. "So it has become an unsolved case."
Fan Xian raised a finger in his heart. He had finally touched upon a three-dimensional aspect of this matter.
"The eunuch is still alive. Given the methods of the Overwatch Council, they should be able to find out," he said in a low voice.
Yi Guipin nodded. "They have investigated very clearly. The eunuch is the descendant of a nobleman who died in that storm in Jingdou 15 years ago. Back then, too many people died in Jingdou, so a servant from the nobleman's manor carried him and escaped. At the time, he had just been born, so he was not recorded in the register. The servant must have committed suicide, and then the baby was adopted by a farmer in the suburbs of Jingdou. Later, he entered the Palace from the Palace. "
"How did the dagger get hidden there?" Fan Xian thought that this was the real problem. The eunuch should not have been able to create this kind of arrangement.
Yi Guipin's next words overturned Fan Xian's thoughts. "Three years ago, the eunuch was responsible for cleaning the top floor of the Hanging Temple before the chrysanthemum viewing party. It was at that time that he hid the dagger. The Overwatch Council has already found the owner of the dagger and confirmed the time."
Fan Xian furrowed his brows. Since the eunuch was a remnant of that bloody night 15 years ago … he knew that bloody night. It was done by the Emperor, Chen Pingping, and his father to avenge his mother. At that time, the largest nobles in the Qing Kingdom were all uprooted. Who knew how many people died in Jingdou? Even the empress's family was cut down until not a single leaf was left, leaving her alone to guard the Palace … who knew what this eunuch's background represented?
Xi Hu, noblemen … these people had the motive and courage to assassinate the Emperor, but … how did they get together?
"Did the Ye family have any reaction?" Fan Xian asked seriously.
"What kind of reaction could there be?" Yi Guipin smiled and shook her head. "Ye Zhong submitted eight memorials asking for forgiveness. He did not dare return to Dingzhou and stayed in his manor. Even the guards in his manor were handed over to the Jingdou government to manage. He was careful and cautious. Let's see how the Emperor handles this."
"The Emperor?" Fan Xian also smiled. "Let's see if Ye Liuyun returns to Jingdou."
The two of them were about to say something when they suddenly heard faint voices coming from the corner of the plum garden. They fell silent and began to talk about other things. First, Fan Xian expressed his apologies to Duke Yi's manor for what had happened to the Bao Yue brothel. Yi Guipin, on behalf of the House of Duke, thanked Fan Xian for his bravery in disciplining the children. He had prevented the future of the House of Duke from slipping into an unpredictable abyss.
The host and guest chatted happily and then said their goodbyes.
— — —
"What did they say?" Wan'er watched Yi Guipin lead the Third Prince out of the garden. She curiously asked, "This lady has always been happy in the palace. Why does she look so nervous today?"
Fan Xian smiled and said, "The child has grown up. As a mother, how can I still be like before? When we have children in the future, you'll understand. "
Lin Wan'er's expression became awkward. She then remembered that her stomach had not moved. However, her husband was injured, so she couldn't say much. She could only force a smile and change the topic. "How is it outside? Has it turned the world upside down? "
Fan Xian quietly told them the news Yi Guipin brought. He glanced at the eunuchs and serving girls not far away and said, "The wind is a bit cold. Let's go back to the room."
They knew some things were not convenient to say in front of the palace servants. Wan'er and Ruoruo nodded and ordered the eunuchs to come and lift the bed.
…
…
After returning to the room, Fan Xian lay down on the large bed. He opened his eyes and looked at the top of the bed. No one knew what he was thinking. A moment later, he finally said, "What do you think will happen to the Ye family this time?"
There was no one in the room, so he had nothing to fear. He directly said, "Gong Dian must have received an edict to go to Luozhou. And it was definitely not an edict from the Emperor. Otherwise, if Gong Dian cried out, even the Emperor would not be able to resolve the situation."
He felt a chill in his heart. "Although this move is a bit absurd, it is very effective. The empress dowager secretly ordered Gong Dian to go to Luozhou. As the commander of the royal guards, of course he had to go. But there was an assassin in the Floating Temple! If during the trial, Gong Dian still insisted that the empress dowager secretly ordered him to leave the capital, then it would be the same as announcing to the world that the empress dowager wanted to kill the Emperor. If Gong Dian does not want his entire family to be wiped out, then he will have to keep his words to himself. That would be a big loss. "
Lin Wan'er and Ruoruo were both smart people. Of course, they did not think that the empress dowager had arranged for the Floating Temple incident. Wan'er looked worried. "You are saying that Gong Dian going to Luozhou was arranged by grandmother and the Emperor?"
Fan Xian grunted.
Ruoruo furrowed her brows. "Why would they do that?"
Fan Xian laughed coldly. "Gong Dian is the commander of the royal guards, and he is Ye Zhong's disciple. This time, he is unlucky. The Ye family will follow suit."
Wan'er was worried about her good friend, Ye Ling'er. She sighed. "The Ye family has always been loyal. Why would the Emperor …"
She did not finish her sentence, but everyone understood. Fan Xian sighed and said, "If the Emperor did not doubt the Ye family's loyalty, of course, he would not choose to do this. But now that he has doubts, he can only choose to have the Ye family stand to the side. At least, the important area of Jingdou cannot be guarded by the two brothers. The most important thing is that the Ye family has the only Great Grandmaster in Qing Kingdom on the surface. As long as Ye Liuyun does not die. As long as Ye Liuyun does not die, he will not be able to touch the Ye family. "
"That is why he used such a sinister move. It is a move that will lose the dignity of the royal family." Fan Xian sighed. "Are they not afraid of disappointing the hearts of the officials?"
"Why … would the Emperor suspect the Ye family?"
"It is simple," Fan Xian explained. Fan Xian explained, "The Emperor arranged the marriage between the Second Prince and Ye Ling 'er. If Ye Zhong had seen clearly enough, he should have rejected the marriage at the time. Even if he approved of this marriage, he should have immediately asked to resign from his position as Commander of the Jingdou Garrison. Not to mention retirement, even if he was transferred to the border defenses, it would have made the Emperor feel more at ease."
"And he did neither of these things, so …"
Lin Wan'er and Ruoruo nodded sadly. Ruoruo couldn't help but say, "There are so many twists and turns in this."
"When I was in Northern Qi, I guessed that this day would come," Fan Xian said. "I just did not think the Emperor would use such a petty method."
Wan'er suddenly said, "It looks like the assassination in the Hanging Temple was something the Emperor expected?"
Fan Xian looked at her and nodded. "I just don't know if everything is in the calculations, or if His Majesty had only planned one of them. “
Lin Wan'er looked back into his eyes and slowly said, "The Emperor does not like to take risks, so … at most, he will set a fire."
The husband and wife looked at each other silently for a long time. It seemed that they were both afraid. If the fire in the Hanging Temple was arranged by the Emperor, then who arranged the subsequent chain of attacks?
Fan Xian slowly closed his eyes. In a quiet voice, he said, "The assassin's plan is too clever. So clever that I don't believe this is a plan that one organization, or perhaps several organizations, could come up with."
"It was just a coincidence," he continued. He continued to say, "The assassins who were hiding in the palace suddenly realized that the situation in the Floating Temple was very suitable for them to suddenly explode. So, without any discussion, and without any premeditated planning, a series of assassinations suddenly erupted."
In the end, he said to himself, "It is clear that this is a trap. It is a trap that completely exceeded the Emperor's expectations."
— — — —
In a gloomy building not far from the palace, Chen Pingping sat in his wheelchair and didn't say a word. The seven heads below him were also silent. They didn't know what to say. The Emperor was assassinated. Other than the Imperial Army, who had to bear the greatest responsibility, the Overwatch Council also had to bear the consequences.
If the Commissioner, who was lying in the palace, had not saved the situation, perhaps the Overwatch Council would have been like the Ye family, waiting for the palace to knead them.
Yan Bingyun, who had officially become the head of the Fourth Bureau, coldly opened his mouth and broke the silence in the secret room. "The assassin buried among the guards in Xi Lake, the eunuch who survived the bloody night 15 years ago, and the brother of the legendary Sigu Sword. It is impossible for these people to come together to plan such a situation. Furthermore, we still haven't found out who set the fire. According to news from various places, the Brocade Guard of Northern Qi is currently in chaos. They have no time to plan this. Dongyi has also shown no signs of planning this. "
The acting head of the Sixth Bureau also coldly opened his mouth. "Furthermore, Sigu Jian has a younger brother. This is only a matter of legend. No one knows if this person truly exists."
The Second Bureau of the Overwatch Council was responsible for gathering and analyzing intelligence reports. The leader wore an expression of apology and said shamefully, "There is no intelligence at all. Although it is my dereliction of duty, I thought that in order to plan such a killing trap, the flow of intelligence was essential. We would have caught some clues, but there is not a single one! I can only think that the parties involved in the assassination did not have any real contact. I would even boldly say that the assassins did not know each other. "
Sitting in his wheelchair, Chen Pingping slowly opened his eyes and looked at his subordinates with a somewhat muddy gaze. He thought to himself, The Emperor ordered people to set the fire. Of course, they could not be caught. As for the assassin from Xi Hu and the daring eunuch, who knows where he came from. The Emperor and I are not real gods.
"This is a plot of immortals." The old man yawned. "It was just a coincidence. There is not so much to think about."
(I am not in a good mood. The post in the book review section that was suitable for pregnant women has disappeared. I don't know if I made a mistake or something. I have been looking for it for a long time and have not been able to find it.
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