As the ruler of a country, he had many matters to attend to. He could not always stay in this remote part of the Palace. He didn't know which part of the country had something happening. The head eunuch of Taiji Palace put on a thick face and took a great risk to come outside the building. He bitterly reported downstairs many times before finally successfully inviting the Emperor to come downstairs.
Seeing Commissioner Fan standing behind the Emperor, the head eunuch silently groaned in his heart. No wonder the Palace could not find the Emperor. It turned out that the father and son were playing a tearful game of recognizing each other. He had rashly come and disturbed the Emperor and made him unhappy. He didn't know how many beatings he would receive.
The Emperor's expression was indeed not good. Of the sons he had, the one he admired the most was Fan Xian. After Fan Xian entered Jingdou, he had brought too much glory to him and the entire Qing Kingdom. Furthermore, he was intelligent and sensible. He could be of great use.
The most important thing was that he had saved the Third Brother in the Floating Temple, and now that he had refused to acknowledge him, it was easy to see that under the child's sloppy appearance, there was a loyal heart. His methods seemed to be cruel, but they were all filled with the intention of moderation.
In the heart of this middle-aged Emperor, how could he not have felt a sliver of unreasonable jealousy toward Fan Jian? In the end, the Emperor was only a mortal. Now, he could finally recognize Fan Xian. Although Fan Xian had not spoken, the atmosphere was enough to make the Emperor happy. However, at this time, someone had come to disturb them. Of course, his mood was not very good.
At this time, there were too many people inside and outside the building, so it was not good for the Emperor to say anything more. He turned around. His frosty face gradually softened. Gazing at Fan Xian's beautiful and somewhat familiar face, he quietly said, "You've seen and said earlier, as the ruler of a country, there are always too many things that you have no choice but to do. Think about it yourself. Don't have too much resentment in your heart. "
Given the dignity of the Emperor, even if the person in front of him was his own son, he would not lower himself to speak like this. Other than not expressing apology, these words had already expressed enough. Fan Xian did not continue to pretend. He bowed deeply and seemed to be moved.
The Emperor suddenly furrowed his brows and thought of his sister far away in Xinyang. He couldn't help but feel a headache coming on. He sighed and said, "Recently, the capital has not been very peaceful, and there are too many things that cannot be brought to the table. Chen Pingping is worried that you will be embarrassed in court, so he has suggested that you go to Jiangnan ahead of time. What do you think?"
Fan Xian did not dare to have any objections. Just at the right time, a glimmer of darkness flashed through his eyes. Faintly, he said, "As you wish." He suddenly smiled warmly. "I have never been to Jiangnan before. Please tell me what I need to pay attention to, Your Majesty."
The Emperor shook his head. "What I need is a clean palace treasury that can earn money for the court every year. As for what to do, you should be clear. In the past two months, what you have done, I admire it very much."
Naturally, he was talking about the Overwatch Council investigating the Cui family and attacking the palace treasury smuggling.
The Emperor continued, "Only … because of this, An Zhi, you have made a few enemies in court. There are some things that I am not good at … hmm, you have done well." In the Emperor's eyes, the reason why Fan Xian had spared no effort in attacking Xinyang and the Second Prince was, of course, because of that memorial. He was working for the court and handling matters that he could not easily appear in.
After a moment of silence, Fan Xian opened his mouth and said, "From now on, I am still willing to be Your Majesty's lone official."
The Emperor was very satisfied with Fan Xian's attitude. Fan Xian took this opportunity to ask, "However, Jiangnan is far away. Although I have the power of supervision, I am not familiar with business. If all matters were to be led by the Council alone, I am afraid I would not be able to investigate clearly … Your Majesty, I …"
He gritted his teeth in front of the Emperor and said, "I would like to borrow Qingyu Hall."
The Emperor was surprised. After a moment of silence, he asked, "The shopkeepers of Qingyu Hall are naturally familiar with the affairs of the palace treasury. However, according to the rules of the court, they are not allowed to leave the capital …" He suddenly felt that saying this in front of Fan Xian was not very kind. He coughed twice and said, "An Zhi, you are asking me for people in front of me. Are you not afraid that I will suspect your intentions?"
Fan Xian straightforwardly said, "The land of Pu Tian is not the land of the King. Since I have brought it up in front of you, I naturally believe that Your Majesty deeply believes in my loyalty."
The Emperor stared at him, but his heart was quickly circling. Back then, the Ye family had deep roots and could almost shake the system of the country. As the ruler of a country, he was truly afraid that the events of the past would repeat themselves. After all, Fan Xian was his own son. It was inevitable that he would be a little unwilling to lose the Ye family.
But he thought about it again. Since Fan Xian dared to say these words, he could be considered honest. He opened his mouth and lightly said, "Now that you are standing high enough, you naturally know that so-called real gold and silver are not very useful. As for the palace treasury, six years ago, I decided to let you control it when you grew up. It was because of … that thought. This was originally my wish. What is there to doubt?"
Fan Xian's expression showed that he was moved, but the Emperor waved his hand and laughed mockingly. "But don't try to hide it from me. Even though the affairs of the palace treasury are complicated, there is no need for those old fellows of Qingyu Hall. With your request, I think you want to fish them out of the capital. "
Fan Xian did not argue. He sadly sighed and said, "I dare not lie to Your Majesty. I do indeed have this thought. From the first day I found out about my past, I had this thought. Last year, I even went to Qingyu Hall to see. Those shopkeepers are confined to the capital all year round. It is truly a bit awkward. These people are not even 50 years old. If they were released into the capital, they could still serve the court. "
Last year, he had taken a trip to Qingyu Hall. He knew that this matter would one day be discovered by someone with ulterior motives, so he might as well say it in front of the Emperor.
The Emperor seemed to be surprised by his calmness. After a moment of silence, he finally nodded. Fan Xian was overjoyed. The Emperor laughed in spite of himself. "You can't take them all. The manors of the nobles are all managed by Qingyu Hall. If you take them all, I'm afraid King Jing will be the first to not forgive you."
Fan Xian chuckled. The Emperor smiled slightly and said, "Of all of them, only Prince Heqing dares to stand up straight and speak in front of me. His temperament is calm and fierce. How about you …" He stopped and said, "There is a painting in the side room upstairs … go take a look in a moment."
Although he clearly knew that the painting was in the Royal Palace, Fan Xian still showed slight hesitation and asked, "What painting?"
The Emperor said, "The only painting your mother left in this world …" Thinking of Xiao Yezi, his gaze softened. In a quiet voice, he said, "You have never seen her. Take a good look at her in a moment … speaking of which, your mother and you are not very similar."
Fan Xian was slightly startled. He then heard the Emperor sigh and say, "Although they were both incomparably beautiful, their temperaments were very different. She was like a man and did not give in to men. Otherwise, she would not have such a name. Back then, she hated the so-called poems and songs the most, so she could only practice them. "
Thinking of the son in front of him who was the most famous poet in the world, the Emperor suddenly felt that the matter was interesting. He laughed loudly and pointed at Fan Xian. "Although the poems she made had the power to swallow up the wind and clouds, they only matched her temperament. The difference from yours is too great … too great."
Hong Zhu looked at the eunuch's anxious and urging gaze outside the building. Hearing the Emperor and Sir Fan junior's happy conversation, he did not dare to go forward and disturb them.
Fan Xian smiled and asked curiously, "Mother … have you heard the poems she made before?"
"Only one." The Emperor leisurely thought back to the past and recited in a clear voice, "The scenery of the North, a thousand li sealed in ice, ten thousand li of snow floating. Inside and outside the Palace, there was only a vast expanse. Up and down the great river, there was suddenly no torrent. The mountains danced like silver snakes, the plains rode like wax elephants, wanting to compete with the heavens. On a clear day, looking at the red makeup and plain clothes, it was exceptionally enchanting. The rivers and mountains were so beautiful, attracting countless heroes to bend their backs. Pity Emperor Han Wu of Wei, slightly lacking in literary talent.
Ancestor Song of the Tang Sect, slightly lacking in elegance. The pride of a generation, the Khan of the western savages, only knew how to draw a bow and shoot a large eagle. It is all in the past. Counting the distinguished figures, we will still look to the present. "
Emperor Han Wu of Wei? Ancestor Song of the Tang Sect? Fan Xian's expression was very interesting, so interesting that he was about to cramp.
The Emperor glanced at him with disapproval and scolded, "Do you think this poem is not good?"
Fan Xian said with a pained expression, "Naturally, it is full of vigor. However, I do not know who this Emperor Han Wu, Tang Sect, and Ancestor Song are." He thought to himself, Mother, if you want to change, then change it completely. What Khan of the western savages … I have truly lost to you.
The Emperor explained, "Rumor has it that they were the three heroes of a generation from ancient times."
Fan Xian was speechless. He thought that his mother's skill at making excuses was very similar to his own. It was just like that night in Shangjing, Northern Qi, with Zhuang Mohan. Anything that could not be explained clearly would be pushed back to ancient times. He had occasionally seen it in the annals of history, but where was the annals of history? Sorry, I tore it up to use in the toilet.
The eunuch asked again and again, and the Emperor finally left the little building. As he left, there was no trace of sadness in his thin figure.
…
…
There was only Hong Zhu and Fan Xian left in the little building. Watching the Emperor's figure disappear behind the layers of hanging frost branches, Fan Xian finally couldn't resist exploding. Holding his stomach, he laughed loudly. Hahahaha. The sound rang through the little building with unspeakable joy.
To the side, Hong Zhu was dumbstruck. He wondered if Commissioner Fan had been greatly affected by what had happened today. Should he ask the royal doctor to come and take a look?
After a long time, Fan Xian finally stopped the ridiculous laughter brought about by "Spring in Qin Garden." His stomach hurt from laughing. Breathlessly, he said to Hong Zhu, "It's nothing, I'll go up myself. Wait for me downstairs."
As he walked up the stairs, Fan Xian still couldn't stop himself from wanting to laugh. That woman called Ye Qingmei was truly a wonderful person. She didn't copy thousands of good poems, but she had to copy this one. He guessed that she had been forced into a corner by Emperor Fan Jian and his group of people. However, perhaps Old Mao's poem suited that woman's state of mind?
By the time he reached the top floor, Fan Xian's smile had completely disappeared. He had recovered his usual calm. Placed in a feudal dynasty, the poem his mother copied was truly an antinomian poem. The Emperor could say it, but she couldn't. No wonder she had such a serious conflict with the Royal Palace in the end.
He smiled coldly in his heart. He threw all of the true feelings of the Emperor to the back of his mind and did not think about it again.
…
…
Arriving outside the side room, Fan Xian casually picked up the cup of cold tea on the table and pushed open the door. Stepping over the threshold, he did not hesitate or tremble. Calmly, he stood in front of the portrait.
In the painting was a yellow-robed woman. In the background was a surging river. The woman stood on a green rock by the river. The skirt on her body swayed gently in the river wind. She faced the direction of the river. The turbid waves in the river rose into the air, slapping against the rocks and turning them into mud. On the opposite bank, in the distance, one could faintly see people the size of ants moving rocks or something. Perhaps they were building the river embankment.
The painting's workmanship was exquisite. The brush strokes were exquisite, but the style was grand and majestic. It was detailed to the point of being grand. Regardless of whether it was the heavy scene on the other side of the river or the green and yellow mountain rocks nearby, they were all described very well. In particular, the river bound between the two sides of the Yellow Mountain was even more turbulent. The waves turned white, and it was imposing. Looking at this painting, it was as if one could feel a fierce river wind seeping out from the painting and blowing on the viewer's face. If one stood slightly closer, it was as if one could hear the impassioned sound of the river water slapping against the two sides of the river.
However, none of this was the main point of this painting. Anyone lucky enough to see this painting would be immediately attracted by the yellow-robed woman standing on the other side of the river. They would no longer have any spare thoughts of looking at the scenery and people in other parts of the painting.
The yellow-robed woman only revealed one side of her face. A few strands of black hair by her earlobes, as translucent as jade, gently fluttered. Her lips were slightly pursed. No one knew what she was thinking about. What attracted one's gaze the most were her eyebrows. Those eyebrows were clear and beautiful like swords. They did not seem like those of a weak woman, but they also did not have a hint of manly heroism. They were only clear and carefree.
…
…
At this moment, Fan Xian's gaze was only focused on the side of the woman's face in the painting. The expression in the eyes appeared calm, but it always seemed to contain even more emotion.
In just an instant, he remembered that in the cave on the precipice of Western Mountain outside Shangjing in Northern Qi, Xiao En had once described his mother to him. Yes, it was this kind of gaze! Soft, sorrowful, filled with love and attachment to life, yearning for beautiful things, sympathy for suffering, and the confidence to change everything.
Fan Xian sighed and slowly sat down. Looking at the painting on the wall, he did not move his gaze for a long time. It was as if he wanted to firmly engrave the woman's appearance in the painting into his heart.
With cold tea in his hand and the old painting in front of him, he sat silently in the side room. He didn't know how long he sat there, but he didn't notice the sun outside the little building shift and the wind and clouds slowly move.
…
…
The cold tea in his hand was still untouched. Fan Xian had sat for half a day. His lips were a bit dry. He suddenly tilted his head and looked at the yellow-robed woman in the painting. In a quiet voice, he said, "You did well. Unfortunately … you didn't take care of yourself."
He paused as if he was a bit nervous. He wanted to organize a more suitable words to say to the woman in the painting.
"Of course, I didn't do as well as you, but please don't worry. I will certainly take care of myself." He stood up and looked calmly at the painting. In a quiet voice, he said, "I'll leave you here for now. Presumably, he won't let me take it away. In a few days, I will often come to see you." He didn't know how much time would pass.
Fan Xian moved closer to the painting and suddenly smiled brightly. Full of vigor, he smiled and said, "It's all in the past … it's all in the past. Let me deal with the romantic figures. "
After saying this, he rose and left the side room.
The room was completely silent.
…
…
The door suddenly creaked and was hurriedly pushed open. Fan Xian returned and stood in the side room again. Looking straight at the woman in the painting, he abruptly opened his mouth and asked,
"Science?"
"A female doctor?"
Naturally, the woman in the painting could not answer the question her son would ask many years later, so she only remained silent. Fan Xian's heart involuntarily ached. Shortly after, he chuckled and hid the wetness in his eyes. Sincerely, he bowed and said,
"Thank you."
Then, he actually left. The yellow-robed woman in the painting did not turn around. She only looked at the scene across the river. She was silent with her back to the door behind her. No one knew how long it would take for it to open again.
…
…
(Originally, I had written a few hundred words, but this chapter can only end here. This is the only way to express my sincerity towards Ye Qingmei and myself. Today, I am 30 years old. In life, I always think about all sorts of things. So today, I am also inexplicably sad and angry, crying bitterly. I really don't want to be 40 … Fortunately, the Vermilion Bird Chronicles is finished, and I am satisfied with it. Then I have an explanation for my life, and I can slowly explain it in the future. This kind of life can be considered relatively happy, because I really like writing and making up stories. And on the day I was born, I just happened to write this chapter. It is also a kind of happiness.
Finally, I recommend a book, Magical Acupuncture. It is not a friendly recommendation. I only read it because a friend recommended it. I don't understand Chinese medicine, so I just wanted to read it for fun. But in some of the details, I can see the sincerity of YY. I like it. PS: I will definitely be drinking today, so I may update later tomorrow with fewer updates.)
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