After Fan Xian finished reading the Council report, he felt his eyes dry up. He couldn't resist cursing a few times in his heart. When he was young, his name and courtesy name had been arranged by those people. His surname was Fan, his first name was Xian, and his courtesy name was An Zhi. Now that he thought about it, this name was naturally given to him by the Emperor in the Palace. However, ever since he entered Jingdou, or more accurately, since last year's spring examination, when had he ever had a day of leisure?
Occasionally, he would ask himself. Using the knowledge and experience of two lives to judge, Fan Xian had to come to a conclusion that did not make him happy. The Emperor in the Palace had treated him well. Although he knew that the Emperor had given him so much power, a large part of it was because the Emperor needed someone like him to exist to balance the situation in court, and he had indeed demonstrated this ability, the royal family was heartless.
For the Emperor to be where he was today, on one hand, it had to be said that it was his mother's grace. On the other hand, it showed that the Emperor did indeed have some father-son affection for him. At least, he was not like Han Wu, who was still alive and living better and better.
Of course, Fan Xian would not revel in this father-son affection. He was strangely clear-headed and calm.
Thus, he was still a bit angry at the Emperor for throwing him to Jiangnan and giving him so much work and such troublesome things.
He was not a donkey, although Haitang seemed to like ordering Sizhe around like a donkey.
…
…
He rubbed his eyes and took out the rectangular box beside him. Curiously, he tore open the seal on the outside.
This was a gift Wang Qinian had carefully asked Xia Qifei to bring back. The letter said it was for him, but it did not say what it was.
The box slowly opened, revealing the true appearance of the item inside.
Fan Xian narrowed his eyes. It was a sword, a sword that did not look extraordinary, but emanated an ancient aura.
He took out the long sword. His right hand gripped the hilt steadily and slowly pulled.
Without a sound, the edge of the sword left its sheath.
Like the layer of snow on Cang Mountain, like the smear of jade in North Lake, like a wisp of wind in Jiangnan, the clear and bright sword light rippled in the study. It was incomparably gentle, but there was a bone-piercing coldness in the gentleness.
Fan Xian's expression changed slightly. He could see the value and sharpness of this sword. What particularly moved him was that the killing intent in this gentleness was quite similar to his own strange personality.
He flipped his wrist and casually waved it twice. He felt that the weight of the sword was very suitable. The blade of the sword pierced through the air silently and brushed the candle three times, but the candle did not move at all.
In the past, the weapons Fan Xian was used to using were nothing more than a hidden crossbow and the slender pure black dagger in his boot. Although he was very efficient when killing people, in the end, he did not have a weapon that suited him, particularly if he was fighting a true ace head on.
Because he had been stabbed by the Shadow, Fan Xian had learned Sigu Sword's secret very effectively. These days, he had focused on practicing and could be considered to have made some progress. That night, he had killed Yuan Jingmeng, which was already proof of this. With Sigu Sword in his heart, Fan Xian increasingly wanted to wear a good sword.
When he killed Yuan Meng, he had borrowed a flexible sword from Haitang.
I can't live off a woman, and I'm embarrassed to keep borrowing her flexible sword.
Fan Xian lightly flicked the edge of the sword and listened to a slight buzzing sound. He couldn't help but nod his head in approval, thinking that Lao Wang's flattery was truly appropriate.
He picked up the piece of paper in the box and looked at it. On it was written Wang Qinian's skillful flattery. First, he regretted that he shouldn't have peeked at Sir Fan's letter last year. Finally, he talked about the origin of this sword.
So, this sword was the sword of the last Emperor of the Wei Kingdom!
Back then, the Wei Kingdom had been broken up by the Qing Kingdom. The Zhan family had taken advantage of the situation to rise, but the treasures in the Royal Palace had long been stolen and sold by the eunuchs. This sword had since then also wandered among the people, never to be seen again. It was only after 20 years that traces of it finally appeared. After Wang Qinian learned of it, he spent a large sum of money to buy it. He then carefully made some external changes before sending it to Jiangnan.
"So, it is this Emperor's sword …" Fan Xian looked at the sword and smiled, but he did not think much of it in his heart. If this sword truly had an imperial aura attached to it, the Northern Wei Emperor would not have died back then.
However, he immediately furrowed his brows. Wang Qinian now knew that he was the Emperor's illegitimate child. He had spent a large sum of money to buy the Wei Emperor's sword and had traveled thousands of li to give it to him. Was this purely flattery, or … was he using this sword to hint at something?
Fan Xian shook his head and sighed. He thought to himself, Wang Qinian was such an old man with a wife and daughter. How could he be so daring? He was probably thinking too much.
He felt a bit uncomfortable in his heart. It looked like he was the same as the Emperor. They were both suspicious people in their bones …
Fan Xian blew out the candle and left the study to sleep peacefully. He couldn't resist muttering, "Zorro."
The room door closed, the moonlight was still, and the candle had broken into four pieces. One was frozen on the table, and the other three were rolling restlessly.
…
…
Three days later, the angels from Jingdou finally arrived in Suzhou. The angels were not those eunuchs with wings. They were eunuchs responsible for helping the Emperor send messages. They could not fly, so they could only ride horses. Naturally, they were slower.
Hua Garden was tidied up. The courtyard was swept, the incense table was set up, and the related matters were prepared. With Fan Xian in the lead, the Third Prince as his deputy, everyone in the Qinian Unit of the Overwatch Council, as well as the Sixth Bureau guards and Tiger Guards, dozens of people stood obediently in front of the front yard, waiting for the arrival of the imperial edict.
As the Northern Qi saint girl, it was not convenient for Haitang to be present. She had long left.
However, Fan Xian and his group waited for a long time and still did not see anyone come. Fan Xian was a bit annoyed. He called for someone to bring over a grand wooden chair. He sat in the corridor and had Sisi peel melon seeds beside him while he chatted idly with the Third Prince.
Deng Zi Yue's expression appeared awkward. He moved closer to his ear and said, "Sir, be careful. We have to wait."
His gaze flickered to the side.
Fan Xian knew what he wanted to say. The subordinates of the Overwatch Council did not matter. The Third Prince was now dead set on following him. However, his actions did indeed appear to be somewhat disrespectful of the Emperor's authority. There were also seven Tiger Guards beside him, as well as a few Tiger Guards responsible for the Third Prince's safety. Who knew whether or not there were people the Emperor had sent to monitor him?
Fan Xian narrowed his eyes and didn't say anything. During the trip to Northern Qi, as well as the trip to Jiangnan, Gao Da and the others had actually followed him. The two sides had gotten along fairly well. At least, they had not dragged him down or done anything that made him uncomfortable. Thus, Fan Xian had purposely revealed his true side for them to see.
In any case, these seven people would probably be his personal bodyguards for the rest of his life. Then … he would use the endless small mistakes to have them get used to his future big mistakes.
Sometimes, a person's heart could not be bought. It could only be seduced. It was like this between men and women. It was actually also like this between men.
As for the Tiger Guards beside the Third Prince …
…
…
Fortunately, Fan Xian didn't have to wait too long. Following the sound of a cannon salute from outside, a few palace guards took the lead and escorted a eunuch into the garden.
Fan Xian had long stood up. Holding the Third Prince's hand, he went forward to greet them. He bowed deeply and quietly listened to the edict.
The eunuch who came to announce the edict was Eunuch Yao. He was also an old acquaintance of Fan Xian's. The two of them exchanged glances. Eunuch Yao knew that this young master was anxious from waiting. His heart trembled. He quickly skipped over some of the procedures that could be skipped. He directly pulled open the bright yellow double-damask edict and began to read it in a sharp voice.
The contents of the imperial edict were not out of Fan Xian's expectations. Some of the sentences inside were even things that Fan Xian and the Emperor had already discussed in secret letters.
As the ruler of a country, he had to express shock and anger at the chaos in Jiangnan. The edict used seemingly harsh words to reprimand Fan Xian.
However, in the edict, not a single word mentioned the Ming family.
Fan Xian knelt on the ground. A glimmer of a smile flashed across the corners of his lips. This was as it should be. How could a mere Jiangnan noble family affect the heart of heaven? Although the matter this time could not be considered small, tens of thousands of people's blood letters had been sent to the capital, and a few rotten scholars were even going to file a lawsuit in Jingdou in front of the Emperor. The Emperor issuing an edict to reprimand Fan Xian could be considered giving the people of the world an explanation.
However, in the imperial edict and the official documents of the court, they would never mention the Ming family and criticize Fan Xian for not handling matters carefully. As for what it was? The court did not say a word. This was what was called politics.
It was just a few words of reprimand. Of course, it also fined Fan Xian a year's salary. There was no other punishment.
Eunuch Yao's sharp voice stopped. Fan Xian and the others rose to give their thanks. They also asked about the Emperor's health and other boring matters. Only then did Fan Xian accept the imperial edict with both hands and hand it to the official beside him to put away.
…
…
"Fined salary again?" Fan Xian couldn't resist muttering. "My old father and I haven't had any income these years. Who's going to support the family?"
He and the Third Prince walked in first. Eunuch Yao, with his body hunched and a fawning smile, followed behind them with small quick steps.
"Lao Yao … you have to return the silver to me. Otherwise, I can only eat porridge."
Fan Xian smiled and scolded.
Eunuch Yao put on a bashful face and hurried forward a few steps. "Please spare me. Who doesn't know that you are the best at earning silver in the world? You've been in Jiangnan for less than half a year, and you've earned tens of millions of liang for the court. Why would you need my scraps of silver?"
As Eunuch Yao spoke, he silently and quickly glanced toward the Third Prince out of the corner of his eyes. Fan Xian's earlier joke could be said to be a big deal or a small one. In the past, the Fan family had indeed fed the eunuchs in the Palace well. Of course, he knew that Fan Xian did not think much of his gains.
However, this mischievous joke had been said in front of the Third Prince. Eunuch Yao knew that although the little prince was young, his heart was ruthless. He couldn't help but feel a bit afraid. Unexpectedly, he saw from the corner of his eye that the Third Prince's expression was calm, as if he hadn't heard it. He then thought that since Fan Xian dared to say such things in front of the Third Prince, then he must have a sense of propriety.
Eunuch Yao's heart trembled. He knew that the things the Palace guessed might not be wrong. The Third Prince and Sir Fan junior were indeed like that.
…
…
"I don't have the guts to touch the silver earned for the court. Are you … perhaps advising me to be corrupt?"
The three of them had already entered the central hall. Fan Xian and the Third Prince sat on either side of the main seats. Eunuch Yao stood to the side. Hearing these words, he forced a smile and said, "Sir Fan junior, please don't make fun of me."
Fan Xian smiled and waved his hand to indicate for him to sit.
Eunuch Yao quickly sat down. This long journey had indeed made him very tired.
"I thought you would come earlier. You made me wait for a while," Fan Xian said as he ate sunflower seeds.
The Third Prince was also imitating Fan Xian's manner of eating sunflower seeds.
Eunuch Yao looked closely and suddenly felt that his eyes were a bit blurry. These "brothers" in the upper seats were indeed too similar. It was just that one was a size bigger and one was a size smaller.
He quickly smiled apologetically and explained, "I indeed arrived at the courier station outside the city yesterday. However, I had to follow the rules and could only enter the city today … there are two copies of the imperial edict. I went to the governor's manor first, so I came late. Please don't blame my legs for not being nimble."
He carefully watched Fan Xian's expression and found that this young noble, who was so popular in court it was almost purple, did not show any signs of true anger. Only then did he let out a breath.
In reality, with the identity of an imperial edict eunuch, he was like the Emperor's mouthpiece. He was incomparably arrogant when he walked through the seven Roads and provinces. Even earlier in Xue Qing's manor, the Jiangnan governor Xue Qing had been very courteous toward this Eunuch Yao of the Palace. However, he could be arrogant anywhere. Only in Hua Garden did Eunuch Yao not dare to be arrogant.
Putting aside the fact that Fan Xian was some imperial envoy, just the identity of these two "princes" and Fan Xian's overwhelming power was enough to make Eunuch Yao incomparably well-behaved.
"Of course, I know you have to go to Governor Xue first," Fan Xian said without good humor. "Do you think I don't even know this little rule?"
He shook his head and said, "What did the Emperor say to the governor?"
Eunuch Yao thought for a bit and said awkwardly, "Actually, it was pretty much the same as the edict he gave you."
"Oh? Xue Qing was also fined a year of salary? "Fan Xian raised his head and asked with interest. However, the tone of his question seemed to be a bit of schadenfreude.
Eunuch Yao chuckled sinisterly and raised three fingers.
"Fined for three years. Now I feel more balanced mentally." Fan Xian smiled and threw away the sunflower seed shells. "I said the Emperor was wise and benevolent. He would not let a pitiful person like me take all the blame."
Eunuch Yao smiled bitterly and thought to himself, What are you saying? How am I supposed to respond?
Fortunately, Fan Xian immediately changed the topic and asked, "Why did they find an old man like you to come on such a long and arduous journey? Are there no young and capable eunuchs in the Palace? "
"At the time, Lao Dai was training a few. As you know, after that incident, although he was recently transferred back from that pitiful place, this matter was delayed. This time, the imperial edict coming to Jiangnan was important, so I had to make a trip." Eunuch Yao sighed.
"Is Lao Dai doing well?" Fan Xian asked.
Eunuch Yao smiled. "Thanks to your great fortune, these old brothers in the Palace are doing pretty well."
The Qing Kingdom's Palace was not the same as in history. Since the founding of the country, it had been very guarded against eunuchs. Particularly after the previous Emperor ascended the throne 20 years ago, he strictly prevented eunuchs from interfering in national affairs. The Palace was very strict. It was difficult for eunuchs to wield power, so they were not divided into many factions. On the contrary, these eunuchs knew that it was difficult for them to live in society and were very united.
Ever since Fan Xian entered the capital, he had paid great attention to building a good relationship with these seemingly unremarkable eunuchs. When he was purging the First Bureau, he had let Lao Dai's nephew go, which was the same as letting Lao Dai go. Furthermore, he had taken good care of them and never made excessive requests of these eunuchs.
Most importantly, each time Fan Xian interacted with these eunuchs, he did not think of them as strange or evil people. He treated them as normal and did not purposely curry favor or humiliate them. He was not warm in front of them but sinister behind their backs. It was this way of doing things that successfully made the eunuchs like this young commissioner very much.
"As long as they are doing well." Fan Xian couldn't help but shake his head. Qing Kingdom's eunuchs generally did not have too many bad records. These abnormal people were indeed a bit pitiful. He pretended to mention it carelessly. "Lao Dai didn't train many young ones … however, last year, that little guy called Hong Zhu in the royal study seemed to be quite clever."
"Hong Zhu … has already gone to the Eastern Palace. The deputy eunuch is the Emperor's grace," Eunuch Yao replied carefully. Everyone in the Palace knew that Hong Zhu had been chased out of the royal study because Fan Xian had said something in front of the Emperor. The rumor was that Hong Zhu had been blinded by money and dared to extend his hand to Sir Fan junior for a bribe.
Fan Xian's expression darkened slightly. After thinking for a while, he sighed and said, "This is also good. This kind of overly clever person is never suitable to serve the Emperor … he doesn't know when to advance or retreat, and he doesn't know when to stop."
Too clever? This was clearly derogatory … Eunuch Yao thought to himself that the rumors were indeed true. Hong Zhu didn't usually look stupid, so how did he dare to provoke Sir Fan junior? It looked like that kid wouldn't be able to climb out of the Palace.
…
…
After sending off Eunuch Yao, Fan Xian led the Third Prince to the study. After a moment of silence, he quietly said, "Do you understand why?"
The Third Prince thought for a while. In the end, he was still young and didn't understand the reason. He helplessly shook his head.
"It's the end of spring and the beginning of summer." Fan Xian lowered his eyelids slightly and said, "We are about to go to Hangzhou. On the way, I still have to make a trip out. The Jiangnan matter has basically been settled. At most … the Palace will keep you by my side for a year, which is near the end of the year. We will definitely return to the capital. When we come out again, it will only be me and not you."
"Why?" the Third Prince asked in surprise.
"There is no why." Fan Xian smiled slightly and said, "In the eyes of some people, perhaps I have a strange and unfriendly aura. You are a true prince, of royal blood. If you are with me for a long time, I'm afraid you will be infected with some bad habits."
"But …" The Third Prince hurriedly said, "Following Sir to Jiangnan to learn, this is something father personally promised."
"Father … Emperor …" Fan Xian couldn't resist shaking his head. "If the empress dowager misses you, her youngest grandson, the Emperor can only summon you back."
The Third Prince fell silent. He knew in his heart that his imperial grandmother was different from other grandmothers. She did not like her youngest grandson very much. Instead, she especially valued the Crown Prince and his second brother.
"In other words," Fan Xian said. "Starting from next year, you will be alone in Jingdou, and I … cannot always stay by your side."
The Third Prince raised his head. A ruthlessness that did not match appeared on his childish and beautiful face. "Sir, don't worry. I will live well and wait for your return."
"You're saying childish things again," Fan Xian smiled and scolded. "By the Emperor's side, who would dare to do anything to you?"
He slowly said, "However, starting from now, you must stand out … at least, you must let the officials in court and the soldiers in the military know you and get used to you."
"Get used to what?"
"Get used to the fact that you are also an upright prince and not a child who only knows how to run his nose," Fan Xian said coldly. "Get used to you … is also possible."
It's also possible for you to do the same.
The Third Prince had been with Fan Xian for half a year. He had long admired this "elder brother" to the bone. He felt that being by Fan Xian's side was far more pleasant than the cold atmosphere in the Royal Palace. At such a young age, he could only believe and was only willing to believe what Fan Xian said.
However, he still asked curiously, "Sir, shouldn't you first endure silently? You once said that the tallest tree in the forest will be destroyed by the wind. "
"You are still not a towering tree." Fan Xian smiled and rubbed the Third Prince's head, although this action was disrespectful. "Since the Emperor has you follow me down to Jiangnan, you can no longer hide. Since you can't hide … then I might as well stand out and stand behind you. Let's see which wind dares to blow against you."
The Third Prince scratched his face, not quite understanding.
"I want to send a message to Jingdou through Eunuch Yao's mouth." Fan Xian pulled back his hand and slowly closed his eyes. "You are the person I have chosen."
The Third Prince suddenly gathered his courage and said, "Even if the Crown Prince … in the end, it is still father's choice."
Fan Xian didn't open his eyes. He only quietly said, "The Eldest Princess has chosen your second brother. The empress dowager has chosen your brother. Although the Emperor has not chosen, many people have already begun to choose. Why would they care if I am one more?"
…
…
There is no more snow outside the window. I wish everyone good health. I wish my friends in the south all the best.
If you want to know what happens next, please log on to WWW. CMFU. com. There are more chapters. Support the author. Support original reading!)
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
