It was said that Fan Xian and his group had long left Hangzhou and had been in Wuzhou for almost half a month. However, other than reporting this matter to the Emperor, it was not revealed, so the people of Wuzhou did not know of this matter.
However, there were no absolute secrets in this world, particularly something like returning home to visit relatives. It was impossible to hide it from everyone. Thus, it was not difficult to imagine that the head disciple of the Northern Qi Imperial Advisor, the foremost ace in the Palace, Sir Lang Tiao, knew of Fan Xian's whereabouts.
Lang Tiao's trip to the South touched upon an unusually interesting problem.
Starting from the spring of the sixth year of the Qing calendar, the Northern Qi saint girl Haitang Duoduo came to Jiangnan alone and met with Fan Xian. The story of these few months had long spread throughout the North and South of the Yangtze River. Under Fan Xian's purposeful arrangements and the spread of rumors, everyone believed that there was an indescribable, ambiguous, and warm relationship between the imperial envoy of the Qing court and the Northern Qi saint girl Haitang.
Just like how Fan Xian and Haitang were worried about on that bed and under that large blanket, such a romantic story between a man and a woman tugged at the hearts of too many people. The Qing Kingdom had yet to react, but Northern Qi could not hold it in.
Haitang was Ku He's favorite disciple, the disciple aunt closest to the Northern Qi Emperor, and the Northern Qi empress dowager's favorite junior.
Such an outstanding woman, such a Tianmai being responsible for raising the spirits of the Northern Qi people and raising the morale of the entire country, was rumored to be marrying into the Qing Kingdom.
This reality made the Northern Qi people angry and also made the Northern Qi royal family anxious. Furthermore, those in high positions knew of Fan Xian's position in the Qing Kingdom. They also knew of the dishonorable role Fan Xian had played in that matter. The Northern Qi Emperor greatly admired Fan Xian. He was, at the very least, a fan of "The Story of the Stone". Although the empress dowager was young, her personality was stubborn. She would not allow this matter to happen.
On the issue of Shen Zhong, Shang Shanhu, and the issue of the Provost of the Provost of the Brocade Guard, the young Emperor of Northern Qi had successfully forced his mother to make concessions. However, on this matter of marriage and face, the Northern Qi empress dowager's words were still very powerful. It was impossible for the young Emperor of Northern Qi to forcefully hold on.
Furthermore, in that deep abyss of thought, the Northern Qi Emperor did not necessarily want Haitang to marry into the Fan manor.
First, it was the problem of the several million taels of silver. Second, it was the problem of the young Emperor's mind.
Therefore, the little Emperor remained silent on this issue, and the one in charge was the Empress Dowager.
The empress dowager's opinion was very simple. How could a proper saintess of a country be dragged into those filthy rumors and unable to extricate herself? How could her most beloved Duoduo be married to that scoundrel Fan Xian without any status?
Thus, she had sent out a group of people, led by Lang Tiao, to invite Haitang back to Northern Qi. At the same time, she had arranged a seemingly well-matched marriage for Haitang.
In any case, no matter what, he could not let Haitang marry Fan Xian.
This was the thought of all of Northern Qi.
…
…
Concerning Haitang's marriage, the empress dowager had arranged it to the son of Marquis Ning, her own nephew, Sir Wei Hua, the head of the Brocade Guard. The two of them were close in age. Wei Hua was indeed a capable official with a high status. He was indeed a good match.
However, Wei Hua was not an idiot. First, he did not want to marry a woman more powerful than him into the family. Second, he did not want to offend Fan Xian on this issue. Everyone knew that Fan Xian had inherited one of Chen Pingping's quirks. It was to absolutely shield and hold grudges.
Stealing someone's wife, what kind of grudge was that? Each time Wei Hua thought of what Fan Xian had done in Northern Qi, even though he was surrounded by Brocade Guard guards, his heart still felt cold.
Regardless of whether or not Wei Hua wanted to marry, he did not have the courage to disobey the empress dowager's edict. He could only use the Brocade Guard's secret letter to send to the Overwatch Council in the South to explain the matter to Fan Xian. At the same time, he reminded Fan Xian of this matter and rushed to remove himself from it.
However, the people heading South still came. There was the stubborn Lang Tiao, as well as Lang Tiao's female disciple, Wei Hua's sister, Wei Yingning.
Wei Yingning liked Haitang, just like all the women in Northern Qi. She had always thought that the Commissioner of the Overwatch Council in the South had used some shameful trick to keep Haitang in Suzhou. When she found out that the empress dowager had ordered Haitang to become her sister-in-law, she was the happiest person. Thus, after coming to Qing Kingdom, she became the angriest person.
…
…
Looking at it from another angle, the things Fan Xian had done and said were an intolerable humiliation to Haitang's future husband's family, the Chang Ninghou manor. That was why Wei Yingning was so impulsive.
She was impulsive, but that did not mean her teacher, Lang Tiao, would also be impulsive.
Lang Tiao was Ku He's first disciple and one of the most powerful figures in the world. Of course, he knew why the empress dowager had sent them on a diplomatic mission to the South Kingdom. After passing Wuduhe, they headed south but stopped in Wuzhou. They did not go straight to Suzhou to bring Haitang back home.
Whether or not Haitang returned was not only Haitang's business, it was also the business of the young man in front of him.
Lang Tiao looked at Fan Xian's delicate and peerless face and couldn't resist letting out a sigh. If they went to Suzhou to bring Haitang back home, regardless of whether she was willing or not, without Fan Xian's permission, a grudge would certainly be formed.
Everyone under heaven knew that Sir Fan junior of the South Kingdom and Northern Qi's saint girl Haitang were a match made in heaven.
Even someone as proud as Lang Tiao did not dare to provoke Fan Xian too much on this issue. Without Fan Xian's permission, they wanted to bring Haitang back to Northern Qi. They were also afraid that they would face the pursuit and pursuit of the Qing army. Thus, he had them stay in Wuzhou. He wanted to meet with Fan Xian and report this matter.
However, Fan Xian clearly knew that these people were in Wuzhou, yet he continued to avoid them.
This was normal. If he knew that his wife's paternal family had sent people to marry his wife to someone else, who would have the time to pay attention to it in Northern Qi? It was already good that he did not send an army to wipe them out.
This was the background and prelude to the series of conflicts in the restaurant.
…
…
The Northern Qi people in the restaurant heard Fan Xian's frivolous words, particularly the "son-in-law" and "son-in-law," and couldn't help but feel angry. They thought that the Qing people were indeed shameless. Even someone as talented as Fan Xian could not be free from vulgarity. Every time he did things, he acted in a lowly manner. How could he talk about the matters between a man and a woman without the orders of his parents and the words of a matchmaker?
Lang Tiao was someone who understood Fan Xian. He laughed bitterly and said, "You know this matter is impossible. Why are you so stubborn?"
Fan Xian rubbed his nose as if he had smelled something unpleasant. He smiled coldly and said, "Eldest brother, I don't know what matter you're talking about."
Lang Tiao was Haitang's eldest brother disciple. Because of this, Fan Xian's tone was rather respectful. However, when these words fell into Wei Yingning's ears, she couldn't help but feel irritated. She really was his niece.
Lang Tiao thought for a bit and smiled. Clapping his hands, he had his disciples leave the restaurant.
Fan Xian also smiled. Lifting the front of his robe, he naturally sat directly across from him. An Overwatch Council subordinate had long since brought them tea. The two of them sat across from each other at the table and faced each other without words.
A moment later, Lang Tiao warmly said, "Even if you keep avoiding me, I will eventually have to go to Suzhou."
Fan Xian nodded and smiled slightly. "The scenery in Suzhou is not bad. Duoduo and I often go shopping. We both like it."
Lang Tiao's gaze narrowed slightly and he changed the topic. "There are many things that you can't do as you please."
Fan Xian avoided the question and straightforwardly said, "Speaking of which, in my life, there is nothing I can't do if I want to do it."
Lang Tiao's brows furrowed. He didn't know what to do with the scoundrel in front of him. He could guess some of Haitang's thoughts, so he increasingly felt that the mission the empress dowager had given him was troublesome.
Fan Xian glanced at him and smiled lightly. "The Northern Qi empress dowager wants you to go to Suzhou, so you should go … as for whether or not you can take her away, what does that have to do with you?"
Lang Tiao listened to these words and thought for a moment. Then, he smiled. There was a glimmer of profound meaning in his smile. "You're so confident because you're certain that Duoduo won't return with me?"
Fan Xian was silent and didn't say anything. In this matter, Haitang's will held the most important position. No one could change anything. Regardless of whether it was Northern Qi or himself, they were all vainly trying to influence her choice.
Lang Tiao warmly said, "Perhaps you're wrong on one point. I came to Wuzhou to see you not because I need you to help me persuade her … I just want you to know that we're preparing to take her back. This is a matter of etiquette, not asking for your approval."
Fan Xian gritted his teeth slightly and said in a cold voice, "Isn't her problem also my problem?"
"I'm afraid … that's not what she thinks." Lang Tiao smiled slightly and gazed at him. "I'm the eldest disciple who watched her grow up. Although you're on good terms with her now, I'm afraid I'm still a bit more aware of what she truly thinks. She is a proud person. Think about it, will she always stay in Suzhou?"
Fan Xian was silent again. He knew what Lang Tiao said was correct. Duoduo looked like a village girl and did things gently. But, deep in her bones, she had developed a powerful confidence and pride because of her powerful abilities. It was indeed difficult to have such a woman wait for him in Suzhou.
Most importantly, Fan Xian asked himself, up until now, he could not promise her anything.
This was a love story, a story of a stallion. In reality, this was a story between people. It was somewhat sad and somewhat helpless.
"She is a person of Northern Qi." Lang Tiao stared into Fan Xian's eyes and quietly said, "This is not a concept forced on her by anyone. It is an understanding formed since her youth. When her own path conflicts with the interests of the court and the people, you should be able to guess what she will choose."
Fan Xian suddenly opened his mouth and furrowed his brows. "When have you ever respected her opinion?"
"That's not right," Lang Tiao straightforwardly refuted. "It's just that … you've always influenced her opinion."
Fan Xian was slightly angry. He slapped the table and said, "You people are also unreasonable."
Lang Tiao looked at him and didn't say anything. After a long time, he finally broke the silence and smiled coldly. "What can you give my sister disciple disciple? I don't care what the empress dowager thinks or what teacher thinks. If you can marry her, I will stand on your side! "
His words were powerful and resonant, and no one dared to doubt his words.
Fan Xian replied, "I have worked so hard to create this situation for the sake of marrying her in the future."
Lang Tiao gave a not-quite-there smile and said, "How are you going to marry her? Divorce your current wife? "
…
…
This was Wuzhou, Lin Ruofu's home. Fan Xian was Wuzhou's son-in-law, Wan 'er's home. Regardless of whether it was Lin Wan' er or Haitang, they could not be someone's concubine. Regarding this problem, Fan Xian himself had no solution. A long time ago, he had once ridiculed the Eldest Princess and thought that her vision was limited because she had a butt. Only now did he sadly discover that he also had his own limitations.
He was not as good as Ye Qingmei, not as good as his mother. He was sitting on his butt in this world, but he temporarily had no way to break through the world's resistance.
Looking at Fan Xian's expression, Lang Tiao smiled faintly. "Coming to Wuzhou is just out of courtesy to let you know. After all, in the Qing Kingdom, you are the closest to us. It is not good to hide these things from you. To tell you the truth, if we go to Suzhou, Duoduo will certainly come with us."
Fan Xian was silent, thinking of Duoduo's nature and nature. He knew that Lang Tiao's words were correct. Duoduo was too smart, so she was too stupid, too merciful, and so she was too cruel to herself.
"You should go to Suzhou."
Fan Xian didn't know if he had thought through something or not as he spoke with a slight smile.
At this moment, it was Lang Tiao who froze.
Fan Xian warmly said, "I've thought it through. It's never good to be too selfish in this matter. It's also not good to have her bear the pressure of a country. If she wants to go back, then go back. It's like returning to her maternal home."
Lang Tiao sensed a trace of uncertainty in his words.
Fan Xian continued to smile. "So what if I go back to Northern Qi? You know your Junior Martial Sister … How could she marry Wei Hua … Your family's Empress Dowager's thinking is too simple. “
Lang Tiao grunted.
Fan Xian closed his eyes slightly. A mocking smile rose to the corners of his lips. "Even if you asked Imperial Advisor Ku He to come out and Haitang was forced to marry … but …"
"But what?"
"But … in this world, who would dare to marry her?"
Fan Xian stared into Lang Tiao's eyes and said the most arrogant thing he had said since his rebirth. Mockingly and coldly, he slowly said, "Everyone under heaven knows she is my woman … who dares to offend me and marry her? Does Wei Hua have the guts? "
…
…
There was a death-like silence in the restaurant. A gentle breeze blew in from outside the restaurant, blowing at the sweat on the two of them. Lang Tiao was silent for a moment. He sensed the intention to destroy indiscriminately in Fan Xian's words and couldn't resist laughing. "I really don't understand you … why must you make this matter so terrifying?"
Fan Xian shook his head and said, "There are many things that you see as small, but in my eyes, they are very big."
Lang Tiao was silent again. After a long time, he forced a smile and said, "What a naughty joke."
It was indeed a naughty joke. The two of them had not been talking about anything else. It had only involved the matter of that woman.
Lang Tiao looked at Fan Xian's calm eyes and smiled lightly. "To discuss such a matter in Wuzhou … are you not afraid that Prime Minister Lin will feel uncomfortable and that the princess will not be happy? “
The reason why Lang Tiao dared to use words to block him earlier was because he was relying on this point. He was certain that Fan Xian would not dare to confidently say certain things.
Fan Xian was slightly startled and ignored him. He only smiled coldly and said, "We've already met today. Why aren't you going to Suzhou? Do you want me to go with you? “
Lang Tiao also ignored these words. Suddenly, his mind wandered. Warmly, he asked, "There is something I want to ask … last year in front of the stone wall in Xi Mountain, was that black-clothed man yours? “
These words had come too suddenly, so Fan Xian was unable to react. However, the training he had received from a young age was very solid. Astonishment appeared on his face and he replied, "What black-clothed man?"
As for the matters of Xi Mountain, Xiao En, and the Temple, Fan Xian had long come clean to Haitang. From Haitang's mouth, he knew that Imperial Advisor Ku He had long discovered the problem … however, this kind of thing could not be admitted even if he was beaten to death. He would hold on for as long as he could.
Fan Xian trusted Haitang. She would certainly not betray him on such an important matter.
As expected, Lang Tiao did not ask further. He only quietly said, "Since it is so, then we won't talk about it anymore. I'm going to Suzhou. You're in Wuzhou. I can only hope that there won't be any problems in the future."
…
…
There would definitely be problems.
Fan Xian was calm. In a quiet voice, he said, "There will be problems. If you dare to disregard her wishes … no matter who, even if your teacher appears, if you force her to marry, believe me … truly, please believe me."
Very gentle words, but Lang Tiao's heart was slightly cold. Having already reached the upper ninth-level, he had long seen that although Fan Xian had advanced unusually during this half a year, he was still not as experienced and ruthless as himself. Hearing these warm and gentle words, he still couldn't help but feel a chill in his heart.
"Believe you about what?"
Fan Xian smiled slightly. "If you dare to force my second wife to marry, I will certainly think of a way to destroy Northern Qi."
Lang Tiao was silent. Regardless of whether or not Fan Xian's threat could be carried out, given his relationship with Northern Qi, if such an important figure valiantly threw himself into the Qing Kingdom's Iron Blood faction, it would still be a loss no one could bear.
"Believe me," Lang Tiao also said warmly. "I will not let my sister disciple marry someone she doesn't want to marry."
Fan Xian thought for a bit and smiled. Extending his hand, he shook Lang Tiao's wide and strong hand. "This is a man's promise."
A glimmer of a smile suddenly flashed through Lang Tiao's eyes. "Perhaps it's not just a man's."
Fan Xian was slightly startled and ignored him. He only said, "To answer your earlier question … regarding the matter of Duoduo, I am only following my father-in-law's wishes. Regardless of whether or not I can marry her, at the very least, I cannot let someone else marry her."
Fan Xian's father-in-law was Lin Ruofu, Lin Wan 'er's father. Who would have thought that this old man would set down such a rule for Fan Xian? Probably no one would have thought of this.
(To be continued, if you want to know what happens next, please log on to WWW. CMFU. COM. More chapters. Support the author. Support original reading!)
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