The boat with the white sail was slowly moving along the undulating curve of the bay. There was already a small boat coming from the direction of Danzhou Harbor. The small boat moved very quickly. In a moment, it drew close to the large boat. The man on the boat made a hand signal, and the two boats slowly moved closer to each other.
The rope ladder was lowered. An official with a head full of sweat panted as he climbed up.
At this time, Fan Xian had already changed into normal clothes and was putting on shoes. He didn't have time to say anything. He nodded his head and indicated for the official to speak.
The official wiped the sweat from his forehead and said in a trembling voice, "I am the Dianli of Danzhou. I have come to welcome the imperial envoy on his return to his hometown."
Hearing these words, Fan Xian paused. Earlier, he hadn't noticed the official's robes. Hearing him say he was a Dianli, he couldn't help but be surprised. He was not a person who liked to be flattered and flattered, but he knew that the Commissioner of the Overwatch Council, the imperial envoy, returning to his hometown, the local officials in Danzhou would certainly feel honored and would do everything they could to flatter him. Why had the Zhizhou not come, but a Dianli had come?
He unconsciously glanced at the ant-like people on the dock in the distance and narrowed his eyes. "Where is the Zhizhou?"
However, this unintentional sentence landed in the Danzhou Dianli's ears like a clap of thunder. He was given quite a fright. With a mournful face, he said, "Sir received news of your arrival. At this time, he should be hurrying to the dock to welcome you. Sir, don't blame him. It is truly … Sir did not know you would arrive so early."
This string of "sir" confused Fan Xian. After thinking for a while, he finally understood that Danzhou had not expected his boat to arrive so quickly.
He smiled and said, "What is there to blame? It is only a private return. There is no need for such a grand welcome."
However, there was already a grand procession on the dock. Fan Xian's eyesight was startling. He could faintly see people hurriedly preparing to put up awnings. There were also officials hurrying in that direction. There were also many Danzhou commoners gathered there.
The Danzhou Dianli felt slightly more at ease. He braced himself and raised his head slightly, sizing up this major figure who had not returned to Danzhou for two years. He had only been transferred to Danzhou after Fan Xian left, so he had heard many rumors about the strange young master in the Count's manor. In officialdom, he had also heard many of Sir Fan junior's glorious achievements in Jingdou and under heaven. Thus, he had long been filled with curiosity toward this figure who had walked out of Danzhou.
"As expected … a heavenly figure." The Dianli was shocked by Fan Xian's appearance and immediately lowered his head to report the day's situation.
It turned out that Lin Wan'er, the princess, had brought the Third Prince and a group of people back to Danzhou. This had long startled the entire city. Ever since Danzhou's seaport business had declined, it had long become a small, secluded place. Although the Emperor had reduced taxes year after year and the people were happy, who had seen such a large scene? This was a prince and princess!
Everyone was guessing that since his wife and student had returned, Sir Fan junior would also return. Thus, they had long made preparations. However, they had not expected that Fan Xian would be handling matters in Jiaozhou. All of the officials and commoners did not know when Fan Xian would arrive, so they gradually relaxed. It was not until today that a group of completely black riders suddenly arrived outside the city. They passed through the city defenses and came directly to the docks to set up defenses. Only then did the commoners guess that Sir Fan junior would arrive today.
Time was too tight, so only the Dianli, who had coincidentally heard of this matter, had rushed over. The Danzhou Zhizhou and other officials were probably still in their manors avoiding the summer heat. At this moment, they were hurriedly putting on their clothes and rushing over.
The Danzhou Dianli was afraid that the government would not be able to set up in time and cause Fan Xian, this major figure, to become angry, so he had quickly come up on a small boat to ask for forgiveness.
He carefully looked at Fan Xian's expression.
Fan Xian suddenly opened his mouth and asked, "Is the old lady well?"
The Dianli smiled flatteringly and said, "Her body is very healthy. The Zhizhou often comes into the manor to pay his respects."
"Hmm, Wan … hmm?" Fan Xian suddenly furrowed his brows.
The Dianli's heart jumped. He thought that Fan Xian was beginning to express dissatisfaction with today's work. He was so scared that the sweat on his back increased.
It was Hong Changqing beside Fan Xian who knew that he was suddenly confused and didn't know how to refer to his wife in front of this official. He smiled slightly and said in a quiet voice, "Is the mistress here?"
Fan Xian let out a breath and nodded. Although the Dianli in front of him was a minor official, there was no reason for him to refer to Wan'er as mistress, even though this Dianli would certainly be very willing to recognize Lin Wan'er as his grandmother.
"Madam is in the manor," the Dianli carefully said. "The old lady is also in the manor … the weather is hot today. I was afraid that the old lady would be worried about you and insist on coming to the docks to receive you, so I didn't dare report to the manor."
Fan Xian nodded his head with satisfaction and patted the Dianli's shoulder with approval. He also had the same intentions, so he didn't have the Black Knights report to the manor. He had even prepared to give the old lady and some people in the city a surprise.
The Dianli was overwhelmed by the favor.
"Have the people on the docks disperse," Fan Xian smiled and said. "Lend me your little boat. I'll go back myself in a bit." Since the old lady and Wan'er had not come to the docks, he couldn't be bothered to interact with those officials and his fellow villagers in Danzhou … it would not be too late to gossip about them in the future. He sat in the bamboo shed with a serious expression. That time in Suzhou was enough for such an uncomfortable experience.
Unexpectedly, hearing these words, Hong Changqing and the Dianli said in unison, "That cannot be done."
Hong Changqing was worried about Fan Xian's safety. After Fan Xian calmed down slightly, he smiled slightly and said, "Qing Wa, you haven't been with me for long. In the future, remember, you are a member of the Overwatch Council. As for my decisions, just accept them … I can't get rid of those Tiger Guards the Emperor gave me. Do you still want to pester me and make it hard for me to relax?"
Although the words were light, the meaning was heavy. Hong Changqing laughed bitterly and didn't say anything more.
The Danzhou Dianli said with a pained expression, "Sir, this side looks like the beach is flat, but behind it is all precipitous cliffs and precipices. There is nowhere to go … we can only go ashore from the docks. If you want to travel the mountains, it's best to wait for another day."
Fan Xian stood up and tightened the clothes on his body. Looking at the precipices that slowly passed behind the boat and the rocks that couldn't be more familiar, he couldn't help but sigh with satisfaction and say, "Sir, An Zhi grew up in Danzhou. Do you still not know the way home?"
…
…
Danzhou was not large. In these decades, it had produced a Minister of Revenue and an Emperor's wet nurse. That was already glorious enough. Now, it had another imperial envoy … furthermore, the imperial envoy had grown up here until he was 16. Thus, during these two years, the people of Danzhou had all felt excited and excited. Even when they interacted with the people of neighboring provinces, they had a glimmer of confidence and pride.
The Black Knights of the Overwatch Council had come to the docks to set up defenses. Although the people were afraid, they guessed that this major figure was returning home. Naturally, they surrounded him, ready to see if the young master of the Count's manor, who was as pretty as a girl, had changed in appearance during these two years in Jingdou.
An auntie holding a basket with eggs muttered, "After the New Year, he said he was coming back. In the end, it wasn't the real person who came back. This time, it should be the real person, right?"
A person beside her smiled and said, "How could it not be the real person? Don't you see that the Third Prince and Lady Fan have both returned? "
Another person said excitedly, "I wonder if young master Fan's appearance has changed? When he went to Jingdou, who knows how many young ladies in Danzhou cried until their eyes were swollen. "
The auntie laughed loudly and said, "How could he change just like that?"
"I don't think so. Even his own father can change just like that …"
Immediately, this unknown person was dragged by the excited crowd into an alleyway to be violently beaten.
…
…
After a moment of awkwardness and silence, the Danzhou commoners waiting for Fan Xian on the docks gradually turned the topic of idle conversation back to Fan Xian himself and old stories from the past.
"Do you still remember every time there was a tornado, young master Fan liked to stand on the roof of his courtyard and yell for everyone to collect the clothes?"
Everyone laughed. The young people close to Fan Xian's age couldn't help but think of many things from the past. At that time, Fan Xian was only an illegitimate child of the Count's manor. Occasionally, he would fool around with these children on the streets. However, as he gradually grew older and his status changed, he had long become a person of two different worlds.
There was only envy and some complicated emotions in the eyes of the young men. One of them said in a small voice, "I've also heard the imperial envoy tell stories."
His voice was very quiet, and no one probably believed the contents of his words, so most people unconsciously let their ears filter these words. Seeing that no one paid attention to him, the young man said with vexation, "It's true … I still remember it was a story about digging for treasure."
Still, no one paid attention to him. The auntie holding the egg said with great interest, "Speaking of which, our young master Fan is truly different from other people. Ever since he was young, he has been obedient and sensible. There are also a few strange things … for example, when he and the serving girls in the Count's manor go out on the streets, when did he ever let them carry anything? Tsk tsk, this master is what you call amiable. "
The discussions on the docks were lively and varied. In a short while, the Danzhou Zhizhou arrived with the officials. They were panting as they tidied up their official robes. Looking at the large ship with white sails that was about to dock, they let out a breath in their hearts. They thought to themselves that after so much hurrying, they had finally arrived.
However, no one had expected that the imperial envoy would not be on the ship.
The Danzhou Dianli walked down the ladder and met the Zhizhou's murderous gaze. With a long face, he said, "Sir came down halfway. He should have already returned to the manor by now."
The Zhizhou was shocked and glared at him. He was anxious to go to the Count's manor, but he did not dare to leave. Although the imperial envoy had come down, there were still a group of officials on the ship that he had to attend to. In front of these trusted aides of Fan Xian, he did not dare to be too arrogant.
Hearing these words, the surrounding crowd couldn't help but cry out in unison. Shortly after, they let out long sighs. Their tone was full of pity.
Hong Changqing wore the Overwatch Council's official robes and led a group of Overwatch Council secret agents off the ship. He looked at the crowd on the docks. The crowd was swept by this cold gaze and immediately shut their mouths. Unexpectedly, Hong Changqing piled a warm smile and said, "The commissioner's heart aches for everyone being sunburned on the docks, so he thought of this last resort. In the future, he will naturally come out to meet everyone."
He then turned to greet the Zhizhou and warmly said, "Sir truly does not want to startle the place, so we appreciate your kindness. However, please take everyone back first."
— — —
On a precipitous cliff not far from Danzhou, there was a white figure struggling to climb up. Perhaps the word 'struggle' was not the right word to use, because the person who was just a small white dot compared to the stone wall climbed up very easily. The tip of his toes pushed slightly, his fingers slightly bent, his whole body sticking to the slippery stone wall, moving forward like a flowing curve. It did not seem to be the slightest bit strenuous.
This person seemed to be exceptionally familiar with the stone walls filled with bird nests and moss. The path he chose was also incomparably precise. Even when he placed his hands and feet, there was not the slightest hesitation. It was as if he knew where the protrusions under the rocks were and where the cracks were where he could land his feet.
Without further explanation, this person was Fan Xian, who had left the large white sail ship.
When he was a child, he began to climb the cliff under Wu Zhu's supervision until he was 16. He had spent a full 10 years on this cliff. Of course, he was as familiar with every blade of grass and tree as his own palm print.
It had been more than two years since he had climbed. Fan Xian calmed his breathing and got close to the stone cliff he had not seen in a long time, the seabirds and mud he had not seen in a long time, and climbed upward.
Before long, he was already standing on the highest cliff. Looking down at the waves crashing against the rocks below his feet and the view of Danzhou in the distance.
He turned around and, with some surprise, saw a large cluster of small yellow flowers blooming. Other than the flowers being a bit more luxuriant, everything on the top of the cliff seemed to have not changed in the slightest from two years ago.
Fan Xian sighed and sat down. His two feet swayed on the edge of the precipice. A faint worry and longing rose in his heart.
Uncle Wu Zhu was not here.
…
…
After I finished writing yesterday, I was happy again. At night, I was preparing to read the reviews carefully when I suddenly found that there were fewer reviews than usual. I was confused. I scratched my head and thought, Is my honey really someone else's potassium cyanide? Only after asking did I find out it was in the new edition. The reviews on both sides are a mess. Do I have to run to both sides? PS: I bought 20,000 yuan. Where would I have the money to buy 20,000 shares? I don't care about being awesome. In any case, my state of mind is excellent. I'm not afraid at all. Friends, don't push for shares. I sincerely thank you. I'm a rookie. My eyes are dazzled and my heart is dazzled. I don't have the money. I continue to scratch my head and let the dandruff fly. PS: Today is the Lunar New Year. The whole world is celebrating. I hope the festival will become more and more beautiful. Also, my apologies. I will write the part about returning to Danzhou in great detail, so progress may be slow. I personally value this part. Above.)
(To be continued, if you want to know what happens next, please log on to WWW. CMFU. COM. There are more chapters. Support the author and support the original reading!)
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