"Suzhou?" Fan Xian chuckled and said to his grandmother, "What girls are you talking about? If you're talking about girls, I built a Baoyue Brothel in Suzhou. There are a lot of girls there. "
The old woman shook her head helplessly. "This is another matter. You can be an official, but you have to do this kind of romantic business. Aren't you afraid of losing face?"
Fan Xian did not feel it was embarrassing. He smiled merrily and said, "That is the second prince's business. I am just looking after it on his behalf." After he finished speaking, he looked at the Third Prince, who was sitting next to the Old Madame. The Third Prince's little face suddenly showed a look of embarrassment. The Baoyue Brothel in the beginning had something to do with this kid.
The old woman sighed and said, "Don't keep changing the topic. You know who I'm asking about."
Fan Xian fell silent. He knew that his grandmother was asking about Haitang. The matter between him and Haitang had spread throughout the world. His grandmother was not a pure old woman who did not pay attention to outside matters. Of course, she knew the story. However, this matter was problematic. Furthermore, in front of Wan'er, he really didn't know what to say. He raised his head and smiled warmly. "Grandmother, don't listen to the rumors outside. Haitang is in Jiangnan and is only helping me handle some matters."
The old woman did not believe it and said suspiciously, "Why would a Northern Qi person always stay by your side? She is not an ordinary woman. "
Fan Xian was speechless. He secretly glanced at Wan'er and found that his wife's face was calm, but her little hands were gripping the corners of her sleeves. He couldn't resist laughing bitterly and facing his grandmother, he said, "Don't misunderstand."
"Is it a misunderstanding?" The old woman looked at him with a not-quite-there smile. After all, there were still people in the hall, so it was not good for the old woman to speak directly. She only slowly said, "There are some things that should be done openly … I don't like to be secretive. If it is open and aboveboard, then bring her back to see. If you don't mean it that way, then be careful. After all, although she is not a Qing person, she is still a girl. How can her reputation be ruined by you so carelessly?"
Fan Xian smiled bitterly.
"Did you hear that?" said the old lady, staring at him.
Fan Xian sighed and nodded. He thought to himself … this matter was not a matter of yes or no. His shamelessness had indeed been seen through by his grandmother at a glance. As for Haitang … Lang Tiao had already gone to Suzhou. Given Haitang's personality, she probably would not oppose her own sect. Once she returned to Northern Qi, it would be difficult to see her again. There was no need to go into detail about what would happen next.
"I said, Grandma." He said with a bitter face, "I haven't been back for two years. Why are you scolding me as soon as we meet? Can't we talk about it later?"
The old lady snorted and said, "You still know that you haven't come back for two years?" She glared at Fan Xian, and the wrinkles on her face gradually smoothed out. Laughing, she scolded, "You're in no hurry to go home after arriving in Danzhou. Where did you run off to earlier? You're already so old, yet you still don't know anything. "
Fan Xian realized that his grandmother was jealous. He laughed and said, "I got off the boat halfway and went for a walk."
Without waiting for his grandmother to speak, he threw her a glance first. The grandmother and granddaughter had lived together for 16 years. How could they not know each other's hidden thoughts? The old woman coughed lightly and said, "It's getting late. Prepare to start the banquet. I still have some things to say to An Zhi."
Finishing these words, she stood shakily and prepared to bow to the Third Prince in accordance with her duties. The old woman was the wet nurse of the royal family and could be considered a family servant. She paid particular attention to the hierarchy. Lin Wan'er was Fan Xian's wife, so as a grandmother, she did not have to care. However, the Third Prince was living in the house, so she always maintained etiquette.
However, her position was too unique. The Third Prince had always called himself Fan Xian's student, so how could he accept this ancestor's bow? The child struggled until his face was bright red. He dodged away with all his might and ran out the door like his butt was on fire.
Fan Xian went forward and gently held Wan'er's hand. Leaning close to her ear, he said something. Wan'er nodded repeatedly and took Sisi out the door as ordered.
There was only the old woman and Fan Xian left in the hall. Fan Xian moved over a small stool and sat beside his grandmother. Just like in the past, he listened to the lecture properly.
Now that there were no outsiders, the old woman's words were much more direct.
"That Haitang, what are you going to do with her?"
Fan Xian tilted his head and thought for a while. He furrowed his brows and said seriously, "It will be difficult to marry her. Let's stall for some time first."
"Do you want to marry her?"
"Hmm …" Fan Xian hesitated. He always felt that his relationship with Haitang was still more of a friend. If he married her, that feeling would probably change. "It depends on her. If she wants to marry, then I want to marry her."
"It's still the same old saying. After all, the Fan family is a large and influential family. How can we let her drift outside alone?" The old woman coughed gently. "Since you like her, you will have to marry her."
Fan Xian forced a smile. He thought that this matter was not something the Fan family could decide on its own. However, since his grandmother had set the goal, he could only work hard to carry it out. He used his palm to gently pat his grandmother's back and quietly sent a sliver of Tianyi Dao's gentle zhenqi into her to help her adjust her body. He was pleased to find that his grandmother's body was not bad. Although she had aged a bit these two years, there were no signs of decline.
"However … even if she marries, there must be a hierarchy," the old woman suddenly said seriously. "You can't mistreat Wan'er. Originally, I didn't like that girl Haitang. For her to be with you without a title or status, how is that appropriate?"
Fan Xian was speechless. He knew that he had been busy with official business and had indeed neglected his wife. Furthermore, Wan'er appeared calm on the surface, but in the depths of her heart, she was meticulous. To say something clichéd, the higher Fan Xian's position was, the more he didn't want Wan'er to participate in conspiratorial affairs. It was unavoidable that Wan'er would lack a real sense of existence. This kind of feeling was probably not very comfortable.
However, it could be seen that Wan'er was greatly liked by the old woman these days in Danzhou.
"Don't bring this matter up." The old woman gazed at the grandson at her knees and sighed. Gently stroking his cheek, she said, "These years in Jingdou probably haven't been easy either … you know about those things, right?"
In reality, during the 16 years in Danzhou, Fan Xian and his grandmother had not been overly intimate with each other. Fan Xian knew that it was because his grandmother wanted to raise him into a cold and hard person. Only then would he be able to protect his life in Jingdou. When was the last time his grandmother had been so gentle? It seemed to be when he was still an infant and his grandmother had held him in the little building and cried silently.
Fan Xian was slightly absent-minded. It was also because of that night that he knew that other than Uncle Wu Zhu, there was also his grandmother who treated him wholeheartedly.
"I know all about it." Fan Xian lowered his head. A moment later, he smiled and sighed. "The problem of one's birth is always so hard to imagine."
The old woman smiled slightly and said, "It's all in the past. I think the Emperor still loves you."
Fan Xian was silent and didn't reply. His grandmother had raised the Qing Emperor. Presumably, deep in her heart, she was proud of this fact. However, it was clear that his grandmother's words did not explain everything. At least, she did not explain what she said on that night 18 years ago.
He slowly raised his head and looked at his grandmother's wrinkled face. In a quiet voice, he asked, "Grandmother, my mother … how exactly did she die?"
The old woman paused as if she hadn't thought he would ask this question. After a moment of hesitation, she slowly said, "Your father still hasn't told you?"
Fan Xian smiled weakly. "Father has said it, but I still feel that it shouldn't be so simple."
"Your mother is an extraordinary person." The old woman lovingly patted his cheek. "I believe the Emperor has already avenged her. As for whether or not there are any enemies left behind, naturally, those boys will take care of it."
Those boys were the ones who had fought every day in King Cheng's manor.
Fan Xian smiled. It looked like his grandmother didn't know the details. Perhaps she didn't want to tell him her guesses. Speaking of which, it was true. For anyone else, he had already received enough compensation from the royal family. Then, why would he be so fixated on the story of the past? Was there a conclusion?
…
…
"Sizhe … what kind of child is he?" the old woman suddenly asked.
Fan Xian smiled shortly after. Only now did he remember that ever since his second son was born, he had always lived in Jingdou. He had never even seen his grandmother. He considered his words and slowly said, "Sizhe … perhaps in the past he ran amok. Now that he is gradually getting older, he knows when to stop."
"Oh, tell me about it." It was clear that the old woman was interested in her only grandson.
Fan Xian smiled and told her everything about his dealings with Sizhe after he entered the capital. He didn't even hide the Baoyue Brothel incident. This part of the story made the old woman's expression heavy. Occasionally, she smiled.
"You are saying … these two children are running a brothel in Jingdou?" The old woman sighed. She thought to herself that she was getting old. No matter what, she couldn't understand the thoughts of these children. "But … the Third Prince is so young."
"So young yet so full of mischief." Thinking of that matter, Fan Xian was filled with anger. He huffed coldly. "The Third Prince is not just a child."
The old woman smiled. "Sizhe is alone in the North. Is he doing well?"
There were often letters from Northern Qi, so Fan Xian was well aware of his second brother's life in the North. He comforted her. "Don't worry, I have people there to look after him."
The old woman thought for a moment and then said worriedly, "After all, it is a foreign country. If Haitang was still in Northern Qi's Shangjing, perhaps it would be fine. But right now … there is no one in Northern Qi you can trust."
It was not convenient for Fan Xian to speak of his secret agreement with the Northern Qi Emperor. He thought for a moment and then said, "Don't worry, grandmother. Isn't Ruoruo also in Shangjing right now? She is Master Ku He's last disciple. The Northern Qi court will have to give her some face. With her watching, Sizhe won't dare do anything when he does things. "
It was strange to say that Fan Xian had thought of a way to send his sister and brother to Northern Qi these two years. Minister Fan vaguely guessed some of his intentions but did not expose them. The old woman clearly did not think of it there. She only smiled and said, "Speaking of Ruoruo, I wonder if her body is better."
"Much better … there's no more yellow hair on her head." Fan Xian's eyes suddenly turned and he said, "Grandmother, come back with me to Jingdou this time … father misses you very much."
The old woman was silent for a moment. A moment later, she slowly shook her head.
Fan Xian sighed. He didn't understand why grandmother always wanted to live in Danzhou.
"Ruoruo is 17 or 18," the old woman said worriedly. "She hasn't found a husband yet. You broke up her marriage to Hongcheng … then you have to keep an eye out for people with good character, good family backgrounds, and trustworthy families."
Fan Xian patted his chest loudly and said, "Grandmother, you gave this matter to me to handle. I will definitely handle it properly." Truthfully speaking, he did not think this way in his heart. He thought, Ruoruo is so young, why is she in such a rush to marry? Seeing more and walking more was the right thing to do. As he thought this, he completely forgot that when he married Wan'er, the two of them were actually not much older than children.
"Hmm, as a brother, you have done very well," the old woman looked at Fan Xian warmly and said with praise. The Countess looked at Fan Xian warmly and said with praise, "You have managed it well. The Fan family is blessed. If your brother and sister can become successful, it will all be because of you."
Fan Xian's face reddened. He thought to himself, Ruoruo was so smart that she did not need him to manage her. Sizhe's nature had been forcefully twisted by him. In the beginning, it had been for his own benefit. As for his ability … even the shopkeepers of Qingyu Hall had admitted that Sizhe was a genius in business.
The conversation between grandmother and grandson, which was kept away from others, came to an end. The old woman hesitantly asked, "What about that person? Did he come back this time? "
The old woman was asking about the blind shopkeeper who had been their neighbor for 16 years. Fan Xian paused for a moment and then understood. With a pained expression, he said, "I was going to ask grandmother if she had seen him come back recently."
Madam Dowager's expression turned serious. "So he's not with you … Then don't go running around like you did this afternoon. Otherwise, if something happens, how can I explain it to His Majesty and your father?"
Fan Xian mysteriously moved closer to his grandmother's ear and said, "Don't worry, grandmother. Your grandson is now an ace of aces."
The old woman laughed involuntarily. She covered her mouth and said nothing, revealing some of the charm she had many years ago.
As they spoke, someone came in from outside to report that the banquet had begun. The grandmother and grandson met each other's eyes with great understanding. Fan Xian held the old woman's arm and walked out.
The person who had come to speak was the wife of the Teng family. She lowered her head and led the way in front.
Fan Xian looked at her back and suddenly said, "Has Wan'er's medicine been down?"
The wife of the Teng family tilted her body slightly and quietly replied, "The mistress has been taking her medicine on time and in proper amounts."
"Where is Da Bao? How come I don't see him today? "Fan Xian was puzzled. He had not seen Da Bao come to welcome him.
"My husband is also here. He didn't know you would arrive early, so he is fishing on the ocean with Master Lin," the wife of the Teng family said with a smile.
Fan Xian was delighted and said, "Teng Da is also here. Have him come see me in a moment."
"Yes."
The old woman that Fan Xian was supporting suddenly opened her mouth and said, "Wan'er has been taking medicine recently. I was curious as to what kind of pill it is. It smells pretty good."
Fan Xian was startled. He wondered if he should explain this matter to his grandmother. After thinking for a while, he finally smiled warmly. Lowering his voice to a very low level, he told her about Wan'er's body and the matter of the child.
The old woman fell silent. Her expression did not seem very good. After a long time, she gently coughed and said, "Sir is the most important. He is still young, so there is no rush."
Fan Xian smiled calmly and said, "That is why I like you the most."
… …
After the banquet, Fan Xian spoke for a while with Teng Da and asked about the current situation in Jingdou, as well as his father and Lady Liu's health. At the same time, he inquired about some Jingdou market news that the Overwatch Council could not easily access. Fan Xian felt a glimmer of tiredness. After dissuading everyone and greeting his grandmother, he took Wan'er back to the bedroom.
This bedroom still retained the same appearance as it was a few years ago. None of the furnishings had changed.
Fan Xian lay on the bed and watched with slanted eyes as Wan'er sat by the table and played with the lantern. He listened to Sisi prepare hot water outside the compartment. He suddenly opened his mouth and said, "Xiaobao, come here."
Wan'er turned her head and giggled, but a glimmer of shyness flashed across her face. Glancing outside, she angrily said, "Don't you know to be quieter?"
The so-called joy of the boudoir was not all in the matters between a man and a woman. Often, it was in the small details. The so-called Xiaobao was the secret signal between Fan Xian and Wan'er. Small details, small tricks … Wan'er was Da Bao's sister, so naturally, it was Xiaobao.
After washing up, Sisi smiled and left the door. Just like in the past in Danzhou, she slept on the small bed in the compartment.
After the red candles went out, Fan Xian and his wife lay side by side on the bed. Wan'er was like a little cat curled up in Fan Xian's arms. Her two hands tightly gripped the front of the man's unlined shirt. She gripped it a bit tightly as if she was afraid someone would run away.
"I've been lying on this bed for 16 years." Fan Xian opened his bright eyes in the darkness. "Ever since I was a child, I've always liked to sleep. When I take afternoon naps, I never need the serving girls to coax me. I just sleep like this."
Wan'er made a sound of acknowledgement and looked at him.
Fan Xian lowered his head and gently kissed her plump lips. Indistinctly, he said, "But, I always feel like I haven't woken up yet. How did I marry such a good wife like you? Am I dreaming?"
Lin Wan'er closed her teeth and bit him hard. Staring at him fiercely, she said, "Say what you want to say."
…
…
It's too f * cking hard to write. I'm going to fail.
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