The Emperor had once said in the Palace that if he wanted to use Yan Xiaoyi, he dared to use little Yan Xiaoyi. At that time, Fan Xian wished he could stretch out a microphone and ask him, What exactly are you feeling? What exactly was his mood like? If one had to look at a person's heart, be careful not to look until you bleed from every orifice.
Until now, Fan Xian only had a faint feeling for the Emperor. Logically speaking, he did not need to worry so much about the survival of the Qing Kingdom and the life and death of the Emperor. For the future of himself and his family, he had no choice but to do his utmost.
This was helpless. The carriage left the south city gate. The four wheels bumped against the hard ridge in succession. Fan Xian, who had been in a daze, immediately woke up. Lifting the curtain, he walked out. As he yawned, he looked toward the road to the south.
It was already afternoon. There were not many people entering the city. The city gate guards responsible for the city gates and the soldiers responsible for defense of the Jingdou garrison were carrying out their daily work with boredom. Suddenly, they saw a black carriage arrive at the city gate under the protection of a dozen Overwatch Council officials. Everyone's hearts jumped.
Looking at the yawning young official under the carriage, everyone immediately guessed his identity. The commander of the Tiannan city gate guards had received the news and quickly ran over. He brought a long bench and offered Fan Xian hot tea.
Fan Xian did not stand on ceremony. Holding the teacup, he gulped it down in large gulps.
Before long, the figure of a group of carriages appeared at the end of the road. Following the row of wild trees on the horizon, they gradually came closer and closer. In a moment, they had arrived in front of the city gate.
Fan Xian went up to welcome them.
The group of carriages stopped. Gao Da and seven other Tiger Guards stepped out of the carriage, as well as a group of Sixth Bureau swordsmen. With a swish, they knelt on the ground and bowed to him.
Fan Xian waved his hand and had them rise. He couldn't help saying a few warm words of praise, but his feet did not stop. He climbed directly into the carriage in the middle.
Lifting the curtain, he saw Wan 'er holding a blue cloth bag and dozing off. Her long eyelashes rested peacefully on her pale skin. A lock of bangs fell peacefully on her forehead, hiding a girl's tiredness.
Fan Xian didn't want to wake her up. He just sat by her side and took the blue cloth bag from her arms. At the same time, he glanced at the person opposite him with confusion.
Sisi, who was sitting across from him, blinked her eyes and said in a small voice, "We did it for a long time last night. Our spirits aren't very good today."
Fan Xian smiled and didn't say anything more. He signaled for the carriages to enter the city. He only reminded Gao Da and the others in a quiet voice to be careful when they entered the city gate ridge and not wake the person in the carriage.
…
…
The carriage passed through half the streets of Jingdou and came to a quiet street in the south of the city. It stopped in front of the main gate of Fan Manor.
The carriage stopped, and Wan 'er woke up in a daze. She subconsciously hugged the arm next to her and rubbed against it. She felt a warmth that she hadn't felt for a long time return to her side. She snuggled deeper into the warmer embrace.
But she woke up immediately.
The girl jumped in fright and jumped up. Only then did she realize that beside her was Fan Xian, who had already fallen asleep. She put her heart back into her stomach. Looking at the familiar face that she had not seen in a long time, she couldn't resist smiling innocently and sticking out her tongue.
Clap, clap, clap, clap …
A string of noisy firecrackers rang out and startled Fan Xian out of his dreams. He grumbled angrily and pulled his arm back to find that he was hugging empty air. Puzzled, he opened his eyes to look and saw his wife curled up in the corner of the chair, looking at him.
Earlier, Wan 'er had stared at Fan Xian in a daze. A moment later, she realized that Sisi was also across from him. She also discovered that Fan Xian had been startled awake by the firecrackers. For a moment, she felt very awkward and blushed.
Fan Xian gazed at his wife and smiled. With one hand holding the blue cloth bundle, he led her out of the carriage. He didn't say anything in detail. On the contrary, he grumbled, "Which manor is getting a new bride? Why is it so lively? "
Wan 'er covered her mouth and smiled. Pointing at the main gate of Fan manor, she said, "I also think it's strange. It's our family that is setting off firecrackers. I wonder what joyous event it is."
At this time, Sisi also came down with her small bundle. Looking at the busy scene of people coming and going in front of the main gate of Fan manor, red lanterns hanging high, and firecrackers exploding, she also jumped in fright. With a cry, she said in a loud voice, "Young master, young mistress, are you welcoming us back from Jiangnan?"
…
…
The group of carriages stopped in front of Fan manor's gate. Fan Xian looked at this scene with curiosity. He couldn't resist grabbing Zheng Kuo, who had come out of the manor to welcome him, and asked, "Sir Zheng, what is going on?"
Zheng Kuo laughed and said, "Young master, you have been made the Duke of Danbo today … this is a joyous occasion. Countless people from various departments and pavilions have come to congratulate you. At this moment, they are all waiting in the manor for your return. Of course, we have to properly celebrate such a glorious event."
Fan Xian paused. Only now did he remember that he had become a duke. Raising his head to look at the red cloth hanging on the Fan manor's plaque, he couldn't resist smiling bitterly.
Lin Wan 'er glanced at him in shock and asked, "Husband, you have been made a duke?"
Fan Xian nodded.
Hearing these words, Lin Wan 'er's brows were full of joy. Even Sisi, who was beside her, could not escape. She was very happy. After all, in this world, these things were always important. For an official to be made a duke at Fan Xian's age, no matter where it was placed, it was a particularly glorious matter.
Along the way, there were officials who came forward to congratulate and bow. Fan Xian hurriedly returned the greeting. He could only have the wife of the Teng family come out and first take Wan 'er, Sisi, and the serving girls into the inner manor. The faces of the servants of the Fan manor were full of joy. They continuously knelt and kowtowed toward Fan Xian.
"Reward, reward."
Along the way, there were rewards given out. Fan Xian did not feel any pain. However, he felt that there was no need to be so happy. Even Wan 'er and Sisi were so happy. If his sister was home, who knew if she would also be overjoyed.
After finally tidying up everything and properly seeing off the guests, the Fan manor finally gathered in the Flower Hall in the garden. Lady Liu sat by Fan Jian's side. Her brows were also full of smiles. Sisi had just returned to the Fan manor when she was given the glorious task of arranging the banquet.
In the past, this task had always been the responsibility of Lady Liu, who was not an official member of the family. This meant that the Fan manor had already acknowledged Sisi's position.
Fan Jian said a few words to his subordinate son and wife and then talked about Sisi's matter. In any case, it had already been done in Danzhou. With the old ancestor's approval, he, as the master of the Fan manor, would not say anything more.
After the banquet was prepared, there were no other people in the Flower Hall. Fan Sizhe, who had been cooped up at home, finally ran out. He first greeted his sister-in-law and then sat by Fan Xian's side, shamelessly asking for a favor.
Wan 'er was startled. Wasn't her brother-in-law in Northern Qi? Why did he sneak back?
Fan Xian opened his mouth to scold, "It's just a lousy title of nobility. Is it worth it for you to be so greedy?"
Fan Sizhe shrunk his neck and said, "You don't really care … how many dukes are there in this world?"
Fan Xian smiled and said, "But you don't need to ask for a reward from me. Do you think you're lacking in silver? I think in another two years, father and I will have to stretch out our hands to ask you for money. "
Fan Sizhe chuckled and said, "Even silver can't buy big brother's reputation. In the future, you will be a prince. When will you think of a way to get me a title of nobility?"
Fan Xian paused. Only now did he remember that after the Baoyue Brothel incident last autumn, Fan Sizhe had been issued an arrest warrant by the Ministry of Justice. The title of nobility he had received since he was a child had been removed.
Hearing the word "prince," Fan Xian still felt a little strange. He and his father met each other's eyes. They both understood the judgment in each other's hearts.
Given Fan Xian's identity, being a first-rate duke was the limit. No matter what, he could not become a prince. Unless … something happened in the future.
The banquet immediately became silent. Fan Sizhe also knew that there was something wrong with what he said and didn't dare say anything else. Wan 'er looked at this scene and smiled charmingly. She said to her brother-in-law, "Since you're back, don't be in such a hurry to leave … after dinner, play a few more rounds with father and mother."
Once Fan Sizhe heard that he was going to play mahjong, and it was his sister-in-law who had suggested it, he immediately perked up. He had not met a match at the mahjong table in Northern Qi for more than a year. Tonight, he was going to play against his sister-in-law, the second-best in the world. He was very excited.
… …
The next few days were peaceful. There were not many stories to tell. The Second Prince's faction was beaten until everyone was panicking. The Eldest Princess sat calmly in the Palace, thinking about something. Fan Xian only occasionally thought of the Crown Prince's strange behavior in Baoyue Brothel and became very confused. This Crown Prince was the rightful heir to the throne of Qing Kingdom. Naturally, the method he chose to respond was the best one. However, looking at the way the situation was going, where did his confidence come from?
Fan Xian couldn't figure this out. Fan Jian also didn't figure it out. The Crown Prince dared to watch so coldly from the sidelines unless he had a powerful helper in his hands. However, the Eldest Princess, who had originally supported him, had long been exposed by Fan Xian to her relationship with the Second Prince. What right did the Crown Prince have to believe the Eldest Princess' words again?
Since he couldn't figure it out, he stopped thinking about it. He still had to return to Jiangnan next spring. After the New Year, there were places like Chen Garden, King Jing's manor, and the Great Prince's manor that he had to visit. Thus, taking advantage of the few days before the New Year, Fan Xian didn't go to the Overwatch Council or enter the Palace. He just stayed obediently in the Fan manor, being filial to his father, whom he hadn't seen in a year, and disciplining his brother, who had been in the North for a long time.
The atmosphere of a family reunion was not bad. However, it was missing Ruoruo and the old ancestor of Danzhou. At one time, Fan Xian had once privately said to his father that his grandmother had not seen Sizhe for a long time. Should he find a time for Sizhe to return to Danzhou?
Fan Jian thought about it. It was indeed reasonable, so he let Fan Xian make the arrangements.
Just as the situation was developing in a peaceful manner, on the 28th of the twelfth month, an uninvited guest came to the Fan manor.
This guest was Northern Qi's envoy to the Qing Kingdom. His identity was a bit sensitive, but he had specially reported to the Office of the Grand Herald before coming to the front door of the Fan manor.
Everyone in the Fan manor felt it was strange, but they could only open the front door to welcome him. This envoy was very respectful to Fan Xian and represented the Northern Qi court in conveying their condolences to Fan Xian. He said that regarding the attack in the valley, the Northern Qi people felt the same and deeply felt injustice for Sir Fan junior.
After putting down a large pile of gifts, the envoy left the manor, leaving only Fan Jian and Fan Xian looking at each other stupidly.
…
…
That night, someone from the Office of the Grand Herald of the Qing Kingdom came. A eunuch from the internal court also came to explain to Fan Xian why the Northern Qi envoy had come to visit.
The news of Fan Xian's assassination had already reached Northern Qi. For some reason, the Northern Qi Emperor had personally written a private letter and asked someone to send it to the Qing Emperor. He expressed his concern about Fan Xian's assassination and expressed hidden criticism of the Qing court for not paying attention to Fan Xian's personal safety.
Hearing these words, Fan Xian looked at the eunuch and the vice-minister of the Office of the Grand Herald and sucked in a breath of cold air. He opened his mouth and cursed, "Wrinkling a pond of spring water, none of their … f * cking business!"
The vice-minister of the Office of the Grand Herald and the eunuch looked at each other awkwardly. "We all understand what the Northern Qi people are thinking. Sir Fan junior, there is no need to be so angry. What use is such a dirty trick?"
The eunuch also said with a sinister smile, "If they want to give you gifts, just accept them."
After seeing the two of them out of the manor, Fan Xian hurried into the study and asked his father, "What exactly do the Northern Qi people want? Do they have the right to express concern about this matter? "
Fan Jian forced a smile and said, "There is something I've always forgotten to tell you. The Emperor also seems to have forgotten about this. When you went to Northern Qi as a diplomatic envoy, didn't you promise their Emperor in the Royal Palace in Shangjing that when you had time, you would go to their Imperial College to give a lecture?"
Fan Xian thought about it seriously. It seemed that there really was such a thing, but he didn't seem to have agreed.
Fan Jian sighed and said, "When you went to Jiangnan, the Northern Qi people sent a document to the Office of the Grand Herald saying they wanted to hire you as a visiting professor at the Imperial College in Shangjing. The Emperor only thought the little Emperor was bored and didn't think much of it. Who would have thought that the Northern Qi people were waiting here? Now that you are a visiting professor at the Imperial College in Shangjing and have been assassinated in the Qing Kingdom, it seems reasonable for them to express concern and anger."
Fan Xian said angrily and bitterly, "What good does it do for them to play tricks on me at this time?"
Fan Jian raised his head and glanced at his son. He shook his head and said, "Although it is a crude method and someone with some brains wouldn't believe this kind of provocation, your shady dealings with the Northern Qi people in Jiangnan cannot be hidden forever. After accumulating and destroying them, who knows whether or not the Emperor will suspect you in the future? They only need to send some gifts, bring a few words, and lose some face. Then, they can take root in your throat. This kind of business is very profitable. "
Fan Xian furrowed his brows and felt great anger. "The valley attack … yet the little Emperor of Northern Qi has unexpectedly caused trouble. It looks like the court will not continue investigating."
Fan Jian glanced at him and smiled bitterly. "Originally, the Emperor didn't want to investigate. Now that there is such a useful reason, how can he bear to not use it?"
Fan Xian also smiled bitterly. A moment later, he said seriously to his father, "Father, on the first day of the year, I want to enter the ancestral hall."
Fan Jian was not very surprised. From the moment the Emperor had officially granted Fan Xian the title of Duke of Danbo, he had understood the Emperor's thoughts. He only calmly said, "I want to enter the Palace and ask clearly about this matter." (To be continued, if you want to know what happened afterwards, please log on to WWW. QIDIAN. com. More chapters. Support the author. Support original reading!)
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