Fan Xian was silent for a long time. In the end, he gave up on the idea of having Yan Bingyun arrange this matter. For one, he had to ensure Hong Zhu's safety. For another, he knew of Sir Yan junior's loyalty to the Qing court under his cold exterior. This kind of risk could not be taken lightly.
He looked at Yan Bingyun's not-so-healthy complexion and furrowed his brows. Turning around, he placed his finger on Yan Bingyun's wrist and paused.
Yan Bingyun's heart was slightly surprised, but his face remained icy and did not have any reaction.
"Why is your body so weak?" Fan Xian furrowed his brows and said. "I heard you haven't returned to the manor these days?"
Yan Bingyun casually tidied up the files on the table and replied, "There are over 30 Jingdou officials locked up in the Celestial Prison. Every day, there are people going to the Supreme Court to cry out their grievances. They are also in a rush to sort out what happened. With both sides pressuring me, how could I have time to leave this courtyard?"
Fan Xian noticed the tidiness of the secret room, including the files on the large wooden table. They were also organized neatly. He couldn't help but smile. "This room is even cleaner than when the Director was here. It looks like you are indeed used to this line of work."
Yan Bingyun also felt a bit tired. He stretched out two fingers and forcefully rubbed the skin between his brows until the white skin had completely turned red. Only then did his spirit recover a bit.
"Go back." Fan Xian looked at this scene and shook his head.
Yan Bingyun ignored him and took out another file to read carefully. His head was slightly lowered. In a quiet voice, he said, "You wanted to beat up the Second Prince and beat up so many people. Someone has to deal with it. You and the Director both like to slack off, but the Overwatch Council can't rely on a group of lazy people to support it."
Fan Xian heard a glimmer of resentment and smiled instead.
Yan Bingyun seemed to be very uncomfortable with Fan Xian staring at his work. A moment later, he closed the file and raised his head. "Although the Second Prince's power in court has been completely uprooted by you, I want to remind you of one thing."
"What is it?"
"You only removed the branches and leaves by the Second Prince's side," Yan Bingyun calmly said. Yan Bingyun said calmly, "Your axe wasn't able to cut through the thickest tree beneath him."
Fan Xian knew that Yan Bingyun was talking about the Ye family, which was faraway in Dingzhou but could reach Jingdou in five days. The Ye family worshiped a Great Grandmaster. Ever since the Second Prince and Ye Ling'er had married, the Second Prince had, without question, gained the support of the Eldest Princess and the towering Ye family.
The night attack in Jingdou this time only wiped out the Second Prince's core officials in court and the martial power he carried with him. It did not cause any damage to the Ye family. As long as the Ye family remained firmly established in Dingzhou, the Second Prince had not suffered any true harm.
Fan Xian sighed and felt somewhat helpless. He had originally hoped to use the three city-guarding crossbows he had seized during the attack in the valley to drag the Ye family into the water. No one would have thought that the Northern Qi Emperor's private letter, a greeting from tens of thousands of li away, would force the Qing court to stop the investigation. It made it impossible for Fan Xian to frame the Ye family even if he wanted to.
"Let's talk about the Ye family later."
Yan Bingyun glanced at him and furrowed his brows. "The Second Prince's foundation is in the Ye family. Because of this, his reliance on the Eldest Princess has decreased …"
This was the brain Fan Xian relied on the most. His words were endless and penetrated deep into Fan Xian's heart. For no reason, his heart jumped. Thinking of the top secret information he had learned today, he began to smell a different scent. Regardless of whether the Eldest Princess had openly supported the Crown Prince or secretly supported the Second Prince, that crazy and powerful woman's methods were so that when her two nephews ascended to the throne in the future, they would still be under her control.
The Eldest Princess, Li Yunrui, was a powerful figure with broad foresight. What she wanted was not small. Presently, the Second Prince had the Ye family as his support. His reliance on her had decreased. This meant that if the Second Prince ascended to the throne in the future, it would be much more difficult for her to control him from behind the scenes.
Could it be …
Thinking of this, Fan Xian's heart jumped. He immediately smiled coldly and said, "The Crown Prince … does not have much of a future. In the end, the Second Prince will still be beaten down."
Yan Bingyun glanced at him suspiciously. Although the Overwatch Council had never participated in the battle between the princes, this invisible rule had been gradually broken ever since Fan Xian had taken over the Overwatch Council. How could Fan Xian be so sure that the Emperor still favored the Crown Prince, whom the empress dowager particularly loved, had no chance at all?
Fan Xian would not explain anything to him. He furrowed his brows and said, "Send a message to Su Wenmao and Xia Qifei. Have them prepare to pull in the net."
Yan Bingyun stared into Fan Xian's eyes and said, "The Jiangnan matter is within our grasp, but to strike down in one stroke … it seems there is no certainty. After all, the capital is watching … unless there is a sudden major change in the situation in the capital."
Fan Xian smiled. He knew that his unintentional words had made the meticulous Sir Yan junior guess something. He explained in an even voice, "It is just preparing ahead of time. Even if the situation in Jingdou does not change in a year, the Emperor will not be able to continue tolerating the Ming family matter."
Yan Bingyun heard that it was the Emperor's intention. Only then did the doubt in his heart lessen slightly. He asked, "To what extent do I have to pull it in?"
Fan Xian was silent for a moment, his mind slightly wandering. The complicated arrangements in Jiangnan this year, as well as the dangers hidden under the beautiful weather, were like scenes flipping in front of his eyes like a trotting horse lantern. The heads of the three workshops of the palace treasury, the corpses that covered the mountains and plains of the little island, Ming Qingda fainting in the palace treasury, the lawsuit in the Suzhou government, the old Ming matriarch's accidental suicide, the Sixth Ming master's imprisonment and murder, the Seventh Ming master's sudden appearance …
The Ming family was already a grasshopper in his hands. But, to what extent, he still needed Fan Xian's approval.
"The wealthiest family in the world is not much cleaner than the Royal Palace," Fan Xian said to himself in his heart. He quietly said to Yan Bingyun, "Pull it in to the end. Arrange for the people in the money house to do things. Other than that, you can kill a few people in Ming Garden. "
Hearing the words "money house," Yan Bingyun knew that the big chess piece he had buried for a year was finally going to move. The money house that came from the Shen family and Dongyi in name had been arranged by Yan Bingyun. Naturally, he knew how to deal with the Ming family. However, he had never found out the true source of the silver in the money house. Looking at Fan Xian, he finally couldn't resist lowering his voice and saying, "I don't care where the Jiangnan money came from, but I would like to ask you to pay attention, please don't let it be … Northern Qi."
Hearing Yan Bingyun guess correctly, Fan Xian would not admit it. He said self-mockingly, "Don't forget who my mother is. Other than the palace treasury, she still has to leave me some silver to spend."
Yan Bingyun shook his head and believed Fan Xian's explanation. After all, everyone knew how strong the Ye family's foundation was.
…
…
Sitting in the carriage on the way home, Fan Xian felt a sense of loss in his chest. It was not because he had made a wasted trip to the Overwatch Council and did not dare have Yan Bingyun participate in the matter in the Royal Palace. Rather, it was because he had finally confirmed that for Yan Bingyun and the other young talents of the Qing Kingdom, the interests of the Qing Kingdom and the Emperor, as well as the glory of unifying the world, were the truly supreme standards.
Yan Bingyun had always done his best for Fan Xian because everything Fan Xian did was in line with the interests of the Qing Kingdom. Once Fan Xian truly became that kind of role in the future, how would he view the Commissioner with whom he had such a deep friendship?
Fan Xian knew this was inevitable. After all, everyone lived in their own time. He had the experience of his previous life, so he could see the differences between the countries in this world more lightly. However, he could not demand this of others.
That was an unreasonable and unreasonable demand.
Yan Bingyun's role by Fan Xian's side had always been a bit unclear. He was not a member of the Qinian Unit, but he was Fan Xian's trusted aide. He had participated in most of his actions, particularly the planning in Jiangnan last year. After Fan Xian clearly realized this, he made up his mind. As for his deal with Northern Qi, it was best not to let Sir Yan junior touch the deepest core.
However, there was an important and urgent problem that had not been resolved on this trip to the Overwatch Council. How could he connect with Hong Zhu? Fan Xian sat in the carriage and propped his chin on his elbow. His brows were furrowed tightly.
Unexpectedly, when he returned to the Fan manor, he heard an unexpected edict. He immediately acutely realized that if he wanted to confirm this matter with Hong Zhu, tonight was the best opportunity.
The edict did not come from the Emperor. Rather, it came from the long silent empress dowager. The Qing Kingdom governed the world with filial piety. The Emperor was a role model for tens of thousands of people. Although this empress dowager was mostly silent, no one dared to underestimate the true influence of this old woman.
The empress dowager's edict had arrived the moment Fan Xian left the manor. It was a special edict to summon Fan Xian into the Palace. Unexpectedly, Fan Xian had secretly snuck out. The eunuch delivering the edict could only wait.
…
…
Fan Xian tilted his head slightly and listened to Lady Liu's quiet words by his ear. He glanced at Eunuch Yao, who had long waited anxiously. He couldn't resist smiling. Given his ability, if he wanted to sneak into the Royal Palace, unless Uncle Wu Zhu was by his side, he wouldn't have the confidence to hide it from old Eunuch Hong's eyes and ears. If he stayed in the Palace tonight, it would be much easier to meet with Hong Zhu.
Furthermore, he was a man. He could not stay in the rear palace. He could only find a room in front of the Royal Palace. It would also be more convenient to do things.
However, he still didn't understand why the empress dowager was so anxious to summon him into the Palace.
…
…
After he and Wan 'er left Hanguang Palace hand in hand, Fan Xian couldn't help but sigh awkwardly. Only now did he understand that the old woman wanted him to enter the Palace to force him and Wan' er to go to Guangxin Palace to visit his mother-in-law, the Eldest Princess.
The empress dowager didn't want her descendants to be in a mess. After Fan Xian returned to the capital, he entered the Palace a few times and always avoided the Eldest Princess. This reality made the empress dowager unhappy. She decided to use the power in her hands to make up for the cracks between the younger generation. Taking advantage of Wan 'er being in the Palace, she summoned Fan Xian into the Palace.
It was already dusk, and the Royal Palace was dim. Wan 'er glanced worriedly at Fan Xian's expression and pouted. "I don't want to go to Guangxin Palace."
Fan Xian forced a smile and comforted her. "After all, the Eldest Princess is your mother. No matter what, you have to see her." Although he said this, his heart gradually sped up.
Lin Wan 'er looked at him seriously and said, "I know you also don't want to see mother. How about we sneak out of the Palace?"
Fan Xian couldn't resist laughing in spite of himself. "Be careful of the empress dowager killing you and me, two ignorant little bastards."
Not far in front of them, the door to Guangxin Palace had already opened a corner. A few serving girls were submissively waiting for the arrival of the two of them. Technically speaking, Fan Xian and Wan 'er were half masters of Guangxin Palace. However, this strange world had long made their relationship with the Palace cold and strange.
Fan Xian smiled warmly and glanced at the serving girls. His eyesight was very sharp. With a glance, he could tell that these serving girls were similar to when he had first entered Guangxin Palace. They all had powerful cultivations.
Passing through the corner of the Palace door, a light wind hit him in the face. The wind was very cold. Fan Xian thought of the woman in the Palace and couldn't help but shiver.
…
…
"Yi Chen, come here. Let me see."
The Eldest Princess, Li Yunrui, welcomed them from outside the hall. Although her tone was forcefully maintained calm, Fan Xian could still hear a slight strangeness. He raised his head in surprise and saw the Eldest Princess staring at her wife beside her in a daze.
Wan 'er bit her thick lower lip. Her palm gripped her husband's hand and refused to let go.
Fan Xian gently patted the back of her hand to give her enough encouragement.
Wan 'er composed herself and walked forward. She bowed slightly toward the beautiful woman in palace attire on the stone steps and quietly said, "Greetings, mother."
Her voice was very low and thin. It was indescribably unnatural.
The Eldest Princess stared in a daze at her own daughter. Her slightly hopeful expression abruptly calmed. She lightly said, "How have you been?"
Fan Xian furrowed his brows and coughed uncomfortably. Moving closer to Wan 'er's side, he smiled and said, "Greetings, mother-in-law."
The Eldest Princess looked at him. A strange smile rose to her beautiful face and said, "You still know to come see me?"
For some reason, the Eldest Princess and Wan 'er appeared a bit cold, but she spoke very casually to Fan Xian. Fortunately, with Fan Xian's interruption, the atmosphere on the stone steps relaxed a bit. The Eldest Princess held Lin Wan 'er's hand and stood side by side on the stone steps. She gave a few orders to the serving girls in the courtyard and prepared to walk into the hall.
Fan Xian raised his head and looked at the two women on the stone steps. He found with amusement that Wan 'er did not look much like her mother. However, he didn't know how the Eldest Princess took care of herself. She was still so young. The two of them stood in a row. They didn't look like mother and daughter. They looked more like sisters.
However, although Wan 'er was married, she still could not shed some of her youth. The Eldest Princess had long bloomed and had not withered for years. She was like a blooming peony … eye-catching.
Guangxin Palace had long arranged a banquet. There were no outsiders. It was just the Eldest Princess and the young couple. After talking for a while at the banquet, Wan 'er finally relaxed a bit. Adding to the mother-daughter nature, the gaze she used to look at the Eldest Princess also became gentler.
The Eldest Princess seemed to be very happy with Wan 'er's change. Her voice also began to show a real gentleness. At some point, she sighed and faintly said, "In your eyes, I'm afraid I have done a terrible job as a mother …"
The rims of Lin Wan 'er's eyes reddened. Tears were about to fall. She had grown up in the Palace. Although she was loved by the empress dowager, how could a girl not miss her mother? Hearing such gentle words at her mother's side, her heart was a mess of emotions. She didn't know what to say.
Fan Xian sat below and looked at the mother and daughter sitting side by side. He smiled slightly. Of this pair of mother and daughter, one was the foremost beauty in Qing Kingdom. The other was the foremost beauty in his heart. Looking at them now, how could it not be pleasing to the eye? However, he had to gloomily admit that his wife was indeed not as good-looking as his mother-in-law.
Particularly the Eldest Princess. Her beautiful appearance, red lips, and bright eyes were still the same. Her long hair, like a black waterfall, was coiled up as before. Compared to the past, she revealed a rare glimmer of true emotion. She was not as delicate and timid as the legends said. On the contrary, this made her exceptional beauty more vivid.
The voices of the two women at the banquet became softer and softer. They also became more and more at ease.
He was not surprised to see this scene because he still had confidence in human nature. No matter how crazy the Eldest Princess was, she was still a mother.
In Fan Xian's view, this incompetent mother was no different from those brainless middle school girls who gave birth in the bathroom in his previous life. After all these years, she should have felt some guilt and come to her senses.
The serving girl behind him filled his cup to the brim. He drank it all in one go. There was a trace of burning pain in his throat. The taste of this Wuliangye was indeed incomparably mellow. However … why did it make one feel depressed and lost?
The gaze he used to look at the Eldest Princess did not change, but the emotions in his heart began to churn. He kept thinking, why did such a beautiful woman walk such a path in life?
…
…
(I'll say a few words casually. Naturally, it doesn't count.)
Yesterday, when I looked at the book review and comments section, I felt that it was very strange. That's because I wasn't mentally prepared for such a huge commotion. It was comparable to the two waves of Sisi and Begonia. I really didn't expect it, because in my opinion, everyone should have been mentally prepared for so many things to happen.
From this, it can be seen that being mentally prepared does not mean accepting the fact that it happened.
Well, it couldn't be helped. Not every fairy-like woman with a lot of scenes would be pushed down by the male lead. At least this time, I wouldn't write it that way. I never considered the possibility of Fan Xian pouncing on my mother-in-law. I apologize to Yogurt for this.
As for the Crown Prince and the Eldest Princess, I don't think there is anything worth making a fuss about. What kind of person Li Yunrui is is a very clear picture. Her past is too clear. And I will never gather everything in the name of love like Odin did … Although I have love, I do not have love for characters like the Eldest Princess and Peggy.
For those who do not like this plot, please skip to read it. For those who find it hard to accept, they can only wave their handkerchiefs with tears in their eyes and say goodbye. Brother Tianhua, we will read the next book … We are all friends. I scratched my head, but I really did not expect such a strong reaction.
As for those who repeatedly posted and threatened to not vote or read it, and spat vulgarities … I like the monthly votes, and the subscription is what I need to survive. Of course, the two are important, but … please do not threaten me like this. This kind of action will only make your fingers sore. It is useless. I am very timid. I will naturally feel repulsed and then become more determined.
I write a story for everyone to read, but it will never satisfy everyone's interests. Maybe some people think it is too evil because of the mess in the palace. Maybe some people think I am too pure because I did not let Fan Xian and his mother marry …
To be honest, this is a story I wrote. Although the main purpose of writing this story is to earn money, this money must be earned by oneself. And I think that seriously writing the book according to my own ideas is a kind of sincerity. It can make one feel at ease. As a writer, you should have this kind of awareness because no one will give you five million, even if it is not in US dollars.
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