Also, it is the end of the month. As usual, I extended my hand sincerely to ask for a monthly ticket. Yesterday, I really didn't peep at anything. I just watched everyone laugh, and I was also very happy. At the beginning, I was going to write this part to make it more interesting and then reveal the truth. I was afraid the plot would be too slow. Everyone knows that I have always been very long-winded. It is a bad habit that is difficult to change.
I heard that the tickets for May will double. I am here to reserve tickets for next month. Please vote for me tomorrow. However, there may be an annual meeting next month. After the meeting, I will have to go far away. The updates may be a bit messy, so I am here to report to everyone.
…
…
Gao Da confirmed that there were no enemies around. Somewhat dejectedly, he returned the long knife to its sheath. The blade scraped against the opening of the sheath with a dry ringing sound.
The black-robed swordsmen of the Sixth Bureau beside him and the secret agents disguised as passersby not far away reported back at almost the same time. There was nothing strange. Fan Xian's subordinates stared at him with a strange gaze. They didn't know what had happened in the carriage in that instant.
Teng Zijing cleared out the wood and gravel wheels in front of him and carefully prepared to help him up.
Fan Xian shook his head and waved his hand to indicate that he was fine. Only then did he realize that his subconscious anger had brought so much rubbish to this quiet long street, and also brought so much trouble to his subordinates.
Gao Da carried the long knife on his back and walked to his side. In a small voice, he asked, "Sir, what happened?"
"Nothing." Fan Xian laughed bitterly and raised his foot to walk forward.
The Overwatch Council was very efficient. Before long, another brand new black carriage came from the corner of the street and stopped in front of everyone. Teng Zijing rubbed his legs, which had gone soft from the fright. He prepared to take the reins when Fan Xian scolded him, "You're so scared. Go back and rest."
Teng Zijing smiled and made a sound of acknowledgement. He handed the reins to Mu Feng'er.
Without orders, people began to clean up the mess on the street so as not to disturb the people of Jingdou. The carriage began to move again. Fan Xian sat in the carriage deep in thought and still didn't say a word. Mu Feng'er drove the carriage along the quiet street. The more he walked, the more anxious he felt. He couldn't resist turning his head and saying through the cotton curtain, "Sir, the Palace is pressing you."
There was an edict for Fan Xian to enter the palace to discuss matters, but Fan Xian sat in a carriage and strolled the streets. The person who had gone to Prince Heqing's manor to deliver the edict was Mu Feng 'er. He knew that no matter how arrogant Sir Fan junior was, the Emperor in the Palace would probably not bear to reprimand him. But, what about him? So he gathered his courage and began to urge her.
At this moment, Fan Xian did not care about Xi Hu or the Royal Palace. His mind was filled with the lawsuit. He shouted, "I am thinking about something, don't bother me!"
The people around the carriage looked at each other, feeling very strange. They did not understand why the commissioner was in such a bad mood today.
In the eyes of the officials under heaven, the Overwatch Council Commissioner Fan Xian was a man who appeared gentle on the outside but was sinister and ruthless in his methods. In the eyes of the internal members of the Overwatch Council, Sir Fan junior was an extremely lenient, generous, and magnanimous superior.
Fan Xian didn't even say a harsh word to his trusted aides in his daily work, let alone cursing out loud. Thus, everyone felt strange. They didn't know what had caused Sir Fan junior to lose his composure like this. However, no one dared to ask.
The carriage did not go straight into the Royal Palace. Instead, under Fan Xian's insistence, it came to the Overwatch Council.
He stepped out of the carriage with three thumping steps. Without even glancing at the square, black-gray building, he walked inside. Along the way, he occasionally met Overwatch Council officials who were out on business. Seeing the baleful expression on the commissioner's face, they all jumped in fright and quickly moved to the side to bow.
Just as he was about to enter the Overwatch Council, Fan Xian suddenly stopped his steps.
He had stopped too abruptly. Gao Da and Mu Feng 'er, who were behind him, did not react in time and almost bumped into each other.
Fan Xian didn't look at them. He only twisted his neck and turned his head to the back, trying his best to reach out. It was as if he wanted to see something strange behind him.
For a person to want to turn their head to look at their buttocks was a very difficult action. Even with the agility of a ninth-level ace like Fan Xian, he still found it difficult.
His neck was a bit sore. His body naturally reacted and began to circle where he stood. It was as if the buttocks covered by the black official robes were ashamed to meet his gaze and were trying their best to escape.
Turning his head to look at his buttocks, he circled where he stood.
Circle after circle.
…
…
Fan Xian's action was truly too preposterous and comical. This was the front door of the Overwatch Council. He was the high and mighty commissioner of the Overwatch Council, yet he was like a cat endlessly circling in a vain attempt to see his tail.
To the side, Gao Da and Mu Feng 'er watched this scene with their mouths wide open. The corners of their eyes began to twitch. They were speechless. They wanted to laugh but didn't dare. They didn't know what Fan Xian was playing at.
The officials inside and outside the front door of the Overwatch Council were also in a daze as they watched this scene. They all turned into countless clay statues and watched dumbfoundedly as the commissioner spun in circles.
However, it was completely silent. The valiant nerves of the Overwatch Council officials allowed them to maintain their silence. They didn't know if the commissioner, who had suddenly become crazy, was testing them or not.
With great difficulty, Gao Da closed his lips and looked at Fan Xian. He wondered if the young master had been with the young master of the Lin family for too long and had also become somewhat stupid.
Fan Xian suddenly stopped his whirling dance and stood where he was.
Although he had only spun a few times, for the people at the side who saw this scene, the few circles of time made them feel as if a day had passed like a year.
Fan Xian stood where he was in a daze. He then suddenly extended a finger to point behind him and asked Gao Da, "Has my walking posture ever changed?"
"No." Gao Da shook his head in confusion.
Fan Xian's heart calmed slightly. He sighed and scratched his head. He then said, "I also feel that everything is normal."
Gao Da and Mu Feng 'er didn't understand. Fan Xian suddenly shivered and furrowed his brows in disgust. Wiping his sweaty hands carelessly in front of his robes, he walked into the courtyard.
After the figures of the three of them disappeared from the great hall of the front door of the Overwatch Council, the Overwatch Council officials who had turned into clay statues came back to life. They all felt that it was absurd. They looked at each other and saw the mirth in each other's eyes. A wave of discussion suddenly rang out.
…
Fan Xian didn't know that his loss of composure had brought endless topics of conversation to the Overwatch Council subordinates on this boring winter day. He wasn't in the mood to pay attention to these questions. He directly entered the secret room and didn't greet the confused Yan Bingyun. Instead, he had him bring over the Northern intelligence files for this year and a half.
The Second Bureau moved quickly. In less than 15 minutes, the small mountain of Northern intelligence files had been piled on the table in the secret room.
Fan Xian waved his hand and rudely asked Yan Bingyun to leave. Yan Bingyun furrowed his brows. He could see that Fan Xian was uneasy. He walked out of the room and asked Gao Da and Mu Feng 'er in a quiet voice, but he didn't get any clues.
One by one, the dossiers were opened and closed. Fan Xian furrowed his brows and sank deep into thought. Most of these files involved stories and news from the Royal Palace in Shangjing. In the past, Fan Xian had already read most of the content, particularly the parts that involved the Northern Qi Emperor. They were the most important to him.
In the past, it had been very difficult to analyze the Northern Qi Emperor's personality from these messy and disorderly intelligence reports. Now, Fan Xian already had his own guesses and judgments about the Northern Qi Emperor. It was much easier to find clues based on this.
It was always easier to make bold assumptions and carefully verify them. With a goal in front of him, it was always easier. In a moment, Fan Xian had, through his own guesses, strung together the countless details in the old files and gradually approached that absurd truth.
The truth that was enough to shock the world, make countless people's heads fall to the ground, and make Fan Xian depressed and uneasy.
It was written clearly in these files that the Northern Qi Emperor had been raised by the empress dowager. Even his personal nannies had never been changed. For a dozen years, it had always been the same two people. For an Emperor to only have two nannies and very few serving girls, it was truly a far cry from Northern Qi's extravagant style.
The Northern Qi empress dowager's explanation was that, back then, the Wei Kingdom had toppled the country with grandiosity, so she had to teach the Emperor to be accustomed to a simple and plain life from a young age.
Everyone thought that the Northern Qi Emperor was not interested in women. Those four secondary concubines from ordinary families … at this moment, in Fan Xian's eyes, it was enough to explain many things. Just as the Second Prince had said in Prince Heqing's manor, for the ruler of a country, the harem was a marvelous weapon for stabilizing the balance of the court. Logically speaking, it was impossible for him not to make the children of the officials in court concubines.
This was a somewhat stupid action, but … Fan Xian only now knew that this was the mother and son … no, mother and daughter in the Northern Qi Palace who had no other choice.
If the Northern Qi Emperor married the daughter of an official but was never able to have sexual intercourse, this news would naturally spread to the nobility and cause some people to speculate. Furthermore, even if they could not have sexual intercourse, they would still have to sit across from each other and lie together. The daughters of the officials would always find something strange.
Only by marrying the daughters of commoners could he completely control all of this.
Even with the Qing Overwatch Council's all-pervasive intelligence gathering methods, they still could not have a completely detailed description of the Northern Qi Emperor, much less any special characteristics of his body. This was enough to prove how strict the Northern Qi Royal Palace was in protecting the Northern Qi Emperor's body.
All of this, under the circumstances that Fan Xian had made up his mind, pointed to a great secret that could not be announced to the world.
Not marrying the daughter of an official and being so careful even when bathing … other than proving that the Northern Qi Emperor had something difficult to say, it also indirectly comforted Fan Xian a little.
The Northern Qi Emperor was not gay. He … she was a woman.
…
…
Fan Xian rubbed his slightly sore eyes and raised his head. Leaning against the chair, he seemed to be deep in thought about something. To his right hand was still the intelligence report that Si Lili had sent through a secret channel. However, there was no need to read it. Since the Northern Qi Emperor was in such a situation, Si Lili must be well aware of it. Then, the intelligence report that was endlessly sent from Shangjing must be full of exaggeration.
Fan Xian's right hand clenched slightly and then immediately relaxed. A light flashed through his mind. He suddenly thought of the words that Haitang had said in Northern Qi's Shangjing.
"Us sisters all think this is feasible …"
…
…
A few sisters? A bitter smile appeared at the corners of Fan Xian's lips. A few sisters? The Northern Qi Emperor, Haitang Duoduo, and Si Lili. This kind of sister combination was a bit too powerful. However, they played him in the palm of their hands. It was truly infuriating.
Was the person with him that night really the Northern Qi Emperor? That faint scent of osmanthus … if it really was the Northern Qi Emperor, why would she take such a great risk to have a night with him?
Fan Xian's brows furrowed. He once again buried his head in the files and carefully examined the intelligence reports from the Royal Palace in Shangjing this year and a half.
He was a very self-aware person. Even though he knew that he had the title of Immortal Poet in this world, that even Zhuang Mohan admired him greatly, that he was born with a good body, that he could write a few sour lines, and that he could say a few witty words … but he did not think that he was a walking aphrodisiac that could attract all the women in the world to worship under his black robe without a care for their lives.
Particularly the Northern Qi Emperor. Judging from the cooperation between Jiangnan and the North, she was a very powerful and farsighted character. It was impossible for her to play such a trick just because she desired Fan Xian's beauty.
As for feelings? Although Fan Xian believed in love at first sight, he did not think that an Emperor, whose female companion often dressed as a man and lived in vigilance and danger, would be so indulgent.
Then, there was only one explanation.
…
…
After sorting through the intelligence reports from the past year and a half, Fan Xian raised his head again with satisfaction. During this year and a half, the Northern Qi Emperor continued to attend court every day. There was no sign of the Emperor not attending court in the morning. He did not go out to play, nor did he go to the Palace to avoid the heat or go hunting.
In short, the Northern Qi Emperor had not left people's sight for more than two days. The medicine supply in the Royal Academy of Medicine in Shangjing was also normal. Given Fan Xian's sharp senses for medicine, there was no sign of a pregnancy suppressant. Of course, if the other party had done it in secret, there was nothing he could do.
Based on the current situation, it was impossible for the Northern Qi Emperor to be pregnant.
This judgment made Fan Xian feel much more relaxed. He unconsciously stood up and stretched his back. What he was most afraid of was having a child with the Northern Qi Emperor after one night with her.
It wasn't that he wasn't mentally prepared to be a father. He just wasn't prepared to be the father of an Emperor. Particularly, he didn't want to become the object of the other party's seed in such a passive situation.
Since no seed had taken root and sprouted, then it didn't matter. The gloom in Fan Xian's heart had long dissipated. Men were often like this. Sexual relations with a woman was really nothing. Even in such a passive situation, he could still comfort himself and enjoy it.
Suddenly, he thought of Ye Qingmei.
"The cycle of cause and effect, retribution is not good!"
Fan Xian smiled helplessly and thought to himself that he was not as good as his mother, but in one area, he and his mother had finally reached a tie. They had both slept with the same Emperor.
He unconsciously didn't want to think that his experience was much more wretched than his mother's methods. He heavily patted his slightly numb buttocks and left the Overwatch Council's secret room with some lingering fear and helplessness.
…
…
Sitting in the carriage heading toward the Royal Palace, Fan Xian held a special pencil from the palace treasury and thought carefully for a while. He then wrote a line of words on a piece of white paper.
"I know what you did last summer."
He then sealed the letter and handed it to Mu Feng 'er. He had him take it to the little secret courtyard in the west of the city and give it to Wang Qinian.
Fan Xian's confidants had long gotten used to the Commissioner using the Overwatch Council's secret channels to write love letters to girls in the North, so Mu Feng 'er did not find it strange.
Fan Xian watched his departing figure and couldn't help but shake his head. Wang Qinian knew who he was writing this letter to. However, this was not a love letter. It wasn't just for Haitang. It was for the three girls.
He had been tricked by the other party. Now that he had realized it, he was going to use it to obtain some benefits, at least some mental benefits. First, he was going to write a letter and write a line to intimidate the other party.
Given the Northern Qi Emperor's intelligence, she would understand what he meant.
Fan Xian used two fingers to play with the thin end of the pencil. He then put it into the upper pocket of his robe and shook his head. Suddenly, he thought of something. Before the Great Princess left, the Northern Qi Emperor had personally presented her with the golden osmanthus flower sachet. Given her intelligence and meticulous mind, would she not guess what this unique fragrance in the world would make him guess?
He furrowed his brows and thought to himself, Could it be that the once-in-a-lifetime female Emperor also had some concern for me deep in her heart and couldn't bear to hide it forever, so she found a way to remind him?
He felt that he was thinking too much. He sighed and stopped thinking about it. In his heart, he thought, I should have guessed long ago that someone so obsessed with The Story of the Stone can't be a man.
…
The royal study was already full of people. Fan Xian stood at the very bottom with an awkward expression. The moment he entered the royal study, he had been thoroughly scolded by the Qing Emperor. Naturally, he did not have the special honor of sitting down.
Perhaps some of the civil and military officials in the room felt a sense of schadenfreude, but they all knew that the harsher the Emperor's scolding was, the more he favored Fan Xian. Thus, none of them dared to show their happiness on their faces.
Fan Xian knew he should be scolded. This matter involved military and national affairs, yet he had delayed entering the Palace for so long and had the Palace come looking for him a number of times. He did not know the gravity of the situation and disregarded national affairs. No wonder the Emperor was so angry.
However, in Fan Xian's view, although the matter he was investigating was a family matter, it was also a national matter. However, this matter could not be discussed with others. He could only keep it in his heart and not make a sound as he was scolded.
Without a sound, he forgot to ask for forgiveness. Thus, the Emperor's expression did not change for the better. With a cold huff, he left him in the cold.
The Emperor had summoned Fan Xian into the Palace with the intention of finding an opportunity for him to come into contact with the Qing Kingdom's higher-ups when it came to dealing with sudden incidents. He had the intention of teaching and advising him. Unexpectedly, Fan Xian had come so late. This made the Emperor unhappy.
The discussion had begun a long time ago. The initial decision was for Ye Zhong to lead the army 300 li to the west and suppress the restless nerves of Xi Hu. At the same time, the Northern Governor, Yan Xiaoyi, was to return north early to resist the arrogance of Northern Qi's mighty general, Shang Shanhu.
There were also some specific logistics issues that Fan Xian didn't hear a word of. He only knew that the Emperor had finally fulfilled his promise to him and sent Yan Xiaoyi away. As for Ye Zhong …
Fan Xian unconsciously raised his head and saw a general sitting second to his right. This general was not tall. On the contrary, he was rather stout. His eyes drooped as if he had no energy. He only occasionally glanced at Fan Xian with a deep gaze.
This was Ye Ling 'er's father, the previous Commander of the Jingdou Garrison and the present Governor of Dingzhou, Ye Zhong.
Fan Xian gazed at him and smiled warmly. Suddenly, he heard Eunuch Yao reading the edict. He heard about the seventh year of the Qing calendar and so on. His heart jumped. Only now did he remember that it was already past the new year. The erotic story that happened in the little temple should have happened in the summer of the year before last and not last year.
…
…
After the emergency meeting in the royal study ended, the Emperor kept Fan Xian behind. He no longer scolded him angrily. He only stared at him. Fan Xian knew that he was in the wrong today. It was not good for him to continue acting tough. He forced a smile and asked for forgiveness.
The Emperor furrowed his brows and said, "Weren't you at Prince Heqing's manor earlier? Where did you go afterward? "
Fan Xian smiled and replied, "Something urgent suddenly happened in the Council, so I rushed over to take care of it."
The Emperor said unhappily, "What matter can be more urgent than a border threat?"
Fan Xian's expression didn't change as he replied, "It was news from the North. Shang Shanhu has received the edict and is heading south. He is already 300 li from Yanjing. However, he is not leading any soldiers."
The Emperor's expression relaxed slightly. "So that's how it is. It is already rare for the Northern Qi Emperor to use Shang Shanhu. However, he doesn't even dare to take out a mere 300 soldiers. It looks like his breadth of mind is only so-so."
Fan Xian thought to himself, There are many people in this world who have been Emperors, but there are few who are as perversely confident as you. Immediately after, the Emperor asked a few more questions about the gathering at Prince Heqing's manor. From his words and manner, it seemed that he was very satisfied with the Great Prince's actions.
Fan Xian's heart trembled slightly. He knew that the Second Prince was right. Although the Emperor had provoked his sons to fight, he still did not want them to suffer unacceptable losses.
After saying a few more words, Fan Xian's unease was seen by the Emperor and chased him out.
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