(Yesterday, I went for a physical examination. The results will be out next week. Everything I know is fine, but … my blood pressure is very high. It's 110 to 150. Both the doctor and myself were shocked. It's probably a problem caused by my evil writing work. Today, my blood pressure is much better. Everyone should exercise more and pay attention to their diet. Don't always sit in front of the computer reading and playing games. Your health is still the most important.
…
…
In the mountain pavilion, the smile on the Northern Qi Emperor's face suddenly disappeared. He returned to his usual silence when he was alone. He had grown up in the Royal Palace. When his father first passed away, he faced the most difficult test of his life. Although, with the powerful support of Imperial Advisor Ku He, the empress dowager had carried him through this difficult time, such a beginning meant that his life as an Emperor would not be smooth.
There were many reasons for it not being smooth, but the most important one was the secret hidden in his heart, in the empress dowager's heart, and in Imperial Advisor Ku He's hearts that could never be spoken of.
For this secret, the Northern Qi Emperor had made too many sacrifices and made too many changes that twisted his personality. He could not have too close a relationship with too many people. He could not be too intimate with his sisters. He could not be impudent and do whatever he wanted. In these dozen years, the people at his side had never changed. Even when he showered, it was as if he was facing a great enemy. The secondary concubines in the back palace still had hidden bitterness.
In order to divert the Qing Kingdom's attention and make the officials in court more alert, he and his mother had acted out the scene of mother and son not being in harmony for so many years. It had been very difficult.
He didn't want to shoulder all this, but since he had already shouldered it, as a descendant of the Zhan family, he had inherited his grandfather's ambition and will to shake the world. He had to play his role well.
It had to be admitted that he had done well these years. No one could find too many faults with the little Emperor. He had condoned and even secretly lured Shang Shanhu to kill Shen Zhong on a rainy night, seized the Shen family, and firmly controlled the entire Brocade Guard in the hands of the royal family. He had put Shang Shanhu under house arrest for a year to reduce his drive and then released him to suppress the overbearing Qing army in the South. Within the country, he had suppressed the tyrants and colluded with Fan Xian outside the country.
One trick after another was used. These two years, the Northern Qi court had become more and more orderly under his management. In particular, the Jiangnan matter proved the young Emperor's deep foresight and scheming.
Even if the person in charge of the Jiangnan palace treasury was not Fan Xian, presumably he still had the ability to secretly obtain some benefits. The Northern Qi Emperor knew that there were many levels of benefits. No matter how he imagined it, he had never thought that he could obtain so many benefits for his court through Fan Xian.
He gently patted the railing and looked at the clear flowing water in the mountain stream. He sighed and softly said to himself, "But why did you come? What right do you have to give all the benefits to me? " A cold and mocking smile rose to the corners of his lips. "The illegitimate son of the Qing Emperor … how different can he be from his father?"
During the time he had spent learning to become an Emperor, the only person the Northern Qi Emperor could find in the present world was the powerful ruler of the Qing Kingdom. He knew that his peer, who was a generation older than him, was a powerful figure who had great ambitions but was also good at enduring silently.
"In the end, you will grow old, and you are already old …" The Northern Qi Emperor furrowed his brows slightly. His gaze turned slightly and gazed toward the distant South. Thinking of the recent battle in the Qing Kingdom royal family, he quietly said, "Even if you were a lion in the past and fought until the Wei Kingdom fell apart and the Qi Kingdom struggled at death's door, you are, after all, old. Your entire being emanates a sense of decay. I truly hope that you can continue to rot sinisterly like this and force him to come to me."
These words seemed to sigh at every detail of history and seemed to increase his own confidence. Everyone knew that no matter how sensitive and suspicious the Qing Emperor was, history only believed in history itself. Past history had already proven that the Qing Emperor was the only victor in the world these 30 years.
The Northern Qi Emperor narrowed his eyes. The corners of his lips twitched slightly. He muttered to himself, "I hope you can survive this time and allow me to openly defeat you on this stage of the world."
…
…
He didn't quite understand Fan Xian. In reality, Fan Xian could not see him clearly either.
As an Emperor, no matter what color his heart was, his first consideration was his throne and the world. If his relationship with Fan Xian could always maintain peace and mutual benefits, the Northern Qi Emperor would not hesitate to fulfill Fan Xian's requests at all costs, such as Haitang and Fan Ruoruo's acceptance as a teacher.
In the future, if Fan Xian threatened Northern Qi, the Northern Qi Emperor would coldly and mercilessly use all the power at his disposal to eliminate Fan Xian.
It had nothing to do with emotions, country, or gender.
In this world, there were only three kinds of people: men, women, and Emperors.
… …
The water in the stream below the pavilion flowed down the mountain until it reached the side of the group of palaces at the bottom of the mountain. At the foot of the mountain, it formed a pool of clear water. To the west of the clear water was a small gap made of white stone. The gurgling clear water flowed out through the gap, but it did not stir the pool at all.
In the forest behind the pool of clear water, there was a large group of eunuchs and serving girls waiting with their heads lowered and quiet. No one knew that the Emperor was in a daze in the pavilion halfway up the mountain. They only knew that the two most noble people in all of Northern Qi, other than the Emperor, were in a daze by the pool of water.
Dressed in hemp garments and wearing a straw hat, Imperial Advisor Ku He was barefooted. He looked like an ascetic monk. He was sitting on a rock by the side of the pond, holding a fishing rod in his hand.
The Northern Qi empress dowager, who had put in a great deal of effort and endured a great deal of power and chaos in order for her son to sit firmly on the throne, smiled slightly as she sat by Master Ku He's side. Her brows were filled with peace and serenity.
Back then, the Zhan family had risen from the chaos of the world and forcefully inherited the Wei Kingdom's Heavenly Treasure through military power. However, there had been endless years of war. Countless brave generals in the royal family had all lost their lives to the Qing Emperor's ruthless and ferocious attacks. After the Zhan Emperor died of illness, only she and the Northern Qi Emperor, an orphan and a widow, were left in the entire Palace.
At that time, the Qing Kingdom's Chen Pingping was in power. The Northern court's political situation was in turmoil. The nobles were all clamoring, and the situation in the Palace was precarious. Even under such circumstances, this woman still allowed her son to sit firmly on the throne.
Most importantly, it was the Imperial Advisor's unyielding stance by her side. At the same time, it also proved that this empress dowager was not as mediocre as she appeared on the surface.
Ku He's eyes calmly watched the unruffled surface of the water.
The empress dowager smiled slightly. She thought of the changes in Shangjing this year. Back then, there had been changes in the Palace. She had Chang Ninghou risk his life to leave the Palace and beg Shen Zhong to bring people to help. Shen Zhong and the Brocade Guard had performed a great service. However, the Emperor had grown up and could not tolerate Shen Zhong continuing to be arrogant, so he had an idea.
The empress dowager felt guilty toward Shen Zhong, but her son's mind was made up. She knew she could not persuade him, so she silently allowed this matter to happen. The people of the Zhan family seemed to always be stubborn and could not be changed by other people, such as her son or the person beside her.
However, she still wanted to continue trying. Last night, the Northern Qi Emperor had talked with her for a long night and felt that this matter was not as beautiful as he had imagined. He had asked her to persuade Imperial Advisor Ku He. Thus, there had been today's greetings by the pond.
"I've never seen Li Yunrui. We've only exchanged a lot of secret letters," the Northern Qi empress dowager said gently. In front of Ku He, she would not call herself "I". Although her expression was still dignified, her tone was like that of a little girl who did not understand much.
Ku He smiled and said, "The three countries are separated by a great distance. When Zhuang Mohan was invited to the South, he did not see the face of the Eldest Princess."
The empress dowager sighed and said, "As a result, Master Zhuang was left with a lifetime of regret."
Ku He shook his head. "But I have seen the Eldest Princess, so I know that she is not a simple woman. The change in Jingdou in the Southern court this time happened so quickly. There was no movement at all. It is truly beyond my expectations."
"What Dou Dou means is …" The empress dowager thought for a moment and then said, "When two countries clash, it is still a battle of national power. It is better not to take risks."
"Why didn't he come and speak to me personally?" Ku He smiled slightly. "The child is still young. He probably does not understand why we old people are still so cautious when the Qing Emperor has been a mess these years."
He continued, "Because I know, and you also know, that the Qing Emperor is truly not a normal person. In the second generation, a Great Grandmaster did not appear, but an Emperor who used troops like a god … "His brows furrowed." The longer he endured, the more uneasy I felt. "
The Northern Qi empress dowager sighed and said, "Even so, there is no good way."
The old man smiled and took off his straw hat, revealing his large bald head. Happily, he said, "I remember that Ye Liuyun also likes to wear a hat and run all over the world … if even such a person can be used by Li Yunrui, I believe that the Eldest Princess will think of a way."
Now that the topic had reached this point, the empress dowager knew that she could no longer persuade the Imperial Advisor to change his mind. Respectfully, she said, "Uncle, let's watch a bit longer. Let the Qing court mess around on their own. It will always be good for us."
"There's not much time left." The fishing rod in Ku He's hand did not tremble at all. Slowly, he said, "If we old people cannot solve this problem while we are alive, who will solve it in the future?"
These words were exactly the same as what the Great Grandmaster in the grass hut had said.
The empress dowager's hand trembled slightly. She smiled and said, "What about Haitang? Besides, there is still Fan Xian in the South. "
Ku He smiled and said, "Fan Xian, this young man will have to depend on his luck. If he is smart and powerful enough, presumably he will obtain the greatest benefit in this matter. It can be considered a gift from our court. Given this young man's nature, since he has received such a great favor from Lil Pea, he will always think of Northern Qi in the future."
When all was said and done, these people in power in Northern Qi knew that in terms of national power, Northern Qi, which had been accumulating problems for a long time, could not catch up to or surpass the Qing Kingdom in a short period of time. In the grand scheme of things, within a dozen years, the Qing Kingdom would still be the main attacker and Northern Qi the main defender.
"I had thought that the Crown Prince of the Qing court or the Second Prince had a better chance," the empress dowager said with a frown.
Ku He shook his head. "Fan Xian is such a murderous and fearful person. How could he give them a chance to ascend? If there really was such a possibility, do you think he would be unwilling to kill? In this entire world, there are not many people who can survive Fan Xian's murderous intent."
The empress dowager was slightly surprised. She had not thought that the Imperial Advisor's evaluation of Fan Xian's strength would be so powerful.
"Don't forget, there is still a blind man behind him. Ye Liuyun cannot be the bodyguard of the Qing princes."
Ku He smiled and raised the fishing rod in his hand. A thin line was tied to the rod. He was not like some people who used a rope to fish senselessly in order to reach the realm of dogsh * t.
The fishing hook came out of the water. A few drops of clear beads fell back into the water. This pool of clear water in the Royal Palace seemed to be excited by these drops of clear beads. With a splash, the water rippled, causing the green water plants at the bottom of the pool to sway helplessly.
Countless fish with golden or green tails leaped out of the water happily and slapped the surface of the water. It seemed to be expressing gratitude to the Ascetic Monk holding the fishing rod in his hand.
…
…
The sound of the water gradually quieted. It flowed out of the gap in the clear pool, forming a white jade that moistened half the hill. It flowed out of the palace walls and merged into the Yuquan River. The stream in the Palace was only a tributary of the Yuquan River. In reality, the Yuquan River's name came from the stream on the green mountain in the Royal Palace — the Yuquan, the Yuquan.
The Yuquan River flowed into Shangjing. Not far from the palace walls, it passed a garden.
This was Haitang's garden. To find peace and quiet in Shangjing's bustling area was a rare and good place. In the past, Fan Xian had mocked her for being obsessed with fame. He had not thought that this kind of garden was secretly full of nobility. There was not a hint of the countryside at all.
At this moment, two girls walked out of the garden. They boarded the carriage outside the garden and headed into the city.
It did not take long for the carriage to reach the busiest part of Shangjing. The speed of the carriage slowed. As it passed an antique shop, the driver seemed to hear the call of the girl in the carriage and stopped.
Haitang put down her right hand that had pulled up the curtain and turned her head to Fan Ruoruo. "It's your brother. Do you want to go down and say hello?"
Fan Ruoruo smiled and said, "Since he's treating today, let's not see him early. Let's walk around Shangjing first."
Haitang nodded. The carriage began to move again without disturbing the people in the antique shop.
Inside the antique shop, a slightly plump young man was looking at the goods inside with his head down. This person was none other than the second young master of the Fan family who had been kicked to Shangjing by Fan Xian. He had suffered countless hardships at Haitang's hands and finally made it out. He had taken over the Cui family's northern route, Fan Sidu.
Perhaps it was because he had changed his appearance or because the life away from home had made this young man mature early. At this moment, his countenance was completely calm. There was no trace of the arrogance and ruthlessness of the past. It made people think he was much more mature than his true age.
Tonight, he was holding a large banquet in the Shangjing branch of Baoyue Brothel. He knew ahead of time that his sister and Haitang, the two people he feared the most, were coming, so he had come out early to buy gifts from the antique shop. He had to make sure that these two were happy. However, after looking for a long time and even having the shop owner bring out all the goods from his collection, he still did not find anything satisfactory. This made his mood a bit unhappy.
Behind him were still the Northern Qi aces and bodyguards with curved knives at their waists. Although the Fan brothers knew that this was definitely a group of people monitored by the Northern Qi royal family, Fan Sizhe was as daring as Fan Xian. He continued to use them casually and did not change them out.
There were other people looking at the goods in the shop. From the color of their clothing, one could see that they were either wealthy or of high status. This antique shop was very famous, and the goods sold were also very expensive. Thus, the people who dared to come in and pick out items were all important figures in Northern Qi. If they were not wealthy merchants, then they were nobles.
These people did not recognize Fan Sizhe, but seeing that he had brought four ace guards with him, they secretly guessed that this young man must be the son of some family that did not like to show off.
At this moment, the shop owner walked in with a very solemn expression, carrying a wooden tray covered by a red cloth. He moved closer to Fan Sizhe's side and said, "Young master, if you want a pair, then this is the only one."
Fan Sizhe lifted a corner of the red cloth and saw that on the tray was a pair of jade lions. The carving was excellent. The lions had the heads of tigers and were exceptionally cute. He couldn't help but smile. He thought that giving this pair to his sister and Haitang was indeed appropriate. It also had the intention of helping him vent some anger.
"This is it." He waved his hand.
Unfortunately, the nobles looking at the goods to the side also had their eyes on this pair of jade lions. They begged Fan Sizhe to raise his hand and let them go. A rich young master was even willing to give a red packet to show his sincerity. In large places like Shangjing, Jingdou, and Dongyi, there were usually not many situations where people relied on power to steal goods. After all, everyone present was either wealthy or of high status. No one knew who they would offend.
In Shangjing, Fan Sizhe had always kept a low profile. The Qing Kingdom's wanted posters still had his name. Other than the Brocade Guards, the Qing royal family, and related officials, not many people knew his true identity. If this had been in the past, Fan Sizhe might have agreed to such a gentle request from this rich young master. However, he truly liked this pair of jade lions, so he hesitated and did not speak.
With this hesitation, the mood of the nobles became unhappy. They thought that they had already given him enough face. If the Marquis had not been invited to an important gathering and given the matter of buying gifts to the young master, they would not have needed this pair of precious jade lions as gifts. Why would they have to speak to this stranger?
The people parted. A 12 or 13 year old nobleman walked out. Pointing at Fan Sizhe's nose, he cursed, "In Shangjing, no one dares to fight with me for things!"
Fan Sizhe furrowed his brows. If this had been in the past, he would probably have thrown out a punch long ago. As he grew older, his temperament was much more stable. He asked, "You are?"
Someone kindly reminded him, "This is the young master of the Marquis of Chang'an's family."
The Marquis of Chang'an and the Marquis of Chang Ninghou were the brothers of the Northern Qi empress dowager. This status was indeed sufficiently noble. After Fan Sizhe paused slightly, he laughed hatefully.
"Your father wants to give a gift tonight, right?" No matter how much Fan Sizhe had improved, he was, after all, a lawless person in the past. Gritting his teeth, he stared fiercely into the child's eyes and said, "Little brat!"
After these words were said, the people in front of them all surrounded them. The crowd was ferocious and seemed ready to attack.
Fan Sizhe laughed coldly and led the four scimitar guards out of the antique shop.
In the carriage outside, a strange light flashed through the eyes of a scimitar guard. He asked Fan Sizhe, "Boss, do you know that young master?"
Fan Sizhe spat and cursed, "That little brat. Back then, big brother broke his arm, yet he hasn't improved at all. If he dares to provoke me again, I would have broken his other arm!"
Inside the antique shop, everyone looked at each other. They thought that the guy earlier was very daring to call the young master of the Marquis of Chang'an a little brat to his face.
Without further ado, the young master picked the gift and forcefully suppressed his anger. Happily, he returned to his manor and followed his father to the Baoyue Brothel branch in Shangjing that had opened less than four months ago. He was ready to participate in this important gathering.
When he entered the building and sat beside his father, he looked at the fat man sitting at the head of the table chatting cheerfully with his cousin. He was immediately dumbfounded.
His cousin was called Wei Hua. He was the most outstanding young man in the entire Wei family. Presently, he was deeply appreciated by the Emperor and held the important position of commander of the Provost of the Brocade Guard. In all of Northern Qi, he had terrifying power.
However, such a powerful figure was, at this moment, chatting freely with the chubby young man like they had been friends for many years. There seemed to be a faint wariness between his brows.
The young master of the Marquis of Chang'an watched this scene in a daze. He thought to himself, The chubby brother who called me a little brat earlier … who exactly was he?
…
…
While Fan Sizhe and Wei Hua were talking, he glanced below the table from the corner of his eyes and found that Marquis of Chang'an had brought his good-for-nothing son. He thought to himself, That old thing is already so old. How could he have such a young son? Don't tell me he's wearing a hat … as he criticized silently, he smiled at Marquis of Chang'an and greeted him.
Today's banquet was initiated by him. He did not invite outsiders. Everyone was a member of the Northern Qi royal family. The purpose was also very simple. The news from the Qing court was clear that Li Yunrui had already fallen. It seemed that there was no one within the Qing Kingdom that could threaten his brother. Thus, he had to grasp this opportunity and expand the scope of his business.
Doing business with Northern Qi was actually doing business with the Northern Qi Emperor's family. Thus, he had invited everyone in the Wei family. At the same time, he had asked Haitang and his sister to help him suppress the situation.
What was Fan Sizhe afraid of? All of the low-priced goods in the South were in his hands. The products of the palace treasury were endlessly delivered to his hands by Xia Mingji. If the Wei family wanted to get rich, they had to rely on him.
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
