He then said an important question. After combing through the contents of this scroll, he realized that he had made a big mistake and was very ashamed.
In the book, the Minister of Appointments, Yan Hangshu, had already left his post when the Emperor first attacked the Eldest Princess. Even if the Eldest Princess reappointed him after her rebellion, he should not have risen so quickly and appeared in Taiji Palace to speak up for the Crown Prince.
This is a big mistake. I will slowly correct it. I apologize again.)
…
…
Mu Feng 'er narrowed his eyes. He didn't know why this old man in front of him, who looked like a scholar, dared to make such an absurd request. A captured traitor wanted to see his Commissioner. Even if he was the top strategist in Xinyang, on such a tense night, he could only be thrown into prison and temporarily keep his life.
In his heart, Yuan Hongdao probably knew that he had no way out, so he wanted to use his silver tongue to see Fan Xian and persuade the Commissioner to let him live.
However, Mu Feng 'er, an official of the Overwatch Council, loathed from the bottom of his heart these so-called strategists who only knew how to talk and plot. There were no relevant instructions in the orders he had received. He would not give Yuan Hongdao any more time to struggle.
Seeing Yuan Hongdao open his mouth in panic to speak, Mu Feng 'er was increasingly sure of his judgment. It looked like this old man was extremely afraid of death.
He furrowed his brows and did not give Yuan Hongdao another chance to speak. He pulled back his short sword and then smashed out with his fist, directly creating a bruise on Yuan Hongdao's temple and knocking him out.
Yuan Hongdao only felt a ringing in his head. His vision blurred, and he fainted to the ground. In the instant before he fainted, his heart was filled with anger and helplessness. As the only remaining member of the Overwatch Council's first batch of spies, he knew very well how strict the Overwatch Council's missions were. Since this Overwatch Council official did not know his identity, he would choose such a crude and simple method to shut him up.
In the entire world, only three people knew that he, the chief strategist of Xinyang, was a member of the Overwatch Council. One was the Emperor, who had already died on Dong Mountain. Another was Director Chen, who was rumored to have been poisoned and was being pursued by the Qin family's army. Another was Yan Ruohai. As for the serving girl who had once met him, she had already died in an accident.
Yuan Hongdao was unable to prove his identity. Mu Feng 'er strictly followed the rules of the Council and did not give him this opportunity. Perhaps this was the common sorrow of the Sleuths in the countless worlds from ancient times until now. The possibility of them falling at the hands of their comrades was often greater than them revealing their identities and being silenced by their enemies.
He only felt some regret and a strong sense of worry.
Mu Feng 'er did not know that the person who had fainted in front of him was his senior, nor did he know how much unknown danger his simple punch would bring to Jingdou in the following days. He simply ordered his subordinates to clean up the Eldest Princess' courtyard. He then escorted the remaining captives and locked them into the Overwatch Council's dark prison.
…
…
Fan Xian took two ephedra pills in a row. The powerful medicinal power covered his eyes with a faint and ominous red. However, in the dark of the night, it was difficult to see clearly.
He walked to the foot of the palace walls and respectfully welcomed the officials the Crown Prince had locked up in the Ministry of Justice's prison. He held Shu Wu and Hu the Scholar's hands. His thin lips opened slightly, but he was so moved he couldn't say anything.
There was no need to fake anything. Fan Xian was indeed moved that the civil officials of the Qing Kingdom would stand on his side at such a critical moment. Although he had the Emperor's posthumous edict in his hands and his father-in-law in Wuzhou had, at the most critical moment, finally brought out his most deeply hidden students and old friends in court. He knew how much courage it took to oppose the Crown Prince's ascension in Taiji Palace.
If Li Chengqian was as cold-blooded as him or the Second Prince, these officials would probably have long become dozens of heroic spirits in the Royal Palace.
Shu Wu and Hu the Scholar didn't say anything. They only bowed toward Fan Xian. Shu Wu was the first person in the world to see the posthumous edict. Hu the Scholar also knew the contents of the edict. He knew that although Fan Xian did not have the title of regent, he had the reality of regent.
The Emperor had given the power to choose an heir to the throne to Sir Fan junior. This kind of trust and entrustment was rarely seen in thousands of years.
"Time is tight." Fan Xian knew that this was not the time to exchange words of admiration. He faced the officials in the hall and said in an even voice, "I'll have to trouble all of you to rest here for now. In a short while, a royal doctor will come to treat you."
"Go do your own things, Duke," Hu the Scholar said warmly. "At a time like this, we don't have much use. The flag has been waved, and the cry has been made. If those rebels and traitors still do not stop, then the Duke of Danbo will need to wield the Emperor's sword and kill them one by one."
Although his words were light, his support for Fan Xian was completely clear.
Fan Xian said, "I don't know how many other important matters require your support. Presently, the empress dowager already knows of the Crown Prince and Eldest Princess's evil actions. In her heartache, she is sick in bed and has entrusted all the affairs of the court to you two. I hope you two can temporarily endure the pain of your skin and stand well for the Qing Kingdom."
"I dare not do as you wish," Shu Wu replied in a raspy voice.
The dozens of officials behind him also raised their hands. These civil officials knew that the situation in Jingdou was still complicated. They had to hurry and settle the matter. As for the news of the empress dowager being sick in bed, these officials unconsciously filtered it out of their minds.
No one was stupid, particularly these civil officials. They all knew that Fan Xian planned to use the empress dowager to control the various yamens. Presently, he had the previous Emperor's posthumous edict in his hands, the empress dowager, and the support of various officials. Jingdou, at least on the surface, appeared to be stable.
The officials began to rest in a side room in Taiji Palace. Although this place was much better than the prison of the Ministry of Justice, it was still cold and cheerless. The floor was icy and hard. Everyone knew that before the court conference began, it was best for them not to rush to enjoy it.
Hu and Shu the scholars followed Fan Xian into the royal study. In this room where the Qing Emperor presided over state affairs day after day and examined memorials, the lights were still very bright. In front of these two scholars, Fan Xian no longer needed to hide anything. Worry naturally appeared on his calm face.
After some conversation, Hu and Shu the scholars' expressions also became heavy. They had thought that Fan Xian had completely controlled the situation. They had not expected that the Crown Prince and Eldest Princess would disappear.
"Everything will be done according to ancestral precedent," Hu the Scholar suddenly said calmly. Amidst the silence, Hu the Scholar suddenly opened his mouth and calmly said, "No matter what kind of preposterous and shameless things these rebels and traitors will do, presumably, it will not surprise us. Although we cannot immediately end the current chaotic situation, the court conference must begin today. The crimes of the Crown Prince and Eldest Princess must be clearly announced to the world. "
Shu Wu cautiously said, "Clearly announced to the world … how … how will the court give an explanation to the people?"
Hu the Scholar calmly said, "Orthodoxy and righteousness are the explanations. If they act in the dark and don't say it clearly, it will not be appropriate."
Fan Xian nodded. He thought that Hu the Scholar's insistence on immediately calling the court conference at such a complicated time was very close to his own thoughts. It was because they didn't know whether or not the Crown Prince and Eldest Princess would escape Jingdou that the people in the Palace had to immediately depose the Crown Prince and smoothly pass down the Qing royal family's great unity. Then, they would announce it to the world.
After the discussion was set, Hu and Shu the scholars began to personally write letters, sketching out what had happened in Jingdou. Then, Fan Xian solemnly stamped the royal seal the Emperor had entrusted to him. He then stamped the empress dowager's seal he had taken from Hanguang Palace and signed his own name.
After sealing these dozen letters, Fan Xian handed them to his trusted aide. Through the Overwatch Council's secret mail route, they were sent to the governor's manor of the Qing Kingdom's seven Roads. At the same time, they were sent to the Five Road armies stationed on the border.
However, Fan Xian knew that the letter sent to the Northern Expedition Camp in Cangzhou was probably completely useless.
When Fan Xian stamped the empress dowager's seal, Hu and Shu the scholars met each other's eyes and shook their heads slightly. They thought to themselves that Sir Fan junior was not afraid of anything in front of them. He was truly daring.
A dozen messengers charged out of the Royal Palace at the fastest speed, accompanied by the sound of horse hooves. They charged into the streets of Jingdou that seemed to never see daylight. Mingling with the chaotic sounds of killing in all directions and the sometimes burning and sometimes extinguishing fires, they rode in the direction of the city gates.
They carried an important mission on their shoulders.
"Can they leave the city?" Hu the Scholar suddenly watched Fan Xian quietly. He wanted to get a confirmation from Fan Xian's mouth as to who was in control of the 13 city gate guards.
Fan Xian furrowed his brows and said, "There shouldn't be any problems. My people went at the beginning."
Hu the Scholar knew that Fan Xian never spoke empty words. Since he had already sent people, he would certainly send the most capable people for important positions like the 13 city gate guards.
Fan Xian walked out of the royal study and waved his hand to summon Eunuch Dai, who was standing guard outside. After a moment of silence, he said, "Is there a problem with the empress?"
The situation in the Palace had changed a long time ago. Eunuch Hong and Eunuch Yao had followed the Emperor to worship heaven and had probably long died on Dong Mountain. Eunuch Hou had been coldly and mercilessly shot to death by Fan Xian with a crossbow. Hong Zhu, who had enjoyed limitless glory these two years, had been imprisoned in the Cold Palace with the eunuchs and serving girls in the Eastern Palace. Eunuch Dai had privately opened the Palace doors and performed a great service. He was also someone Fan Xian trusted. Naturally, he resumed his position as the head eunuch.
Presently, the rear palace was watched by the Imperial Army. The internal affairs were all handled by Eunuch Dai.
He bowed and replied respectfully, "Following your orders, she has already been escorted into the Cold Palace. The empress's body is fine, but her spirit is a bit weary."
Fan Xian nodded. After escaping in the middle of the night and then being captured, no one would be able to endure such mental torture.
The power of the medicine gradually weakened. Fan Xian felt a bit tired. Although he knew it was not time to rest, he still tiredly leaned against the pillar outside the royal study. Looking at the square beside the Palace, he was silent and didn't speak.
He had not lied to Hu the Scholar. It was just as the Great Prince had said. From the beginning, he could not truly give up on the city gate department. However, he had too few people in Jingdou. There were thousands of soldiers in the city gate department. It was impossible to use such violent methods to resolve it. Thus, he had made a copy of the Emperor's posthumous edict and given it to the person he trusted the most.
He had confidence in that person and in Commander Zhang of the city gate department. Commander Zhang was a true-blue royalist. After the Qing Emperor was assassinated, he only listened to the empress dowager's orders. Thus, he was able to forcefully block the Ye and Qin families' armies outside Jingdou.
No matter how he considered it, the city gate department should make a choice that suited Fan Xian's interests.
Fan Xian didn't know that the pillar he was leaning against had once been the place where the Emperor and Chen Pingping had spoken twice. He also didn't know that a person called Yuan Hongdao had already been knocked unconscious by his loyal subordinate and locked up in the Overwatch Council's prison.
He was only worried about Wan 'er, Da Bao, and his father in King Jing's manor. He still hadn't received any news. He didn't know if anyone could rescue his wife and brother-in-law or how dangerous King Jing's manor was right now.
…
…
When the white-clothed Sir Yan junior came out of the back garden of the Jingdou government, Fan Xian's operation to break into the Palace had not yet begun. Mu Tie, who was responsible for subduing the Jingdou government, was still lying in ambush in the dark outside the manor.
He tidied his white clothes and walked into an alley. He still had a lingering sense of leisure as he turned his head to glance at the night sky. A firework bloomed in the night sky. It was very beautiful.
The usually cold Yan Bingyun looked at the firework that disappeared in a flash in the night sky and smiled. He knew that Fan Xian had already made his move, so he had to hurry.
He didn't wear night clothes. Instead, he wore an eye-catching white robe that stood out against the darkness around him. His mission at the city gate department was not to assassinate. It was to subdue. Yan Bingyun knew how to win the trust of loyal soldiers.
Arriving at the city gate department yamen, Yan Bingyun calmly arrived at the yamen under the escort of dozens of spear wielding soldiers and waited for Commander Zhang to receive him.
"Sir Yan is currently a wanted criminal by the court. You are quite daring to come to see me."
Commander Zhang of the 13 city gate departments, the key figure in controlling the opening and closing of Jingdou's nine city gates, slowly walked out of the doorway and looked at the white-clothed Yan Bingyun with furrowed brows.
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