Please don't criticize Liu Xiang, at least not in the book review section of Qing Yu's year. No one is easy, much less come up with conspiracy theories. Sometimes, reality may be stranger than fiction, but at least it has to be stranger and logical. My depressed brother-in-law and I continue to support him …
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Looking at the carriage moving into the distance and hearing the faint clamor coming from all around, Fan Xian relaxed slightly. He had arranged for Teng Zijing to go to Qingyu Hall on Twenty-Eight Li Slope to take advantage of the chaos in Jingdou to think of a way to bring the old shopkeepers of Qingyu Hall out of Jingdou and scatter them among the people.
This was not a sudden idea that Fan Xian had come up with. It was part of the plan he had drawn up from the beginning. These old shopkeepers were very important to Fan Xian. Their grasp of the arts of the palace treasury and familiarity with the secrets were even more important to the Qing Kingdom. Although the Emperor remembered old friendships and had left them alive, he would not allow them to leave Jingdou and fall into the hands of other powers. It had been 20 years since the Ye family had been destroyed. If he wanted to bring all these old shopkeepers out of Jingdou, it was an impossible task.
However, the Eldest Princess and Crown Prince's rebellion and the chaos in Jingdou gave Fan Xian, who had been working hard on this matter, a great opportunity. Everyone in Jingdou thought the Emperor had died. The Palace was in chaos, and Jingdou was in chaos. A glimmer of light appeared in front of Fan Xian's eyes.
However, he did not have many people he could use. Later, he faintly guessed that the Emperor might still be alive, so he temporarily stopped this plan. But in Taiping Courtyard, the last few words the Eldest Princess whispered into his ear prompted him to make his final decision. Even without the Eldest Princess' words, Fan Xian would still think of a way to use the present situation.
From the beginning, the battle between the Emperor and the Eldest Princess had been proceeding on a different level. Although Fan Xian had been silent and seemed to be a chess piece being moved around, he actually had his own thoughts.
He had predicted that Jingdou would fall into chaos, so he chose to fish in troubled waters and pull chestnuts out of the fire. His gaze and methods were truly sharp.
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Without time to comfort the grieving Wan 'er, Fan Xian turned and left the manor. The Eldest Princess' body was currently placed in a quiet room in the back garden. He had to return to the Royal Palace to deal with some more important matters. Since he knew the news that the Emperor was safe and sound, he had to make some powerful adjustments in the arrangements of the entire matter.
Unexpectedly, he had just left the manor when a group of riders approached on the dust. Fan Xian narrowed his eyes and looked. He didn't know whose subordinates they were. The situation in Jingdou had long been settled. The Dingzhou army controlled the outside of the Palace. Ye Zhong had very adroitly handed the defense of the Royal Palace back to the Great Prince. There were no organized rebel soldiers inside the city.
The people who came were indeed from the Dingzhou army. An officer covered in blood pulled on the reins of his horse and scrambled toward Fan Xian. In a panic, he said, "Duke, the Commander has urgent news to report."
There were countless fierce and powerful generals in the Qing Kingdom. Each army habitually referred to their commander as Commander, just like how the old soldiers of the Western Expedition Army referred to the Great Prince. Since this officer was from the Dingzhou army, the Commander he spoke of was Ye Zhong. Fan Xian was startled. He wondered if something had changed in Jingdou again. He had been anxious to see Ye Zhong, so he didn't say anything more. Pulling on the reins, he followed the small group of riders toward Donghua Gate. Along the way, he listened silently. Only then did he know exactly what had happened.
Fan Xian listened to the officer's story and learned that while he was in Taiping Courtyard, Ye Zhong had been looking for him for a long time. Crown Prince Li Chengqian had been blocked by Ye Zhong at Donghua Gate. The two sides were facing off and in the middle of negotiations. For some reason, Li Chengqian had requested that he go see him.
Although the Ye family had suddenly turned traitor, the rebel army was still powerful. The battle power of the remaining soldiers could not be underestimated. Fan Xian had not thought that the Crown Prince would be trapped in Jingdou. Inside the seemingly stable city, there was actually such a dangerous confrontation hidden under a quiet city gate.
His pupils constricted slightly as he sucked in a breath of cold air. If the rebel army was chased out of Jingdou and fighting broke out in the field, it would have nothing to do with him. Naturally, the Ye family and the various armies loyal to the Emperor would take over. But, he was blocked at Donghua Gate? Why didn't the Crown Prince charge out?
As he thought this, the horse's hooves did not stop. It didn't take long for them to forcefully disperse the Jingdou people crowding out of the city toward Zhengyang Gate. Fan Xian and his group arrived in front of Donghua Gate.
There was silence in front of Donghua Gate, a deathly silence. The Qin family rebel army, surrounded by the city gate department and Dingzhou soldiers, gripped the weapons in their hands tightly and looked nervously and hopelessly at the soldiers around them.
In the center of the rebel army, the expressions of the Qin family generals had become very ugly. The two sides had been facing off at Donghua Gate for a full two hours. Under the Crown Prince's powerful restrictions, the rebel army did not launch a general attack toward Donghua Gate. They also did not launch a counterattack against the Dingzhou army. Ye Zhong, who was leading the Dingzhou army to surround this place, also displayed unusual patience. Just like this, he killed time and waited for the arrival of Fan Xian, who the Crown Prince had requested to be present.
Ye Zhong was patient, but the generals of the rebel army waited like a year. Sweat flowed down their faces. However, they did not move rashly because defeat was like a mountain. If they truly fought, not many would survive. However, they also didn't know what the Crown Prince was thinking. This matter involved rebellion. How could they survive?
Surrounded and protected by everyone, the Crown Prince, Li Chengqian's expression appeared particularly calm. He was only a little haggard, but he was not overly flustered. It was not until he saw Fan Xian coming from a distance that he sighed and seemed to calm down a little.
The Dingzhou riders parted like a wave. Fan Xian rode alone through the street and came to Ye Zhong's side. Glancing at the Crown Prince, he furrowed his brows and didn't know what to say. Turning his head, he moved closer to Ye Zhong's ear and quietly said something.
Ye Zhong's face lit up, and his eyes lit up. Immediately after, he felt his heart palpitate. He knew that his previous conservative decision to give the Crown Prince time was the right one. Since the Emperor had not died, the Emperor should be the one to decide how to deal with the rebellious Crown Prince.
Although he was a deposed Crown Prince who had rebelled, he was still the Emperor's son. As the Second Prince's father-in-law, Ye Zhong did not want the Crown Prince to die in his hands.
Fan Xian raised his eyes to look at the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince looked back at him. His pale lips trembled slightly. It was as if he had finally made an important decision. In a raspy voice, he slowly said, "You've come?"
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The rebel army threw down their weapons and surrendered. They became the prisoners of the Dingzhou army. A few of the Qin family generals were also captured and fell to the ground with faces of despair. The battle in Jingdou had temporarily come to an end. Ye Zhong led the army and escorted a black carriage toward the Royal Palace.
The black carriage had been sent over as soon as possible by the Overwatch Council. There were two people sitting in the carriage. One was Fan Xian, and the other was the Crown Prince, Li Chengqian. The two brothers sat in the dark carriage. For a long time, neither of them spoke.
"There might be a problem with the third condition I promised you." Fan Xian's eyelids drooped slightly. In an apologetic tone, he said, "If I can't do it, don't blame me for lying to you."
Crown Prince Li Chengqian did not want countless innocent rebel soldiers to lose their lives because of him. With great courage, he had surrendered. He had asked Fan Xian to come personally and agree to his three conditions before he was willing to surrender. Li Chengqian knew that in Jingdou, Fan Xian, who held his father's posthumous edict and had the support of the majority of people, had more power in his words than Ye Zhong, who had an army but was secretly cautious.
As long as Fan Xian was willing to agree, no one in court would make things difficult for these common soldiers. Hearing Fan Xian's words, Crown Prince Chengqian thought Fan Xian was going back on his word. Staring into his eyes, he angrily said, "Why?"
"I can fight for the lives of common soldiers, but I can't guarantee they will survive. Although they are just cannon fodder, this is rebellion. Although Qing law is not strict, it does not leave them a way out."
The Crown Prince didn't understand the word cannon fodder, but he could guess what it meant.
Fan Xian gazed at the Crown Prince's pale face and sighed. "As for the officials and generals who participated in the rebellion, I can't do anything about it."
"I know they won't survive, but I hope you won't implicate them. They are all large families. Once the killing starts, tens of thousands of people will probably die."
Li Chengqian's expression was slightly dark. He hoped Fan Xian would make another promise. After all, Fan Xian had personally promised earlier in front of the two armies.
"Whether it's exterminating their families or implicating their nine clans, this is not something I can control." Fan Xian's brows were furrowed tightly. A moment later, he said, "Just like I said earlier, I will do my best to do what I promised you. As for how many people I can save, I cannot guarantee."
An image floated in front of Fan Xian's eyes. Countless heads were chopped off, countless children were thrown to their deaths, and countless officials' wives and young ladies were sent into the government workshops and barracks, never to rise again. Even though he was a cold-blooded person, once he thought of the tragedy that was about to befall Jingdou, he still felt a chill.
Men rebelled for their own power, officials, and nobility. In the end, the ones to bear the tragic consequences were not only them, but also their wives, young and ignorant children, distant relatives from home, and friends from many years ago.
Li Chengqian's entire body trembled. He grabbed Fan Xian's collar with one hand. A rare courage appeared on his pale and slightly fearful face. In a low voice, he roared, "If you hadn't promised me, how could I have surrendered? How could I have been willing to be your prisoner? "
Fan Xian did not struggle free of the Crown Prince's powerless hands. Lowering his voice, he roared back, "Not surrendering? Do you really want to be killed in the chaos of the army? "
Li Chengqian heard something else in Fan Xian's words. The hands gripping Fan Xian's collar unconsciously loosened. In a trembling voice, he said, "I, the Crown Prince, have already been deposed and am about to die. You are the regent, and the scholars all support you. Even if Ping 'er ascends to the throne, you are still the Emperor's tutor. You open your mouth and say one word. Who would dare to not listen to you?"
The expression on Fan Xian's face was slightly indifferent. He opened his mouth and said, "The Emperor is still alive."
Li Chengqian abruptly heard this news. His arms hung weakly on his knees. Although he had already guessed this possibility when Ye Zhong first rebelled, once he actually heard the news, he still couldn't help but be shocked.
"She is also dead," Fan Xian said quietly.
Fan Xian quietly said these words and then turned his face to look at the Crown Prince. He saw that Li Chengqian's face had become increasingly pale. His eyes stared woodenly and spiritlessly at the wall of the carriage. He couldn't speak for a long time. He gradually lowered his head and bent his body, burying his head. His shoulders trembled endlessly as he made a suppressed sound.
Perhaps it was because he had been agitated by the Crown Prince's crying, but Fan Xian felt a wave of irritation in his chest. Unconsciously, he activated Tianyi Dao's zhenqi method to clear his meridians. Unexpectedly, when he reached the center of his chest, he felt a wave of pain for no reason. His vision darkened and he could no longer control it. He spat out a mouthful of fresh blood onto the wall of the carriage with a splat.
From Dong Mountain to Jingdou, he had been heavily injured and had traveled tens of thousands of li. Before he had time to recover, he had forcefully used medicine to suppress it. He had also experienced countless dangerous battles. Finally, he could not hold on any longer, and his injuries exploded out.
The Crown Prince's emotions were completely wrapped up in the news of his father's survival and his aunt's death. He did not notice Fan Xian's situation at all. He buried his head in endless sorrow.
Fan Xian wiped away the blood at the corner of his lips and took a few rough breaths. Glancing at the man beside him, he couldn't resist shaking his head. Li Chengqian was about the same age as him. He didn't have two lives like Fan Xian, so he was just a young man.
Just like this, one of the two brothers in the carriage vomited blood while the other cried. The black carriage entered the Royal Palace.
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Having finished bandaging his wounds, the Great Prince silently led the carriage directly to the back of the Palace, the door to the Eastern Palace. Fan Xian and the Crown Prince got out of the carriage and walked in. This Eastern Palace had always been the residence of the successor to the throne. Now, it had truly become the Crown Prince's prison, or perhaps, his future grave.
The Great Prince and the Crown Prince quietly said something, glanced at Fan Xian, and then turned to leave. There was not a single person in the Eastern Palace. There were only the imperial soldiers patrolling outside.
Fan Xian didn't have much time to say anything to the Crown Prince. Holding his chest, he straightforwardly said to him, "You only have one day."
Li Chengqian raised his head in shock. It was as if he had woken up from a nightmare. He stared at Fan Xian in a daze, not understanding what he was saying.
"The Emperor should return to the capital the day after tomorrow." Fan Xian looked at him calmly. "In the past, you once set fire to this Eastern Palace. I think it wouldn't be too surprising for the Eastern Palace to be burned again."
Li Chengqian's expression immediately changed. He stared into Fan Xian's eyes as if trying to confirm what he was saying. His lips moved a few times, but no sound came out.
Seeing that he didn't respond, Fan Xian lowered his head and darkly said, "Burning yourself to death is not difficult for you …"
Without waiting for him to finish speaking, Li Chengqian had already coldly shook his head and said, "Then, you will take advantage of the fire to rescue me from the Royal Palace and send me to a place no one knows about?" He looked at Fan Xian. His gaze was very complicated. "I don't know why you suddenly became such a gentle person, but I want to thank you."
"There is no need to thank me," Fan Xian said. "However, the elders are used to arranging everything, but I am not used to it."
Li Chengqian smiled with difficulty and said, "I truly can't see through you …"
"You know I am a heartless person. It's rare for me to show kindness. The empress is also dead. You should hate me. If you want to live, set a fire tonight, "Fan Xian said.
"It is not your style to take such a risk."
"My life has been gloomy for too long. I almost forgot that I once said I was going to live a full life. After experiencing so many things, only now do I understand that if I want to live brilliantly, I must first live with courage."
Fan Xian didn't look at him anymore. He turned and left the silent Palace.
Li Chengqian stared at his back in a daze. He didn't understand why he would suddenly be so kind. His brows gradually furrowed and became sorrowful. Letting out a long sigh, he lay down on the floor of the vast Palace. An aloof smile rose to his face. His four limbs stretched out. It was as if he had never been so relaxed and free.
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That night, the Eastern Palace did not burn. Fan Xian remained in the direction of Hanguang Palace the entire time, coldly watching in that direction. Confirming the peace of the Eastern Palace, he shook his head and felt a slight desolation in his heart. The Emperor would probably arrive in the capital the day after tomorrow. Everything would once again return to the hands of that powerful Emperor. Leaving the Crown Prince alive was not Fan Xian's idea on the spur of the moment. It was also not because he was soft-hearted. Rather, it was because of a sense of sorrow that he and the Crown Prince, as well as the Second Prince, were merely chess pieces on the Emperor's chessboard. They were puppets controlled by fate or the elders.
The Crown Prince no longer had any power. His life or death did not matter to Fan Xian. The Crown Prince was a good person. This was something Fan Xian had once said to Chen Pingping a long time ago. From the first time they met on the road outside the Palace, the impression the Crown Prince had left on Fan Xian was warm, particularly in the last two years. Although there had been endless fighting, so what? Fan Xian was able to send Thirteenth Wang to protect the Crown Prince on his trip to Nanzhao. At this time, he dared to let the Crown Prince live.
If Fan Xian wanted to break free of the threads behind him and protect Li Chengqian's life, he would forcefully tear apart his stance for the first time. Presently, the entire Royal Palace was in his hands. Given the Overwatch Council's methods of disguising the scene and the Emperor's understanding of the Crown Prince's personality, it would not be difficult to use the excuse of self-immolation to hide it from the Emperor's eyes and ears without anyone knowing.
However, the Crown Prince was like the Eldest Princess. His heart had long died. For someone whose heart had died, Fan Xian would not stupidly force himself to do anything. To be able to have such thoughts was enough to prove that after the spear in the meadow, his personality had changed a great deal.
Night fell, and the palace lanterns were all extinguished. Outside the city, it was still not completely calm. Inside the Royal Palace, it was absolutely silent. The black sky enveloped the flat garden inside the Palace. The imperial soldiers and Overwatch Council officials stationed everywhere stood motionless like statues.
"Who is it?" A cautious voice rang out inside Hanguang Palace. A serving girl lit the palace lantern. Seeing clearly the person in front of her, she quickly knelt down.
Fan Xian waved his hand to indicate for her to rise. He ordered her to lead all of the serving girls and eunuchs out of Hanguang Palace. At this time, not many people knew that the Emperor was already on his way back to the capital. As the regent and the Third Prince's teacher, Fan Xian was like a true Emperor. The entire Royal Palace was unimpeded. No one dared to express doubt about his arrival.
A dim lantern lit up. All of the serving girls and nannies retreated out of the Palace in disheveled clothing. Fan Xian strolled alone through the vast Palace and slowly walked to the phoenix bed. Looking at the old woman lying on the bed, he didn't wait for her hateful gaze to land on him. Fan Xian's right hand gently swiped and took out a thin needle that had not been dipped in poison. He pierced it into the old woman's neck.
Looking at the unconscious empress dowager, Fan Xian crouched down and burrowed under the phoenix bed. Feeling for the secret compartment, his fingers pressed slightly and opened it.
Three years ago, he had once entered Hanguang Palace at night and used drugs to knock out the people inside. From this secret compartment, he had taken out the key to the chest and made a copy. At the time, there was also a white cloth and a letter in the secret compartment. Because of the urgency of time, he was unable to examine it closely.
Today, there was a key and a white cloth in the secret compartment, but the letter was gone.
Fan Xian held the white cloth in his hand and carefully stroked it. He sank into thought but still couldn't find a clue. A moment later, he put the white cloth back into the secret compartment and carefully returned it to its original state. He then stood up and sat beside the empress dowager on the bed. He removed the thin needle from her neck.
Once the empress dowager woke up, her eyes stared hatefully at Fan Xian as if she wanted to eat him. It had already been a day and night. She couldn't say a word or move. She felt that her life, which didn't have much to begin with, seemed to be endlessly flowing out of her body. That kind of terror and anger, yet unable to be vented, made her go crazy.
"The Emperor is returning to the capital the day after tomorrow. I came to see grandmother."
Fan Xian looked at her and said a moment later, "Are you very surprised? Only now do you know how big of a mistake you made a few days ago? "
The empress dowager's eyes were filled with shock. If she had known earlier that the Emperor was still alive, the situation in Jingdou would certainly not be like this. After the shock passed, a glimmer of joy appeared in her eyes.
"Don't be happy too early." Fan Xian patted her wrinkled hand and said evenly, "I will let the Emperor see you once, and then you will die. Believe me, even if the Emperor is the most powerful person in the world, in terms of medical skills, he is not as good as me. If you don't believe me, you can try. You can already speak now."
"If you want to have a more dignified death and not like this, then please answer a few questions for me," Fan Xian said. "Who wrote that letter? What did it say? Also, what exactly is the connection between the Qin family and that matter 20 years ago? "
Before the Eldest Princess died, she had told Fan Xian to ask Chen Pingping. He chose to simply and directly and crudely interrogate the empress dowager.
"Don't think that I'm cold-blooded and shameless. Think about what you people did 20 years ago," Fan Xian said with his head lowered. "When you come out, you have to pay. As the empress dowager, I'm afraid you can't escape the cycle of heaven."
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