"How come you have time to come into the Palace to see me today?"
The Emperor raised his head and glanced at Fan Xian with a smile. There was a glimmer of mockery in his warm gaze. It looked like after a month, the Emperor's mood had calmed down a great deal.
For no reason, a glimmer of fear rose in Fan Xian's heart. He forced a smile and was speechless. Although this month's leave had been personally given by the Emperor, not entering the Palace for an entire month and not seeing the Emperor was indeed inexcusable. Clearly hearing the Emperor's displeasure, he didn't know how to respond.
He didn't enter the Palace because of the glimmer of coldness and fear in his heart. Ever since he knew the Emperor was a Great Grandmaster, Fan Xian, who had always been daring, finally understood what fear was. Particularly, the Emperor's silence and tolerance these few days made him even more wary. If possible, he would rather never enter the Royal Palace again and never see the Emperor's face again.
The gentler he was, the more afraid he was. He swallowed a mouthful of saliva to moisten his dry throat. In a low voice, he sincerely spoke of the matter he had come to the Palace to ask for. However, he didn't mention Crown Prince Li Chengqian's name. He only discussed the matter as it stood and urged the Emperor to be merciful when dealing with the matter of the rebellion.
The victor was always tolerant. The Emperor, who had lost a large number of his family members, was becoming more and more lenient. Fan Xian thought to himself. Furthermore, he was confident that someone as powerful as the Emperor would not worry about the problem of a new life coming with the spring wind.
Unexpectedly, the Emperor's expression gradually darkened. It was as if he had not thought that Fan Xian would ask for such a thing on his rare visit to the Palace. A thick coldness flashed through his eyes. Fan Xian secretly glanced at the Emperor's gaze and thought to himself that things were going to be bad.
Even if things were going to be bad, he still stubbornly persisted. It was not only because of what Li Chengqian had asked before his death. This also concerned his own courage. If it wasn't for this matter that made him find a glimmer of courage, he probably wouldn't have dared to enter the Palace again. Thus, he had to persist.
…
…
It was because of this persistence that the royal study appeared very lively and terrifying. Eunuch Yao and the other eunuchs on duty outside the royal study paled in fright at the angry cursing coming from inside the room. They didn't know what Sir Fan junior had done to make the Emperor so angry.
Everyone listened nervously and fearfully outside the royal study. It was the sound of teacups crashing to the ground and bones shattering. Then, it was the sound of Sir Fan junior kowtowing, the Emperor's cursing, and the sound of two people arguing.
Eunuch Yao's expression did not change, but huge waves rolled in his heart. He thought to himself that Sir Fan junior was indeed daring to go head-to-head with the Emperor. He couldn't help but worry about what would happen in a moment. He carefully stared at the door and wondered if he should quickly notify the two scholars of the Hall of Governmental Affairs. So many people had died in the Royal Palace. Of the people alive, there were only a few who had the right to mediate the dispute between the Emperor and the Duke of Danbo.
Before long, the two doors to the royal study were pushed open with a squeak. Fan Xian walked out with quick steps. His face carried an expression of anger and indignation. He didn't even glance at the eunuchs with their heads lowered outside. With a wave of his sleeves, he left the Royal Palace. Once he left the Palace and got into the carriage, the anger and indignation on his face immediately disappeared. There was calm and slight worry between his brows.
Of course, the Emperor had severely reprimanded Fan Xian. No Emperor, even those who were known to be the most benevolent, would have a sliver of sympathy for enemies who dared to plot for power in the world. Fan Xian should have thought this through clearly. He just didn't understand why the Emperor still wanted to fight like this.
After returning to his manor for a few days, there was still no news from the Palace. There was also no edict to reprimand him. Fan Xian felt more and more uneasy. He thought that the Emperor had probably guessed his intentions and had played a dirty trick on him. However, he had no other choice. He could only use his identity as the Commissioner of the Overwatch Council to write a few secret memorials and continuously send them into the Palace in an attempt to anger the Emperor again. Unexpectedly, these secret memorials were like meat buns and big dogs, clay Bodhisattvas entering the river. There was not a single response.
After a few more days, the Palace finally settled on how to deal with the matter of rebellion. Fan Xian held the edict in his manor and felt greatly shocked and surprised. He had not thought that after his argument with the Emperor in the royal study, the Emperor would actually listen to him and raise the butcher's knife high only to gently bring it down.
Among the captured rebel officials, as well as some people who had not been released, there were over a thousand people sentenced to death by beheading. The women and children who had been implicated in the matter were basically dealt with lightly.
Even for the rebel soldiers who had surrendered in the end, the Emperor only chose generals of a certain rank and above to be killed. As for the common soldiers, they were scattered and sent to the various borders to fight for the country as prisoners on death row, with the intention of atoning for their crimes by performing meritorious deeds.
In the end, it was calculated that about 2,000 people had died because of the rebellion. This had already greatly exceeded Fan Xian's best judgment, particularly the families of the officials who had committed crimes according to Qing law. Most of them had been demoted a rank and dealt with. This made his mood very good.
While he was very good, he was also confused. Why did the Emperor do this? If it was truly because of the effect of his remonstrance, why did he have such a big temper in the royal study that day?
…
…
The conflict between the Emperor and Sir Fan junior in the royal study had long shocked the entire Jingdou. After all, there were many people in the Palace, and it was impossible to hide this matter from everyone. Long before the Emperor made the edict, most of the officials knew the inside story of this matter.
Although the officials all had their own camps, they all knew that if the Crown Prince took the throne, it would probably be difficult for them to escape death. After all, they had all been officials in the same court for many years. There was always a sorrowful feeling of things hurting their own kind, particularly those innocent family members implicated in this matter. Thus, when they saw the Emperor's extremely benevolent edict, they all sighed with emotion.
In particular, the two leading scholars of the Hall of Governmental Affairs were full of praise for the Emperor's edict. From the depths of their hearts, they praised the Emperor endlessly. A benevolent ruler was the foundation of the world. Zhuang Mohan's disciples and grand-disciples deeply agreed.
Why was the Emperor so benevolent? Of course, it was because of Sir Fan junior. Sir Fan junior disregarded his personal honor and power and bravely admonished the Emperor in the royal study. Although it was not to the extent of gambling with his entire family's life, he had still taken a considerable risk.
Thinking of this matter, the Jingdou court couldn't help but regard Fan Xian even more highly. They felt that he was indeed worthy of being Master Zhuang's successor. His way of doing things was very old-fashioned. Those who had luckily escaped death were all secretly grateful to Fan Xian. For a moment, Fan Xian's clean name once again rang out in Jingdou.
Back then, he had always been the idol in the hearts of the scholars. However, because of his identity in the Overwatch Council, as well as the Palace's wariness of Prime Minister Lin, he had gradually pulled away from the clear stream. However, his reputation among the people was still very good. Furthermore, after this incident, the officials also felt great admiration for him.
After all, not everyone dared to go against the Emperor, particularly when it concerned a rebellion. Even Shu Wu the Scholar maintained his silence.
Fan Xian had not thought that this matter would bring him so many benefits. Originally, he had only wanted to return some of Li Chengqian's kindness and, at the same time, anger the Emperor to see if he could make his father, whom he feared so much, show some kindness and let him go.
Unexpectedly, the Emperor had long seen through his thoughts and played such a trick to raise Fan Xian up again. Even if he wanted to resign, it would be impossible.
Fan Xian's face was heavy in the manor as he looked at his daughter. He thought to himself that he had indeed become much lazier with the Emperor. However, he still didn't understand why the Emperor had given him such glory with both hands. After thinking about it, he felt a bit annoyed. He slammed the table and stood up. Gritting his teeth, he said, "I even dare to enter the Palace to see the Emperor. Would I be afraid of seeing him?"
Fan Xiaohua's eyes were tightly shut, but she did not cry in fright from the loud noise. It was Wan 'er and Sisi, who were beside her, who jumped in fright. They didn't know why he was so angry and quickly took the child.
…
…
After the Jingdou rebellion, the Commissioner of the Overwatch Council, Fan Xian, returned to the Overwatch Council for the first time. All of his subordinates bowed respectfully to welcome him. Their expressions were serious. Through the countless things that had happened these few years, the entire Overwatch Council had completely accepted this future Director and were deeply awed by his methods.
Fan Xian sat in the dark room and wiped his hands with a wet towel. Pulling back the black cloth, he glanced at the Royal Palace not far away and shook his head. Chen Pingping was not here, but he could not immediately go to Chen Garden. He summoned a few leaders of the eight bureaus and asked about the recent situation. He then had Yan Bingyun stay.
Hearing his question, Yan Bingyun shook his head and said, "There is still no news of Sir Wang. As for Hong Changqing's group, a few people have returned, but he himself has disappeared. The seven Tiger Guards Gao Da brought should have all been killed by Sigu Jian on Dong Mountain."
Fan Xian's brows gradually furrowed. He felt very uncomfortable in his heart. Logically speaking, Wang Qinian was so cunning. How could he have quietly died on Dong Mountain? Even if a battle between Great Grandmasters was terrifying, there had to be a corpse. The Overwatch Council knew that Wang Qinian was his most trusted aide, so they shouldn't have missed it. As for Hong Changqing and Gao Da, he had no confidence at all. He thought that they had probably really gone.
Thinking of this, his mood immediately became gloomy. He didn't linger in the Overwatch Council. Getting into the carriage, he headed straight out of Jingdou and toward Chen Garden.
Between the green meadows outside Chen Garden, the usual murderous traps were no longer there. Fan Xian sat in the carriage and thought that the Qin family must have sent the Jingdou Garrison to clean them out. After the carriage stopped outside Chen Garden, Fan Xian disembarked and looked at the scene in front of him. He couldn't help but freeze.
This was no longer the once beautiful and unique Chen Garden. All he saw were broken walls and ruins, dry ponds and shattered mountains, drooping willows, and traces of fire and smoke. It was a wretched sight.
Chen Garden had been burned down, leaving behind a mess. However, it was not too desolate at the moment, because a few temporary houses made of bricks and wood had already been built at the back. Moreover, there were already over a thousand craftsmen busying themselves on the original site. It looked like a bustling construction site.
Fan Xian walked through the construction site with great difficulty. With great difficulty, he came to the back of Chen Garden and found Chen Pingping, who was being served by a dozen beautiful female attendants and listening to an opera. This old dog was dressed like a landlord. He sat on a low couch with narrowed eyes in enjoyment. His feet were covered by a blanket. Although it was noisy outside and this temporary residence was far from comfortable, looking at his expression, he was very happy.
The sound of stone being cut and bricks being laid outside completely suppressed the sounds of the opera inside. Fan Xian walked in and furrowed his brows. "How can I hear this clearly? It's not like you don't have a house in the capital. Why must you stay here? It will take at least three months for Chen Garden to be completely repaired. Are you going to spend three months here? "
Seeing him walk in, Chen Pingping smiled. His smile made his wrinkles bloom like a chrysanthemum flower. Each petal was filled with a strange aura.
Fan Xian's hair stood on end because of this smile. He didn't speak. He sat by his side and picked up a teacup to take a sip. The beautiful female attendants who had been glued to Chen Pingping's side knew that the little duke had come today to say something important. They did not look at Fan Xian lovingly like they usually did. Restraining their voices and calming their spirits, they withdrew.
Outside, there were probably Overwatch Council officials giving orders. Even the sounds of repairing the garden had stopped. The ruins in front and behind Chen Garden all sank into silence.
Chen Pingping glanced at him. Fan Xian moved closer and used the teacup in his hand to feed him a sip. Chen Pingping moistened his throat before saying, "It is not easy to live in Jingdou. It is better to live in this run-down garden."
It was not easy to live in Jingdou. This was his reply to Fan Xian's deliberately natural words earlier, but there seemed to be some other meaning hidden within. Fan Xian immediately became unnatural. He knew that this old cripple knew that he had come today because he had something to ask of him.
Without waiting for Fan Xian to speak, Chen Pingping opened his mouth and said, "There are countless beauties in my garden. You know that."
Fan Xian nodded.
Chen Pingping coughed and then continued, "I take them in. They don't have to serve other stinky men. It should be considered a blessing. However, they follow a lonely old man like me every day. Presumably, they are not happy in their hearts. Yet, they don't dare show it in front of me."
Fan Xian thought, Of course, this is true. In the entire world, other than the Emperor, you are the most ruthless. No matter how much these teenage lolis and mature women in their twenties are controlled by hormones, they do not dare to have any complaints.
"There was a serving girl in the previous court who held a hidden grudge for too long. In the end, she strangled the Emperor alive." Chen Pingping rubbed his neck and said, "I don't want to die like that, so I have to think of a way for the girls in the garden to live more comfortably."
Fan Xian's heart jumped. He faintly guessed what the old man wanted to say.
"I am very lenient with them. Even if they stare at you like a cucumber every time you come, I won't punish them." Chen Pingping yawned and said, "Furthermore, the reason they are dead set on me is that if one day they don't want to stay, I will chase them out of the garden."
"Leniency is the best way to maintain a garden," Chen Pingping looked at Fan Xian and said. "It is also the best way to maintain a family's peace. That is why the Emperor has been so gentle recently."
Fan Xian understood. Chen Pingping was probably using this method to persuade the Emperor.
"But, I can casually let them out of the garden because there are too many beauties with unfortunate backgrounds in the world." Chen Pingping gazed at Fan Xian and shook his head. "But, the Emperor will not let you out because he only has a few sons. Furthermore, two of them have just died."
The old cripple extended two fingers and looked at Fan Xian with slight mockery. "Do you think that by standing up for the Crown Prince and those rebellious officials, you can truly anger the Emperor and make him chase you far away?"
"Don't be too optimistic. Such clumsy methods, who can you fool? The Emperor scolded you in the royal study not because he blamed you for pleading for those sinful officials. Rather, he blamed you for wanting to escape at this time. "
Fan Xian sighed. Right now, he was afraid just looking at the Emperor. How could he continue to stay in Jingdou? Thinking of that matter, he lowered his voice and asked with vexation, "Even if the Emperor saw through my little thoughts, why did he have to play that game in the end? He sent down so many benevolent edicts. Isn't it all on my head? "
"Benevolent edicts and reputation are shackles. The Emperor can't bear for you to leave." Chen Pingping coughed again and suddenly laughed. He examined Fan Xian's bitter face with great interest. "Have you never thought about why the Emperor would harm himself to help your reputation?"
Fan Xian's heart chilled. He thought of a possibility he had never thought of. His entire body froze. Sitting by the edge of the bed, he shivered.
Seeing that he finally understood, Chen Pingping sighed and looked through the glass window of the temporary residence at the construction site outside. Then, he slowly said, "He finally understood after so many people died. It's not in vain that I've spent so many years of effort."
Fan Xian's lips trembled slightly. He suddenly rose and looked at Chen Pingping. "What about the Third Prince?"
"The Third Prince … he is, after all, still young." Chen Pingping lowered his eyes slightly. "The Emperor will not make a Crown Prince. However, if something happens and he leaves too early, choosing you to succeed is, of course, the best choice right now."
"My surname is Fan … I paid respects to the ancestors of the Fan family!" Fan Xian's angry voice grew louder and louder.
Chen Pingping glanced outside and furrowed his brows. "Why are you so loud? Not everything in this world can be justified by sound alone. Whoever has the biggest fist is justified. The Emperor's fist is the biggest. As for whether your surname is Li or Fan in the future, isn't it all up to him? "
Fan Xian sat down dejectedly. He had no idea that there was such a big matter hidden behind the Emperor's recent warmth and benevolence.
"Given the Emperor's present state, this matter may only happen after many years. Perhaps when the Third Prince grows up, the Emperor will like him more than you. This matter will disappear with the wind. In any case, other than the Emperor, you, and me, no one else will know." Chen Pingping seemed to have thought of something. His expression dimmed slightly. He looked at Fan Xian for a moment and then said, "You haven't entered the Palace for a month. It seems you have some opinions about the Emperor … why are you hiding?"
Why did he hide from the Emperor? It was because of the fear in his heart. Fan Xian faintly said, "I'm afraid."
"What are you afraid of?" Chen Pingping looked at him and slowly said. "It's already been four years. You've already proven your loyalty to the Emperor and obtained a rare trust. This was obtained at the price of almost dying a few times. You should confidently enjoy this kind of trust."
Fan Xian was silent. After he entered the capital from Danzhou, he had indeed almost lost his life a few times. Regardless of whether it was the Hanging Temple, the valley, or the Dong Mountain incident, no matter how he looked at it, the Emperor did not suspect him at all. The reason the Emperor trusted Chen Pingping so much was because Chen Pingping had once risked his life to save the Emperor's life a few times.
What kind of trust was the most solid? Naturally, it was to sacrifice himself for the Emperor.
"Regardless of other matters, just based on the Emperor's attitude toward you, it can be said that it is not bad. Think carefully about these years, the Emperor has shown you a lot of favor. You should be grateful. "
Other matters? Fan Xian heard these words and didn't think too deeply about it. He thought about the palace treasury, the Overwatch Council, and the power and trust in his hands. Compared to the Crown Prince and the Second Prince, Fan Xian knew that the Emperor's treatment of him was not as simple as making up for the regret of not seeing him for 16 years. Since ancient times, the Emperor's family was heartless. Furthermore, he was only an illegitimate child. The Emperor had many ways to understand what had happened many years ago, but he had chosen the path that was best for Fan Xian.
"That is why I don't understand what you are afraid of. Why you don't want to enter the Palace. Why do you think of a way to escape?" Chen Pingping looked at him and said.
Fan Xian forced a smile. No matter how much the Emperor trusted him and pampered him, he was, in the end, an Emperor. Putting aside the matter of decades ago, just his cold-blooded attitude toward the members of the royal family and his incomparably powerful methods made him feel incomparably terrified. Once the Emperor knew that he had hidden many things from him and even betrayed him, he would unyieldingly tear apart the father-son relationship and the righteousness of a ruler and official.
Ever since he knew that the Emperor was a Great Grandmaster, Fan Xian had begun to worry about one thing. Back then, he had once secretly snuck into the Royal Palace and stolen the key from Hanguang Palace. If the Emperor had sensed this at the time and had endured it until now, what exactly was he thinking? It didn't matter if he smuggled with Northern Qi or took in Thirteenth Wang. The confident Emperor did not care about these things at all and would not suspect Fan Xian of treason. However, he would not allow anyone to hold that chest in their hands because that chest could threaten him.
Fan Xian was certain of this, but he was not sure whether or not the Emperor knew the chest was in his hands. There was a letter missing from the secret compartment under the bed in Hanguang Palace. Could the Emperor have taken it? That was why he was terrified the moment he entered the Palace. He didn't know where a large group of aces would appear to kill him. He was also worried that the Emperor would take action and use the realm of a Great Grandmaster to smash him into mincemeat.
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