On the last day, the situation for monthly votes is too dangerous. If anyone still has monthly votes, please vote them for me. Thank you.
…
…
The flowers in the forest withered, the red of the spring. The summer dream, the autumn wind, too hurried. It was another winter in the Qing Kingdom. The temperature seemed to have dropped within a day. Snow began to fall on the Cang Mountains in the west of the capital. The mountain tops gradually turned white. Two small bouts of cold rain fell in Jingdou, adding to the chill. The people on the streets were wrapped in thick cotton robes. They rubbed their hands and walked with hurried expressions.
The carriages coming and going on Tianhe Avenue exchanged blows with the ground, making an irritating monotonous sound. The horses all breathed out impatiently and turned their heads. It was as if they wanted the winter to end faster. In a black carriage, Fan Xian flipped up his fur collar and blew a breath of hot air into his hands. He tightened the fur cloak on his body and muttered a few words. He thought to himself that the winter had come too quickly.
He had just come out of King Jing's manor. King Jing was sick, very sick. Hongcheng was not in the capital. Rou Jia was also young. Fan Xian could only take on the role of an assistant. Every day, he went to serve the medicine, talk with him, and relieve the King's boredom. Given his present identity, it was indeed inappropriate for him to do such things. However, Fan Xian knew the relationship between King Jing's family and his own. Furthermore, he had always felt some remorse toward Hongcheng, so he was particularly attentive.
He knew why King Jing, who looked old but was actually in good health, had suddenly come down with a cold. None of this had anything to do with the winter. It was only related to the severe cold in the royal family. The empress dowager had died, the Eldest Princess had died, and half of King Jing's family had died in this incident. The cruel reality had finally knocked down the flower farmer King.
Coming out of King Jing's manor, Fan Xian did not return directly to the manor. He also did not enter the Palace. Instead, he went to Baoyue Brothel. Today was the day Shi Chanli and Sang Wen returned to the capital to report on their work. He had to learn the most secretive information in the world from the mouths of these two trusted aides.
After staying in the building for a while, Fan Xian looked over the information that Baoyue Brothel had gathered from the tentacles they had spread all over the world. He furrowed his brows and looked at Sang Wen's gentle face. He looked at the beard growing on Shi Chanli's lips and sighed.
There was nothing special about this information. It was similar to the Overwatch Council's.
Three months had passed since the Dong Mountain incident. The entire world had entered winter. As early as two months ago, news of Master Ku He's death had spread from Northern Qi. The death of a Great Grandmaster shocked the people of the world, but it did not surprise Fan Xian too much. This was something that the Emperor had already predicted. Fan Xian was only wary of what Northern Qi would do in response to Ku He's death.
During these two months, Northern Qi had been very quiet. Other than Shang Shanhu continuously defending against the Qing Kingdom's probing attacks in the South, there had been no major movements. Fan Xian lowered his head and smiled as he thought about it. If Xia Mingji's stronghold in Shangjing was not taken into account …
The Northern Qi Emperor had finally taken action against Fan Sizhe. It was said that the second Fan elder was living in fear and unease in Shangjing. However, Fan Xian was not worried at all. From his sister's letter, he could tell at a glance exactly what the little Emperor wanted to do and express to him.
What made Fan Xian uneasy was that Haitang Duoduo, this woman who had a close relationship with him and the successor of Tianyi Dao, had suddenly disappeared without a trace. No one knew where she had gone. Even the internal members of Tianyi Dao did not know.
He did not know that a famous doctor called Fengchun had already entered Jingdou and was beginning to make a name for himself. He had received the attention of the Imperial Academy of Medicine. Because of his Northern Qi identity, he was still unable to enter the Palace as an attendant. Instead, he was sent to the manors of various officials to demonstrate the Emperor's favor.
King Jing's illness was personally treated by Fan Xian, so Sir Fengchun had never met Fan Xian. No matter how clever Fan Xian was, he would not be able to guess that, in the near future, Sir Fengchun would go to Chen Garden to carefully protect Director Chen's life at all costs.
The chess moves Ku He had made before his death were all loose pieces. On their own, they did not have any effect. They only ensured that the internal situation in the Qing Kingdom would continue to move step by step in a certain direction.
Fan Xian was only worried about Haitang. He didn't know what Ku He had told Haitang, when he would see her, or with what identity he would see her.
There was also something that made the entire Qing court feel fear. Ku He was already dead. Northern Qi did not hold a funeral in secret. Instead, they held the ceremony with great fanfare. Hundreds of thousands of officials and commoners from various Roads and provinces went to cry for the soul. The Northern Qi court did not seem to sink into a state of panic or unease because of Ku He's death.
Sigu Jian, who should have already died in Dongyi according to the Qing Emperor's calculations, had stubbornly held on and not died. This sword saint's body was as valiant as a cockroach. Although his breathing was weak and his life hung by a thread, he held onto this thread tightly and refused to let go.
The dying Sigu Jian was hidden in the Sword Hut. Although this sword saint had become a cripple, his reputation was still there. All of Dongyi seemed to have a pillar of support. Problems also began to appear within Dongyi. After Sigu Jian's death, the dispute between the Master of the City's manor and the Sword Hut was perhaps about to surface.
For the Qing Emperor, Sigu Jian's life and death was no longer a problem. After his death, the ownership of Dongyi was the major problem.
Fan Xian lowered his head and thought. Dongyi was different from Northern Qi and the Qing Kingdom. It was isolated by the sea and surrounded by vassal states. If Sigu Jian died, a ferocious beast would immediately become a delicious, tender piece of meat waiting to be cut. Regardless of whether it was the Northern Qi Emperor or his own Emperor, neither would let go of this piece of fresh meat. However, he didn't know who the Emperor would send to steal it.
He raised his head and glanced at Shi Chanli and Sang Wen. He briefly told Shi Chanli about the situation in the Jiangnan palace treasury. Although Su Wenmao endlessly sent him secret reports, Fan Xian still trusted Shi Chanli's instinctive impression more.
The production of the palace treasury continued to maintain high efficiency. With Fan Xian's strong cooperation, the old shopkeepers of the Seven Leaves gradually raised the level of the three workshops to the level of the old Ye family. Fan Xian's heart felt slightly more at ease. He had two knives in his hands. One was the Overwatch Council, and the other was the palace treasury. Regardless of whether it was for the Emperor's trust or for his own power, he had to hold on tight and do a good job.
Of Fan Xian's four disciples, only Shi Chanli remained by Fan Xian's side. Hou Jichang, Yang Wanli, and Cheng Jialin were all fighting up in their respective positions. With Fan Xian's protection and financial support, in addition to their own abilities, presumably, it wouldn't be long before they became important figures in the Qing court.
"There are many vacancies in the court. The Emperor has chosen many young people. At this time, age and experience are no longer important." Fan Xian gazed at Shi Chanli and smiled warmly. "In a moment, write a letter to the three of them and have them prepare. At the beginning of spring, the court will probably summon them to the capital to report on their work."
In his arrangements, Yang Wanli should be working in the Ministry of Works. Because Hou Jichang had handled the Jiaozhou matter, his position was particularly stable and deeply admired by the Emperor. He should be directly promoted by two levels and become Jiaozhou Zhizhou. As for Cheng Jialin, his path had been smooth sailing. He was probably the most glorious person in the Suzhou government.
Shi Chanli's mouth was slightly open. He had not expected that the four poor scholars would each have such good fortune in just a few years. He truly could not catch up.
Fan Xian knew what he was thinking and asked with a smile, "What is it?"
"Their experience is too shallow and cannot convince the masses. Most importantly, everyone in court knows that the three of them are your students. I'm afraid it will cause criticism," Shi Chanli said seriously.
Fan Xian raised his eyelids slightly and mockingly said, "A few hundred officials have died. Someone has to fill in. Where would there be so many candidates with experience? Don't say his experience is shallow. Back then, He Zongwei was as famous as Hou Jichang and entered the court after Jichang. Now, he already has the right to enter the royal study to listen to discussions. Is his experience deep enough? "
He Zongwei was a name that Fan Xian had a deep memory of. Back then, in the restaurant of Yishi Tavern, he had met this seemingly honest young scholar. It was this scholar who caused many things in Jingdou in the future, such as his father-in-law being forced to tragically resign.
This person was originally on good terms with Guo Baokun, the son of Guo You, the Minister of Rites. He was on the Crown Prince's side through and through. Later on, he became an imperial censor in the Imperial Censorate and began to advise the Second Prince. Later on, he switched sides with the Crown Prince. After switching sides twice, people finally realized that he … was on the Eldest Princess's side. He was just following the Eldest Princess's wishes.
However, during the Jingdou rebellion, it was this Imperial Censor of the Left who led a group of Imperial Censors to run around naked. He gambled that the Crown Prince, Li Chengqian, could not bear to kill people and forcefully delayed the rebel army's entry into the capital for a night. This gave Fan Xian the opportunity to launch a surprise attack on the Royal Palace, control the center, and reverse the situation in one move.
Only now did people truly see clearly that He Zongwei was no one's man. He was only the Emperor's man. He had always been.
The Emperor had returned to the capital and He Zongwei had been rewarded for his great service. He climbed up like a rocket. Although he only held his original position in the Imperial Censorate, he had the right to discuss matters in the Hall of Governmental Affairs. Anyone with a discerning eye knew that Imperial Censor He might one day take over the position of the already old Shu the Scholar. His future was bright and immeasurable.
During the turmoil in Jingdou, He Zongwei had helped Fan Xian greatly. Even though he was now in a high position of power, each time he ran into Fan Xian in court or outside, he was still incomparably respectful. There was nothing to nitpick about and appeared exceptionally humble.
However, Fan Xian disliked this person. Perhaps it was because he had seen this person's burning desire for power a long time ago. Perhaps it was because he disliked this kind of person who sold others to climb up. Perhaps it was because he had once punched He Zongwei and he knew that someone like He Zongwei would certainly hold a grudge.
Fan Xian was not afraid of He Zongwei. However, he had to be on guard because he was greatly admired by the Emperor. Petty people were always more terrifying than noble people.
Presently, the private discussion of He Zongwei in the officialdom was somewhat unbearable. They gave him the nickname of a traitor. Everyone felt that this nickname was very fitting. Not many people knew that this nickname had come from the Fan manor's study.
Sometimes, Fan Xian asked himself honestly. The things He Zongwei did were not more shameless than what he did. Why did he hate him so much?
In reality, it was very simple. Fan Xian had once seen He Zongwei's burning and greedy gaze toward Ruoruo. Because of this gaze, he remembered him for a lifetime. He wanted to suppress him for a lifetime and make it so that he would never be able to rise again.
"I didn't think that right now, your sister would be singing in Chen Garden." Fan Xian glanced at Sang Wen and smiled. He liked Sang Wen very much. She was gentle, silent, and amiable. It wasn't that he had any romantic thoughts about her. He just felt that when he was with this woman, he would feel at ease for some reason.
It was just like when he was with Da Bao.
As for the Sang Wen's sister he spoke of, it was the woman who sang when he went to Chen Garden to see Chen Pingping. Chen Pingping liked Sang Wen's voice very much. However, Sang Wen had to manage Baoyue Brothel and expand Fan Xian's grand plan to the entire world. It was impossible for her to stay in Jingdou for long. Thus, Chen Pingping, who loved to enjoy life, could only settle for the next best thing. He brought Sang Wen's sister from Yanjing to Jingdou.
Sang Wen smiled warmly and said, "As long as the Director likes it."
Fan Xian sighed and thought of something else. Because of his appearance, he had already changed countless people's lives. Countless people had gathered at his side because of him. Even Sang Wen's sister was no exception. Thinking of these people, how could he bear to quietly leave?
…
…
However, there were people who could bear to leave. Fan Xian stood in the little courtyard with an unusually ugly expression. The disappointment in his eyes could not be hidden. The well in the courtyard was still there, the stone table was still there, the cotton curtains were still there, and the green shelves were still there. However, the people were not there anymore.
This was Wang Qinian's little courtyard. It was hidden deep among the people in the western part of the city. It was not eye-catching. Fan Xian had once eaten many meals in this courtyard, teased Old Wang's charming and shy girl, and played with the gourds on the shelves. However, none of this could come back. Wang Qinian's family had already moved away without a sound. They had even hidden from the Overwatch Council secret agents Fan Xian had stationed here to protect the Wang family.
Wang Qinian had this ability. Fan Xian never doubted this. From Chen Pingping's mouth, he learned the good news that Wang Qinian was alive. At the same time, he learned that Wang Qinian had left. He knew why Chen Pingping had sent Wang Qinian away. Wang Qinian had escaped from Dong Mountain. Regardless of whether it was in terms of Qing law or Council regulations, he could only die.
Fan Xian would not let him die. This was a thorn between him and the Emperor. Furthermore, Chen Pingping knew that Wang Qinian knew too many of Fan Xian's secrets. For Fan Xian's safety, he had to have Wang Qinian leave.
For some reason, the departure of such a subordinate made Fan Xian so sad. He held a letter in his hand. Wang Qinian had passed it to him through Chen Pingping. There were very few words in the letter. The general gist was that he had abandoned the Emperor and left the mountain. This was a capital offense. However, Fan Xian made him feel at ease and did not make the grave mistake he was worried about.
Fan Xian's heart was at a loss. He knew that Wang Qinian had taken the risk to come down the mountain to find him because he was afraid that he would think the Emperor was already dead and, with a flip of his hand, embark on the path of fighting for imperial power. His hand tightened slightly and crumpled the paper into a ball. His expression was ugly. There was no one to joke with him anymore. Su Wenmao's level was much lower than Lao Wang's.
He lowered his head and looked at Lao Wang's little courtyard. For some reason, he thought of a scene from many years ago.
At that time, he had still been a young man who had just entered Jingdou and didn't know any rules. He had dazedly gone to the Qing Temple and met his wife. Stupidly, he had gone to the Overwatch Council's square building. He had seen a lifeless face, deathly white teeth, and old skin on both cheeks.
It was Wang Qinian.
At that time, Wang Qinian was an official whose spirit had already been worn down by paperwork. He spent all day in the Overwatch Council waiting for the day of his retirement. However, he was the first person Fan Xian had met. From then on, his life changed. He returned to the nervousness and interest of his life as a great bandit.
Fan Xian and Wang Qinian's meeting was a kind of fate. It was this kind of coincidental encounter that made Fan Xian trust him incomparably and Wang Qinian incomparably loyal to him. He changed Wang Qinian's life. Wang Qinian knew all of his secrets, including the chest, the key, and his thoughts.
Wang Qinian was not only his subordinate but also his good friend. He was the person he talked to and confided in. Such a role could not be replaced by anyone.
It was such a role that, for Fan Xian's own safety and future, he had no choice but to disappear without a trace. Fan Xian's face was slightly pale. He thought to himself, You should all leave and leave me alone in this place that is not suitable for people.
A moment later, he thought it through and bowed toward the little courtyard. His secrets were too terrifying. Perhaps it had made Wang Qinian's life difficult and stressful these years. Perhaps he preferred the muddle-headed days of the past and a life without pressure.
He hoped that Wang Qinian's family would be safe in the future.
Fan Xian sighed and walked out of the courtyard. Turning his head to look at the silent Mu Feng 'er beside him, he furrowed his brows and said, "Why are you pulling a long face? Your wife has already given birth to a second child. Do you still miss the daughter of Lao Wang's family? "
After Wang Qinian left, Fan Xian had to have a personal attendant at his side. The most suitable candidate, Deng Zi Yue, was far away in Shangjing in Northern Qi, carrying out a difficult mission. Su Wenmao could not be moved in the palace treasury, so there was no other way. Fan Xian could only promote Mu Tie's nephew.
After following him for a month, there was no problem with this kid's loyalty, but he was not as interesting as Wang Qinian. It was his unfamiliarity and inconvenience that made Fan Xian understand that Sir Wang Qinian was far from just a sidekick. His abilities were actually all hidden under his smile. Usually, he just didn't see it.
Thinking of this, his thoughts became even more faint, as faint as water.
…
…
The rewards that had been delayed for two months finally came. Other than the civil officials who had filled in the empty positions at the beginning of the rebellion, the various people who had truly accomplished great service in quelling the rebellion finally received an edict from the Palace.
Ye Zhong was promoted and rewarded generously. He entered the capital as the Head of the Bureau of Military Affairs. However, the position of Commander of the Jingdou Garrison was given to Xiao Jinhua, the Commander of Donghua Gate who had blocked the Crown Prince's rebel army inside the city.
The original Commander of the 13 city guards, Zhang Deqing, was killed by a thousand cuts after being captured. Three of his family members were executed. This was the heaviest punishment in the entire rebellion. Fan Xian did not forcefully oppose the Emperor on this matter. Although he knew that Zhang Deqing's cousins had nothing to do with this matter, he knew the Emperor's anger on the matter of Zhang Deqing.
The Emperor trusted Zhang Deqing greatly, but Zhang Deqing had betrayed. If he didn't kill a few more, he wouldn't be able to vent the Emperor's dark emotions.
The Great Prince still controlled the Imperial Army. None of the rewards had fallen behind. However, he had already been made Prince Heqing and could not be given any more. Gong Dian had been moved back to the Palace and began to take over the affairs of the guards. As for how the future would be arranged, the Emperor knew, and Fan Xian could guess.
As for Fan Xian's reward, there was a small problem. According to news from the Palace, the Emperor had been prepared to directly bestow Fan Xian the title of Junwang. However, he had been fearfully blocked by the scholars Hu and Shu.
A different surname being made a king had never happened before. No wonder the officials were terrified by the Emperor's initial edict. Although everyone knew that Fan Xian was the Emperor's illegitimate child, his surname was, after all, Fan. If he suddenly became a king, the Qing Kingdom would be laughed at by the world.
Fan Xian was also shocked. Becoming a king, and the King of Danbo at that. What was this? Fortunately, this edict had been blocked. He was incomparably grateful to the scholars Hu and Shu.
First-rank Duke of Danbo was already the limit for non-royal descendants. As for the land and gold, Fan Xian did not care much about it. He was currently one of the wealthiest people in the world. Perhaps the Emperor also knew that other rewards would not satisfy Fan Xian, which was why he had made the absurd suggestion of making him a king at the beginning.
He could not be made a king. Unexpectedly, the Palace finally sent down an edict to bestow the name Fan Shuning on Fan Xian's daughter, Fan Xiaohua, and make her a princess.
Preposterous. There were countless preposterous things in the world, but none was more preposterous than this. The daughter of a minister was actually conferred the title of a princess, and this daughter was not even born of the first wife, yet she insisted on using Lin Wan 'er's title as a descendant.
It was too absurd. No one would have thought that the Emperor would have such a stubborn and mischievous side. Of course, in Fan Xian's opinion, the most absurd thing was the name the Emperor had given the girl, Shuning. Did you think you were playing around?
No matter how absurd this edict was, a glimmer of warmth still rose in Fan Xian's heart. He felt the Emperor's intentions. The next day, he entered the Palace to see the Emperor and give thanks. Along the way, he asked if Shuning's name could be changed.
Without waiting for him to open his mouth, the Emperor smiled slightly and said, "Jiaozhou's Xu Maocai. I removed him from his position and let him retire. He has already returned to Quanzhou."
Hearing this, Fan Xian's heart jumped. His mouth was dry. He was so shocked he couldn't say a word. He didn't dare to say anything else. He kowtowed in thanks and silently returned to the manor.
He thought deeply for a long time in the manor's study, calculating just what the Emperor wanted to do and what he knew. He knew where Xu Maocai had given himself away. From Dong Mountain to Danzhou, Xu Maocai had helped him resist the Jiaozhou Navy, landed on the shore, and broken arrows. It was clear that he was one of his people. Before the Jiaozhou Navy was trapped on Dong Mountain, Xu Maocai had not sent any news to the court.
Although the Emperor counted all of this in his heart, he cared deeply about the heart of any official. It was clear that Xu Maocai was loyal to Fan Xian and not to the court. After the matter, the Emperor only needed to check Xu Maocai's history these years to connect it to the once illustrious Quanzhou Navy.
If this had been any other time, it would have been difficult for Xu Maocai to escape death. Fortunately, Fan Xian had always displayed unwavering loyalty to the Emperor, including the Dong Mountain incident. After experiencing countless tests, he had finally obtained the Emperor's absolute trust. This time, he did not kill Xu Maocai and did not say it explicitly. He only said he was letting him retire. This could be considered giving Fan Xian enough face.
Fan Xian's heart felt a bit cold. He also felt a bit confused. Once again, he sank into confusion. The next day, he did not enter the Palace to ask for forgiveness because he was not guilty. However, he occasionally couldn't help but think that the Emperor was much gentler than before. If it had been the Crown Prince or the Second Prince, this matter would not have ended as easily as it did today.
The gentler the Emperor was to him, the more uncomfortable Fan Xian felt. In the Palace, the Emperor had once asked about the situation of the Tyrannical zhenqi in his body. Knowing that there was no danger of his body exploding, he remained silent and did not say a word. Fan Xian could not understand what his true attitude was.
…
…
Time was like snow. It scattered and gently fell, easily covering everything in the world. When Northern Qi, Southern Qing, and Western Hu were all covered in snow, the sound of firecrackers gradually rang out. Fragrance filled the air. It was the arrival of the Spring Festival. The eighth year of the Qing calendar had finally arrived.
During the time of internal chaos in the Qing Kingdom, regardless of whether it was the empress dowager, who had been in power for a few days, or the Emperor, who had returned to the capital, they all resolutely used the powerful military forces in their hands to attack in all directions. They used such an overbearing momentum to intimidate everyone in the world.
In the West, Li Hongcheng was following the Western Expedition Army and coldly watching the movements of the Hu people in the wind and snow. After the Hu people's power gathered the elite of the Northern Man, they had become more and more powerful. However, the snow-covered plains made everyone resist the harsh nature. No one was in the mood to fight. They had to wait until the first spring grass grew and the Hu people's horses gained their first layer of fat before the Hu people would once again come to Xiliang Road in the Qing Kingdom to carry out the routine that had lasted for 100 years.
The entertainment that had been banned in Jingdou for a month because of the empress dowager's death was finally lifted. Perhaps it was to show that the Qing Kingdom was still singing and dancing, but the Emperor continuously issued a number of benevolent edicts. Dances danced, horses galloped, firecrackers rang, red lanterns hung high, and Jingdou was a fiery red.
On the first day of the New Year, Fan Xian was brought to the Palace by the Emperor. He ate a meal and missed the important event of the Fan clan.
After another two days, Fan Xian finally escaped and brought his entire family to a place on the outskirts of Jingdou. This place was completely different from the festive atmosphere of the New Year. It was shrouded in an oppressive, sorrowful, and gloomy atmosphere. This was a cemetery, a new cemetery.
The Emperor did not allow the bodies of the people who participated in the rebellion to be taken away by wild dogs. Instead, he gathered them together and buried them in one place. He also did not restrict relatives from coming to pay their respects. This edict touched countless people.
A few tombs of clearly different styles and sizes were on the hill. Fan Xian held his daughter with Lin Wan 'er and Sisi behind him. He stood in front of these tombs and turned his head to look at the wisps of green smoke rising from the cemetery below. He was silent.
Before they came here, they had already gone to another tomb to pay their respects to the subordinates of the Overwatch Council and imperial soldiers who had died in the Jingdou rebellion.
Fan Xian did not go to the royal mausoleum, although the empress dowager was buried there. He came directly to this side and came to the top of this hill. Pulling back his gaze from below, he looked at these large tombs silently.
The Crown Prince, the Second Prince, the empress, and the Eldest Princess were all buried here. No matter how benevolent the Emperor had become, he would not allow these people to be buried in the royal cemetery. However, this place was facing the water and mountains. It was also a place with good fengshui. Additionally, it was far from the green smoke below, so it could be considered quiet.
Putting down the joss paper and incense he had bought, Fan Xian stood in front of the four large tombs and bowed. He then followed Lin Wan 'er to kneel in front of the Eldest Princess' grave and kowtowed twice. He then held Little Hua 'er to show to the people in the grave. In order to ward off evil, he rubbed some wine between Little Hua' er's brows. The spiciness made the little girl cry.
Fan Xian raised his brows and looked at the stone tomb in front of him. He thought to himself, My mother-in-law, please don't let Little Hua be as strange as you.
Seeing that Wan 'er was still kneeling on the ground burning joss paper, Fan Xian did not disturb her. Instead, he walked in front of the Crown Prince, Li Chengqian, and the Second Prince's graves. Looking at the two graves, he couldn't help but quietly recite, "Even if there is a thousand-year iron threshold, in the end, it is still a dirt bun."
There were four large and hard dirt buns there. Fan Xian looked at them in a daze. His emotions were complicated. It was not until now that he realized that the blood of the Li family not only flowed with madness and perversion, it was also brimming with pride and unyieldingness.
He looked at Li Chengqian and the Second Prince's graves and sighed in his heart. The Li brothers were truly unyielding, much stronger than him. No one knew better than Fan Xian how terrifying death was. However, these two Li brothers had died so cleanly and with such pride. They used this kind of death to shatter the Emperor's hard outer shell.
In this, he was not as good as them. Fan Xian lowered his head and thought to himself.
Holding Da Bao's hand behind him, he walked back to the Eldest Princess's grave. Looking at Wan 'er's tearful eyes, Fan Xian was silent for a moment. He then pitifully crouched down and wiped the corners of her eyes. Da Bao also followed his actions and crouched down, looking at the large grave innocently. Although he didn't know that the most beautiful woman in the Qing Kingdom inside the grave had gradually become white bones, he still felt a glimmer of coldness.
"The Princess mother is inside and not coming out?" Da Bao asked curiously.
"Yes," Fan Xian said with a forced smile.
"Xiao Xianxian, I still feel … why would the Princess mother kill Er Bao? She was so beautiful. "Lin Da Bao furrowed his brows and asked in a very serious voice.
Fan Xian's heart thumped. Realizing that Wan 'er did not hear this, he relaxed slightly. A person called Li Yunrui killed Er Bao. This was what Fan Xian had been trying to tell Da Bao. Unexpectedly, it couldn't even fool an idiot. He felt a bit bitter in his heart. However, he was unable to explain to Da Bao whether a person was beautiful or not was often not the same as what she did. For example, his Princess mother and his … Xiao Xianxian.
The Great Prince suddenly appeared behind Fan Xian and the others. The Third Prince went forward and respectfully bowed to Fan Xian. He then affectionately stood by Da Bao's side.
Fan Xian furrowed his brows and looked at the Great Prince. "Why have you also come?"
After all, the identities of the people buried in the four mud buns were too special. Coming to pay respects was too sensitive. The Great Prince glanced at him with a cold expression and said, "The people buried here are also my brothers."
Fan Xian was speechless and said with slight worry, "I'm just afraid that the Emperor will not be happy."
The Great Prince was suddenly silent. A moment later, he quietly said, "Father … has also come."
Fan Xian was startled and abruptly stood up. Turning his head, he gazed toward a certain spot on the hill. He saw that in the chilly winter forest, there was a figure moving about. A middle-aged man wearing bright yellow clothing was looking at the four large graves on this side. Although there were countless guards in front and behind him, he looked very lonely.
…
…
That night, Fan Xian held a banquet in the manor. Yesterday, his father had already resigned and left for Danzhou. Lady Liu had also followed. Presently, only Fan Xian and his family were left in the Fan manor. It appeared particularly lonely. The banquet Fan Xian held was hotpot. He drank Wuliangye produced by the palace treasury. The guests he had invited were the Great Prince and Third Prince.
When the hotpot was placed in front of him, Fan Xian seemed to finally understand why he could not forget it since Jiangnan. His heart was empty and he could not find a clue to his thirst.
It was spicy. After eating a mouthful of hotpot, it was so spicy that his head was covered in sweat. It was good. He drank a mouthful of strong wine. It was so painful that his throat was dry.
The remaining wine in the pot was gone. The Great Prince was drunk and lying on the table. No one knew what he was talking about. The Third Prince was also given two cups by Fan Xian. He went to the guest room and lay down drunk.
There was only Fan Xian left. Under the cold moon of the winter night, his hand held the wine cup. His eyes were blurry. The spiciness was unbearable, and the pleasure was unbearable. It was as if tears were about to fall.
She sat alone on the roof behind him, facing the bright moon and listening to Fan Xian's drunken poem. She was silent. It seemed that even the black cloth covering her eyes was thinking about who she was. Why did he feel something that he had never felt before when he listened to this song?
…
…
Fishing Terrace, Wild Gull Guess for Ten Years. White clouds come and go, and green mountains remain. Drink to your heart's content. He owed Yi Zhou for his talents, violated Liu Ruan's prohibition on drinking, and repaid Li Du's poetry debt. Su Zhai laughed at me, and I laughed at Su Zhai.
Returning in the evening, the wild apes on West Lake Mountain mourned. Twenty years, how many romantic freaks, flowers blooming and withering? On the Cloud Gazing Platform. The Sleeves of the Stars to Pacify the Country broke the Yanyue Bewitching Stronghold. Su Zhai laughed at me, and I laughed at Su Zhai.
It was for the joy in front of the palace.
…
…
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.
