Even though Wang Tong 'er had blocked the front door of the manor and scolded him for a long time, the Great Prince still perfectly maintained the image of a mature man. Up until now, he had not said a single harsh word to the young girl. Although the other party was the daughter of the Governor of Yan Jing, the First Prince was a legitimate prince. The difference in their statuses made it so that he did not have to consider too much. However, he still tried his best to maintain a calm state of mind.
After hearing Fan Xian's words, he did not follow and scold the girl for being a scoundrel. He only furrowed his brows and said, "Who knows why you took her on as a student?"
"I don't believe you can't guess," Fan Xian said with a smile. "Of course, I'm worried that after the manor already has a tigress, there will be another little leopard. If I can teach this young lady of the Wang family to be well-informed, well-mannered, and well-behaved, what are you afraid of taking her on as a disciple? "
After going around and around, Fan Xian was still urging the Great Prince to take a Secondary fei. The Great Prince said angrily, "I really don't know where your usually admirable foresight has gone. How dare you say this silly girl is not a good choice."
"What's not good?" Fan Xian's smile faded and he said seriously, "I don't need to remind you. You should know that your roots are in the military. She is Wang Zhikun's daughter. If you take her on as a Secondary fei, your relationship with the military will certainly become closer. Don't forget, although your prestige in the military is high, the Western Expedition Army has long been broken up. You cannot return to Dingzhou, and your position as Commander of the Imperial Army has also been removed. "
"This is my father's intention." The Great Prince's expression became cold. "Unexpectedly, your calculations are as good as my father's."
Fan Xian raised his brows and sat down. "Everyone can see the Emperor's intentions clearly. There has to be a woman entering the manor and keeping an eye on the position of wangfei at all times. If you don't want wangfei to be deposed, then having Wang Tong 'er enter the manor is better than having someone else. "
The Great Prince stared at him with confusion. He wondered why Fan Xian's intentions had changed so much. He firmly believed that Wang Tong 'er was the best choice. Wang Tong' er's background was very deep. She had the military and Yanjing factions supporting her. Additionally, the Emperor was secretly letting her go. Once this woman entered the manor, she would immediately threaten wangfei's position.
"The reason why I said that Wang Tong 'er is a good choice is because this girl really likes you." Fan Xian said, "Furthermore, although this young lady's personality is a bit shrewish and vicious, she is a girl who walks the path of slashing and killing. This kind of person looks troublesome, but it is actually easier to deal with. You don't want the new secondary fei in the manor to be like the Eldest Princess, who appears weak on the surface but is actually incomparably powerful in the dark."
The First Prince thought about it and realized that this was indeed the case. Wang Tong 'er dared to come to the Prince's Mansion to cause trouble before the edict from the palace had been issued. She was indeed not a woman who walked the path of a seductive woman. But he thought about it again and again, and still frowned and said: "But she is only a fifteen-year-old girl, she is not sensible at all. What if after entering the palace, she holds a kitchen knife every day, what should we do?"
"His Majesty means that we can't openly resist." Fan Xian looked into his eyes and quietly advised, "But, we can try to deal with it in another way. As for whether or not Wang Tong 'er will cause trouble in the future, that will depend on how I, her teacher, teach her and how you two respond."
He took a sip of tea and suddenly felt that his heart was becoming harder and harder. After a self-mocking smile, he said, "It's still that old saying. Wang Tong 'er likes you, so as long as she enters the manor, she will treat you as her sky. Whether a person is satisfied or not depends mainly on what they wish for. If it was another young lady, perhaps she would not be satisfied if she didn't become a wangfei. I think Wang Tong 'er will probably be satisfied if she marries you. "
The First Prince glanced at him noncommittally and lightly said, "How can you be so sure of a girl's thoughts? If we really take her into the manor and she causes chaos in the manor, are you going to clean it up? "
"I'll do it, I'll do it." Fan Xian shrugged and said, "When it comes to a girl's thoughts, there is no other man in the world who understands them better than me. You have to have confidence in me."
The Great Prince thought that Fan Xian's words were not arrogant. Just looking at how many young girls had been mesmerized by Story of the Stone and his glorious accomplishments in his life, not only had he mesmerized his beloved sister Chen to death, but he had also mesmerized the saint girl of Northern Qi's Tianyi Dao to the point of losing her soul. From this, one could tell that his judgment was reasonable.
"I just don't understand why Miss Wang has to keep an eye on me. You have to know that we only met once at Shi Fei's banquet." The Great Prince stared at Fan Xian and said, "To like someone at first sight. If the other party was a monster like you, it might be possible."
"Women and men are two different creatures." Fan Xian patted his shoulder with pity and said, "If a man like you can't understand, then don't think about it."
The Great Prince spat angrily and immediately thought of a problem. "For a busy official like you to take Wang Tong 'er as a female student, it is not just because of me."
Fan Xian smiled awkwardly and said, "You already understand, so what are you asking? You have to know that I'm not like you. Other than the Black Knights, I have nothing else. It's not wrong to have a good relationship with the military elders. I don't want a second Qin family that hates me to the bone to appear. "
The Great Prince paused for a moment and then sighed. "Ye Zhong's girl has always listened to you. Now, you won't even let Wang Zhikun's daughter go. Truly …"
"These words sound awkward." Fan Xian rubbed his nose and laughingly scolded, "I'm not an animal. These two are your brothers' wives. You can't speak blindly."
"But they are also your female students." The Great Prince said with a deep smile. "Additionally, Hongcheng is in Dingzhou. Although father has always strictly forbidden you from participating in the military, no matter how you think about it, you will soon have connections to the armies of three Roads. Your calculations are not any less than father's."
"You underestimate me. Although Fan Bingyun once said that I seem to be conquering the world through conquering women, with two Roads of armies and the power of the Ye family, I am not stupid enough to want to use two female students to influence anything." Fan Xian smiled. "However, I am willing to improve my relationship with the military."
As he said these words, Fan Xian's emotions were complicated. He had come to Jingdou and entered the complicated Jingdou officialdom. He had already influenced the world for a full five years. His efforts to reach out to the Qing military had all, without exception, come to nothing. Although the Emperor's wariness toward him seemed to have lessened greatly and had Li Hongcheng, who was on good terms with him, become the General of Dingzhou, if Fan Xian truly wanted to fight his way into the military, it would still be difficult.
For example, the Jiaozhou Navy. Fan Xian had once used Xu Maocai's help to gradually arrange for his trusted aides to enter. He was prepared to wait for the old Qin family to rebel and then secretly take over the Jiaozhou Navy's power. He had not thought that the Emperor would not let go of this slight change and directly knocked Xu Maocai into the dust. Although the Emperor had mercifully left Xu Maocai's life for Fan Xian's sake, the entire Jiaozhou Navy was moving further and further away from Fan Xian's hands.
Furthermore, Hou Jichang, who Fan Xian had remained in Jiaozhou, had done two years of useless work because of this matter and wasted a great deal of time. It was becoming more and more difficult to advance on the official road. Presently, not only was he far from Yang Wanli's reputation in the Ministry of Works, he was even much worse than Cheng Jialin, who had already become the Suzhou Zhizhou.
Hou Jichang was the person Fan Xian admired the most of Fan Xian's four disciples. That was why he had entrusted Jiaozhou, such an important place, to him. Unexpectedly, Fan Xian's one wrong move had caused this Jingdou talent, who had once been as famous as He Zongwei, to still be able to endure his official reputation in the remote Jiaozhou.
Presently, the Emperor's favor and trust toward Fan Xian could not be any greater, but he was still on guard against him entering the military. This reality made Fan Xian's heart beat like a drum. He didn't know if the Emperor knew something or if the Emperor often had nightmares about the incident 20 years ago. Additionally, Xu Maocai was an old member of the Quanzhou Navy, so he was still wary of his son, Fan Xian.
"You need to have a good relationship with the military. I don't."
The Great Prince's words pulled Fan Xian out of his thoughts. He forced a smile and said, "But, you need to maintain a good relationship with the Emperor. As for me, as long as the Emperor does not obstruct me, not only do I want to have a good relationship with the military, but Wang Zhikun and the other military elders also want to have a good relationship with me. If I take his daughter as a student, he will probably wake up laughing in the middle of the night. "
The Great Prince raised his brows. He knew that Fan Xian was speaking the truth. In the present Qing Kingdom, purely in terms of power and status, there was no one more glorious than Fan Xian. Additionally, everyone knew that he was the flesh and blood of the Qing Emperor and the mistress of the Ye family. With this connection, all of the officials and generals would unconsciously curry favor with him.
After the two of them finished speaking, they fell silent at the same time. The Great Prince thought helplessly that it looked like the matter of taking a Secondary fei would be difficult to resolve. Fan Xian was thinking, when exactly would the suspicion the Emperor had toward him in the depths of his heart be dispelled?
"Tell me about the matter in the West." The Great Prince suddenly furrowed his brows and said seriously, "What exactly is going on with the Hu people? There has to be a reason for their great increase in power these two years."
"You'll know when the imperial bulletin comes out in a few days." Fan Xian had long known that the Great Prince would be unable to resist asking this question. The Great Prince had fought in the West for many years and was very familiar with the grasslands. He had killed the Hu people until their cries shook the heavens. If the Emperor had not been worried that his eldest son's service was too great and could no longer be conferred a title, he would not have moved him back three years ago. Although the Great Prince had long returned to the capital, his heart often floated to the grasslands. He was very concerned about the situation there.
The Great Prince saw that he was not willing to answer and shook his head helplessly. "Hongcheng has become more and more promising these two years. However, the Hu people are ruthless and bloodthirsty. You have to remind him more."
After Fan Xian nodded, he suddenly furrowed his brows and asked seriously, "The Qing Kingdom and the Western Hu have fought for decades. Each time, it looks like we have a great advantage and are about to completely resolve the problem. Why is it that each time, the Hu people's power is like wild grass after the spring breeze and grows again?"
The Great Prince had a lot of right to speak on this question. "That is because the grasslands are too big. Going west from the southern edge of the sky, there is no end to the grasslands. Once the Qing Kingdom has the absolute advantage, they will flee west. How can we completely resolve the problem?"
"This time, I found that the Western Hu court is not particularly far from Dingzhou," Fan Xian asked with confusion.
The Great Prince glanced at him with slight mockery and said, "The Hu people's court is not Jingdou or Shangjing. By the time we attacked there, they had long moved into the depths of the grasslands. It is only because the Hu people are powerful that they dare to move the court not far from the border."
"Putting aside the years I fought against the Hu people in the West, just talking about 20 years ago, father personally led the army of the entire country to the grasslands with the intention of wiping out the Hu people in one fell swoop. Unfortunately, in the end, it was all for naught," the Great Prince said with some regret. "The power of the entire country, the imperial army personally attacking, and father's genius military ability were still unable to subdue the Hu people in one fell swoop, much less people like us."
When Fan Xian heard that the Qing Emperor had personally led the imperial army on an expedition 20 years ago, his expression became serious. He didn't reply because he remembered clearly that during that Western expedition, his father, Fan Jian, had also followed in the camp. During that time, a shocking change had happened in Jingdou. This change ended a woman's life and gave him a second life. In the arms of the blind uncle, he sat in the carriage and went to Danzhou.
The Great Prince did not notice Fan Xian's strange expression. Slowly, he said, "At that time, the old Chief had just passed away and the Hu people were in internal strife. It was the best opportunity for the Qing Kingdom. It was truly a pity. What is most puzzling is that at that time, Commander Ye had handed over the Jingdou garrison by imperial edict and personally became the vanguard of the army. The elite cavalry had already followed the Western Hu court. As long as father's camp could hold out for another three days, they would have been able to capture all of the Western Hu nobles in one fell swoop. However, at this time, the army suddenly stopped advancing westward and turned to retreat into the borders of the country, leaving the Western Hu people with a breath."
Fan Xian was silent for a moment. He then raised his face and smiled slightly at the Great Prince. "The reason for the army's retreat is very simple. Presumably, at that time, the Emperor already knew of my mother's death."
The Great Prince's heart trembled. Only now did he think of the important matter that had been sealed away for many years. Looking at Fan Xian's forced smile, the Great Prince's pity rose in his heart and he did not continue this topic.
A moment later, the Great Prince coughed and changed the topic back to the beginning. "Is taking a Secondary fei really not to be stopped?"
"No one dares to disobey the edict. All those who oppose the Emperor have not had a good end."
"Is Wang Tong 'er really a good choice?"
"At least, I can't see a better choice right now."
"Then … how do I tell wangfei?"
Fan Xian laughed and said, "You don't need to worry about this problem. Wangfei has a way to deal with a little girl."
As he spoke, someone outside announced that wangfei and young lady Wang had arrived. The Great Prince and Fan Xian met each other's eyes and both smiled bitterly. After the two women entered, Fan Xian stood and bowed. Without anyone noticing, he observed the expressions on their faces and nodded his head in his heart.
Wangfei was as calm and graceful as usual, but Wang Tong 'er's face was slightly red and shy. It was completely different from her earlier appearance. It looked like after Fan Xian had rushed her to wangfei's side, this young lady had received some kind of promise.
Fan Xian sighed quietly in his heart. He knew wangfei was indeed powerful. She had long made up her mind before he, these two men, had decided. In order to protect her own interests, she had been forced to make a seemingly compromising choice.
It looked like he wouldn't need to make things difficult for wangfei to persuade her in a moment. Instead, it would be wangfei persuading him to think of the big picture and not go against his father's wishes in the Palace. Fan Xian smiled and looked at wangfei with narrowed eyes. Faintly, he said a few words. Wangfei also smiled. The two of them knew exactly what the other was thinking.
During the Jingdou rebellion, the Northern Qi Emperor wanted the Great Prince to take the throne. Through the Brocade Guard spies he had sent to wangfei's side, he had secretly revealed Fan Xian's whereabouts to the Eldest Princess and almost caused Fan Xian's death. Fan Xian knew that this matter did not have much to do with wangfei. For the sake of the relationship between the Great Prince and his wife, he had never told the Great Prince about this matter. However, he and wangfei still had a knot in their hearts. Thus, during these two years, they had not had much contact.
Wangfei had always felt guilty toward Fan Xian. It was not until now, when the two of them looked at each other and smiled like foxes, that the past melted like a spring breeze and disappeared without a trace.
After chatting for a bit, Fan Xian rose to say his goodbyes. He had brought the young lady of the Wang family into the manor. Of course, he had to take her out. After all, the Palace had not appointed a marriage. No matter how open the Qing people were, if he allowed Wang Tong 'er, a love-struck fool, to wink at the Great Prince, it would be too unsightly if it got out.
Wangfei pretended to ask him to stay, but a clear light flashed through her eyes. Wang Tong 'er foolishly did not want to leave. She looked pitifully at Fan Xian.
"Let's go," Fan Xian said.
"Teacher, where are we going?" Wang Tong 'er raised her head and looked at him in surprise.
Wang Tong 'er's eyes were filled with anger and refused to speak.
Fan Xian's face immediately darkened. For some reason, Wang Tong 'er was innately afraid of Sir Fan junior. She unconsciously stood up and gritted her teeth as she followed Fan Xian out of the manor.
Walking along the way, Fan Xian had long seen the light in wangfei's eyes. Looking at Wang Tong 'er beside him, he couldn't help but shake his head. Although this young lady was unruly, if she truly entered the manor, she would not be wangfei's match. She probably would not have many good days in the future. Fortunately, Wang Tong' er's background was powerful enough. Presumably, her life would not be too wretched.
His Highness was also not that kind of person. In a moment, the two of them arrived at the front door of the manor. Fan Xian didn't know what magic he used to say to this unruly woman. Wang Tong 'er seemed to have completely changed. She obediently and timidly followed behind him. There was no trace of her earlier appearance of stepping on the stone lion and cursing loudly.
The front door of the manor opened. The housekeeper escorted them out and then quickly closed the door like he was hiding from a ghost. Fan Xian smiled and scolded, thinking that he had also been caught in the crossfire. In the blink of an eye, he saw Wang Tong 'er's face full of anger and was about to curse the housekeeper. His face darkened and he made a sound of acknowledgement.
Wang Tong 'er immediately felt the coldness beside her and shivered. She quickly closed her mouth and obediently walked down the steps. With unusual discomfort, she said a few things to the old housekeeper with the whip marks on his face.
The old housekeeper was frightened. When did his young lady's personality change? To the side, the Wang and Shi family soldiers were also scared silly. They wondered if Sir Fan junior, who was rumored to be Sir Fei Jie's student, had given the young lady some medicine to make her like this?
Wang Tong 'er was like a little white rabbit.
Everyone at the front of the manor looked at Fan Xian like they were looking at a god. They thought, Sir Fan junior truly lived up to his reputation. No wonder the Emperor had him pretend to be a tutor a few years ago to teach the Third Prince. This kind of teaching and educating methods was truly wondrous.
The Wang family soldiers and housekeepers bowed to Fan Xian with endless gratitude. They then led their young lady out of the manor's front door. Fan Xian watched the group of people disappear into the street. He then shook his head and climbed into his carriage.
Although Mu Feng 'er was now the leader of the Qinian Unit, in his bones, he was still that meddlesome young man from the past. He swallowed and carefully asked, "Sir, what happened? That mother … how did she become like this? "
"It's simple." Fan Xian sat in the carriage and closed his eyes to rest. "If she doesn't listen, I'll spank her. I'll have the King marry another woman. I am an official of Taichang Temple. How could she not believe me?"
"That stupid?" Mu Feng 'er said with disdain. Everyone knew that this matter related to the Great Prince taking a fei was not something an official of Taichang Temple could decide. This matter had to be approved by the Emperor.
"If she wasn't stupid, why would the Princess allow her to enter the manor?" Fan Xian closed his eyes and muttered. He felt incredibly tired. He didn't want to get involved in this kind of thing again. If it weren't for his good relationship with the Great Prince, he would have gone to the palace long ago to complete his mission and then returned to his manor to play with his children.
— —
An hour passed, and there was still no movement in the imperial study. The eunuchs stood helplessly outside the room. Eunuch Yao glanced at the goat milk and pastries that the person beside him was holding. He found that the food was almost cold and couldn't help but furrow his brows.
The young eunuch looked at the door of the imperial study and wondered who His Majesty was talking to for such a long time. Eunuch Yao also glanced at the door and thought it would be best if he did not disturb the father and son talking.
Other than the young eunuch who had just arrived, no one else was surprised by the current situation. The Emperor had a myriad of affairs to attend to and rarely summoned an official alone for more than a quarter of an hour. Sir Fan junior was an exception.
During these two years, each time Sir Fan junior entered the Palace, the Emperor would always chat with him for half an hour in the imperial study. It was not limited to matters of state and Council. A few times, Eunuch Yao had even heard the Emperor and Fan Xian argue about the names of the Fan family's two children.
There was only Fan Xian in the entire world who had such an honor and such favor.
The situation in the imperial study was different from what the eunuchs thought. The Qing Emperor looked at Fan Xian sitting to his right and said, "I have already decided. Wang Tong 'er will eventually enter the manor. Don't meddle in other people's business. Speaking of marriage, a few days ago, Yan Bingyun married that woman. When are you going to explain the matter of Zhaoshang money house to me?"
Fan Xian's expression changed slightly. He quickly lowered his head to hide it.
…
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