In the blink of an eye, five muffled sounds rang out in the quiet second floor. Mu Peng's entire body finally froze and could no longer move. What appeared to be a simple exchange was, in reality, a competition between Fan Xian and the other party in terms of courage and skill in using poison. Mu Peng had lost the initiative, but like a ghost, he had snatched it back. If Fan Xian had any fear of that medicinal powder, he would probably have lost a great opportunity to control the other party.
In particular, Fan Xian had used a piece of cloth to wrap up the poisonous smoke that came out of the little porcelain bottle. This was not only a method of using poison, but it also contained a brilliant control of zhenqi, as well as the little tricks at the tips of his fingers.
Mu Peng, whose entire body was frozen, faced the messy bundle on the bed and the layer of green cloth that had changed color at the side of the bed. His heart was filled with fear. He wondered who it was that had such great skill in using poison to be able to control him in an instant.
Fan Xian took off the bamboo hat covered in medicinal powder and carefully placed it with the changed color cloth. Taking out a flint, he lit it. The poison melted when it came in contact with the fire and was no longer effective. After confirming it was safe, he took off the gloves on his hands. Grabbing Mu Peng by the collar, he carried him to another room.
He took out an antidote pill from his clothes and ate it. He still felt a burning sensation in his throat. Fortunately, he had prepared well. Otherwise, he didn't know what would have happened if the medicinal powder had landed directly on his face. Thinking of this, he couldn't help but shiver. Looking at the motionless Mu Peng in front of him, he thought for a moment. Then, he forcefully pried open his lips, crushed a pill, and sent it in.
"In terms of medical skills, I am not as good as you, but in terms of using poison, you are not as good as me. Brother Mu Peng, you've been in the Qing Kingdom for two years. It's time for you to say what you want."
Fan Xian coughed and sat across from Mu Peng. These words were not feigning elegance. Rather, he was stating a fact. It was just like what he had said to Zhuang Mohan many years ago at the Night Hall Poetry Conference. Now that Fei Jie was far away overseas, Xiao En had died long ago, and the great poison master in Dongyi had disappeared without a trace, when it came to using poison to detoxify, no one could match him.
Mu Peng's entire body was stiff and unable to move, but he could clearly feel the drops of poison flowing from the acupuncture point on the back of his neck into his heart. He didn't know what poison it was that was so powerful, but he knew that since the other had fed him an antidote pill, they were prepared to interrogate him and wouldn't let him die immediately.
After Fan Xian opened his mouth, he immediately recognized the other person's identity. Other than his sister disciple's brother, who else in this world would dare to boast in front of him, a great doctor?
Mu Peng was now able to speak. He looked at Fan Xian with a glimmer of helplessness and sadness in his eyes. "Sir Fan junior, I am just a doctor. Why must you be so forceful?"
"You're not a peerless beauty. Why would I be forceful?" Fan Xian shook his head. "I just want to know, as Ku He's second disciple, why have you been hiding in the Qing Kingdom these two years?"
Mu Peng smiled slightly and said, "Reason? You should know that Director Chen's body is getting better and better, right? "
Fan Xian's brows were furrowed tightly. "This is exactly what I don't understand. The better the old Director lives, the harder it is for the Northern Qi people."
He suddenly raised his head and looked calmly into Mu Peng's eyes. "Is this Ku He's final order before he died?"
Mu Peng used his silence to represent his acknowledgment.
Fan Xian took a deep breath and said, "You should know what the Seventh Bureau of the Overwatch Council does."
The Seventh Bureau of the Overwatch Council was responsible for the prison. The most terrifying methods of torture in the world were all in that prison. Hearing this, Mu Peng's expression did not change. Faintly, he said, "Sir Fan junior, is this how the Qing Kingdom treats its guests? Your sister studied at Qing Mountain. I, Mu Peng, have taught her everything I know without holding anything back. Even after Dong Mountain, when my teacher handed the entire Qing Mountain to her, the court did not change its attitude. "
He looked at Fan Xian and said with a smile, "Do I deserve to die just because I helped Director Chen nurse his body? No matter how you put it, it doesn't make sense. "
Fan Xian fell silent. He knew Mu Peng was right. During these two years, he had been hiding in the Qing Kingdom. After the Overwatch Council's investigation, he had indeed not done anything. He had only done his best to nurse Director Chen's body.
The problem was that this matter itself was very strange. The Great Grandmaster Ku He's final order was for Haitang to gather the Hu tribes on the grasslands and, with Northern Qi's support, become the Qing Kingdom's greatest foreign threat. The second was for Mu Peng to head South. Was there some great benefit for Northern Qi to let Chen Pingping continue to live?
Fan Xian could not understand this question. That was why he had acted against Mu Peng alone.
"You prepared to leave."
"Since my sister has returned, what if I don't leave?" Mu Peng said. "However, I still left a bit too late and was caught by you."
"I sensed your existence a few months ago. However, you rarely came down from Qing Mountain in the past, so I was unable to confirm your identity. Ruoruo was only helping me confirm it," Fan Xian said with his head lowered. "For Ruoruo's sake, I won't kill you for now. Before I figure out exactly what Tianyi Dao is thinking, I won't let you leave the Qing Kingdom."
Mu Peng's expression changed drastically. He knew he would be imprisoned in the Overwatch Council. However, he didn't know how long he would be locked up. Would it be as long as Xiao En?
…
…
"So, that doctor was Ku He's second disciple. Ku He's been a startling talent all his life. Everything he dabbled in was at the pinnacle of the world. No wonder this doctor's skill was so high."
In the wheelchair, Chen Pingping smiled and pointed with his index finger. He had the old servant behind him push him deeper into Chen Garden. Fan Xian followed silently behind the wheelchair and listened to the squeaking sounds, as well as the babbling of women singing in the distance. It was already night. The singing began again in the quiet Chen Garden. It made one's heart flutter.
"I don't care how you deal with it. It's just a famous doctor. Why did you come all the way here?" Chen Pingping gently tapped the armrest of the wheelchair. This was his habit for many years. His fingertips tapped down and made an empty sound. In a sharp and raspy voice, he said, "In any case, you haven't fed me poison these two years."
Fan Xian stood with his head down under the tree beside the wheelchair and shook his head. He didn't believe Chen Pingping's words at all. Given Chen Pingping's ability to read people, how could he not see the problem with Mu Peng? He thought for a bit and then said, "I just don't understand why Ku He ordered Mu Peng to go South before he died."
During these two years, not only had Mu Peng paid great attention to Chen Pingping's body, he had also, through various channels, organized a large batch of medicinal herbs that were rarely seen even in the Qing Royal Palace. Combined with his miraculous hands, he had successfully stopped Chen Pingping's aging and old injuries, allowing this old man to live a healthy life.
Chen Pingping turned his wheelchair and faced Fan Xian. He waved his hand to indicate for the old servant to leave. He then supported his chin on his hand and sank into silence. The light from the room in Chen Garden shone on his back. Fan Xian couldn't see his old face clearly. He could only see a figure as thick as ink.
"Ku He was an extraordinary person. If it is as you say, Haitang's past and the arrangements of Xi Hu all originated from his plans before he died, then Mu Peng going South to protect my life was also a part of his plan."
Fan Xian had come a second time to force his old comrade to listen to a Council report for a long time. Chen Pingping said somewhat helplessly, "That old baldy, if he dies, then he dies. Why worry so much?"
"Actually, you should know the reason why Ku He risked his life to protect my life." Chen Pingping scratched his slightly itchy back. "Xi Hu is an external threat to the Qing Kingdom. If I live, I will certainly become an internal threat to the Qing Kingdom."
Although the old man did not directly state his judgment, a chill rose in Fan Xian's heart. After standing frozen for a moment, he walked forward and stood behind Chen Pingping. Gently pulling down the old hand, he helped him scratch his itch. In a quiet voice, he said, "During these two years, you haven't done anything. The Emperor also has some affection for you. Most importantly, there have been many traitors in the court. For the sake of his family's face and the glory of your life as ruler and official, he would not have any designs on you."
Fan Xian understood the Qing Emperor, so this deduction should not be wrong. The Qing Emperor and Chen Pingping had been ruler and official for a lifetime. Their relationship was different. They had known each other for over 30 years and had never had any animosity or doubt. They had done many great things under heaven and could truly be considered an anomaly in the court.
If it was said that Chen Pingping had disloyalty toward the Qing Emperor, no one would believe it. If it was said that the Qing Emperor feared Chen Pingping's power, no one would believe it. The Emperor wanted to set an example for all his officials and leave his image as a benevolent ruler in the history books. If he couldn't even tolerate a loyal dog like Chen Pingping, what would he use to convince later generations?
"The problem is, no matter what kind of affection, it will gradually fade." Chen Pingping felt Fan Xian's hand moving on his back and sighed comfortably. "Affection is like my pitiful back. After a long time and getting old, it easily dries up and itches. Without new contributions to moisturize it, everyone wants to scratch it."
Fan Xian's hand paused. He shook his head and said, "The Emperor treats you differently than other officials."
"It is indeed different. In this, I am grateful for the Emperor's kindness," Chen Pingping slowly said. Chen Pingping slowly said, "But I am also different from other officials. You had your suspicions about what happened two years ago, and I listened to your advice and did not continue. But … His Majesty also has suspicions about what happened two years ago, and he will always feel uncomfortable."
Fan Xian was silent. After the Jingdou rebellion two years ago, he had been very confused about the role Chen Pingping and the Overwatch Council played in this matter. Afterward, Yan Bingyun had also secretly mentioned these problems to him.
Although on the surface, Chen Pingping was relying on the Emperor's shocking plan and playing tricks, Fan Xian knew that the situation at the time was truly delicate. Regardless of whether it was Ye Liuyun's sudden betrayal or the Emperor's sudden transformation into a Great Grandmaster, as long as either of these conditions were not met, Chen Pingping could do something that would shock the entire world.
"During the Dong Mountain incident, I once had some hope and some thoughts. Although I hid these thoughts well and deeply, the Eldest Princess faintly saw through them. Thus, during the entire Jingdou rebellion, she never paid attention to me. She knew that at the time, our goals were very close. After the matter, Ku He also saw a little. Thus, before he died, he had Mu Peng protect my life and extend my lifespan. "
What thoughts? Although Fan Xian knew, hearing Chen Pingping admit it personally still made it difficult for him to suppress his shock. His mouth was dry, and he couldn't speak.
"I didn't think that the Emperor would be able to walk down Dong Mountain alive," Chen Pingping said with his head lowered. "When I received the Emperor's message in Weizhou that day, I sighed with emotion. Why was it so difficult for a person to die? In the end, the Emperor only revealed half of his face to me when he planned the Dong Mountain situation. Not only did he include a few Great Grandmasters in the scheme, but he also almost had me fall into it. "
"Of course, I didn't jump down in a hurry like the Eldest Princess." Chen Pingping coughed and said, "Perhaps from the beginning, I didn't think the Emperor would die so easily."
Fan Xian said in a raspy voice, "Since you didn't jump and there was no evidence, the Emperor would not suspect you."
"What kind of person is the Emperor? He didn't investigate me, but that doesn't mean he didn't suspect me. It was only because he believed in our relationship as ruler and official. Furthermore, he couldn't understand why I would have those thoughts, "Chen Pingping said with a slight smile. Chen Pingping said with a smile, "But the most important thing is that he knew that I didn't have many years left to live. In order to fulfill the relationship between me and him, and in order to repay me for risking my life to save his life, he gave me a chance to die naturally."
"If I die of old age or illness, regardless of whether he suspects me or I suspect him, it will all become matters of the past buried in the soil. After I die, I will enjoy honor and glory. The Emperor will grieve for a few days, relax, and let everything go with the wind. Isn't that the best ending? "
Chen Pingping solemnly said, "I have to admit that this is the Emperor's kindness to me. This is the best ending he has chosen for me. Thus, two years ago, you told me to let go, so I let go and waited for the day I died of old age. "
"But, the problem at hand is …" A glimmer of absurdity appeared in Chen Pingping's smile. "Contrary to my and the Emperor's expectations, my tattered body has survived until today. If nothing unexpected happens, it seems I can live for a few more years. The longer I live, the more uncomfortable the Emperor's heart will be. There will come a day when he will come face to face and ask me some stories. Wasn't Ku He waiting for this to happen before he died?"
At this point, Fan Xian had nothing else to say. If the Emperor truly sensed and believed Chen Pingping's disloyalty, it would certainly be a great upheaval in the Qing court. Sandwiched between the two of them, he couldn't just watch as Chen Pingping died. The Qing Kingdom would certainly fall into chaos. Ku He's foresight before his death was deep and sinister. Among the complicated matters of the world, he had accurately grasped the only crack in the Qing Kingdom's future. It was truly impressive.
He knew what Chen Pingping said was correct. The Emperor had shown Chen Pingping enough kindness. If Chen Pingping died of natural causes, the Emperor would not feel any guilt and would no longer care about the thoughts Chen Pingping once had in the Dong Mountain matter. It could truly be said to be a happy ending for everyone.
However, Chen Pingping lived on healthily. It was impossible for Fan Xian or the Emperor to gently and gently persuade the Director, who had given his entire life to the Qing court, to die earlier. Die. Once you die, the Qing Kingdom will be at peace.
"I seem to be a person who should have died a long time ago." Chen Pingping pressed his dry lips together and faintly said, "It is only when death is at hand that I realize that I am still afraid of death."
As the founder of the Overwatch Council, Chen Pingping, who countless people feared upon hearing his name, would admit to being afraid of death. If outsiders heard this, they would probably be very surprised. Fan Xian only listened quietly. He was someone who had died once. He knew what an unbearable process it was to quietly wait for death to come.
Decades ago, the lands were in turmoil. In the North, there was Xiao En, and in the South, there was Chen Pingping. Even these two most powerful figures in the world of darkness appeared weak and small in the face of death.
When Xiao En died, Fan Xian had been at the side to send him off. At this moment, he looked at the skinny old man in the wheelchair and thought sadly that no matter how the situation developed in the future, he only hoped that when Chen Pingping passed away, he could be at the side of this lonely old man who had no children and send him off.
"The Emperor will not be as ruthless as Ku He wishes," Fan Xian suddenly thought of something and said with a smile. "The Emperor's personality has changed a lot. Even if he was once suspicious of you, these two years have proven that you have no intentions of anything else. He won't do anything."
Chen Pingping also smiled and patted the hand Fan Xian placed on his shoulder. "The Emperor has already been extremely benevolent toward me. I have nothing to worry about. Even if I can live a few more years, so what? It's not like I can live longer than the Emperor. "
With these words, Fan Xian's mood finally relaxed a little. Suddenly, his heart jumped. From the darkness by his feet, he plucked a little yellow flower that had bloomed tenaciously in the winter wind and carefully pressed it into the white hair at Chen Pingping's temples.
Chen Pingping chuckled.
Fan Xian bid farewell and left. Until the end of the conversation, Chen Pingping did not say why he had thoughts of disloyalty toward the Emperor. Fan Xian also did not ask. He knew the reason for all of this, but he did not know what he should do after everything was clear.
The old servant walked out and pushed Chen Pingping around the garden. After a long time, Chen Pingping suddenly sighed faintly and said, "Ku He has lived for too long and knows too many things, which is why he decided on this plan. Fortunately, as Fan Xian said, the Emperor will control his temper and wait for me to die of old age. However …" He turned and furrowed his brows. "Do you think, when Fan Xian holds my body and cries, will he blame me for lying to him and using him?"
Regardless of which angle one looked at it from, the Emperor would maintain ample patience toward Chen Pingping's death. As Fan Xian thought of this, he faced the cold night wind and walked out of Chen Garden. Having resolved a big problem in his mind, he felt his entire body relax.
At this moment, the singing of a songstress in Chen Garden floated out of the night wind. It was particularly mournful and clear, but it continued to rise without falling. It was stubborn and persistent, very much like the little yellow flower Fan Xian had plucked earlier. It was also very much like the old man who lived in the garden.
… …
In the bone-piercing cold wind, Fan Xian couldn't resist stamping his feet. In the November weather, it was impossible for the sun to rise at this time. The bitter cold seeped into his leather boots and froze his feet numb.
Fan Xian did not understand. The winter sun came out late. Why couldn't the time for court be moved back a little? However, this was a thousand-year-old rule inherited from the Wei Kingdom. Even with his current power and influence, he had no way of changing all of this. He looked at the darkness around him. There were a few red lanterns that flickered between light and darkness. He thought to himself that it did indeed feel like a ghost movie.
Today was the day of the court conference. Following court custom, the civil and military officials climbed out of their warm beds in the middle of the night and came to stand guard in front of the Palace doors. There were many people acting out a ghost movie with Fan Xian. Hu the Scholar was also stamping his feet beside him. He had no dignity at all as the foremost civil official in court.
"The Emperor's benevolent edict allows you to enter the Palace in a sedan chair. Why are you standing here with me?" Fan Xian hugged the warm stove and exhaled white steam. Lowering his voice, he chatted idly with Hu the Scholar. Now that the old scholar Shu Wu had completed his task of passing on knowledge and retired with honor, Hu the Scholar was the head of the Hall of Governmental Affairs. Although the Scholar was healthy, the Emperor thought that he was getting on in years, so he allowed him to enter the Palace in a sedan chair.
Hu the Scholar glanced at him meaningfully and smiled slightly. "With you standing here, no one dares to come up and talk to you. Do you not welcome me?"
Fan Xian paused and immediately smiled bitterly. His father-in-law's civil official power in court had been broken up by the Emperor. The Overwatch Council had also been ruthlessly investigating the governance of officials. Although the officials in court respected him and would respectfully greet him when they saw him, not many dared to stand by his side.
As he thought this, a red lantern floated out of the darkness. Under the guidance of a servant, Sir He Zongwei, the Imperial Censor of the Left of the Hall of Governmental Affairs, came in front of the two of them. With a calm expression, he lowered his body and bowed. The red lantern light shone on this young official's face, revealing some sincerity and gentleness.
However, Fan Xian's eyes narrowed.
…
…
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