"For something like killing, you use your mouth to do it, but I use my hands to do it." Fan Xian stood and glanced at him. "Think carefully. If I kill you, will the Emperor have me pay with my life for yours?"
After these words were said, He Zongwei fell silent. A moment later, he took a deep breath. A flush of embarrassment and anger gradually appeared on his slightly dark face.
Ever since he had entered the court, his journey had been smooth. He had obtained the Emperor's trust and favor, and he was highly regarded and respected by his subordinates and colleagues. However, when faced with the duke in front of him, he was ridiculed and found it difficult to hide.
He was now an official of the Hall of Governmental Affairs. Other than Fan Xian, who else in court dared to speak to him in such a tone and use life and death to threaten him? However, He Zongwei also knew that when faced with Fan Xian, there was nothing he could do. Putting aside nonsense like being favored by the Emperor, just his blood relationship with the Emperor was something that he, as an official, could never hope to achieve.
He Zongwei did not understand why Sir Fan junior had such strong enmity toward him. All the civil and military officials in court did not understand. If it was the matter of Prime Minister Lin's fall, it was single-handedly controlled by the Eldest Princess. At that time, He Zongwei was only a small chess piece and had not yet entered the court. Furthermore, after the matter, it was clear that these were the Emperor's edicts. How could he be blamed?
He couldn't help but feel confused. How did Sir Fan junior's enmity toward him come about? Sometimes, when He Zongwei woke up in the middle of the night, he would feel cold and damp. He was doing very well in court, but he knew that Fan Xian was always watching him coldly from behind. It was not a good feeling to be watched by such a cold and sinister official.
Logically speaking, He Zongwei knew that Fan Xian disliked him, so he should not have any thoughts about the young lady of the Fan family. However, he always thought that the Emperor's edict trumped everything. He also wanted to use this marriage to express his feelings to Fan Xian. At the same time, he could ease the relationship between them. If he truly became Sir Fan junior's brother-in-law, then he shouldn't have to constantly worry about the cold gaze behind his back, right?
But the most important reason why He Zongwei had the courage to pursue this marriage was because he had always longed for Fan Ruoruo. This desire had started five or six years ago, and it had continued to this day, never weakening.
That was why he had been single all these years, just like Crown Prince Hongcheng. In fact, the two men had the same reason for not marrying.
In the end, he did not understand Fan Xian. He did not know that the reason Fan Xian disliked him was because he had seen his fanatical gaze toward Ruoruo in Yishi Tavern.
It was truly a crime for no reason. How pitiful. The bit of desire in the depths of his heart had finally been shattered by Fan Xian's straightforward words into a heart of glass.
…
…
Fan Xian said, "Don't come to the medical shop again."
He Zongwei's heart began to race. It would be very difficult for him to give up on Miss Fan. Although this person's character was average, when it came to love, he was deeply rooted and somewhat infatuated.
"I understand what you mean." He Zongwei stood and forcefully suppressed the anger in his heart. Doing his best to remain calm, he said, "Tomorrow, I will enter the Palace and report to the Emperor to reject this marriage."
Fan Xian looked at him and shook his head. "The Palace's decree to appoint a marriage has not come out. What need is there for you to reject it? Don't try to hide your little thoughts from me. Go cry and complain in front of the Emperor and aggrievedly say that you are not worthy of the young lady of the Fan family. You won't say a single bad word about me. But, when the Emperor sees you like this, he will know that I have bullied you again. "
"Whoever I bully, that person will be red. This is the current situation." He looked at He Zongwei and smiled self-mockingly. "Do you want to use this matter to make the Emperor pity your loyalty even more?"
He Zongwei finally could not suppress the anger in his heart. He looked coldly at Fan Xian and said, "What exactly do you want me to do? This won't do, and that won't do. Do you have to force an official to death before you are satisfied? "
"That's what you said yourself." Fan Xian looked at him with slight mockery. "The night before last, Hu the Scholar personally came to the manor to speak on your behalf. Last night, the former scholar of the Hall of the Virtuous, Ceng Wenxiang, your former teacher, came with Scholar Panling to speak on your behalf. Sir He is at the height of his fame. With three scholars acting as a matchmaker, how could I, a mere Commissioner of the Overwatch Council, force you? "
Hearing these plain and harsh words, He Zongwei found it difficult to suppress the anger in his heart. In a low voice, he said, "May I ask, where exactly have I done wrong to offend you?"
Fan Xian smiled slightly mockingly and said, "I don't like you. That is your fault."
"Sir Fan junior, I am the Emperor's official." He Zongwei smiled in his extreme anger. Coldly, he said, "Even if your power overturns the court, you are still only the Emperor's official. Threatening a court official in the street and looking down on the Emperor, are you not afraid that the Emperor will send down an edict and take away your position of power? You must know that one must be careful and not be arrogant in their actions. "
Fan Xian did not get angry. He only stood calmly across from him and quietly said, "Everyone understands this principle. Three years ago, the Second Prince once said the exact same words as you in the tea shop of Baoyue Brothel. Don't forget, he is lying in his grave while I am outside. "
After saying this, Fan Xian left the restaurant. He had already said what he needed to say to He Zongwei and expressed his attitude to him. As for whether or not the other party was willing to accept it, that was his problem.
…
Returning to the Fan manor, he saw Ruoruo surrounded by Wan 'er and Ye Ling' er. She was quietly saying something with an unnatural expression. Li Hongcheng, who had taken her back to the manor, had left for some reason and was not in the manor.
Seeing Fan Xian return, Lin Wan 'er gave him a meaningful glance and shook her head helplessly. It was probably because she felt helpless about her sister-in-law's marriage, which had caused a storm in the city. Ye Ling 'er only glanced at Fan Xian. She did not, as Fan Xian had expected, charge forward and ask him, as her elder brother, why couldn't he even do such a small thing.
It looked like love was indeed gentle. Fan Xian didn't ask where Thirteenth Wang was. He couldn't resist smiling slightly and waving his hand at his sister. The brother and sister entered the second study.
"Did Hongcheng run away first because he was afraid I would beat him?" Fan Xian asked quietly as he and his sister sat facing each other.
Fan Ruoruo blushed slightly. After all, riding with a young man on the street was indeed a very embarrassing thing. After a moment of silence, she quietly said, "Something happened in the manor, so he left first."
Fan Xian nodded quietly in his heart. He had been worried that his sister would be angry at Hongcheng's impetuous actions. It looked like it was all right. It seemed that Li Hongcheng's ruffian tactics were not necessarily a bad thing.
Fan Ruoruo suddenly came to a realization and looked at Fan Xian in a daze. "Brother was there just now?"
Fan Xian paused and smiled. "This matter spread quickly. Everyone in Jingdou knows that the heir has returned to the capital and is fighting with Sir He for a wife. Of course, I know."
"Hongcheng is also messing around." Fan Ruoruo's expression was slightly angry. "There are still so many patients waiting to be seen in the medical shop."
"We'll talk about those things later. It is impossible for the patients in the world to stop. You can't cure them all in one day." Fan Xian gazed at his sister and asked solemnly, "I know that He Zongwei often goes to the medical shop these days. I want to ask you something. What exactly is your attitude toward the Emperor's arranged marriage?"
Without thinking, Fan Ruoruo calmly said, "I don't want to marry right now."
These days, He Zongwei had been going to the medical shop to sit quietly and not as a demonstration. He appeared cultured, elegant, and sincere. Fan Ruoruo was not a woman who lived in a vacuum. She knew that there had been recent gossip about her. She also knew that her brother was troubled by this matter. Naturally, she would make it clear to He Zongwei. However, He Zongwei remained unyielding. He displayed the spirit of a dead pig who was not afraid of being burned. He also wore a mask of sincerity. Fan Ruoruo could not copy Fan Sizhe and pick up a broom to chase him away.
"Fine, if you don't want to marry, then don't marry." The calmness on Fan Xian's face was not faked. "You know that although I appear gentle, I am actually a bit domineering. I don't like He Zongwei. Even if you agree to marry him, I will still break up the affectionate couple. "
Fan Ruoruo couldn't resist glaring at him and muttered in a low voice. When they were young, he had talked about the freedom of love. Now, he only knew how to be domineering.
She had no idea that when the two of them told ghost stories in their childhood, Fan Xian, who was a dozen years older than her, had long naturally felt like bringing up his daughter.
His own daughter was going to marry someone. No father would believe in the nonsense of freedom of love. There was no such thing in the Qing Kingdom, no such thing in that world, and no such thing in the entire universe.
After these words, Fan Ruoruo fell silent. Her two hands gripped the corners of her clothes and rubbed them forcefully. Her nervous and complicated emotions made her no different from any other woman in the world. After a long time, she suddenly sighed. Gazing at Fan Xian, she faintly said, "Brother, am I very willful?"
If she had been placed in another noble manor, or anywhere else in the world, Fan Ruoruo's choice of marriage and love would have been particularly different. She had first rejected King Jing's request for a marriage alliance, fled Jingdou, and studied under Ku He for many years. Now, she had rejected the Emperor's second arranged marriage.
Disobeying an edict and refusing to marry, in a feudal and imperial society, would bring a great deal of danger and inconvenience to one's family. For the sake of one's own life, to sink one's family into instability, everyone would probably think such an action was a willful and irresponsible one.
But, Fan Xian was everyone in this world. He was the only person in this world, the only Fubowa, a man who had seen sexual politics. Thus, he never thought there was anything to criticize about his sister's decision.
Perhaps that Ye woman had also seen it many years ago. After all, she had already left. Now, there was only Fan Xian standing unyieldingly in this world. In his way of supporting his sister's willfulness, he thought back to that beautiful world where marriage did not require elders to name names. That beautiful world, at least in some areas, was more equal.
"Are you stupid?" Fan Xian's expression became cold. "Ever since you were young, I taught you that your own happiness is more important than the heavens. Other than something you truly want to do, nothing is worth making any sacrifices or concessions. Loyalty and filial piety must be spoken of, but in front of your and my own happiness, it is not worth mentioning. "
"But, isn't this a very selfish action?" Fan Ruoruo was not frightened by her brother's icy expression. She raised her face and said seriously, "Because of my matter, the manor is not at peace. The entire Jingdou is in an uproar …"
Before she had finished speaking, Fan Xian had already waved his hand to stop her. Furrowing his brows, he said, "You are a girl I raised single-handedly. Although you haven't been by my side as long as Sisi and the other girls, you know I have high hopes for you. But you know that I have high hopes for you … I hope that you can become someone different from the other women in this world. "
"What is willfulness?" Fan Xian narrowed his eyes. "Father and grandmother are both in Danzhou. In the capital, only I make decisions for you. What is there to be afraid of being willful? As for being selfish, I have always been an extremely selfish person, particularly when it comes to family. You should know this very well. "
Fan Ruoruo lowered her head and was speechless. Her eyes gradually became wet. Only she, who was involved, knew how much her brother had worried about her marriage after he entered the capital. Back then, in order to reject King Jing's marriage proposal, he had even made an agreement with the Northern Qi people to exchange her for Ku He's tutelage.
It seemed simple, but in reality, Fan Xian had paid a great price for it. Every time she thought of it, Fan Ruoruo always felt that her willfulness had caused her brother to worry too much. The heavier the guilt in her heart, the more she could feel her brother's affection for her. All kinds of feelings mingled in her heart. It was not something that could be expressed clearly with words.
… …
In the next few days, Fan Xian seemed to have forgotten about the arranged marriage in the Palace. He only sank into the Overwatch Council and Yan Bingyun arranging matters regarding Dongyi. The Xi Lake matter had already laid a good foundation. No matter how capable Chief Su Bida and Haitang Duoduo, who had changed her name to Songzhi Xianling, were, the spies in Dingzhou and Qingzhou had been completely wiped out by the Overwatch Council. Additionally, the grasslands had once again sunk into an unstable state because of the Left Virtuous Prince's sudden death. The Western border of the Qing Kingdom could finally breathe a sigh of relief.
All of the affairs of the Overwatch Council were actually handled by Yan Bingyun. Every time he thought of this matter, Fan Xian couldn't help but feel lucky for his decision to enter deep into Shangjing to save Sir Yan junior. His abilities lay in sudden attacks, decisive attacks, and judgment of the general situation. Yan Bingyun was the best person to plan and execute the specific plans.
Without Yan Bingyun's help, Fan Xian would not have been able to control such an enormous Overwatch Council system.
Events had long proven this point. After Fan Xian entered the capital, the Overwatch Council's major operations were all carried out by this fluttering white-clothed Sir Yan junior, who was clearly separated from the Overwatch Council's black official robes. The only time Fan Xian had decided on his own was the matter of the Jiaozhou Navy clearing the army. After this operation, it had been thoroughly criticized by Chen Pingping.
After Fan Xian told Yan Bingyun of his and the Emperor's intentions, he stopped worrying about the Dongyi matter. He only took Thirteenth Wang and quietly entered the Palace.
Although Fan Xian and the Emperor were still in a cold war because of Ruoruo's marriage, this was a major matter concerning court politics. Neither father nor son would choose to be angry. Since the Emperor already secretly knew of Thirteenth Wang's existence, Fan Xian would not make a big mistake on such a small matter.
As for the marriage appointment, although the task of challenging the Emperor had already been handed to King Jing's manor, Fan Xian still watched with concern from the side.
Fan Ruoruo continued to go to the medical shop every day to take care of the patients. Crown Prince Hongcheng stood outside the medical shop with a cold expression. Perhaps the crown prince felt great anger at the news of the marriage appointment in the Palace. His face was extremely dark. The patients who came to and from the medical shop couldn't help but feel a chill in their hearts as they felt the coldness from this noble's body.
Li Hongcheng was now the number one figure in the Dingzhou military. It was rare for him to return to the capital to debrief once in three years. Yet, he was willing to stand outside a medical shop as a bodyguard. For a proper general to be a door god, everyone in Jingdou felt a glimmer of coldness. Even Hu the Scholar did not waste any more words with Fan Xian.
He Zongwei did not give up the idea in his heart because of Fan Xian's threats. He went to the medical shop a few times and was coldly chased out by Li Hongcheng. The small medical shop had become a wrestling ground between an official and a general. However, He Zongwei was, after all, a civil official. How could he defeat Hongcheng, who pretended to be a martial artist?
A medical shop had already become a sight in Jingdou.
Hearing of this, Fan Xian couldn't help but sigh. He thought to himself that old Master Lu was right. Words were never as powerful as fists. He smiled slightly and felt sad for He Zongwei. He was a proper official of the Hall of Governmental Affairs, yet he had run into two unreasonable but indescribably noble descendants of the royal family like himself and Hongcheng. In the end, he could only suffer.
During these few days, He Zongwei had entered the Palace once and probably expressed his intention to tactfully decline the marriage appointment. This was not outside of Fan Xian's expectations. Given He Zongwei's harsh thoughts, he would not pass up such an opportunity to strike at Fan Xian. Even though Fan Xian had warned him, he still did not give up.
As expected, when the Emperor saw He Zongwei's dim appearance, he guessed that Fan Xian had secretly and inhumanely threatened his trusted official. He flew into a rage and urgently summoned Fan Xian into the Palace to give him a good scolding in the royal study.
Fan Xian only listened expressionlessly and, as always, used silence to resist. Appointing a marriage was a small matter. The Emperor intended to use this matter to completely break down his defenses and have him become a timid and blindly loyal official. This was an arrangement he could not accept.
He was not afraid of the Emperor's displeasure. The present was different from the past. The Overwatch Council and palace treasury in Fan Xian's hands provided the most important order and financial support for the healthy development and maintenance of the Qing court. Even the Emperor knew this. He knew that he was becoming more and more inseparable from this proud illegitimate child.
For the Qing Emperor, the more he admired Fan Xian, the more he hoped that Fan Xian would reveal all of his thoughts to him and listen to all of his arrangements. He always felt that An Zhi, this child, was sometimes too stubborn. His personality was a bit too distant. He even faintly felt that he wanted to jump out of his control.
For a powerful ruler, this kind of feeling was not very comfortable. Thus, he wanted Fan Xian to back down.
…
…
Entering the winter months, Fan Xian still did not back down. He continued to carry King Jing's manor to fight with the Palace. After the matter of the marriage between the He and Fan families caused a ruckus, it gradually calmed down. There was no follow-up edict from the Palace. The Crown Prince's door god continued to coldly watch all of the doctors and patients who came in from the medical shop. If any of those poor and poor patients had the surname He, they would all take a fake name and go see the doctor again.
The only person in the world who was not afraid of the Emperor was probably King Jing. After all, he had fought with his brother many times when he was young. Even though he hadn't won many of them, his fists had at least tasted dragon meat. Once they were close, there was less respect and fear in his heart. Furthermore, one could be strong without desires. King Jing's life was filled with flowers, grass, and soil. He never interfered with court politics. The Emperor probably always felt some guilt toward his only brother. Other than furrowing his brows, he could not come up with any more methods of punishment.
Li Hongcheng had led the army in Dingzhou for three years. He had taken the lead and bathed in blood as he killed the enemy. Even if he had not performed meritorious deeds, he had worked hard. He was clearly going to steal He Zongwei's wife. What could the Emperor do? It was only because of the Emperor's words that he could not go back on. Additionally, he could not save face. That was why he stubbornly insisted on his own opinion.
The first snow fell in Jingdou. Fan Xian blew out a mouthful of white mist. Standing by the carriage, he said to Thirteenth Wang beside him, "Everything that needs to be said has been said. The Qing Kingdom can put some pressure on the manor of the Master of the City, but I can't do anything about the differences within the Sword Hut. Presumably, you also don't want me to interfere."
Thirteenth Wang was going to leave the Qing Kingdom and return to Dongyi's Sword Hut to accompany his teacher on the last leg of his journey. Fan Xian had specially taken the time to send him off. The two of them stood alone in the snow and chatted here and there. Most of the words were said by Fan Xian.
"I'll wait for you at the Sword Hut." Thirteenth Wang put his bag on his back and held the green banner tightly in his hand. Looking at Fan Xian with a warm smile, he said, "Come early."
Fan Xian also smiled. After Thirteenth Wang entered the Palace, the Emperor finally nodded and gave him full authority over the Dongyi matter. The initiative was finally in his hands. He was in a good mood.
"Thank you." Fan Xian paused slightly and then continued. "I hope I won't have to thank you in the future."
Thirteenth Wang started. Only then did he understand what his thanks were directed at. Shaking his head, he walked into the wind and snow.
…
…
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