The mink coat was very warm. Looking at the figure gradually disappearing into the wind and snow, Fan Xian's heart was also very warm. His life was truly frightening and full of scheming and scheming. Although it was fulfilling, it also made his heart tired. It was a rare enjoyment to be able to associate with a simple and pure person.
Pulling back his gaze from the snowflakes in the distance, Fan Xian's heart suddenly jumped. He had a strange feeling. It was as if next spring, when the Sword Hut opened for the last time, he might have some experiences he had never had before.
He walked to the side of the black carriage and raised his right knee. Lowering his head, he carefully scraped at the snow and mud on the bottom of his boots on the steps of the carriage. As he scraped at the snow, he thought silently. After a long time, he lifted the thick cotton curtain of the carriage and lowered his head to crawl in. A gust of hot wind hit him in the face. Inside the spacious Overwatch Council carriage, a specially made little heater was releasing a spring-like aura. Compared to the freezing weather outside, it was a completely different world.
Fan Xian accepted the towel and brushed away the snow on his collar. "He's already gone far away. Can we go back now?"
Ye Ling 'er accepted the towel from his hand and lowered her head. Her long eyelashes decorated her bright eyes, as well as the complicated emotions in them. Quietly, she said, "I'm not here to send him off."
"If you're not here to send Thirteenth Brother off, are you here to admire the snow with me?" Fan Xian asked without good humor. "I really don't understand what you're thinking. It's already been over a month, yet it's still like when we first met in Qingzhou."
"Teacher, I'm not thinking anything," Ye Ling 'er said seriously as she raised her head.
"Next year, Sigu Jian is going to die. Dongyi is split into two factions of opinion and is arguing endlessly. Thirteenth Wang's return to Dongyi this time will probably be troublesome. Although he is Sigu Jian's most beloved last disciple, he doesn't have many connections. "Fan Xian thought for a bit and then slowly said," I'm afraid there will still be a fight in the end. "
"Can't you help him? He has done so much for the Overwatch Council, "Ye Ling 'er asked anxiously.
"You don't need to say that. He is someone who works for me. Of course, I have to repay him, "Fan Xian said. Fan Xian said, "Sigu Jian's attitude toward me is sufficiently sincere. Although this strange old creature certainly doesn't want to make any deals with the Emperor, it shouldn't be a problem to discuss a deal with me."
He suddenly looked at Ye Ling'er and said quietly, "The problem is that after he returns to Dongyi, he will probably stay there for a long time. Have you thought about this problem?"
"Why am I thinking about this?" After the Second Prince's death, Ye Ling 'er was no longer as free and easy as before. She had become much more silent and mature. Although she still talked and laughed freely in front of Fan Xian and these familiar people, regardless of whether it was Fan Xian or Lin Wan' er, they could all see the shadow in the depths of her heart.
It was not until she met Thirteenth Wang in Qingzhou and saw each other's scenery that Ye Ling 'er's emotions seemed to shake off the military on the border. Fan Xian was very happy to see this kind of change. He also knew that given Thirteenth Wang's identity, the matter between the two of them was indeed very difficult.
He shook his head and did not elaborate on the issue. It was Ye Ling 'er who, because of her own thoughts, thought of the matter that had been troubling these young people recently. Looking at Fan Xian, she asked carefully, "Ruoruo, are we just going to drag this matter out like this?"
At the mention of this matter, Fan Xian's head was full of questions. Originally, he had thought that with King Jing and his son acting as the bad guys, the Emperor would go with the flow and take back this muddled arranged marriage. He had not expected the Emperor to be so stubborn. He used the excuse that the Fan family had already rejected King Jing's marriage request and completely ignored these movements.
"Let's drag it out for now. With so many of our faces added together, there will at least be some weight. It won't be good for the Emperor to forcefully push through." Fan Xian pressed his lips together. He thought that if his sister was willing to marry Hongcheng, then this matter would be much easier to handle. At least in front of the Emperor, it would be more reasonable to argue.
"I don't know He Zongwei, but I hear he has a good reputation. I don't know where you get such anger from," Ye Ling 'er said casually.
"Anger?" Fan Xian smiled and didn't say it clearly. Vaguely, he said, "If the He and Fan families join in marriage, wouldn't that be like a lunchbox?"
"What kind of lunchbox?"
"Eight treasures rice."
"That's right, the Governor is holding a banquet at Yishi Tavern. Wan 'er wants me to remind you not to be late," Ye Ling' er said seriously.
Fan Xian's heart tightened. Only now did he remember this interesting matter. For the sake of the Great Prince taking a Secondary fei, Fan Xian had bravely taken on the heavy responsibility of disciplining the young lady of the Wang family. Immediately after, the arranged marriage appeared in the Palace. In his anger, Fan Xian did not leave any leeway in his lecture. It made Wang Tong 'er so angry that she howled out of the manor and offended the Commander of the Jingdou Garrison, Shi Fei.
He had thought that after this lesson, Wang Tong 'er would certainly be angry and never come back to the manor again. Unexpectedly, after a few days, Wang Tong 'er begged Shi Fei to bring her back to the Fan manor. She begged Sir Fan junior to take her as a disciple. Furthermore, her words were sincere. She said that she had changed a lot and would never act as recklessly as before.
The young lady of the Wang family had suddenly become so sensible. It gave Fan Xian a fright. He thought that this unruly young lady truly loved the Great Prince. Otherwise, she would not have wronged herself like this.
It was the second day that Yanjing Governor Wang Zhikun had returned to the capital to debrief. The Governor had personally invited Fan Xian to a banquet to thank him for helping him discipline his daughter.
"Wang Tong 'er is your fan." Fan Xian furrowed his brows. "Have you seen her before?"
Ye Ling 'er could guess what a fan meant. She smiled helplessly and said, "I saw her many years ago. At that time, she was just a little girl of seven or eight. Who would have thought that her temper would change so much when she grew up?"
"She's much better now," Fan Xian said with his eyes closed. "Looks like the young ladies are all the same. They're all masochists. If I don't give them a good beating, they won't listen to reason."
Ye Ling 'er's expression became awkward. Thinking of the old matter in Jingdou, she glared fiercely at Fan Xian and said, "Are you talking about me?"
Fan Xian's eyes remained closed, but a faint smile rose to the corners of his lips. "Back then, you were going to confess after being beaten. Now, you're confessing without being beaten."
As the two of them spoke, the carriage slowly turned back toward Jingdou. Crushing the ice and snow on the road, it moved forward along the deep tracks. Fan Xian felt that the carriage was a bit too hot. He lifted a corner of the window, hoping to let in some cool winter wind. His gaze moved along the window and caught a glimpse of silver branches and snow trees. It was a beautiful scenery.
He looked at this scene in a daze and couldn't help but think of himself. He Zongwei couldn't be too forceful, but he wasn't too worried. After he resolved the Dongyi matter next year and performed a great service for the Qing Kingdom, no matter how harsh and merciless the Emperor was, he would probably not be able to bear to force him again.
However, the wind and snow made it difficult for the horse to move forward. Fan Xian suddenly felt that he was like a horse in the Emperor's harness, forced to do his best to break through the wind and snow and drag a massive carriage forward into the distance. That distance might not be where the horse wanted to go.
He took a deep breath and allowed the cold wind to cool his chest and the heart hidden there. Putting down the curtain, he closed his eyes and thought calmly. Regardless of whether it was Xiliang or Dongyi, he was fighting so hard to be a pawn for the Emperor. He didn't want to change any of this. In the entire world, the only person he didn't have the courage to challenge was this unfathomable Emperor.
If Uncle Wu Zhu and the chest were still by his side, the situation would certainly change greatly. However, that change would not be good. Fan Xian shook his head and tossed aside this annoying possibility. Although Uncle Wu Zhu was his servant in name, in reality, he was his closest family. Everyone needed to find the most important thing in their lives.
Fortunately, the Emperor had changed a lot. Although his recent spats with Fan Xian and King Jing were very excessive, at least he showed some humanity, or perhaps it was the humanity of an old man. Regardless of which scent it was, it at least confirmed that the Emperor was beginning to walk out of his altar and was no longer an illusory figure high above.
… …
Winter passed and spring came. It was nonsense again. In short, on a bright and beautiful day in spring, the Qing Kingdom had long sent away the countless random snowfalls that had fallen and welcomed the warmer weather. Newly sprouted green buds and rustling emerald flowers were growing.
In the most important county in the northeast of the Qing Kingdom, Yanjing, a group of particularly important people welcomed them. It was already March. The green trees on both sides of the road swayed in the spring wind like children holding bouquets of flowers and shouting welcome. It looked like even these plants knew the importance of this group.
Yanjing was slightly to the north. From Jingdou, they went straight to Xiao Mountain, turned north, and passed through a flat road leading to Cangzhou. Stretching northeast, they arrived at this large city. Decades ago, this place had been a city of the Wei Kingdom. History called it Nanjing. However, it had been forcefully taken down by the Qing Kingdom's great Emperor and renamed Yanjing, taking the meaning of a swallow returning with mud in its mouth.
As for whether or not the old Yanjing had been the land of the Qing Kingdom's ancestors a thousand years ago, no one knew. However, the name Yanjing at least gave the Qing Kingdom a righteous name. Additionally, the people here were docile and lived mostly between changes of rulers, so they did not have strong national feelings. Thus, the Qing Kingdom had only ruled for 30 years, but it had become a familiar place. Just like that, it became the capital of the Qing Kingdom.
Yanjing was very large and prosperous. It bordered a dozen small vassal states controlled by Dongyi. It was particularly close to the Song Kingdom. If the Qing Kingdom wanted to conquer Dongyi, their army would have to come from Yanjing. Thus, during these 20 years, the soldiers on the border of Yanjing were the elite of the elite of the Qing military. They were on par with the Dingzhou army in Xiliang and the Northern Camp near Cangzhou in the north.
Yanjing was the largest city the Qing Kingdom had ever conquered. It was the best proof of the Qing Emperor's martial prowess. Thus, the court had always been very attentive to this place. Not only had they invested large amounts of manpower, resources, and money into the military, they had also given it special treatment in government affairs. The civil officials serving in Yanjing had all been raised half a rank. Even the six yamens had special offices in Yanjing.
Everyone knew the reason for such generous treatment. To the east of this place was Dongyi, and to the north, past Cangzhou, was Northern Qi. The Qing Kingdom wanted to unify the world, so Yanjing would certainly be the starting point of the army's attack and the front line headquarters.
The Qing Emperor had prepared for this for 30 years. He had managed Yanjing like an iron bucket. No one knew just how much grain and weapons were stored in the city.
Presently, the head of the Yanjing military was Governor Wang Zhikun. He had always been deeply trusted by the Qing Emperor. In the seventh year of the Qing calendar, the Yanjing Camp had played an important role in stabilizing the country. It was because of the Yanjing Camp's great power that the Cangzhou Northern Camp, which had lost Yan Xiaoyi, was so smoothly taken over by Shi Fei. The officials of Dongshan Road had no power to retaliate at all.
The head of the civil officials in Yanjing was also an important figure. His name was Mei Zhili. He was once a student of Duke Liu. Six or seven years ago, he had already taken up the position of Jingdou magistrate. Later, he rose through the ranks and came to Yanjing. He had long become a second-level local official, only half a rank lower than a governor.
These two important figures were waiting outside Yanjing with a smile. The officials and subordinates at their sides did not show any surprise. These officials and generals knew that although this group was not the Emperor's royal entourage, it was about the same rank as the royal entourage. Furthermore, Governor Wang's daughter was also in the group.
…
…
Amidst the music, countless signboards passed by. Eunuchs with swords walked by. The group of carriages stopped in front of the welcoming officials. A young official wearing black official robes with a light yellow ribbon around his waist lifted the curtain and came in front of the group.
The person who had come was Fan Xian. He had come with the identity of an imperial envoy, so he was not surprised to see the array of people in front of him. He only laughed bitterly and accompanied Governor Wang and Sir Mei to go through all the procedures. Only then did he let out a long breath. He invited the two of them to rise so he could greet them.
Wang Zhikun and Mei Zhili repeatedly said that they did not dare. Although the two of them were powerful officials, when they met this young master, they knew it was better to be respectful. Otherwise, no one knew what kind of wretched ending they would have in the future.
They had heard that the days of the currently popular Sir He in court had not been very good.
Wang Zhikun had only returned to Jingdou to report on his duties in the winter. He had met Fan Xian twice, so he was not a stranger, particularly since Fan Xian had brought Wang Tong 'er back along the way. He also had the identity of Wang Tong' er's private teacher. Thus, Wang Zhikun was particularly warm to him. Other than being polite, he purposely added a sense of ease.
Fan Xian smiled merrily as he watched this scene. He guessed that this military elder had purposely let Sir Mei see this. Regardless of whether it was in Dingzhou or Yanjing, there would always be friction. Governor Wang probably thought that with his help in court, Mei Zhili and the other civil officials would be more cautious.
Mei Zhili laughed at the side and then walked forward. He said to Fan Xian, "How is the old man?"
Fan Xian said seriously, "Father is living comfortably in Danzhou. The Duke's health is also good."
The Duke he was talking about was Lady Liu's father and Mei Zhili's teacher. Wang Zhikun watched this scene from the side and began to mutter in his heart. Only now did he understand that Old Mei and Sir Fan junior had long known each other.
Fan Xian and Mei Zhili were indeed old acquaintances. The first sensational thing that had happened when Fan Xian entered the capital had happened right under Mei Zhili's eyes. Mei Zhili had helped the Fan manor greatly in the matter of punching Guo Baokun in the street.
"Why are you not staying in court and instead running to Yanjing?" Fan Xian asked with a smile.
Mei Zhili lowered his voice and smiled. "How can a person be a Jingdou magistrate? It's best to run far away. "
The old man and the young man laughed loudly. Mei Zhili glanced at Wang Zhikun with an unspeakable pride. He thought, You're walking the path of the Duke of Danbo because you're relying on your own daughter. I'm relying on his parents. Who is close and who is distant is up to you.
Fan Xian laughed in spite of himself and said, "I don't think Sir Sun finds it difficult."
After these words were said, even Wang Zhikun couldn't resist stroking his beard and smiling. He thought, The Duke was indeed harsh and ruthless. Who in officialdom did not know of the Jingdou magistrate, Sun Jingxiu, who had profited from misfortune? If his daughter had not sold him out, he would probably have died long ago. Of course, every time this matter was brought up in officialdom, they couldn't help but discuss with shifty eyes how far Sir Fan junior had harmed the young lady, who placed righteousness before family, for her to be able to do such a thing.
… …
Fan Xian was only passing through Yanjing. His main goal was to go to Dongyi and participate in Sigu Jian's last opening of the Sword Hut. Everyone under heaven knew that this opening of the Sword Hut was probably the last time this Great Grandmaster would meet the world. The opening ceremony this time was very grand. Not only did nobles from Dongyi and the vassal states around the city go forward to give their greetings, but even Northern Qi and the Qing Kingdom, the two major powers in the world, were invited.
Everyone guessed that Sigu Jian was probably going to use this last opening of the Sword Hut to decide where Dongyi would lean in the future. Thus, the Northern Qi and Qing courts did not dare slight and each sent out representatives. Because of Fan Xian's relationship with Thirteenth Wang, he became the Qing Kingdom's representative.
As for why the imperial envoy would bring Wang Tong 'er back to Yanjing along the way, it was because the matter of the Great Prince taking a Secondary fei had been settled. In June, she would be preparing to enter the family. However, the reputation of a Secondary fei was not good. For the sake of Wang Zhikun's manor's face, the Emperor placed particular importance on it. He had the young lady return home first and then take her thousands of li back to Jingdou. In Fan Xian's view, this was purely because he had eaten too much and had nothing to do. However, the Wang family was grateful for the Emperor's favor and was unusually happy. He could only tire himself out.
That night, Fan Xian and his group rested in the Governor's manor. After Wang Tong 'er happily bowed to Fan Xian, she ran back to her boudoir to wait for the nannies to teach her the rules of marriage.
At the banquet, Wang Zhikun looked at Fan Xian awkwardly and said, "I have troubled you these few months."
The Governor knew the Great Prince's attitude toward the matter of taking a Secondary fei. Although he admired the Great Prince and wanted his daughter to marry him, as a father, he was always worried about his daughter. He knew that if Sir Fan junior had not taken up this matter, it would have been much more troublesome.
Fan Xian smiled and didn't speak of this matter. Lowering his eyes, he quietly asked, "Who went from Northern Qi?"
…
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