The row of single-story buildings at the foot of the Royal Palace were unremarkable, but they were important places for the Hall of Governmental Affairs to discuss matters. Passing through a courtyard in the back corridor, one could directly enter the Palace. It was the most important place. The Imperial Army and guards guarded it tightly. Even when the rebel army had surrounded the Palace, they had not thought of opening a gap from here because there were still layers of Palace walls behind the Hall of Governmental Affairs.
In the blink of an eye, it had been almost seven years since he left Danzhou in the spring of the fourth year of the Qing calendar. Other than the two years he had stayed intermittently in Jiangnan, most of the truly exciting, tense, and memorable times of Fan Xian's second life had been in Jingdou. His life and identity were different from most people in the Qing Kingdom. He had entered the Palace too many times. It was as easy and comfortable as going home. Regardless of whether it was his identity as the Commissioner of the Overwatch Council or his identity as the Emperor's illegitimate child, the restrictions of the Palace did not exist for him.
On the seventh day of the New Year, Fan Xian strolled to the row of single-story buildings below the Royal Palace like he was taking a stroll. Although the New Year had just passed, the Hall of Governmental Affairs was still busy. Officials from various departments had come to discuss matters. No one noticed a figure holding a black cloth umbrella in the snow. Entering the inner area, the imperial soldiers and guards responsible for inspection were dumbfounded by Fan Xian's warm smile. They watched in a daze as he walked in.
Fan Xian had come too naturally and naturally. All of the imperial soldiers and guards were familiar with the fact that this young man could enter and leave the Royal Palace without any hindrance. For a moment, they did not react. They allowed him to pass through layers of guards and come directly to the main room of the Hall of Governmental Affairs.
There were two heated kang beds in the main room. A few layers of things were thrown haphazardly on top. Memorials from various places, as well as edicts the Emperor had drafted, were piled everywhere. Ink and paper were piled haphazardly on the table. In the center of the Qing court, the working conditions did not look good. A few scholars and scribes were busy until Fan Xian put down the black umbrella dripping with snow water.
The main room of the Hall of Governmental Affairs was silent. Everyone stared in a daze at Fan Xian. They didn't know why this figure, who had been severely punished by the Emperor, would suddenly appear here.
As Fan Xian walked through the streets of Jingdou, the various restaurants and yamens in Jingdou had already changed. However, the timing of the attack this time was perfect. When Fan Xian walked into the main room of the Hall of Governmental Affairs, the flames of revenge were just beginning to burn all around Jingdou. The news had not yet reached the Palace.
Of Fan Xian's sudden arrival, the first person to react was Scholar Pan. Scholar Pan Lin, who was closest to the door, of the bright light. This old scholar opened his slightly aged eyes and looked at Fan. He coughed and said, "Why are you here?"
Ever since he was young, Fan Xian had learned Pan the Scholar's handwriting. He had also earned his first silver from the newspaper Pan the Scholar edited. Although he had not interacted with him twice in Jingdou, Fan Xian was always respectful to the old man. He smiled and replied, "The Emperor summoned me to the Palace in the afternoon. I had just arrived at the entrance to the Royal Palace when it suddenly began to snow. I thought it would be pointless to stand in the snow, so I came here to see you all."
With these words, only then did everyone in the room remember that the Emperor had indeed sent an edict to summon Fan Xian into the Palace. Relaxing, they each smiled warmly and went forward to greet him. The officials of the Hall of Governmental Affairs were different from the officials of the yamens below them. What they paid the most attention to was being in the same light as the dust. They were powerful but not angry, particularly as they were the officials closest to the Emperor. They knew Fan Xian's true position in court, so no one dared to slight him.
He Zongwei was the last to stand and walk over. There was a glimmer of self-control in his calm expression. The moment he appeared, the entire room of the Hall of Governmental Affairs immediately fell silent. Even Scholar Pan Lin coughed and left with his back bent.
Everyone knew that Scholar He was following the Emperor's edict and doing his best to attack the pitiful power Sir Fan junior had left behind. Everyone also knew that during these years, Sir Fan junior and Scholar He had never interacted harmoniously, not even once. The situation had changed a long time ago. Scholar He was so popular that it was almost purple. His position in the Hall of Governmental Affairs was faintly higher than Scholar Hu's. Faced with Fan Xian, who had sunk into a difficult situation, what would he say or do?
"Long time no see." He Zongwei looked at Fan Xian warmly. "It's not time yet. Sit down and drink a cup of hot tea to warm your body. Otherwise, you'll have to stand for half a day in the royal study."
These words were spoken warmly, sincerely, and lightly. It moved one's expression. The concern that came from the depths of his words was something that anyone could hear. He Zongwei's behavior gave one the feeling that there had never been any problems between these two most famous young nobles in the Qing court.
Truly intelligent people would have heard other meanings. This was the leniency of a victor toward a loser. This was a concern from a higher position.
The corners of Fan Xian's mouth twitched slightly in a not-quite-there smile. He then slowly raised his head and looked at the dark-skinned scholar in front of him. He paused for a moment and then calmly said, "I came here today to say a few words to you. That's right, my time hasn't come yet … but yours has. "
No one could understand these words. Even He Zongwei himself did not hear the sinister background tone in them. He paused slightly and furrowed his brows as he looked at Fan Xian. It was as if he wanted to say something. Unexpectedly, he heard a clamor coming from outside the Hall of Governmental Affairs. There were a few unsuppressable cries of surprise mixed in the chaotic noise.
"What a mess!" He Zongwei's expression was slightly heavy. He looked at the official who had charged through the door and reprimanded him slightly angrily.
"Sir! Deputy Cheng of the Supreme Court and the new Imperial Censor of the Left, Guo Zheng, have been killed on the street! "The official fearfully reported the news that had come from outside earlier.
Hearing this news, it was as if the entire room exploded. Shocked cries rang out. The officials of the Hall of Governmental Affairs managed the Qing court for the Emperor. When had they ever heard of such a high-ranking court official being assassinated in the street?
He Zongwei's body froze. The deputy of the Supreme Court and Imperial Censor Guo Zheng were both his trusted aides, particularly Guo Zheng. He had always viewed the Fan faction as a great enemy and had done many things for him in Jiangnan. He had performed a great service for the Emperor, which was why he had found an opportunity to move him back to Jingdou. In the end, he had just returned to Jingdou and died?
A glimmer of paleness flashed across his dark face. It quickly returned to normal. He abruptly raised his head and stared at Fan Xian's handsome face. His eyes narrowed and glowed with a cold light.
Without waiting for He Zongwei to open his mouth to speak, Fan Xian gently lowered his eyelids. Amidst the cries of surprise, he quietly said, "The Minister of Revenue is also dead, as are two vice ministers. This is the list I drafted. Take a look and see if you missed anything."
After Fan Xian said this, he took out a thin piece of paper from his clothes and handed it over. He Zongwei's hand began to tremble uncontrollably. He accepted the paper and scanned it roughly. He saw the names and positions of a dozen officials. They were all his trusted aides.
After Fan Xian handed the list to Scholar He, the entire room in the Hall of Governmental Affairs immediately fell silent. It was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop to the ground.
Fan Xian carelessly rubbed his temples and inserted the thin needle between his fingers back into his hair. Calmly, he said, "I don't want to kill innocent officials, so please confirm. If these are all your people, then I can rest easy."
The slip of paper full of names floated to the ground. The room was silent. At this moment, everyone knew that the bloodshed in Jingdou had been caused by Sir Fan junior. However, they didn't know if what he said was true. Had all those court officials died today?
He Zongwei understood Fan Xian, so he knew Fan Xian was not lying. Presumably, the names on the paper had already become a wisp of resentful spirit. He raised his head. His eyes burned with a venomous fire as he stared fixedly at Fan Xian. He didn't know why Fan Xian was doing this. Did he not know that doing this was a road to death? In this moment, He Zongwei felt a faint sense of pride. He had actually forced Fan Xian to this path of life and death.
"Why … Someone! Capture this murderer! " Everyone thought that He Zongwei was going to angrily denounce Fan Xian's inhuman evil actions in front of the officials. No one had expected that halfway through his words, He Zongwei would yell out loudly. Using the fastest speed, he hid behind the officials.
It was still He Zongwei who understood Fan Xian the best. Since Fan Xian had already disregarded life and death and had gone on a killing spree in Jingdou, he had the thought of fighting to the death. Seeing that Fan Xian had come to the Hall of Governmental Affairs to put down his umbrella before entering the Palace, it was not just to use these dead people's names to mock and attack him. He wanted to kill him.
Until now, no one believed that Fan Xian would dare to explode and kill people at the foot of the Royal Palace, in the solemn location of the center of the Qing Kingdom. However, He Zongwei believed it. He knew that the vicious young noble in front of him would dare to do anything once he went crazy. Thus, he did not care about the dignity of an official. As he cried out in terror for the imperial soldiers to protect him, he ran for his life toward the back of the officials.
Fan Xian did not chase after him. He only watched his actions with a pitying and mocking gaze. He looked at the pale face behind everyone.
After all, this was the Hall of Governmental Affairs in front of the Royal Palace. Long before He Zongwei's cry, there were already imperial soldiers and internal guards who had noticed the commotion. Once they realized that something was wrong, a dozen guards and three imperial army generals had already charged into the large room of the Hall of Governmental Affairs. Pulling out the knives at their waists, they cautiously surrounded Fan Xian.
No matter how powerful Fan Xian was, he would not be able to kill his way out of the encirclement of these internal court guards in an instant. Seeing this scene, everyone felt a bit more at ease. Behind the crowd, He Zongwei's expression also looked slightly better. The paleness was gone. On the contrary, there were two threads of red. In a stern voice, he yelled, "Quickly, capture this murderer!"
A person's name was like a tree's shadow. Even if everyone knew that the blood in Jingdou had been shed under Sir Fan junior's order, before they investigated clearly, who would go forward to capture Fan Xian? Particularly in a situation where Fan Xian had not made the first move, how could the imperial army generals and internal court guards dare to rashly charge forward?
There was panic at the foot of the Royal Palace. The sound of soldiers being mobilized rang out everywhere. In an instant, urgent sounds came from outside the large room of the Hall of Governmental Affairs. Countless imperial soldiers surrounded the room, surrounding Fan Xian and the officials who actually controlled the Qing court inside.
Even if Fan Xian had a pair of wings, he probably wouldn't be able to fly out. However, it seemed that he didn't want to escape. He just looked calmly at He Zongwei behind the crowd and casually took a step forward.
This step shattered the courage of countless officials. Cries of surprise rang out in the room. The dozen guards surrounding Fan Xian pressed forward.
Fan Xian stopped his steps and looked at He Zongwei not far away through the heads of the crowd. Calmly, he said, "Perhaps it is as many people say, you are actually a capable official. In the future, it is very likely that you will become a famous official whose name will go down in history."
Then, he shook his head and said, "However, I won't give you this opportunity to continue living. Speaking of which, it's strange. For some reason, I loathe you so much. This loathing is completely without reason. You are too materialistic and always want to step on others to climb up. This kind of behavior is what I dislike the most. "
"Even if I don't like it, at most, I'll just punch you a few times. Unexpectedly, you later threw your entire life into opposing me," Fan Xian said with a slight smile. "It's a pity that this career is not very glorious. On the contrary, it gives me even more reasons to kill you."
Fan Xian smiled warmly. In the eyes of everyone in the room, this smile was sinister, terrifying, and full of murderous intent. However, he didn't seem to have any intention of attacking. Thus, the imperial soldiers and guards around him didn't move lightly. They were terrified of provoking this figure's craziness and starting a massacre.
Hearing the latter part of Fan Xian's words, a severe light flashed through He Zongwei's eyes. He prepared to open his mouth and say something coldly. Unexpectedly, a sharp pain came from his abdomen. This pain was very real and very wretched. It immediately made his face pale. He couldn't say a word.
"You are a petty person who is passionate about materialism and doesn't care about the cost to climb up. You can hide it from the Emperor, the officials of the court, and even the people of the world. But, how can you hide it from me?" Fan Xian's gaze became cold. "Your seemingly clean hands are stained with the blood of many people. Just how many people's wronged souls are on your official robes? You know, and I know."
"Today, I am killing you and your He faction officials to carry out justice on behalf of heaven and to help the Emperor cleanse the Emperor's side." Fan Xian said words that even he didn't believe. He looked mockingly at He Zongwei's pale face, bullying him for not being able to say a word.
"I don't understand why you would do anything to climb up and step on the corpses of my subordinates to climb up. Later, I finally understood. It is not because of the natural enmity between the Imperial Censorate and the Overwatch Council. It is also not because I am unwilling to marry my sister to you. Furthermore, it is not because the Emperor has any instructions for you. "
Fan Xian sighed with pity. "All of this is because you are jealous of me. You are not as good as me in literature, martial arts, reputation, or power. No matter how hard you work or how many big black dogs you raise, you will never be able to catch up to me in this lifetime."
"Of course, you are not convinced. You are not convinced that I have a good father and mother. However, this is fate. What is there to be unconvinced about?"
A few soybean-sized beads of sweat rolled down He Zongwei's pale forehead. He stared at Fan Xian with a pair of hateful eyes. He wanted to angrily say something, but he didn't have the strength to open his mouth. He already had no strength to stand. Dispiritedly, he sat on the side of the kang.
"This is grievance. The grievance of the Emperor is the source of internal chaos in the Qing Kingdom." Fan Xian stared at He Zongwei sitting on the side of the kang. Enunciating each word, he said, "Too much grievance prevents heartbreak. Today, I will grant you a heartbreak."
Every word and sentence was like a small knife stabbing into He Zongwei's ears. Even if he didn't want to hear it, he had no choice. He knew that the officials of his He faction had all died today. Furthermore, Fan Xian had to have a backup plan in secret. However, he didn't know why Fan Xian would say so many useless things in front of so many officials.
The officials had died. As long as he was alive, he would still have the Emperor's favor. In the future, he would be able to nurture his own power again. But, why was it that after those small knives entered his ears, they began to move randomly around his abdomen? Why was it that those knives were cutting his intestines and making him wish he was dead?
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I will grant you a heartbreak! After these words were said, the atmosphere in the row of single-story houses at the foot of the Royal Palace immediately became tense. All of the officials scattered in all directions to avoid Fan Xian's storm-like attacks that might immediately appear. The Imperial Soldiers endlessly surged in from outside the house and formed into countless rows, blocking in front of He Zongwei.
The fully armored Imperial Soldiers formed a formation and squeezed the spacious Hall of Governmental Affairs room until it was particularly cramped. They stared nervously at Fan Xian, who was alone.
Just as the swords were drawn and the fight was about to break out at any moment, a mournful and urgent cry came from the courtyard of the Hall of Governmental Affairs against the Royal Palace walls.
"No!"
Hu the Scholar, covered in snow and water, charged in from the direction of the Royal Palace. After hearing Fan Xian's speech at the Imperial College this morning, he knew that something big was going to happen in Jingdou. He had rushed to the Royal Palace at the first opportunity. However, he had been delayed for a while. He only had time to say a few words to the Emperor before he heard a eunuch report that court officials had mysteriously died in various places in Jingdou. Immediately after, there was an urgent report that Fan Xian had already killed his way into the Hall of Governmental Affairs.
No one dared to stop Hu the Scholar. At such a tense moment, no one cared about his entrance. At most, a few officials of the Hall of Governmental Affairs saw Hu the Scholar rush to Fan Xian's side. They were worried that he would be injured by Fan Xian, this madman, and cried out in worry.
Hu the Scholar paid no attention to these cries. He grabbed Fan Xian from behind and used his old life to drag Fan Xian back. In a loud and panicked voice, he yelled, "You're crazy!"
In everyone's eyes, everything that had happened today showed that Sir Fan junior, whose talent in poetry had shocked the world, was clearly crazy. Otherwise, how could he trample on the dignity of the court and do so many heinous and treasonous things? If what had happened in Jingdou was not rebellion, what could it be?
Hu the Scholar knew that just the matter of those officials being assassinated in Jingdou was enough to anger the Emperor and send Fan Xian to eternal damnation. However, he still held onto Fan Xian with all his might, not letting him act. Killing a scholar in the Hall of Governmental Affairs was like spilling blood in front of the palace.
Not only in the Qing Kingdom, but in the entire world, such a hair-raising scene had never appeared before.
The scene was comical and funny, but no one laughed. It was completely silent at the foot of the palace walls. Everyone watched in fear as Hu the Scholar used his old and weak body to hold onto Fan Xian with all his might. How could he drag and hold onto him?
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…
Fan Xian suddenly felt a glimmer of warmth finally grow in his icy cold heart. He smiled and lowered his head. "Let go, it's already too late."
Behind him, Hu the Scholar's body froze. Trembling, he loosened his grip and glanced at Fan Xian with disbelief.
He Zongwei, who had been hiding behind the crowd and sitting in fear on the edge of the kang, suddenly retched and spat out a mouthful of black blood.
The blood soaked through the robes of many officials in front of him. It was black and ugly. Cries of surprise rang out in the room. A few officials quickly went forward to support He Zongwei and began to desperately call for a royal doctor.
He Zongwei's eyes began to dim, and his hearing also began to fade. He could not clearly hear what his colleagues beside him were shouting. He could only clearly feel the pain in his abdomen. Those little knives seemed to have successfully chopped his passionate and hot-blooded intestines into pieces.
He Zongwei knew he couldn't make it. He didn't know when Fan Xian had poisoned him. He also didn't notice the small needle mark on the little finger of his right hand. He just felt dissatisfied. He clearly had hot-bloodedness toward the world and the court. He was willing to shed his blood for a clear reputation. Why was it that in the end, what he spat out was a puddle of black blood?
His blurry gaze searched for Fan Xian's cold face. There was great resentment and dissatisfaction in his heart. As an official, what was wrong with working for the Emperor and the court? Was it to kill some people and betray some people? For thousands of years, hadn't people in officialdom always done this? Did Fan Xian not let innocent people die because of him? You didn't have to betray anyone because you were born to be the master, while we were born to be the servants.
He Zongwei wanted to angrily ask Fan Xian, What right do you have to use those strange reasons to kill me? You're just a wastrel who doesn't see the big picture and only does things according to your own likes and dislikes. However, in the end, he couldn't say this question. The black blood gushing endlessly from his lips stopped him from speaking and breathing.
Just before the royal doctor rushed over, the scholar and Imperial Censor, the most popular person in the Qing court these three years, He Zongwei, died at the foot of the Royal Palace, in the yamen of the Hall of Governmental Affairs. He spat up blood and died with his intestines broken.
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…
During this process, Fan Xian had been watching He Zongwei calmly and coldly, even callously. He watched him vomit blood, watched him struggle in pain, and watched him take his last breath. The expression on his face remained calm and did not change at all. He didn't know of He Zongwei's resentment and dissatisfaction before his death. He didn't need to know. The officials who died on the seventh day of the first month in the 11th year of the Qing calendar, including He Zongwei himself, were actually just preparatory work.
He Zongwei's death had nothing to do with his likes and dislikes. It was for the people he had to protect. For the people in Jiangnan, Xiliang, and Jingdou who had already died, this official the Emperor had raised specifically to deal with Fan Xian had to die.
This was just one part of the machine-like calm calculations. Fan Xian only needed to confirm this person's death. He didn't sigh too much in his heart. There was still time to sigh about things before he died.
Hu the Scholar stared in a daze at He Zongwei's body. He then turned his head heavily and looked at Fan Xian's icy face with an angry, disappointed, and dazed emotion. An icy voice squeezed out of his chest.
"Capture this murderer."
He stood by Fan Xian's side, disappointed and angry. He gave the order to capture and even kill Fan Xian. He didn't care that Fan Xian could casually stretch out his hand and have him follow He Zongwei in death.
Naturally, Fan Xian would not kill him. He looked at Hu the Scholar and smiled apologetically.
Just as the Imperial Soldiers charged forward, the head eunuch of the internal court, Eunuch Yao, finally arrived at the Hall of Governmental Affairs. In a sharp voice and powerful zhenqi, he yelled, "The Emperor has an edict to bring the traitor Fan Xian into the Palace!"
The edict had finally arrived. Without question, this was an edict determined to take his life. However, the edict was for Fan Xian to enter the Palace. Everything regarding the Emperor and his illegitimate child could not be seen or heard by these officials in court.
There was silence in the large room. Countless gazes turned toward Fan Xian's body. Fan Xian was silent for a moment. He then looked at Eunuch Yao and asked, "Should I tie him up?"
Eunuch Yao was silent and didn't say a word. Fan Xian couldn't resist sighing. If he wanted to tie him up, no one could tie him up. However, the Emperor's edict could easily turn his family and friends in this world into ropes they could never struggle free of.
"I left my umbrella by the door. Don't let someone steal it."
After Fan Xian said this, he followed Eunuch Yao deeper into the Palace. Behind him, the officials still surrounded He Zongwei's body in incomparable grief.
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