Yesterday, there were many brothers and sisters who stayed up all night with me. There was a kind of strength in my heart … Haha, at nine in the morning, I really couldn't stay up and went to sleep. In the end, I slept until five or six in the afternoon.
At this moment, I sincerely offer up the last chapter of the Qing Yu year. There are 11,000 words in total. It is not charged and is free because I want to share this last feeling with everyone.
The epilogue will also follow. It will probably be within two days. Licking my lips, it is truly indescribably moving.
…
…
A long, long time later, in the spring.
In the beautiful city of Hangzhou, a young man was riding on a big green horse. Behind him were many servants and guards, and the formation was quite grand. The young man walked along the weeping willow bank of West Lake. Occasionally, he would raise his hand to push aside the willow branches in front of him. There was a smile on his face, but he did not pretend to be at ease. On the contrary, he exuded a sense of scholarly nobility and an indescribable sense of freedom.
Occasionally, pleasure boats passed by on the lake, but there were no beautiful women waving their red sleeves like in the rumors. Beside the young man, a person who looked like a housekeeper laughed in a high voice and said, "Everyone says that there are many beauties in West Lake. How come I don't see any?"
The young man on the green horse furrowed his brows slightly. He probably felt that the housekeeper's words were too beneath his status. On another horse, a person who looked like an ace coldly said, "Baoyue Brothel has opened all over the world, but there are people who fish in West Lake every day. Who would dare to make a living in West Lake?
These words were spoken somewhat strangely and carried a glimmer of coldness that could not be suppressed.
The Qing Kingdom was still the most powerful country in the world. Although the Overwatch Council in Jingdou had been reformed and even the position of Director had been removed, the Emperor's supervision of officials had reached an unprecedentedly strict level. Relying on the abundance of the national treasury and the methods of a certain predecessor, he had greatly increased the salaries of officials. Although the matter of running amok in the countryside could not be completely stopped, in a place as romantic as Hangzhou, would anyone dare to take over all of West Lake?
The young man on the green horse furrowed his brows slightly and looked at the commoners in the distance moving out of their way. He paid attention to their clothing and expressions and turned his attention elsewhere.
A few years ago, the Qing Emperor was on an expedition to the North. Unexpectedly, just as war was about to break out, a startling change happened in the Royal Palace in Jingdou. The Qing rebel Fan Xian entered the Palace to assassinate the Emperor. Unfortunately, the Emperor died. Once this news came out, the world was shocked. The country was thrown into turmoil. The Qing Iron Riders, who had already attacked the walls of Nanjing, had no choice but to retreat. They let go of the delicacy they had already swallowed. However, they still occupied a large piece of Northern Qi territory.
The matter of the Qing Kingdom's Northern expedition was delayed. After the new Emperor cleaned up the court, cultivated trusted aides, and regained the confidence of the Qing people, the Northern expedition was still not brought to the table. It felt like it would drag on forever.
However, Northern Qi did not let down its guard because of the unrest in the South. Under the careful governance of the Zhan family Emperor, the Northern Qi Kingdom prospered and prospered. The strength of the country was gradually recovering. If this stalemate continued, the Qing Kingdom's next Northern expedition would probably become particularly difficult.
Everyone who knew about the details of the assassination that shocked the entire world, including the Qing court, kept it a secret. They only used the fastest speed to nail Fan Xian to the pillar of shame.
No one had any doubts about this. After all, the present Emperor was the Emperor's own son. Although everyone knew that the Emperor and Fan Xian had a brotherly and teacher-student relationship, it was impossible for him to let go of the hatred of his father's death.
What everyone found strange was why the Qing court did not tie this shocking matter to Northern Qi or Dongyi. Instead, they used the anger of the nation to directly carry out the Northern expedition to the end. Instead, whether intentionally or not, they removed Northern Qi and Dongyi from this matter.
…
…
No one knew that the young man on the green horse was the present Emperor of the Qing Kingdom. Naturally, no one recognized that the ace accompanying him was the foremost ace of the Qing Kingdom, the Deputy of the Bureau of Military Affairs, Ye Wan.
If the Northern Qi learned of this news and knew that the Qing Emperor and Ye Wan had appeared at the same time in Hangzhou, far from Jingdou, they would probably send out a large number of assassins to try their luck. After all, if the Qing Emperor and Ye Wan died at the same time, the Qing Kingdom's strength would probably be halved.
The present Qing Emperor was the Third Prince, Li Chengping, born of the previous Emperor and Imperial Consort Yi. Since he dared to leave Jingdou and come to Hangzhou for a walk in the spring, he was not worried about these safety issues. Ye Wan beside him was a rare ninth-level ace. No one knew how many palace aces were hidden around him. Most importantly, Li Chengping did not believe there was anyone in this world who could harm him by the side of West Lake.
"A dozen years ago, in the sixth year of the Qing calendar, I stayed in Jiangnan for an entire year." Li Chengping sat on the green horse and gazed at the gentle ripples on the surface of West Lake. His gaze also became gentle. "Although I stayed in Suzhou's Hua Garden for a long time, I also lived in the manor by West Lake for a while. Thinking about it now, it was the most relaxed days of my life."
"Your Majesty shoulders the peace of the world and the hopes of tens of thousands of people. Naturally, you cannot be as relaxed and happy as you were in your youth," Ye Wan said without much emotion. The two of them were by the willow bank of West Lake. Around them were people from the Palace. Passersby all stayed far away, so there was no need to avoid the conversation between ruler and official.
Li Chengping listened to Ye Wan's old-fashioned, arrogant, and hidden words of advice. He smiled slightly and did not reveal any feelings of loathing. First, he respected Ye Wan's loyalty to him. Second, Ye Wan had once been his martial tutor. Even now, Li Chengping only saw the man he had not seen for a long time as his only teacher.
A group of people slowly advanced along the beautiful willow bank of West Lake toward the mountain, breaking the peace that had been maintained for many days. They came to an elegant courtyard with gray walls and black eaves.
"I haven't been here for many years, but this courtyard hasn't changed much."
Li Chengping dismounted his horse with a calm expression. The door to the courtyard had long been opened, ready to welcome the Emperor's incognito arrival. Standing in front of the courtyard with the door wide open that still had an impression of, the Qing Emperor tidied his clothes and stepped in.
The courtyard beside West Lake faced the water and had its back to the mountain. The back was quiet and secluded, but it did not have much of the dampness of the mountain. The lake water and the gentle wind passed through the forest and into the courtyard, making the voice in the study at the back of the courtyard become very gentle.
"Sir, I have completely lost your secret support these years …"
"Sir, there is something I do not understand …"
"Sir …"
…
…
The person called sir by the Qing Emperor was silent for a long time and still didn't speak. It was not until a long time later that the voice rang out quietly, "Since Your Majesty has come, then rest a bit more at West Lake. The scenery in Jiangnan is good, and the weather is good. It is better than Jingdou's hot summers and cold winters."
Li Chengping's voice was also silent for a long time. It carried a slight hidden bitterness. Slowly, he said, "Sir, in the end, I am the Son of a country."
"Your Majesty, I am well aware of this matter. However, I have long ceased to be an official of the Qing Kingdom, am I not?"
"Sir, regarding the matter of the palace treasury, you still have to give the court an explanation. Now that the Overwatch Council has found the whereabouts of that village, as the Emperor, I cannot pretend to be deaf and mute."
"Your Majesty, if there is any official who is angry about this matter, there is no harm in having them come find me. I don't mind letting them know exactly what this palace treasury is."
The conversation stopped here and reached an impasse. The side of the study facing the courtyard had an open window pierced through by glass. Fan Xian sat beside the bright table under the window and moved his gaze away from Li Chengping's face. Narrowing his eyes slightly, he looked toward the peach blossom tree in the courtyard.
A number of years had already passed. He had also disappeared from the world for a number of years. He had even disappeared from the discussions in the tea shops and alleys. Without a doubt, many people had already forgotten the Qing Kingdom's immortal poet, powerful official, and final rebel. His appearance had not changed much. A number of years was not enough to add the color of wind and frost to his brows and hair. It was still the same as before. However, his expression was increasingly calm and unruffled, calm, and unmoving.
Li Chengping glanced at him and slowly raised the teacup in his hand. Taking a shallow sip, he did not purposely hide the worry between his brows. Ye Wan, who had been standing by his side the entire time, narrowed his eyes and looked at the person who looked like Tian Jiaweng. His brows gradually furrowed. It had been many years since he had seen this person. Although he secretly knew that this person was living comfortably in the world, Ye Wan was still unable to accept this reality.
A rebel who tried to assassinate the previous Emperor was actually able to live a peaceful life in the Qing Kingdom. This absurd reality made it difficult for Ye Wan to suppress the anger in his heart. However, he knew that now was not the time to flare up. He still couldn't resist slowly saying in an icy voice, "Sir Fan junior, in front of the Emperor, it is best to abide by your duty as an official."
Fan Xian turned his head and smiled. He didn't say anything. He knew Ye Wan's personality and his present position in the court. He also knew why Ye Wan had such deep enmity toward him. Duty as an official? If he had truly thought of himself as an official of the Qing Kingdom, the things in the Palace would not have happened in the past.
It was not only Ye Wan who wanted to eat Fan Xian's flesh and sleep with his skin. Most of the loyal officials in the Qing court felt a powerful hatred toward the already disappeared Sir Fan junior. In order to quell this hatred, the Qing court had long beaten the Fan clan into the dust. All of the Fan clan's property had been confiscated. It was not brought into the national treasury. It was handed to King Jing's manor to manage.
Because the Emperor's mother came from Duke Liu's manor, the Duke's Alley was not implicated by Fan Xian. Furthermore, most of the Fan clan had long left Jingdou. Their property had been confiscated, but it had been handed to King Jing's manor. This could shut the mouths of most of the officials, but how could it truly harm Fan Xian?
Fan Xian smiled calmly, warmly, and sincerely at Li Chengping and said, "It's been many years since I've seen Your Majesty. Although court matters are troublesome, it's best if you stay for a few more days."
He completely ignored Ye Wan. This was a kind of self-restraint, coldness, and confidence.
Li Chengping smiled slightly and said, "That's fine. It's been a long time since I've seen sister Chen and that pair of clowns."
Fan Xian also smiled and said, "Shuning and Liang 'er are probably practicing calligraphy with Sisi right now. Your Majesty, go first. I'll come after changing." He smiled bitterly. "Nowadays, I sleep every day and wake up late. I have truly neglected them."
…
…
The Emperor of the Qing Kingdom, Li Chengping, and the famous general of the Qing army, Ye Wan, walked out of the study like two normal guests. Fan Xian did not personally accompany them. This kind of treatment and situation was truly difficult to understand. However, Li Chengping and Ye Wan maintained their silence and did not show any anger. The conversation in the study earlier had completely expressed Fan Xian's attitude.
The housekeeper of the West Lake Fan manor humbly led the way in front. The housekeeper's appearance was delicate and pretty. At first glance, one would feel a sense of closeness to him. However, there were still a few acne scars on his face. It was a bit of a pity. Washed away by the warm and peaceful smile on his face, not many people would notice this.
Walking along the quiet and beautiful stone path in the manor, Li Chengping looked at the back of the housekeeper in front of him and suddenly furrowed his brows slightly. He felt that the figure was familiar, particularly the way this person responded earlier. It had the deep style of a court. It made the Qing Emperor think of an unimportant figure.
"Hong Zhu?" Li Chengping furrowed his brows slightly and called out probingly.
"Yes, Your Majesty." The Fan manor housekeeper's body froze slightly. He immediately turned around and bowed respectfully.
Li Chengping looked at him with a strange gaze. After a long time, he faintly opened his mouth and said, "When Sir left Jingdou, he only asked me for you. I never understood. Unexpectedly, you were able to stay by his side the entire time."
Countless thoughts surged through the Emperor's heart. In the Fan manor, he didn't say much. He only waved his hand and had Hong Zhu lead him to the side yard.
I am the dividing line at the end of the chapter.
The Qing Emperor, who was patrolling incognito, did not stay by West Lake for long. After three days and two more fruitless conversations with Fan Xian, Emperor Li Chengping and Ye Wan left the Fan manor by West Lake and headed in the direction of Suzhou.
In the entire Qing court, only a few important figures at the very top knew that Fan Xian was now living in seclusion by West Lake. Xue Qing, who was still the Governor of Jiangnan Road, also knew. After Li Chengping ascended to the throne, he had rotated the governors of the seven Roads under heaven. However, he had never touched Jiangnan Road. One reason was because Jiangnan Road was of utmost importance to the Qing Kingdom. The other reason might be that he had the thought of using Xue Qing, a powerful figure, to check and balance Fan Xian, who was living in seclusion.
Amidst the sound of horse hooves, Li Chengping's expression was calm. After a long silence, he suddenly said, "When Sir took Hong Zhu from the Palace, I thought it was as the rumors said, that Hong Zhu was the head eunuch that Sir hated the most. I couldn't bear to see him … now I find that Hong Zhu is actually one of his people."
Li Chengping's brows furrowed slightly. He also changed the way he addressed Fan Xian from "Sir" to "Sir". Presumably, the exposure of Hong Zhu's identity had made the most powerful ruler in the world feel a faint sense of unease and anger.
"Who would have thought that he had hidden so many people in the Palace? No wonder he could enter and leave the Palace unhindered. Nothing in the Palace could be hidden from him. In the end, even father lost to him."
Ye Wan was silent to the side. He hoped that the Emperor could order the court to carry out the most thorough attack against Fan Xian's faction hidden in the darkness. However, the changes in the situation these few years made Ye Wan clearly feel what kind of influence Sir Fan junior, who was nominally living in seclusion, had on the Qing Kingdom and the entire world. It was basically impossible to purge him in such a situation.
Li Chengping, sitting on the green horse, suddenly sighed and said, "I know what you want to say. There's no need to say it. I have studied with Sir since I was young and know what kind of person he is. Mother will not allow me to have other thoughts. "
He turned his head and glanced at Ye Wan. He thought to himself that in the court, there was probably only this loyal official who had the most ability to assist him. As for Sir, how could he come to assist him? He could only pray that he didn't make any more big trouble.
Was there some dissatisfaction? Fortunately, Li Chengping had sat on the throne for a long time, but deep in his heart, there was still the fear, fear, gratitude, and worship from his youth toward Fan Xian. These emotions were complicated, so his gaze was also complicated. Through the green trees by the side of the road, he looked at the beautiful spring scenery in the southeast. Faintly, he said, "Without Sir, it would be impossible for me to sit on this chair."
Other than the scholars and officials in the court, who still retained a powerful murderous intent toward Fan Xian's name, the common people under heaven did not have much anger toward Fan Xian. The things that benefited the people, the legs of the stools, and the halls, all had a large "Hang" carved into them.
…
…
Life by the West Lake was very comfortable. Fan Xian had already lived a number of peaceful years. However, the peace of this spring had been disturbed by the Emperor's sudden visit. His heart seemed to have left the realm of tranquility. On the morning after Li Chengping left, he began to stroll through the garden with fresh dew on his head.
A pair of children had already grown up and had long begun to learn. Now, they were working hard with Sisi to practice calligraphy every day. Back in Danzhou, Sisi had helped Fan Xian copy out a great deal of The Story of the Stone. Her small regular script was beautiful. Fan Xian was not worried. He only felt a bit of heartache that the children had to wake up so early.
Lin Wan 'er walked up from behind him and took out an unlined robe to drape over his body. "Be careful not to catch a cold."
"How long did you play mahjong last night?" Fan Xian glanced at her mischievously and asked teasingly. Presently, Sisi still had to be responsible for the children's studies. Other than occasionally looking at the accounts of the Hangzhou Conference, Lin Wan 'er had nothing else to do. Thus, she threw her limited life into the limitless work of building up the city wall and enjoyed it tirelessly.
"The people in the family aren't good enough. After a few rounds, they scattered," Lin Wan 'er replied with a smile. Lin Wan'er replied with a smile. She looked like a young married woman in her twenties, but her smile was still as bright and gentle as before. Her large eyes were still untainted by the dust of the world.
"When the Second Prince comes back, let's see how he'll sort you out," Fan Xian said with a smile.
"Speaking of Sizhe, Yu Chang came yesterday with a message from father. At the time, the Emperor was talking to you. I was afraid that these matters were important, so I didn't disturb you."
Yu Chang was the black-clothed Tiger Guard. He had followed the retired Minister of Revenue, Fan Jian, for many years. He was the Fan clan's most trustworthy aide. Hearing these words, Fan Xian furrowed his brows slightly and asked, "What is the matter with father?"
"Nothing important. He just wants us to go back to Danzhou in a while. Grandmother misses you. Sizhe also has to rush back from Shangjing. I'm afraid he won't be able to come to Hangzhou in time," Lin Wan 'er replied quietly.
Fan Xian said, "Then let's go back. Sizhe …" For some reason, he sighed and smiled at Wan 'er. "At the beginning, I thought things very well. I thought that once the Third Prince became Emperor, Sizhe would be able to return to the capital. Perhaps he would become the Minister of Revenue in the future and help the Third Prince. However, he is now my brother. I'm afraid it will be difficult for him to appear in Jingdou for the rest of his life."
"Don't worry about that for now. However, Yu Chang asked on behalf of father, how exactly are we going to handle Ten Family Village?"
"Follow the plan and take it slow." Fan Xian's smile gradually faded. Calmly and solemnly, he said, "Since the court already knows, then there is no need to hide it so much. The Third Prince's words are still as insincere as when he was young. He is clearly worried to death, yet he refuses to make things clear. Since it is so, it is not good for me to say too much."
"Speaking of the Emperor, your attitude toward him these two days is truly problematic. Didn't you notice Ye Wan's dark face?" Lin Wan 'er said with a smile. "Although your relationship with him is not like that of a normal ruler and official, he is, after all, the Emperor. At least on the surface, you have to do it."
Fan Xian laughed and patted Wan 'er's head. After a moment of silence, he said seriously, "I've spent half my life to reach the point where I don't kneel to others. I can't make an exception for him."
In the present world, regardless of whether it was the Emperor of Northern Qi or the Emperor of the Qing Kingdom, Fan Xian did not need to kneel in front of them. If he knelt, these two Emperors would probably sink into suspicious emotions.
"The Third Prince has grown up. He should have his own thoughts." The couple walked into the depths of the bamboo forest and headed toward the white stone protrusion in the distance. As they walked, Fan Xian spoke. A complicated smile rose involuntarily to the corners of his lips. "Last year, he chased Old Dai out of the Palace. It was all because of me that Old Dai kept his life. It could be said that the Third Prince gave me some face."
"Hou Jichang has also been used by him." Fan Xian passed through the bamboo forest and stood in front of the white stone protrusion. Calmly, he said, "That won't do."
Although his words were simple, they revealed a glimmer of unquestionable power. Lin Wan 'er looked at the side of his face in a daze. She did not think that her husband's words about interfering with court politics were that unbelievable. In the years after the Qing Emperor's death, the power related to Fan Xian seemed to have been completely confiscated and scattered by the court. However, those who truly understood the inside story knew that if Fan Xian wanted to, he could still use a powerful power.
"Although Lao Wang has retired, Zi Yue is still working in the capital. I'll leave this matter to him."
"Haven't you never wanted to interfere with the Jingdou court? Why are you doing this this time? Aren't you worried about angering the Emperor? "
"This matter involves Jichang. This is the Emperor trying to anger me. As for the matters of the court, I have no right to interfere. However, if he is trying to test my bottom line step by step, I don't mind pushing my bottom line a bit further forward." Fan Xian looked at his wife and said, "I understand the Third Prince better than you. None of the Li children are simple."
After saying this, he turned his head and looked calmly at the white stone protrusion. In reality, it was a grave. Chen Pingping's grave had been set by the side of the beautiful West Lake.
After the Qing Emperor, there was no one else in the world who could contend with Fan Xian. Li Chengping could not either. Fan Xian's power was too vast and scattered throughout the world. Even the incomparably powerful Qing Emperor had his hands and feet bound by Fan Xian and could only fight a two-person battle, much less the present Li Chengping.
Fan Xian had the greatest money house in the world in his hands and the loyalty of the remaining eight ninth-level aces of the Sword Hut. He still had countless spies and trusted aides in the palace treasury. The Ming family Xia Qifei controlled was still the largest royal merchant in the Qing Kingdom. Fan Sizhe's business in Northern Qi was still the largest supplier of palace treasury smuggling. The little princess in the Northern Qi Royal Palace was his own daughter.
Lady Ning, who had been under house arrest in the Palace, had been brought to Dongyi a few years ago. Going with her was the Great wangfei, Ma Suosuo, and the young lady of Governor Wang's family, Wang Tong 'er. The year before last, the Great Prince had returned to the capital to see the Emperor. Everything was as usual. The present Dongyi belonged to the Qing Kingdom in name. In reality, it was still an independent kingdom ruled by the Great Prince and Fan Xian.
Wang Tong 'er had followed Prince Heqing's manor and moved to Dongyi. Wang Zhikun could no longer continue in the position of Yanjing Governor. After Commander Ye Wan had been stabbed by the Shadow and grieved over the Emperor's death and the chaos in the Qing Kingdom, he barely managed to maintain order in court for a while before bidding farewell and leaving. Following the retirement of these two elders, the Qing military began a process of renewal. Ye Wan formally stood on the stage in Jingdou beside the Emperor's dragon robe. However, this process of renewal could not be completed in a short period of time.
Other than these reasons, the most important reason Fan Xian was able to have a position equal to, or even higher than, an Emperor was his past history and the powerful martial support he possessed.
The people close to Fan Xian had woven a large net under the heavens, one link after another. Regardless of who wanted to harm him or harm one of the links, they would probably welcome Fan Xian's attack. Everyone knew of Fan Xian's power and ruthlessness.
Presently, the world was very peaceful.
…
…
Fan Xian looked calmly at Chen Pingping's grave and the white jade soaked in dew. He was silent. It had been a while since he had come to see the old cripple. If the Third Prince had not brought back some of his past memories, perhaps he would not have come today.
Presently, Fan Xian lived very well. His subordinates, family, and friends also lived very well. Shi Chanli and Sang Wen were already married. The swordsman who had once taken a blow from Fan Xian in Baoyue Brothel had disappeared. Living in this world, he seemed to be perfect and had nothing else to ask for.
The more it was so, the more he felt that Chen Pingping was very lonely in the grave. Although the white jade outside completely covered up the dark shadow this old man was born with, it was unable to warm Fan Xian's heart a little.
Chen Pingping's grave did not have a monument. There was only a poem carved into the stone wall beside it. On it was written:
A lone sail, a leaf in the Danzhou sky, only exists between teachers and friends. How can the country be the only family name important? Who in the universe will pity the tens of thousands of people hanging? A black rider soars into the sky for 3,000 li. A lonely garden with a head of white hair for 20 years. There is no saying that when autumn comes, one's body grows old. I laugh at the heroes who are not idle.
(A book written by a book friend. I stole it but forgot the name of the original author. Please forgive me. I am very sorry.)
…
…
Each time Fan Xian sensed his transcendence in this world and his peace after the Emperor's death, he stopped to read this poem and would always think of many things from the past. In reality, the strike that truly destroyed the Emperor was not the rainbow in the Palace or his attack. Perhaps it was the endurance he had begun many years ago and the old cripple's betrayal in the end.
It was this strike that finally caused the Qing Emperor to open that ugly scar of many years. He walked down from the altar and became a mortal person. Only then did he give so many opportunities to those who came after him.
Fan Xian was silent for a long time. He plucked a small yellow flower beside the bamboo forest and gently placed it on the grave. He then turned and left.
Life at West Lake was leisurely and free. There was nothing worth writing about. The only thing that made Fan Xian unhappy was that for the sake of the people he had to take care of, he seemed to be unable to retreat and hide. Even if he wanted to travel overseas to find the true Western continent, it seemed that it would be impossible to realize in a short period of time.
After all, if he were to leave this continent, who knew how many more disturbances this continent would create. This was not narcissism, nor was it arrogance. Instead, it was the legacy of the predecessors and the encounters in this life that created this incomparably brilliant yet incomparably helpless situation.
In the many years at West Lake Residence, the only small incident that had occurred was probably Fan Wujiu's assassination attempt. This last remaining member of the Second Prince's eight generals had endured for many years in order to avenge the Second Prince and his colleagues. In the end, he had even thrown himself under He Zongwei's wing. Unexpectedly, he had still been captured by Fan Xian. The Overwatch Council did not kill this person. Instead, they followed Fan Xian's wishes and exiled him. Unexpectedly, this person had once again found an opportunity to assassinate by West Lake.
Of course, Fan Xian did not die. He also did not kill him. Perhaps it was because he felt that life was too boring. Or perhaps it was because he respected this kind of stubbornness that he knew he could not do it but still did it.
There were singers dancing. A clear and beautiful song echoed through West Lake Fan Garden. Fan Xian's family sat scattered in the garden, eating fruits, chatting, watching the dance, and listening to the song. The older singers in Chen Garden had been allowed to marry retired subordinates of the Council. The ones left in Fan Garden were still about 16 years old. They were very young and inexperienced. They preferred to stay by West Lake to play.
Seeing the inexperienced dancers, Fan Xian couldn't help but sigh in his heart at the old cripple's sharp eyes. When Chen Garden left the capital, these girls were probably only 10 years old. How could Chen Pingping see that they were destined to be outstanding beauties?
The singer was Sang Wen's sister. This girl, who had sung for Chen Pingping for a long time, seemed to be in a bad mood. She was only willing to stay in Fan Garden and occasionally sing songs that shocked the flowers and sighed the moon.
"In the spring of the fourth year of the Qing calendar, Teng Zijing sat in front of the street and drew a few circles. He didn't say anything. His heart was miserable. He thought to himself, what kind of appearance did the young master of the count's manor have? … "
As the song began, Sisi, who was sitting by Fan Xian's side, spat out a mouthful of tea. Lin Wan 'er also couldn't resist laughing as she hit Fan Xian's shoulder. She thought to herself, in the entire garden, only he could write such an absurd phrase.
Teng Zijing and his family, who were sitting by the side of the gate, looked at each other, particularly Teng Zijing, whose hair was gradually turning gray. He couldn't resist stroking his walking stick, thinking that the young master was too evil. When he went to Danzhou to pick up the person, how could he not be afraid? Who would have guessed that the handsome young man would end up like this?
Fan Xian narrowed his eyes and examined Teng Zijing's awkward expression. His mood was very good. His pride gave birth to some happiness. He thought to himself, You are too immature. You refuse to become an official even if you are beaten to death and only want to stay in the manor. Otherwise, if you become a provincial official and I change the name of the province to Baling, wouldn't that be perfect for a great work to come out?
The Sang family girl seemed to not feel it and continued to sing seriously. It was as if she wanted to sing a certain person's comical life from beginning to end in a sentimental tone.
…
…
It was near the end of spring.
On the cliff outside Danzhou, Fan Xian held Shuning's soft and tender hand. Standing on the edge of the cliff, he looked at the familiar sea in front of him. Shuning gazed at her slightly worried father and said in a clear and childish voice, "Father, you don't seem to like Aunt Sang's song. Do you want Shuning to sing one for you?"
"Alright, let's sing 'Above the Rainbow.' I taught you," Shuning said with some difficulty.
"But, this kind of foreign language is very difficult to learn. Uncle has searched for a long time in Dongyi and still hasn't found a teacher."
Fan Xian smiled and said, "Then, I won't sing."
He looked at his daughter beside him and, for some reason, suddenly thought of the little girl in Danzhou many years ago. He also thought of the words the Emperor had said before he died. He was silent and missed his sister, who he didn't know where.
…
…
"Don't always follow me." The frost-faced young lady of the Fan family was dressed as a doctor. She carried a medical box on her back and walked through a remote mountain. She looked at Li Hongcheng, who looked like a vagabond, behind her and coldly said, "Roujia has already given birth to a second child. As an uncle, you don't return to the manor. Besides, don't you know what King Jing is thinking?"
Li Hongcheng took off the straw hat on his head and fanned himself. Looking at Fan Ruoruo by the tree, he smiled shamelessly and said, "If you want a child, go have it yourself. I don't have the time."
"How much longer are you going to follow me?" Fan Ruoruo bit her lip and looked at him angrily.
"I've already followed for five years. What's another five years?" Li Hongcheng replied with a smile as he led the skinny horse that was even more tired than him.
Fan Ruoruo didn't say anything. She put down the gauze curtain under her straw hat and walked toward the mountain village where white smoke rose from the foot of the mountain. Occasionally, she thought to herself that she was used to being followed by this bastard, so she might as well follow.
…
…
Fan Xian's hand held Shuning. His fingers touched a warm string of beads. Lowering his head to look, he realized it was the string of ruby beads that Haitang had given to her daughter many years ago. Seeing it, he thought of her. Fan Xian couldn't help but freeze for a moment.
"When will Auntie Duoduo come to see me again?" Fan Shuning obviously had a more mature mind than her age. As soon as she saw her father's expression, she guessed what he was thinking and asked very considerately. Anyway, her two mothers were not around at this time, so no one would care.
Fan Xian smiled and said, "When she's tired from the grasslands, she'll come to see you." Haitang had returned to the grasslands. No one knew when she would come back, but what about the Northern Qi Emperor and Si Lili? What about the girl in the Palace called Hong Doufan? Rumor had it that next year, Hong Doufan would officially be made a princess. However, the Northern Qi Emperor had not had any children these years. There was some commotion in court. How exactly was the female Emperor going to respond?
Was she going to ask him to borrow a seed? Fan Xian would not mind this kind of sacrifice. Thinking of the scene in the Sword Hut and the carriage, his gaze became gentle. He said, "Shuning, do you want to go to Shangjing for a stroll? Then, we'll go to the grasslands. When you're a bit older, we'll go out to sea. "
"Sure," Shuning cried out excitedly.
Fan Xian's gaze landed on the surface of the sea below the cliff. Suddenly, he saw a ship heading toward the harbor. In front of the deck stood a person holding a green banner. Standing in the fierce sea wind, he looked confident and at ease.
Thirteenth Wang had come. Fan Xian's body froze slightly. His eyes were moist. Boundless gratitude rose in his heart. Since Thirteenth Wang had returned from the North, Uncle Wu Zhu, who had been recuperating on Dong Mountain, should not be far from returning. Fan Xian truly missed that piece of black cloth.
In order to hide the hot tears in his eyes in front of his daughter, Fan Xian turned his body and gazed at Danzhou on this side of the sea. He looked at the residences in the city and thought of the time he had once spent there. He then thought of his life after leaving Danzhou and couldn't help but be silent.
In the distant Danzhou, he saw a lot. Sister Dong 'er was no longer selling tofu, but Brother Dabao sat in front of the door and used his gaze to take advantage of the passing girls. The general store had been closed the entire time. There were no clothes hanging on the balcony facing the salty sea wind. No one shouted that it was going to rain because it was indeed not raining.
Many people had left, but many people had stayed. Many things had changed, but even more things had not changed.
Fan Xian sat down and held his daughter in his arms, gently rocking her. Shuning narrowed her eyes and looked at the foam on the sea and the gradually approaching ship. Suddenly, she asked, "Father, just what kind of person was grandmother?"
Fan Xian was startled and didn't react for a long time. In his heart, Ye Qingmei had always been an exceptionally intelligent and beautiful young girl who had walked out of a fairyland. The yellow clothing on the painting did not resemble the young Ye Qingmei. Yet, at this moment, in his daughter's mouth, she was already his grandmother.
"She was the daughter of a little immortal who snuck off from heaven to play," Fan Xian said to his daughter. Fan Xian jokingly said to his daughter, "Later, I got tired of playing and went back. I can't find her in the world anymore."
Fan Shuning giggled and said, "Father, you're lying. Everyone says you're an immortal poet. If grandmother returned to heaven, why didn't you?"
Fan Xian scratched his head and suddenly thought of the name the Emperor had bestowed upon him many years ago. Smiling, he said, "Perhaps it's because many of my thoughts are different from hers. I am just a useless commoner. No matter what foreign land I go to, there won't be much of a difference. "
The sea breeze brushed against his face, dispersing the shy smile he was about to reveal. After a moment of silence, he quietly said, "My life is probably … since I am here, I will take things as they come."
Father and daughter met each other's eyes and smiled. Facing the sea, the flowers bloomed in the warmth of spring.
…
…
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
