chapter 16 – great things can be done

Summer sunshine, not deceptive, but the afternoon sweltering, is not a lie. The whole Kyoto city is shrouded in the summer air, let a person is uncomfortable, often drink down the water in less than half an hour will seep out from the human skin, with the body of those residual, into a layer of greasy moistening, will be wrapped up the whole person, so that people are difficult to breathe, all over the body is not happy.

Especially those who do hard labor of the lower class people, carrying a big bag in the Liujing River downstream of the wharf to climb the ladder and walk, sweat has been soaked all over the body, but also drenched down to the green stone steps, turned into countless water trails, looks a little alarming. Pier side of the large trees stretching leaves, but simply can not completely cover the sun in the sky, the wind blowing on the river, also can not brush away the summer heat, but with a stuffy energy.

A black dog beside the stone steps was lying under the shade of a tree, stretching out its scarlet tongue, huffing and puffing, and at the same time looking at those hard laborers who couldn’t catch their breath because of the heavy burden of life with a slight sense of pity.

A plainly decorated boat was floating on the Liujing River, the second prince of Qing slowly withdrew his eyes from betting on the shore to sympathize with him, turned back and said with a slight smile: “Fan Xian this person is indeed powerful, not to mention the silver that was transferred back from the inner treasury, he purchased so much grain beforehand in the city of Dongyi and Beiqi, must have guessed that this year he was too busy repairing the embankment, even if summer floods were unhindered, the grain from the south had not been slowed down. slowed down, there is always a need for disaster relief.”

There are quite a few merchant ships parked on the wharf of the Liujing River, and several hundred laborers are carrying the grain purchased by Qing to the ships, and then by waterway, transporting it to the southern counties where the reconstruction after last year’s disaster has not yet been fully accomplished.

The lovely girl beside the second prince blinked those bright eyes and smiled, but did not say anything.

The Second Prince laughed and continued, ”Is it strange why I would say good things about Fan Xian? In fact, the reason is very simple, Fan Xian this person does have commendable places, especially in this side of the political affairs, although he has never had a separate jurisdiction all the way or a part of the affairs, but he …… is very heartfelt. Perhaps you don’t know, just found out, when his subordinate Yang Wanli went to the water transportation governor’s office, secretly actually had a large sum of silver injected into the water transportation office’s account, and it is precisely for this reason that this year’s dike repair of the great river will proceed so smoothly.”

Speaking here, a hint of mockery appeared on the second prince’s face, “If those ministries and offices in the court are allowed to raise the silver, the Ministry of Revenue and Ministry of Industry will dawdle, and I don’t know when it will be tossed around.”

He continued quietly, “So governing the world, means skills can be cultivated, but a mind …… like Fan Xian’s is extremely rare. This is all his hard work in Jiangnan scraped the silver, actually is not stingy, all smashed into the river transportation, get the name of the father, profit is the people of the world, he can get what? This Fan Xian …… I am more and more unable to see through him.”

Today’s day is hot, Kyoto that the royal residence also seems stuffy, so the second prince with the newly married half a year wife came to the flow crystal river, one side is to disperse, one side is also the husband and wife to find a quiet place, say some physical words. Just looking at the bustling scene on the pier from afar, the second prince couldn’t help but feel moved and brought the topic to Fan Xian who was far away from Kyoto.

“Fan Xian ah …… who knows what kind of person he is? No one can see through him.” Ye Ling’er smiled faintly, a hint of complexity coloring between her eyebrows, this girl’s family back then was such a kind of elfin and eccentric cute little person, now married to the second prince, transformed into an imperial consort, naturally there are more than a few hints of nobility, and the person also appears to be a bit more mature.

“Indeed, I can’t see through it.” A self-deprecating smile appeared on the Second Prince’s face that bore quite a bit of resemblance to Fan Xian, “How many people can see through all these things he has done since he came to the capital from Tanyu State?”

After thinking about it, he shook his head and laughed unnecessarily, slowly holding Ye Ling’er’s hand, he walked to the rear gangway of the boat, looking at the wide mirrored waters of the upper reaches of the Flowing Crystal River, as if he wanted to stretch himself with the aura and openness of this heaven and earth.

The servants of the king’s mansion at the stern of the boat watched this scene, all knowingly avoiding it from afar, not daring to disturb the tranquility of the king and his consort. The entire Royal Mansion and even the entire Kyoto people knew that after the Second Prince and Ye Ling’er got married, the two of them were very affectionate, although there was no news of the Crown Princess’s pregnancy yet, but the young couple was always getting tired of each other. The second prince is handsome, Ye Ling’er is also a famous beauty in Kyoto, this pair of people, do not know how many people envy.

Ye Ling’er leaned against the second prince’s body, gently hugging his arm, those eyes that were clearer than the water looking at the sand gulls flying in the distance, thinking in her heart of that man in the distance, her own master, she couldn’t help but have a hint of a smile at the corners of her lips: ”People in Kyoto are afraid of Fan Xian, they all think that he is so sinister and scary in his bones, that’s why he has tossed up so much, killing so many people, but in my opinion, this guy is nothing more than a ridiculous son who loves to fool around.”

The second prince also laughed, he was aware of the things that his wife often interacted with the Fan family before marrying himself back then, and he also knew that his wife and Chen Yaotou were sisters and had an extraordinary friendship, and he also knew that his wife had always secretly called Fan Xian as a master……. It’s just that he never bothered to suspect that there was any male-female privacy between Ye Ling’er and Fan Xian, because although Ye Ling’er Sometimes there will be some small temper, but in the big picture is a rare open-minded woman, if she does not like their own, that is, the holy decree can not let her marry their own, just …… occasionally listening to Ye Ling’er with the kind of familiar tone of voice mentioned Fan Xian, he still can not cover up a trace of absurdity and a faint sourness.

“Where is it as simple as nonsense and absurdity.” The second prince said mildly, “I heard the other day that His Highness the Crown Prince’s disciples made a booklet to see how many people Fan Xian had killed and offended in these two years, and as a result …… actually compiled a long roster out of it, which made our that His Highness the Crown Prince overjoyed. ”

Ye Ling’er puffed and laughed, thinking to herself how the master had become like a great evil, but including the Chun Exam case, palming one of those things, Fan Xian had indeed offended most of the forces in the court.

“That’s why no one can understand what Fan Xian really wants to do. Auntie is his own mother in law …… and auntie has long since released her goodwill, but …… he doesn’t accept it. I, needless to say, have been trying to make peace with him since his return to the capital, but he has chosen to strike me down in an unusually strong manner.” The second prince scoffed to himself, “I admit that the matter of Oxford Street was my fault, but …… in the dynastic situation, it’s not a rare thing for enemies to become friends.”

Ye Ling’er glanced at him and grunted, “He’s a stubborn person and holds grudges, where is this good to convince.”

“But what good will this do him?” The second prince frowned and said, “Having offended so many people, in the future,…… I mean in case, father is no longer alive, after the new emperor takes the throne, he will definitely want to take back his authority, without the Supervisory Academy in his hands, all these vengeful forces will fall on him, who can protect him? ”

“How do you know that the new emperor will definitely take back his authority?” Ye Ling’er bowed her head and said, “I don’t think His Highness the Crown Prince will have much of a chance, Third Highness is Fan Xian’s student.”

“The third is too young.” The Second Prince sighed, “A person’s growth process is always interrupted by sudden accidents, I was like this back then, when Lao San is a bit older, that father of ours will naturally find some way again. If Lao San really does sit in that chair in the future, do you think that Lao San then will still be Lao San now? Will he allow Fan Xian to maintain his current power?”

“We, the brothers, are all inferior to Father, so no matter who of us succeeds to the throne, the first thing we’ll do will definitely be to knock off Fan Xian, the big tiger.” The second prince smiled and said, “This is something that is inevitable, with Fan Xian’s intelligence it’s impossible for him not to think of this.”

Ye Ling’er gave him a worried glance and said softly, “You still haven’t given up.”

The Second Prince didn’t pick up on this and slowly said, “Since Fan Xian understands this, and also knows that he has offended most of the officials and gentry, what can he do? Unless he is prepared to take a completely different path in the future, he will never be able to get rid of the chaos in the future.”

“Which path?”

The Second Prince turned his head and smiled gently, “He sat in that chair himself.”

In what kind of position, there is what kind of topic, although at this time the flow crystal river boat said some very alarming content, but in fact this kind of topic is often talked about in all the mansions, Ye Ling’er is not how to be afraid of it, on the contrary, she felt a little tired of it, said with a bitter smile, “With my understanding of master, he will not do that.”

“Oh?” The Second Prince was interested, “Why do you say that?”

“Fan Xian likes to travel around the world, don’t you know?” Ye Ling’er laughed, “This time he was sent to Jiangnan, the whole world knows that it’s His Majesty’s banishment in disguise, it’s also because he doesn’t want to make too much of a fuss about his birth in Kyoto, it’s a meaning to avoid the wind, but …… as far as I know, Fan Xian has no complaints at all about this banishment, he’s very happy to go to the of it, and being able to have the opportunity to meet the different people and customs of the world seems to be the greatest enjoyment for him.”

It had to be said that Ye Ling’er did understand Fan Xian very well.

“Sitting in that chair? Then it will be hard to leave the deep palace again, Fan Xian will suffocate.”

The husband and wife laughed at the same time.

The second prince said after a little thought, “But if he doesn’t go grab this chair …… could he be willing to let go in the future? And even if he is willing to let go, will others let him go?”

“Is that chair really that good?” Ye Ling’er frowned and said, “What’s more …… why would Fan Xian go and grab it?”

“On what grounds?” The second prince laughed, “By Father Emperor’s immense trust in him, by the full support of the three old men, President Chen, Prime Minister Lin, and Minister Fan, by the Supervisory Yuan in his left hand and the inner treasury in his right hand, and let’s not forget that he’s also surnamed Li……. Truth be told, in the current situation, if there’s no major turnaround later on , Fan Xian is the one with the most certainty if he wants to take over the throne after his father’s departure.”

Ye Ling’er only heard the words “big twist” in these words, if the words of the good people around her were true, then there must be many people preparing for this big twist.

The Second Prince continued, “Fan Xian’s only gap at the moment is the military’s support, and he doesn’t have a chance to get his hands on the Ye Qin family, but don’t forget that my dear Eldest Imperial Brother, I don’t know what’s wrong with him lately, but he always puts on an appearance of looking at his family as if they’re Fan Xian.”

Speaking here, the second prince finally showed a trace of resentment, thought it was, he and the eldest prince grew up together since childhood, the affection is good without words, who knows that as soon as Fan Xian entered the capital, the eldest prince stood on the side of Fan Xian, who else, the heart will only be a little uncomfortable.

“The most crucial weathervane is this Jiaozhou Incident.” The Second Prince said worriedly, “Although Father Emperor had trusted Fan Xian immensely in the past, he had never allowed him to get his hands on any affairs of the military, but this time, he has arranged for him to dispose of the Jiaozhou Naval Division. I worry that Father Emperor is preparing to loosen his grip in this area as well.”

Ye Ling’er slowly lowered her head and said after a long time, “After talking for half a day, in fact, in the end, in your heart, you are still just unwilling.”

After a period of silence, the second prince slowly but firmly said, “Indeed unwilling …… others can sit in that chair, why can’t I sit? I’ll sit in that chair and do no worse than anyone else. If there wasn’t one more Fan Xian in the world, why would I be on this ship for so long.”

There was another silence.

“I admit that I am comprehensively at a disadvantage in my conversation with Fan Xian.” A hint of spontaneity suddenly appeared on the Second Prince’s face, “But occasionally, I’m also a bit disconcerted. If Father was willing to give me the Supervisory Academy in the first place, and give me the inner treasury as well, would I really be inferior to Fan Xian? I’m really not willing to do that, after planning for so many years, but because of a brother who came out of nowhere, everything became a fiasco. I still want to fight, even if I end up losing …… to him.”

“Why is it bitter?” Ye Ling’er sighed and looked at him.

The second prince’s heart moved, found that since his wife married into the king’s house, those heartless and lovely looks in the beginning were much less, perhaps this is the price of marrying yourself, always have to spend all day thinking about these things of hooking and fighting.

Ye Ling’er said softly, “I know that Her Royal Highness the eldest princess has recently been letting you make peace with His Royal Highness the crown prince, and I also know that this is for the sake of what matters …… then again, I was always disliked by that Her Royal Highness the eldest princess, even though she is Chen’er’s mother.”

“Auntie is an amazing person.” The second prince weighed his words, “She has done many things for the court, and …… there are many times when she doesn’t see it as being for her own selfish reasons. Take this matter for example, if she was really only for future glory and wealth considerations, in the beginning she would not have chosen me, educate me, she can completely always stand on the side of the East Palace, the East Palace is also in need of her.”

“Then why would she choose you?” Ye Ling’er’s lips were tinged with a hint of sneer, “Isn’t it because you were born a bit better looking than the Crown Prince?”

“Enough!” The second prince’s lips pursed slightly and he gave a low gulp, how could he not have expected that his wife was so angry at Her Highness the Eldest Princess.

Ye Ling’er said with a cold snort, “Isn’t it? She instigated you to fight with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, and now she’s making you reconcile with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to fight with Fan Xian Lao San, but what’s the point of fighting back and forth? Even if she succeeds in the future and Fan Xian loses his power, what will you and the Crown Prince do then? Who will sit in that chair?”

“That’s something for later.” The second prince lowered his head and said slowly, “Auntie loves me.”

“Later things?” Ye Ling’er was on fire, finally returning to the clear look she had when she rode into Kyoto, and said directly, “She’s just reveling in the process of this matter, as for who wins or loses in the end between the Crown Prince and you, it’s still not one of her puppets, why do you need to get involved with them anymore? It’s only natural that the Crown Prince wants to succeed the throne, and it’s also Fan Xian’s business if he wants to protect himself, so what’s wrong with that if you just stop paying attention and get off lightly?”

Suddenly, Ye Ling’er also seemed to realize that her words were a bit too hasty, and sighed, softening her voice to say, “If you don’t think about others, you should also think about me, and think about my mother in the palace. Fan Xian said a saying, take a step back and the sea is wide open, why not?”

Fan Xian again, the second prince couldn’t help but smile as he listened to the words, “Then why doesn’t he retreat?”

“If he retreats he will die, that’s what you said.” Ye Ling’er looked into his eyes without showing any weakness, “But if you retreat, who can do anything to you?”

“Can do anything to me?” The second prince pursed those thin lips and said quietly, “I’ve killed Fan Xian’s people, can he spare me in the future? The crown prince is on the throne, can he spare me? The old third …… who knows what kind of person he will become in the future.”

Ye Ling’er fell silent in disappointment.

“The Crown Prince is just a signboard we need at the moment.” The second prince closed his eyes, sniffed the river breeze that came to his face, and said softly, “We need his name in the Eastern Palace and his grandmother’s support right now.”

Ye Ling’er knew that there were still many things he hadn’t told himself, couldn’t possibly tell himself, yet she still heard some kind of danger approaching from these words, and couldn’t help but shiver in this summer, saying softly, “His Highness the Crown Prince is not a stupid person, how could he not guess Her Highness the Eldest Princess’s thoughts? How could he trust her?”

“This is what Auntie needs to consider. How to heal the rift that was there in the first place, how to make the Crown Prince and the Empress fully believe in Auntie’s sincerity, this is none of my business, I just need to wait.”

The Second Prince spoke softly, slowly opening his eyes and looking at the river, saying word by word, “Last year, I just didn’t hold back, so I gave Fan Xian a chance, and now I’ve at least learned to quit my patience. I am, after all, Father’s son, and no matter how things change, I always have a few chances.”

Ye Ling’er looked at him with disappointment and said, “I understand what you mean, you think that the eldest princess will still pick you to succeed the throne in the end. But …… is it really fun to be helped up?”

“Let alone being held up by someone, even if you are held by someone, so what?” The second prince suddenly laughed, “Father was also held up by a woman to sit on the throne back then, but later on he still became an emperor for the ages. As long as one sits in that chair, there are always great things to be done.”

Because of the issue of the Jiaozhou Incident, Chen Pingping, who had been retired in the Chen Garden, was finally driven back to Kyoto by the Emperor’s three decrees, and returned to that square, gray-colored building.

In the shadowy chamber of the Supervisory Court, Chen Pingping gently stroked the woolen blanket on her lap, couldn’t help but yawn, and said in a slightly shrill voice, “What a big deal, and you still want to disturb me.”

Fei Jie wonderfully didn’t pick herbs in the mountains today, instead he sat beside Chen Pingping and said in a hoarse voice, “The key is the problem in the palace, Fan Xian has made such a mess again, and our emperor is getting more and more fond of him, but those people in the palace are getting more and more afraid of him……. I’m afraid that he’s going to be advance.”

“Is the crown prince stupid?” Chen Pingping slowly asked, “Of course, he is indeed a fool, otherwise how would he get involved with that crazy woman again?”

“The Rapunzel is crazy, but she still has the means.” Fei Jie rolled the oddly colored pupils of his eyes and stared at Chen Pingping, “Besides, wasn’t this arranged by you? In vain, I also worked hard to make that medicine out.”

Chen Pingping sighed, “The crown prince is too timid, we need to help him out a bit.”

“This is really a crime of plagiarizing the family and destroying the clan.” Fei Jie sighed, “I’m alone, and you have a large group of distant relatives in your old family.”

Chen Pingping laughed shamefully, “You’d better beware of Fan Xian returning to the capital in the New Year to find you trouble, match a medicine for the Chen girl, and end up matching an extinct medicine out of it, Fan Xian is extinct, you’ll see how he’s going to tear you apart.”

Fei jie was furious and said, “It’s good enough to cure consumption, what else does he want to tic? How dare he deceive his master?”

“Then I am not clear, anyway, recently he came to the letter has been resentful, and …… has been asking where you have been.” Chen Pingping said indifferently.

Feijie has actually been because of this matter heart guilty, so subconsciously avoid their most accomplished disciple, listening to this, can not help but froze, said after a long time, “He is not received a passable big girl? Besides, there is still the Haitang side …… of the holy maiden’s body should not be bad, giving birth to a doll should not be a problem.”

“Begonia Duo …… is not a hen, you beware not to let the people of the Heavenly Dao know you this statement.” Chen Pingping said with a smile.

Fei Jie didn’t bother to pay any more attention to it and directly asked, “About this time in Jiaozhou, what do you think?”

“What do you think?” Chen Pingping snorted coldly, “I gave him the Shadow, I gave him the Black Rider, I gave him the entire Supervisory Court …… and as a result, he made such a rough and inferior work to me!”

“Rice bucket.” Chen Pingping couldn’t help but shake her head, “After Yan Bingyun was not by his side, regarding things like intrigue, Fan Xian became a rice bucket. But I really don’t know if it’s because he’s inherently luckier than others, or what the reason …… for this turned out to be not too bad.”