Chapter 175 – The Emperor’s Thoughts

“Why are you free to come into the palace to see me today?”

The Emperor raised his head and looked at Fan Xian with a smile, his eyes mild with a hint of teasing, it seemed that a month had passed since the incident, and His Majesty’s mood had calmed down a lot.

Fan Xian’s heart, however, had a trace of fear that arose for no reason, and he smiled bitterly and was speechless. Although this month’s vacation was given by His Majesty’s own decree, but not entering the palace for a whole month, not facing the Holy Spirit, is indeed also a bit unreasonable, obviously heard the emperor’s old man’s unhappiness, he is somewhat at a loss as to how to deal with it.

Not to enter the palace, because of the trace of coldness and fear in his heart. Yes, since learning that His Majesty the Emperor was a Great Master, the always bold Fan Xian finally understood what fear was like, especially since His Majesty’s silent tolerance these days added to his vigilance. If he could, he would rather never enter the palace again and never see the face of the Emperor’s old man again.

The more tender, the more afraid, he swallowed a mouthful of water, moistened his dry throat, and whispered what he had asked for in the palace today, and said it sincerely. Only he did not mention the name of the crown prince Li Chengqian, just on the matter, persuade His Majesty the emperor in the disposal of the rebellion, can be extrajudicial grace.

The victor is always forgiving, his majesty, who has lost a lot of family members, is becoming more and more lenient, Fan Xian thought in his heart, and was confident that his majesty, as strong as he is, should not worry about the problem of the spring breeze blowing again.

However, to his surprise, His Majesty’s face grew somber, as if he had not expected that Fan Xian’s rare visit to the palace would be for this matter, and his eyes flashed with a thick chill. Fan Xian secretly looked at the Emperor’s old man’s eyes, secretly saying that it was going to be bad.

But even if it’s going to be bad, he still strongly insisted on his opinion. Not only is Li Chengqian’s trust before his death, it is also about his own courage, if there is not such a thing to let him find a trace of courage, I’m afraid he would not dare to enter the palace again, so he must insist.

It is because of this insistence, today’s imperial study room seems very lively and horrible. Yao eunuchs and those small eunuchs who were guarding outside the imperial study room were scared pale by the angry scolding sound coming from inside the room, not knowing what little lord Fan had done to make his majesty so angry.

All of them nervously and fearfully listened outside the imperial study, the sound of a teacup falling to the ground and shattering into pieces, then the sound of Lord Fan Jr. kowtowing, the sound of His Majesty’s scolding, and the sound of two people arguing.

Eunuch Yao’s face was unchanged, but in his heart there were huge waves rolling around, secretly saying that Little Lord Fan was really bold, actually dared to talk back to His Majesty to his face, and he couldn’t help but feel a little worried about what would happen in the meantime. Carefully staring at the door, secretly wondering if he should hurry to notify the two university scholars under the door, now that this world this palace died so many people, among the living people, the people who can have the qualification to mediate the dispute between his majesty and Tanya Gong are only those few people.

Not long after, the two doors of the imperial study squeaked and was pushed open, Fan Xian walked out quickly, his face especially with the color of anger and indignation, look also did not look at the eunuchs outside with lowered heads, a brush of both sleeves and left the palace. Just one out of the palace, on the carriage, his face of anger and indignation color suddenly convergence, between the eyebrows a calm. Slightly worried.

Rightfully so, His Majesty the Emperor severely reprimanded Fan Xian. Any emperor, even those who claimed to be the most lenient, did not have the slightest bit of sympathy for their enemies who dared to seek the supreme power of the world. This is something Fan Xian should have thought about clearly, but he just didn’t understand why he still had to fight so hard.

Returning to his residence for a few days, there was no news out of the palace, and there was no decree to reprimand him. Fan Xian heart more and more uneasy, secretly think the emperor old man probably guessed out his intention, so also give himself a trick to play a negative. But he also has no method, so he can only use the identity of the Supervisory Board, wrote a few secret reports, one after another to the palace, trying to provoke the emperor again. Who knows that these secret messages such as meat buns hit the dog, clay Bodhisattva into the river, there is no echo at all.

After a few more days, the palace on how to deal with the matter of treason, finally settled. Fan Xian in the mansion holding the edict, shocked and surprised, how did not think, he in the imperial study with his majesty after some argument, his majesty really listen to their own, will be the butcher’s knife raised, but gently fall.

Rebel officials who were arrested, as well as some characters who were not acquitted, a total of more than 1,000 people were sentenced to beheading, while those women and children who were implicated in this matter were basically sentenced to a lighter sentence.

It is the final surrender of the rebels, His Majesty also just pick a certain level above the generals killed, and those ordinary soldiers, is broken up, sent to the borders, to the identity of the death row prisoners for the country to fight, to take the meaning of a crime to make a contribution.

In the end, about two thousand people died because of the rebellion. But this has greatly exceeded Fan Xian’s best judgment, especially those according to the Qing law should be death should be flow of the offender’s family, the vast majority of them were sent down a level, let his mood a burst of good.

While he was happy, he wondered why His Majesty had done this. If it was really because of his admonition, why did he lose his temper that day in the imperial study?

In fact, the conflict between His Majesty and Lord Fan in the Imperial Study Room had already shocked the whole Kyoto. After all, the palace is full of people, and it is impossible to hide this matter from everyone, so long before His Majesty’s explicit edict, most of the officials, all know the inside story of this matter.

Although the officials have their own camps, know that if the crown prince on the throne, I am afraid that they can not escape death, but after all, we are the same for many years, there is always a sad feeling of things hurt, especially those who are implicated in this matter in the innocent family members of the clansmen, so when you see his majesty’s leniency to the extreme after the imperial decree, are since some sighs.

Especially under the door of the two leading university scholar, but also on his majesty this decree praised, hit the deepest praise of the saint. The king of leniency, this is the foundation of the achievement of the world, Zhuang Mo Han’s disciples and grandchildren think deeply.

Why is His Majesty so lenient? Of course, it’s the role of Lord Fan. Without regard for his personal glory and power, Lord Fan bravely admonished the Emperor in person in the imperial study. Although he did not gamble with his life, he did take a considerable risk.

Thinking about this matter, the Kyoto court and the countryside couldn’t help but think highly of Fan Xian for a few times, and felt that this lord really deserved to be the successor of Zhuang Da Zi, and acted in an ancient style and with an ancient intent. Those who escaped death were even more grateful to Fan Xian. For a time, Fan Xian’s clear name was once again resounding in Kyoto.

He was originally the idol in the hearts of the world’s scholars back then, but only because of his status as a member of the Supervisory Board and the palace’s vigilance against Master Lin, did he gradually distance himself from the Qing current. But in the civil world his reputation was still quite good, and after this great event was rendered, the officials were extremely respectful of him.

After all, not everyone dares to do the thing with His Majesty the Emperor, especially about the rebellion, is Shu Wu University scholar have kept silent.

Fan Xian did not think that this matter actually brought so many benefits to himself, he originally just wanted to return Li Chengqian a point of mind, and in the meantime provoked the emperor, to see if he could make this old man, who made himself incredibly fearful, to be kind and let himself go.

I didn’t expect that His Majesty had seen his mind, and had played such a hand, arching Fan Xian up again. Even if he wanted to resign, it was impossible.

Fan Xian sulked inside the mansion, looking at his daughter, thinking that compared to His Majesty, he was indeed still much too young, but he still couldn’t figure out why His Majesty had sent such a great honor to himself with both hands. Thinking about it, he was a bit annoyed, slammed the table and stood up, gritting his teeth and said, “Even his majesty I dare to go into the palace to see, is it still afraid to see him?”

Fan Xiaohua’er’s eyes were closed tightly, but she didn’t cry from the loud noise, but it was Wan’er and Si Si next to her who were startled, not knowing what he was doing with such a big temper, and hurriedly picked up the child.

After the rebellion in Kyoto, Fan Xian, the head of the Supervisory Yuan, returned to the Supervisory Yuan for the first time. All of his subordinates greeted him with respectful bows and very serious expressions. As evidenced by countless events over the past few years, the entire Supervisory Yuan had completely accepted the future head of the institution, and were deeply impressed by his methods.

Fan Xian sat down in that dark room, wiped his hands with a wet towel, ripped off the black cloth to look at the palace not far away, and shook his head. Chen Pingping wasn’t there, but he couldn’t go to the Chen Garden right away, summoning a few heads of the Eight Divisions and asking slightly about the recent situation, then leaving Yan Bingyun behind.

Hearing his question, Yan Bingyun shook her head and said, “There is no news from Lord Wang yet. As for Hong Changqing’s group, a few people have returned one after another, but he himself has disappeared. Those seven tiger guards that Gao Da brought with him should have all been killed by the Four Gu Swords on the Great Eastern Mountain.”

Fan Xian’s brows gradually furrowed, and his heart was extremely hard to bear. According to theory, this old man Wang Qinian was so treacherous, how could he have just died silently on Daedong Mountain? Even if the great masters were horrible against each other, there had to be a corpse left behind, and the Supervisory Court knew that Wang Qinian was his number one close confidant, so they shouldn’t have missed it. As for Hong Changqing and Gouda’s side, his heart was even less certain, thinking that he probably really went.

Thinking about this, his mood suddenly gloomy, then do not stay in the Supervisory Yuan, go out and get on the carriage, directly out of Kyoto, rushed to the Chen Garden.

Outside of the Chen Garden, between the green meadows, the usual killing machine was no longer there. Fan Xian sat in the carriage and thought that the Qin family should have swept it clean when they sent the Kyoto guard division over to clean it up. When the carriage stopped outside of the Chen Garden, Fan Xian stepped down and looked at the scene in front of him, and was stunned.

This is still where the gorgeous and unique Chen Garden, only to see all the broken walls, dry pools and broken mountains, poplars and willows, fire and smoke baked traces of very miserable.

Fire Chen garden, leaving a mess. However, at this time there is not too much bleak, because the rear has long been repaired a few brick structure of temporary housing, and the original site above, there are already thousands of people in the civil craftsmen are busy, it looks like a hot and heavy construction site.

Fan Xian traveled through this construction site with one foot deep and one foot shallow, and with great difficulty came to the back of the original site of the Chen Garden, and found Chen Pingping, who was listening to the opera under the service of a dozen or so beautiful concubines. This old dog is dressed like a big landlord today, sitting on top of a low couch, squinting to enjoy, feet covered by a blanket, although outside is a noisy, this temporary residence is far from comfortable, but look at his expression, it is extremely happy.

Outside, the sound of chipping stones and laying bricks was extremely loud, silencing all the sounds of the opera inside. Fan Xian walked in and said with a frown, “Where can I hear this clearly? It’s not like you don’t have a house in the capital, so why do you have to stay here? It will take at least three months for Chen Yuan to be fully repaired, are you just going to spend three months here?”

Seeing him walk in, Chen Pingping smiled, a smile that caused her wrinkles to bloom like chrysanthemums, each petal filled with a bizarre flavor.

Fan Xian was a little hairy by this smile and did not say anything, sitting down beside him and taking a sip from his teacup. Those who had been sticking to Chen Pingping’s side as the flowery servants, of course, knew clearly that the young master must have something serious to say today, and did not look at Fan Xian as affectionately as in the past, converging their voices and withdrawing their minds.

Outside is about to have the Supervisory Yuan officials to explain, even the sound of repairing the garden also stopped, the whole Chen garden before and after the ruins, all fell into silence.

Chen Pingping glanced at him. Fan Xian froze and came over, feeding him a sip from the tired cup in his hand. Chen Pingping moistened her throat before speaking, “Living in Kyoto, it’s not easy. It’s better to live in this broken garden.”

“It’s not easy to live in Kyoto.” This was a reply to Fan Xian’s earlier remark that was deliberately natural, but there seemed to be some other meaning hidden inside. Fan Xian instantly became a bit unnatural, knowing that this old cripple knew that he had come here today and had something to ask each other.

Not waiting for Fan Xian to open his mouth, Chen Pingping spoke to herself, “I have countless beauties in this garden, you know that.”

Fan Xian nodded.

Chen Pingping coughed twice before continuing, “I take them in, they don’t have to serve other smelly men, so they should be considered blessed. But following a lonely old man like me every day, I’m sure there’s some unhappiness in their hearts. But they don’t dare to show it in front of me.”

Fan Xian thought to himself, “Of course, this is the reason, in addition to His Majesty the Emperor, you are the most ruthless, these teenage lolis, twenty-something mature women, even if how much they are manipulated by hormones, they do not dare to have any complaints.

“In the previous dynasty, there was a palace maid who complained for too long, and as a result, she hanged the emperor alive.” Chen Pingping touched her neck and said, “I don’t want to have such a death. That’s why I’m going to find a way to make life comfortable for these girls in the garden.”

Fan Xian’s heart fluttered, vaguely guessing what the old man was trying to say.

“I’m very lenient with them. Even if they stare at you like cucumbers every time you come, I won’t chastise them.” Chen Pingping yawned and said, “And the most deadly cause for them is that if they don’t want to stay any day, I will expel them from the garden.”

“Looseness is the best way to maintain a garden.” Chen Pingping looked at Fan Xian and said, “It is also the best way to maintain the peace of a family. That’s why His Majesty …… has been so gentle lately.”

Fan Xian understood, probably Chen Pingping was also using this method to persuade His Majesty the Emperor.

“I can just let them out of the garden, because there are too many beauties under the sky with unfortunate births.” Chen Pingping looked at Fan Xian and shook his head, “But His Majesty will not let you out. Because he only has so many sons in total, and …… only just had two of them die.”

Laozi stretched out two fingers and looked at Fan Xian with a slight sneer, “Do you think that by standing up for the Crown Prince and standing up for those chaotic ministers, you can really anger His Majesty and really make Him drive you far away?”

“Don’t think too beautifully. Who can you hide such a clumsy tactic from? His Majesty scolded you in the imperial study, not for pleading for those sinful ministers, but for …… actually trying to escape at this time of the year.”

Fan Xian sighed, thinking to himself that he was now afraid when he looked at His Majesty, so how could he continue to stay in this Kyoto? Thinking of that incident, he lowered his voice and asked bitterly, “Even if His Majesty saw through my small mind, but then why did he have to play that game? After descending so many favor decrees, wouldn’t they all be on my head?”

“Grace decrees and reputation are shackles, His Majesty is unable to let you go.” Chen Pingping coughed twice more and suddenly laughed, measuring Fan Xian’s bitter melon like face with great amusement, “Haven’t you ever wondered …… what His Majesty’s loss of his own self to fulfill your reputation is really for?”

Fan Xian’s heart chilled as he thought of a possibility he had never thought of before, and his entire body stiffened as he sat on the edge of the collapse and shivered.

Seeing that he had finally figured it out, Chen Pingping sighed, casting her gaze through the glass window of her temporary residence towards the construction site outside, and said slowly, “It took so many deaths for him to finally figure it out, and it’s not in vain that I’ve spent so many years of my life in the spirit of it.”

Fan Xian’s lips trembled slightly, and he got up with a huff, looking at Chen Pingping and said, “What about Lao San?”

“Lao San …… he is still young after all.” Chen Pingping slightly lowered her eyes and said, “His Majesty will not establish a crown prince. It is just that if something happens, he left too early, and choosing you to succeed the throne is certainly the best choice at the moment.”

“My surname is Fan …… I have sacrificed to the ancestors of the Fan family!” Fan Xian’s irritated voice grew higher and higher.

Chen Pingping glanced outside and said with a frown, “What’s the point of being so loud? Not everything in the world can be justified by a loud voice, whoever has the biggest fist is justified …… His Majesty’s fist is the biggest, and as for whether you’ll be surnamed Li or Fan in the future, it’s not a matter of his word.”

Fan Xian sat down disheveled, blissfully unaware that the emperor’s recent gentleness and leniency was hiding such a big thing behind it.

“With the state of His Majesty’s current state, this matter may not happen until many years later. Perhaps by then, when Lao San grows up, and His Majesty likes him more than you, this matter will also pass with the wind, and anyway, apart from His Majesty, me and you, no one knows about it.” Chen Pingping didn’t know what came to her mind, her expression was slightly gloomy, and after looking at Fan Xian for a long time, she said, “You haven’t been in the palace for a month, and it seems that you have some opinions about His Majesty……. Why do you want to hide?”

Why do you want to hide from the emperor, because of that fear in his heart, Fan Xian said quietly, “…… I’m afraid.”

“Afraid of what?” Chen Pingping looked at him and slowly said, “It’s been four years, you’ve already confirmed your loyalty to His Majesty and gained a very rare trust, which was exchanged for your several near-deaths, and you should justifiably enjoy this trust.”

Fan Xian was silent. After he entered the capital from Tanyu State, he had indeed had a few near-death moments, whether it was the Hanging Temple or the valley, or this time, the matter at Dadong Mountain, no matter which way you looked at it, His Majesty did not have the slightest suspicion of himself, just as the reason why His Majesty trusted Chen Pingping so much was because back then, Chen Pingping had once spared her life and saved His Majesty’s life a few times.

What kind of trust is the most solid? Naturally, it is to sacrifice for His Majesty.

“Regardless of how the other things are, on the basis of His Majesty’s attitude towards you alone, it can be said that …… is considered not bad. Thinking carefully about these years, His Majesty has shown you many favors, you should be grateful.”

Beside things? Fan Xian heard these four words but did not think deeply, but think about the internal treasury, think about the Supervisory Yuan, think about the hands of the many powers and trust, and the crown prince and the second prince of a comparison, Fan Xian know in his heart, the emperor’s old man to himself, is definitely not just make up for sixteen years of not seeing the regret of that simple. Since ancient times, the emperor’s family was heartless, not to mention that he was only a bastard son, the emperor had more than enough ways to understand what happened years ago, but he chose the path that was best for Fan Xian.

“So I don’t understand what you’re afraid of, why you refuse to go into the palace, why you want to try to escape by all means.” Chen Pingping looked at him and said.

Fan Xian smiled bitterly. No matter how much His Majesty trusted him and favored him, he was after all a generation of kings, and not to mention that Tsubaki thing during the decades, just his cold-blooded attitude towards the members of the royal family and his incomparably powerful tactics made him feel immensely afraid. Once His Majesty knew that he was hiding a lot of things from him, or even betraying him, he would definitely be very forceful in tearing away the father-son bond, the righteousness of the ruler and the subject, and use thunderous means against him.

Ever since knowing that His Majesty was a great master, Fan Xian had begun to worry immensely about one thing – back then, he had once sneaked into the palace and stolen the key …… in the Hall of Containing Light If His Majesty had noticed this matter at that time, but had been holding back until now, what exactly was he thinking? It didn’t matter if he smuggled with Beiqi, and it didn’t matter if he took in Wang XIII Lang, because the confident Emperor didn’t care about these things, and wouldn’t suspect Fan Xian of treason, but he wouldn’t allow anyone to hold that chest in their hands, because that chest could threaten him!

Fan Xian was sure of this, but he was not sure whether the emperor knew that the box was in his hands …… A letter was missing from the hidden compartment under the bed in the Hall of Containing Light, could it be that the emperor had taken it? That’s why he was terrified as soon as he entered the palace, not knowing where a whole bunch of masters would pop up to kill him, and worrying that the emperor would step in and use the realm of the great masters to slap himself into the ground.

Now that his favor was unmatched, Fan Xian could clearly see the emperor’s mind, yet he was still worried and scared because he was not a small child who dared to say that the emperor was not wearing any clothes, because Uncle Wuzhu had not returned.