Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
In the month he had been back in the capital, he had smelled a particular scent and had understood some matters. The most important being, of course, the words the Second Prince had once said to him in secret. He admitted that the Second Prince’s analysis was correct. If the situation continued like this, his position would become unusually awkward with an unclear path going forward.
Although the silent Qing Emperor, in whom the people had great expectations, had, with unusual mercilessness, incited conflict between his sons during the past few years, these conflicts had to be controlled to a certain extent. Although he was merciless and courageous, he was not abnormal. A normal father would not watch their sons kill each other.
The Second Prince in the past and Fan Xian now were actually whetstones with which the Emperor used to sharpen the Crown Prince. If the Crown Prince, this freshly forged sword, broke on these two whetstones, presumably the Emperor would not hesitate to switch him out. The competition between A and B had always been fierce.
At the moment, the Crown Prince was doing well. Although he didn’t have many opportunities to showcase his brilliance and the sword tip remained within the sheath out of the light of day, he was clearly not a weakling. It was only because opportunities in the past to showcase himself were stolen by his brothers. If the knife remained in the sheath, this actually made the Emperor feel happier and more at ease because this choice of the Crown Prince’s was sufficiently clever and showed wisdom through endurance.
The Emperor was always watching all of this. He wanted to see his sons’ hearts clearly, so he had given the Crown Prince many opportunities and sufficient time. If the Crown Prince waited silently like this, the Emperor would not make any great changes.
However, no change was, for Fan Xian, completely unacceptable. Many years in the future, once the Crown Prince took the throne and the empress became the empress dowager, what would he do? Just as the Second Prince said, the person who should be anxious right now was Fan Xian.
However, the Emperor would not allow Fan Xian to do anything too out of line. Although Fan Xian never understood why the Emperor would stay silent the entire time, at a certain moment, he suddenly remembered something. He wasn’t sure it was something Chen Pingping, his father, or his father-in-law had once said, but it was a very important thing.
The Emperor was suspicious and very sensitive, but the Emperor wanted too much. He wanted to unite the world and leave the most brilliant name in history.
If he wanted to remain brilliant, the Qing Emperor would have to care about the opinion history would have of him. If he changed the Crown Prince, this would call into question his virtue and ability in the history books. If his sons killed each other, it would also leave a black mark against him.
Fan Xian put down the teacup in his hand and sucked in a breath of cold air. He finally understood the reason for the Emperor’s silence. The Emperor still hoped that the fight for the position of heir would be peacefully resolved and that the Qing Kingdom would be passed down in a gentle way.
As an Emperor, one had only two desires. One was a kingdom, and the other was a name that would never be forgotten. The Emperor was unwilling to give up either.
…
…
The glimmer of a cold smile flashed through the corners of Fan Xian’s eyes. He said to himself,
He threw his own son into the wilds to grow up, but now he wants his son, who is a bloodthirsty creature, to change back into a human. The Emperor’s desires are a bit too idealistic.
Under the Emperor’s powerful suppression and secret demonstration of his attitude, the fight for imperial power had gradually eased up. Fan Xian could not allow the situation to continue unchecked. He had to force the Emperor to make up his mind early.
While he was in Jiangnan, Fan Xian had already guessed that the elder in Chen Garden was thinking the same as him and also using various ways to influence the Emperor’s thoughts in an attempt to have the Emperor make up his mind early.
What he didn’t know was that Chen Pingping had cleverly woven a giant net, including the true cause of Great Master San Shi’s death and the connection between the Junshang Conference and Eldest Princess. All of these serious bombs were still not enough to make the Emperor truly make up his mind.
So, Chen Pingping chose the most vicious method. However, without Chen Pingping knowing, this method was being used by Fan Xian.
For the same goal, the old and the young planned silently and worked hard together. They wanted to manipulate the Qing Emperor’s emotions and use the ruler’s paranoia and envy, buried deep in his heart, to reach the goal the two of them wanted. There were not many people who understood the Qing Emperor’s heart like Chen Pingping and Fan Xian. There were even less who dared use dark plots to provoke his emotions. When all was said and done, it could only be said that the leaders of the Overwatch Council were some fearless, shameless, and ruthless people.
However, Chen Pingping’s goal was not just for the Crown Prince to step down. On this point, he had thought further than Fan Xian. What he wanted to do was wilder.
…
…
The end of the first month was about to end. Fan Xian’s return to the capital was also almost over. His subordinates were preparing for the return to Jiangnan while he made the most of the rest of the time to keep his father and Chen Pingping company for a few days. The both of them were getting on in age. As he lived long-term in Jiangnan, he was unable to perform his filial duties and felt very apologetic.
Da Bao went from Danzhou to Hangzhou and then to Wuzhou. After spending the New Year with Prime Minister Lin, he had also returned to Jingdou. So, Fan Xian had to wander around Jingdou properly with his uncle. The big idiot and small idiot had lots of fun. However, the time was rather tight. It was inevitable that there were some feelings of panic.
During these days of meticulous planning, Fan Sizhe once again went North with the second-rank group that Deng Zi Yue had left behind. The chamber of commerce for the goods traveling North needed this young genius to organize it. It was never good to be away from Shangjing for long. Ever since Fan Xian had confirmed that matter, his feelings toward the North had sunk into a dilemma. Although he had more confidence in the safety of his brother and sister in the North… Unconsciously, he wanted to hide something, so he didn’t have Fan Sizhe bring the Northern Qi Emperor a secret letter.
The other people in the Qinian Unit also became busy. Hong Changqing took Fan Xian’s token and went ahead to Jiangnan. This was an important matter. Fan Xian ordered him to inform Su Wenmao to get ready. They had to create a perfect time difference between the thing in the Palace blowing up and the message reaching Jiangnan to completely bring down the Ming family.
Mu Tie and Mu Feng’er, the uncle and nephew of the First Bureau, were also busy with the state affairs inside Jingdou and could not accompany Fan Xian at all times. Sir Yan was in the Overwatch Council, busy with the general day-to-day upkeep and busily hiding from the matchmaking attempts of the Jingdou nobility. He was bitter beyond words. For a time, Fan Xian’s only capable trusted aide next to him was Wang Qinian, that old man.
Fan Xian was eating in Wang Qinian’s home with Da Bao when he suddenly thought of poor Yan Bingyun. He thought of the quiet words the Great wangfei had said to him that day in Prince Heqing’s manor. He couldn’t help but shake his head.
If Yan Bingyun really wanted to marry the young lady of the Shen family, it was truly a difficult matter. The Emperor had to give his permission, and Lady Shen needed a suitable identity. The Great wangfei was a good friend of Lady Shen when she was in Shangjing, so she had given this troublesome matter to Fan Xian to solve.
In his lifetime, Fan Xian was only good at breaking marriages. What did he know about being a matchmaker? He sighed tragically as he picked at the dishes on the plate.
Wang Qinian was crouched at the side smoking. Seeing that Fan Xian’s expression was not very good, he coughed and asked,
Are the flavors not to your liking?
Da Bao sat beside Fan Xian. He chewed endlessly, then said,
Delicious…
Fan Xian used the tip of his chopsticks to point at the plate and said,
For stewed fish slices to be like this, it is comparable to the head chef in Baoyue Brothel. Of course, it tastes amazing.
Having received praise from Fan Xian, Wang Qinian smiled. The lines on his face became deeper.
As they spoke, a young girl of about 12 or 13 came out with a plate and placed it properly on the table. She was too shy to bow and quickly ran out again.
Fan Xian looked at the girl’s retreating figure and sighed,
Lao Wang, you look like an old elm tree. How could you have such a beautiful daughter?
The girl was Wang Qinian’s daughter and also the target Fan Xian had once used to scare him. Wang Qinian’s heart jumped. He forced a smile.
She’s still young, she’s still young. It’s impossible to see whether she’ll be beautiful in the future.
Fan Xian laughed loudly.
What is there to be afraid of? Who would dare, right now, to forcefully take your daughter?
These words were the truth. Although Wang Qinian had insisted on refusing the position as head of the eight bureaus, most of the people in Jingdou knew that he was Fan Xian’s closest trusted aide. With this level of connection present, regardless of the Six Ministries and three departments, no one underestimated him or dared to offend him.
Da Bao suddenly smiled broadly and said,
That girl is pretty.
This time, it was Fan Xian’s turn for his heart to jump. He quietly wondered, if his uncle’s interest was suddenly piqued and he insisted in marrying Lao Wang’er’s daughter, what would he do? Naturally, he would not agree, but how would he comfort his emotions?
Fortunately, Da Bao’s mind was still that of a child of six or seven, so it was impossible for him to think of that. He just paused with his chopsticks and didn’t notice the food falling from his mouth as he thought about something.
Fan Xian picked up the wet towel beside him and helped Da Bao wipe away the food stains at the corners of his lips. He asked,
What are you thinking about?
Da Bao tilted his head slightly. The smile on his face gradually froze, showing a glimmer of sadness and hurt that was rarely seen on his face. Haltingly, he said,
Er Bao… like… pretty girl.
Fan Xian’s mind dimmed, and the hand holding the towel froze. He didn’t know what to comfort him. At the side, Wang Qinian heard it and felt very curious. He tapped his cigarette toward the stop beside his foot and asked,
Young master uncle, who is Er Bao?
Er Bao is my younger brother. Very clever.
Da Bao’s face shone with a proud smile. His smile immediately changed into a child’s hurt.
But… he died.
…
…
Wang Qinian and Fan Xian stood in a corner of the yard each pulling on a pipe. Green smoke wrapped around them, and the scent was suffocating. Wang Qinian turned his head to glance at Lin Da Bao, who was currently playing with the little girl. He lowered his voice and said,
So, Er Bao is young master Lin Gong, who was killed over two years ago by people from Dongyi. I heard that the household always kept it from young master Da Bao, so how does he know this?
Fan Xian spat out a mouthful of bitter saliva and said, after a moment of silence,
I told him. Although he has dementia, I’ve always treated him as a normal person. He and Lin Gong were very close. I didn’t feel comfortable hiding it from him.
It won’t cause any problems, right?
Wang Qinian asked carefully.
What problems could it cause? I told him two years ago.
Fan Xian pressed his dry lips together.
Da Bao has not developed completely. He is like a child unable to grow up, but it doesn’t mean he doesn’t understand anything… Beside Nanzhao, there is an Amah rock [JW1]. I don’t want there to be an extra ‘Questioning Brother Treasure’ next to me.
Having said this, he glanced toward where Da Bao was and saw that he was crouched on the ground beside Wang Qinian’s daughter, digging for earthworms. His gaze immediately softened. A glimmer of tenderness and a faint regret appeared in his eyes.
Suddenly, a knock rang out from the Wang home’s wooden door. The newcomer knocked with great force and urgency. It seemed like something had happened.
Fan Xian and Wang Qinian looked at each other and furrowed their brows. Wang Qinian went forward to open the door, and a man charged in. He stopped in front of Fan Xian and cried loudly,
Congratulations! Congratulations, sir!
Fan Xian was surprised by this person. Looking at him steadily, he saw that it was Teng Zijing. He couldn’t help but scold him thoroughly.
What are you screeching about? Didn’t I tell you to go back to the country estate to study for the spring martial test? Why are you back in the capital?
He wanted Teng Zijing to be able to step onto the path of an official position to compensate him for his careful service after bringing them out of Danzhou as well as for his crippled leg. However, Teng Zijing was similar to Wang Qinian in personality. Although he had love for the officialdom, he had more love for the life of staying beside Fan Xian. In addition, he couldn’t understand the military books and strategies. After reading for three days at the country estate, he had run back again.
Shame burst forth on Teng Zijing’s face, but he immediately remembered that important matter and said with great joy,
Young master, quickly go back home. The old master is already back. Everyone is waiting for you.
What happened?
Fan Xian furrowed his brows and went over to take Da Bao’s hand, preparing to leave and climb onto the carriage.
Teng Zijing followed behind him and smiled.
Lady Liu is with child.
Fan Xian paused and turned around on the spot. He touched his head and said,
What? Am I going to have another younger brother? Father… is indeed not of this realm.
Teng Zijing paused and only understood what he said a moment later. He quickly explained and said,
Not the mistress. It’s the lady.
Fan Xian still did not understand just what this meant. He sat in the carriage and tied Da Bao’s clothing properly. He then turned his head and angrily said,
Speak clearly. Even if the Duke’s manor is having a child, there is no need to be so nervous.
Teng Zijing couldn’t resist laughing and said,
It’s not the Duke’s manor. It’s our manor… It’s Lady Sisi who is with child.
Fan Xian paused. Only now did he understand. Although he had long brought Sisi into the manor, in the depths of his heart, he still thought of her as a younger sister and truly had not thought of her precisely as a concubine. Furthermore, it was very coincidental that Sisi had been raised from a young age in the Danzhou manor and had never had a family name. Later, when she came to the capital, Sizhe’s mother took a shine to her because of their similar situations and had her take the family name Liu.
Lady Liu, Lady Liu. So… they were talking about Sisi. No wonder Fan Xian didn’t realize right away.
Sisi’s actually with child?
Fan Xian laughed.
Then I must go back quickly to see. Women who are with child for the first time always have short tempers, particularly a fiery girl like her. If I get there late, I’ll probably catch a load of resentment.
…
…
The carriage rumbled along the streets and left the west side of the city, heading toward the south side where Fan manor was.
Suddenly, a muffled bang came from inside the carriage, as if someone had jumped up and stupidly allowed their heads to come into intimate contact with the solid roof of the carriage.
A cry of terrifying volume came from the carriage. The voice was filled with shock and fear. Pedestrians across half the street all heard it very clearly.
Sisi is with child! I’m going to be a father?
Yes, reborn into this world, Fan Xian, whose mental age should have been 30, was finally about to be a father. The passing on of life had always been the second most powerful controllable need. Logically speaking, a sufficiently mature Fan Xian should be able to demonstrate a controllable joy in the face of this amazing news.
However, his behavior clearly had problems because he was very excited, to the point it couldn’t be controlled. At the same time, other than joy, he was very scared.
Sitting beside Sisi’s bed, Fan Xian looked at the girl two years older than him like an idiot. Sisi’s face was a bit white. After knowing that a life had suddenly appeared in her stomach, she was beginning to feel nervous. Fan Xian looked at her dumbly and said,
How did it happen already?
Wan’er sat at the head of the bed and was feeding Sisi. Her face was filled with joy. He had long wanted to give Fan Xian a child but had not succeeded. Now that Sisi was with child, knowing that Fan Xian had descendants, as the main wife, she was also happy. If they were a normal family, perhaps the childless wife would develop feelings of envy toward the concubine. However, she and Sisi’s positions were too different. It was stupid to feel that way.
She heard Fan Xian’s strange question and couldn’t help but furrow her brows and scold,
What are you saying?
Fan Xian smiled in a daze. A few days ago, he was worried whether or not the person in the North was pregnant with his flesh and blood. Now, he suddenly found that the girl beside him was with child. These major emotional ups and downs, these worries and joys, had truly turned him into Fan San Bao.
[JW1] In Chinese, the characters for Amah rock literally translate to Watching For Husband Rock. Fan Xian is making a joke of sorts here with Da Bao. He doesn’t want Da Bao to constantly be asking him questions.
