Synopsis and Starting Chapter Chapter 2: Story Time
Chapter 3: The Nameless Yellow Book
Chapter 4: Practice And Study
Chapter 5: The Nocturnal Visitor
Chapter 6: The Pillow
Chapter 7: The Guest
Chapter 8: The Cemetery
Chapter 9: Age Is Just A Number
Chapter 10: No Shame In Asking
Chapter 11: The Fifth Grandmaster?
Chapter 12: Overpowering Qi
Chapter 13: The Crude, Simple Explanation
Chapter 14: The Sea Salt Merchant
Chapter 15: Farewell For Now, Fei Jie
Chapter 16: A Letter From The Capital
Chapter 17: I Offer This Kitchen Knife To You
Chapter 18: Blood And Tears
Chapter 19: A Matter Of Dignity
Chapter 20: Standing At The Top
Chapter 21: Pain
Chapter 22: “The Poets”
Chapter 23: Maokouzi
Chapter 24: Assassin
Chapter 25: Tofu Like Jade
Chapter 26: The Old Man In The Blanket
Chapter 27: The Overwatch Council
Chapter 28: Nighttime Reading With A Beautiful Girl
Chapter 29: The Book Thief
Chapter 30: The Past
Chapter 31: The Singing Visitor
Chapter 32: Tipping The Boat
Chapter 33: Idle Years
Chapter 34: Zhu The Cool
Chapter 35: Memories Of A Rainy Night
Chapter 36: The Spring Of The 4Th Year
Chapter 37: To The Capital?
Chapter 38: Last Night
Chapter 39: Leaving Danzhou Harbor
Chapter 40: Approaching The Capital
Chapter 41: Entering Fan Manor
Chapter 42: Lady Liu
Chapter 43: Ruoruo’S Lessons
Chapter 44: Father And Son
Chapter 45: Palace Intrigues
Chapter 46: Old Friends In A Distant City
Chapter 47: The Treasured Red Book
Chapter 48: Street Literature
Chapter 49: In The Restaurant
Chapter 50: What Is Strength?
Chapter 51: Crown Prince Jing
Chapter 52: In The Carriage
Chapter 53: Alone
Chapter 54: Inside The Overwatch Council
Chapter 55: Candied Berries And The Temple Of Qing
Chapter 56: The Nobleman
Chapter 57: The Fluttering Heart
Chapter 58: It Was Her
Chapter 59: The Young Accountant
Chapter 60: A Brother-Sister Chat
Chapter 61: The Proposal
Chapter 62: Early Summer
Chapter 63: Simple Reasons
Chapter 64: Poetry
Chapter 65: The Prince’S Mansion
Chapter 66: Meeting Guo Baokun Again
Chapter 67: By The Lakeside
Chapter 68: The First Blow
Chapter 69: The Poetry Battle
Chapter 70: King Jing’S Declaration
Chapter 71: Si Lili
Chapter 72: Like An Orchid
Chapter 73: The Bag Of Pain
Chapter 74: The Lawsuit
Chapter 75: Courthouse Farce
Chapter 76: Dispute
Chapter 77: In The Palace
Chapter 78: The Slap
Chapter 79: The Wise Empress Dowager
Chapter 80: Searching For His Fiancée
Chapter 81: Entering The Hall
Chapter 82: Enter The Chamber
Chapter 83: Through The Window
Chapter 84: Time-Crossed Lovers
Chapter 85: Clan School
Chapter 86: Shopkeeper Ye Of Qingyu Hall
Chapter 87: Pillow Talk
Chapter 88: Can The Ant Climb The Tree?
Chapter 89: The Case Of The Young Killer On Niulan Street
Chapter 90: Investigation
Chapter 91: Fan Xian On The Move
Chapter 92: Wang Qinian’S Life
Chapter 93: Talking About The Capital Outside Cangzhou City
Chapter 94: The Functionary Wins The Queen Of Flowers
Chapter 95: Not Letting Flirting Interfere With Selling Books
Chapter 96: Danbo Bookstore
Chapter 97: The Official’S Suicide
Chapter 98: Torturing A Frail Woman In The Celestial Prison
Chapter 99: Sweet Words
Chapter 100: The Vineyard Collapses
Chapter 101: No Title
Chapter 102: Deception Before Emperor
Chapter 103: Breakthrough In The Puzzle
Chapter 104: That Woman
Chapter 105: The Arrival Of Summer
Chapter 106: The Country Estate
Chapter 107: Moonlight In The Mountains
Chapter 108: Paying Respect Across The River
Chapter 109: An Encounter Between Unacquainted Enemies
Chapter 110: Talking About The Future In Qingyu Hall
Chapter 111: Morning Roll Call At Taichang Temple
Chapter 112: Reaping The Whirlwind
Chapter 113: The Glorious Tradition Of Cheap Shots
Chapter 114: Coffin-Breaker Technique And Little Tricks
Chapter 115: Give Mountains, Give Rivers, Give Snuff Bottles
Chapter 116: Summer Vacation
Chapter 117: A Waft Of Cumin By The Lakeside
Chapter 118: A Tale Of Quarreling Fairies
Chapter 119: Finding A Plum Branch In Summer [1]
Chapter 120: The Crown Prince Rides
Chapter 121: Unlucky Despite The Promotion
Chapter 122: The Box, The Poison Needle, And The Killer
Chapter 123: The Emissaries From Northern Qi
Chapter 124: Unartistic Negotiation
Chapter 125: Old And Vicious Shaoqing Xin
Chapter 126: Sincerity In The East Palace
Chapter 127: There Isn’T A Single Trustworthy Person In The World
Chapter 128: That Chilly Royal Palace
Chapter 129: The Imperial Concubines
Chapter 130: My Hand Running Through Your Black Hair
Chapter 131: The Rush Back To The Manor
Chapter 132: Startling News Of Lord Yan In The North
Chapter 133: Agreement Beneath The Sewage
Chapter 134: Evening Feast
Chapter 135: Luminaries Of The Ages
Chapter 136: Intentions Of Entering The Palace While Drunk
Chapter 137: Eunuch Hong
Chapter 138: There Is A Key In Everyone’S Heart
Chapter 139: Guangxin Palace
Chapter 140: Who Is The Assassin?
Chapter 141: Secrets Of The Box (Part 1)
Chapter 142: Secrets Of The Box (2)
Chapter 143: Clarity After Autumn Rain
Chapter 144: Leaflets Like Snow
Chapter 145: Doing The Math
Chapter 146: Poetry Anthologies And Speeches
Chapter 147: The Grand Wedding (I)
Chapter 148: The Grand Wedding (Ii)
Chapter 149: Gifts (Part 1)
Chapter 150: Gifts (Part 2)
Chapter 151: Chapter 45
Chapter 152: Chapter 46
Chapter 153: Chapter 47
Chapter 154: Chapter 48-49
Chapter 155: Court Discussions (Part 1)
Chapter 156: Court Discussions (Part 2)
Chapter 157: Chapter 3
Chapter 158: Back To The Capital
Chapter 159: The Second Prince
Chapter 160: The Riverside Makes One Weary
Chapter 161: Examination
Chapter 162: Being An Examiner Is Really An Interesting Job
Chapter 163: Spring Wind And Rain Enters The Imperial Exams [1]
Chapter 164: You’Re Confused, I’M Confused… Everybody’S Confused [1]
Chapter 165: A Clap Of Thunder
Chapter 166: Cheating At The Exam Hall
Chapter 167: A Visitor In The Rain (Part 1)
Chapter 168: A Visitor In The Rain (Part 2)
Chapter 169: A Brilliant Day
Chapter 170: A Royal Proclamation
Chapter 171: The Powerful Minister Takes To The Road
Chapter 172: The Counterattack Of The Capital Officials
Chapter 173: Debate
Chapter 174: Chaos In The Ministry Of Justice
Chapter 175: Commissioner! Commissioner!
Chapter 176: The First Visit To The Manor
Chapter 177: The Real Overwatch Council
Chapter 178: A Shadow In The Mortal World
Chapter 179: Small Flower
Chapter 180: Chilling Equipment
Chapter 181: Blasphemy
Chapter 182: Night
Chapter 183: Xiao En Leaves Prison
Chapter 184: Outside The Capital
Chapter 185: An Artless Poisoning
Chapter 186: Romance In The Carriage
Chapter 187: Operation White Sleeve
Chapter 188: Learning From Xiao En
Chapter 189: Silent Killings In The Capital
Chapter 190: A Blade In An Oil-Paper Umbrella
Chapter 191: White Birds On The Lake, People On His Mind
Chapter 192: Si Lili’S Secret
Chapter 193: Eldest Princess’S Vision
Chapter 194: Uncaged
Chapter 195: Open The Door; Release The Dogs
Chapter 196: You Die, I Live
Chapter 197: Startling Developments In The Meadow
Chapter 198: Haitang Duoduo
Chapter 199: Shamelessness Against Virtue
Chapter 200: Untitled
Chapter 201: Haitang’S Lust
Chapter 202: Prelude To Psychological Warfare
Chapter 203: In A Word, Heart
Chapter 204: Wuduhe
Chapter 205: By The Roadside
Chapter 206: Arriving In Shangjing
Chapter 207: Thick Night On Mottled City Walls
Chapter 208: The Envoy Enters The Palace
Chapter 209: Chatting With The Emperor
Chapter 210: There Are A Lot Of Talented People Named Fan
Chapter 211: A Country Girl Indeed!
Chapter 212: To And Fro
Chapter 213: The Fighting Envoy
Chapter 214: Tan Wu Is Not A Literary Man
Chapter 215: The Old Shop On Xiushui Street
Chapter 216: Developments In The Imperial Business
Chapter 217: Chang Ninghou’S Mansion
Chapter 218: Do You Want To Get Rich?
Chapter 219: What’S It Got To Do With Minister Fan?
Chapter 220: Seeing Yan Bingyun For The First Time
Chapter 221: Ripping The White Robe
Chapter 222: The Idealists
Chapter 223: Meeting Shen Zhong In The Rain
Chapter 224: Young Yan Is Freed
Chapter 225: Things Aren’T As You Imagined
Chapter 226: The Plot
Chapter 227: A Real Man Loves His Children
Chapter 228: Killing In The Alley
Chapter 229: Shangjing’S Secret Agents
Chapter 230: Happy News
Chapter 231: Ruoruo Is Getting Married!
Chapter 232: The More The Merrier
Chapter 233: Overlooking The Prison Break
Chapter 234: Ambush
Chapter 235: Failure
Chapter 236: Fan Xian Follows
Chapter 237: Damp Firewood And Cheap Shots
Chapter 238: Fan Xian Jumps Off The Cliff
Chapter 239: Traveler Of This World
Chapter 240: The Temple Of Eternal Night
Chapter 241: The Little Girl Escapes The Temple
Chapter 242: Today’S Chapter Is Untitled
Chapter 243: Close Your Eyes And Be At Peace
Chapter 244: Why Have You Gone So Pale Once Again?
Chapter 245: Why Are You Coming, Xianxian?
Chapter 246: Get Thee To A Nunnery
Chapter 247: Farming, Drinking, Chatting, And Deciding The Future
Chapter 248: This World, This Woman!
Chapter 249: Fighting And Play-Fighting In The Palace Contest
Chapter 250: Look Up, Look Down And Then Laugh
Chapter 251: Even The Emperor Gossips
Chapter 252: Carry On The Torch
Chapter 253: The Long Pavilion, The Ancient Road, Tossing The Handkerchief
Chapter 254: Autumn Harvest
Chapter 255: Fighting For Passage
Chapter 256: Family Business
Chapter 257: In A Hurry
Chapter 258: Absurdities In The Rear House
Chapter 259: The Ninth Month
Chapter 260: Sky Above The Carriage, Bean Sprouts In The Palace
Chapter 261: Leaving The Palace To Be Lords
Chapter 262: The Lone Bureau
Chapter 263: A Youngster In The Bureau
Chapter 264: Rectification!
Chapter 265: Xinfeng Restaurant
Chapter 266: She Showed Self-Respect, You Became A Pervert
Chapter 267: Eunuch Dai’S Wise Decision
Chapter 268: Interlude Of Black And White
Chapter 269: A Saint?
Chapter 270: The Memorial In The Palace Storm
Chapter 271: An Zhi
Chapter 272: Confrontation In Front Of The Palace
Chapter 273: Courtroom Debate
Chapter 274: The Lashings
Chapter 275: The Bright Fist In The Dark
Chapter 276: The Youths Inside And Outside The Palace
Chapter 277: King Jing’S Birthday Feast
Chapter 278: Is It Worth Studying Abroad?
Chapter 279: Do You Want A Newly Embroidered Handkerchief?
Chapter 280: Bao Yue House
Chapter 281: Sang Wen
Chapter 282: Fan Strikes
Chapter 283: Ruthless Fighting
Chapter 284: Blocking The Street
Chapter 285: The Mantis Blocks The Road
Chapter 286: There Is Concern
Chapter 287: Heroes Start Young
Chapter 288: Follow Me Home
Chapter 289: Shutting Down
Chapter 290: Brother
Chapter 291: Family Discipline
Chapter 292: The Old Fan And The Young Fan
Chapter 293: Exile
Chapter 294: Drawn Together
Chapter 295: The Night Outside The Capital
Chapter 296: Repossession
Chapter 297: Prostitutes, Pedestrians And A Downpour Assassination
Chapter 298: The Greetings Outside The Capital Government Office
Chapter 299: There Is Nothing Wrong With Watching Leaves Fall
Chapter 300: Medicine
Chapter 301: There Is A Swing On This Side Of The Wall, And There Is A Street On The Other
Chapter 302: Chen'S Garden Has Guests
Chapter 303: Autumn Woods, Secrets, And Consequences
Chapter 304: Chrysanthemum, Ancient Swords And Alcohol
Chapter 305: Chrysanthemum, Ancient Swords And Alcohol (2)
Chapter 306: Dagger, Seeing The Dagger Again
Chapter 307: The Injured In The Palace
Chapter 308: The Candlelight Surgery
Chapter 309: The Patient In The Plum Garden
Chapter 310: A Bolt From The Blue
Chapter 311: The Eldest Prince Has Come To Visit
Chapter 312: Reward And Conversation
Chapter 313: Love Letter
Chapter 314: A Garden Tour With Unease (1)
Chapter 315: A Garden Tour With Unease(2)
Chapter 316: A Garden Tour With Unease (3)
Chapter 317: The Snow Of Shangjing City
Chapter 318: Great Grandmasters, Black Market, Riddles
Chapter 319: Who Could Kill Commissioner Fan?
Chapter 320: Mountain Living Notes
Chapter 321: The Best Time
Chapter 322: Knowing The Mother Is Better Than Knowing The Father
Chapter 323: The Qing People’S Collective Memory Of The Ye Family
Chapter 324: Even If You Guess The Flower, That Is That
Chapter 325: The Cloth-Clothed Grandmaster Battle
Chapter 326: The Fan Manor’S Changes
Chapter 327: Secret Movements In A Little Tower In The Palace
Chapter 328: All Exists
Chapter 329: Wishing You Meteoric Success
Chapter 330: Disturbance Before Leaving (Part 1)
Chapter 331: Disturbance Before Leaving (2)
Chapter 332: Bandits Came When Anchored At Yingzhou
Chapter 333: The Qing Kingdom’S Largest Bandit Ship
Chapter 334: A Situation
Chapter 335: You’Ve Been Surrounded
Chapter 336: What Should I Use To Worship You?
Chapter 337: Pledging Loyalty And Fan Xian’S Facade And Shadow
Chapter 338: A River Of Silver And Busy Receiving Gifts
Chapter 339: Loushang Tower, People Beyond People
Chapter 340: The Girl Selling Flowers And The Shameless Official
Chapter 341: Coincidental Classmates In Youth
Chapter 342: An Auspicious Sign From The Heavens
Chapter 343: Pick Up The Bowl To Drink Congee, Put Down Chopsticks To Curse
Chapter 344: Dragon Rise[Jw1]
Chapter 345: The Money House And The Brothel
Chapter 346: The Way A Gentleman Obtains Wealth
Chapter 347: Arriving At Shunde
Chapter 348: Very Tyrannical, Unable To Tolerate Trouble
Chapter 349: Palace Treasury Strike
Chapter 350: Why Was The Imperial Envoy Angry?
Chapter 351: Old Shopkeeper
Chapter 352: A Whetstone With An Independent Consciousness
Chapter 353: Some Things Can Be Done But Not Said
Chapter 354: Road Of Spring
Chapter 355: Borrowing Your Hand To Hold The Northern Qi Emperor’S Hand
Chapter 356: The Pebble In The Eye Of The Ming Family
Chapter 357: Choking The Throat Of Life
Chapter 358: Washing The Island
Chapter 359: Mother And Son Of The Ming Family
Chapter 360: A Good Man With His Body In Suzhou And His Heart On All Under Heaven
Chapter 361: The Door Of The Palace Treasury
Chapter 362: The Bandits Of Room B4
Chapter 363: Big Brother, Long Time No See
Chapter 364: A Slight Change
Chapter 365: Raising A Finger
Chapter 366: Heavenly Woman Scattering Flowers
Chapter 367: Heaven Knows Not Because Of The Chime Of Drums
Chapter 368: Pride Was Not As Heavy As Gold
Chapter 369: The Bright Moon Is Not For Those Who Walk The Night
Chapter 370: Xia Mingji
Chapter 371: Torture Chamber And Will
Chapter 372: The Family Property Lawsuit
Chapter 373: The Incomparably Harmonious Piece Of Paper
Chapter 374: Xinfeng Restaurant’S Buns, Prince, And The Lawyer In Court
Chapter 375: The Night Of The Building Opening And Murder
Chapter 376: Killing Yuan Jingmeng To Swap Blood
Chapter 377: Fishing
Chapter 378: Behind The Ming Family’S Tragedy
Chapter 379: Whose Navy?
Chapter 380: Unwilling To Let Go
Chapter 381: The Palace And The Court
Chapter 382: Poaching Talent In Court
Chapter 383: The Matter Of The Ministry Of Revenue (1)
Chapter 384: The Matter Of The Ministry Of Revenue (2)
Chapter 385: The Investigation And The Artist’S Work (1)
Chapter 386: Fan Jian’S Sword
Chapter 387: Picking Up A Giant Snowball
Chapter 388: With Reason And Heavenly Might
Chapter 389: The Capital Deep In Spring
Chapter 390: Spring Union
Chapter 391: Bright And Cheerful Scenery
Chapter 392: Rising Climax
Chapter 393: Who Was Not Surprised?
Chapter 394: Black Mud Beneath The White Frost In The City
Chapter 395: I Watch The People’S Hearts From Above
Chapter 396: You Make Trouble Outside The Garden, I Laugh Inside The Garden
Chapter 397: A Strange Guest To Suzhou
Chapter 398: You Dare To Kill Me?
Chapter 399: One Strike To Topple The Building
Chapter 400: Hua Garden’S Brainstorm
Chapter 401: These Months
Chapter 402: Blankets Protected The Common People Under Heaven
Chapter 403: The Gathering Of Abandoned Children
Chapter 404: The Sword And The Edict
Chapter 405: This Matter Does Not Concern Romance
Chapter 406: Childishness
Chapter 407: The Same Sky
Chapter 408: Wuzhou Uncle
Chapter 409: Negotiations With Wife’S Family
Chapter 410: Father-In-Law Laughing Talks About The Junshang Conference
Chapter 411: Leaving The Mountain
Chapter 412: Entering The City
Chapter 413: Someone Is Having A Feast In Jiaozhou
Chapter 414: Someone Is Doing An Assassination In The Bathroom
Chapter 415: Charging Into The Manor Again
Chapter 416: A Play Inside The Admiral’S Manor
Chapter 417: Announcing Verbal Orders In The Study
Chapter 418: A Night Of Drugging People But Not Killing Them
Chapter 419: Who Is Whose Man?
Chapter 420: I Came From Faraway To Make Our Appointment
Chapter 421: Entering The Sheep Herd
Chapter 422: The Sea Breeze That Brought A Stench Of Blood
Chapter 423: Great Things To Be Done
Chapter 424: Officials Have Heart
Chapter 425: The Son Of Heaven Has A Sickness
Chapter 426: A Letter On The Sea Breeze
Chapter 427: Return Home With Honor (1)
Chapter 428: Return Home With Honor (2)
Chapter 429: Grandson, Sister-In-Law, Husband And Wife, Ah…
Chapter 430: Mercy And Deep Running Still Waters[Jw1] Are A Pair
Chapter 431: There Is No Tofu In Danzhou Today
Chapter 432: Only Talking About Relatives
Chapter 433: The Few Days Before Leaving Danzhou
Chapter 434: Snowy Night Meets Green Banner
Chapter 435: Thirteenth Wang
Chapter 436: There Is Snow In The Valley
Chapter 437: White Snow, Red Woods, Black Hair
Chapter 438: Jingdou, I Trust You Have Been Well Since We Last Met?
Chapter 439: In Front Of The Bureau Of Military Affairs, A Great Head
Chapter 440: From Where Is The Report From?
Chapter 441: The Old Grandfather Who Planted Pak Choi
Chapter 442: Who Can Resist?
Chapter 443: There Are Dogs Under Heaven, Who Will Chase Them Away?
Chapter 444: When One Is In A Temple, One Has No Choice
Chapter 445: Old Wheelchair, New Wheelchair
Chapter 446: Three People, Three Thoughts
Chapter 447: Person In Picture, Sound Outside Picture
Chapter 448: Big Brother, Don’T Scold Second Brother
Chapter 449: My People, Their People
Chapter 450: There Is Snow Outside The Building And Thoughts To The North
Chapter 451: Washing Your Hands To Make Soup
Chapter 452: Intentions As Before
Chapter 453: Remembering The Past In The Royal Study
Chapter 454: Brothers Smile In Front Of Baoyue Brothel
Chapter 455: Discussing History At The Feast At Hongmen [Jw1] (1)
Chapter 456: Discussing History At The Feast At Hongmen (2)
Chapter 457: Discussing History At The Feast At Hongmen (3)
Chapter 458: Discussing History At The Feast At Hongmen (4)
Chapter 459: Fog
Chapter 460: The Snowflakes And Bean Curds Before The Dawn
Chapter 461: The Great Court Conference
Chapter 462: Duke Of Danbo
Chapter 463: There Are Enemies Under Heaven
Chapter 464: Not Your Goddamn Business
Chapter 465: Returning To The Ancestors
Chapter 466: No Ambiguity Between Ruler And Official
Chapter 467: Remember The Past, When You Were Young
Chapter 468: The Small One Is In The Shoe
Chapter 469: Those Stupid Matters…In The Palace
Chapter 470: Seeing The Eldest Princess Again
Chapter 471: Loneliness In The Palace At Night
Chapter 472: Oh, Tears
Chapter 473: Where Are The Roots Of The Straw?
Chapter 474: Everything Has Order
Chapter 475: Unexpected But Attained
Chapter 476: Breaking The Ice Like Jade
Chapter 477: The Unconventional In The Royal Family
Chapter 478: The Fragrance Could Not Endure
Chapter 479: I Know What You Did Last Summer
Chapter 480: Eunuchs Can Also Change The World
Chapter 481: The Origins Of Fan San Bao
Chapter 482: As Parents
Chapter 483: The Third Generation
Chapter 484: Attitude Determines Everything
Chapter 485: Zhaoshang Money House
Chapter 486: The Death Of A Palace Serving Girl
Chapter 487: Who Could Obstruct A Large Escorted Stone-Carrying Carriage?
Chapter 488: This Is A Conspiracy
Chapter 489: The Major Figures
Chapter 490: Laughter In The Ming Garden
Chapter 491: Mountain Wolf Amongst The Descendants (1)
Chapter 492: Mountain Wolf Amongst Descendants (2)
Chapter 493 - The Three Nights In The Palace
Chapter 494 - Half An Hour
Chapter 495 - Blood And Yellow Earth In The Royal Palace
Chapter 496 - Thunderstorm (1)
Chapter 497 - Thunderstorm (2)
Chapter 498 - I [Jw1]
Chapter 499 - Imprison
Chapter 500 - Flow
Chapter 501 - Sigh
Chapter 502 - Pit
Chapter 503 - A New Generation Of Strange Little Creatures
Chapter 504: The Young Lady Of The Fan Manor In The Forest And Letters
Chapter 505 - If You Support Me
Chapter 506 - When All Was Done
Chapter 507 - The More Silence, The More Joy
Chapter 508 - Tea, Liquor, Paper, Big Picture
Chapter 509 - Absurd Words
Chapter 510 - Miserable Tears
Chapter 511 - A Lowly Monarch (1)
Chapter 512 - A Lowly Monarch (2)
Chapter 513 - The Monarch Arrives In The East Sea
Chapter 514 - Waves Growing From The Precipice
Chapter 515 - White Clouds Rise From Tall Mountains
Chapter 516 - People In The Temple
Chapter 517 - Words From The Heart
Chapter 518
Chapter 519 - Longbows Seal The Mountain At Night
Chapter 520 - Covering The Moon
Chapter 521 - Seeking Shelter In The Raging Sea
Chapter 522 - The Heart On The Ship
Chapter 523 - Chase (1)
Chapter 524 - Chase (2)
Chapter 525 - Chase (3)
Chapter 526 - A Breathtaking Shot
Chapter 527 - The Sad Little Arrow
Chapter 528 - The Great Grandmaster
Chapter 529 - The Mortal World
Chapter 530 - Meeting At Dong Mountain
Chapter 531 - A Great Journey
Chapter 532 - The Song Of Jingdou’S Cicadas
Chapter 533
Chapter 534 - The Beginnings Of Autumn
Chapter 535 - Please Lend Sir Your Moral Character
Chapter 536 - The Sound Of Sorrow
Chapter 537 - He Has Actually Always Been Here
Chapter 538 - Secret Meeting In Yangcong Alley
Chapter 539 - Who Could Live A Simple Life?
Chapter 540 - A Child Jumped Over The Wall
Chapter 541 - Whose Manor Is It?
Chapter 542 - The Sword Is Never Shown When Killing
Chapter 543 - Drawing The Dagger In His Shoe For The First Time
Chapter 544 - That Night
Chapter 545
Chapter 546 - Courage Because Of Determination
Chapter 547 - Sounds Of Killing Inside And Outside The Royal Palace
Chapter 548 - Counting Arrows
Chapter 549 - Affectionate Eunuch, Merciless Arrow
Chapter 550 - Vicious (1)
Chapter 551 - Vicious (2)
Chapter 552
Chapter 553 - Giving Him A Taste Of His Own Medicine
Chapter 554 - The Attack In Front Of Zhengyang Gate
Chapter 555 - Glory
Chapter 556 - Stealing The Banner, Stealing Power, Stealing Heart
Chapter 557 - Placing Three Idols On The Palace Walls
Chapter 558 - No Peace While Sitting In The City
Chapter 559 - Who Formed The Monarch’S Heart In A Sea Of Fire?
Chapter 560 - Using The Black Knights As A Prologue
Chapter 561 - Jing Ge Assassinates Qin
Chapter 562 - Killing Qin
Chapter 563 - The Spy Of An Instant
Chapter 564 - Dingzhou Army’S Order
Chapter 565 - Taiping Courtyard
Chapter 566
Chapter 567
Chapter 568 - The Way Of The Emperor
Chapter 569
Chapter 570 - The Consequences Of Dong Mountain
Chapter 571
Chapter 572 - Blue And White Words
Chapter 573 - A Dignified Life And Death
Chapter 574 - An Old Ginger Gradually Fading
Chapter 575 - An Angry Grape
Chapter 576 - The Watcher In The Maize
Chapter 577 - The Second Half Of The Scroll Of The Father And Son
Chapter 578 - Hearing The Bell Clearly
Chapter 579 - A Hundred Years Of Solitude
Chapter 580 - You Are The Apple Of My Eye
Chapter 581 - In And Out, Gradually Gentling
Chapter 582 - The Emperor’S Intentions
Chapter 583 - Sending Off A Comrade
Chapter 584 - Can’T Be Covered By Qing Mountain
Chapter 585 - Our Unsatisfactory Winter
Chapter 586 - Court Case In Passing Time
Chapter 587 - Hu Ge In Dingzhou
Chapter 588 - The General’S Manor
Chapter 589 - Strong Liquor And Warm Intestines
Chapter 590 - Broken Knife
Chapter 591 - An Old Friend In The Frontier City
Chapter 592 - The Young Man From The King’S Camp
Chapter 593 - Chief
Chapter 594 - Two Years
Chapter 595 - The Haitang Flower By The Lakeside
Chapter 596 - Three Days
Chapter 597 - After The Battle Of The Hearts
Chapter 598 - Autumn Grasslands, Rising Sun, Black Knights
Chapter 599 - Return
Chapter 600 - Outside The Window
Chapter 601 - See Through All The Scenery
Chapter 602 - The Gazes On The City Gate Watch The Return To The Capital
Chapter 603 - Old Events By The City Gate But Not The People Of Old
Chapter 604 - Young Lady Of The Wang Family
Chapter 605 - To Accept Or Not Accept, This Is Not A Question
Chapter 606 - Schemes
Chapter 607 - The Thunder Of Heaven And Fan Xian’S Lost Tablet
Chapter 608 - The Same Moonligh
Chapter 609 - What Are The Intentions Of The Doctor?
Chapter 610 - Singing At Night
Chapter 611 - The Ditch Between Two Departments
Chapter 612 - The East Wind Blows
Chapter 613 - The Show Until Winter
Chapter 614 - I’Ll Go When The Spring Comes
Chapter 615 - The Same Road
Chapter 616 - Cutting Plums At Leisure
Chapter 617 - Shadows Follow By My Side
Chapter 618 - Reunions Can Happen Anywhere In Life
Chapter 619
Chapter 620 - Breaking The Willow, Entering The Hut
Chapter 621 - Guests In The Hut
Chapter 622 - The Secret In The Dusk
Chapter 623 - True Joy In Front Of A Palace
Chapter 624 - Each Emperor Has His Own Officials
Chapter 625 - Brushing Hair
Chapter 626 - The Pit In The Sword Hut
Chapter 627 - Old Man
Chapter 628 - A Large Tree
Chapter 629 - In A Flash
Chapter 630 - If Three Walk Together
Chapter 631 - Drawing Four Swords, Considering A Vacant Heart
Chapter 632 - Only Saints Should Use Them
Chapter 633 - Poisoned
Chapter 634 - We Are All Seas Of Different Colors
Chapter 635 - The Waves Retreating
Chapter 636 - The Waves Retreating
Chapter 637 - Returning To The Capital To Beg For A Position
Chapter 638 - Discussing Marriage, Discussing Merit
Chapter 639 - Taking The Courtyard, Seizing Power
Chapter 640 - Growing Up Overnight
Chapter 641 - Thinking Bitterly By The Courtyard
Chapter 642 - Graves
Chapter 643 - Separate Challenges
Chapter 644 - To Know The Situation From A Cup Of Light Tea
Chapter 645 - Fake Impetuousness During The Banquet
Chapter 646 - The Black Umbrella In The Imperial Academy And The Light On The Nose Bridge明
Chapter 647 - Chaos In Spring Garden
Chapter 648 - An Opening
Chapter 649 - Making A Mistake
Chapter 650 - Fish Guts
Chapter 651 - Farmer, Country Estate, Some Fields
Chapter 652 - Ten Family Village
Chapter 653 - The Way Of Heaven
Chapter 654 - The Starlight Spilling Into The World
Chapter 655 - Willpower Was The Way Of The Emperor
Chapter 656 - Temple, Ant, Notebook
Chapter 657 - Covered In Rain, I Came From The Sea (1)
Chapter 658 - Covered In Rain, I Came From The Sea (2)
Chapter 659 - Covered In Rain, I Came From The Sea (3)
Chapter 660 - One Object In The Air, The Swords In One Hand
Chapter 661 - The Money Markets Of The World Must Be Killed!
Chapter 662 - Opening The Hut
Chapter 663 - One Should Do As One Thinks
Chapter 664 - A Simple Conquering
Chapter 665 - Desire To Quell A Rebellion
Chapter 666 - The Return Road Is Bloody
Chapter 667 - Rising Wind
Chapter 668 - Wife
Chapter 669 - Everyone Came From Jingdou
Chapter 670 - Risking It All
Chapter 671 - A Match Made In Heaven
Chapter 672 - I Want That Old Dog To Live
Chapter 673 - Gentlemen, Friend, Escape
Chapter 674 - The Wheelchair In The Night Wind
Chapter 675 - The Beginning Of A Battle Between Two People
Chapter 676 - A Carriage Enters The City Alone
Chapter 677 - : Decades Of Past Events And Anger
Chapter 678 - So What?
Chapter 679 - Investigating Heaven And Earth Without Retreat
Chapter 680 - Chen Pingping’S Revenge
Chapter 681 - Bamboo Flowering Inside The Royal Study
Chapter 682 - A Finger Pointed To The Overwatch Council’S Subjugation
Chapter 683 - Chaos In Jingdou, Swaying Red Candle
Chapter 684 - Looking And Laughing At Heroes Was Not Common (1)
Chapter 685 - Looking And Laughing At Heroes Was Not Common (2)
Chapter 686 - Looking And Laughing At Heroes Was Not Common (3)
Chapter 687 - Sending Off Chen Pingping In The Rain
Chapter 688 - Untitled Again
Chapter 689 - Unwilling To Wake From A Long Sleep In Fan Manor
Chapter 690 - Snowy Mountain In Dreams, Bloody Water In Basin
Chapter 691 - Washing One’S Hands Of An Official
Chapter 692 - Seven Days
Chapter 693 - The Members Of The Qinian Unit Embark On Their Own Paths
Chapter 694 - Rain At The Qing Temple
Chapter 695 - Name Of The Temple, Shadow Of The Person
Chapter 696 - Prepared
Chapter 697 - The Young Lady Of The Fan Family In The Palace
Chapter 698 - Could There Be Peace When Ruler And Official Meet?
Chapter 699 - Yes, Your Majesty
Chapter 700 - A Small Gift
Chapter 701 - Look, It’S Beautiful Up There
Chapter 702 - Jingdou’S Man Of Leisure
Chapter 703 - Variables In The North
Chapter 704 - Winter Arrives Again
Chapter 705 - A Sorrowful Song Of Defeat In Western Hu
Chapter 706 - Pacifying Xiliang
Chapter 707 - Chaos In Jiangnan
Chapter 708 - Blood In The Capital And Jiangnan
Chapter 709 - Who Is Killing In Jingdou
Chapter 710 - Heartbreak In Front Of The Hall
Chapter 711 - A Commoner Facing The Emperor Alone (1)
Chapter 712 - A Commoner Facing The Emperor Alone (2)
Chapter 713 - A Commoner Facing The Emperor Alone (3)
Chapter 714 - A Commoner Facing The Emperor Alone (4)
Chapter 715 - A Commoner Facing The Emperor Alone (5)
Chapter 716 - There Are Snowy Swords And Frost At Cang Mountain (1)
Chapter 717 - There Are Snowy Swords And Frost At Cang Mountain (2) In The Space Of A Flick Of The Fingers [Jw1]
Chapter 718 - There Are Snowy Swords And Frost At Cang Mountain (3)
Chapter 719 - There Are Snowy Swords And Frost At Cang Mountain (4)
Chapter 720 - Rock Garden
Chapter 721 - One’S Heart Faces The North
Chapter 722 - On A Journey
Chapter 723 - Sudden Chaos In The Snow
Chapter 724 - A Night Of Northern Wind
Chapter 725 - There Once Was A Mountain
Chapter 726 - There Is A Temple In The Mountain
Chapter 727 - Someone In The Temple (1)
Chapter 728: Someone In The Temple (2)
Chapter 729: Someone In The Temple (3)
Chapter 730: That Person Told A Story
Chapter 731: Scene Of Radiation And Legend
Chapter 732: The Loneliness Of One Person
Chapter 733: The Name Of The Most Powerful Person
Chapter 734: No Lake That A Garden Shall Not Reclaim (1)
Chapter 735: No Lake That A Garden Shall Not Reclaim (2)
Chapter 736: Dusk
Chapter 737: Wither
Chapter 738: Noon (1)
Chapter 739: Noon (2)
Chapter 740: Glass Flower
Chapter 741: A Rainy Day In Front Of The Royal Palace
Chapter 742: Walking In Front Of The Palace, Who Will Die?
Chapter 743: The Rainbow In The 12Th Year Of The Qing Calendar (1)
Chapter 744: The Rainbow In The 12Th Year Of The Qing Calendar (2)
Chapter 745: The Rainbow In The 12Th Year Of The Qing Calendar (3)
Chapter 746: Afterward
Categories Genre: Action, Adventure, All, Completed, Fantasy, Harem, Martial Arts, Romance, Xianxia Status: Completed ______
Total Chapters in book: 746
Estimated words: 2481802 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 12409(@200wpm)___ 9927(@250wpm)___ 8273(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 2481802 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 12409(@200wpm)___ 9927(@250wpm)___ 8273(@300wpm)
______
LIST OF LAST 10 CHAPTERS:
Page No. 746 Page No. 745 Page No. 744 Page No. 743 Page No. 742 Page No. 741 Page No. 740 Page No. 739 Page No. 738 Page No. 737 Page No. 736 Chapter 643 - Separate Challenges
Chapter 643: Separate Challenges
Translator:
Nyoi-Bo Studio
Editor:
Nyoi-Bo Studio
The emotions Fan Xian had to express had already been expressed. The things he should feel regret, grief, and determination for had already turned into new slurry in his mind. His sister had also talked about the true reason she had come to find him, so he would not continue staying with these graves. The group of people quickly climbed back into the carriages and drove toward Jingdou. On the carriage, he listened intently to his sister’s narration about what exactly happened at the manor. His furrowed brows gradually loosened. The matter was much simpler than he had imagined. It couldn’t be considered a big deal.
Any matter involving the Jingdou magistrate should have been a major deal. In Fan Xian’s eyes, these clashes in officialdom truly did not matter much and were only a little troublesome.
“She came this morning. She only said she was here to visit the princess. According to Teng’s wife, looking at young lady Sun’s gaze, she’ll probably come looking for you again.” Fan Ruoruo lowered her voice. “Sister-in-law went into the palace. There was no one in charge in the manor. Knowing that her identity is sensitive, they came looking for me.”
“What’s sensitive about it?” Fan Xian raised his brows and said unnaturally. “Sun Pin’er’s is not much older than Rou Jia. It’s not improper for her to come to the manor to chat with you two.”
“That’s not what I meant.” Fan Ruoruo saw through her brother’s unease at once. “It’s just that Sun Jingxiu is putting on a birthday banquet in a couple days. If he invites you to go, he will personally give you an invitation. In no way would it be up to his unwed daughter to come forward.”
“How could he give me an invitation?” Fan Xian smiled. “He’s too busy being afraid of me. I destroyed his life’s reputation. Besides, he is only a third-rank official. Even if he’s putting on a big show, the bother shouldn’t fall on me.”
“He certainly has something to ask of you.” Fan Ruoruo lowered her head in thought. She then said, “I just don’t know what troublesome matter it is.”
Fan Xian paused slightly. These few months, he had put all his attention on Dongyi and had paid less attention to Jingdou, so he didn’t know what unusual movements were happening. However, there was worldwide peace, and the Qing court was unusually calm. How could someone voluntarily jump out to cause problems?
After thinking for a bit, he lifted the curtain and gave Mu Feng’er a meaningful glance. Mu Feng’er understood and rode his horse closer to the carriage. Lowering his head, he listened to Fan Xian’s quiet orders and repeatedly nodded his head.
…
…
The group of carriages entered Jingdou and went around into a side alley by the streets in the south of the city. Quietly, they stopped by a corner door. Fan Xian climbed down from the carriage with his sister and glanced around. Like a thief, he sneakily entered the door. After entering the garden, he didn’t rush to the side hall to see the young lady of the Sun family. On the contrary, he made a hushing gesture and ducked into the third quiet study.
Fan Ruoruo looked at him with confusion. She that all the way back in the carriage, her brother had been concerned about the matter of the Jingdou government. Sun Pin’er was just in the side hall. He could go directly to her to clear things up, so why was he hiding?
Fan Xian watched his sister’s state of mind and said with a self-mocking smile, “After all, she is an unwed girl. It is a bit inappropriate for me to go see her.”
Fan Ruoruo spluttered with laughter and said, “You’re afraid of that? If you really understood that there are differences between men and women, three years ago, you wouldn’t have hidden in young lady Sun’s boudoir for so many days.” After saying this, her face couldn’t help but blush slightly with embarrassment. Blinking her eyes at her brother, she asked with a giggle, “Not only me, but even sister-in-law and Sisi were later curious of how exactly you slept those few nights in young lady Sun’s boudoir?”
Fan Xian did not smile or get angry. He only sighed helplessly and said, “For such a clear-as-ice and clean-as-jade young lady to be troubled by these rumors is already my bad. Each time I think of it, I always feel some remorse. Yet, you’re still using this to make fun of me. It is very unkind of you.”
Fan Ruoruo respected her brother a lot. Upon hearing these words, she quickly restrained herself and fell silent. No matter what, she could not brush away the curiosity in her heart. During the Jingdou Rebellion, Fan Xian hid in the boudoir of the government of Jingdou and secretly relied on the procedures of the government to arrange for the Black Knights to enter the capital. At the same time, he subdued the Jingdou government. This was Jingdou’s favorite legend.
Many people speculated on the relationship between Sir Fan junior and the young lady of Sun Jingxiu. Why would that girl take such a risk and betray her father to help Fan Xian? Why did Sir Fan junior put a great deal of effort in protecting Sun Jingxiu afterward? He seemed to only remember his meritorious deeds and did not hold a grudge. He helped him firmly sit in his position as Jingdou magistrate and made sure he was not implicated in the rebellion.
Even Fan Xian did not know the story of how those few nights had become common knowledge to everyone. He was worried that this would impact Sun Pin’er’s reputation and bring this girl trouble. When the rumors had reached their worst, he had been angry and had asked the Overwatch Council to investigate. In the end, the investigation concluded with a serving girl in the Jingdou government.
Since it was the other party’s household that had carelessly allowed the rumors to get out, there wasn’t any way for Fan Xian to deal with it. He just paid particular attention to his connection with the Jingdou government. There had barely been any communication these three years. The Jingdou magistrate Sun Jingxiu probably knew what Fan Xian was thinking and was deeply touched. Other than interactions in an official capacity, he had never even sent an invite to the Fan manor.
After staying for a moment in the study, Mu Feng’er brought his uncle Mu Tie in. When Fan Ruoruo heard the knocking on the door, she moved into the back room.
Fan Xian looked at the sweaty face of the head of the First Bureau, Mu Tie, and his dark complexion. He couldn’t help but say, “Although my person is in Dongyi, if there is any major movement in the capital, you should still notify me quickly.”
Mu Tie had already learned from his nephew that the Commissioner was going to ask about the matter of the Jingdou magistrate and had been prepared. Hearing the faint displeasure in his voice, his throat dried up. He didn’t try to explain anything. He just put the prepared files onto Fan Xian’s table.
Fan Xian picked up the files and read them one by one. His brows gradually furrowed. A moment later, he sighed.
These few months, he had been solely focused on Dongyi and there had indeed been movements in the capital. Not only Sun Jingxiu, but the lives of a few other officials had been wretched. The Ministry of Revenue and Ministry of Appointments were beginning to secretly investigate these officials. As for the specific matter they were investigating, there were a myriad.
After being in the Overwatch Council for a long time, Fan Xian knew that no yamen was completely clean. As long as one investigated deep enough, no matter the reason, one would always be able to find some problem. The Jingdou government yamen was being secretly investigated by a few allied ministries and beginning to endure an insufferable pressure. The so-called storm clouds were approaching. They were probably unable to hold up for much longer. The officialdom was the most sensitive. The civil and martial officials sensed the arrival of the storm. Even if they didn’t strike while they were down, they watched with cold eyes.
No wonder Sun Jingxiu would suddenly think to host a birthday banquet. He probably wasn’t sure of the Palace’s intentions, whether it was just a routine check or if they were going to use this matter to have him quit his position. Hosting a birthday banquet would allow him to clearly see the attitude of the Palace.
Fan Xian shook his head. He thought this magistrate did things earnestly and honestly. Even though he had stood on the wrong side of the Jingdou rebellion, it was just a mistake of skill. It was precisely such a temperament that allowed the Emperor to tolerate him for three more years. Yet, it was also precisely this temperament that made it so he still did not understand what the Palace was trying to do. He was delusional enough to think he could continue in the important position of Jingdou magistrate.
In one glance, Fan Xian saw the underlying reason for the disturbance in officialdom. All of the other officials, including Sun Jingxiu, were completely clean. In the end, Sun Jingxiu had performed a great deed. At the beginning, he had stood against the Emperor’s posthumous edict. The other officials had not stood firm during the Jingdou rebellion and were suspected of being opportunists. The Emperor was waiting for the right time to settle the accounts. Three years was not too late.
The court had long been stabilized. Given the Emperor’s ruthless personality, how could he tolerate these despicable officials who had swayed in the past?
Mu Tie saw that Fan Xian was lost in thought and swallowed to soothe his throat. He then carefully reminded him, “It began with the Ministry of Revenue and Ministry of Appointment’s investigation. That would only have been done after the Hall of Governmental Affairs gave its consent.”
This was reminding the Commissioner that the changing of people in the Jingdou government may be the intent of the Palace. Fan Xian should not clash against the Emperor’s intentions for the sake of the young lady of the Sun family.
Fan Xian smiled. He had no interest in becoming hostile against the Emperor. Furthermore, it was not worth it for the position of Jingdou magistrate. Even if the Emperor wanted to remove Sun Jingxiu from his position, he wouldn’t kill him to do so. Since this was the case, he would let the Emperor express some of the resentment he still had left.
Suddenly, his mind turned. He remembered that the Emperor had once promised to do no harm to Sun Jingxiu. He shouldn’t be going back on his word so quickly. Even if he was, he had been cautious of his face and shouldn’t have had the Hall of Government Affairs make an appearance.
He furrowed his brows and asked, “Has Hu the Scholar said anything about this matter?”
Hu the Scholar headed the Hall of Governmental Affairs. If the Emperor truly wanted to go through the Hall of Governmental Affairs for this, then the Hall’s leanings should be expressed through Hu the Scholar’s mouth.
“No,” Mu Tie glanced at him and said. “It was just He Zongwei who said something after drinking too much and the pressure on the Jingdou government increased.”
Everyone in the Overwatch Council and Fan manor knew Fan Xian extremely disliked He Zongwei of the Hall of Governmental Affairs. No one dared to express any admiration, respect, or other such positive comments about him in front of Fan Xian.
Fan Xian laughed coldly and said, “Just one sentence after drinking and he is able to cause the magistrate of Jingdou such worry. This Sir He is indeed quite impressive.”
He also understood that given the Emperor’s recent favoritism toward He Zongwei, he was just using his own mouth to announce the Emperor’s intention. If Sun Jingxiu was tactful, he would probably have long resigned his post by now. It was clear that this Jingdou magistrate was not so clever and did not understand this layer of meaning.
Fan Xian thought for a long time and then said, “I understand this matter now.”
Mu Tie glanced at him and did not go forward to tidy the files on the table. He only said, “Since you are going to the Sun manor, you only need to remind him that there is no need to do anything.”
“I know, I know. You talk too much.” Fan Xian waved his hand irritably and had the uncle and nephew leave the room.
Before Fan Ruoruo come forward, another person came to report that Yang Wangli had arrived. Fan Xian’s was surprised and thought, That bastard has been doing well in the Ministry of Works these days, and all his focus is on state affairs. It’s been a long time since he’s visited me. How come he has time today? Fan Xian also felt happy and quickly had someone bring him into the rear residence.
Unexpectedly, when Yang Wanli entered the study, his dark face was full of grievance.
Yang Wanli was the vice director of the Ministry of Work’s river department, a proper leading official. Given this speed of climbing ranks, he was certain to become a Minister within 10 years. It wasn’t completely because Fan Xian was supporting him from behind. He had honed experience under the blazing sun on the Jiangnan riverbanks and was no longer the sour scholar who only knew how to talk about saving the country. He was a proper industrious worker, which was why he had risen so quickly in the Ministry of Works. That was why Fan Xian was surprised by his mood today.
The two of them talked quietly about something. Fan Xian’s expression grew uglier and uglier. In the end, he only consoled him quietly and had him leave. Yang Wanli rarely visited the manor. Fan Xian knew that he was indeed buried in the yamen every day and did not find it strange. On the contrary, he helped him save time.
After Yang Wanli went out, only then did Fan Ruoruo come out from the back room and said with a slight frown, “What happened now?”
Fan Xian’s expression was somewhat heavy. After thinking for a moment, he replied, “At almost the same time as Sun Jingxiu’s matter, He Zongwei, that bastard, is becoming more and more arrogant. He stretches his hand to whoever I want to protect.”
Fan Ruoruo listened quietly and learned that things had not been going smoothly for Yang Wanli in the Ministry of Works. The Ministry of Revenue was also checking the accounts in the Ministry of Works, focusing on the water works that he managed. There even seemed to be the shadow of the Supreme Court and Ministry of Appointments behind it.
Each year, Yang Wanli had Fan Xian’s money supporting him. He lived quite comfortably. He also wasn’t a corrupt official to start with. Adding all internal and external factors, the accounts that passed through his hands were clean. The Ministry of Revenue could not find any problems with it no matter how hard they looked. Even when the Ministry of Appointments talked with him in private and expressed suspicion about his manor and number of servants, they were also pushed back by Yang Wanli’s words that they were gifts from his teacher.
The officials of the Ministry of Works did not have the daring to go to the Fan manor to ask Fan Xian in person for proof.
In the end, they still caught some of Yang Wanli’s loose ends. The reason was actually related to Fan Xian. This matter had started a few years ago. In the two years after the river works, Fan Xian was in charge of the palace treasury. Through his own tricks, his father’s help, as well as Xia Mingji and Fan Sizhe’s trading routes in the North, he had scooped up a great deal of money from the palace treasury. After a few twists and turns, this money was delivered to the yamen of the River Transport Governor.
At that time, Yang Wanli was still working in the River Transport yamen. The control of that astounding amount of money had been in his hands. There would always be some discrepancy in the moving of the money. That loose end had been caught. In particular, the officials of the Ministry of Appointments raised faint suspicions as to where the money had come from.
If this line of questioning was further pursued, many people would probably die. The question was, where was it from? The corners of Fan Xian’s mouth twitched slightly. He scolded with a cold smile, “The silver came from me being more frugal with my spending. The Emperor knows this, so why are they still asking? How generous and virtuous.”
He glanced at his sister and sighed. “Even the Ministry of Revenue is interfering. Looks like it will be difficult for the Fan family to control the Ministry of Revenue.”
In a society ruled by monarchical power, as a subject, Fan Xian shamelessly boasting about controlling the Ministry of Revenue was a treasonous resentment.
However, what he said wasn’t wrong. Regardless of when his father, Fan Jian, had been the vice minister or minister of the Ministry of Revenue, the entire Ministry was unanimous and cohesive. No matter whether it was the Crown Prince or the Second Prince, neither were able to extend their hand in. Even on that beautiful spring day when the Emperor wanted to use the Ministry of Revenue to create some disturbances, he had been deflected by Fan Jian neutrally.
Back then, the Ministry of Revenue was the legendary independent kingdom. If it was at that time, who in the Ministry of Revenue would investigate the Jingdou government and Yang Wanli, a student of Fan Xian’s? Even if they couldn’t block their superior’s intention to investigate, they would have secretly informed Fan Xian of it before the fact.
With Fan Jian’s sad retirement and the Emperor’s unhurriedly interjecting officials into the Ministry of Revenue and moving them around, the Ministry of the present was no longer the Ministry of the past.
Each time Fan Xian thought of this, he felt angry for his father, even though this anger was completely unreasonable.
After Fan Xian brought up He Zongwei, Fan Ruoruo became silent. An awkwardness and self-blame appeared on her face. Fan Xian glanced at his sister. He said after a moment of silence, “Don’t think too much about it. He Zongwei alone would not dare to touch my people. This is the palace’s intention.”
“Of course,” Fan Xian continued with his head down, “it looks like the popular Sir He has rejected marriage with our family and the hope of currying favor with me. He has decided to follow the Emperor’s intentions closely and be a loyal dog.”
He huffed coldly and said, “He Zongwei knows very well that the Emperor has raised him up to be my rival and that there is only a bad death waiting for him in the future. Yet, he also has no choice. Since it is so, he hopes he can truly find a major problem between the Emperor and me and endlessly provoke me, hoping that I will truly capsize. Only then can he preserve his own life.”
“Why is the Emperor doing this?” This was what caused the greatest confusion and unease for Fan Ruoruo.
Fan Xian smiled slightly and said self-mockingly. “The Emperor has already agreed for me to take over the position of Director of the Overwatch Council in the next few days.”
This was only natural. Fan Ruoruo did not offer any congratulations, but the confusion thickened in her mind. Since his royal favor had not changed, why did the Emperor choose this moment to put pressure on Fan Xian’s power?
“For each carrot, there is the whack of a stick. The Emperor is constantly aware of the balance between them. He is reminding me and weakening me. He doesn’t want to see an official holding too much power in their hands.”
Fan Xian looked at his sister and suddenly furrowed his brows. With slight mockery, he said, “Most importantly, the Emperor is making arrangements for the future of the Qing Kingdom. With the Hall of Governmental Affairs as headquarters, Hu the Scholar leading the way and holding down the court, the Overwatch Council and Imperial Censorate below mutually balancing each other, and the civil and military officials, only this could preserve the peace in the court. He is beginning to probingly explore the effects to see what his Qing Kingdom would be like in a hundred years.”
“But, He Zongwei is also in the Hall of Governmental Affairs,” Fan Ruoruo said with confusion.
“It is because the Overwatch Council is too powerful. Previously, it was Chen Pingping. Of the entire court, including my father-in-law, who could keep him in check? Later, there was me. It was impossible to try and hold me in check with just He Zongwei’s position as an Imperial Censor of the Left with the Emperor’s favoritism,” Fan Xian said. “Thus, the Emperor had no choice but to have He Zongwei enter the Hall of Governmental Affairs to forcefully raise his status. He is also helping He Zongwei shear away my power.”
“Of course, if He Zongwei’s power in court becomes too great, the Emperor will certainly help me weaken him,” Fan Xian said with a smile. “What bullsh*t schemes of the Emperor and the way of balance. It’s all just because he has nothing else to do.”
Fan Ruoruo was silent for a long time and then said, “But, the young lady of the Sun family… is still in the side hall.” She understood that the situation in the Jingdou magistrate was indeed dire. After listening to her brother say that this was the Emperor’s plan, she hadn’t thought about what Fan Xian could help the Sun family with.
Fan Xian was silent for a long time. He then said, “Go tell Sun Pin’er that I will visit in two days.”
Fan Ruoruo was surprised and said, “But, didn’t you say earlier that this was the Emperor’s intention?”
Fan Xian lowered his head. Crossing his fingers, he placed his hands calmly on his abdomen and said, “There has been mutual understanding between the Emperor and myself these three years. If it had been in the past and the Emperor wanted to strip away my power, I would let him do it. So, what if He Zongwei is arrogant for a time?”
“But, not now.” He raised his head and smiled. “I don’t know what will happen, so I have to ensure that I still hold enough power now.”
“You’re going to challenge the Emperor?” Fan Ruoruo asked, with her eyes open wide.
“I am still a young man. Some of the fire in my heart must be allowed.”
Fan Xian smiled slightly. His smile was very fresh and joyful. There wasn’t a trace of fire to be seen. His thoughts were actually simple. He wanted to protect all of his own people. Using the excuse of holding a grudge, he would temporarily maintain the power in his hands. In this way, he could learn how to face the powerful Emperor head on.
Fan Ruoruo was silent for a long time. She knew her brother’s mind was made up, so she didn’t say anything more. She couldn’t resist asking with a smile, “You’re really not going to talk with that young lady of the Sun family?”
“I’m afraid she won’t be able to marry. It’s better to not,” Fan Xian replied impatiently. “Just tell her I look forward to the birthday banquet.”
Total Chapters in book: 746
Estimated words: 2481802 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 12409(@200wpm)___ 9927(@250wpm)___ 8273(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 2481802 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 12409(@200wpm)___ 9927(@250wpm)___ 8273(@300wpm)
______