537-540

Chapter 537: He Has Actually Always Been Here

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

The beaded curtain moved. A cold light scattered in all directions like the empress dowager's unfathomable eyes. The empress dowager stared icily at Shu Wu and said each word clearly, "Shu the Scholar, lying about an edict is the great crime of deceiving a monarch!"

Shu Wu's expression changed slightly. After a moment of silence, he respectfully replied, "Today, the Qing Kingdom has no monarch. How can I be deceiving one?" Although he was faced by the empress dowager, the scholar refused to give an inch.

The empress dowager stretched out an old and withered hand and slowly pushed open the beaded curtain. She walked out from behind the curtain and stood next to the dragon chair. The Crown Prince quickly went to support her.

"The Emperor died at Dong Mountain due to the secret collusion between the Overwatch Council Commissioner Fan Xian and Dongyi to kill him. The incident happened abruptly. How could there be any posthumous edicts?" The empress dowager stared into Shu Wu's eyes with exceptional calmness. "If there is one, where is it now?"

Shu Wu's heart jumped. He knew that the empress dowager's words were pushing him to be implicated with Fan Xian. He sighed and replied, "The posthumous edict is presently in the hands of the Duke of Danbo."

After these words were uttered, clamoring immediately broke out in the. At the beginning of the Crown Prince's ascension, Fan Xian's crimes had already been openly stated, directly condemning him to an endless abyss. No one would have expected that Shu the Scholar would suddenly bring up a posthumous edict or that the edict was in the hands of Sir Fan junior.

The empress dowager coughed. She looked at Shu Wu and said, "Is that so? Fan Xian is an imperial criminal indicted for major crimes. The court has been secretly seeking him for many days. Even they don't know that he had returned to Jingdou, yet you seem very clear. How come you know about the posthumous edict?"

Shu Wu kowtowed to the ground and said with deep pain, "The Emperor was assassinated at Dong Mountain and all mourned. However, in less than half a month, the military and provinces all say that it was the work of the Duke of Danbo. I know the character of the Duke of Danbo very well. I am certain that he would not dare do such an evil act. As for the matter of the posthumous edict, it is indeed real. I have seen it personally."

The Crown Prince's hands were icy cold. The depths of his heart was chilled. He had never thought that before the incident at Dong Mountain happened, his father would have left a posthumous edict. One did not need a brain to know the contents of the posthumous edict. The Crown Prince suddenly felt a sense of cold sorrow. It seemed that his father had hated him to the bone.

He was silent next to the empress dowager, but a bitter smile rose in his heart. He knew his grandmother's energy had been stretched to the breaking point. Otherwise, she would not have made such a miscalculation in her handling of this matter. As a revered empress dowager, what need was there for her to be ensnared in such details with an old official? Since the topic had been opened, if he wanted to successfully sit on the dragon chair, he had to get rid of the posthumous edict that suddenly appeared.

"Fan Xian colluded with Sigu Jian. That is a great evil."

The Crown Prince looked at the officials below and slowly said, "Usually, Fan Xian is skilled in dressing himself up and deceiving the public to build a good reputation. Shu the Scholar, do not be fooled by such wicked people. If father truly left a posthumous edict, then as his son, I wish desperately to be able to see father's own writing."

The Crown Prince's voice carried a glimmer of sorrow. The officials below all offered words of comfort. He took the opportunity to compose himself.

The meaning of his words were very clear. A posthumous edict could be forged. Shu Wu, you are part of the ruling faction in the Hall of Governmental Affairs. How could you have secret comings and goings with the imperial criminal Fan Xian?

The Crown Prince looked at Shu Wu and frowned, "I have always deeply respected your character, but what I have seen and heard today has truly disappointed me. To secretly protect a court indicted imperial criminal! To think that father had held you in such high regard. Today, you have been muddle-headed and malicious. How will you have face to see my father in the future?"

The Crown Prince's gaze gradually became icy. A rarely seen tyrannical aura began to infect all the officials in the Palace along with the words in his mouth.

"Shu the Scholar, collusion with a court indicted imperial criminal and making false claims about the previous Emperor's edict… Someone expel him from the Palace. Because of his advanced age, hold him in prison to await questioning!"

As these words were said, clamoring broke out in the hall. All of the Qing officials knew that when it came to the fight for imperial power, there was never any gentleness to speak of, particularly for Shu the Scholar, who had brought out the posthumous edict with unusual force. The Crown Prince had to choose the bloodiest method to subdue it.

No one expected that the gentle Crown Prince would, in an instant, demonstrate a tyrannical air similar to that of the recently deceased Emperor.

It was like there was a wooden fish in everyone's heart that was being gently struck by a wooden hammer and making a thumping sound. Because of Shu Wu's sorrowful cry, the Crown Prince's process of ascension had been forcefully interrupted. All of the officials had already stood up. The wide sleeves of the black or white plain robes fluttered weakly. Everyone was open-eyed and dumbstruck. No words came from their open mouths. The ripples on their sleeves swung gently.

Inside the expansive Taiji Palace, all of the officials were completely silent. They watched as a few eunuchs took Shu the Scholar's arms. At the same time, they saw that outside of Taiji Palace there were many people walking around. It was the guards in the Palace, the ones who wore short straight knives. All the officials knew that if things went wrong, it may be a severe ending with blood splattered across the main hall.

…

…

Shu Wu laughed bitterly and did not offer a shred of resistance. He allowed the eunuchs at his side to bind his arms. He had done what he had to do. If, at this moment, the officials in the hall bowed to the empress dowager's might, the Crown Prince's position, and Eldest Princess's power and remained silent, what good would it do even if he did take out the posthumous edict?

If the empress dowager said the posthumous edict was fake, who would dare say it was real?

He shook his head and glanced at the empress dowager quietly with presbyopic eyes and sighed in his heart. Why did Fan Xian refuse to use the posthumous edict to contact the officials? Last night, if they had made contact with the various officials and had the Emperor's posthumous edict to protect them, the civil officials would at least be a bit more daring. It would not be like it was today, with him left to sink alone.

The Qing Emperor's handwritten letter and posthumous edict had not been thrown by the empress dowager into the basin and burned. What had burned was only a piece of white paper in the envelope and Shu the Scholar's last piece of hope in the empress dowager.

The eunuchs half supported and half escorted Shu Wu out of the Palace, where the guards were waiting surrounded by an aura of death.

The Crown Prince let out a slight breath. In the end, the stubborn civil officials still bowed to the might of the royal family. They would not be overly impetuous.

The empress dowager's heart also felt slightly calmer. She wished to have Shu Wu, that unreasonable old man, quickly dragged out so that the Crown Prince's ascension ceremony could end.

Shu Wu was dragged out wretchedly. As he was dragged out, the old man thought to himself that with his reputation present, he may not be immediately killed. Once the Crown Prince was firmly seated on the dragon chair, would a cup of poisoned wine or a length of while silk greet him?

Suddenly, many people heard a faint sigh.

The sigh came from the person standing at the head of the civil officials, the leading scholar of the Hall of Governmental Affairs, the initiator of the Qing Kingdom's new literature movement, the man who had a pure reputation: Hu the Scholar.

Hu the Scholar looked at Shu Wu and shook his head with a bitter smile. He then broke rank, knelt, kowtowed, raised his head, and opened his mouth.

"I beseech Your Highness to call back your edict."

Clamor broke out among the officials.

The empress dowager's expression changed slightly. The hand hidden inside her sleeve shook a little. She had not expected that Hu the Scholar would stand out. Regardless of how friendly he was with Shu Wu in private, when it the time for the nation to pass on the sacred throne, this Hu the Scholar…

Hu the Scholar lowered his head. The three-inch beard on his chin was very calm as he said, "Since His Majesty has a posthumous edict, I ask that the empress dowager announce it to the hall."

Without waiting for the empress dowager and Crown Prince to speak, Hu the Scholar continued with his head lowered, "There are many suspicious points of the Dong Mountain incident. If the Duke of Danbo has already returned to the capital, then he should be immediately summoned in to present the posthumous edict. For the matter of rebellion, it is for the three departments to question it. How could it be carelessly decided by military reports? The life and death of the Emperor is a major matter. Until now, there has been no body, no reply from the Tiger Guards, and the Overwatch Council is a mess…"

The words of this leading civil official were getting quicker and quicker. Even the empress dowager's cold rebuttals could not stop him speaking.

"I believe that the most important matter right now is to learn the truth of what happened at Dong Mountain. The only person who knows the truth is the Duke of Danbo."

"Whether the posthumous edict is real or false, it needs to be looked at. Whether or not the Duke of Danbo should be sentenced to death by a thousand cuts, it can only be discussed after he has been captured."

Hu the Scholar continued, "I think that capturing the Duke of Danbo to close the case is the most important matter. I implore you to make the decision wisely."

…

…

It was silent in the hall for a long time before the empress dowager repeated to Hu the Scholar three times with an ashen expression, "Fine! Fine! Fine! How dare you, Sha Hu!"

Sha Hu was a nickname the Qing Emperor had given to Hu the Scholar, rewarding his righteous and clear heart. Although the situation in the hall was very dangerous, this scholar had suddenly spoke out. In front of the empress dowager and the Crown Prince, he refused to back down. Each word pierced straight into a subject they wished to avoid.

The empress dowager's eyes narrowed slightly and filled with a cold light. The Crown Prince's expression remained as calm as usual. His eyes swept downward.

The Crown Prince had his own trusted aides in court. Because of the Eldest Princess's manipulations, those officials had swung for a long time between the Crown Prince and the Second Prince. At a time such as today, they stood out bravely.

The Minister of Appointments, Yan Hangshu, gazed at Hu the Scholar and coldly said, "Earlier, the empress dowager already gave the order to strip Fan Xian's dukedom and wipe out the Fan family. Yet, you continue to refer to him as the Duke of Danbo. Is this not too inappropriate. Fan Xian has committed the great crime of rebellion. You scholars repeatedly dispute it on his behalf. I wonder if there is some untold secret behind all this."

Shu Wu was at the door. He looked with surprise and appreciation at Hu the Scholar kneeling below the dragon chair.

Hu the Scholar did not even look at the Minister and disdainfully said, "I am an official of Qing Kingdom, the Emperor's official. I am the leading scholar in the Hall of Governmental Affairs, handling national matters by imperial decree. If the Emperor has left a posthumous edict, I want to see it. Why could that not be shared?"

The three Princes below the dragon chair each had their own complicated emotions. The Second Prince was, in his heart, mocking his grandmother and the Crown Prince. He thought to himself, For matters concerning the chair, you must walk an open and public path. No wonder there was so much trouble. The Great Prince's expression was solemn. He was quietly working out whether or not the posthumous edict brought up by the two scholars was real or not.

Only the youngest Third Prince had his head slightly lowered and could feel a firmness coming from outside his calf and a chill in his heart. He wondered what he should do if a large number of guards charged in later. Of course, the Crown Prince would not be allowed to kill all of these officials.

The Crown Prince stood high beside the dragon chair and looked coldly at Hu the Scholar kneeling below. He felt very conflicted. He thought to himself that his aunt's judgment was right. Qing Kingdom had two arms. Other than the military, the civil officials would always their own brain. This brain was something the Emperor had allowed them to have. At this moment, this brain was beginning to bring endless trouble for the Crown Prince's ascension.

"Both scholars have stood out…" The Crown Prince gave a light and mocking laugh in his heart. "You are an official but make false claims about a posthumous edict. Hu the Scholar, you should think it through."

After these words were spoken, more eunuchs came forward and held onto each side of Hu the Scholar. Immediately, an atmosphere of terror filled Taiji Palace. Two of the scholars of the Hall of Governmental affairs objected to the Crown Prince taking the throne. They were going to be captured and thrown in jail.

When was the last time such a situation happened in Qing Kingdom history? No official could remember, but they knew that as these two scholars were leaders among the civil officials. If the Crown Prince could not subdue them publicly, then he could only use this violent method to suppress it. In the end, it would cause many problems.

Problems to the heart of the court.

The immediate problem was demonstrated when Hu the Scholar was escorted out of the Palace. When Hu the Scholar and Shu the Scholar stood at the Palace doors and smiled at each other, the officials inside the hall, who had been standing silently for a long time, all knelt down with a swish.

…

…

"Please, reconsider, empress dowager. Please, reconsider, Crown Prince."

Half of the civil officials had knelt down in an instant and cried out in a uniform voice. This was no longer a plea for mercy for the two scholars. This was a demonstration of force to the grandmother and grandson on the dragon chair. This was telling the Li family that in Qing court, it was not just the two scholars who were not afraid of death. There were many people.

The civil officials who belonged to the Eldest Princess' faction and military leaders, who had stood in silence, looked at this scene and were involuntarily moved. They didn't understand what these civil officials kneeling on the floor were thinking. What exactly did they want? Did they really want to forgive Fan Xian for his crime and prevent the Crown Prince from ascending? Other than their mouths and their names, what power did they have?

Seeing the black mass of officials at her feet, the empress dowager felt her head grow dizzy and couldn't stand steadily. The Crown Prince was finally hard pressed to maintain his calm His expression became darker. He had not thought that a posthumous edict, which had not even appeared in front of these people, would bring such a crisis to the ascension ceremony.

Were there really people in this world who were not afraid of death? There shouldn't have been. If the civil officials were all so open and public and were not officials that were afraid of death, then what use did the Qing Kingdom have for the Overwatch Council?

The Crown Prince's thoughts were distracted. He didn't understand why so many people opposed him. It was usually completely undetectable. The officials kneeling below him were mostly of the middle faction. Had Fan Xian used some magic on them?

Kill them all? If not, then what?

A long accumulated pain between the Crown Prince's brows began to spread throughout his head. He thought to himself, Fan Xian, it looks like I still underestimated your power in Jingdou.

The empress dowager, who had already sat back in her chair, viciously cursed out a person's name between the gap of her lips in a low voice. Only then did this remind the Crown Prince that it was impossible for Fan Xian to create the scenario in front of him of the officials kneeling down and offering their admonishments.

Only now did the Crown Prince think that, everyone, including his aunt, seemed to have forgotten someone. His aunt had been tangled with this person for a dozen years. The Emperor had forced him out of Jingdou. He had lived quietly for many years in Wuzhou, but, at the time, had great power in court and countless disciples as the last Prime Minister of the Qing Kingdom: Li Rufu.

Chapter 538: Secret Meeting In Yangcong Alley

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

One posthumous edict sent the court into chaos. The officials gritted their teeth and forcefully objected. It was as if each of them had personally seen the posthumous edict. From Shu the Scholar's words, everyone understood that the edict, which could at least pull the Crown Prince off his horse, was still in Fan Xian's hands.

Where was Sir Fan junior? There were drawn swords and armed crossbows in Taiji Palace that were, at any moment, ready to send blood spraying tens of meters high. The powers focused on helping the Crown Prince ascend the throne, including the Eldest Princess, who had been behind the scenes and was actually the source of all the chaos, were all sniffing around Jingdou trying to find where Fan Xian had hidden himself.

Capture Fan Xian. Kill Fan Xian. Crucify Fan Xian. Destroy the posthumous edict.

The court could not fall into chaos no matter what. The scholars Shu and Hu would have lost their last support. No matter how strongly they pushed, it would be impossible to rile up the civil officials against royal power again.

It was only in Taiji Palace that Fan Xian was formally announced as the culprit responsible for assassinating the Emperor and committing treason. The pursuit of Fan Xian by powers outside of the Palace had already been happening for many days. However, Jingdou was too big. The Eldest Princess had enough resources in her hands to vaguely control Jingdou but was unable to find a trace of Fan Xian in the hundreds of thousands of people.

The Eldest Princess couldn't even stop Fan Xian from meeting secretly with Shu Wu the night before the Crown Prince's coronation.

…

…

In an isolated little alley, somewhat far from the center of royal power and most of the luxurious and wealthy manors, it was extraordinarily quiet. The atmosphere of sorrow and fear among the Jingdou people were not able to enter this little alley. There were only a few green trees swaying in the autumn air.

It was called Yangcong Alley, an unremarkable name.

At the end of the alley was a small courtyard. It had been bought by an unknown person a few years ago. Half a year ago, a woman and a few servants moved in. The identity of the woman was unknown, yet she was able to buy such a reclusive little courtyard. In the half year, no one had come to visit her.

In the Palace, there was an irreconcilable battle going. The culprit who had caused this matter to happen was sitting leisurely under the shade of a tree in this courtyard, drinking tea and thinking.

Fan Xian wore green clothing and had changed his face a little. Although it did not reduce his heroic aura, it made him appear more sincere. His fingers gently spun the small goblet. He suddenly furrowed his brows and said to the charming and beautiful woman with deep-set eyes next to him, "Other than Prince Heqing, who else knows of this courtyard of yours?"

The beauty pressed her lips together and shook her head. Her large eyes were filled with curiosity and spirit. She looked at Fan Xian, the evil man rumored to have killed the Emperor, without any fear.

This was the courtyard Fan Xian had bought and given to the Great Prince as a secret place to keep his mistress.

The beauty, whose appearance and spirit was very different to the composed Qing women, was the Princess of the Xi Hu people. She had followed the Western Expedition Army back to the capital after troubling Fan Xian for a year in Jiangnan.

Other than Deng Zi Yue, who had carried out the transaction, no one knew that the person who had bought this little courtyard was Fan Xian. After it was given to the Great Prince, given his henpecked and easily shamed personality, it was even less possible that he had announced it everywhere. After Fan Xian had contacted the officials, he did not return to the inn. Instead, he chose to come to the little courtyard. He was not worried about being found by the Eldest Princess's faction.

Fan manor and the Overwatch Council were watched in all directions. Yan manor and Wang Qinian's family were probably watched by aces from the internal court. Fan Xian didn't want to take the risk. Only this little courtyard in Yangcong Alley could ensure his safety. At the same time, it made it convenient for him to contact an important person.

Hearing Ma Suosuo's curious reply, Fan Xian's brows furrowed. He rose from the chair and calmly watched the back door that opened to the left of the alley.

He heard someone coming toward the courtyard and was clearly not the Great Prince he was waiting for.

…

…

After a number of clangs and a squeak, the wooden door of the unnamed courtyard was unlocked by someone from the outside and pushed open. Ma Suosuo looked at this scene in shock. She couldn't help but put her hand over her mouth. All the servants in this courtyard had been brought by the young master of the Fan family. No one had ever come to the courtyard before. Who exactly was this newcomer?

She turned and looked at Fan Xian. In a low voice, she cried out, "Young master, run!"

Fan Xian didn't run. He only smiled at the woman stepping through the back door. The emotions in his smile were complicated. He bowed and said, "Greetings, wangfei."

The person who had come was not Prince Heqing. It was Heqing wangfei, the Great Princess of Northern Qi.

The Great Princess's expression was calm. There was a smile in her eyes as she gazed silently at Fan Xian. A moment later, she leisurely bowed and said, "Greetings, young Duke."

Fan Xian bowed and gave way, shaking his head with an awkward smile. He was waiting for the Great Prince, yet it was she who arrived. From this, one could see just how henpecked the Great Prince was. He had even reported his mistress's home to the Great Princess.

"Suosuo, go in first." Fan Xian waved his hand. He knew that wangfei did not wish to see this Xi Hu beauty, so he signaled for her to temporarily hide inside.

Wangfei had come alone. Although she had not purposely disguised herself, it was clear that some thought had gone into it. Fan Xian watched her eyes quietly and extended a hand to invite her to sit. After a moment of silence, he said, "You are very daring. You know the Palace must be keeping an eye on Prince Heqing's manor, yet you still came here alone to meet me."

After making contact with the civil officials, Fan Xian most wanted to contact the Great Prince, who held the Imperial Army in his hands. According to rumors, Lady Ning was already held in Hanguang Palace. Additionally, there were many spies from the Jingdou Garrison and internal court keeping watch outside Prince Heqing's manor. Fan Xian had found a clever way to leave a message inside the manor, hoping the Great Prince would think of a way to contact him.

He had not expected that it would be wangfei who came.

"It is you who has heroic daring cast by heaven," Wangfei smiled and replied to his comment. "You knew that all the powers in Jingdou were anxiously searching for you and that the Crown Prince was taking the throne today. Yet, you are able to sit calmly in a gilded courtyard and watch the events unfold. I don't know whether you already have a plan or are at your wit's end."

"It may not be true that I already have a plan, but it is false that I am at my wit's end," Fan Xian said in a quiet voice. "If I didn't have some ideas, why would I disturb you?"

Wangfei replied evenly, "Presently, the situation is dangerous in the capital. My Lord is responsible for the Imperial Army. it is impossible for him to return to the manor. If you wish to meet him, I'm afraid it will be difficult. However, we don't know what difficulties you are having. I took the liberty of coming to see you. I hope you will not take offense at that."

Fan Xian sank into silence. He suddenly said, "Great Princess, presently, I am the culprit for killing the Emperor. Since you dare to come to see me and ask what difficulties I have, then naturally you understand my meaning."

Wangfei's eyes rippled slightly. She didn't know what to say for a moment.

Fan Xian lowered his head and thought for a while. He then slid a little closer toward wangfei and said in a quiet voice, "I don't know if you still remember what I said outside the carriage when we were going South from Northern Qi?"

Wangfei immediately smiled. "Naturally, I will not forget a promise. However, times have changed. The situation in Jingdou is too dangerous. The Great Prince depends wholly on the Imperial Army in his hands for hard-pressed support. If you really want to do something big, I'm afraid the Great Prince will not be able to help. As a woman, I am even less able to promise."

"Hard-pressed support?" Fan Xian laughed quietly. "Are you talking about the matter of the Jingdou Garrison changing people yesterday?"

Wangfei fell silent.

Fan Xian sighed. The changing of people in the Jingdou garrison could be considered to have pierced into his weak point, as well as that of the Great Prince's.

Initially, the position of Commander of the Jingdou Garrison had always been controlled by the Ye family. Later, it was controlled for two years by the second generation general of the Qin family, Qing Heng. The Emperor used the attack in the valley earlier in the year as an excuse to clean out the division of power in the court. He moved Qin Heng into the Bureau of Military Affairs as a deputy and appointed Xie Su, once the Great Prince's deputy commander in the Western Expedition Army, as the commander of the Jingdou Garrison.

All of this changed yesterday. After the empress dowager stabilized the Palace, her first edict was to completely remove Xie Su from his post and re-appointed Qin Heng once more as the commander of the Jingdou Garrison!

Xie Su was dismissed for no reason. Since the Imperial Army was under a great deal of pressure from the Emperor's assassination, the Great Prince was unable to say anything. Furthermore, this once courageous general of the Western Expedition Army had controlled the Jingdou Garrison for less than half a year and had not been able to form his own power base. The Great Prince and Xie Su could do nothing when the Qin family returned and took it back.

Fan Xian was troubled by this matter. Putting aside the matter that the Jiaozhou sailor Xu Maocai had suggested to him, the changing of hands of the control of the Jingdou Garrison meant that all the military power outside Jingdou was held by the Qin family.

He glanced at wangfei and furrowed his brows. "The Jingdou Garrison is often stationed at Yuantai. As long as nothing goes wrong with the guards of the 13 gates, the only power that could resolve the situation in Jingdou is still the Imperial Army."

"I have never forgotten my promise to you," Wangfei looked at him calmly and said. "After you have returned from Dong Mountain, you had no idea how strictly guarded the Palace in the capital was. The Great Prince is just managing to control the Imperial Army because the empress dowager has not written an edict."

Fan Xian was silent.

Wangfei continued, "Why does the empress dowager feel at ease with the Great Prince controlling the Imperial Army? She knows that he is a straightforward person. He will not move rashly or rebel…"

Without waiting for wangfei to finish, Fan Xian was already laughing. "The current situation is that there is someone rebelling in the Palace."

Wangfei smiled bitterly. "The problem is, it is the person who sits in Taiji Palace that has the authority to determine who is rebelling. If, at this moment, you were in the Palace and at the empress dowager's side reading the posthumous edict that had been announced far and wide today, I can promise that the Great Prince would be your strongest supporter."

After a pause, wangfei suddenly said, "Bring the posthumous edict out. Regardless of which angle you look at, making the posthumous edict public right now gives us a chance to fight. Otherwise, we can only continue being passive."

"No, there are still many people who haven't made a move. For example, my mother-in-law," Fan Xian said calmly. "With the posthumous edict with me, peace can at least be maintained for a while. Once the edict has truly come out, both sides will have to show their faces and declare battle."

Wangfei said with light mocking, "At such a time, you still want to preserve the meaning of bright clarity in Danbo?"

Fan Xian smiled self-mockingly and said, "I am not a stupid person. The reason I am not making the edict public is the same as the reason you gave earlier for the Great Prince's silence."

He stared into wangfei's eyes and slowly said, "Lady Ning is in the Palace, so the Great Prince cannot do anything. Don't forget, my wife and concubine are also in the palace. If the battle is to happen openly, neither I nor the Great Prince can endure such a loss."

Chapter 539: Who Could Live A Simple Life?

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

After hearing these words, wangfei immediately stopped talking. She and Fan Xian understood each other perfectly. After the three riders entered the capital, the empress dowager's seemingly panicked edicts were now gradually showing their effectiveness.

The reason that these edicts put such constraints on the Great Prince was because the empress dowager clearly believed in her eldest grandson's character. In the her view, Fan Xian might be sinister enough to seek personal benefit regardless of his birth mother, but the Great Prince would not.

"To be able to create such a ruckus in Jingdou in just one night, it is clear that although the internal could control the Fan manor and is watching the Overwatch Council, you still have your power," Wangfei furrowed her brows and said. "Therefore, I don't understand…"

Without waiting for wangfei to finish speaking, Fan Xian shook his head and said, "What don't you understand? If this matter is to be resolved, it must be done from within the Palace. No matter how much ruckus is outside the Palace, it would not touch the root of the problem. If this matter is to be resolved from within the Palace, it needs the help of the Great Prince."

He watched wangfei's face calmly and said, "Of course, he will also need my help. Someone needs to do the things he disdains or the sinister things he cannot do."

Wangfei smiled and slowly said, "You misunderstand me. When I said I don't understand, I was talking about why you still don't know the two pieces of good news."

"What good news?" Fan Xian felt slightly surprised.

"The situation in the Palace is much better than you think." Wangfei lowered her head slightly. "The family you care about reacted much faster than you imagined."

Fan Xian's pupil constricted slightly. His father, wife, and family were in the control of the internal court, which was why he had made himself sink into the darkness after returning to the capital from Dong Mountain. He couldn't take the risk to make contact with the Council. He could only secretly contact the powers his father-in-law had left behind. As for the situation in his family, he only had a general understanding. Hearing wangfei's words, only now did he learn that the empress dowager's plans were not completely realized. With just a thought, his heart moved slightly. He felt some anticipation.

Wangfei said, "Soldiers had indeed entered the Fan manor in preparation of wiping them out. However, Minister Fan was not in the manor. The day the three riders entered the capital, after Minister Fan came out from the Palace, he did not return home. Instead, he was taken by King Jing to his manor."

"King Jing?" Fan Xian was greatly shocked. "You are saying that father has been in his manor all these days? Why have there been no rumors?"

Wangfei said, "The Fan manor had already been sealed, so no news could come out from within. After all, King Jing is the empress dowager's trueborn son. Since the Emperor already died, she had to leave some face for her only son. Thus, presently, there is only the Jingdou Government and internal court working together to keep watch outside, but they don't dare to charge in."

After Fan Xian recovered from his surprise. He laughed coldly and said, "What not dare? What face? It is only because the empress dowager thinks she can control everything in Jingdou. Without having caught me, why would she be in a rush to get rid of my family?"

"After destroying the posthumous edict and getting rid of you, the empress dowager will dare to take action."

Fan Xian smiled. "What is the other good news?"

"That Sisi girl that was about to give birth." Wangfei said, "About 10 days ago, she went with Princess Chen and the Master of the Lin family to the Fan family estate."

Fan Xian frowned slightly.

"The day the empress dowager gave the edict for your family to enter the Palace, the eunuch that went to announce the edit was met with an empty home," Wangfei said calmly. "Sisi was not in the manor. No trace of this could be found in the Fan family estate either."

"In other words, Sisi disappeared a dozen days ago." Wangfei gazed at Fan Xian. A glimmer of admiration shined in her eyes. "Thus, I don't understand. You were so well prepared ahead of time, what exactly were you worried about?"

Fan Xian's expression remained calm and unchanging, but his heart had sunk into shock. Sisi had gone to the Fan family estate and disappeared. Who had organized this? Was it father? Did father know of the Emperor's assassination a dozen days before it happened, thus deducing the following events and making appropriate arrangements?

"It wasn't me." The color of Fan Xian's face was unsightly. "I also didn't know that Sisi had been taken elsewhere or where that is."

Wangfei was surprised and gazed at him for a while unable to speak. She had also sensed the oddness behind this matter. Who helped arrange this matter so many days ahead?

Looking at how the Fan manor hid the news of Sisi's disappearance during this time, it was clear they knew inside information. Fan Xian understood this, so he did not continue to worry about Sisi's safety. Rather, he sank into a difficult problem. He glanced at wangfei and saw the shock in her eyes.

"The old cripple."

"Director Chen."

The same answer rose in their hearts. Pushing the deduction forward from there might ouch upon a preposterous and exaggerated reality. The two of them, with great situational awareness, did not continue deeper into the discussion. Fan Xian furrowed his brows and said, "The manor has a good relationship with the Director. Recently, Jingdou has been in chaos. I have been unable to return to the Council. It is in a complete mess. I don't know whether you know why such a situation would arise."

Wangfei looked at him and said, after a moment of silence, "Everyone in Jingdou knows that once the Emperor isn't here, it is the Director's following actions that are important. I don't believe the Eldest Princess would think of this point. On the first day, the empress dowager summoned the Director into the Palace…"

"I had thought that he had entered the Palace, but there was no more information later. Only then did I realize the strangeness of the situation." Fan Xian waved his hand. "Even if the 13 city gate guards were strictly controlling the movement of information between the inside and outside of the city, they can't seal off Chen Garden into an isolated island."

His brows furrowed together. Having been back in the capital for a number of days, he had only been able to secretly contact some of the people in the Council and didn't know much about the details. He could feel that many people were afraid because of the news of the Commissioner's rebellion. Chen Pingping, who was supposed to be holding the fort in the Overwatch Council, had, for whatever reason, not followed the edict to enter the capital.

Fan Xian wondered, Is the news of him being poisoned true?

Wangfei didn't know what he was thinking but sighed and said, very coincidentally, "I'm just afraid that the news about poisoning is true."

Fan Xian's heart tightened. Given the Overwatch Council's defensive powers, how could someone slip poison into Chen Pingping's food and drink? People were all saying that it was the doing of that master poisoner from Dongyi.

"At first, I thought the Director was using the poisoning matter to extricate himself from the fight for succession in court," he closed his eyes slightly and said. "If the poisoning is real, then the matter becomes troublesome."

"There is already big trouble," Wangfei looked at him calmly and said. "The empress dowager still trusts Director Chen, but the poisoning matter was too coincidental. I'm afraid that she will have other thoughts. If the empress dowager didn't think that Director Chen would stand on your side, she probably wouldn't be so decisive in her choice of the Crown Prince. Rather, she would stand in the middle and leave space to compromise."

Fan Xian nodded. He and others all suspected Chen Pingping's poisoning. Naturally, the empress dowager would too. Suspicion would be like a thorn and would hurt more and more. Since the empress dowager's suspicion had fallen on Chen Pingping's head, she would do her most to subdue the Overwatch Council.

"It looks like Qin Heng's first task as the Commander of the Jingdou Garrison is too keep an eye on the Chen Garden. No wonder no messages have come out yet." Fan Xian's brows furrowed even tighter.

As long as the Qin family's troops don't enter Jingdou, the Palace would not fall into turmoil. However, Chen Pingping, that old cripple, was also the person Fan Xian was most worried about. If he truly had been poisoned, no matter how strong the defenses were in Chen Garden, how could it stand against an attack by the elite of Qing Kingdom's troops?

"We have to act," Fan Xian lowered his head and said. "Please pass on to the Great Prince that there are times when he needs to make up his mind."

"What about my mother-in-law?" Wangfei looked at him. She needed Sir Fan junior to give her a formal promise.

"I will ensure Lady Ning's safety", Fan Xian said. "I only need the Great Prince's determination. He has to understand that although the Imperial Army is within his control, there are still some of Governor Yan's trusted aides from the past. After a while, the empress dowager will switch him out from the position of Commander. At that time, he and I can only wait to eat sh*t."

This was a crude way of speaking, but wangfei did not show any irritation. She knew that the present situation was indeed very sh*tty. She gazed at Fan Xian's disguised face and felt confused. Deep in the Palace and under the control of the internal court, what powers and virtues did Fan Xian have that he could ensure Lady Ning's safety?

She knew that Princess Chen was in the Palace. Fan Xian would not use a massive lie to sacrifice the life of his wife.

"The 13 city gate guards are important," Wangfei pulled Fan Xian's cup in front of her and said in a quiet voice. "In order to stop the armies loyal to the Emperor entering the capital, the person in this position has to be from our side."

Fan Xian's heart loosened slightly. He knew that this woman had, in the end, decided to persuade her husband to carry out a rebellion in the Palace. Only then would she begin to discuss these specific matters. He considered it for a while and then said, "As you know, I've never had any relationships with the military. I don't where to start with the city gates."

Wangfei sighed. "The Great Prince's Western Expedition Army has long been dissolved. He doesn't have much power in Jingdou. It is not comparable at all to the Qin and Ye families." She paused and then said, "Of course, if Director Chen was in the capital, presumably he would have a way to influence the gate guards."

"There is no need to bring that up again." Hearing Chen Pingping's name, Fan Xian subdued a chill in his heart and shook his head. "Since it is so, we have to rush and resolve the matter in the Palace before the city gates open."

"It is too difficult." Wangfei stared into his eyes.

Fan Xian pulled back the teacup in front of her and said with his head lowered, "There is only one teapot, but there are too many teacups. Don't just keep your eyes on the Qin family's army. You have to think about the Ye family. Ye Zhong is not far from the capital presenting prisoners of war. Although the empress dowager has ordered him to return to Dingzhou, who knows whether the thousands of Hu fighting soldiers have left or not."

Wangfei bit her lip. Her heart jumped.

Fan Xian raised his head and said calmly, "The Second Prince's thoughts are very simple. He will temporarily push the Crown Prince onto the throne, but he will want one part of this pot of tea in Jingdou. If the Ye family that stands behind him doesn't enter the capital, what authority does he have to speak?"

"Of course, all of this happened because that mother-in-law of mine nodded her head," Fan Xian rubbed his temples and said. "The Eldest Princes is not like the empress dowager. She is a woman that worships military power. If a few thousand people need to be killed to stabilize the court, she will not object."

After a moment of silence, wangfei slowly stood up and said, looking at Fan Xian, "In the end, it will still be a bloody battle."

"A bloodless rebellion will always be a perfect idealization or an extremely rare occurrence," Fan Xian said. "Although I am a very lucky person, I do not dare depend on luck for this matter, particularly since the Eldest Princess prepared such a crazy plan. I don't think that she would be as empathetic and pitiful as to watch and cause trouble in the Palace and not use soldiers."

Wangfei nodded and said, "I will your intentions to the Great Prince."

Fan Xian smiled and said without tact, "Since you have come at this time, naturally, it means that the Great Prince will accept my thoughts."

These words meant that the Great Prince knew exactly what Fan Xian wanted. He had only asked wangfei to come to see how many cards Fan Xian held in his hand and how much he could do. Having been exposed, wangfei only smiled then said, "You are becoming more and more confident. Presently, Jingdou is in a dangerous situation, yet you can still talk cheerfully and wittily."

After a moment of silence, Fan Xian said, "I indeed have confidence. As long as the Ye and Qin family armies don't have time to enter the capital… As far as I am concerned, Jingdou is nothing more than an empty city."

The most powerful people in the world had all been drawn to Dong Mountain by the dazzling Qing Emperor. Although not yet recovered from his injuries, Fan Xian's personality and confidence had returned to their peak conditions after his rebirth.

Wangfei suddenly said, "I am somewhat curious. Last night, you went to contact various officials to make trouble in the hall today. At this moment, the Royal Palace is probably filled with bloody rain and wind and is a very sinister sight."

She stared into Fan Xian's eyes. "Those elderly and virtuous officials are standing against the empress dowager because of you. They may pay for this with their lives, yet you are sitting calmly and watching from the side. I don't know if this is calmness or cold-bloodedness."

Wangfei smiled gently. "Sometimes, I cannot help but admire you. You manage to have countless people stick their heads out on your behalf, spill hot blood, and lose their heads to help you obtain advantages. If these officials think through this point, do you think they will cry out 'tricked' the moment before their death?"

Having said this, the corner of wangfei's lips carried a glimmer of mockery. In her eyes, Fan Xian's action had forced the Crown Prince into a difficult and terrifying place. Fan Xian chose to concoct this matter the night before the coronation. He did not give anyone a chance to react. If the Crown Prince killed the officials, he would sink himself into faithlessness. The officials were essentially using their heads to cry out for Fan Xian.

Fan Xian's face gradually calmed. He had indeed, with the help of his father-in-law in Wuzhou, incited the two scholars into stopping the Crown Prince's coronation in Taiji Palace. As for the dangers of this matter, he had considered it before. Speaking from certain angles, he was using the lives of the truly brave civil officials in Taiji Palace to face the risk.

It was indeed dangerous and a selfish choice. When faced with wangfei's mockery, he didn't refute it. Instead, he slowly said, "Thieves have morals and so do I. In the past, I had always been someone very afraid of death. Recently, I have come to understand something. Death can be as weighty as Dong Mountain or as light as a feather. The scholars Hu and Shu are both willing to die for the morals in their heart. This is their choice."

"Weighty as Dong Mountain, light as a feather?" Wangfei repeated this phrase and looked at Fan Xian's face in a daze. She faintly felt that when she saw Sir Fan junior this time, there was a mixture of viciousness and warmth on the young man's face. But, in his bones, there seemed to be a change taking place.

She still couldn't resist asking, "Since it is so, why are you hiding behind the scenes and not bravely charging out?"

"Suddenly appearing in the hall, bringing out the edict, and then being surrounded by the aces in the court…" Fan Xian smiled somewhat bitterly. "That would indeed be very heroic, but it cannot obtain any good results."

He drew back his smile and said, with a seriousness she had never heard before, "Twenty days ago, in a meadow on the summit of a tall mountain, I learned some things. From today onward, I do not fear death. I treasure life. If I am destined to die, I hope that I can die in a worthwhile manner."

Wangfei was silent and did not speak.

Fan Xian closed his eyes and said, after a moment, "I am not using the heads of those respectable civil officials to take a risk. If the person in charge right now was the Eldest Princess, I would have chosen a different method. However, the person ascending the throne in Taiji Palace is the Crown Prince not the Second Prince."

He opened his eyes and said coldly, "The Second Prince is cold beneath his emotions. On the contrary, I have some confidence in the Crown Prince."

"What confidence?"

"I still think that the Crown Prince is the gentlest of all us brothers." Fan Xian smiled warmly. "The empress dowager is old and does not have enough desire to kill. The Crown Prince is a good man, so I don't think the bloody scene you expected will appear today in Taiji Palace."

Fan Xian had given the Crown Prince in Taiji Palace a good person card. Wangfei felt that this was strange. She shook her head as she prepared to leave.

Before she left, Fan Xian called her to stop. He then called Ma Suosuo from inside the room and said to wangfei, "I won't stay in one place in Jingdou. I will not come to Yangcong Alley again, but I am worried about her safety. I hope that you will take her into your manor."

Wangfei was surprised. She had not thought that Fan Xian would be thinking about Ma Suosuo's safety at this time, nor did she think he would make such a request.

Ma Suosuo also looked at Fan Xian in shock.

Fan Xian said, "Presently, your manor is the safest location in Jingdou. It is not only because of the strength of the Imperial Guards in the Great Prince's hands. You should understand what I am talking about."

Wangfei slowly lowered her head. There was the shadow of great foreign powers over the internal turmoil Qing Kingdom was experiencing. Even the Eldest Princess had to give their foreign allies some face, give the Northern Qi Emperor's own sister some face.

The three of them exited the door of the little courtyard, bowed, and separated. At the last moment, Fan Xian stared into wangfei's eyes and said, "Earlier, you were using righteousness to criticize me. At this time, I have to remind you that you are now wangfei. You must consider yourself a person of Qing Kingdom and not a person of Northern Qi."

Wangfei's heart trembled slightly. She did not dare meet Fan Xian's deep and cold eyes.

..

..

Autumn had just arrived. It was slightly cold, but it did not pierce the bones. On the carriage, wangfei felt that the wind coming in from outside the carriage curtains was very cold to the point that she couldn't help but shiver a few times.

Ma Suosuo had been placed by her in the second carriage. Even if Fan Xian had not asked her to look after the unfortunate Hu girl, wangfei would not just leave the girl behind in Yangcong Alley without a care. If she died, how would she explain it to the Great Prince?

Wangfei shivered from the cold. There was only her in the carriage. She had enough time to recall Fan Xian's last words to her.

She could see clearly that Fan Xian had already made general plans for this entire matter. That was why he had reminded her.

As for Fan Xian, wangfei had married in from the distant Northern Qi and traveled with him. She had observed him carefully and knew how powerful he was. In particular, the tense scene in Taiji Palace had been created by him in one night with a swing of his sleeve. Wangfei had no choice but to feel a glimmer of respect. All the powers behind Fan Xian were being watched by the Palace and unable to move. Yet, he still managed to create a ruckus. Wangfei had no idea just what kind of trump card Fan Xian had hidden away.

Thus, she had decided determinedly to stand beside the Great Prince and Fan Xian. For something like history, it always progressed with the victors.

The carriage returned to the manor. Wangfei led Ma Suosuo into the back garden. She ordered servants to organize the Hu girl's living arrangements and brought her alone to the side of the lake, walking into the pavilion in the heart of the lake. Half a year ago, this pavilion had held all the sons and daughter of the Royal Family, except the Crown Prince. That temporarily period of peace in the Emperor's family had long dissolved into bubbles with his death.

The sons and daughters of the Emperor were all looking for ways to kill their brothers and sisters.

Wangfei sighed and sat beside the window. To the man who had stood guard in the pavilion the entire time, she asked, "Still no news from the Great Prince?"

He replied respectfully, "There are some small movements in the Imperial Army. However, listening to the deputy's message, the Great Prince is guarding the palace walls. He should be able to subdue those people."

He wore normal clothing, like he should be a housekeeper. He spoke to wangfei respectfully, but there was an aura between his brows that servants should not have. He quietly said, "Princess, did you see that person earlier?"

Princess? The only people who would refer to wangfei so naturally like this had to be Northern Qi people.

Wangfei nodded her head silently. After a moment, she suddenly opened her mouth and said, "Stay calm with the Eldest Princess' side. For now, don't say anything."

He furrowed his brows slightly and said, "I am under strict orders from His Majesty to aid the Eldest Princess in controlling the situation in Qing Kingdom. Now that Fan Xian has shown himself, I have to report this to the Eldest Princess."

Wangfei looked at him and slowly said, "I don't know exactly what Shangjing is thinking. I only know that Fan Xian cannot die now."

From this conversation, it appeared that man who looked like a housekeeper was actually a spy from Northern Qi stationed in Jingdou. In Qing Kingdom's internal dispute this time, he was responsible for contacting important figures for the Eldest Princess's side. His face was slightly cold. Looking at wangfei, he said, "Princess, please, remember that you are a citizen of the Qi Kingdom. Don't do let emotions affect your decisions."

Wangfei looked at him with a cold smile and said, "I am thinking of you. If Fan Xian actually died, do you think that His Majesty would let you go?"

He sucked in a cold breath, not understanding the meaning of these words. After thinking about it closely, his Emperor did seem to think highly of Fan Xian. But, if he wanted to fulfill the Emperor's wishes, how could Fan Xian not die? In a heavy voice, he said, "The Emperor has strict orders that Qing Kingdom must experience major internal turmoil. The Emperor thinks that Chen Pingping will stay in the shadows until the end. If Fan Xian doesn't die, Chen Pingping, Fan Jian, and the former Prime Minister in Wuzhou would not go crazy."

"After the Qing Emperor died, the only truly powerful figures in Qing Kingdom were the Eldest Princess Li Yunrui and those three old men." He stubbornly kept his head down as he spoke faster and faster. "Presently, the internal Qing court and empress dowager were keeping an eye on Chen Pingping and Fan Jian, not allowing them to move. Once something actually happened to Fan Xian, the Qing Royal Family will probably not be able to subdue those two…"

"As long as Qing Kingdom truly falls into chaos, regardless of who wins or loses in the end, it will all be good for Northern Qi," he said with his head down. "The death of the Qing Emperor was one of the sources of chaos. Fan Xian's death would light the last fire."

"Is this the intention of the Brocade Guards or that of the Emperor's?" Wangfei's gaze was somewhat floaty.

"This matter has not passed through the hands of Commander. It is all the Emperor's thoughts. Although the Emperor has not said it openly, the meaning is clear. Presumably, he has also thought about Fan Xian's death."

"Then which side should Northern Qi favor?"

He raised his head and said, after a moment of silence, "We hope Fan Xian's side will win. That is why Fan Xian must die."

"Why?" Wangfei asked in surprise. "Even if the Great Prince helps him, he cannot stand against the powerful armies of the Ye and Qin families."

"I dare not impetuously guess at the Emperor's thoughts," hesaid calmly, "But, thinking of it, it should be that the Emperor has confidence in Chen Pingping."

"Fine. If it were as the Emperor said, Fan Xian died and Jingdou was in turmoil, in the end, Director Chen would invite down the heavenly generals," Wangfei furrowed her brows slightly and said, lightly mockingly. "The Eldest Princess's faction would be defeated, and the people behind Fan Xian would regain control of court politics in Qing Kingdom. But, what about it? It may be better if Fan Xian was alive. If they win, given Fan Xian's positive relationship with our court, there will probably be dozens of years of peace."

The man looked at wangfei in surprise and said, a moment later, "Princess, do you truly not understand what the Emperor means?"

"What does he mean?" Wangfei wrinkled her brows slightly.

He quietly said, "Everyone's eyes are on the Crown Prince, the Second Prince, the Third Prince, and Fan Xian. After it truly becomes a mess, the Great Prince holds the Imperial Army in his hands. In addition, he has always been friendly with Fan Xian, Director Chen sees him as a nephew, and Minister Fan will be suffering the pain of losing a son. In this way, the Great Prince has the best opportunity."

Wangfei's body jolted. She sucked in a cold breath. Looking at the man's head, only now did she understand what sinister and terrifying deal her brother in faraway Shangjing was plotting. Her brother was not content with just killing his colleague on the dragon chair. Once one Qing Emperor dies, another will rise. As long as Qing Kingdom's strength was not damaged, the situation between the three countries would not change.

If Qing Kingdom's Great Prince inherited the throne… He was married to Northern Qi's Great Princess with Dongyi blood. In the future, would Qing Kingdom still be as imposing of a country?

Wangfei covered her forehead, feeling shock deep in her heart. She had not thought her young and inexperienced brother would have such subtlety or that he would sew such an agreeable flowery border along the outside of this widespread net.

"The Great Prince would not do it." She sighed with her hand on her forehead.

The man said, with a dark face, "If Fan Xian died to the Eldest Princess's hand, the Great Prince would probably lose hope in his brothers. Sorrow can sometimes be a power that stimulates one's ambitions."

"No," Wangfei raised her head and said with unswerving determination. "You don't understand, and His Majesty does not understand just what kind of person the Great Prince is. Fan Xian cannot die. I don't care what Shangjing's plan is, but Fan Xian's movements cannot be revealed by me."

The man glanced at wangfei with pity and regret. He knew that if this incident were to happen and the Great Prince learned that wangfei had betrayed Fan Xian, there would be great problems between the husband and wife. No wonder wangfei absolutely refused this suggestion. He lowered his head in a bow, "Apologies, Princess. I am wholly responsible for this matter. When the carriage left Yangcong Alley earlier, I already notified the Eldest Princess's faction."

Wangfei's body shook. She stared in disbelief. Her gaze flew through the window and into the clear sky outside the manor, unsure if Fan Xian could keep his life.

…

…

Fan Xian was a very careful person. Otherwise, he wouldn't have let wangfei take Ma Suosuo away. He would never have thought that although wangfei was already half a Qing person, there were people at her side who were still purely Qi people, particularly given his relationship with the Northern Qi Emperor. Even if Northern Qi participated in the assassination of the Qing Emperor, he still believed that Northern Qi would not target him.

Therefore, he stayed for a bit longer in the courtyard in Yangcong Alley until the day had gradually become darker. Only then did he put on a common straw hat and walked out of the courtyard and alley. Walking between the saluting white banners from the private homes, he walked in the direction of the Overwatch Council.

He decided to take the risk to find Mu Tie because the silence from Chen Garden outside Jingdou made him feel a sliver of unease. Perhaps everyone in the world still thought that Chen Pingping was silently enduring and waiting, but Fan Xian did not think so. Distance created a sense of beauty and mysteriousness. Fan Xian, who was very close to the old cripple, knew that Chen Pingping was already old. There wasn't much of his life left. At such a time, he was truly worried about the safety of Chen Garden.

Chen Garden was outside Jingdou. It didn't have the high city or palace walls. Even though 500 Black Knights were not far away, how could they stand against an attack from the Qing army?

He was feeling anxious, so he was not paying much attention to his surroundings until his ears shook. He heard the sound of hooves coming from some street far away. Only then did he realize that his movements had finally been, for the first time, caught by the Eldest Princess.

Fa Xian turned his head. Using his proficient gaze, he immediately found three spies following him on his right-hand side.

He furrowed his brows and wormed into the little alley behind him, trying to disappear into the many private residences in Jingdou before they surrounded him. The three spies followed him without fear.

Fan Xian turned. His left palm sliced out and landed on the throat of the person closest to him. With the sound of bones being shattered, the man collapsed onto the ground. Immediately after, his leg kicked into the genitals of the second person while his left hand turned and a crossbow bolt flew out from his sleeves, piercing the third person in his eye.

He had moved lightly, cleanly, and clearly, but it had also been incomparably fast. He didn't give the three people any chance to cry out in alarm.

Fan Xian knew that there had to be more of the Eldest Princess's people beside him, so he didn't linger. His left hand stuck to the green stone wall beside him as he prepared to flip onto the eaves.

Suddenly, a person flew down from the sky and struck toward Fan Xian's face with a palm-leaf sized metal palm.

The wind from the palm strike was like a knife, making Fan Xian narrow his eyes slightly and hurting his skin. It was only now that he understood his words in the courtyard to wangfei earlier had been slightly overconfident. The top aces in the world had probably all been destroyed at the top of Dong Mountain. However, Jingdou was a place with many hidden talents. There were also countless aces in the military.

For example, the palm coming his way at the moment. It was at least at the eighth level.

Fan Xian narrowed his eyes and met it with his palm. The palms met without sound as if they had stuck together. In a split second, he sucked in a deep breath. His back knee relaxed slightly. The bottoms of his cloth shoes sent up small threads of dust.

A muffled clap rang out.

The military ace's wrist bone shattered. His arm bone and chest bone had shattered. He was sent flying into the sky with an abundant and impossible-to-resist Tyrannical strength.

Spraying out fresh blood, he wore an expression of disbelief on his face as he flew out wretchedly. He seemed to not understand how someone so young and gentle looking could have a Tyrannical way that was so completely different from his temperament.

Fan Xian withdrew his calm palm and coughed. He felt a sharp pain in the left side of his chest and knew that the heavy injury Yan Xiaoyi had given him was acting up again.

He knew that he couldn't fight for a long time. He had to immediately throw off the attacks from the Eldest Princess's faction. It was only a split second, but the entire alley was surrounded by people.

Fan Xian narrowed his eyes and looked at them. He could see among them those who had come to capture him were soldiers from the Jingdou Garrison stationed inside the capital. There were people from the Ministry of Justice, and more were good fighters from the Jingdou government. Behind them stood a few eunuchs from the internal court.

Other than his Overwatch Council, it looked like all of the powerful yamens in Jingdou had sent people after him.

Seeing this sight, Fan Xian sighed in his heart. He knew that regardless of how wretchedly things ended in Taiji Palace, the Palace had already made real his great crime of rebellion in killing the Emperor. He had become a criminal that anyone could punish.

He didn't feel a sliver of fear or have the miserable feeling of being a tiger leaving his hill after being injured. He only looked at all of it calmly.

Yan Xiaoyi could not kill him. Who else in this world could hold down Fan Xian?

Chapter 540: A Child Jumped over the Wall

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

"Kill!"

The cry to kill rang out from all directions in the little alley. Countless people surged toward Fan Xian, who was standing in the center. The wave of people advanced. It was like a river meeting an unyielding boulder with water spraying in all directions. The sound of sharp blades slicing through flesh ran out in people's ears. The four people in the lead fell down like wooden blocks.

They fell holding their throats as fresh blood endlessly poured out.

A black dagger had appeared in Fan Xian's hand. There were a few drops of dark blood on the lightless blade.

The killing of a few people was not enough to push back everyone's attack. There was not even a pause in the soldiers' attacks. Once again, they flowed over Fan Xian.

The black light flashed out again. This time, Fan Xian chose to attack lower down. He no longer tried to kill with one strike and slit the throats of the soldiers. Moving at unbelievable speed, he left wounds on the thighs and abdomens of the people around him.

Fresh wounds dripping with blood appeared simultaneously on a few of the people. The exposed flesh sprayed out fresh red blood. A moment later, the blood became something black. A faint stench wafted out.

A number of wretched cries rang out in the alley. The people who were injured did not die at once. Rather, they were plunged into excruciating pain by the poison smeared on Fan Xian's black dagger. The repeating screams finally brought the soldiers surrounding Fan Xian back to their wits. It made the people holding long spears and sharp blades in their hands remember Sir Fan junior's legendary power and viciousness.

The wave of people paused.

Taking this opportunity, Fan Xian moved like a spirit back toward the rear of the alley, killing people along the way. Like a shadow and the wind, he stuck close to the people's bodies as he passed. He occasionally stretched out an evil palm and gently stroked it over those people's ears, fingers, armpits, and other weak spots.

With each stroke, there was a wretched scream or someone falling to the ground, never to rise again.

In a split second, Fan Xian chose a little trick that best conserved his energy and didn't drain too much of his zhenqi in a battle. With the violent surge of people, such action was the most appropriate method. Every time he struck out, he no longer attempted to make the soldier next to him fall. He wanted to make them cry out in pain and jump up, becoming a leap tree and covering him, the cunning beast. In the dusk, he headed toward the rear of the circle surrounding him.

Not far away, the general who had organized the attack watched. A glimmer of coldness and fear flashed through his eyes.

He had never thought that there was someone in this world that could turn themselves into a spirit. Someone who could, under the gaze of a thousand watching eyes and through a group of people that wanted to kill them, leave behind only a trail of blood and take away vivid lives. Yet, he appeared to do so easily and casually. It was like passing through a bush of tens of thousands of flowers without a single leaf sticking.

There was not even an injury on Fan Xian's body, yet he had already killed and hurt over 20 people. He had managed to move forward 30 meters in the chaos of the attack.

"Stop him!" The general watched as the disturbance moved further and further away from him. His pupils constricted slightly. In a raspy voice, he yelled, "Capture the criminal!"

The sound of crossbows being loaded rang out. In such a chaotic environment, it actually appeared very weak, but it was still particularly terrifying.

As he moved through the crowd with three fingers on the dagger and gently making intimate contact with the soldiers' skin and flesh, Fan Xian's right hand suddenly paused the moment the crossbows outside the encircled area rang out.

His ears had accurately caught a familiar sound. His heart tightened as he allowed his right hand to pause. He plunged it into the chest of a covering bailiff leaping toward him and forgot to pull it out.

Inside Jingdou, crossbows were strictly prohibited, except for the Overwatch Council, which had received special permission in an edict. Hearing this noise, Fan Xian knew that the Eldest Princess' side had already, through either the Qin or Ye family, moved the power of the army into Jingdou. He didn't have time to consider the problems of the 13 city gate guards. He unconsciously felt an icy chill. The dangers of the attack in the valley had left too deep an impression on him.

These thoughts happened in an instant. In the next moment, he stamped down with force on the hard paving stones with a boom.

It was only one foot, but that square and hard paving stone cracked. The corners shot out toward the bodies of the soldiers leaping toward him.

While he was moving lightly through the encirclement, it appeared to be relaxed and easy. In reality, it contained unusual speed and power and precise control. He needed this powerful stomp to stop his body, which was moving at a high speed.

The paving stone split. In that instant, he became unusually still very quickly.

This sudden change between two extremes made the air around him make an involuntary tearing sound.

The soldiers, who had been following him like a rising wave the entire time, didn't keep up in this instant. Very wretchedly, they continued to fall forward and left a meter of empty space in front of him.

The sounds of arrows breaking through the air ran out, disappeared, and entered the dirt. The area by Fan Xian's foot seemed to have sprouted crops, growing a dozen sinister and terrifying crossbow bolts. They almost pierced into his body.

His right hand remained stretched out. The bailiff's body hanging on the dagger was sent flying forward with the sudden decrease in speed. The fleshy body slid through the black dagger. With a tearing sound, it split open half the body before landing heavily on the ground, sending up a spray of blood.

The soldiers behind Fan Xian could not pull back their feet. They charged straight into his suddenly still body.

He turned his elbow back.

The muffled cries and two shadows flew up, shattering in the dusky colors that enveloped the sky. It drew countless shocking arcs through the sky.

Before the next round of crossbow bolts arrived, Fan Xian glanced at the general in the distance at the head of the alleyway. He rose to his toes and, out of everyone's expectations, followed the two "shattered shadows" that he had sent flying toward the sky above the other end of the alley.

The general felt Fan Xian's icy gaze from a distance and couldn't help shivering with cold. He gritted his teeth and ruthlessly said, "Wolf Camp, go. Don't let him escape."

In the air, shattered flesh and bone fell on the ground with slapping sounds.

Immediately after, whistling sounds broke through the air as a dozen aces from the military flipped onto the eaves and gave chase to Fan Xian, who was running across the residential eaves not far in the distance. In a moment, the aces from the Jingdou Government and Ministry of Justice also led most of their subordinates along the roads on the ground to continue giving chase.

"I want him dead."

…

…

Inside Guangxin Palace in the Royal Palace, the Eldest Princess returned behind the layers of silk and spoke without expression.

The "him" in her words referred to Fan Xian, who was playing guerrilla warfare with her presently in Jingdou. As long as Fan Xian was still alive, it was difficult for a smile to appear on her face.

"Something seems to have gone wrong in Chen Garden," the Eunuch beside the Eldest Princess said. "Something also seemed to have gone wrong with the report deliveries from Dongshan Road. The last piece of news was what happened three days ago."

A strange red glow suddenly flashed across Li Yunrui's beautiful and cold face. The glow was like sunset clouds on the horizon. With a single gust of wind, it immediately disappeared, becoming one last glimmer of pale white before the night.

The corners of her lips tilted slightly. She said in a quiet voice, "I only want Fan Xian dead. You don't need to worry about the Overwatch Council."

"Yes, Your Highness." The eunuch bowed respectfully and then raised his head. It was one of the Qing Emperor's trusted eunuchs, Eunuch Hou, who was the same rank as Eunuch Yao.

The Eldest Princess looked at Eunuch Hou's face with a slight smile and said, "The fire you lit in the Eastern Palace was very good. I want to see how well you do with this last fire in Jingdou."

After the incident at Dong Mountain, Eunuch Hong's survival was uncertain. Eunuch Yao had already followed the Qing Emperor into the next life. Presently, in the Royal Palace, the one with the highest ranking, the most power, and most trusted by the empress dowager was Eunuch Hou. In the past, Fan manor and the Liu family had put down a great deal of money to buy the loyalty of this eunuch. No one who would have thought this money had fallen into nothing. From the beginning, Eunuch Hou belonged to the Eldest Princess.

The Qing Emperor and Fan Xian had long guessed who lit the fire in the Eastern Palace, but they would have thought of Eunuch Hong.

Eunuch Hou bowed respectfully and said, "I will ask the empress dowager to send out an edict. However, my words don't have that much power. At most, the empress dowager would send an order to the Imperial Army to join the search…" He lifted his head and glanced carefully at the Eldest Princess. "However, as you know, we've used everything available to us. Earlier, the Imperial Army appeared in Yangcong Alley, but they didn't move at all. It is clear that the Great Prince has other thoughts."

The Eldest Princess said calmly, "We cannot command the Imperial Army."

Eunuch Hou said probingly, "Although a major incident happened in Taiji Palace today and now 40 or so officials have been thrown into prison, the empress dowager's thoughts have not changed. Since it has already been decided that the Crown Prince will inherit the throne, do you think it is time to move the Great Prince's position?"

"You want me to speak to my mother?" The Eldest Princess asked slightly mockingly. "Don't make such preparations. The Jingdou Garrison is completely in my hands. The 13 city gate guards are still swaying back and forth, and the Qin and Ye family armies' are only days from the capital. If the commander of the Imperial Army is switched out, how could my mother be at ease?"

"As long as Lady Ning behaves in Hanguang Palace, the Imperial Army will belong to Prince Heqing," the Eldest Princess said coldly. "Mother has to find a balance. Otherwise, she would be worried that one day I will destroy this Royal Palace."

Eunuch Hou shivered and didn't say anything more.

"Fan Xian has a weakness," the Eldest Princess continued speaking and smiling. "I have caught it. He cannot be far from Jingdou. He can only endure in Jingdou. I want to see how he will continue once the dozens of officials can't hold out anymore, once the officials in the Department of Rites in Taichang Temple cannot continue, and once the Crown Prince has ascended the throne publicly and openly."

Eunuch Hou glanced at the Eldest Princess with respect and fear. Carefully, he said, "It is a pity that when the empress dowager gave the order, Fan Xian's pregnant concubine had escaped to somewhere unknown."

"It wasn't an escape." The Eldest Princess' eyes narrowed slightly. Her long lashes trembled slightly. "Someone is protecting him. I am very curious. Can the person who has lost their master protect themselves?"

"Your Highness has clever schemes."

"There isn't much to calculate. Go prepare. Perhaps I will leave the Palace in a few days," The Eldest Princess said with a smile. She didn't know why she chose to leave the Palace.

Eunuch Hou smiled ingratiatingly and said, "It is time for me to return to Hanguang Palace."

"Go." The Eldest Princess said. "Make mother's heart more determined."

"Yes."

Eunuch Hou accepted his orders and left. Passing through the deadly quiet Palace, he faintly heard the sound of sorrow fall into his ears. Returning to Hanguang Palace, he said a few words in front of the empress dowager. Looking at the empress dowager's white hair, listless expression, and lack of energy, the eunuch sighed in his heart. He thought secretly to himself that the empress dowager had been such a powerful figure in the past. Now, she could only maintain peace in court but could not bring forward much boldness. He had followed the Eldest Princess for many years. This was a very wise decision.

…

…

After Eunuch Hou left, the Eldest Princess lowered her eyelids slightly and said a few words quietly to her trusted aide, it seemed she wanted to send a message out of the Palace. A few of the words could faintly be heard. They had something to do with the situation outside of Jingdou.

She sat for a while silently and alone and then clapped her hands. A serving girl bowed respectfully as a man and a woman walked in from the rear of the Palace to sit beside her.

The Eldest Princess gave a slight smile and said to her daughter, who looked nothing like her, in a quiet voice, "Chen'er, I have already found Fan Xian."

Lin Wan'er lowered her head slightly and gently bit her lip. She was not shocked by these words and didn't even raise her head.

The Eldest Princess furrowed her brows slightly. It was as if she felt a sliver of involuntary anger toward her daughter's emotional response. In a low voice, she said, "Fan Xian is only a mouse. If he truly cares about you, then he will come to the Palace."

Lin Wan'er abruptly raised her head. Her usually warm and gently rippling eyes were icy and indifferent. She looked at her mother. Her eyes were like two knives digging into her mother's heart. Enunciating each word, she said, "You took me from Hanguang Palace… I had initially thought that you still felt some mother and daughter bond, but you are just using your daughter as bait."

Lin Wan'er's expression was calm as she said, "But that's right, uncle said many times that you were crazy and your actions cannot be judged by normal standards. Don't worry, I won't resent you."

She laughed gently and appeared composed. "For a lunatic like you, hatred is an unnecessary emotion."

"Is that so?" Li Yunrui slowly closed her eyes. "I gave birth to you, of course, you have no right to resent me. Sisi, the lowly woman, isn't she living just fine outside right now? Why did the Fan manor protect her and not you? If you want to be resentful, resent your husband and your father- and mother-in-law."

Lin Wan'er's legs shook slightly. "You got one thing wrong. Perhaps no one thought that you would act against your own daughter."

The sound of metal hitting together rang out from her legs. She had been shackled with leg-irons.

Li Yunrui calmly said, "If Fan Xian died, then everything would be easy."

"Is that so? It's a pity that you'll never be able to kill him. Since he managed to come down from Dong Mountain alive, he will definitely continue to live on." A confident light rose in Lin Wan'er's face.

The Eldest Princess furrowed her brows. "Some people's life and death are not in their own control. I have never been worried about my good son-in-law, even though he has been living so brightly these two years, but I still did not worry."

She glanced at her daughter and at Da Bao next to her, who had his shoulders up in fear. His chin was unconsciously trembling. A glimmer of disgust flashed through her eyes.

"I understand my son-in-law too well," Li Yunrui said coldly. "As long as you and Da Bao are here, other than dying, what other way out does he have?"

"Oh, I had no idea that mother thought An Zhi had so much affection." Lin Wan'er calmly watched her mother's eyes. "I am his wife. Even I am not stupid enough to think that he would give up his life because of your tricks. I have no idea where your confidence comes from."

"You don't understand. No one understands," The Eldest Princess said calmly. "Fan Xian may be a hypocritical person to his bones, but for some of the people at his side, he is caring to an extreme."

She paused and then said with a smile, "I won't underestimate him. I will make preparations for him to truly turn the tables. In a few days, he may have the opportunity to turn this entire Royal Palace on its head. That is why I will take you two out of the Palace and have him worm into this barrel by himself."

Lin Wan'er looked at her calmly. "Looks like you already control the 13 city gate guards and the Ye and Qin family armies could enter the capital at any time."

The Eldest Princess smiled. "My daughter is indeed quite like me. You see things very accurately."

Lin Wan'er slowly lowered her head. She knew that Fan Xian would think of a way to enter the depths of the Royal Palace and use the Great Prince's Imperial Army and his spies in the Palace to turn it upside down. She had not expected that her mother would not care about the losses and gains of the Royal Palace. She was planning to have the various enemy powers enter the Royal Palace and counter-attack with heavy military.

"What exactly do you want?" Lin Wan'er suddenly raised her head and asked with a trace of mockery. "Whether the Crown Prince or the Second Prince becomes the Emperor, it doesn't make a difference for you. So, what exactly do you want?'

"What do I want?" The Eldest Princess suddenly narrowed her eyes and stared at a wall in Guangxin Palace. After a moment of silence, she said, "I want the entire world to know that, in this world, there are some people who can still do extraordinary things without men."

She turned her head to gaze at her daughter and quietly said, "It's fine to not have men. After Fan Xian dies, you are still a lofty Princess, so there is no need to be sorrowful ahead of time."

"I don't know what I will be like after my man dies, whether or not I will feel a sorrow that is difficult to restrain."

Lin Wan'er suddenly laughed and picked up the soft left hand of the man beside her. With her head down, she didn't even glance at her mother. "I know that after you lost your man, you truly went crazy. So, you should keep these lessons for yourself."

"Impudence!" The Eldest Princess' beautiful appearance became cold. "What bastard words!"

"Is that not so?" Lin Wan'er asked calmly and mockingly. "Didn't uncle want to strangle you to death on that wall? Now that uncle has died because of you, do you feel joy and sullenness in your heart? Do you want to slice your face open?"

"I am not someone who knows nothing," Lin Wan'er said with a mocking smile. "I am just disgusted by these things. Thus, mother, your nature is a pitiful one that cannot survive without men. Why be so pretentious?"

After a moment of silence, the Eldest Princess suddenly opened her mouth and coldly said, "You are my daughter. Without bringing me any benefits, do you think I would kill you just because you have angered me?"

"However, I have to admit, your words are very hurtful." She suddenly sighed and gently stroked her daughter's slightly thin face. "I haven't spent enough time with you. I did not realize that my obedient daughter is actually a very vicious person."

Lin Wan'er watched her gaze quietly and said, a moment later, "I am a powerless person, so I can only use words. Perhaps you will succeed, but you cannot make me admire you one iota."

She was calm and proud in her confidence. Her lips closed tightly together.

Suddenly, Da Bao mumbled quietly at her side, "Sister, you're hurting my hand."

The Eldest Princess smiled and then lightly said, "My good daughter, don't be so angry. I will have Fan Xian die in front of you. At that time, you will be even angrier."

She gently patted Lin Wan'er's ice cold face.

…

…

Fan Xian found himself sinking into the sea of civil war. Even if 80 percent of the Jingdou people believed he was wronged, there were still 20 percent who truly saw him as a heinous criminal who had assassinated the Emperor, colluded with foreign powers, and was an insane traitor to the country.

There were too many people in Jingdou. Even if it was only 20 percent, that was enough to form into a terrifying power.

Looking at the common people banging gongs and drums while calling out for government bailiffs and soldiers to go and capture him, Fan Xian, who was running through the streets and alleys, smiled bitterly. He couldn't resist wanting to curse them all. He wished he could grab a loudspeaker and ask those people, who had venerated him as an immortal poet in the past, If I was truly such a bastard, why would I return to Jingdou?

Although the Overwatch Council was being closely watched by the internal court, the secret agents in the First Bureau would still purposely cause chaos to help him. He had not thought that despite this, at this moment, he would still not shake off the Eldest Princess' people following him.

The dozen of aces from the military were truly a headache. Even more troublesome were the bailiffs from the Jingdou Government and officials from the Ministry of Justice. They had spent many years hanging around Jingdou and had close connections with the common people. Under the relentless pursuit, even an ace like Fan Xian could not stay hidden for more than a quarter of an hour.

Fan Xian leaned against the wall of the First Bureau. He narrowed his eyes at the increasing darkness of the night and saw the bright moon on the horizon. Involuntarily, he furrowed his brows and began to curse the heavens and Qing Kingdom's unusually good environmental protection work.

Under the bright moon and faced with the largest search and strictest search in Jingdou history for an imperial criminal, Fan Xian was still confident that he could disappear into the sea of residences.

The slight cold seeped into his heart and calmed his emotions slightly. It also made him cough. His injuries had not completely healed. He had forcefully circulated the Tyrannical zhenqi. Even if he had a body made of metal, it would still feel a sliver of tiredness.

The clamor of hooves and a cry rang out on a street not far away. It was another warm-hearted and patriotic citizen pointing in the direction Fan Xian had escaped into government officials.

If it was just to escape, Fan Xian had enough confidence. He could even carry out a half a month of guerrilla warfare with the Eldest Princess side and be confident that he wouldn't be captured. He could even slowly assassinate each of the important enemies, making them disappear like a spring dream.

However, his wife and family were under house arrest in the Palace and outside. He had to consider them and find a quiet place as soon as possible to contact his powers and obtain precious intelligence reports. Slyness was the correct path of action.

The Eldest Princess's relentless pursuit would clearly not allow him to find a temporary and quiet shelter.

As for the exposure of his tracks, it was not that Fan Xian did not have suspicions. However, the dangerous and urgent search left him no time to consider these things.

Outside, people's voices were getting closer. There was also the sound of horses. Fan Xian turned his head to look at the dead end of the alley. His left hand curled around the skin of the wall. Circulating his zhenqi, he pulled down a few shattered stones and leaped toward the corner of the wall in the dead end.

With a few light clatters, a few extra unremarkable marks appeared on the rock face of the dead end as if someone had climbed over from there.

Fan Xian bent his fingers. He floated up like a big bird. He flipped toward the wall in the rear of the courtyard.

He had already checked. Behind this wall, there was a decent manor. Looking at the decorations, it was probably the home of a court official. He decided to take a gamble to see whether or not he could find someone familiar he could trust. Even if he couldn't find anyone, he still had to try and hide.

Flipping over the courtyard wall, he walked past the rock gardens and flowing water. Going up to the second floor, he entered a room filled with the scent of scrolls. Outside, the sound of soldiers and horse rang out louder and louder. Fan Xian didn't have time to think. He rounded the bookcase, pulled out his dagger, and rested it on a person's neck.

His luck was not that good. It was impossible for him to find someone he knew in court in Jingdou's sea of people. However, his luck also wasn't that bad. He had thought this was a study so, thought the person inside was the owner of the home. Unexpectedly, it was a pitiful girl under the blade of the black dagger.

This was not a study. It was a boudoir.