Chapter 324: Even If You Guess The Flower, That Is That
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
In the Royal Palace, deep into the night, was a dangerous quiet.
After hearing the empress's words, the prince almost fell to the floor. His face was full of shock and he stuttered, "Mother, that nonsense are you talking about?"
The empress's expression could not settle, and she was quiet for an indeterminable amount of time before speaking lightly: "Fan Xian, is the bastard of your father and that Ye witch."
The Crown Prince kept shaking his head, unable to accept this sudden realization. He shook his head too hard and felt a bit faint, and only then did he sit on his bed, dazed. He said in a faltering voice, "How is this possible? How is this possible?"
Thinking of the fact that he had a younger brother, who since his youth, had wandered about in the world, the Crown Prince felt that life was very mysterious. Furthermore, this brother could often been seen in the capital, had a reputation better than his own, and the power he wielded… the power he wielded was likely no less than this own.
The next moment, he leapt up and laughed foolishly, perhaps to comfort himself, or perhaps to reduce his pressure. "So it turns out I have a brother like this."
The empress stared dumbly at her son.
The Crown Prince flushed and lowered his voice in distress. "So what if that is the case?" he choked. "I have always had a good relationship with him—and besides, his birth was not legitimate. He will not be able to enter the palace. He is not a threat to me."
"Can't be a threat to Your Highness?" the empress laughed coldly. "Don't forget, I cannot escape the connection to his mother's death. Do you really think he will stand aside and watch you take the throne? Just suppose he has the generosity not to seek revenge. Will he not be afraid that you will deal with him after you inherit?
"Fan Xian would not let you take the throne—even if it were just for reasons of self-preservation." The empress's voice was like a deadly spell in the palace. "So, Qian'er, you have to be prepared. Of course, you cannot tell anyone else such a critical piece of information. Most importantly, you cannot let your brothers know of Fan Xian's past. Otherwise, eldest brother and second brother will…"
The Crown Prince understood his mother's meaning. His voice became a little uncertain, "No wonder Father still hasn't decided what he is going to do with all the rumors of Fan Xian being a descendant of the Ye family. After all… there are other hidden situations. But, Mother, if Father continues to treat him as well as usual, and he has the Fan family and Director Chen to support him, it will be difficult for me to move him."
Coldness emanated from the empress's lidded eyes. "We cannot move him now. We are too weak, and there is no one in this palace willing to help us. So you must pretend to be civil with him—but don't you dare believe that this bastard brother of yours will have any good intentions towards you. Just endure. From today on, you will conscientiously endure it. Don't do anything extra…
"After the spring examinations, you're right, no amount of power can compare to your father's affection. As long as the Emperor trusts you, Fan Xian wouldn't dare to move much. As long as we endure… there will always be a way."
The Crown Prince was silent, but in his heart he did not approve of his mother's plan.
…
…
The day brightened.
In the congee shop, there continued to be people gossiping about the Fan Manor and Ye family. The First Bureau of the Overwatch Council, watching the movements of the officials, continued to be alert. Everyone in the Fan Manor continued pretending to be calm despite their fear. The Emperor had a headache, the empress dowager had a headache, but Minister Shang arrived at the Treasury yamen appearing as he did yesterday: joking and talking, and not looking different at all. Chen Pingping did not return to the Chen Garden and stayed in the Overwatch Council, watching all that happened in Jingdou with his pair of unfathomable eyes.
The sound of sweeping came from outside. Fan Xian had been following Sir Fei's instructions and taking his medicine on time. In his hands he held onto the nameless book of martial tactics and stared blankly. He had already finished practicing the first book, but he still hadn't figured out the way for the second book. Particularly since his zhenqi had completely dissipated and his Meridians were covered in thousands of holes. He didn't dare to follow the instructions in the book and forcefully move his zhenqi.
As to the matter of his past, Fan Xian's attitude had calmed. The sky will rain, mothers won't marry, the unmarried will have children, just let it happen. Besides, this matter was no responsibility of his.
If the palace really feared his mother so much that they couldn't tolerate him, the time-traveling Fu Kangan, then why should he care? Worst case scenario would be a fight. If his life were in danger, and he couldn't use the Overwatch Council, Qinian's Unit, and his zhenqi were completely gone, this would be the most dangerous stage. If this happened, then it was not his fault for taking his teacher's advice and turning his back on his mother's intentions to use pesticides to destroy the bugs. He would use poison to hack open a path of blood! Using a big knife on ants, he would prepare a heavy ambush for those Grandmasters!
Ye Liuyun wasn't in the capital. It was difficult for the army to be effective against a small number of people. He couldn't imagine who could hold back this strange group; at this moment, Fan Xian's heart actually calmed down. He began to feel, bit by bit, the attitude of the young girl, Ye Qingmei, who had taken Uncle Blind and that box and became an enemy to all under the sky.
A little bit nervous, and a little bit excited.
Of course, it was best if things did not develop to this extent. After all, he had to consider the interests of the Fan Manor and the safety of his father, sister, and wife. And he also had to think about the lives those he was friendly with. Revealing the truth was his final resort. What Fan Xian needed right now was to maintain the current balance.
There were still many things he had not done, and those things depended on his current power and position.
For two consecutive days, no one came to the Fan Manor. Not even those closest to them would choose this time of struggle to come for news. What was most strange was that King Jing did not come. According to news from Qinian's group, this flower grower had, for some unknown reason, thrown down his hoe, left his manure bucket, and would only lounge around his manor drinking wine with heavy tears coursing down from his old eyes.
The officials that were on friendly terms with Fan Xian—such as Qin Qiwu, Ren Shao'an and other young officials—were all carefully watching. They were waiting to see what kind of reaction the court would have to the rumors.
No one dared, at this time, to make clear their opinion.
In the palace.
Lady Ning, wearing a well-fitted outfit, was currently walking around a withered tree in circles under the winter sun. This had been her habit for many years. Although this female prisoner had become a nobility in the palace, she still couldn't be at ease.
After countless circles, the Great Prince, standing quietly in attendance, could no longer stand it. He sighed and said, "Mother, what exactly is the matter?"
The royal sons had their own manors outside of the palace. Particularly the Great Prince, who had performed well in the western expedition, and was the first son to be given the Prince title. Naturally, he couldn't keep living in the palace. There were many rules in the royal family. If he wanted to enter the palace to visit his mother, the rules in between were rather complicated.
Today, Lady Ning had used some means and jumped over many of the obstacles. She had directly called her son into the palace, yet was now walking around the tree in fear.
The Great Prince knew that his mother must have had something important to tell him. Otherwise, she would not break the rule so ostentatiously. Only… he wondered, was it related to most recent rumor?
Lady Ning finally stopped. "You've heard right? Fan Xian's past." She pulled a plain handkerchief from her sleeve and wildly dabbed at the sweat on her forehead; her face was completely serious.
The Great Prince thought, Ah, indeed, it is about this. He respectfully placed a cup of warm tea in her hands and nodded. "I have heard of this matter, but it happened suddenly, and there is no evidence. It seems that Father and Great-Grandmother, the empress dowager, will not believe the rumors of these mean people—and I will also not believe it."
Lady Ning watched her son and laughed coldly, "Not believe? I think everyone is starting to believe!" Suddenly she slapped the table, fuming with anger. With hatred in her voice, she said, "I don't understand what the Director was thinking this time, to actively suppress this rumor. Does he not realize this will instead make people believe it? What does he want Fan Xian to do?" She suddenly seemed to lose focus; it was a moment before she gave a resounding sigh.
"Fan Xian? So… she had a son, and it is Fan Xian."
The Great Prince naturally knew which "she" his mother was talking about. Of course it was the one who had been brilliantly eye-catching but had come to a dismal ending: the mistress of the Ye family. He guessed his mother's meaning, and asked probingly, "What do you mean?"
Lady Ning's eyebrows pulled into a line, and she said sternly without anger, "Us Dongyi people stress the importance of showing gratitude and resentment to the right people! Now that Fan Xian's past has been revealed, regardless of whether or not the Emperor remembers the work the Ye family did, the one in the eastern palace… will definitely not tolerate him. You listen to me well!"
In front of outsiders, the Great Prince was a brave and fierce general, a strong hero. In front of Lady Ning, he was like a meek little cat. He brought his feet together and stood like a little soldier in front of his mother, and said in a deep voice, "I await mother's instructions."
"If things go wrong…" A trace of ferociousness appeared between Lady Ning's brows. "You must, by any means necessary, protect Fan Xian's life!"
The Great Prince didn't even think before agreeing to do so. He had never gone against his mother's intentions before. Only, he still felt some confusion. He knew, back then, his mother had played some role in the night that Jingdou ran red with blood; he just didn't understand why his mother would go to such lengths to protect Fan Xian. To the extent of ordering him to use the soldiers at his disposal in a time of need… how was this different to rebellion?
"If Director Chen had not been around to save me back then, I would never had followed the Emperor back from the mountains and waters of the north." Lady Ning spoke coldly of these past events. "You know about this. Even though I made it to Jingdou alive, all that welcomed me was an order from the palace… I was a prisoner from Dongyi, and no one, at that time, knew I was already pregnant with you. If Lady Ye had not spoken back then... you, me—we would already be two wandering spirits."
Lady Ning took a deep breath and said, "Fan Xian's mother saved both our lives. When she ran into trouble that year, you were still young, and I had absolutely no power… but it is not the same anymore. You hold some power in your hands, so you must protect Fan Xian's life."
The yard was silent. The winter sun spilled down lightly upon this pair of sincere, vengeful, unconventional mother and son.
"If Father cannot tolerate Fan Xian," The Great Prince spoke softly, "I fear I cannot do much, even though I hold the imperial guards… oh well, at worse I'll return him this life."
"It won't be that scary. You're about to get married—how could I bear for you to take such risks?" Lady Ning stared into his eyes and spoke. "Don't worry about the Emperor's attitude, just keep an eye on the eastern palace."
The Great Prince turned this matter over in his heart and immediately thought of a problem. Although he was of a cheerful disposition, he was not stupid. After a moment of shock he said, "If he is a descendant of the Ye family, Father would definitely not spare him. Yet, looking at the situation over the past few days… there is only one possibility!"
Lady Ning gave him a dead smile. "You've finally guessed? I also think this. For the Emperor to not investigate the so-called rebellion of that year, for even the empress dowager to maintain her silence, there can only be one explanation. Fan Xian is not only the son of the Lady Ye, but is also… the Emperor's own son. In other words, Fan Xian is the royal son the world has never known. He is your brother."
The color of the Great Prince's face turned ugly, and his hands curled into tight fists. He found it difficult to accept this reality. After a moment, he hesitantly said, "Perhaps… Fan Xian is truly Father's son? Then what about Minister Shang?… if all this is true, why did Father send Fan Xian to Danzhou?"
The Lady Ning laughed coldly, "Back then? Who really knows what happened that year? Don't forget that Fan Xian's mother was hated to her very bones by the two most powerful women in the palace."
The Great Prince blinked a few times, unable to believe that those words had come from his mother's mouth. He pondered this for a while and then said, "If you could guess the truth of Fan Xian's past, I suspect it has long spread outside of the palace."
"Let them guess," Lady Ning replied full of spirit, brushing the dust from her clothes. "Perhaps this is what the Director wants to see. Perhaps this whole matter is him helping the Emperor overcome his difficulties. After all, the Emperor probably doesn't know what to do with this son of his."
How would the Emperor deal with Fan Xian? This was the question all the people and officials were interested in these days. If the rumor were true, Fan Xian could only be arrested and sent to prison. If the rumor were false, the palace should act in some fashion such as awarding some title, or issuing assurances, to cancel out the impact.
The longer the rumor went around the stranger it became. Yet, the reaction of the Overwatch Council and the silence of the Fan Manor seemed to be proving its truth. Fan Xian was indeed the orphan of Lady Ye. The problem was, the palace still hadn't sent anyone to capture him!
The matter had become rather interesting.
The Emperor maintained his silence, the palace maintained their silence. In their confusion, the people began to speculate endlessly. The officials had originally all maintained a clever silence, and even the Imperial Censorate had only carefully handed in a few petitions, explaining the rumors in the capital. However, the Emperor still refused to speak, and the officials could do nothing.
When the rumor reached the pinnacle, causing waves in court, a brave (but not clever) official spoke up.
This official's family name was Mao and his first name was Yueliang. He worked with the Rite Administration, and was responsible for reviewing petitions and deciding and correcting inappropriate language. This muddled official's personality was straightforward and rough. He wanted nothing more than for things to be smooth for the royal family, and could not stand seeing anything cause the court to lose face. After the rumors of Fan Xian's past began to spread in Jingdou, Mao Yueliang was shocked to the point of overlooking his colleagues' silence, and went straight to the court to speak. He implored the Emperor to rebuke these false rumors, and to return to Sir Fan Xian his reputation.
In court, the Emperor only lightly said, "The innocent are innocent, and the guilty are guilty. The foolish like to meddle. Why should my ministers be involved in all of this and lose their sense of dignity?"
Who could guess that Mao Yueliang would not let it go? He was adamant that the rumor had damaged Commissioner Fan's reputation. If the rumor was false, then the court should refute it publically. If the rumor was true, then Fan Xian should be investigated by the Qing law for concealing the truth from the court, for secretly joining the court, for colluding with Fan Manor, and for having treasonous intentions.
"Even if these rumors cannot be believed, Your Highness should consider the face of the court, and have the two Sir Fans explain themselves. Furthermore, Sir Fan junior is no longer suitable to continue as the Commissioner of the Overwatch Council, as for the palace treasury—"
Before this confused and muddled speech had come to an end, the Emperor had already left his seat in rage, and ordered the guards to drag Mao Yueliang away and be flogged 20 times. If the empress dowager had not come out to ask for mercy, it was likely that this idiotic official of the six administrations would have been beaten to death by the Emperor!
No one knew of the Xinyang background of this official of the six administrations. And no one knew that the Emperor's final rage was because the empress dowager had come out to protect the person.
For the Emperor, the thing he most feared was his own mother and sister joining together with his sons. In the current situation, the Emperor had pointedly reacted; he was forcefully protecting Fan Xian's position and title. This was a certain kind of stance: the stance of a lion protecting his territory.
However, the officials and people of the Qing Kingdom did not know of the problems in the palace. After the incidence of the flogging, Jingdou was shocked! They remembered when the Imperial Censorate had accused Fan Xian of misconduct, they also received a brutal flogging. The people realized that the endless protection that Fan Xian had received over the years was even more apparent than that of the royal sons!
Connecting this to the Emperor's ambiguous attitude on this matter, people began to guess.
Humankind's imagination was sometimes extremely lacking, yet sometimes unbelievably rich. Regarding the rumor around Fan Xian's past, the people began to slide uncontrollably in a direction that was the least favoured by some people. Whether or not behind this guess was the shadow of that old man in the wheelchair, it could not be known.
In short, not long after the first piece of explosive news spread throughout Jingdou, a second piece of explosive news began to spread through the streets and alleys of Jingdou. The people and officials discussed this news more secretively, more carefully, and with more excitement.
"Have you heard? Sir Fan junior is the illegitimate son of… our Qing Emperor."
"Of course, they look like they came from the same mold."
"You've seen the Emperor?"
"Ah… I guessed. But, in all honesty, Sir Fan junior is a prodigy. He excels in both the arts and fighting, his poetry has surprised the world, and his reputation has spread far and wide. Such a figure… could only be born of our wise and mighty Emperor."
"That's true, that's true."
"However… Minister Shang… this… this…"
"Ah, poor Minister Shang—old master Fan's name didn't marry well—is also to blame."
In Xinyang's Li Palace, the Eldest Princess was gently drawing her brows, and there was a self-deprecating smile at the corner of her mouth. This extraordinary woman—who had never in her life been without a plan—knew that she had made a fatal mistake after hearing the two consecutive rumors. Her brother, the Emperor, must have started to suspect her, yet that little thing called Fan Xian…
"Sir Yuan, I didn't listen to your advice. I was wrong." The Eldest Princess gently pressed her lips to the lip paper, and spoke lightly. "Sir Fan junior's past is strange, and completely unexpected. The first rumor was already enough to shock everyone—who would have thought there would be a second?"
Now that they were like Huang Yi, Yuan Hongdao, who was the chief counsellor of Xinyang said, "I had originally advised you to wait and see because I thought the news of Fan Xian being a descendant of the Ye family came in a strange way. But I never expected that behind this information was this shocking conjecture. The event happened too suddenly; the situation changed too quickly. We dealt with it in the wrong way this time, but it is not because we did not fight well; it is the will of heaven."
The Eldest Princess had lost the Cui family, and her interests had been damaged beyond repair. She was truly starting to realize her son-in-law's ability. In her anger, she found it difficult to maintain her usual cool, and her return strike had been too slow; it had been practically useless. So when the first rumor entered her ears, she didn't think, and even went against Yuan Hongdao's strong opposition in her decision to use this matter to bring Fan Xian down.
Only, the connection between Xinyang and Jingdou was not convenient. She wanted to use the empress dowager's mouth and that seemingly-stupid official of the six administrations to first force the Emperor to strip Fan Xian of his positions. Then she had received this second message!
Fan Xian was the illegitimate son of the Emperor?
Perhaps other people might doubt this message, but the Eldest Princess believed it the first moment she heard it. She began to secretly laugh at her own stupidity. How could she have not clearly seen such a simple thing? She had wasted one of her pieces in court, used up a thread of the affection her mother had for her, and the worst was that she had rubbed the Emperor the wrong way and allowed Fan Xian, for no reason, to easily be able to stand steady again!
As that thought reached her, self-mocking and regret bit into her heart like a poisonous snake.
"Ye Qingmei…" Her head started to hurt; she moaned to herself, "In my life, will I never surpass you? Even your son is able to so easily defeat me."
Night in Jingdou.
The long absent Wu Zhu now appeared silently in an alley behind the Fan Manor under a black cloth.
At the end of an alley was a noodle shop. The light on the noodle shop looked like a bean, and it stuttered in the cold wind. A man wearing common clothing was sitting on a long bench outside the shop.
The man on the bench did not have a bowl of noodles in front of him. His clothing was thin but he was not cold. His face was eerily calm, as if he had been born without expression. And that pair of cold merciless eyes seemed to be able to see through everything in the world.