Joy of Life

Fan Xian sat on the couch and gently held his grandmother’s hands. He found that the wrinkles on her hand had become even deeper. He felt a fear of soon being separated from his flesh and blood. After taking her pulse, he found that his grandmother had just caught a cold. There wasn’t anything wrong in particular with her body. However, she was getting old. The oil was running dry, and the light was about to fade. He didn’t know how many more years she could hang on.

Thinking of this, his mood became depressed. In addition to the shock that the Emperor downstairs had brought, it made him sink into silence.

After the second floor was silent for a long time, the old woman sighed and said, “Just what are you worried about?”

“I don’t know what path to tread?” Fan Xian looked at his grandmother’s serious expression and smiled slightly as he spoke. He knew that there was a warm heart hidden under his grandmother’s severe expression.

“You’ve walked well these few years.” Although it was impossible for the person downstairs to hear their conversation, the old woman’s voice was pitched very low. She smiled kindly and rubbed Fan Xian’s head. A sense of pride and gratification shone through in her tone and demeanor.

Given the status and reputation that Fan Xian had obtained in three years, the old woman, who had raised him single-handedly, had plenty of reasons to be proud.

“In a path of 100 li, 90 li was half way,” Fan Xian patted his head self-mockingly and said. “I’m afraid my head will suddenly fall off once I’ve reached halfway.”

The old woman gazed peacefully at her grandchild. A moment later, she said, gently, “Has the Emperor’s arrival in Danzhou made you think some inauspicious thoughts?”

Fan Xian lowered his head and thought for a long time. After he confirmed what his earlier involuntary emotions were, he nodded his head solemnly.

The old woman stared into his eyes and said in a light voice, “You have grown up, but there are some things I have to remind you.”

“Please speak.”

“The Fan family has never had to wait in line… And you, there is even less need for you to stand in line because we have always stood in front of the Emperor.” The old woman spoke sternly and seriously. “As long as you ensure this point, you will never walk the wrong path.”

These words contained countless meanings, but they were all founded on a great trust in the Emperor. Fan Xian glanced at his grandmother with some doubt. He did not speak or ask.

“After proving something for 30 years, there is no more need to doubt.”

Fan Xian didn’t think this way. He believed that things proven through history would often be overthrown by the future. He thought for a bit and said, “For the Emperor to leave Jingdou under such circumstances, it is truly too risky.”

“Are you going to admonish him later?” The old woman looked at her grandson with a not-quite-there smile.

Fan Xian thought for a short while and then nodded. “There should still be time if he rushes back now.” In reality, these words were a farce. He knew that since the Emperor had come to Danzhou, he definitely had something important in mind. He would not be able to shoo him away with a few words. However, as an official, particularly one who was disguised as a loyal official and filial child, there were some things he had to say in person.

The old woman smiled and said, “You should go. Otherwise, the Emperor will tire of waiting.”

Fan Xian also smiled but did not immediately leave. Once again, he carefully injected Tianyi Dao’s zhenqi into his grandmother’s body to check the situation. He left a few prescriptions and chatted a bit more with her until she began to feel drowsy for her midday nap. He then helped arrange her light curtain and tiptoed down the stairs.

…

…

Coming down to the first floor, the Minister of Rites, the official of the Imperial Observatory, Eunuch Yao, and others in the building saw a strange expression in Fan Xian’s eyes. These people had not thought that Sir Fan junior would be so daring as to spend so long on the second floor and have the Emperor, who was waiting to talk with him, wait so long.

In this world, probably only Fan Xian dared to make the Qing Emperor wait for this much time. In the minds of all these major figures was the thought that the Emperor’s love for his illegitimate child was indeed at an outrageous level.

After Fan Xian greeted them, he smiled slightly and asked, “Where is the Emperor?”

The Minister of Rites forced a laugh and slanted his gaze toward the outside to point him the way. Eunuch Yao resisted smiling as he led Fan Xian out of the door and said, “In the garden looking at the osmanthus flowers.”

The most famous thing about Danzhou was its flower teas. Minister Fan and Fan Xian both liked this flavor. Every year, the old manor would send some into Jingdou. A portion of it would be given as tribute to the Palace. Although the garden in the old manor was not large, Fan Xian had partitioned off a corner and planted some osmanthus flowers to use in teas.

Stopping outside the corner garden, Eunuch Yao backed away in a bow. Fan Xian found it very strange. Why did the head eunuch of the royal study run away rather than serving beside the Emperor? As he wondered this, his footsteps had already entered the garden. He saw the Emperor under the trees.

And, the old man beside the Emperor.

Fan Xian silently sucked in a cold breath. No wonder Eunuch Yao didn’t have to be beside the Emperor, there was another eunuch there. He walked forward and bowed toward the Emperor. At the same time, he turned his body and did his best to speak respectfully and not rudely to the eunuch, “Greetings, Eunuch Hong.”  / update by AllNovel

It was not a done thing to express goodwill to a eunuch in front of the Emperor. However, Fan Xian knew that Eunuch Hong wasn’t just anybody. Even the Emperor showed him respect, so his greeting shouldn’t matter much.

Hong Siyang smiled slightly and glanced at Fan Xian. He did not say anything as he moved to stand behind the Emperor.

The Emperor shifted his gaze from the osmanthus trees in the garden and clapped his hands as he turned his head toward Fan Xian. “I heard that you moved these trees and planted them.”

Fan Xian confirmed, “Yes, the garden is not big. There were no trees here previously, so it looked a somewhat dull, particularly during the spring and summer. Outside was full of trees and flowers. It was overly simple inside, so I moved a few.”

“Looks like you have some interests.” The Emperor smiled. “When I lived in this courtyard, there were also trees. However, they were broken by me and others when practicing martial arts.”

Fan Xian was silently speechless. He had lived in this manor 16 years. Yet, he had not known the Emperor had once lived here too. The old woman’s mouth sure was tight.

He suddenly remembered the stories of the past that his father and King Jing had brought up. Back then, the Emperor had once taken Chen Pingping and his father to Danzhou on a trip. At that time, the Emperor was still an unknown heir. It was in Danzhou where they had met his mother and Uncle Wu Zhu. Thinking about it now, the time during which the Emperor lived here… It was the moment when the wheel of history began to turn.

As Fan Xian walked and talked leisurely with the Emperor in the garden, he began to gradually become anxious. He didn’t know what excuse he should use to open his mouth and urge the Emperor to quickly return to Jingdou. The expression on his face began to appear somewhat unnatural.

“I am not out in plainclothes,” the Emperor said in a lightly mocking way, guessing what Fan Xian was thinking about. “I announced it to the world three days after leaving Jingdou. Therefore, you don’t have to be too worried.”

Fan Xian opened his eyes wide and asked in shock, “Your Majesty, everyone knows you’ve come to Danzhou?”

“Wrong. Everyone knows that I am going to worship the heavens.” The Emperor glanced at him and placed his hands behind his back as he walked out of the garden first.

Fan Xian glanced at Eunuch Hong in confusion before hurrying forward to follow behind the Emperor. “Your Majesty, why didn’t I know about this matter?”

The Emperor didn’t stop. He laughed coldly and said, “You were having fun at sea. How could you have received the edict I sent to Hangzhou?”

Fan Xian was greatly distressed and didn’t comment.

The Emperor paused and said somewhat angrily, “You are, after all, a proper imperial envoy. How could you leave your post without permission? I have already decreed to have you join up with the worship group. After you return to Hangzhou, go through the process.”

After Fan Xian’s distress, he felt slightly surprised. The Emperor had long announced his edict to the world to have him, this imperial envoy, join in the worship group. No wonder the officials along the coast guessed who was on the ship. However, the Emperor’s words earlier were clearly to protect him. It seemed that the Emperor’s mood was not so bad now a few months after that matter in Jingdou.

As the Emperor stepped over the wooden threshold of the old manor, the guards hidden all around, as well as the officials in the garden, followed him out. For a moment, the area became noisy and lively. Fan Xian couldn’t resist anymore and rushed forward a few steps. In a low voice, he said, “Your Majesty, the situation in Jingdou has not settled since you are worshipping heaven. I will escort you back to Jingdou.”

The Emperor stopped and turned his head to glance at him with amusement. “Since it is to worship the heavens, why do I need to return to Jingdou?”

Fan Xian replied with surprise, “Naturally, the worship is at Qing Temple.”

“Qing Temple is not just in one location.” The Emperor said lightly, “There is also a temple on the great Dong Mountain.”

Fan Xian was shocked and couldn’t speak for a moment. The Emperor had come thousands of li to worship at the great Dong Mountain. No wonder there were not many officials and scholars in his entourage. Rather, there were the Minister of Rites, people from Taichang Temple, and officials from the Imperial Observatory with him. In order to worship heaven and depose the heir, these people were indeed necessary. However, why didn’t the Emperor carry out this matter in Jingdou? Why did he come to the shore of the East Sea? Was the Emperor not worried at all?

“I know what you are worried about.” The Emperor’s expression was soft as if he found it laudable that this son of his constantly thought of his father’s safety. After thinking for a moment, he smiled slightly and said, “Since you cannot control your worry, then I’ll let you be completely responsible for my safety this trip.”

Fan Xian was surprised again and forced a chuckle, wondering to himself how he had ended up with such a difficult task. However, he was also unable to reject it and could only thank the Emperor for his favor and accept it.

“In a while, come meet me at the docks.” The Emperor knew that Fan Xian was going to do next. After saying this, he walked out of the manor with Eunuch Hong and climbed into the carriage. Leading the servants and officials, Eunuch Yao followed the Emperor out.

Fan Xian stood at the door to the manor and watched the slowly changing light all around the street. He knew that the Tiger Guards and Overwatch Council swordsmen with the Emperor had already caught up and let himself relax a little. He waved his hand. Wang Qinian ran over from across the street. With a face full of shock, he said to Fan Xian, “Sir, was that…”

Fan Xian nodded.

Wang Qinian swallowed with difficulty and said in a low voice, “Why was he here?”

Fan Xian’s expression darkened slightly and he muttered, “No one knows why. I only know that if something happens to him, I am done for.”

If something happened to the Emperor during the process of worshipping the heavens, as the Commissioner of the Overwatch Council and now with the heaven burden of leading the guards, Fan Xian would die in a nasty way. At least, the people in Jingdou would certainly scapegoat Fan Xian while they sat on that chair with a smile.

Fan Xian clenched his fist and forced a self-mocking smile. “I don’t want another Sigu Jian. Send the order down and have all of the Council people stationed in Dong Mountain fall into action. Everyone better be on high alert. If anyone comes within 50 li of the great Dong Mountain, send a first-level report.”

Wang Qinian acknowledged it.

Fan Xian said, “Send an order to Jiangbei to have Jing Ge take the 500 Black Knights overnight to Dongshan Road and have them spread defenses along the northwest path. Work with the local provincial guards to ensure that there are no problems. If there is anything odd, kill without question.”

Wang Qinian raised his head and glanced at Fan Xian. Northwest of Dongshan Road pointed directly toward Yanjing Cangzhou, where Governor Yan Xiaoyi’s main camp was. However, the two were separated by a great distance. Even if Yan Xiaoyi truly had the boldness to rebel and kill the monarch, he had no way of moving his troops so far without alerting the court.

“Being careful is always the best,” Fan Xian said with his head lowered. He felt incomparably angry in his mind. The Emperor was going to scare countless people with such a decision.

Wang Qinian accepted his orders and left. A cloth-clothed approached Fan Xian’s side. He bowed and said, “According to His Majesty’s orders, I await your orders.”

Fan Xian glanced at the person and gently said, “Deputy, you are more familiar with the Emperor’s personal guards. If there is anything wrong, we will discuss it then.”

The safety of the Qing Royal Palace was completely in the hands of the Imperial Army and internal guards. The two systems had once almost been the same. A few years ago, the Commander of the internal guards was Yan Xiaoyi and the Deputy was Gong Dian, who led the Imperial Army and guards.

After the night that Fan Xian snuck into the Royal Palace in the fifth year of the Qing calendar, the defense around the Royal Palace underwent a massive change. Yan Xiaoyi was transferred to the North as a Governor. The Imperial Army and guards were divided into two parts. The current Great Prince was responsible for the Imperial Army, while the guards inside the Palace were controlled solely by Eunuch Yao.

The person talking to Fan Xian at the moment was the Great Prince’s Deputy, the Deputy of the Imperial Army. Fan Xian had to speak more politely to him. However, without exchanging pleasantries, he directly said, “How many of the Imperial Army of are here?”

“Two-thousand,” the Deputy of the Imperial Army replied respectfully. “They are all waiting for orders outside Danzhou.”

Fan Xian nodded. He thought to himself that 2,000 Imperial Guards, in addition to the other aces at the Emperor’s side, should be enough to ensure the Emperor’s safety.

He turned his head and glanced at the corner of the little story building that could be vaguely seen. His mind drifted slightly. He remembered when he first left Danzhou, his grandmother and told him to harden his heart. At the same, he thought about how his grandmother had once told him that his mother had died an unnatural death because she was overly gentle.

In this moment. Fan Xian thought about the things grandmother had said when she held him as a child and those vague truths. Suddenly, his heart jumped. He immediately suppressed it and shook his head with a sigh.  / update by AllNovel

Eunuch Hong, at the Emperor’s side, was unfathomable. Uncle Wu Zhu was not with him, nor were the Shadow or Haitang. He and Thirteenth Wang were not powerful enough. Furthermore, he was far away in Danzhou and unable to remotely control the situation in Jingdou. Most importantly, Fan Xian had to admit, up until now, the Emperor had treated him well.

He smiled self-mocking and waved this fantasy from his mind.

The Deputy Commander of the Imperial Army did not know the rebellious and treasonous things Fan Xian was thinking about. He thought that Sir Fan junior was worried about the Emperor’s safety and said a few extra words of encouragement. He then slapped his chest to demonstrate his confidence.

…

…

On the Danzhou docks, the common people in the area had long been expelled out of sight. The fishing boats that come here had also long been sent to the harbor. The entire city seemed to become extraordinarily suppressed and filled with fearful respect because of the arrival of the middle-aged man in light yellow robes standing on the dock.

Only the clouds in the sky, bubbles in the ocean, and seagulls flying between the sky and water did not seem to feel the pressure and continued to float and fly naturally.

The birds were searching for food on the sea and gave a sharp cry, which startled the Emperor, who was deep in thought on the dock.

He waved his hand behind him and said, “Come stand beside me.”

Fan Xian, who had been watching the figure of the Emperor from below the wooden boards of the dock, jumped onto the wooden boards upon hearing these words. He walked to the Emperor’s side and stood slightly behind him. Facing forward, he looked at the endless ocean.

“Walk forward another step.” The Emperor put his hands behind his back and did not turn his head.

Fan Xian started and followed the order to take another step to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Emperor.

The ocean breeze blew over and smoothed the stray hairs on the side of the Emperor’s face back. It did not have a charming effect. Instead, it gave him an air of unswerving determination that made one feel enchanted and admiring. Below his feet, the sea waves were slapping against the rocks below the wood boards. They formed one blossom of snow, two blossoms of snow, and then countless blossoms of snow.

“Push your chest out.” The Emperor’s eyes watched the ends of the ocean as he spoke to Fan Xian beside him. “I don’t like it when you act stupid and cowardly.”

Fan Xian smiled slightly. He understood what the Emperor was feeling right now. He followed his words and naturally relaxed to stand with him shoulder to shoulder. But, he did not open his mouth to speak.

“The last time I came to Danzhou, I wasn’t even the Crown Prince,” the Emperor slowly said. “That day, Chen Pingping stood behind me like Hong Siyang while your fath—Fan Jian was like you, standing shoulder to shoulder with me, bathing in Danzhou’s particularly crisp sea breeze.”

“After I became the Crown Prince, Fan Jian has never dared to stand shoulder to shoulder with me again.”

Fan Xian tilted his head slightly and saw a self-mocking smile flash across the corners of the Emperor’s lips.

The Emperor said in a lightly mocking tone, “Once I sat on that chair and fought from the South to the North, there was no longer anyone who dared to speak to me with a straight back, never mind standing beside me.”

Fan Xian sighed at just the perfect moment.

“That day, the three of us had come to Danzhou to relax. At that time, Jingdou was in turmoil. Two Princes had secretly made big moves in order to win the place of heir. At that time, the previous Emperor was only an unremarkable King Cheng,” the Emperor said indifferently. “Us, the younger generation, had no way of interfering and could only hide as far away as possible from the center of it all.”

He tilted his head to glance at Fan Xian and said, “In reality, it is much like what you are trying to do right now. However, you are presently much more powerful than I was back then.”

Fan Xian smiled slightly and said, “What is important is heart. If it’s not strong enough, there are some things that one will never know how to face.”

“Who would have thought that you still had some pity for Chengqian,” the Emperor turned his head back and coldly said. “However, this is very good. Back then, when the three of us stood on this dock and gazed at this great ocean, we had no pity for anyone in our hearts. Our only thought was self-preservation. I often think that as we gazed at the ocean that day, perhaps we were hoping for a god to suddenly appear on the ocean.”

Fan Xian was silent. He knew what the Emperor would say next.

“There was nothing on the ocean, just like today,” the Emperor spoke slowly. A smile once again rose to the corners of his lips. “However, when we turned around, we found there was a woman on the dock along with her very strange servant.”

With a slight yearning, Fan Xian said, “I have long wondered how you met my mother.”

The Emperor’s body shook slightly. He was caught slightly off-guard by Fan Xian’s out-of-the-blue reference to himself as both his son and official. Then he realized that the kid has said this unconsciously. The Emperor couldn’t help a gratified smile appearing on his face.

However, he did not continue this topic. He only said, “I told you earlier, no one has ever dared to stand shoulder to shoulder with me. However, your mother dared. Regardless of whether I was the Crown Prince or the Emperor, your mother always dared to stand shoulder to shoulder with me to look at the ocean and feel the ocean breeze. She never saw me as anyone special. In fact, she would sometimes look at me disdainfully without restraint.”

The Emperor laughed self-mockingly. “After she died, there was no longer such a person like her in this world. I don’t expect you to inherit much from her, but I don’t want you to be overly stupid and cowardly and damage your mother and my prestige for no good reason.”

Fan Xian forced a smile and thought to himself, This is because you’re trying to chase after the past today, thus you allow me to stand here for a while. As for prestige… I’ll pass. My little life is more important.

“Your Majesty, let’s go back to the capital.” Fan Xian finally said what he wanted to say. With some worry, he said, “Leaving the capital for too long, it’s never…”

Seeing him speak then stop, the Emperor said coldly, “Say everything you want to say. You just want to say that there may be some people in Jingdou who harbor errant intentions while I am gone.”

The Emperor gazed at the ocean and was calm to a chilling extent. In a light voice, he said, “My trip to the ocean to worship the heavens this time is a public and open deposition of the heir. I want to see who has the courage and boldness to do something and see just who owns Qing Kingdom.”