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“Reconsider what?”

The Qing Emperor raised his somewhat heavy eyelids. Recently, the signs of a snowstorm in the south were gradually appearing. The memorials from each road and province were more in number than the snowflakes floating down. If they weren’t stretching out their hands to the court for silver, then they wanted soldiers or repeatedly cried out their hardship and wanted reduced taxes and levies for the coming year.

If they wanted reductions, then they could have it. That person was right, if one depended on the earth for silver, one could dig a meter into the ground and barely scrape up any silver shavings. For things like silver, it was better to depend on selling things. An Zhi had earned so much silver for the court in Jiangnan, naturally, the court was not anxious for the grain money from each region.

Even Xue Qing in Hangzhou had sent an urgent message. Was the snow so heavy this year even in Jiangnan?

The Emperor furrowed his brows. The flood in the autumn of the year before last had drowned countless of his people and destroyed innumerable fields. Using a year of time, the court had, with great difficulty, recovered a little and stored up some strength. They had not expected for a heavy snowfall to suddenly arrive.

This god was truly not giving him, this Emperor, any face.

However, he heard that the Hangzhou Conference in Jiangnan seemed to have expected the disaster in the winter ahead of time and prepared a great deal. After all, a people’s organization would provide disaster relief much quicker than the government. Every time this matter was brought up, his mother in the Palace also had an expression of joy between her brows. The old woman was a benevolent person. She hated to see the wretched sights in the public. No matter how it was said, the Hangzhou Conference was started using the money of the noblewomen in the Palace. The women in the Palace all felt that they had done something honorable.

The Emperor couldn’t resist smiling. That Chen girl had really taken this to heart. Clearly she had been stifled in the Palace. She had probably been led astray by her husband. She was a proper princess, yet she was taxing herself in such matters.

He suddenly snapped back into attention. Only then did he realize his mind had wandered. However, even though his mind had wandered, the things he was thought about there still...related to that young man. After being slightly startled, he smiled again and asked once more.

“Reconsider what?”

...

...

The person kneeling in the palace was Shu the Scholar from the Hall of Governmental Affairs. This scholar’s age was very advanced and had always been respected by the Emperor. Furthermore, he had always been an official in court who spoke frankly before the Emperor. When discussing the investigation of the attempted assassination of the imperial envoy earlier, only this scholar dared stand out and refute the Emperor’s suggestion.

Only, the officials all thought that the Emperor must be very angry at this time, so they were all scared. Even Shu the Scholar did not bow as he usually did, rather, he directly knelt down.

He had not expected that the Emperor sitting in the dragon chair had not heard what he said clearly. His mind had wandered.

Earlier, while the Emperor’s mind had wandered, there was a glimmer of a smile at the corners of his lips. This was seen by the officials, so they hesitated in their hearts. They wondered what the Emperor was thinking to make him so happy? Perhaps he wasn’t as angry in his heart as the officials all thought. Impossible. The officials shook their heads in their hearts. Everyone knew that the Emperor loved his illegitimate child, Fan Xian, the best. So in the hearts of these officials who thought they were so astute, this smudge of a smile had an additional layer of mysteriousness. Everyone’s hearts trembled.

“Your Majesty, please reconsider. Although the numbers of those city-guarding crossbows belong to Dingzhou, however...is this clue not too...” Shu Wu thought for a moment, not sure of what word to use, “...too clear? I keep thinking that this is the real culprit purposely framing someone else. Please, reconsider, Your Majesty, and call back your earlier edict.”

The Emperor smiled. Only now did he understand what Shu Wu was fearful about. He waved his hand and said, “Rise and speak. At such an age, don’t easily learn from others and kneel when remonstrating.”

These words appeared to be very warm, however, in the Emperor’s warmth, there was self-confidence and stability as if he had not even taken this matter to heart. Earlier, all the officials had been worried about the Emperor’s control over the court, but seeing this scene, they couldn’t help but be speechless and blame themselves. How could they be so silly? Who was this person sitting in the dragon chair? This was the Qing Kingdom’s most valiant ruler since the inception of the country.

“I had Ye Zhong return to the capital. Of course, it is not as simple as reporting on his post.” The Emperor smiled and gently stroked the short beard on his chin. “Since the incident of the attempted assassination on the imperial envoy implicates him, of course, he has to explain. The Ye family has guarded the boundaries of the country for generations, and their meritorious deeds are seen all under heaven. I don’t have any suspicions, however, this matter will eventually need a resolution and a clear explanation.”

Shu Wu wiped at the sweat on his forehead and climbed up from the ground with some difficulty. Assisted by Hu the Scholar, he returned to stand in the ranks. When he first heard the Emperor give out the edict to summon Ye Zhong back to the capital, he had thought that the Emperor, in his rage, was going to directly have Ye Zhong thrown in prison to obtain justice for his illegitimate child. Thus, in his fear, he had stepped out and remonstrated. Now, hearing that this was not the case, he finally felt at ease.

Although he was a civil official, he had been in court for a long time. He understood what an army meant to a country that had been established for less than 100 years, so he was very afraid that the Emperor would wantonly humiliate the military because of the attack in the valley, and thus rock the very foundations of the court.

Shu the Scholar was wholeheartedly thinking for the Qing Kingdom, so he relaxed. In the ears of the other officials, these words of the Emperor had a different meaning. It was enough for them to ponder upon them.

“Why was the Emperor suddenly so gentle toward the Ye family?”

In the past two years, the Emperor had not been kind to the Ye family. So now, at this moment, when the Emperor was suddenly kind, for a moment, a number of officials couldn’t quite make that turn in their heads.

However, for the so-called might of the Emperor, in terms of thinking, the officials had to make that turn no matter what. They all laid on the ground and greatly praised the Emperor’s wisdom and generosity.

...

...

In reality, the Emperor did not think about that much. He was also not as angry as his officials imagined. As the ruler, he had to maintain a sense of mystery and unshakeable calm to show that he was as steady as a mountain and that all the world was in his hands...besides, Fan Xian did not die.

If Fan Xian had been killed in the valley, for the Qing Emperor, this would be a criminal case. Since Fan Xian was not killed, the criminal case became a political matter.

Whether it was great or muddle-headed politicians, in the handling of political matters, they had a shared specialty: do not rush.

The former was not anxious because they planned in advance, while the latter was not anxious because they had no idea how to approach a thorny matter.

The Emperor was the former. However, he also had an extra identity, so he still couldn’t help but feel anger at Fan Xian being attacked by an assassin. As a father, what he most wanted to do was bring Fan Xian into the Palace to see how his injuries were. This time it was not the assassination in the Hanging Temple, so he couldn’t find any reason to bring Fan Xian into the Palace.

He later heard reports that Fan Xian only recovered for a while at home before he left the city to visit Chen Garden. Thus, the Emperor knew that Fan Xian’s injuries were not overly serious, so he was able to relax.

Even the Emperor of Qing Kingdom, the coldest and most emotionless person under heaven, no matter how much of a bastard [JW1] he was, he was the bastard’s father.

...

...

Just as Chen Pingping and Fan Xian had tried to guess and probe with all their might, the Emperor still had a self-confidence that was difficult for people to strive for as well as a great ambition hidden for the past decade beneath his calm appearance.

As for the military’s attack this time, the Emperor was very shocked. Furthermore, up until now, he was still unable to fully investigate as to which family had made the move. He only had a faint guess, but he was not very worried.

On the contrary, he very much welcomed someone directly challenging his authority as well as cleverly drawing this situation toward the direction he needed.

Everything in his country had long failed to attract his interest. No matter how stable he made the land of Qing Kingdom through his governance, for the Emperor who wished to leave his name in the history books and whose name was already dripping wet with ink, there was not a trace of meaning.

He was waiting for that day. He waited for the arrival of that day with matchless longing and strongly suppressed excitement.

“Reporting to Your Majesty,” eunuch knelt outside the threshold to the royal study and respectfully spoke to the son of heaven wrapped in a big jacket sitting on the low couch. “We’ve confirmed with the department, the days before Sir Fan junior returned to the capital, it was quiet in the various manors.”

“Hmm.” The Emperor nodded to indicate he knew now. “Has there been a reply from Cangzhou?”

The eunuch’s bottom stuck up higher. He said, in a soft voice, “Governor Yan left camp to return to the capital. There were no strange situations on the way back.”

The Emperor waved his hand and had the head eunuch leave. The head eunuch did not say anything more. However, his hands on the ground shook slightly. He thought to himself, There was still news from Dingzhou he had not reported. Why did the Emperor not ask? Was he already sure that it was...or perhaps he was going to blame it on the Ye family?

“What do you think?” The Emperor casually picked up a book from beside his couch and flipped through it.

The gradually aging Eunuch Hong slowly walked out and bowed beside the Emperor. He slowly said, “What opinions could I, an old servant, have?”

The Emperor smiled and said, “Everyone always has their own opinion.”

Eunuch Hong coughed gently and was silent for a moment. “I think this attack on Sir Fan junior in the valley is truly very strange. It seems like it was arranged by someone...However, I just cannot understand. For someone who had the power to organize such a situation, why would they harm Sir Fan junior?”

The Emperor threw the book in his hand to the side and said, after a moment of silence, “Don’t speak of this anymore.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Eunuch Hong bowed. A moment later, in a quiet voice, he said, “The empress dowager invites Your Majesty to have a sit in Hanguang Palace in a bit.”

The Emperor smiled warmly. “Is there a need for you to say this?’

Eunuch Hong hesitated for a moment and then said, “News from outside the Palace has entered the empress dowager’s ears. She seems to be gloomy.”

The Emperor furrowed his brows and asked, “What news?”

“A litigation master called Song Shiren has not shut up since returning to the capital. He is still discussing that Jiangnan Ming family case.” Eunuch Hong looked carefully at the Emperor’s expression. “The empress dowager does not like it.”

The Emperor’s expression was slightly icy. His fingers tapped unconsciously against the wooden table. Song Shiren was the person who had helped Fan Xian file a lawsuit in Jiangnan and had debated in the Suzhou government for three months. He had been talking about the issue concerning the natural right of inheritance for the heir. This litigation master had some fame in the capital and was probably a clever man, so how could he still be proclaiming this matter without restraint after returning to the capital?

After some thought, the Emperor immediately understood. It would have been arranged by someone, and the empress dowager must know this in her heart, which was why she was slightly unhappy. After all, she still loved the Crown Prince, that grandson of hers.

“Have that litigation master shut up.” Pausing for a bit, the Emperor said coldly, “But...don’t have the person disappear. He is Fan Xian’s man, so I have to give the kid some face.”

Eunuch Hong was silent and quietly made a sound of acknowledgement, but he did not immediately leave.

“What other matter is there?”

Eunuch Hong’s dry appearance did not change. In a quiet voice, he said, “The Palace has heard...Sir Fan junior received a nice sword while in Jiangnan. It was sent by that Overwatch Council member stationed in Northern Qi, Wang Qinian.”

The Emperor couldn’t stop the soft flesh below his left eye from twitching. He forcefully suppressed the glimmer of loathing in his heart and evenly said, “I know now.”

...

...

Walking along the Palace walls that had turned black from moisture and passing through the cold resistant golden line willows, the lake in the Palace had already frozen over and the autumn grass did not have the honor to continue on after the snow. It had long been cleaned out by the eunuchs who did odd jobs.

All along the way was unchecked growth hidden beneath to neatness.

In the lead, the Emperor walked around the expansive Palace with his hands behind his back. Around him, no one dared come near. To the rear, Eunuch Yao led a group of younger eunuchs holding coats, flasks, and hand warmers. They walked with small, quick steps.

They hadn’t walked for long before they came to the front of a quiet little courtyard. In the courtyard, there was a building, a small building.

It was the little building that the Emperor and Fan Xian first had a heart to heart.

The Emperor pushed open the door and entered. Casually, he wiped away the snow falling down from the top of the door and headed straight for the second floor.

Eunuch Yao took the items from the hands of the younger eunuchs. After warning them repeatedly, he also entered the little courtyard. However, he didn’t go upstairs. He could only wait quietly below and begin boiling water and preparing the tea.

The Emperor stood in the side room on the second floor. His eyes gazed at the painting on the wall. He looked at the yellow-clothed woman in the picture who was looking at the river bank. He didn’t speak for a long time.

Although his eyes were watching her, his heart was thinking about something else.

Sword? Naturally, it was that sword that Wang Qinian had spent vast amounts of gold to buy in Northern Qi to give to An Zhi to honor him, the sword of Emperor of the Wei Kingdom. Litigation master? The Emperor smiled coldly. Although An Zhi was now suffering heavy injuries from the attack, those people would still not quiet down. His mother’s attitude toward An Zhi was still peaceful. There was no need to ask to know that. These events were incited by his good sister and the empress.

Half a year ago, when Li Yunrui arranged for people to come into the Palace to read “A Dream of Red Mansions”[JW2] to the empress dowager, the Emperor already knew what his younger sister was preparing for.

The litigation master and the sword...naturally, it was to make his mother angry. There were many rules among the royal family. For an official to secretly have the sword of the Emperor of the Wei Kingdom, it was indeed unacceptable.

However, An Zhi was still injured yet people still couldn’t resist doing something. This, on the contrary, made the Emperor faintly angry.

After a long time, a sigh broke the silence in the little building. The Emperor slowly turned and sat down in front of that painting. His left hand gently stroked an item on the table.

Below the long and steady hand was a sword. It was the sword that Wang Qinian had paid a great sum for and had delivered to Jiangnan, the sword of the Emperor of the Wei Kingdom.

...

...

A slight smile rose at the corners of the Emperor’s lips. It could be assumed that those people didn’t know that the second day after Fan Xian woke, he had someone deliver this sword into the Palace and into his hands. Furthermore, it also had a secret letter.

There was nothing special in the letter, and there were no complaints about the attack. It was only sincere and respectful with only an occasionally revealed viciousness.

This glimmer of viciousness was well revealed—it was very honest.

Just as Chen Pingping thought that day when they talked, as a ruler, the thing that the Emperor most valued was the heart of those beside him, and honesty was one part of it. Before and after the event, Fan Xian appeared very frank, while his other sons and officials were too dishonest.

Just like this, he sat beneath the painting feeling somewhat tired and worried. The yellow-clothed woman in the picture was also somewhat tired and worried. The two of them rested at the same time. One inside of the painting, one outside of the painting.

After a long time, the usual determined and calm expression once again rose on the Emperor’s face. Rising, he turned his hand to grasp the Emperor’s sword Fan Xian had delivered and walked down the stairs.

Eunuch Yao carefully handed over a cup of tea.

The Emperor took a sip and handed the sword over. Calmly, he said, “Pass on my order, the Commissioner of the Overwatch Council, Fan Xian, is loyal and devoted to his country and has deeply comforted my heart. I especially grant him this sword.”

Eunuch Yao hurriedly received the sword.

The Emperor finally faintly said, “Summon Yan Bingyun, He Zongwei, Qin Heng...into the Palace.”

He named a dozen officials. The people all had one special thing in common and that was youth. Eunuch Yao took his orders and left the building, ordering various young eunuchs to send for people. He, himself, left the Palace and, under escort of the guards, he came to Fan manor. Without incense and cannons, he entered the back garden and gave the sword wrapped in yellow cloth to the young man.

Everything was as usual, however, this matter would be recorded. Presumably, many people in Jingdou tomorrow would know of this matter.

Fan Xian held the sword and was stunned, thinking, Why was the Emperor being so polite?

While those young officials, who hurried into the Palace, each was afraid and secretly guessed at the Emperor’s thoughts.

[JW1] Here, they used two different words for “bastard”

王八 and 王八蛋– the second has an extra character which means “egg”/offspring, hence the “father of the bastard.”

[JW2] I’m not sure this novel exists in this timeline – I thought the “Story of the Stone” was Fan Xian’s rewrite/copy of “Red Chambers.” It could be an author error.