No matter how turbulent the situation in the southern capital was, the people still lived their lives, the streets were still bustling with people, and Yumozuo Tower was still crowded with guests as always.
Fang Xianye, who had not slept well the previous night, walked out of Yumo Tower with his servant He Zhi. He Zhi was carrying a double-layered food box filled with freshly baked snacks from Yumo Tower. A layer of fine water droplets condensed on the outer wall of the warm food box. They had only taken a few steps out of the gate of Yumo Tower when a ragged child suddenly rushed out, snatched the food box from He Zhi's hand, and ran forward with it.
He Zhi was stunned for a moment, then shouted angrily: "Little bastard!"
He chased after him angrily, but the child slipped after taking only two steps, and the food box fell to the ground. The box slid open, and the snacks rolled to the side of the road, covered in mud. But the child grabbed the dirty snacks and stuffed them into his mouth, swallowing them without chewing.
He Zhi and Fang Xianye had already walked in front of him. When he saw the two men coming, he immediately knelt on the ground, kowtowed and said, "My lord... I'm so hungry... Don't hit me... Have mercy on me..."
He Zhi was about to roll up his sleeves, but Fang Xianye stopped him. He squatted down and looked at the child, who was about six or seven years old. In the chilly wind of the first month of the year, he was only wearing a tattered single coat. His face was purple from the cold, and his hands and legs were covered with chilblains, which were oozing pus. The eyes looking at him were trembling, full of fear.
Fang Xianye was silent for a moment and asked, "Where are your parents?"
The child shuddered and whispered, "Dead..."
"How did he die?"
"My family is from Shenzhou... We suffered from drought and fled here... We ended up catching up with the war in the imperial city... My father went out one day... I don't know how he died on the side of the road, and my mother also died of illness a few days ago... I... My Lord, I'm really... I'm so hungry..."
The child started crying as he spoke, tears streaming down his chapped face. He used his chilblained hands to wipe his tears, and then the noble man in front of him held his wrist. The child looked at him at a loss with tears on his face.
Fang Xianye stared at the child's innocent and fragile eyes. In an instant, he thought of the triumphant Lin Jun and the unfathomable young emperor wearing luxurious clothes in the Ningle Palace. He shuddered, and a fear surged from the bottom of his heart.
What had he been thinking about for more than a year? What had fascinated him?
At this moment, the vortex of power suddenly seemed distant. He remembered the incomplete corpses with painful faces on the roadside when he walked by the street during the civil strife in Nandu; he remembered the fireworks on the battlefield and the people serving in the mines and horse farms when he was in Yunluo States.
He suddenly felt like he had woken up from a dream, and he didn't recognize himself. The imperial edict seemed like a curse. From the moment he received it, he fell into the abyss of contradictions and forgot some things.
Some very important things, he forgot why he entered the officialdom.
The "recovery sooner or later" mentioned by the emperor and Lin Jun after Duan Xu's death, even if it is delayed by one or two years, is still worth a lot of gold, and the bones are piled up, and it is a burden on the shoulders of countless people. The person on the throne may not feel pain, but the world is not only as big as the palace, nor as big as the Southern Capital. There are thirty-six states, and how many people among the millions can afford this price?
Can Daliang afford this price?
When he was in the Ministry of Revenue, he had seen how quickly wars burned money. If the war continued and the country was emptied of money, how could there be a prosperous era? How could he openly kill people under the pretext of "saving people"? Because the court was a quagmire of power struggles, and everyone was trying to preserve their own glory in the turmoil, so he was also corrupted without realizing it?
Fang Xianye closed his eyes and sighed after a moment. He said to He Zhidao: "Go to Yumao Tower and buy two servings of the same food. Give him one and then bring the child back home."
He Zhi was stunned for a moment, scratched his head, said okay, then turned around and ran into Yumozuo Tower.
Fang Xianye stood up, and in the slightly cold sunshine of early spring, he looked at the towering palace in the distance, which was covered with a layer of golden light and was magnificent. His eyes gradually turned cold, as cold as the ice surface in the cold winter, and finally he smiled sadly.
At this moment, he had to admit that Duan Xu's life was more important than his.
This was the trouble he had caused, and he couldn't let Duan Xu die because of it.
When Duan Jingyuan passed by her father's study, she saw that the dark sandalwood door was closed. It was usually closed when her father had guests. She thought that she hadn't heard of any friends visiting her father today, so she walked towards the door with some curiosity. After just two steps, she saw her father's study door open and a man wearing a veil walked out.
My father looked solemn. When he saw Duan Jingyuan, his face darkened. Just as he was about to reprimand her, the man in the veil stretched out his hand to stop him, saying, "I just happened to be looking for Miss Duan."
Duan Jingyuan was a little surprised. She was very familiar with this voice recently - it was Fang Xianye.
Fang Xianye walked towards her, handed her the food box in his hand, and said, "Thank you Miss Duan for the New Year's dumplings. I'm here to return the food box."
Duan Jingyuan observed his father's expression, took the food box from Fang Xianye, opened it and took a look, then said in surprise: "Wow! This... This is my favorite... How did you know I like this?"
Fang Xianye seemed to laugh softly and said, "Take me to see your brother."
Duan Jingyuan looked out and saw that his father did not stop him, so he agreed and took Fang Xianye to Duan Xu's Haoyue Residence. Duan Xu's room was very warm with a fire burning. He was still sleeping, covered with a thick quilt. In the dim sunlight, his face was pale and thin, like a paper man.
Duan Jingyuan stood beside Duan Xu's bed and sighed, "Third brother is sometimes awake and sometimes asleep, his high fever won't go away, and he's always in a daze. The former national teacher introduced a famous doctor, who said there is a way to make brother better, but it will take some time."
"How long is some time?"
"The doctor didn't elaborate."
Fang Xianye nodded and said, "It's good that you won't die."
This was too straightforward, making Duan Jingyuan a little angry, but she still suppressed her temper and said, "Third brother was not in good health when he came back this time. Shen Ying's death in the battle was a big blow to him. He loves Shen Ying very much."
Fang Xianye smiled noncommittally and said, "He is just that kind of person."
Although you don't expect anything, you always carry other people's fate or misfortune on your shoulders.
Duan Jingyuan observed Fang Xianye's expression and asked curiously, "You and my third brother... you have a good relationship, right?"
Fang Xianye looked up at Duan Jingyuan, thought for a while and said, "That's fine. Your third brother is owed by others in this world, he doesn't owe anyone, but he will soon owe me."
When it gets light in the future, I'll leave it for him to watch.
Duan Jingyuan showed a confused look, she didn't understand what Fang Xianye was saying. After a moment of silence, she decided to ask the guess buried in her heart: "Fang Xianye... Are you my father's illegitimate son?"
Fang Xianye's calmness finally cracked. He looked at Duan Jingyuan with wide eyes and said thoughtfully, "So Miss Duan gave me dumplings because she thinks I'm your half-brother?"
Duan Jingyuan choked and said anxiously, "You don't necessarily have the same father but different mothers! Then maybe you could be my father's godson or adopted son or something like that."
"Do you want me to be your biological brother or just your foster brother?" Fang Xianye asked.
"… What do you mean I hope? What is the relationship between you and my father?" Duan Jingyuan stared, but unfortunately his earlobes were red, making him look fierce but weak.
Fang Xianye looked at her expression for a long while, pursed his lips and smiled sadly and gently. He said, "Maybe he is my adopted son."
Duan Jingyuan breathed a sigh of relief when she heard that. She didn't know why she felt happy.
Fang Xianye suddenly thought of something, his throat moved, and he looked at Duan Jingyuan and said, "In that case, can you call me brother?"
Duan Jingyuan and Fang Xianye's eyes met. After a moment, she suddenly felt a little embarrassed. She pulled the bed curtain and murmured, "You didn't even come to my house. You're taking advantage of me."
Fang Xianye's eyes were burning, he clenched his fists, and just stared at her silently. Under his gaze, Duan Jingyuan looked away and then looked back, looking into his eyes and whispered, "Brother."
Her voice was like jade beads falling into a porcelain bowl.
elder brother.
Fang Xianye seemed to see the little girl from many, many years ago.
She loved to be beautiful since she was little, with a bun and bells hanging on her body. Whenever she saw him from a distance, she would run over with her arms outstretched, making crisp jingling sounds along the way, and then she would call out in a crisp voice—Brother! Hold me!
—Brother, you are so awesome. You can write the best articles in the world. You will definitely be the top scholar in the future!
The little girl sat on his lap, he braided her hair, and she played with origami while saying - Jingyuan is going to marry her brother when she grows up!
Many years later, when he first arrived in Nandu and lived in Jin'an Temple, he heard a girl calling for her mother one day. He turned around and saw the grown-up Duan Jingyuan. She did not recognize him, but smiled and lifted her skirt, running up the wide mossy stone steps and passing him. She ran into the sunny spring day with a smile on her face, just like a child.
He stood there and looked at her for a long time, even though her back had completely disappeared.
She always mentioned Daizhou's "brother" to Duan Xu. She was probably the only person in the world who still remembered him.
But she didn't recognize him. He thought he would never hear her call him brother again in his life.
Duan Jingyuan opened her eyes wide, she grabbed Fang Xianye's sleeve, and said in panic: "You... why are you crying?"
Fang Xianye smiled softly, lowered his eyes, and said, "I suddenly miss my sister. You are very similar to her."
Duan Jingyuan nodded hesitantly and looked at Fang Xianye's expression carefully. He stretched out his hand with red eyes, gently shook her hand, and said, "Jingyuan, you must find a good man, have many children and grandchildren, and live a happy life."
His palms were so warm that she forgot to dodge for a moment.
Not long afterwards, when she recalled Fang Xianye on that day, she realized that he was saying goodbye to her. It was a pity that she did not understand the meaning of his words that day.
Her realization was always late.
It was late at night, and Jing Yan was very surprised by Fang Xianye's visit. Fang Xianye was not very familiar with him. He took Fang Xianye to the study, dismissed the servants, and asked, "Master Fang, what are you doing here?"
Fang Xianye sat on a pear wood chair across the table from him and looked up at Jing Yan: "I heard that Lord Jing admires Duan Shuai very much."
Jing Yan was a little surprised and asked, "Where did you hear that?"
"Duan Shunxi." Fang Xianye was silent for a moment, then said, "Duan Shunxi and I are very good friends. He and I uncovered Ma Zheng's corruption case. I am grateful that you did not expose his false accounts."
Jing Yan's arm holding the teacup froze in mid-air, and he forgot whether to put it down or pick it up.
Fang Xianye seemed to be relieved and said jokingly, "I didn't expect that the first time I said this would be to Master Jing. I came to see Master Jing to entrust you with something.
"And what I say to you today will be my last words."
At dawn the next day, Fang Xianye looked at the rising sun for a long time, then straightened his official uniform, put on his official hat, and walked into the hall. He was hidden among the ministers as usual. After the young emperor talked about some irrelevant topics with the officials, he mentioned the imperial edict he had received recently and circulated the imperial edict with the emperor's personal approval to all the officials.
After learning the contents of the imperial edict, all officials immediately focused their attention on Fang Xianye, and the whole hall was shocked. However, Fang Xianye just stood there holding the tablet, unmoved.
"The late emperor's will stated that Fang Xianye had made great contributions in protecting the emperor, and he was appointed as the deputy privy councilor to assist in government affairs. He also said that Duan Shunxi failed to save the emperor in time and had the intention of treason, so he should be executed." The emperor repeated this sentence leisurely, with an embarrassed look on his face: "General Duan is an important minister of the country, with great military achievements. I have always valued him. Now he is recuperating from illness, and I really don't want to execute a meritorious official. But the late emperor's will is here, and my father's body is still warm. How can I ignore his wishes?"
Fang Xianye did not respond, and a minister who knew the emperor's temper spoke up: "Your Majesty is merciful, but the late emperor was wise. The Southern Capital has been in chaos for more than two months. General Duan must have known about it at the front line, but he did not mobilize a single soldier to help the emperor. This shows that he has long had ulterior motives. If we don't punish him now, I'm afraid we will end up nurturing a tiger that will cause trouble!"
The court became lively, with officials talking to each other. Of course, some spoke up for Duan Xu, but the situation was still moving in the direction the emperor hoped for.
The imperial edict that was circulated came into Fang Xianye's hands amid the discussion among the ministers. He smiled sarcastically. The emperor's naked suspicion and cruelty always had to be wrapped in a tender and affectionate drama. The truth was that the emperor was afraid of Duan Xu, so he wanted to kill him.
However, the emperor also requires a legitimate reason. If it is not legitimate, the butcher knife will have to hang in the air for a while. If the incident gets out of hand and the play is too absurd, it will take a while to clean up the mess, and the butcher knife will have to hang even longer.
It was enough for Duan Xu to escape.
Fang Xianye clenched the imperial edict tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force. He suddenly stepped out with the imperial edict in his hand, knelt in the hall and said loudly: "Your Majesty, I dare to report something. I beg the emperor to punish me. This edict is a forged edict."
The whole court was in uproar. Lin Jun and the emperor were shocked and looked unhappy. The emperor's eyes swept across the faces of all the officials and said, "Fang Qing..."
Fang Xianye did not give the emperor a chance to speak, but knelt on the ground and said loudly: "Duan Shunxi and I have a long-standing grudge. In Jin'an Temple, I was afraid that the situation would change in the future and my life would be in danger. I also hated Duan Shunxi for returning with great military achievements and there would be a big reward. I imitated the handwriting of the late emperor and stole the seal to obtain this edict."
"However, since the late emperor passed away, he has frequently appeared in my dreams, denouncing me for my disloyalty and for framing loyal and good people for my own selfish interests. He said that anyone who dares to frame a loyal and good person like General Duan will be ruined and die a miserable death. I am terrified day and night, so I dare not deceive the emperor with this edict."
Fang Xianye's voice echoed in the hall. The emperor and Lin Jun did not expect such a change. Their faces turned pale. The next moment, Fang Xianye pointed at Lin Jun and said, "A few days ago, Lord Lin learned that Fang had this false edict, so he threatened and bribed me to present it to Your Majesty in order to seek glory. I had no choice but to follow his advice. However, as I stood in the hall, I could hear the late emperor's angry rebuke. I think his soul was unwilling to leave. I really couldn't bear it, so I could only tell you the truth!"
Lin Jun was so angry that his face turned red. He pointed at Fang Xianye and shouted, "Nonsense! Nonsense! Fang Xianye, are you crazy?"
Fang Xianye suddenly stood up from the ground, his eyes red as he said, "I am guilty of treason and attempted to frame loyal officials. My crime is unforgivable. The spirit of the late emperor is here. I have no place to hide. The only thing I can do is die!"
While his voice was still echoing in the hall, he unexpectedly rushed towards the pillar closest to him, his red sleeves fluttering, and he crashed into the red-painted pillar that was as thick as a man's embrace like a vermilion bird riding on the wind.
There was a crisp sound, blood splattered everywhere, and the whole court was silent.
His body fell to the ground, and blood spread rapidly from under him, staining the imperial edict in his hand and blurring the words.
Jing Yan watched this scene from a distance, clutched the board tightly, and looked away reluctantly.
—I want to prove that this edict is a fake one and throw all the dirty water out. But there are too many loopholes, and it will definitely not withstand detailed questioning and investigation.
—Since I have accepted this false edict, I will have no choice but to die. But if I die in the Golden Palace, there will be no evidence, and there will be no loopholes.
—After I die, Lord Jing will take over this case. I beg Lord Jing with my life not to overturn the verdict.
Fang Xianye's face was stained with blood. His eyes were open, and the light faded from them little by little. Finally, a smile of triumph appeared on his face, very faint, and all the warmth turned into silence. A bright light that only ghosts could see slowly rose from his body, rising into the endless blue sky.
The number one scholar in the ninth year of Tianyuan, he was witty and elegant, and wrote beautiful articles. He eventually died by hitting a pillar in the Golden Palace.
He lived a lonely life, his parents died early, and he only had one confidant, and a girl whom he liked for many years but never let her know.
Fang is first wild, first wild.
The pioneers will eventually die in the wild.