Hong Zhu didn't expect that even Master Tisi knew his name, and suddenly felt a little radiant on his face, he replied: "Exactly, it's hard for Master Tisi to know Xiao's name."
"Your Majesty's close servant is the key point." Fan Xian said, "I am the chief inspector of the Overwatch Council, so of course we must take precautions...not to mention that a few days ago, among the little eunuchs in the Tai Chi Hall, there was a famous assassin..."
Hong Zhu was startled and dared not answer. Fan Xian said gently: "Since Your Majesty trusts you, I naturally trust you too... By the way, I heard that Lao Dai is doing hard labor now?"
Hong Zhu glanced at him, and tentatively said, "Yes, it's quite miserable."
"Yeah." Fan Xian nodded, "I'm not afraid of any taboos. I've dealt with Lao Dai before, and he's a nice guy. Please take care of my little eunuch while he's in the palace."
Hong Zhu was overjoyed. A month ago, he had hoped to gain access to the young official in front of him through Eunuch Dai. Since the other party said so, there was something to be said, and he quickly responded respectfully: "Your orders, how dare you not follow through."
Fan Xian smiled and said, "Please trouble me, little father-in-law. If there is any embarrassment at home in the future, please tell me." He didn't need to say it very clearly, the other party should also know that he was contacted through Yigui concubine.
…
…
When I returned to Shufang Palace where Concubine Yigui lived, it was a great coincidence that the Northern Qi Princess who hadn't had the chance to meet her since September also came back from the Empress Dowager's palace. live in. She looked at Fan Xian who was sitting in the wheelchair, and was a little surprised, but it was not convenient for the two of them to say anything, so they bowed briefly and then retreated.
Concubine Yigui glanced at Fan Xian: "I came back all the way from the north, why is it so strange?"
Fan Xian never forgot to recruit allies and plant nails, so he would never let such an important role as the eldest princess go. It's just that in front of everyone, of course you have to pretend to be a little stranger, and you should say: "The status is different, and besides... men and women are different."
Concubine Yi Gui laughed and said: "You child, you are more handsome than a big beauty... I am not afraid that you will harm others, but I am afraid that others will provoke you."
Fan Xian was taken aback, and said, "Auntie, don't talk nonsense." Turning around, he saw that the third prince was still calmly copying books and pretending to be well-behaved. Is it true?"
There was indeed an unbelievable tone in the words. Concubine Yigui looked at him and nodded, and said with a smile: "I only listened to His Majesty's consent today. But... this is a good thing, why would the ancestor object?"
Fan Xian laughed at himself, thinking that things are not that simple. After thinking for a while, he said seriously: "I'm going to Jiangnan, Xiao San'er will follow me... Are you willing?"
"Jiangnan has good people, good scenery, and good scenery. What can't you bear?"
Concubine Yigui suddenly beckoned, asking him to come closer. Fan Xian leaned over according to his words, only a foot away from her, as if he wanted to smell the orchid breath that this noble lady exhaled, then he heard her lower her voice, gritted her teeth and said, "Take him away from the palace to get closer and closer." The farther the better, it is best to delay for a few years."
Fan Xian was slightly startled, only to realize that Concubine Yigui was making such a negative plan, shook his head and said, "It's not a problem to just give in... Besides, Jiangnan's internal treasury doesn't need to spend much effort, I just went to have a look. You can't keep procrastinating."
Concubine Yigui thought for a while, and found that this was indeed the truth, she sighed with some disappointment: "This is true, and His Majesty will not allow you to stay away from the capital forever."
Fan Xian thought for a while, and comforted him, "San'er is still young after all, so it's not worth worrying about so early... Besides, the Queen Mother is watching these grandchildren in the palace. It's too outrageous, and those few don't care about it." Dare to do it..." He paused and then said: "After all, we are different from those other palaces. Shangshuxiang still has some strength to speak, and my father will not retreat for a while... At worst, there is also me no?"
After hearing this sentence, Concubine Yigui finally felt relieved. With the current development trend, Fan Xian's influence in the court will only increase. The court and central palace are often two independent circles with two influences. With someone in court, she and Li Chengping, mother and son, would have a much easier time in the palace.
When it comes to this point, everyone has made it very clear - from the point of view of Concubine Yigui, who has retained a bit of gratification and straightforwardness, the closer she is to the Fan family, the better she will be for the sake of her children.
"Let San'er follow me to Jiangnan... There is one thing you have to allow me." Fan Xian glanced at the third prince who was eavesdropping but couldn't hear anything.
"What's the matter?" Seeing his seriousness, Concubine Yigui also became nervous.
"I'm not very good at being a teacher. Like those students in the state and county, you know, it's their own fortune of ten years of hard work." Fan Xian said seriously: "I can only treat Your Highness as a younger brother." The same teaching... It is inevitable that there will be some disrespectful moments."
Hearing the words "teach me like a younger brother", Concubine Yigui smiled openly, not expecting Fan Sizhe's miserable situation in the north, so she nodded repeatedly.
Fan Xian looked at her like a fairy, thinking how could this girl be as happy as if she had won the Mark Six lottery? He tentatively said, "...maybe...sometimes...will...do it."
"It's up to you to move your feet!" Concubine Yi Gui said very directly, and said with a smile: "As long as you don't make any mistakes, it's up to you how you knead."
She then sighed and said: "You don't know, what happened in that building a few days ago shocked me a lot. I only know that he has a good relationship with the second child on weekdays. Who knows that the second child... Kill a thousand The swordsman, actually urged Ping'er to do that thing, what does Ping'er know at such a young age? Isn't he being used as a knife... Fortunately, you suppressed this matter quickly, otherwise you don't know How will His Majesty be angry?"
Fan Xian smiled secretly, thinking that your son is not a good master. Although he is only eight years old, the things in his mind are so complicated. He heard Concubine Yigui whispering again: "Discipline him more honestly... Even if he becomes the useless Prince Jing in the future... at least he can live in peace for the rest of his life."
Hearing these words, Fan Xian couldn't help feeling a little emotional. Only mothers are good in the world, and the lyrics are not wrong. A child without a mother is like a grass root, and his own life experience also proves the correctness of this lyrics.
…
…
It was still early for dinner, and there was no news from the Empress Dowager's Palace. Fan Xian was happy and quiet, and stayed in Shufang Palace chatting casually with Concubine Yigui. The two are relatives, so there can be fewer taboos, and in the whole cool palace, it seems that only Concubine Yigui still has a bit...human flavor.
"Slaves, see Princess Chen."
Following the crisp salutes of the maids in the outer chamber, Lin Wan'er walked in rubbing her little hands. Today, she was wearing a jade-colored layered skirt and a bright red satin jacket on her upper body. The cuffs were tightly seamed. Decorated with two fox furs, the fluffy ones are really cute.
Fan Xian sat on the wheelchair and stretched out his hands.
Wan'er moved forward and put her hand into his warm palm, the movement was so natural.
Fan Xian gently rubbed the girl's cold little hands, and asked curiously, "Is that how you came here?" The color of this body is somewhat similar to red and green, but the red is deep and vivid, and the emerald is elegant, and the clothes are elegant. The body is much more pleasing to the eye, but when dining in the palace, one should always dress more gorgeously.
Lin Wan'er pouted and said, "I've been waiting for you at home for a long time, but no one came... Later Su Wenmao called someone to come over, and then I found out that you have been announced into the palace. I took Dabao back to the house, but as soon as I arrived at the gate, I saw you. I was stopped by the eunuch... and dragged to the palace. I went to see the queen mother first. Fortunately, several empresses are waiting in the queen mother's palace, so I don't need to go to each palace to pay respects. I just said a few words and came to see you. I was in a hurry along the way , where is the time to change clothes?"
"By the way, where's Dabao?" Fan Xian cared most about his silly brother-in-law.
"Don't worry, Ruoruo is at home." Lin Wan'er took the hot towel handed over by the maid and wiped it twice, then sat down next to Concubine Yigui, tilted her head and said with a smile: "What are you talking about?"
Concubine Yigui was not in a hurry to reply, she gave the maid a few words first, let the princess wipe her face with a hot towel in this cold weather, and she was not afraid of being stirred up by the cold wind when she went out for a while, then she turned her head and smiled and explained His Majesty's arrangement Say it again.
Lin Wan'er looked at Fan Xian in surprise: "Is it settled?"
Fan Xian nodded, shrugged, helpless. With family and mouth, it seems that the future trip to the south of the Yangtze River will be extremely exciting.
A eunuch came to deliver a message to invite the five nobles in Shufang Palace to have a meal in Hanguang Palace. Concubine Yigui hurriedly took the third prince's hand to the back room to freshen up, and also wanted to dress herself up.
Looking at the space, Fan Xian lowered his voice and asked, "What about the matter that you told the empress dowager... how about it?"
Lin Wan'er looked around, shook her head, and said softly: "You want to divorce, and you didn't discuss this matter with me earlier... How could the queen mother agree to such a sudden thing. Besides, I am a junior after all. It was a bit disrespectful.”
Fan Xian sighed: "If you don't like it, what can I do as a brother. But it's really late to tell you about it, and I also want to take advantage of Baoyuelou to make Hongcheng unhappy in the palace. , took the opportunity to do this matter, how could I expect it to be so troublesome."
"Your Majesty is referring to marriage, how can you just withdraw immediately." Wan'er frowned, "You are too pampered."
Fan Xian laughed and said, "It's just such a younger sister, if I don't pet her, who will pet her?"
"I think the father-in-law has to come into the palace." Wan'er stared at the back room to make sure no one was eavesdropping, and then said softly: "Let the master tell His Majesty directly that the two of us are not enough."
Fan Xian said distressedly: "Although the two families have such a quarrel, my father really likes Hongcheng. Even Hongcheng visits brothels every day, he doesn't think it's a big deal. He always says that he watched them grow up since he was a child. The relationship between the two families Intimacy, the two families cannot be separated just because of the Second Highness."
Lin Wan'er burst out laughing: "Elder-in-law was the most famous person in Liujinghe back then, so of course I didn't think it was a big deal." After speaking, she felt that it was inappropriate for her daughter-in-law to tease her father-in-law, so she hid it with a smile.
Fan Xian was worried about his sister's affairs, so he didn't make fun of the words, his brows were filled with helplessness. Ruoruo has gained some fame in the Tai Hospital these days, I hope Haitang can handle it well, at least delay the marriage for a while.
"Why did uncle announce you to enter the palace?" Lin Wan'er asked a question she was really concerned about, "I think it's not just about the third child."
Fan Xian looked at his wife quietly, and suddenly stretched out his hand to gently caress her smooth chin, smiled, and said nothing. Do you want to tell her that your dearest uncle asked your dearest husband-in-law to do everything possible, just to make your biological mother... reduced to abject poverty
Fortunately, at this time, Concubine Yigui and the others had already dressed properly and came out. When the cotton curtain was lifted, the hall suddenly felt brighter. Fan Xian turned around to look, and saw Concubine Yigui and Princess Beiqi coming out hand in hand. The two women were waited by the delicately painted accessories, clothes and makeup, their faces were radiant, their eyebrows were picturesque, dignified and noble, he I couldn't help but praise from the bottom of my heart, the so-called jewels are nothing more than that.
The eldest princess looked at him and smiled slightly, but stepped forward and walked out of the hall side by side with Wan'er, whom she had known for a long time.
※※※
The winter solstice is as big as a new year, and everyone in the Qing Kingdom is resting on this day. The courts stopped, the army rested, the borders were closed, and business trips were suspended. Not only in the capital, but in fact, including Northern Qi in the far north, they were all living a peaceful and happy life on this day.
According to the customs of the Qing Dynasty, mutton should be eaten on the day of the winter solstice. In the streets and alleys of private houses in Kyoto, countless clouds of hot mist floated up from the spacious or cramped kitchens, circled around the tops of various pots three times, and then found the only way out, and got out of the windows. slits. There is a pungent smell of dried chili, the mutton smell of fresh mutton, the peculiar smell of medicinal materials, and the sweet smell of radish in these hot fogs. The four flavors are mixed and wonderful. All salivate.
In Hanguang Hall, behind the table at the end, Fan Xian stared with puzzled eyes at the mutton that had been cut into ears by the tips of his chopsticks, at the mushroom flowers and rare vegetables floating in the white soup in the bowl, I couldn't help sighing in my heart—the mutton in the palace is really different from the folks, the workmanship is much more refined, but it also lacks the warmth of incense.
How can you eat mutton without tofu and radish? The biggest problem is—the mutton is already warm, and my lips are numb if I can't burn it. What's the point of drinking it
So he barely drank the soup in the bowl, and picked out chopsticks sauce mixed with rice, chewing slowly and carefully, procrastinating the time of this boring "family feast". He looked at his nose, his nose at his lips, with the tip of his chopsticks in his lips, and he was extremely attentive, but he didn't let his peripheral vision go out. He quietly listened to the conversation of these royal family members in the palace without interjecting a word. He was as lonely as if there was no one behind him. The lonely wheelchair in the distance.
Hanguang Palace is the palace of the Empress Dowager, and it is the most magnificent building in the harem. Although it is much simpler than the palace of the prodigal son in Shangjing in the Northern Qi Dynasty, it is still magnificent. Furnishings and objects gleamed.
The children of the royal family in the hall ate in silence, not daring to look directly at the old woman at the top, and the emperor and queen beside the old woman. Today's winter solstice, people arrived neatly, including the three members of King Jing's family, and the second prince who was under house arrest, but the second prince and Hongcheng were only slightly surprised when they saw Fan Xian coming in, and they didn't rush up like shrews. To live is to die.
Fan Xian glanced at the old woman at the front table from the corner of his eye. This was the first time he saw the Empress Dowager. From the wrinkles on her brows and eyes, he seemed to be able to smell the old woman's means and hard heart back then. . Although Hu was old and sick, she was sitting at the top, and even Prince Jing, who had always been extremely presumptuous, seemed much more honest.
He is not familiar with this man, but he is familiar with this palace. When he played Bandit Commander Ye Liuxiang back then, he walked two ways in this palace and found the key in the dark compartment under the old lady's bed. Thinking of this, he quietly looked away, and silently ate the rice mixed with sauce.
A few weak coughs of the old man came from above, Fan Xian bowed his head and said nothing, seeing the face of the queen from the previous glance, and found that the corners of her lips had begun to droop, he knew that the old man would not live for a few years.
"Girl Chen, come sit next to Ai's family." The Empress Dowager looked at the granddaughter at the last table in the distance, and then at Fan Xian whose face was hidden in the shadows, and called, "Pound me."
Wan'er got up and left her seat in an extremely gentle manner, walked there with a smile, leaned into the Queen Mother's ear and said something, and then glanced at Fan Xian who was eating soy sauce with a sad face, presumably to tease the old man Have fun and tell jokes. Sure enough, the Empress Dowager laughed and scolded: "It seems that you fed him so much in the Fan Mansion that you couldn't even eat the food in the palace."
Although the voice was low, it reached everyone's ears clearly, and everyone knew it was Fan Xian.
Fan Xian's heart twitched, and a smile appeared on the corner of his lips. He thought that Wan'er was the most favored in the palace. It seemed that it was not a lie. As long as the queen mother and the emperor liked her, her status in the palace would naturally stand out.
But he was still a little nervous. Today was the first time he saw the Queen Mother. The old man glanced at him occasionally, which made him shudder. Logically speaking, when grandma looks at her wild grandson...it shouldn't be this kind of eyes—the eyes are very complicated, with a hint of relief, two points of pride, three points of doubt, and the remaining four points of vigilance and coldness!
When the Empress Dowager spoke, everyone had stopped eating, listening to what the old man said at the winter solstice family banquet.
"Today, the arrivals are considered neat... Last year, Ai's family was unwell, so they didn't get together. Seeing the appearance of the son-in-law today, Ai's family is also happy." The empress dowager said happy, but there was no expression on her face, and she turned to the emperor. Said: "It's just that your sister stays alone in Xinyang, it's not a problem at all. This daughter and son-in-law are all in the capital, and she is a woman who always lives in the Li Palace. I don't like it."
Fan Xian sneered in his heart, knowing that he finally got to the point, and the meaning was very clear, even his son-in-law could attend the family banquet of the royal family, why couldn't the Eldest Princess
The emperor's deep eyes flashed, and he replied: "The weather is cold, and the road is not easy to walk. When spring begins, let Yun Rui come back."
Hearing this, the Empress Dowager nodded with satisfaction. Fan Xian noticed that the left sleeve of the second prince on the opposite side was trembling unnaturally. He thought that this very poor man who had been punished by him knew that the big aid was about to arrive in Beijing, and he was so excited that he couldn't bear it.
It's just... why is the prince's expression a little weird
…
…
Fan Xian didn't care much about what was said later, the royal family banquet was really boring, but when the Queen Mother occasionally mentioned himself, the trace of indifference deliberately revealed made the corners of his lips uncontrollably reveal a trace of indifference. Laugh at yourself.
He once heard that when he was injured, the queen mother prayed for him and got the bead from the queen mother. He thought that the old man's heart had softened, and his hard heart had also loosened. Unexpectedly, depending on the situation, it was just a wild guess. Forget it, let’s compare who’s heart is hard. You people from the emperor’s family are naturally cold-hearted. The second generation of our family is a human monster, and the heart will not be soft. At least it is better than the mutton in this cold soup. Hard three points.
Since the ruler is not the ruler, the minister is not the minister, the father is not the father, the son is not the son, the ancestor is not the grandson, and the grandson is not the grandson, why should I be jealous of the unnecessary blood relationship
Although he was born as a "poor" who plagiarized articles, Fan Xian was a man of good writing after all, and he couldn't get rid of the arrogance and arrogance in his bones. Although he smiled, he didn't try to please the queen mother when he answered, and he didn't pretend to be a junior to make the old woman happy with his grandson. For a while, the conversation in Hanguang Hall seemed a little awkward and cold.
Except for the queen mother, the empresses and princes in the palace are very familiar with Fan Xian. They know that this son-in-law is not a simple character. Don't take advantage of today's family banquet to curry favor with the Empress Dowager.
The emperor didn't take it seriously, thinking that Fan Xian was annoyed by the fact that his mother-in-law was going back to Beijing, and he was a bit out of control. The Queen Mother thought that this young man was born to be so arrogant and shameless, and she was even more displeased. Looking at this scene, the empress didn't understand what Fan Xian wanted to do, a trace of doubt appeared in the corner of her eyes, Ning Cairen, under the slightly angry eyes of the empress dowager, drank wine with great boldness, concubine Shu sipped, concubine Yigui haha She smirked to make the Queen Mother happy, and gave Fan Xian a few attentions.
Among the rest of the people, His Highness the First Highness was confused, His Highness the Second Highness secretly laughed, His Highness the Third admired it, and His Highness the Crown Prince was distracted. Only King Jing's guess was closer to the truth, he shook his head secretly, thinking that scholars would indeed tend to be a bit pedantic.
Wan'er, who was lying beside the empress dowager, looked at Fan Xian with some concern.
※※※
In the cold night, snowflakes started to fall again, one after another. At the corner gate of the palace, Fan Xian was sitting in a wheelchair, with his head slightly lowered, his expression calm and thoughtless. Lin Wan'er was a little worried and said, "Sir, are you alright?"
"It's okay." Fan Xian still lowered his head firmly, "I'm just pretending to be Di Feijing."
Huwei and Qi Nian's team came, the husband and wife got into the carriage, and the carriage drove to Fan Mansion. In the carriage, Lin Wan'er asked curiously, "Who is Di Feijing?"
"A person who keeps his head down all his life." Fan Xian laughed: "Let's not talk about him, let's go home and eat mutton. Father and the others should be waiting."