Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio 

  Entering the back garden with Sang Wen, Fan Xian raised his head to see warblers and swallows, greens and reds, singing to each other harmoniously. The depths of spring was nearing the heat of summer. The cold wind carried a message, and the bright moon hung like a wheel in the sky. Everywhere were lanterns hanging among rock gardens and green trees. The moonlight mixed with the firelight and added a sense of haziness. Amidst this haziness, a dozen girls were chatting. Those beautiful girls did not wear much and either stood under trees or were curled up on the bed. Their poses were different, and their beauty occasionally shone through the muslin. Their bodies emitted a light aroma that directly assaulted the nose. 

  Fan Xian paused. He couldn’t help feeling a sense of confusion. Perhaps he had arrived at the Cave of the Silken Web? When did Hua Garden become Chen Garden? 

  The girls chattered without stopping and, for the moment, did not even notice Fan Xian standing with his back to the light. They continued to talk excitedly about the events at Baoyue Brothel that happened during the day: the might of that strike and the imperial envoy’s awe-inspiring rant on the street. 

  The main speaker was one of the two headliners. The ones listening were the girls with wide eyes filled with either curiosity or admiration. 

  Fan Xian lowered his voice and said, “Didn’t you say the girls from the brothel were all sent somewhere else?” 

  Sang Wen covered her lips as she smiled and explained, “Aren’t these the girls from the garden?” 

  Only now did Fan Xian realize. Unconsciously he took a closer look and sighed in his heart. Everyone said that girls changed greatly at 18. These were the refugee orphan girls that Sisi had picked up and brought back. How was it that a few days in Suzhou and they had bloomed so beautifully? 

  Although their sense of childishness remained abundantly between their brows and their inexperience was still present, how could it hold back the advancement of their youth? It made one joyful. 

  Since no one unrelated ever came into this back garden, the girls, who were excitedly listening to Liang Diandian’s story, did not behave in any formal way. There were some lying on the couch with their buttocks’ sticking up and pretending to pride, while some held fans pretending to be elegant. The long straight legs gave off a taut beauty through the thin cloth. 

  The Great Prince’s concubine, Ma Suosuo, was sitting on a chair listening. Although she had seen the events from a distance, the story told by Liang Diandian’s sandalwood mouth was more hair-raising. Except, Liang Diandain had not personally seen the events within the brothel, so her description of Fan Xian’s persistence in the face of death and courage could not help but be slightly exaggerated. She successfully created the image of a perfect young man that Qing Kingdom was not meant to have. 

  The gazes of girls were hot and embarrassed. They loved the imperial envoy but could not and dare not to say anything. Even Ma Suosuo with her head slightly tilted watching the pond had a strange light shining in her eyes. 

  Fan Xian swallowed and knew that if he kept watching he would make many life mistakes. Those girls were still developing, but the Great Prince’s concubine and Liang Diandian were both natural born beauties with brows black as umber and lips as red as vermilion. They had spirit in their eyes that made those who look lose their minds. How could he look more? He was just about to call out to remind everyone when he heard one of the girls in the Garden unintentionally say something, so he closed his mouth and quickly stood in the darkness. 

  Sang Wen glanced at him in suspicion, not knowing what had happened. 

  The little girl was no more than 12 or 13 years old. Her eyes were wide as she naively asked, “Sisters, why haven’t we seen the mistress yet?” 

  Because of timing, Fan Xian had lived alone in Hua Garden for several months and did not move to Hangzhou. During this time, the girls Sisi had brought back lived in the garden. They had long learned the identity of their savior. To be servants in the imperial envoy’s home made them feel very lucky, however, after all this time, they had yet to see the mistress. This seemed strange to them. 

  Liang Diandian listened to this question and was startled. She didn’t say anything, and the little girls had no idea that she was of Jingdou. She knew of the ruckus years ago around the Fan-Lin marriage. The Lin family daughter was the Eldest Princess’ illegitimate child. This secret, which had been known only to the noble and powerful members of the court, became a rumor in the public sphere. Although there was no evidence, most people believed it. Everyone knew that Sir Fan junior and Xinyang had long been like fire and water. 

  A girl spat and scolded, “This our master’s family business. What right do we have to discuss it? If Sisi hears you, you better be careful with your mouth?” 

  The girl earlier laughed naively and said, “Hehe, actually……I just wanted to see what kind of immortal beauty is the woman that is worthy of the young master.” 

  In their hearts, Fan Xian was one of the best people, so they were curious about what kind of person Lin Wan’er was. 

  “I heard that this mistress is the daughter of a virtuous and large family.” Liang Diandian’s mind suddenly turned and she laughed sweetly. “However, I heard that her appearance is nothing special, probably not even as good as Sisi.” 

  “That is true. How many people could be worthy of the young master……” 

  “Hehe, who knows if in the future……oh right, isn’t there another girl living in the garden? It’s just that we don’t see much of her usually, what arrogance.” 

  Liang Diandian gave a not-quite-there smile and said, “I heard……that she is also the master’s female confidant, only she is not like Sisi who has been with the family for a long time, she has no name or status here.” 

  “Shut up!” The girl who vaguely knew of Haitang’s identity could not scold Liang Diandian so she could only pick on the girl. “Are you really looking to die? The airs of such arrogant people are not for the likes of you to see.” ……

  Fan Xian could not listen anymore. He coughed a few times and walked into the light. 

  The girls all jumped in fright and stood up. They reigned in their emotions and calmed their breaths. They bowed uniformly and gently said, “Greetings, young master.” 

  The titles in Hua Garden still followed the rules in the manor in Jingdou. 

  Fan Xian looked at this little girls and shook his head, thinking, If the discussion in his own household is like this, who knew what rumors were flying around outside. However, he was a person with an easy disposition and couldn’t be bothered to care about how other people were silently criticizing him. He warmly said, “It’s late, you should all go sleep.” 

  The girls muttered something and then saluted again. They quickly tidied their clothes and silently returned to their own rooms. 

  Only Liang Diandian and Mao Suosuo were called back by Fan Xian. 

  He stared at Liang Diandian, whose beautiful face revealed a natural charm, and did not say anything for a moment. 

  Liang Diandian felt a joy in her heart but nothing showed on her face, on the contrary, she purposely appeared delicate and weak. She shyly half lowered her head to put her most beautiful side on display. 

  The year of the Fan-Lin marriage, the rumors around the marketplace said that Fan Xian was truly very tender toward his sickly wife. From this, she knew that Sir Fan junior was a person who cared about his relationships. 

  Among the boudoirs, Fan Xian was the man of these girls’ dreams. Although Liang Diandian had grown up in a pleasure boat, she was not an exception, only she had a few more tricks and plans that other people did. 

  Liang Diandian was confident in her appearance, thinking, The mistress is nowhere near as pretty as herself and yet was still able to receive Sir Fan junior’s love. This man probably liked pitiful women, so she had purposely put on this appearance. Furthermore, after the Suzhou branch of the Baoyue Brothel had opened for business, Fan Xian had yet to let her take a client. He probably had some intentions toward her. 

  Feeling Fan Xian’s unwavering stare, Liang Diandian’s joy grew deeper. She kept her head lowered shyly and did not say anything. 

  Standing behind Fan Xian, Sang Wen saw this scene and a loathing smile rose to the corners of her mouth. 

  Fan Xian suddenly opened his mouth and said, “Everyone has the right to make a better life for themselves, so I do not have any feelings of ill will toward what you are thinking.” 

  Liang Diandian suddenly raised her head and met Fan Xian’s completely emotionless gaze. Only then did she know she had gotten it wrong and felt fear in her heart. 

  Fan Xian continued coldly, “However, I do not like it.” 

  Liang Diandian felt shame assault her and did not dare say anything. 

  “No one is born to serve another. If you do not wish to work at Baoyue Brothel, have shopkeeper Sang Wen clear your record. Once you have earned the silver back, we will let you go.” Fan Xian stared at her lovely face. “Sang Wen, help her pack and move her to another place to live.” 

  Sang Wen had not expected the commissioner to be so merciless toward the fairer sex, but she also did not dare say anything. She took Liang Diandian, who had tears glimmering in her eyes, into the manor to pack. 

  Only Fan Xian and Mao Suosuo remained in the garden. 

  Ma Suosuo suddenly opened her mouth and gently said, “Master, do I also have to leave the manor, in case I pollute the peace here?” 

  \r \r \r 

  The corners of Fan Xian’s mouth twitched, and he laughed bitterly. Looking at this Hu Princess’ sea blue eyes, straight nose, and deep, beautiful face, he gently said, “Stay. Don’t speak too much, and don’t ask too many questions. I like you very much. If I have the opportunity in the future, I will help you.” 

  Ma Suosuo was slightly surprised. She raised her head to look at Fan Xian. It seemed that she had not expected for the other party to have seen everything so clearly, and her expression revealed so. She couldn’t help but gratefully said, “Thank you.” 

  Fan Xian calmly said, “No need for thanks, I’ve always liked standing on ice to watch the world.” 

  Returning to his room, Sisi had already prepared the hot water. After washing his face, he extended his feet into the hot water and gave a satisfied sigh. Shortly after, he closed his eyes and began to use the method Haitang had imparted to him. Using a trickle of zhenqi to repair the meridians that had been injured by Ye Liuyun’s sword qi today. Since he was young, his method of cultivation had been different from everyone else’s. The proper meditation technique was, for him, just as simple as falling asleep. 

  No one knew how long he napped with his eyelids slightly open and zhenqi flowing through his entire body. He found that he already felt much better. He also found that inside the room was strangely quiet. 

  Looking to the side, only then did he find that Sisi had already fallen asleep lying on the desk. Since she had probably been too worried during the day and waited far too late at night, the girl was probably completely exhausted. 

  Fan Xian smiled but did not wake her. He grabbed the towel himself and dried the water on his feet, then he gently walked behind her and laid his robe over her, worried that she would catch a cold. 

  He stood behind Sisi for a while looking at the fine hairs on the back of her pure white neck and couldn’t help letting out a sigh, remembering the time in Danzhou when he and Sisi copied out books. How relaxing and joyful was that? Completely without external matters to ensconce them, with only one oil lamp, one desk, one pen, and one tender server, the two of them sat side by side copying “Story of the Stone.” Although they had no literary criticisms, each delicate line of writing carried a true aroma. 

  He thought for a moment and then pressed his right hand gently on the back of Sisi’s head and rubbed it gently for her. On these acupuncture points, he applied a small amount of zhenqi to help harmonize her body. After he encouraged her into a deep sleep, he carefully picked her up and laid her on the bed and pulled up the thin blanket. He patted her cheek gently with reassurance and shuffled out of the room. 

  As he closed the door, he seemed to see the glimmer of a safe and satisfied smile appearing on Sisi’s deeply asleep face. ……

  With his clothes over his shoulders, shuffling his feet, and his shoulders raised, Fan Xian wandered around Hua Garden without a care as to his appearance. It seemed like he wanted to use the wind around him to blow away the pent-up frustrations in the depths of his heart. Although Hua Garden was beautiful, it was a pity he could find no calm. There were too many things pressing down on his heart. Without Uncle Wu Zhu or Wan’er beside him, he had no one to talk to, no one to discuss with, and no way to express his frustrations. 

  No one knew why he was doing things in Jiangnan in such a rush, why he did not spare anything to push for a major turn. His friends, his subordinates, his enemies, and even his family……everyone seemed to have made an incorrect judgement about Fan Xian. 

  It was this judgement that made Fan Xian the angriest. 

  Everyone thought he could be completely emotionless when it came to the battle for power, everyone, whether intentionally or not, forgot the countless links between him and the Eldest Princess. They were just waiting to see how he would stomp Xinyang to the ground, but they didn’t think that not only was Fan Xian going to stomp, he was going to do it brilliantly. 

  Fan Xian had no feelings at all toward the Eldest Princess, but he did have deep feelings for Wan’er, who was, after all, the Eldest Princess’ trueborn daughter. 

  Everyone had forgotten this point. Everyone had purposely forgotten this point. 

  Fan Xian was angry and gloomy. Although he had already secretly made the arrangements, he was still very angry. 

  If, one day, the Eldest Princess actually died by his hands, what about Wan’er? ……

  No one to talk to. No one to talk to. 

  Fan Xian could not stop his steps. 

  It was like this in the officialdom. It was like this on the jianghu. It was also like this in Hua Garden. He walked around the lonely pond, passed the neglected corridor, and completely unconsciously, he followed the familiar stone path and walked to the quiet study at the very back of Hua Garden. 

  He raised his head and looked that the door. He couldn’t stop a self-mocking smile from rising. Why did he walk to here again? 

  In the novel, “A New Account of the Tales of the World,” Wang Xian lived in the depths of the mountain. Since he missed Dai Andao, he braved the snow and traveled through the night by boat to visit. Just as the morning light was rising, Wang arrived before Dai’s home. He turned around and left without knocking. The servant was greatly surprised, and Wang said, “The urge came and left, why bother seeing Dai?” 

  Fan Xian did not have the strange attitude of the famous scholar. He also didn’t like to play games of tacit mutual understanding, furthermore, he would not do what the master and disciple did. Since he had come, he understood that he was used to coming to find her to discuss matters when he faced a truly difficult situation, to search for a solution or at least a solution that would ease his mind. 

  So, he walked up the stone steps and gently pushed opened the door. 

  The study door was not bolted. In the past half year, she had lived here quietly. A single person living far away in an isolated part of Hua Garden. 

  Haitang had woken up long before he had come to the door and was already sitting up on the bed. She had a floral jacket wrapped around her shoulders. Sitting on the bed, she gazed at him with almost a smile. 

  There were no lights lit in the room, only the faint moonlight shining through the window. Given their martial realms, they could see everything in the room and the expression on each other’s faces with perfect clarity. 

  The night was a bit cold, and Fan Xian rubbed his hands. He turned to close the door, then shuffled to stand beside Haitang’s bed. Without any show of politeness, he lifted one corner of the blanket and burrowed in. Sitting at the other end of the bed, he and Haitang looked at each other across the bed. 

  The bed was very warm and did not have a scent. There was only a clean and warm feeling. 

  Haitang looked at this scoundrel and said, without choice, “You must remember, I do plan on getting married in the future.” 

  Fan Xian’s feet kicked a few times on the cotton sheets on the bed and sighed in comfort. He was also a little unexpectedly disappointed to not have hit Haitang’s foot. It seemed like the girl across from him was sitting cross-legged. 

  He said, “I am the cheating male.” Then he smiled and said, “You are the cheating female.” 

  “Of course,” his said, “this is what is being said outside.” 

  Haitang gave him a glare. 

  Fan Xian said, “It is only one thing, but I will never be satisfied even if I die. Although I was born slightly better than some, I have tried to lure you into anything. How could they be so certain there is something illicit between us? Duoduo, I am very unhappy. Today, since I have already shouldered the false reputation, it is not that I am saying anything regretful since it is already so, it is not as if we have other reasons……” 

  These words were said with such hidden bitterness. 

  Haitang only sighed and said, “Although this part has not been set in print, Sisi has brought them to show me after she copied them. Seventy-seven times the things Qing Wen said, why do you bother to make such remarks to me again? I am not second young master Bao, and you are not the girl Xiao. Ye Liuyun has not injured you to the point of death, yet here you are acting so aggrieved. Who knew what you were resenting in your heart.” 

  Fan Xian smiled self-mockingly and shook his head. He did not speak for a while. 

  The study, converted into a bedroom, sunk into silence. 

  “I don’t like being ambiguous,” Fan Xian said gently. “You probably don’t understand what I mean, only, I really do like staying with you and talking.” 

  Haitang’s bright eyes shone in the dark night. 

  “But right now, we are indeed being very ambiguous,” Fan Xian smiled slightly and said. “I originally came to vent some of my bitterness. I didn’t expect to suddenly find another bitter matter.” 

  “Everyone has to marry.” 

  Fan Xian half leaned against the foot of the bed with his eyes closed he said, “But why is it that every time I think of you marrying someone else, I feel so unhappy in my heart?” 

  The smile in Haitang’s eyes gradually filled into a moon reflected in the water, then filled into a moon gradually running out with the water from a bamboo basket. Her hands gently pulled at the corner of the blanket, pulling it over her chest. She gazed at Fan Xian’s face and slowly said, “Then……what if I married you?”


  Chapter 402: Blankets Protected The Common People Under Heaven 

  Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio 

  Haitang’s words made Fan Xian feel very good and very powerful. This young man and woman shared a single blanket and spoke quietly under the moonlight of such moving things. It was difficult for it to not become explicit with a powerful and clichéd ending. 

  However, Fan Xian was not surprised. He also didn’t hide under the bed in fright nor did he leap at her. He only sincerely and seriously replied to her, “Very good, we can discuss the wedding date.” ……

  This was his reply to the question of “what if I married you……,” so now it was Haitang’s turn to be shocked. She had a strong sense of being caught in her own trap. She knew very well that she had once again underestimated the shamelessness and black-heartedness under Fan Xian’s gentle exterior. 

  She chuckled and lowered her head. Complaining in her heart, how could she have just spouted such a line? 

  In her interactions with Fan Xian this past year, they had long nurtured a relationship that surpassed friendship and was closer to that tacit understanding like that of family. Fan Xian looked at her expression and knew what she was thinking. His eyebrow raised and he said, smilingly, “That empress dowager of yours.” 

  “That Emperor of yours.” Haitang raised her face and continued it with a smile. 

  “That baldy of yours.” Fan Xian continued seriously. 

  Haitang tilted her head slightly, “Your identity.” 

  “And your identity,” Fan Xian said with a slight smile. 

  These few random sentences already clearly laid out the obstacles and problems running between them. In the relationship between men and women, what was important was to be of one heart and mind. Although the two of them had never exchanged sweet or loving words, with the moonlight as witness, they had already thoroughly figured out the other person’s thoughts. 

  There were countless mediocre people in the world. As for a rare confidant in this world of mortals, who would be willing to lightly miss it or give it up? 

  The problem was that the Qing Emperor would not want Fan Xian to have the outside support of the Northern Qi Tianyi Dao, which was a powerful force, while he already held such great power. While the dowager empress of the Northern Qi had been urgently looking for a matching household for Haitang, it was impossible for her to allow Haitang to handle it herself. 

  The respective position of Fan Xian and Haitang in their own countries ensured that if they decided to break this current situation and publicly stand shoulder to shoulder, they would both face unimaginable pressure. 

  The South Kingdom was a bit easier to deal with, even if the Qing Emperor did not like Fan Xian receiving more foreign support. Given the Emperor’s great self-confidence, he would likely think to use this opportunity to further weaken Northern Qi’s strength. Fan Xian could use this as an excuse to persuade his father. 

  In the eyes of the people of Qing Kingdom, Fan Xian marrying Haitang was a joyful matter that would earn the Qing people a great deal of face, and it was something they had the advantage in. Who wouldn’t be willing? 

  The objections from Northern Qi would be quite fierce. The officials, who always self-defined themselves as orthodox, would not be able to accept that the pride of their country, the saint Haitang, one of the Tianmai beings, would marry a Southern savage they held in contempt deep in their hearts. Not only would they not accept, the empress dowager and Ku He would both prevent this matter from happening. 

  In exchanging students, there was room for discussion on both sides. In a matter of marrying out a girl, it was clear that the Northern Qi people were suffering a loss. How could they agree? 

  As for that little Emperor, he had some methods that even Fan Xian admired. There was no hope that he would be willing to let go. Fan Xian smiled self-mockingly and said, “When you came to Jiangnan, your Emperor asked you to monitor me making silver……if you become a woman of my family, then it can be said we have a family-run shop and can spend his money as we wish. Wouldn’t he die of anger?” 

  Haitang smiled and said, “If he heard what you said, that would really make him angry.” 

  Fan Xian sighed. “Actually, after you marry me, our whole family could find a quiet and isolated place to live out the rest of our lives, that could be possible. Who cares how angry the courts of the two countries will get.” 

  Haitang looked at him with a not-quite-there smile and said, “Would you be satisfied?” 

  Fan Xian was silent for a moment, not to be outdone, he gazed back and asked, “Perhaps you would be satisfied?” 

  The two people gazed at each other and knew that each other’s heart was bound. They had benevolence toward this world. Although Fan Xian’s benevolence came from his selfish inner heart and Haitang’s benevolence came from her kind nature, regardless of who, neither would be able to turn their back and walk away, to coldly watch all that happened in the world. 

  They were all people of this world. How could they leave it? 

  The room once again sank into silence. In the sky above Hua Garden, the crescent moon suddenly came through the smoke like clouds, and the moonlight became slightly brighter. It reflected back from the wall and garden into the room, covering the large bed, cotton blanket, and faces of the two extraordinary people in a layer of light haze. 

  Haitang gazed at him calmly before suddenly smiling. “Most importantly, you already have a wife.” ……

  Fan Xian became silent and knew that this sentence was not easy to reply to. He had been reborn into this world for almost 20 years, and he had not yet heard of a custom of having two wives. Although when he was on the precipice, he had talked to Uncle Wu Zhu about the Three Represents and the three objectives, one of which was to marry lots and lots of wives. However, now that things were like this, he discovered that to be a stud with many beauties, in reality, was very difficult. 

  The important point was that his standards were too high, so he sighed helplessly. There was no need to talk about Wan’er, the most favored Princess. The Haitang in front of him, whom he could not bear to let go of anymore, also had an incomparably high position in Northern Qi. They had laid out so many obstacles earlier. What if he married Haitang as a concubine? 

  Fan Xian shuddered and even he felt that this was a bit tactless. Furthermore, he believed that the Northern Qi people would certainly go crazy. The two countries might even go back to being at war again. 

  “Cold?” Haitang looked at him with a smile. Her hands pulled at the blanket and carefully pulled it up to her shoulders. 

  Fan Xian smiled bitterly and said, “It is my heart that is cold.” 

  The night was indeed a bit cold. With both of them under the same blanket, it was impossible for it to cover two people. Haitang pulled some over and the top half of Fan Xian’s body was left out, he shivered and pulled it back. 

  With a swish, Haitang started and found that the blanket had been stolen from him. She glared at him angrily and stole it back. 

  Fan Xian chuckled. Without saying anything, he pulled it toward himself again. 

  The two of them sat like this in the bed and played a childish game of pulling the blankets. Fortunately, neither of them used zhenqi, otherwise what crime had the blanket committed? It would have long become tens of thousands of cotton threads and danced away in the wind, completely destroyed. What crime at the blanket committed? To be stolen back and forth by the two most powerful people of the younger generation, without giving an inch, the blanket wasn’t an imperial seal. 

  If these two people had followed the progress of the original history, perhaps after many years, they would be standing in each other’s country fighting for the world. Since they had begun to fight for the blanket, there was no need to fight for the world. 

  Heaven protects the people of the world. ……

  It was rare for them to be so silly. The two closed their mouths tightly and glared at each other. Haitang’s originally crossed legs were no longer, and she glared angrily and shyly. This allowed Fan Xian, this skirt-chaser, to grasp the opportunity. 

  Fan Xian let go, and immediately the big blanket was stolen by Haitang. With a whoosh, the curtains rose and buried the top of half Haitang’s body into the flower soft bedding. The girl let out a slight cry of surprise. 

  A pair of legs in thin pants were left outside of the blanket. Particularly the pair of naked feet, were pale and alluring. 

  Fan Xian extended his hand and grasped the pair of feet. 

  Haitang’s leg shook slightly but did not struggle. 

  “Don’t get cold.’ Fan Xian said righteously and coldly, but in his heart, he was actually very pleased. His trick earlier had indeed reached his highest realm. Swift as lightning, quick as a storm, the sunflowers came out. It had some resemblance to Uncle Wu Zhu’s realm of striking people with sticks. How could Haitang dodge it? 

  Perhaps……Haitang had not wanted to dodge at all? 

  The tactile sensation wasn’t bad, Fan Xian held the girl’s feet in his embrace, and his eyes narrowed proudly. For some reason, his brain remembered his previous life, when he was in high school, heavy snow had fallen from the sky and he had held the female class monitor’s feet just like this in his embrace…… 

  Oh, perhaps it is only when you are content that you can remember those already distant and blurry memories. ……

  “Let go.” Haitang’s voice buzzed through under the blankets, except her tone had an additional glimmer of anger. 

  Fan Xian started and hesitantly let go, completely betraying the determination men should have at this time. 

  Haitang flipped the blanket down and glared angrily at him, however, her cheeks were slightly red and her hair was a mess. She really didn’t look like she had the power to pressure and terrify. 

  Fan Xian watched as she pulled her legs back under the blanket. He chuckled but did not say anything. 

  The blush on Haitang’s face showed slightly. She glared at him, then turned her body to face the inside of the bed. 

  Fan Xian silently changed into a black cat and crawled over to lie evenly with her. However, he lay very properly and used a voice as thin as a mosquito to say, “Cold, give some blanket to me.” 

  Haitang buzzed a reply in a voice like a bee and said, “You don’t have your own hands?” 

  Although she said that, the girl still moved in a bit and made some room for Fan Xian. At the same time, she left half the blanket to him. 

  Fan Xian laid down comfortably. He sniffed heavily and found that indeed there wasn’t anything scented, there was only a calm, clean, and warm feeling enveloping him. He opened that pair of bright eyes and looked at the dark ceiling. 

  The two of them huddle in one bed. The silence became awkward and ambiguous. Earlier, Fan Xian had said he didn’t like to be ambiguous, but in reality, he loved to suffer in this kind of feeling. 

  He thought in his heart, Duoduo……today finally revealed some girly tendencies. It was different and interesting. Yet, he did not examine himself to see that he had strange hobbies in his heart. 

  Haitang had calmed down and carefully revealed her face. “Are you really not going to let me marry someone?” 

  “Hmm.” Fan Xian put two hands behind his head and smiled slightly. “Even if you are getting married, you can’t marry anyone else. It can only be me.” 

  Haitang admitted defeat. ……

  “I came today because I had some bitterness to vent.” Fan Xian glanced at the girl beside him and related his worries earlier in the garden. 

  After Haitang thought for a while she gently said, “For you to come to me now to talk about you and your wife’s business, is it a bit inappropriate?” 

  Fan Xian started and then realized he had indeed been a bit of a bastard. He couldn’t help smiling bitterly and said, “That’s true. Let’s talk about Ye Liuyun. I still don’t understand why he would show himself in Suzhou.” 

  As soon as they began to discuss serious matters, Haitang’s childish behavior suddenly disappeared and she recovered her usual calm and steadiness. Turning over, she began to discuss and analyze with Fan Xian. She also told the story of her following Ye Liuyun from a distance and all that happened in between. 

  The two discussed back and forth and still could not make heads nor tails out of it. On the contrary, Haitang suddenly said lightly, “There is one possibility, I don’t know whether or not you’ve considered it.” 

  “What is it?” Fan Xian asked. 

  “Perhaps the Emperor already knew of the Ye family’s relationship to the Junshang Conference, so Ye Liuyun was not worried about the Emperor finding out he had once struck out,” Haitang said. 

  Fan Xian thought for a moment then shook his head. “It still doesn’t make sense.” ……

  \r \r \r ……

  Having finished talking about Ye Liuyun, what else could they talk about? The manor in Jingdou, Lin Wan’er? Naturally, this was not a suitable topic to discuss in bed. Fan Xian felt guilty to some extent. No matter how open-hearted Haitang was, she wasn’t an unfeeling wooden person. 

  Lying here like this, with their breaths mingling, their warmth seeping into each other, and occasionally touching, although it was not ecstasy, it still made the temperature slowly rise under the blankets. 

  “Let’s talk about the Temple,” Fan Xian said lightly. Perhaps he had made up his mind. 

  A glimmer of warmth and emotion flashed through Haitang’s eyes as she smiled slightly. “Beside the West Lake in Hangzhou, you said we will only talk about the affairs of the world.” 

  “The Temple is my business,” Fan Xian smiled and said. “Naturally, in the future, it is also your business.” 

  The trust and closeness in these words made Haitang feel warm. Even though she was the saint girl of Northern Qi, able to enter and leave the Royal Palace without obstruction and had an eminent position, where could she look to find a confidant, to find a true friend, to find someone who could treat her equally and without ill-feeling? ……

  “The ‘wu’ character?” Haitang pushed herself up slightly and used her finger to draw in the air. An upstroke, a downstroke, an up, a down. She drew a few half circles with her brows pulled tight. “What does this symbol on the Temple mean?” 

  At this point, Fan Xian had already told her in detail what Xiao En had said in the cave, it was only out of consideration for her feelings that he hid the matter of Imperial Advisor Ku He eating human flesh. 

  Haitang listened silently the entire time. It was only when he narrated the events of when Xiao En was in Northern Wei did a complicated emotion flash through her eyes occasionally. In the end, she was very confused by the symbol and so opened her mouth to ask. 

  “How would I know?” Fan Xian said with a headache. “Seems like there will eventually be a day I’ll have to go to the Temple to see.” 

  Unswerving determination gradually appeared in Haitang’s bright eyes. “I want to go.” 

  Fan Xian smiled. “I know how alluring this is to you, so you must promise me……you can’t go secretly by yourself.” 

  He pointed at his own head and said, “The path Xiao En took back then is all hidden here.” 

  “Who was the girl who ran out from the temple?” Haitang asked, she actually already had a faint idea. 

  Although the answer did not surprise her, it still made her sigh. 

  “My mother,” Fan Xian said proudly. ……

  Thus the topic once again turned toward the Ye family back in the day. Occasionally they would talk about the elegance of the blind uncle. The more she heard about the details, the deeper the yearning became in Haitang’s eyes. 

  “Back then, what kind of era was that?” the girl sighed and asked. “The four Great Grandmasters all appeared in that era, and other than that, there was still your mother and the blind Grandmaster, those two eye-catching figures.” 

  Fan Xian joked and said, “In a few days, you’ll have to call her mother-in-law.” 

  Haitang couldn’t be bothered to acknowledge him and sighed to herself. “To come out from the Temple……perhaps……” Her eyes lit up and she said, “Lady Ye should be a Tianmai being, right?” 

  “What is a Tianmai being?” Fan Xian laughed coldly, he could not tell the fantastical time traveling story. “Everyone says you are a Tianmai being, what do you think?” 

  Haitang smiled slightly. “Teacher says that those who are chosen by the Temple and are able to carry heaven’s will are Tianmai beings. I also don’t know why the teacher refers to me like that.” 

  “If it is like that, then isn’t Ku He a Tianmai being? Your Tianyi Dao martial methods were truly stolen out of the Temple by my mother.” 

  “.……this is stolen, not imparted by the immortals of the Temple.” 

  “This……a scholar’s business, stealing books……how can it be stolen?” ……

  “Does the Lady Ye have a very special bloodline?” Haitang was suddenly interested, her bright eyes were fixed on Fan Xian’s face. “Your meridians are very different from those of normal people, otherwise it would be impossible for you to practice that strange Tyrannical martial method. This is definitely related to your mother’s past.” 

  Fan Xian looked at the girl’s expression and knew what she was thinking about. He smiled coldly and said, “Are you thinking that my child in the future might also be a strange one?” 

  Haitang smiled superficially and did not reply. 

  “Don’t you think about things like borrowing seed!” Perhaps Fan Xian had thought about his own romantic birth. In a rage, he lowered his voice and roared, “And also don’t think about putting aphrodisiac in the wine!” 

  Haitang looked at his angry expression and only smiled without saying anything. 

  “Si Lili didn’t get pregnant.” Every time Fan Xian thought about this matter he felt angry, the anger gradually rose. 

  Under the blankets, the two people’s bodies were already hot like fire, and now an evil fire had also been incited. How could it not create a fire of desire? Fan Xian gritted his teeth and set his face, without caring whether or not Duoduo would turn her hand and easily kill him, he pulled her into his arms and hugged her. 

  Hugging her from behind, he felt the girl’s slightly hot and trembling body. Fan Xian said beside her ear, “If you are truly interested, you don’t need to use aphrodisiacs. I would still be willing to offer my body to you.” 

  Haitang laughed coldly and said lightly without turning her head, “Other than moving your hands and feet, do you not have any other ability for me to admire?” 

  Fan Xian said in a great rage, “I only moved my feet earlier. When did I use my hands?” 

  Haitang thought of something and her voice suddenly went soft. A moment later she gently said, “On the official road when we left the palace treasury……” 

  Fan Xian immediately remembered. That day beside the spring woods, he calmly held the hand of the girl he held in his arms and refused to let go. 

  In the interaction between men and women, what was important was one attacked and one defended, to turn the tables on the attackers. As for Fan Xian and Haitang, since last spring, he had began to write poetry drafts in his heart and then used the aphrodisiac of using one word to summarize his heart as a marvelous trick. Adding in the later regular meetings, it cleverly changed from the earlier battle of wits and strength to a battle of the heart. In the end, it was a battle of emotions. 

  The relationship between the two of them changed. Their emotions changed, and their methods changed. 

  Here and now, what was there to fight about? To fight with another, was it really boundlessly fun? Fan Xian actually did not like it, so he extended his hand under Duoduo’s arms toward the front and grasped her hands. He rubbed his face on the back of her neck with satisfaction. 

  Haitang only felt her face becoming warmer and warmer. The bastard behind her was someone with a wife, yet he constantly teased her. It was truly despicable. But why has her heart been in a mess this half year? Why was she unable to maintain her previous calm state of mind that was so connected to nature? 

  She sighed faintly and said for the third time tonight, “You really don’t want me to marry.” 

  Fan Xian mumbled indistinctly and said, “You have to marry me, bring your sister……except it is a pity you don’t have one.” 

  “You’re really shameless.” She gently bit her lip. For some reason, Haitang suddenly felt angry and shy. 

  Fan Xian said gently, “It can’t be helped……if I don’t destroy your reputation, if we don’t spend a night under the same blanket, tomorrow that old woman would have you marry someone. This is something I had no choice but to do.” 

  Haitang was defeated again. ……

  “Today, you said so many secrets, even the secret of the Temple. Are you not worried I am not using a honey trap?” Haitang suddenly smiled and asked. 

  Fan Xian replied seriously, “Duoduo……you’re not a great beauty.” 

  Early the next morning, Fan Xian pushed open the door and left. He saw the bright morning sun and felt the cool breeze, it was very comfortable. Unable to resist, Fan Xian stretched lazily. 

  Ah! A girl servant’s scream came from the garden, then the girl immediately shut her mouth. 

  Everyone knew that the imperial envoy had private relations to Haitang living in the back garden, but the two had always kept to etiquette in front of others and not revealed any traces of their relationship. Who knew that today……Sir Fan junior would so publicly walk out from her bedroom? 

  Walking out early from the bedroom, what did that mean? 

  Fan Xian smiled slightly as he looked at the servant. In a warm voice, he said, “Morning.” 

  Then he walked to the front garden. Along the way he greeted the servants and subordinates with a warm, “Morning.” 

  For a moment, the people in the garden did not understand, thinking, When did the master become so gentle and cultivated? Why was his mood so good to the point that others were pointing it out? 

  Immediately, the shocking news gradually traveled through the servants’ mouths across Hua Garden. Following that, it traveled into the ears of Fan Xian’s subordinates. 

  Sisi’s mouth was opened wide at hearing this news. Although she knew this was a matter of time, she still felt it was rather sudden. She suddenly felt that the letter in her hand had become rather heavy. Last night, she had slept deeply and had forgotten to give the letter to the young master. She was a servant of the old manor in Danzhou, and all of her mind was on Fan Xian. She quickly asked a servant, “Where is the young master right now?” 

  “In the front hall?” ……

  By the time Fan Xian had cleaned up and was sitting in the front hall preparing to discuss business, the members of the Qinian Unit, including Deng Zi Yue and the seven Tiger Guards, already knew of the biggest news in the garden today. 

  The courageous and strong martial artists looked at Fan Xian with respect on their faces. To be able to swallow the Northern Qi Sage girl, this not only needed daring, it also needed a very high martial ability. 

  Deng Zi Yue was the only person with a gloomy expression. He was an important figure in the old manor in Jingdou, and Lin Wan’er was very good at doing things right. She always gave good rewards to the guards close to Fan Xian. She was friendly and likable, and well-loved by the old servants in the manor. He suddenly felt that the situation was far from good. Who was the mistress of the Fan family? He, and all of the servants, naturally stood on the side of the wife. However, he couldn’t stop a chill in his heart as he thought, if, in the future, the Fan household had a falling out, how could the wife defeat Haitang? 

  Fan Xian did not know that his confidant was thinking of such trivial matters, he was only focused on drinking porridge. Actually, last night, his talk with Haitang had burned up too much of his energy. They also had to make arrangements targeting Ye Liuyun’s mysterious appearance and analyzed the situation between the two countries, so it was difficult not to be tired. 

  Except, if he said this out loud, no one would believe him. Talking state affairs under the blankets? What bull. 

  At this time, Sisi finally arrived at the front hall and handed over the letter in her hand. 

  Fan Xian looked at the handwriting on the letter and felt surprised. He ripped open the letter to read and immediately his mouth fell open slightly, the porridge almost dripped out. He thought, this old woman is shameless and lowly, although he was also shameless and lowly, ……he was not yet ready, would he let himself be tormented now? 

  He rose and stared at Deng Zi Yue. He sighed long and short and said, “Find a few people to go to Shazhou. They need to be capable and detail-oriented.’ 

  Deng Zi Yue said questioningly, “The Suzhou matter has not concluded.” 

  Fan Xian’s face was bitter as he said, “Go pick someone up.” 

  “Who?” 

  “Your mistress.” 

  Wan’er was going to come. Fan Xian was happy, only there were too many happy things all at once. It seemed to be a bit troublesome.