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

  Wang Qinian pushed the door open a gap and flashed into the room. He was a 40-year-old man as agile as a 14-year-old kid, and his attitude was humble. Only the occasional wandering gaze flashing through his eyes revealed the fear in his heart. 

  Originally, Fan Xian felt incomparably happy in his heart to see him. Once he remembered that this bastard had actually brought Sizhe back to the South Kingdom without letting him know, without even reporting to him secretly, he also felt a glimmer of anger. 

  He couldn’t be bothered to acknowledge him. Instead, he turned his head and continued to speak to Fan Sizhe with a frown. “Presumably, the news of you being in Shangjing couldn’t actually be hidden from anyone. While you were there, you had Wei Hua and the Brocade Guard to protect you. On the contrary, now that you are back, you have to be more careful about your safety. You have to be cautious. Like today, taking your followers onto the street. Although you were disguised, there are many in the capital who are familiar with you, and there are your followers. I know you hired a group of Northern Qi aces, but……” 

  He was a bit angry at his brother’s carelessness. “They’re still wearing those curved knives at their waist. Even a blind man could see they are Northern Qi people……I say, as an economic genius, one that even those shopkeepers of the Qingyu Hall approve of, why are you so careless with these details?” 

  Listening to the side, Wang Qinian wanted to interrupt but didn’t dare talk. Fan Sizhe glanced at the old fellow with sympathy and carefully explained, “I’m using the identity of a Northern Qi merchant group……” 

  Fan Xian didn’t pay attention to his explanation and coldly said, “In any case, you acted of your own initiative. That is your problem.” 

  Fan Sizhe looked at his brother’s back. His mind spun and an idea came to him. He chuckled and said, “To speak of……acting of your own initiative, brother, I heard you sustained heavy injuries while in the valley. Presumably, father has certainly not allowed you to go out and wander about……how did you see me on the street?” 

  Fan Xian stopped and didn’t know what to say. He huffed coldly twice and dropped the subject, immediately saying in an even voice, “Never mind that. It’s good that you’re back. Having not seen you for over a year, I actually kind of missed you.” 

  Fan Sizhe sighed and sat beside Fan Xian. Hugging his arm, he complained, “For the last half of the year, I’ve been managing the business. Although it’s annoying to have to fight verbally with the Northern Qi people when dividing profits, at least I’m doing what I like……brother, you don’t know about those first few months……” 

  Before the young man’s eyes seemed to appear snowy nights, stone mills, donkey, beans……wretched images. In a trembling voice, he said, “Those are not days fit for people……” 

  Fan Xian’s mind suddenly turned. Bending his fingers, he calculated that by this time, Haitang had long returned to Shangjing. He couldn’t help smiling and said, “Could it be because she had returned to Shangjing so you anxiously ran away? How are you so cowardly?” 

  Full of grievance, Fan Sizhe said, “Brother, not every man in this world is as powerful as you to be able to trick any kind of girl……for a mother tiger like Haitang, I don’t want to see her again.” 

  Fan Xian laughed loudly and asked a few more questions about his brother’s life in the North. As for business affairs, they had already talked about it countless times in their letters going back and forth, so he couldn’t be bothered asking again. Listening to his brother talking about his days in Shangjing and hearing about how he walked in and out of the royal manors in Shangjing at such a young age, he felt somewhat amused. 

  After hearing that Fan Sizhe was now a regular guest at Marquis Ning’s manor and often competed in drinking with Wei Hua’s father, Fan Xian couldn’t resist laughing again. He thought, The body of that dirty old man probably couldn’t bear the repeated killing of the alcohol by the two of them. 

  Thinking of that dirty old man, his gaze moved to the strangely quiet dirty old man next to him. 

  Fan Xian’s mood was now much better. With a face full of warmth and smiles, he looked at Wang Qinian. Parting his thin lips slightly, he quietly said, “Sir Wang, I trust you’ve been well since we last met……” ……

  Everyone who had interacted with Fan Xian knew that when Sir Fan junior’s smile was at its warmest, it was when the anger in his heart was at its height. In these moments, no one wanted to anger this good-looking young man. 

  As Fan Xian’s trusted aid, Wang Qinian knew his temper very well. So, seeing the smile on Fan Xian’s lips, his heart stuttered. He replied with a pained expression, “Sir, have mercy……” 

  “When did you arrive?” Fan Xian picked up the teacup beside him to have a sip and soothe his throat, however, he found that this cup had the scent of makeup. Only then did he realize that Shi Qing’er had drunk from it. He furrowed his brows slightly and swapped it for his brother’s cup. He then thought of another matter. He tilted his head and asked, “Where is your woman?” 

  The two questions were directed at two people. 

  Fan Sizhe chuckled and said, “I left her in Shangjing. It’s a bit too much to be with her all day.” 

  Wang Qinian replied honestly, “I really did arrive yesterday. I’ve already gone to the Council to report to Sir Yan. However, the Council said that after you were injured and not well, and told me not to rush to your manor.” 

  Fan Xian shot a glare toward his young brother, thinking, This kid was only 16 this year. Why did he talk like a middle-aged married man? However, thinking of the fact that Sizhe had started running a brothel from when he was very young and hated how he was by both man and god before he was deflowered. It was certain that it would be difficult for him to understand what it meant to treasure women in this life. 

  Following this, he furrowed his brows and asked Wang Qinian, “You should know about the plans for the return this time.” 

  Wang Qinian bowed his body and chuckled, “I heard that I am to take your place in leading the First Bureau……I am definitely not willing.” 

  Fan Xian started and scolded, “Even the Director guessed you would say this. That is the most powerful of the eight Bureaus and such a good position. If you don’t take it, how can I feel at ease? You’ve been in Northern Qi for one and a half years. You have both seniority and experience. If you don’t step up, I’m afraid others in the Council will begin to have thoughts.” 

  Wang Qinian considered this for a while then said seriously, “Sir Mu is good in the First Bureau, as for me……” He shook his head and sighed. “I’m an old man with a wife and daughter at home. I had thought I would spend my entire life working in the Council’s yamen until I died of old age. I had not thought I would be pulled out by Sir. These few years have been very tense and exciting, but I still feel that it is more comfortable to work beside you.” 

  “Always beside me……” Fan Xian muttered to himself irresolutely. He also liked having Lao Wang manage the Qinian Unit beside him. For almost the two years, the Qinian Unit had first been handed to Deng Zi Yue and then to Su Wenmao. For the past half a year, Hong Changqing had essentially been responsible for it. These three were all attentive and keen people, and their loyalty to him was without question, but……Fan Xian always felt he wasn’t as happy as when he first entered the capital. 

  He gazed at Wang Qinian and smiled slightly. “It won’t always be calm and peaceful. A lot of people died in the valley.” 

  The room immediately fell silent. After a long time, Wang Qinian said, “It’s exactly because of this that I feel that it would be better for me to manage the matters beside you. At least my nose is sharper, and I can run faster. Although the swordsmen of the Sixth Bureau are very skilled, when it comes to preventing trouble before it happens, I have more confidence in myself.” 

  Fan Xian lowered his head. His spun the little teacup between his fingers as he calculated future plans in this heart. He couldn’t help but furrow his brows. 

  Wang Qinian seemed to be funny, but he did things very carefully. This year he spent in Northern Qi, he didn’t make Fan Xian worry and successfully built a good relationship between the Northern Qi royal family and the Brocade Guards’ yamen. Furthermore, he also brought back to life the Sixth Bureau’s spy network in Northern Qi that had become a stagnant pool after Yan Bingyun accidentally exposed it. 

  All of the smuggling between the Jiangnan palace treasury and Northern Qi, as well as Fan Xian’s thorough knowledge of the going-ons in Northern Qi, were all because of this skinny old man in front of him. 

  These things proved Wang Qinian’s abilities. This quiet, but very capable, Overwatch Council official was a treasure that Fan Xian had picked up after entering the capital. Fan Xian wanted him to take over the First Bureau because he hoped he would be able to secretly spy on the officials in Jingdou for him and so that when a perilous situation arrived in Jingdou, there would be a trusted aide who could control the entire situation. 

  If he had Wang Qinian stay by his side and take on the role of the leader of the Qinian Unit, in Fan Xian’s opinion, it would truly be a waste. However, Wang Qinian was very determined. Fan Xian was caught in a difficult position. 

  He furrowed his brows and said, “We’ll discuss this again……however, in these last days of the year, hand over the Northern affairs to Zi Yue. Be detailed. He doesn’t have experience doing things outside the borders, so teach him carefully.” 

  Wang Qinian knew that the Commissioner had essentially agreed tacitly to his request, so he couldn’t resist smiling. 

  Fan Sizhe saw that his brother was beginning to manage Overwatch Council affairs. He felt that it was not appropriate for him to continue sitting there, so he rose and prepared to leave. 

  \r \r \r 

  However, Fan Xian stopped him and smiled slightly. “What you did in the North is not just business. Baoyue Brothel now has six branches all over the world, and the branch in Shangjing, Northern Qi, is also about to open for business. You have to be careful with the collection of intelligence reports. I’ve handed the South to Sang Wen, so I’ll hand the North to you. Essentially, you are now an outside member of the Council. It’ll be fine for you to listen to the matters today. In a moment, when Deng Zi Yue gets here, you should get to know him better as well. Although he is my subordinate, in the coming year, you two will have to work together. There must not be any self-inflation of position and so on.” 

  This was Fan Xian’s most urgent thought after being attacked in the valley. He had to build up his information network. This network did not have to be too big or draw on the resources of the large tree that was the Overwatch Council. Otherwise, once the Overwatch Council became mute and was sealed to him, Fan Xian worried that he would become blind again like he was in the valley. 

  Deng Zi Yue in full black robes pushed open the door and entered. He went down on one knee in greeting to Fan Xian. After rising, he saw Wang Qinian sitting beside Fan Xian and excitedly said, “Sir Wang, you’re back in the capital?” 

  When Fan Xian had formed the Qinian Unit, he had only picked Wang Qinian. The rest of the subordinates had been personally chosen by Wang Qinian. Deng Zi Yue was the first person Wang Qinian had picked to enter the group, thus, he always viewed Wang Qinian as a teacher and a superior. Suddenly seeing him, he couldn’t help but feel happy. 

  “Okay.” Fan Xian smiled. “Let’s not always talk about feelings of separation today in this building. What we planned has to be settled before talking.” He paused, and then opened his mouth to ask, “How many days before Wan’er and the others arrive?” 

  “Three days,” Deng Zi Yue replied steadily. “All along the way they are followed by Tiger Guard swordsmen. Furthermore, after hearing you were attacked by an assassin, each of the provinces became fearful and increased the strength of their defenses. There shouldn’t be a problem.” 

  Fan Xian nodded. He was actually not very worried. For things like assassination, there needed to be a benefit. Killing him was an irresistible lure for people, but there wasn’t a shred of benefit to assassinating someone of the royal family. 

  The room was silent. Fan Xian was the Commissioner of the Overwatch Council, and the other two people were high ranking officials, equivalent to the leader of the eight bureaus. This was Fan Sizhe’s first time participating in a Council meeting of this level. He felt the atmosphere was very different to when he gathered merchants together in the North to woo girls and count money. He couldn’t help but feel nervous and unconsciously played with his thick fingers. 

  It was at this moment when Fan Xian became silent. 

  After a long silence, Wang Qinian opened his mouth and asked, “Sir, are there more people coming?” 

  Fan Xian nodded and slightly furrowed his brows. “He should almost be here.” 

  Wang Qinian scratched his head and said, “I had made an appointment with the second young master to meet here. Deng Zi Yue was informed by you……who else is there?” 

  Fan Xian smiled, “Nowadays, all the power in Jingdou knows that Baoyue Brothel is my territory. Who knows how many eyes are staring at this place, I’m afraid that the matter of us talking here will travel through the various manors in a moment. That kid would certainly not relax his surveillance over this area.” 

  He slowly lowered his head and said, “Since he knows I am here, why would he not come.” 

  Wang Qinian sensed a different flavor in these words. ……

  After a long time, steady knocks rang out for the third time on that silent wooden door. 

  A young man pushed open the door and entered. His clothes were whiter than snow, and the space between his brows was colder than frost. His entire body emanated a chill, surpassing the flurries of snow outside the Baoyue Brothel. 

  Fan Xian sighed in his heart, and the gloominess between his eyes was wiped away. He smiled and said, “You’re here pretty quick.” 

  However, the white-clothed man did not want to humor him and coldly said, “As the full Commissioner of the Overwatch Council, you should know that your life is not just your business.” 

  All the seated people quickly rose, bowed, and paid their respects, “Greetings to Sir Yan.” 

  The person who had come was indeed Fan Xian’s brain, the always icy cold Yan Bingyun. The five people in the room were all powerful people of the new generation of the Overwatch Council. Remarkably, these five people were also, coincidentally, the key figures in the clash last year against the Second Prince because of the Baoyue Brothel. The night that Fan Xian had exiled Fan Sizhe out of Jingdou, these five people had been in the same location. 

  Other than the Black Knight Jing Ge far away in a camp outside of the capital and Su Wenman who had been left in Jiangnan to handle palace treasury matters, including the uncle and niece of the Mu family outside the door as well as Hong Changqing who made records in the Council, the people in the room were all of Fan Xian’s direct subordinates in the Overwatch Council. 

  Each took a seat. Fan Xian gazed at Yan Bingyun with an almost smile and used his index finger to rub between his eyes. “There are three things.” 

  Everyone listened quietly. Even Yan Bingyun brought his hands together slightly. 

  “One, the Emperor summoned 14 young officials into the Palace,” Fan Xian said calmly. “The court is going to go through some changes in personnel, but it is uncertain how much ruckus it’s going to make. By tomorrow, have the files and information of these 14 people sent to me. Those we can control, immediately take action to control. Those that can’t be controlled, find something wrong they did while they were still in swaddling clothes and find a way to control them.” 

  Swaddling clothes……naturally, they had to dig into the deepest parts of the officials’ souls. 

  It was quiet in the room. Everyone’s hearts were slightly uneasy. When the court promoted officials, sometimes it needed the Overwatch Council to first thoroughly investigate the person’s past connections to imperial officials. However, these orders of the Commissioner were clearly not for the court, rather…… 

  Fan Xian knew his trusted aides all understood and didn’t explain further. Because of the attempted assassination of his person, the Emperor took this opportunity to do some things. For him, this was also a rare opportunity. Of these young officials, other than a few people, most of them did not belong to any clear factions. As they were clean and without a powerful force as a support, it gave Fan Xian an opportunity to secretly stick his hands into court politics. 

  Yan Bingyun suddenly shook his head and said, “Do I have to give mine as well?” 

  Of the 14 young officials, there was also Yan Bingyun’s name. This was something that had only happened a few hours ago. After Yan Bingyun left the Palace, he learned that Fan Xian had come to Baoyue Brothel, so he had hurried over. However, he knew there were not many things in Jingdou that could pass unnoticed by Fan Xian’s eyes and ears. 

  “Pretend to write one,” Fan Xian said without good humor. “There is no need for one for Qin Heng. The file in the Council is clear. The focus is on He Zongwei. It looks like the Emperor likes him a great deal.” 

  Immediately after, he smiled coldly. “But……I really dislike him.” 

  “The second matter,” Fan Xian said in a quiet voice, “there is a spy in the council. After Zhu Ge died, internal investigation seems to have weakened. Find him. I don’t want problems in the future.” 

  Yan Bingyun smiled and didn’t say anything. However, Fan Xian refused to smile and glared at him. 

  “The third matter,” he gazed at Yan Bingyun as he spoke, “get some paper ready and get ready to clean up the Council’s mess……I am going to kill some people.” 

  “Who are you killing?” Yan Bingyun met Fan Xian’s imposing gaze and calmly asked. “If it is high-level officials, I object. After this assassination incident, the Emperor will not put up with more. If you act rashly, it will be of no help to this matter.” 

  Fan Xian lowered his head. His palm unconsciously rubbed the head of his brother beside him. He raised his head and said, “The killing is not the purpose or a way to obtain some kind of benefit. It is only a warning and provocation……presumably you know something of the Director’s thoughts. You should know that if we follow the flow and add another handful of fire, it would be beneficial for the big picture.” 

  The other people did not understand and didn’t know what the big picture the Director was talking about meant. However, Yan Bingyun smiled bitterly. “If you want to make trouble, then do so. However, it is a very childish revenge and venting of anger. Don’t connect it to some big picture.” 

  “I just want revenge,” Fan Xian narrowed his eyes and said. “You are all my people, the people who died in the valley were also my people. Since my people have died, their people also have to die.” 

  Finally, he gave orders to his most trusted subordinates. “A day before Wan’er returns to the capital, I will host a feast in Baoyue Brothel. I will invite the Crown Prince, the Great Prince, the Second Prince, Qin Heng, and the two deputies of the Bureau of Military Affairs. Make some preparations.” 

  “Governor Yan?” Wang Qinian found that Fan Xian had forgotten an important figure in the Eldest Princess’ faction and reminded him.

  Chapter 450: There Is Snow Outside The Building And Thoughts To The North 

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

  “No need.” Fan Xian shook his head and sighed. “He lost a child in his old age. I’m afraid that this super ace would go crazy upon entering the building and wipe out all of the royal family in this building. At that time, how will I explain it to the Emperor?” 

  In the room, everyone’ heart thumped hearing the meaning between Fan Xian’s words. As Fan Xian’s trusted aides, they knew what a tenacious and dark heart lay below his warm exterior. Naturally, they did not think he was being witty. Finally, Yan Bingyun couldn’t suppress the shock in his heart and raised his head to ask, “It has to be like this?” 

  Fan Xian nodded calmly. His index finger was still rubbing between his brows as if he wanted to rub away all the gloom of these few days. “Danzhou is good, but Jingdou is difficult. Since, in the end, both sides will be in a struggle to the death, I am used to making the first move.” 

  Among the people present, Fan Sizhe had the closest relationship with Fan Xian, but he was too young. Hearing people who were like older brothers to him discussing so openly about someone’s life and death, he couldn’t quite keep up. The other people didn’t dare raise questions about Fan Xian’s order. Only Yan Bingyun persisted in saying, “Blowing up early isn’t a good thing.” 

  Fan Xian shook his head and explained, “I won’t blow up early. The Emperor is certain to change the assassination attempt on my life into something that is beneficial for the court, but……the Council probably won’t get any benefits.” 

  After saying a few more things about future matters concerning Jingdou and the Overwatch Council, this secret meeting in the brothel came to an end. Since Chen Pingping essentially did not monitor matters now, the leaders of the eight bureaus of the Overwatch council all coldly made way. Fan Xian’s discussions with Yan Bingyun could basically determine most matters. 

  Wang Qinian and Deng Zi Yue left first and began to make preparations for the matters the Commissioner had delegated down. When Yan Bingyun left, he couldn’t help turning his head and said, “Killing Yan Xiaoyi’s son……this is certainly a very serious warning, but it would drive an aggressive tiger to madness. Presumably, Sir still has other plans in mind that you have not shared.” 

  Fan Xian was silent for a moment then said, “Correct, I won’t hide this from you. As a super ace about the ninth-level, Yan Xiaoyi’s is the most powerful martial and military force the other party can depend on. Even if I have to pay with my official career, I have to dry and remove him early.” 

  He didn’t completely expose his thoughts. 

  Yan Xiaoyi was not like the Ye and Qin families. His relationship to the Eldest Princess was not one of cooperation, but a vow of loyalty. He would eventually become an obstacle in Fan Xian’s way, and Fan Xian did not have the strange self-confidence of the Qing Emperor. He had a strange feeling about Yan Xiaoyi’s arrow and always felt slightly fearful. 

  In the days before the big explosion, if he could destroy the godlike bow the North of Qing Kingdom, Fan Xian felt that his life would certainly be much happier. 

  Killing Yan Xiaoyi’s son would only make this extraordinary talent go crazy. If they killed him, it would, presumably, make the Eldest Princess crazy. 

  Fan Xian very much liked trying these strange and dangerous things. Even though this could bring many variables and could change the Emperor’s heart in an instant, he still wanted to try it like he was crazy. He wanted to wipe away the shadow of that arrow from his heart. 

  Yan Bingyun looked at Fan Xian like he was a crazy man. A moment later, he sighed and said, “Governor Yan’s cultivation is startling. He is not so easy to kill. In the entire Council, it is impossible to find someone to defeat him……even if you weren’t injured, it would be impossible for you to kill him with your sword. What’s more, you are injured right now……also, presumably the Director does not have such crazy plans.” 

  “No.” Fan Xian shook his head. “The old cripple is probably crazier than me. I don’t want to be driven to death by his craziness in order to protect my life, so I also have to be a bit crazy.” 

  “Other than you two, I don’t want anyone else to know of my thoughts.” Fan Xian patted Sizhe’s shoulder and stared at Yan Bingyun. “What we previously talked about at the small hill outside Jingdou still counts. If you want to create a big plan with me, I hope you will be able to be more attentive to me and not only to the Overwatch Council and the court.” 

  Yan Bingyun knew that he was talking about the topic of the way of officials and happiness of the world. He sighed. With an ever-present sign of worry between his eyes, he went downstairs. ……

  Pushing open the third-floor window facing the street in Baoyue Brothel, Fan Xian and his brother looked at the snowy street scene from behind a railing and didn’t speak for a long time. 

  Snowflakes slowly floated down from the sky and gently landed on people’s hats, shoulders, umbrellas, and the tops of carriages. Jingdou appeared very severe with dark colors at the forefront, particularly the street in front of the Baoyue Brothel. It was filled with black Overwatch Council carriages. Inside and outside the carriages were Overwatch Council members wearing deep black rain and snow coats. They made it appear even darker. 

  Fortunately, there was endless snow to cancel out the darkness. Pure white snowflakes decorated the completely black world, creating a clearly beautiful picture. 

  Fan Xian narrowed his eyes and looked down. Wang Qinian’s group had left. Deng Zi Yue had left. Yan Bingyun, who had left the building last, had also left. The Overwatch Council secret agents on the street disappeared without a trace in an instant. 

  He couldn’t hold back a smile. These trusted aides beside him all brought at least a dozen capable people with them. On the court and in officialdom, who dared to not show respect to these trusted aides of Sir Fan junior? And, these capably trusted aides had also helped Fan Xian weave a larger web of power, solidifying and raising Fan Xian’s position in Qing Kingdom. 

  A so-called system was created like this layer by layer. Only, his grandness today was not something the young man entering Jingdou for the first time and muddled-headedly creating the Qinian Unit could have imagined. 

  “What we spoke of today, don’t tell father.” Fan Xian turned his head and glanced at his younger brother. Gently, he said, “I don’t want him to worry about us, the younger generation.” 

  Fan Sizhe agreed and chuckled. “Brother, there’s no point in saying anything. Father is great at managing the national treasury, but speaking of killing people, he wouldn’t be able to help you. He’s nowhere near as powerful as your Overwatch Council. 

  Fan Xian smiled. 

  The 80 Tiger Guards the royal family usually used could be said to be the greatest martial force outside of the Imperial Army soldiers. Even if it was impossible that everyone reached Gao Da’s skill with a knife, seven Tiger Guards had defeated Haitang Duoduo……how terrifying would these 80 be? 

  The stern and honest father of these two brothers had secretly helped the royal family train so many aces. Given Fan Xian’s understanding of his father’s personality, it was completely impossible that he didn’t leave some powerful figures for the Fan manor. 

  Such a Minister of Revenue had long left the power of a minister. Killing people? Fan Xian looked at his brother and shook his head without speaking. He thought about the civil war back then. The empress dowager’s own brother had been killed by a single stroke by their father……who dared to say he didn’t understand how to kill people? 

  However, their father had become used to enduring silently and peacefully staying out of things to watch them happen, so not many people knew of his ruthlessness. Only old foxes like Chen Pingping and Prime Minister Lin knew about the true ruthlessness of this Minister of Revenue. 

  Fan Xian didn’t want this matter to make his father suddenly change his way of doing things. 

  “Did you see Ruoruo in Shangjing?” Fan Xian gently changed the subject, allowing their father to maintain a respectful and unchanged image in his brother’s heart. However, ever since Ruoruo became Ku He’s disciple to learn his heart, only a few letters arrived from Jiangnan and later there was no more news. 

  Although with Haitang and the Northern Qi’s Emperor’s connection, Fan Xian knew that nothing had happened to his sister. But, the bond between sister and brother was deep, and he always worried a bit. 

  “I met with elder sister a few times.” Fan Sizhe laughed. “She’s learning medicine from Imperial Advisor Ku He and has some fame in Shangjing. However, I heard that she was going to West Mountain to collect medicinal herbs later this year and to cultivate in the mountains. She hasn’t come back yet.” 

  \r \r \r 

  Fan Xian laughed coldly and scolded, “Ku He. That old bald donkey is shameless to the extreme. According to our original agreement, I’ve sent them every shipment as promised, yet he is still only teaching Ruoruo medicine? Does she need to follow him to learn medicine? Learning from me or Sir Fei, either would be better than him……he doesn’t want to impart the Heart of Tianyi Dao to her, and so he’s found these excuses.” 

  He spoke angrily, but Fan Sizhe listened with some shock. Although this kid was also a scourge who feared nothing but his brother’s foot, having lived in Northern Qi for a long time, he had long been influenced by the Northern Qi’s people’s god-like worship of Imperial Advisor Ku He. Hearing his brother calling him a bald donkey—although he didn’t know what it alluded to, presumably, it was not complimentary—he couldn’t help feeling shocked. He thought that his brother was indeed the person with the most daring and confidence in the world. 

  Although Ku He was being secretive, this plan to exchange students was originally a by-product of her escaping marriage. Fan Xian had not counted on Ku He being able to train his sister into a second Haitang Duoduo. Besides, the Heart of Tianyi Dao had already been given to Fan Xian secretly by Duoduo, who was showing favor to an outsider. He didn’t continue to humiliate with words the untrustworthy upper echelons of Northern Qi. He turned and furrowed his brows. “I’ve checked the files of those aces you hired from Northern Qi. Although they all have clean backgrounds and have always hidden in the wilderness……you have to be careful. I think it’s certain that the Northern Qi royal family has placed a few spies beside you.” 

  The so-called clean backgrounds meant that the Northern Qi aces with the curved swords around Fan Sizhe did not have any connections to the state or the Brocade Guard. 

  Fan Sizhe nodded. Although he continued to smile, a dark and cold light flashed through his eyes. “Brother, don’t worry. I’ve already found out who it is. If the Northern Qi court doesn’t have someone by my side, they’ll certainly feel uneasy, so I’ll have to use this person. I’ll just see it as a free bodyguard. I won’t clean them out in the near future. However, I will avoid them for important matters.” 

  Fan Xian e had not expected that his brother would have already noticed this detail. He couldn’t resist patting his back approvingly. “Your body is sturdier, and you’re more meticulous in your thinking. Looks like the exile to the North indeed had benefits.” He immediately smiled and said, “There’s also no need to be too worried. Right now, the Northern Qi are still depending on you to organize the buying of palace treasury goods. They won’t offend you lightly.” 

  The street below Baoyue Brothel was already empty. Even the ruffians loitering at the corners in the middle and ends of the streets had pulled on their hats and disappeared without a trace. Fan Xian stood at the railing and looked at this sight. The glimmer of a thoughtful and strange smile rose to the corner of his lips. Various powers in Jingdou were all looking at the Baoyue Brothel, but he was too lazy to avoid them. Everyone knew he was going to get his revenge. They were all guessing how he would achieve his revenge without true evidence. 

  He would let them guess. 

  “There is a matter you need to tell me the details about.” Without turning his head back, he spoke quietly. Fan Xian’s eyes were staring at the snowflakes outside the window. 

  Fan Sizhe asked, “What matter?” 

  “The story of that sword.” Fan Xian lowered his head slightly. His tone was calm and did not reveal the thoughts in his heart. “Where did Wang Qinian get that sword from?” 

  Fan Sizhe’s heart stuttered. He didn’t understand why his brother was suddenly questioning his most trusted man, but he didn’t dare say anything. He only retold the part of the story he learned in Shangjing. The sword coming out, the buying of the sword, and the delivery of the sword were all organized by Wang Qinian single-handedly. There was nothing strange. 

  However, Fan Xian found a glimmer of strangeness in this story. He smiled bitterly and glanced beside his waist, which was completely empty. The Emperor’s sword that the Emperor had granted him was very inconvenient to carry around. 

  “Listening to what you said, there is one detail that is very interesting.” He shook his head and sighed. “The rumors had been out for a number of days. Even if Wang Qinian had your silver to help, they would not have let him, a South Kingdom man, buy this sword……although tens of thousands liang of silver was a lot, it could not compare to the hot blood of the Northern Qi people. This is the sword of the Emperor of the Wei Kingdom. How could the Northern Qi royal family let him buy it? Lao Wang is always steady, however, he likes to flatter me too much……how could he not thought of this detail?” 

  Fan Sizhe’s mind spun. “What you mean is……word of this sword was purposely leaked by the Northern Qi royal family, and they gave it to you through Sir Wang’s hands?” 

  Fan Xian nodded. 

  Fan Sizhe was confused. “Why would they do this?” 

  Fan Xian turned and patted his brother’s shoulder. The two brothers returned to their seats and drank some tea before he explained, “The sword is the central force. Although right now it can’t do much and, furthermore, Northern Qi does not wish me to lose my position in the South Kingdom right now, this is an attitude and foreshadowing. Accumulating over days and months, it will eventually reach some boundary one day……” 

  He smiled mockingly. “The little Emperor of Northern Qi has done well. Over these two years, he has step by step silently taken the major power from his mother’s hands and not caused any major shocks in the court. This level of monarchial scheming is not far off from that of our Emperor’s. In order to defeat someone like me, of course, he needs to have a long-term plan in his mind. This sword is just the start.” 

  Provocation and driving a wedge between allies have always been unworthy actions in history, but they’re also tricks that have stood the test of time because people’s hearts are always overly suspicious. On an Emperor’s veins in this black-surfaced heart were even more densely inscribed question marks and exclamation marks. The Wei Emperor’s sword from Northern Qi was a great taboo next to Fan Xian. If he had not handled it properly and reacted quickly by sending it into the Palace, who knows how the Emperor would feel. 

  Fan Sizhe sighed. “Political matters are indeed complicated enough……oh right, although my leaving Shangjing was a secret, before I left, the Emperor of Northern Qi summoned me into the Palace and asked that I bring you some words. Presumably, he knew I would make a trip home.” 

  Fan Xian started and asked with furrowed brows, “What words?” 

  “Looks like it’s a normal color, but the shade will depend on his icy snow,” Fan Sizhe looked at his brother’s handsome appearance and admiringly said. “It is these two lines of poetry. It looks like it’s true that the Emperor greatly loves the ‘Story of the Stone’. Every time I enter the Palace, he always turns the topic onto you with unspeakable liking and respect.” 

  Fan Xian lost his smile. These two lines of poetry came from a passage of “A Dream of Red Mansions” with Yong Hongmei. It was not particularly outstanding, however, the little Northern Qi Emperor had gifted him this poem from far away, so the hidden meaning within needed much thought. 

  He turned and looked at the wind and snow outside. He shook his head and smiled. “The North has ice and snow, but South Kingdom also has them. I think it’s best to pass on this invitation.” 

  The conversation having reached here stopped. However, a faint worry welled in Fan Xian’s heart. For some reason, that Northern Qi Emperor treated him with such respect, even though he clearly knew Fan Xian was the illegitimate child of the Qing Emperor. Yet, he still did not forget to instigate rebellions. Why did this seemingly impossible task make the little Emperor so enthusiastic? Perhaps, the other party could truly guessed what he was thinking, the story back then, and the current situation, so he took the opportunity to first stand by the city door to welcome him with a laugh. ……

  After Fan Xian returned to the manor, he couldn’t avoid being severely scolded by his father while Sizhe’s safe return made Lady Liu overjoyed with tears streaming down her face. Although Minister Fan was angry over his two sons daring actions, sternly ordering Fan Sizhe to not leave the manor while also telling the people in the manor to keep silent, the comfort between his brows did not escape Fan Xian’s eyes. 

  After the meeting in Baoyue Brothel, the Fan manor sunk into warmth while the Overwatch Council began to act. At the Council conference, Yan Bingyun icily reported on the investigation into the attack in the valley. Although he had no specific suspects, he pointed, unwaveringly, toward the military and asked for the full support of the Council to begin combing through the people and events from Dingzhou and Cangzhou from the past two months. 

  This proposal was rather strange. Under circumstances without the Emperor’s clear edict, the Overwatch Council had absolutely no power over the upper echelons of the military. Yan Bingyun’s suggestion seemed to purely want to make the superficially peaceful living in Jingdou livelier. However, Sir Yan had Chen Pingping and Fan Xian’s strong support, the help of a few elders, as well as the hatred in the hearts of every secret agent in the Council towards the valley attack, so naturally, he did not object. 

  Strangely, the Palace also didn’t say anything. 

  Wang Qinian returned to the Qinian Unit but did not immediately take over Deng Zi Yue’s position. His people and those subordinates vanished into Jingdou for some unknown reason. 

  Only the First Bureau that Fan Xian was still temporarily personally in charge of was relatively lively. After an entire one and a half years acting in the open, the position of the First Bureau’s yamen in Jingdou became less awkward. The people of Jingdou also gradually became used to going to the wall outside the First Bureau’s yamen to look at notices. 

  One day they had caught a corrupt official who was taking bribes, and another they had found vermin in some department. After Fan Xian rectified the First Bureau, these dark secrets of the inner faction of the court were posted publicly and openly. The Jingdou people often read them like legendary detective novels. 

  The old notices on the wall were suddenly ripped off. After washing it down with snow water, the man whose complexion was like black iron, the temporary head of the First Bureau, Mu Tie, personally brushed on the glue and stuck a new piece of paper on the wall. 

  The commoners gathered curiously only to see that it was not a case, only a few cheeky words. 

  “Thirteenth Wang, are you hungry? If you’re hungry, tell the girls. The girls will help you make noodle soup.” 

  The people looked at each other wondering, What was the Overwatch Council, or the recently attacked Sir Fan junior, playing at now?