Sun Pin'er sat uneasily in the side hall. She sat very properly, dressed in light blue clothes, fresh and elegant, unlike a guest, cautiously a little too much. She had already arrived at the Fan residence in the morning, her mind was already a mess. She was embarrassed that she, a young lady, would disregard her shyness and come to the residence to seek an audience. At the same time, she thought of her father's long sighs, and she was extremely anxious. And in her heart, the most flustered corner was occupied by Fan Xian's appearance.

It had been three years since she had seen Lord Fan. Although the maids often heard rumors from outside and talked about them in the room, Sun Pin'er knew that the other party had been doing very well in the past three years, had a pair of children, the family was harmonious, and there were no problems in the court. Her heart was extremely comforted. Sun Pin'er wanted to see Fan Xian in her heart, but she also knew that if she really met Lord Fan, it would be extremely inappropriate. For a time, it was really a tangled mess. She hoped that the other party would take the time to summon her, but on the other hand, she hoped that the other party was really not in the residence, and that she could go back quietly.

The tea on the long table was slightly cold, and a maid came up to change it again. This was the fourth serving of tea. From sitting there stiffly in the morning until now, the Fan residence had not treated this Miss Sun lightly. After Da Teng returned from the medical center, she began to chat with her slightly respectfully and very calmly. She had been talking for several hours, and the woman's words were not repeated.

Sun Pin'er knew that this woman was the steward of the Fan residence, and she did not dare to treat her lightly. However, when she heard that the Princess of Chen was not in the residence, she breathed a sigh of relief in her heart. Everyone knew that the princess of Lord Fan's residence was the most gentle and amiable, and never expressed any opinions on external matters, but wholeheartedly presided over the Hangzhou Association, seeking some benefits for the poor people of Qing Yu Nian. Her heart of benevolence was greatly admired by everyone. However, Sun Pin'er knew the rumors in the capital, so she was always a little afraid.

After waiting for a long time, Da Teng only said that the princess had gone to the palace, and the lord had gone to work on errands and was not in the residence. Since there was no host to entertain her, she asked Miss Sun to be considerate. However, Sun Pin'er had already keenly seen officials entering and leaving from the edge of the garden, and had guessed that Lord Fan was probably hiding in the back garden and refused to see her. With a slight disappointment, she was about to get up and say goodbye, but Da Teng refused to take up her words.

Sun Pin'er was slightly surprised, and guessed that something was probably being discussed in the back garden regarding her arrival, so she sat down calmly.

Not long after, Fan Ruoruo walked into the side hall. Sun Pin'er quickly got up to salute. The two women looked at each other and said a few gentle words. Fan Ruoruo then softly repeated what Fan Xian had told her.

Sun Pin'er was overjoyed, thinking that it would be excellent if Lord Fan was willing to come the day after tomorrow. She quickly thanked her, and after exchanging a few more polite words, she was about to leave.

Fan Ruoruo saw clearly the faint sadness in the girl's joy, and couldn't help but sigh in her heart, thinking that her brother had caused too many romantic debts. She couldn't help but say softly: "Brother is in the back garden, but men and women are different, so it's not convenient for him to come out to meet you. Please understand his difficulties."

Sun Pin'er's body trembled. From the sudden words of Miss Fan, she tasted some other meaning, and seemed to vaguely grasp Lord Fan's difficulties and his pity for her. Her cheeks were slightly red, and she was filled with gratitude. She bowed deeply and left.

Fan Ruoruo looked at the girl's back and couldn't help but smile bitterly. Turning her head, she saw Fan Xian's sneaky appearance and smiled: "People are gone, what are you still looking at?" After a pause, she said again: "But she understands your meaning, and it seems that she is extremely grateful."

Speaking of this, she couldn't help but glare at Fan Xian and said, "Why do you have to be so thoughtful? You seem to be considering for Miss Sun, but I don't know how deeply you will get her involved."

As soon as these words came out, Ruoruo realized that her words seemed to reveal a hint of resentment. Surprised, she quickly covered it up and said with a smile: "I forgot to tell you something, we all heard wrong before."

Fan Xian didn't pay attention to these words, but sighed with a wry smile: "When did being a good person become a bad thing?"

After successfully avoiding Miss Sun and comforting his sister, Fan Xian became idle again. He crossed his legs and hummed softly while reading the letters written by Shi Chanli and Su Wenmao. The delegation from Dongyi City was still dawdling. He estimated that Si Gu Jian could last for two more days. He was not in a hurry. It was okay to stay in Kyoto for another six or seven days. It had been a long time since he had meticulously handled his private affairs, so he could use his heart.

Su Wenmao's position in the three major workshops of the Minbei Internal Treasury was becoming more and more stable. With the help of Ren Shaoan's clansmen, coupled with the close cooperation between the Overwatch Council and the Internal Treasury Transport Department, the number two comic actor of the past had now become the number one figure in the three major workshops. Of course, this was mainly because he represented Fan Xian's will.

Shi Chanli was still traveling around the world. Five years had passed. The scholar of the past had accepted his fate of being unable to enter the officialdom, half reluctantly and half following fate. If he really wanted to, it would not be difficult for Fan Xian to arrange an official position for him. However, Shi Chanli knew that in his mentor's heart, he was different from the other three sons. The things he had to do were more secretive and more important. For the sake of the Baoyuelou intelligence system and the turnover of silver, he was willing to give up some very important things to help his mentor.

Of course, the current owner of Baoyuelou, walking around the world, no one dared to disrespect him. Shi Chanli, as a merchant, was actually much more unrestrained than officials like Ji Chang and Wan Li. Even if Fan Xian intended to let Shi Chanli re-enter the officialdom today, this brothel owner would have to think carefully.

In fact, he still didn't understand Fan Xian as well as Sang Wen. Fan Xian built Baoyuelou in various parts of the world. His initial starting point was actually to pity those poor women whose fate was not in their own hands, and to try to use Baoyuelou to influence the most basic profession from ancient times to the present. He didn't seek absolute justice, but at least he wanted it to be more formal.

Fan Xian finished reading Shi Chanli's letter, but couldn't help but laugh. Judging from the hesitant words in the letter, Shi Chanli and Sang Wen couldn't help but develop some faint feelings after working together for many years.

Shi Chanli wanted to ask Fan Xian to make the decision, but he didn't dare to say it clearly. Fan Xian thought this was really fun. He had never thought of putting these two together, because from the beginning, he knew that there was a lonely Jianghu traveler beside Sang Wen, who wanted to be her protector. He didn't know what the situation was around Sang Wen now.

Sang Wen's gentleness, Sang Wen's lips, Sang Wen's care and low profile were all qualities that Fan Xian liked. Otherwise, he wouldn't have taken her out of the brothel back then. Now that she and Shi Chanli were both old, it seemed that they should also consider these matters.

While Fan Xian was thinking this, he crumpled the letter in his hand into snowflakes, tilted his head, and sat on the chair in a daze. He had calculated the forces in his hands many times, but he had never thought about it with such a clear purpose as today - the Overwatch Council and the Internal Treasury were naturally the two most powerful weapons in his hands, but if His Majesty issued an imperial decree, it was estimated that at most two or three percent of the people in the Overwatch Council would firmly stand behind Fan Xian.

"That ice lump is estimated to stand in the middle. He certainly will not resist the decree, but he should not deal with me." Fan Xian silently thought, in the future, can the friendship with Yan Bingyun withstand the test? Then immediately in his mind, the entire Overwatch Council, the First, Third and Fourth Bureaus, his control is the strongest, and truly able to go through thick and thin with him, in fact, only the Qi Nian Group those people.

On the Internal Treasury side, Fan Xian had started to tamper with it a few years ago. He believed that if the situation changed in the future, he would definitely have a way to make a strong response. Hesitating to strike at a rat for fear of breaking the vase, the Internal Treasury was now the magic weapon that Fan Xian could use to fight against the might of Heaven.

Shi Chanli and Su Wenmao's loyalty is absolutely trustworthy, coupled with Deng Ziyue who is now in Xiliang, Fan Xian suddenly realized that the power in his hands is indeed very large, and faintly has a trend to get rid of the control of His Majesty the Emperor.

No wonder the emperor will begin to test the future arrangements of the court.

A smile appeared on the corner of Fan Xian's lips, thinking that His Majesty ultimately did not detect the most critical point. He will go to compete with him the day after tomorrow, and then confirm and protect the power in his hand, it should be able to support a few more years.

Just like he and Haitang once said, this world belongs to those old people, and it also belongs to them, and ultimately it will be theirs.

All they need is time.

……

……

On a certain day in late April, the spring flowers did not wither because of the summer breeze, but were scattered on the ground by a sudden spring rain. The flower trees in the courtyards extending from the long street in the southern city of Kyoto helplessly watched their clothes being torn into strands by the seemingly gentle but ruthless spring wind and falling onto the stone slabs outside the courtyard walls, trampled by the hurried pedestrians, deeply sinking into the mud, only revealing some pink edges.

The residence of Sun Jingxiu, the Kyoto Prefect, is on the main street in the southern city. Not far behind this residence is the Kyoto Prefectural Office, but the hall of the office is opened on the other side. The tranquility of power and wealth each depend on each other, but do not disturb each other.

Today is not Sun Jingxiu's birthday, but his old mother's eightieth birthday, which is indeed an important day. Fan Ruoruo said that she heard it wrong the other day, which refers to this point. The old lady of the Sun family is also a person with imperial order, and Sun Jingxiu rarely handles affairs, so officials always come to respond after various posts are sent out.

Although red ribbons and lanterns were not hung at the gate of the Sun residence today, some festive meaning was deliberately added. There were many people coming and going to give gifts, but not many carriages came. Only on the long street, those stewards and servants sent the gift lists and gift boxes into the residence in a very ordinary manner, and said a few words of apology for their masters, and then left the Sun residence.

Some lower-level officials who didn't understand the inside story were a little surprised when they saw this scene, thinking that the Kyoto Prefect's birthday wouldn't be so deserted. It was far from the lively scene of ordinary dignitaries' residences.

The Kyoto Prefecture is in charge of the security and people's livelihood of the entire Kyoto. It deals mostly with various ministries, palaces and princes, and officials, so the errands of the Kyoto Prefecture are difficult to do. However, the status of the Kyoto Prefecture is also high. When the Second Prince fought for the throne that year, he put a lot of effort into the Kyoto Prefecture. Therefore, in general, no official would be so disrespectful to the Kyoto Prefecture.

Today's scene is really a bit surprising. Those people gathered at the corner door whispered, not knowing what they were talking about. However, when people occasionally thought of the rumors about the Kyoto Prefect Sun Jingxiu in the officialdom, they felt that this was a very natural thing.

Sun Jingxiu is undoubtedly the luckiest person in the entire Qing Yu Nian officialdom. He is not a genuine scholar, but a clerk. Since he entered the officialdom, he has been doing clerical work in the Kyoto Prefecture. He has been doing this for half his life. Originally, with his background and no background, in such a key place, he would not be able to be promoted to the Kyoto Prefect even if he did it for three lifetimes.

However, during the six or seven years of Qing Yu Nian, the crown prince and the second prince fought for the throne, and Lord Fan entered Kyoto after the chaos. The Kyoto Prefecture, which was located in the key area, became the primary target for various forces to compete for. The Kyoto Prefect was not like the governors and prefects of various places. The emperor was far away, and he could protect himself wisely without relying on any prince - the prefecture was in Kyoto, and no force would let them go. The Kyoto Prefect must express his position.

As a result, Mei Zhili was forced to leave, and the Kyoto Prefect who was supported by the Second Prince was brought down by Fan Xian. In just five or six years, several Kyoto Prefects fell one after another, and no official dared to take the risk to forcibly seek this official position. Therefore, Sun Jingxiu, this compiler of the Kyoto Prefecture, happened to sit in the position of Kyoto Prefect.

In previous years, the Kyoto Prefect must also hold the position of Grand Secretary in the court, but after Mei Zhili, this rule was broken. When it came to Sun Jingxiu, he was just a bare Kyoto Prefect without any titles.

Therefore, in the officialdom, officials commented with a trace of jealousy and disdain that Sun Jingxiu was the Kyoto Prefect with the best luck in history, but he was also the Kyoto Prefect with the smallest power. Who knows when he would be dismissed.

……

……

However, Sun Jingxiu also has his strengths. Years of clerical work have made him not good at interacting and communicating with officials, and he is not used to flattering the Grand Secretaries of the Zhongshu Department. He wholeheartedly devotes himself to government affairs, and is upright and serious, never taking the rumors outside to heart.

It was precisely because of this character that in the autumn of the seventh year of Qingli, he did not see the so-called imperial edict of the emperor, accepted the decree of the Empress Dowager, and did his best to arrest Fan Xian in Kyoto.

The world is unpredictable, the world is unpredictable! Who knew that His Majesty the Emperor was not dead? Who knew that Lord Fan was a great loyal minister! Whenever he thought about this, Sun Jingxiu couldn't help but feel a burst of fear. It was also thanks to him raising a good daughter that he found a backer in the court for the first time.

And it is the highest backer in the court.

Therefore, the officials are even more jealous. The rumors of selling daughters for glory do not know how long they have been spread, and finally they were suppressed by Fan Xian's strong suppression. Three years have passed, and the officials found that the connection between the Fan residence and the Kyoto Prefecture was not close, and then they believed that the legend in the boudoir was just a legend, and there was no follow-up story.

It is precisely because they believe that there is no relationship between Lord Fan and the Kyoto Prefecture in terms of men and women that the gate of the Sun residence appears so deserted today, even more deserted than the flower trees on the street.

……

……

The stewards who gave gifts from various residences left the Sun residence, but did not leave the southern city. Instead, they cleverly chose a teahouse at the end of the street to rest. The hour had not yet reached noon, and this extremely luxurious teahouse became lively. The stewards who knew each other in the past greeted each other with a smile and invited them to sit together, and soon half of the teahouse was filled.

The stewards' smiles were very strange, all revealing a knowing look, and a faint disdain for the Kyoto Prefecture. The masters of these stewards are either the ministers of the six ministries or the adults of the three temples, and some are dignitaries from the National Duke Lane. They only gave gifts today, and did not come in person.

The fact that these stewards gathered in the teahouse and did not return to their residences to report back at the first time also shows that these princes and officials are very clear about what the birthday celebration of the Sun residence represents today.

Sun Jingxiu is confused... This is the common thought of civil and military officials. Since Grand Secretary He of the Zhongshu Department has already leaked the news, it is natural that the one in the palace has ideas. Why don't you quickly ask to resign, but still hold a birthday banquet at this juncture?

Want to see the attitude in the palace? Want to see the rumors in the officialdom? Or what do you want to see?

However, these dignitaries and officials did not want to do things too harshly, so after letting the stewards give the gifts, they still stared near the Sun residence, because they did not know what would happen. To be precise, they were still a little afraid of whether that rumor that had been calm for nearly two years was true.

They don't know if Danbo Duke Fan Xian will come in person today. Logically speaking, with Fan Xian's status, the Kyoto Prefecture's affairs should not alarm him, but officials are cunning people, and they still need to confirm at the end.

……

……

"Whose sedan chair is that?" A steward who was talking about romance suddenly narrowed his eyes and saw a large sedan chair passing by the gate of the Sun residence. Looking at the number of people and the curtain ornaments, the rank should not be low. He asked curiously.

The matter of replacing the Kyoto Prefect is still in the stage of blowing the wind, but all the officials know that this is the first time that the very popular Lord He Zongwei has independently completed a major personnel change with the support of His Majesty. Therefore, the officials of various ministries have been extremely clever to stand behind He Zongwei, and no one will stand in front of Lord He at this time.

Today's birthday banquet is a good time to take sides. Everyone is willing to be more intimate with the young and gentle Grand Secretary He, so the gate of the Sun residence is so deserted. But at this time, a somewhat glaring sedan chair stopped at the gate of the Sun residence.

The steward of the Minister of Personnel's residence scolded with a smile: "It is estimated that it is a residence that does not participate in politics."

The Minister of Personnel has a very good relationship with He Zongwei and knows the inside story of this matter, so he never thought of coming, and even the tone of this steward is somewhat sarcastic.

Who knows that a steward shook his head and said: "It's not right, it looks like the residence of the Duke of Liu."

As soon as this statement came out, those stewards who came to give gifts from National Duke Lane quickly walked to the railing and looked at it for a long time. Their faces gradually changed, but they didn't say anything to the people around them. They looked at each other nervously and sneaked downstairs while the other stewards didn't react.

The rest of the stewards in the teahouse did not notice the movement here, but were curious, Duke Liu, who has always not participated in politics much, how could he condescend to give the Sun family face?

Then, another eight-lifted sedan chair slowly came from the direction of the northern city and landed at the gate of the Sun residence. From a distance, it can be seen that Kyoto Prefect Sun Jingxiu had just received the Duke into the residence, and now he crawled out again in a panic, almost frightened to the ground.

A steward on the teahouse shouted in a sharp voice: "It's the old Prince of Jing!"

As soon as this statement came out, a strange and quiet atmosphere shrouded the previously very noisy teahouse. All the stewards stopped talking and began to calculate quickly in their minds, estimating what the shocking scene in front of them meant.

Some clever people, from Duke Liu and Prince Jing, two noble figures who would never appear in the Kyoto Prefecture, associated with another big figure. Their faces suddenly turned pale and they quietly went downstairs.

And the remaining stewards were still nervously staring at the gate of the Sun residence, seemingly not believing their eyes, not believing that Sun Jingxiu, this old loner, could invite these two to give him momentum.

At this moment, two inconspicuous black carriages came steadily along the street of the southern city, passed the teahouse, and stopped in front of the Sun residence.

The black carriage is inconspicuous, but very glaring. The faces of the people in the teahouse turned pale, watching the young Duke get off the carriage, and even more embarrassingly saw the Princess of Chen in gorgeous clothes slowly stepping up the steps with the Duke's support...

In an instant, the teahouse became extremely quiet. All the stewards rushed downstairs with lightning speed and rushed towards their own residences.

They must notify their masters that Lord Fan is here, the Princess of Chen is here, the Prince of Jing is here, the Duke of Liu is here... Who are you? Hurry up! Even if Danbo Duke just wants to slap He Zongwei in the face, you still have to go and watch with a smile, right?

For a time, the residences of officials in the entire southern city of Kyoto were in chaos. Those who were looking for clothes were looking for clothes, those who were reporting the news were reporting the news, and those who were preparing gifts again were preparing gifts again. But all the officials had only one goal, and that was the Sun residence.

Most of the officials who were not involved vaguely guessed what Lord Fan was going to the Sun residence for. While being shocked, they couldn't help but feel a little excited. This Kyoto has been too peaceful for too long. Seeing how Lord Fan bullied the Grand Secretary and the ministers of various ministries is also a good show.

……

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(I can't get into the author's area all the time, I'm so anxious, I'll write another idle talk and post it separately, everyone can take a look.)