Niao Ni
Chapter 276: A Bright Fist in the Dark Night
"I can't understand," the young man said, a trace of vexation entering his smile. "There are many things I can't understand. Why would he investigate me? Doesn't he know I truly admire him?"
He lightly pinched the sachet at his waist, inhaling the lingering scent of lilac, and gently leaned his head against the soft carriage wall, half-closing his eyes. "My admiration for him is only natural. Father is used to life on horseback, so why does he value his literary reputation so highly?"
No one dared to answer, no one was capable of answering. So the young noble remained lost in that absurd sense of unreality.
"Why?"
"Why?"
The shy smile gradually faded from his face. He gently moved his fingers from the sachet, rubbing them together at his nose as if to preserve every last trace of the fragrance.
"It doesn't make sense."
"But there's nothing I can do." The young man sighed, turning to look at the bunch of green grapes placed beside him. Suddenly, he reached out, grasped the branch, and tossed the grapes out of the carriage with a blank expression. "Father loves him too much."
"More than he loves me."
He smiled nervously, thinking of the Crown Prince in the palace, of his aunt in Xin Yang. He waved his hand to the Censor, who was waiting obsequiously, and said, "Seek peace."
Censor He Zongwei had not participated in this action. He looked up in astonishment, only to see a flash of weariness in the Second Prince's eyes. For a long moment, he remained speechless.
---
The beating of the Censor of the Court of Censors until flesh and bone separated, the profusion of blood – this naturally became the most sensational news in the capital recently. The latest palace gazette glossed over the situation, while the official internal reports described it in detail.
Everyone knew that His Majesty, through this incident, had once again emphasized the authority of the Imperial Censorate. More significantly, he had once again emphasized his protection of the young man named Fan Xian.
He had a seat in the Imperial Study, a position in the Imperial Censorate; if a Censor impeached him, His Majesty would grant him face with a court beating. Fan Xian, a name already dazzling, now possessed, besides its golden essence, a thicker edge of dark grey, making most officials不敢正视 (dare not look squarely at).
On the day of the Censor's beating, rumors spread that the young Commissioner had knelt outside the Imperial Study, begging His Majesty to stop the punishment. The Censor of the Court of Censors survived entirely thanks to Fan Xian's selfless plea. Furthermore, Eunuch Hou, who had supervised the execution, casually revealed that the reason the Censor had not been beaten to death within three blows was also due to Fan Commissioner's secret request.
Fan Xian had not openly turned this event into a favor for the Court of Censors. He maintained silence on the matter of the court beating. This very attitude, conversely, earned him more understanding and support, since he had, after all, preserved the lives of those few pitiful Censors. The Kyoto literati and students of the Imperial College, who had already secretly sided with him, felt even more justified in their support.
The people of Qing always thought that the Imperial Censorate was His Majesty's dog. But after this incident, perhaps because Fan Xian's reputation as a poetry immortal was too dazzling, people began to learn to look squarely at this institution that had always been hidden in the darkness. Their impression of the Imperial Censorate – at least of the First Bureau – began to gradually shift. The possibility of transition existed between black and white; different kinds of beauty could be allowed within the camps of justice and evil.
Grey silence, this, was the Imperial Censorate.
...
...
The palace's chrysanthemum appreciation party was still several days away. Fan Xian sat in his own courtyard, head tilted, wondering what Wan'er was embroidering and what Fan Sizhe, that little rascal, had been up to lately. Occasionally, he would also think about the Second Prince, who looked so much like him, and wonder if he was still wearing that shy smile.
Fan Xian felt particularly displeased when he thought about this. Shy? Innocent? That was *his* trademark! Suddenly discovering that a more exalted figure than himself also possessed such qualities, he felt an unease deep within his heart.
"Young Master," Teng Zijing reported respectfully, "As you instructed, Miss Shen has moved into the garden."
Fan Xian nodded and said, "Has she shown anything unusual these past few days?"
Teng Zijing replied, "Apart from a slightly despondent demeanor, nothing special."
Fan Xian nodded, slowly closing his eyes, and said, "Send a message for me, inviting the old and young Lord Yan from the Yan residence to dine at our house."
"Should we inform Master?" Teng Zijing glanced at him, asking cautiously.
Fan Xian laughed. "Of course. Father would be delighted to dine at the same table as Yan Ruohai."
Teng Zijing acknowledged, then couldn't help but say, "That Censor He Zongwei has come again. Will you not see him today, Young Master?"
Fan Xian opened his eyes, his gaze unreadable. He certainly knew He Zongwei. He had met him at the Yi Shi Residence when he first arrived in Kyoto. At that time, this great talent of Kyoto was attached to Guo Baokun, the son of Minister of Rites Guo Youzhi, but he was unwilling to miss the opportunity to associate with Fan Xian. He must be a scholar eager for power.
As for why he had now become a Censor, Fan Xian was well aware of the hidden details. He knew that the other man had been visiting daily, representing that noble master. Since he was avoiding even Li Hongcheng, the Second Prince must be somewhat vexed.
"See him."
Fan Xian waved his hand and stood up. Preparations in the courtyard were nearly complete. Seeing the other man, expressing his attitude, could hardly be considered a surprise attack.
...
...
After walking in the garden for half a day, Fan Xian himself felt annoyed. Only then did he reach the front residence, wondering how he had run so fast that night when he returned from Northern Qi. Perhaps he was genuinely worried that his sister had run away from home, or that his wife was cheating on him?
Thinking of such jokes, he felt that the stone path through the autumn trees seemed shorter. He walked into the study of the front residence, where Censor He Zongwei was already seated.
Seeing Fan Xian arrive, He Zongwei quickly stood up, cupping his hands in greeting. "Greetings, Lord Fan."
Fan Xian waved his hand and said, "It's not like it's our first meeting. What's with the formality?"
Indeed, during that period after spring last year, He Zongwei frequently visited the Fan residence, perhaps hoping to follow the Fan family's path. However, Fan Xian had long discerned a hint of something for Ruoruo in his eyes, and, disliking the man's deeply hidden nature, had severed ties cleanly.
Having been ignored after several visits, He Zongwei retreated, knowing his limits. However, this famous talent of Kyoto was naturally not unfamiliar with the people of the Fan residence.
Seeing that there was no one else in the study, He Zongwei said directly, "This humble official has come concerning the previous matter."
"Previous matter?" Fan Xian only said these two words, then stopped, his brow slightly raised, looking at Censor He Zongwei's face with a hint of interest, yet waving his hand, stopping the other man from continuing.
He Zongwei's complexion was swarthy, revealing that his family had been poor in his youth. However, his years in Kyoto, half a year of rubbing shoulders in the officialdom, had given him a touch of steadiness, with only a hint of a talented scholar's arrogance remaining.
Especially his eyes were unusually clear, his face filled with unfeigned righteousness, making those who saw him feel drawn to him. But in Fan Xian's eyes, it inspired only utter disdain.
"What previous matter?" Fan Xian asked with narrowed eyes and a smile. "This official isn't quite clear."
He Zongwei truly deserved to be the Second Prince's envoy. He smiled faintly, a sincere smile emerging on his dark face. "There is no previous matter. This humble official misspoke. I simply brought a box of good Yunwu Mountain tea from His Highness the Second Prince."
Fan Xian looked at the seemingly ordinary box before him, falling silent. He knew that if he accepted this gift, it would be equivalent to settling the matter of the Censor's impeachment from a few days ago. In the Second Prince's view, perhaps Fan Xian had not suffered any losses; on the contrary, he had gained considerable face under the wooden staff before the palace walls and should be willing to let the matter rest.
"Lord He misspoke, but I do recall a previous matter," Fan Xian said, smiling at He Zongwei.
He Zongwei felt a tremor in his heart for no reason, feeling that this young and handsome Lord Fan, the young man who had taken all of his own glory away from him the moment he entered Kyoto, resembled the Second Prince so much.
"What matter does Your Excellency refer to?" He Zongwei asked, feeling somewhat uneasy.
Fan Xian looked at him coldly. "This official left Kyoto in the spring, heading for Northern Qi. Unexpectedly, upon returning these past few months, I found that things in Kyoto had changed greatly, and even my own father-in-law has now been forced into retirement."
He Zongwei's tongue felt bitter, and he was unable to say anything, knowing that the thing he feared most had finally happened.
Fan Xian said quietly, "Lord He should know who Wu Bo'an is, shouldn't he?"
He Zongwei braced himself. "He is the strategist of the Old Prime Minister's house."
Fan Xian raised an eyebrow and said, "Lord He is indeed a man of old affections. This spring, Your Lordship entered Kyoto together with Wu Bo'an's widow. I only wonder where that Madam Wu is now?"
He Zongwei gritted his teeth, stood up, cupped his hands, and pleaded, "Lord Fan, this student was saddened by the death of the Guo family's former man, so I boldly brought Madam Wu into Kyoto. It is true that the Prime Minister's fall is inextricably linked to this student's actions. However, this matter involves the laws of the Qing Dynasty, and this student dares not conceal it. I hope Your Lordship will understand." Naturally, he did not expect Fan Xian to let him off, but relying on his current good relationship with the Second Prince, he said with a stiff neck, "Your Lordship may target He, but I hope Your Lordship will not firmly reject the Second Prince's sincerity."
Fan Xian glanced at him and said indifferently, "This official is an official of the court and naturally will not target any particular person. However, Fan is also just an ordinary person, and I will always remember some personal grievances."
He Zongwei looked at him with hatred in his eyes, knowing that today's attempt to negotiate peace had become a pipe dream. He thought that although the Prime Minister's fall was related to him, that was his duty as a citizen of the Qing Dynasty. What was wrong with using some means? Didn't the two of you, father-in-law and son-in-law, use means as well? Thinking this, he rose, bowed, and prepared to leave.
Fan Xian looked at him with extreme disgust, suddenly taking an action completely unbefitting his status, stepping forward and kicking the other man in the lower back!
With a muffled thud, He Zongwei fell to the ground in utter disgrace!
He Zongwei was, after all, a famous figure in Kyoto, and now also a Censor of the Court of Censors. He angrily scrambled to his feet, pointing at Fan Xian and shouting, "You... you... dare to hit me!"
Fan Xian clenched his fist and said, "I kicked you because that's what you deserve! You insisted on coming to the residence to be beaten, so I naturally had to oblige you." He threw several more punches, not daring to beat the other man to death, but still turning He Zongwei into a large, swollen pig's head.
He Zongwei didn't dare to stay any longer, clutching his aching head, remembering that this Lord was famous for his black boxing when he first debuted, and quickly scrambled out of the residence, only to receive a flying kick from Fan Xian as he left the room, plus a tea box shuriken.
...
...
Fan Xian looked at the other man's disheveled figure, feeling somewhat better. He lowered his head and spat, cursing, "You schemed against my father-in-law, and you still came to the residence to seek peace? You son of a bitch, what else is that but asking for a beating?"
Teng Zijing slipped over from the side, saying with a wry smile, "Young Master, if this matter spreads, Master's face will not look good."
Fan Xian shrugged and said, "It's just beating a barking dog, and it's all to show its master."
Months ago, when Fan Xian was still in the mission to Northern Qi, he had received the reports from the Imperial Censorate, and he was clear about the process of the Prime Minister, that is, his own dear father-in-law, stepping down. With the help of the deceased Xiao En, his judgment of this matter became even more accurate.
Wu Bo'an was a strategist that the Eldest Princess had placed in the Prime Minister's office. Last summer, he had instigated the Lin family's second son to collude with Northern Qi, wanting to assassinate Fan Xian on Niulan Street, but unexpectedly, he had died tragically under the grape trellis. Because of this matter, Wu Bo'an's son in Shandong was also tortured to death by the Prime Minister's men. Fan Xian naturally did not know at this time that this was the work of Yuan Hongdao, the deepest nail that Chen Pingping had planted.
Wu Bo'an's wife had been arranged by Xin Yang to enter Kyoto, cleverly entering the old residence of an old Censor of the Court of Censors through He Zongwei's hands, and began to lodge complaints.
What truly brought down Prime Minister Lin Ruofu was a very unreasonable murder.
On the streets of Kyoto, assassins attempted to kill Wu Bo'an's wife, seemingly because the Prime Minister's subordinates wanted to silence her, but unluckily, the Second Prince and the Heir Apparent of Jing rescued her together.
This matter was reported to the palace, and Prime Minister Lin Ruofu had to accept the deal under the table, leaving Kyoto in disappointment.
Fan Xian had begun to suspect the roles that the Second Prince and the Heir Apparent of Jing had played in this matter from that time on, from the Imperial Censorate reports on the road. It was from that day that he began to think about the true relationship between the Second Prince and that Eldest Princess of Xin Yang.
Every time he saw Da Bao, Fan Xian would think of his father-in-law, who had returned to his hometown – this was not some official business or national affair, but simply a personal grudge between Fan Xian and the Second Prince. Although there must be even more far-reaching ideas behind it, at least Fan Xian, as a son-in-law, had to retaliate in this matter.
...
...
Fan Xian rubbed his fists, stretched his muscles, and did feel much better. He turned around and returned to the inner residence, walking along and saying to Teng Zijing in a clear voice, "Don't tell Father about this. I suppose that He Zongwei will be too embarrassed to spread it around."
Arriving at the inner residence, Wan'er was still carefully embroidering that thing. Fan Xian looked at his wife, smiled slightly, and walked over.
---
He Zongwei naturally wouldn't be so embarrassed to spread news of him getting beaten. But the Second Prince was aware of this, and still didn't understand what Fan Xian was relying on to be so arrogant. This Second Prince seemed to have no power in court, but with the help of the Eldest Princess of Xin Yang, had already gained the loyalty of many courtiers. So actually didn't really see Fan Xian.
But now that he thought about it, this Fan Xian... was clearly a great talent of literary heart and embroidered belly. How had he become an unreasonable, reckless official? Could the Imperial Censorate really have such a large impact on a person?
However, the Second Prince still believed that Fan Xian was at most caught up in a dispute of pride. He wasn't willing to lower himself to see Fan Xian in the current circumstances, thinking that after Fan Xian had beaten He Zongwei, he should quiet down. So he simply wrote a letter to Xin Yang, not too worried.
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...
Within that beautiful detached palace in Xin Yang, the wondrous old trees were slowly and silently casting off their branches and leaves. Pieces of slightly yellowed leaves floated within those white gauze curtains. A soft hand reached into the air, gently catching a leaf. The blue veins on her hand were not particularly prominent, merely faintly hidden within the jade-like skin, like the spirit within the jade, exceedingly beautiful.
The Eldest Princess, Li Yunrui, who had been away from Kyoto for a year, yawned with girlish coquetry, tossed the withered leaf in her hand onto the ground, propped her chin up with her arm, her eyes shifting slightly, flowing with charm and beauty. "Mr. Yuan, what do you think?"
Yuan Hongdao, who had betrayed Prime Minister Lin Ruofu and now worked for Xin Yang, was expressionless, but his eyes showed a touch of appropriate panic. "His Highness the Second Prince is the pride of Heaven, and is inevitably being somewhat careless."
The Eldest Princess chuckled and said, "Fan Xian is just a young man. Calling him an enemy, Mr. Yuan is being too cautious."
Yuan Hongdao said with a wry smile, "This son-in-law is no ordinary person. Although the affair in Northern Qi was not completely successful, and the Eldest Princess's brilliant plan was not fully realized, Lord Fan cleverly stayed in the middle. Without getting his hands dirty, he provoked the Emperor of Northern Qi into secretly ordering Shang Shanhu to assassinate Shen Zhong. How can such a figure be described with the word 'reckless'? Moreover, this son-in-law is originally a poetry immortal. Such a talented and intelligent person must have a mind many times more complicated than ordinary people."
The Eldest Princess sighed and slowly sat up straight from the brocade couch. A large expanse of her back and neck, exposed from her magnificent palace robes, was incomparably fair, displaying the beauty of a swan.
"That kid, it would have been fine if he hadn't rescued Xiao En, but he actually ended up messing with Shen Zhong. Now the Cui family is coming to complain every day. The position of Commander of the Zhenfu Department in Northern Qi is still vacant. Those Jin Yi Wei below don't dare to make a decision, and for a time, the channels for goods are blocked."
Huang Yi, the Eldest Princess's trusted aide who had always stood quietly to the side, said respectfully, "Negotiations are currently underway with the Empress Dowager of Northern Qi. However, that young Emperor of Northern Qi has been very stubborn lately, resisting the Empress Dowager's decree to appoint the Marquis of Changning as the Commander of the Zhenfu Department."
The Eldest Princess sneered and said, "That old hag in Northern Qi is really an idiot. She could have picked any inconspicuous confidant, but she insisted on having her own brother become the head of the secret service. Does she think her son is a fool?"
Yuan Hongdao reminded from the side, "Let's put the matter of Northern Qi aside for now. I just don't know how the situation in Kyoto will develop."
Huang Yi had always disliked that he had not been in Xin Yang for long, but had gained the Eldest Princess's trust. Forcibly suppressing the faint jealousy in the depths of his heart, he said, "After a brief period of turmoil in Kyoto, it should calm down. Presumably His Majesty doesn't want the successor he personally chose for the Imperial Censorate to have irreconcilable conflicts with his own son."
Yuan Hongdao sneered and said, "This old man doesn't know what His Majesty is thinking. I only know that that little Lord Fan is someone who refuses to suffer losses. This time, the Censors of the Court of Censors impeached him collectively, originally to remind him that some things cannot be touched. But who would have expected His Majesty to favor him so much? Fan Xian suffered a loss on the surface, so he would naturally want to find a way to get it back."
Huang Yi, unable to mind his expression, said in surprise, "Could it be that Fan Xian still dares to make a big deal out of it?"
At this time, the Eldest Princess finally opened her mouth with a smile and said, "Mr. Yuan is right. I shouldn't have rushed to have the Court of Censors touch that little guy. That little guy has a stubborn temperament." She suddenly covered her lips and laughed. "Huang Yi, don't say it like that. My son-in-law... is really a troublemaker. Fan Jian, that old fox, named his son Anzhi, I suppose he really had foresight, knowing that my son-in-law wouldn't be quiet."
When she covered her lips and smiled, the detached palace was filled with brightness. The vitality in her eyes, the charm in her brows, were like the silk rain in autumn, nourishing every space, making Huang Yi stunned in place, unsure how to speak. Even Yuan Hongdao couldn't help but lose himself for a moment.
"I estimate that my good son-in-law will definitely take another bite out of the Second Prince," the Eldest Princess said with a smile. "Write a letter and tell the Second Prince to seek peace. No matter how badly injured he is, seek peace."
Although the words of this most beautiful woman of the Qing Dynasty were gentle, the authority they contained was something no one dared to discuss. Huang Yi hesitated to speak, unable to resist shaking his head.
The Eldest Princess smiled sweetly and said, "Mother wrote a letter saying that I should return to the palace for the New Year during the Spring Festival. Wait, wait until I return to the capital, and I'll have a good time playing with my good son-in-law."
---
Meanwhile, in Kyoto, in the embrace of the autumn night, the secret agents of the First Bureau of the Imperial Censorate began to move.
The Director of the Astronomical Bureau was an inconspicuous position, but in certain special circumstances – such as when a meteor fell, or when the moon was eaten by a dog – he was responsible for explaining it to His Majesty, and his explanation could sometimes have very serious consequences.
He was a man of the Second Prince, but before he had time to play his role, he was captured by the most famous black dogs of the Qing Dynasty.
On the long street, with several whooshing sounds, a dozen black-clad figures, like demons of the night, jumped directly into the residence of the Director of the Astronomical Bureau. By the time the guards reacted, their master had already been bound into a zongzi by these black-clad figures!
But these robbers did not leave. Instead, they lit up the lights in the courtyard.
Under the lights in the full courtyard, the guards with martial power looked at the clothes of those black-clad figures and did not dare to act.
Mu Tie, who was wearing a black suit and leading the team himself, looked coldly at the bystanders and the families of the Director of the Astronomical Bureau, saying word by word, "The Imperial Censorate is handling a case by imperial decree."
After saying these words, the officials of the First Bureau of the Imperial Censorate dragged the Director of the Astronomical Bureau out of the residence, stuffed him into a carriage, and disappeared into the dark night in a moment. A burst of wailing suddenly sounded in the Director's residence, and the lights gradually went out.