The next day, Su Fan was summoned to the imperial court for an audience.
"Greetings, Your Majesty!"
This audience with the Emperor was different from previous ones. This time, Su Fan was truly meeting the Emperor in the imperial court.
It was mainly because Su Fan had achieved merit in Beiling City, and rewards were to be bestowed upon him in front of all the ministers.
"Rise,"
Xiao Yuan gestured for Su Fan to stand.
"Your trip to Beiling City not only uncovered Fang Shijie's rebellious intentions but also quelled numerous bandits near Beiling City. You have rendered great service. What reward do you desire?"
Xiao Yuan asked Su Fan softly.
He was quite pleased at the moment.
Xiao Yuan had long suspected Fang Shijie's rebellious heart but had lacked a reason to act against him. After all, he had personally enfeoffed Fang Shijie as a prince of a different surname. Now that Su Fan had found evidence of Fang Shijie's rebellion, he could use it as an excuse to act against him, thus resolving a major concern.
"Your Majesty!"
The Minister of War stepped forward before Su Fan could speak.
"This humble servant has learned that when escorting Fang Shijie back to the palace, Su Fan was negligent and allowed Fang Shijie to escape. This is a grave offense, and Su Fan bears primary responsibility for this matter."
The Minister of War was clearly targeting Su Fan.
Su Fan narrowed his eyes and looked at him.
He still remembered Xia Yun mentioning that the Ministry of War was involved in Fang Shijie's intention to rebel. The escape of Fang Shijie was likely related to the Ministry of War.
"Indeed, my lord speaks with reason."
Xia Yuan nodded.
"Father, regarding Fang Shijie's escape, this son believes it is because Fang Shijie still has remnants of his forces yet to be apprehended. The most important matter at this juncture should be to investigate Fang Shijie's remaining forces."
Xiao Yan stepped forward to speak for Su Fan.
With shrewdness, he did not refute the accusation but instead changed the subject, diverting attention to Fang Shijie's remaining forces, so as to keep Su Fan from being scrutinized.
"Zhiqian speaks the truth. Fang Shijie must still have remnants of his forces among the populace. Apprehend them and eradicate their remnants as soon as possible. This matter is settled."
Xiao Yuan did not wish to punish Su Fan. Relatively speaking, Su Fan's merits were greater.
"Su Fan, regarding the reward, what do you desire?"
Xiao Yuan asked Su Fan again.
Seeing this, the Minister of War dared not speak further.
From the current situation, it was clear that His Majesty did not intend to punish Su Fan. If he were to press the issue, he would be drawing trouble upon himself.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, on this trip, I also brought back several friends. Without their help, I would not have found evidence of Fang Shijie's rebellion so quickly. One of them had even placed second in the imperial examinations, but his spot was usurped by a villain, forcing him to become an outlaw. I wish for him to be exonerated."
Su Fan said to the Emperor.
"Oh? Is there such a matter?"
Xia Yuan's brow furrowed, showing clear displeasure.
"Minister Fang, is this true?"
Xia Yuan looked at the Minister of Rites, Fang Wenyuan, with an unfriendly expression.
Fang Wenyuan was so frightened that he immediately knelt on the ground.
"This humble servant knows nothing of this. This humble servant will thoroughly investigate upon returning! And justice will be served!"
Fang Wenyuan hated Su Fan to the core, yet he chose to bring this matter up at this juncture. Wasn't this pushing him into the spotlight? If he handled it poorly, losing his official hat would be a minor issue; his life might even be forfeit!
"This matter must be handled properly. Your brothers will be rewarded further. Tell me what you desire as soon as possible."
After instructing the Minister of Rites to quickly investigate the matter Su Fan mentioned, Xiao Yuan said to Su Fan.
Su Fan pondered for a moment.
"Your Majesty, if possible, I wish to enter the Imperial Library to peruse its contents."
Su Fan had no particular desires at the moment; he only wanted some powerful skills.
The skills in the game were sufficient for now. What Su Fan desired were powerful skills in reality, preferably ones that could even harm Heavenly Realm experts.
"This is your request?"
Xia Yuan was somewhat perplexed. Did Su Fan have such little ambition? His only request was to enter the Imperial Library?
"Yes."
"Very well, I grant you permission to read freely within the first three floors."
Xia Yuan granted Su Fan's request. Such a small request, how could he refuse?
"My lords, do you have any further memorials?"
Xia Yuan asked those below.
"This minister has no memorial to present."
"This minister has no memorial to present."
The ministers indicated they had nothing to report.
"Disperse."
Xia Yuan waved his hand and said.
"Court is dismissed!"
After Xia Yuan departed, the court ministers also dispersed.
Only the Minister of Rites and the Minister of War cast resentful glances at Su Fan.
He understood the Ministry of Rites; it was because of Wen Yan that he had offended them. As for the Ministry of War...
Su Fan became even more convinced that the Ministry of War was colluding with Fang Shijie.
"Su Fan!"
Just as Su Fan was about to leave, Xiao Yan called out to him.
"Something wrong?"
Su Fan asked, giving Xiao Yan a sidelong glance.
"Are you angry?"
Xiao Yan asked with a smile.
How could Su Fan not be angry?
I considered you a friend, and you treated me like a pawn, using me? Is this how a person should behave?
"Don't be angry. Come, I'll take you to a pleasure house to unwind."
Xiao Yan was still his usual carefree self. If not for his attire, no one outside would believe he was the current Crown Prince.
"You go ahead. I already have someone I fancy, so I won't be fooling around with you."
Su Fan immediately refused. His previous visit was merely out of curiosity about the layout of the pleasure house. Now that he had Su Yutong, he didn't want to get involved with other women.
"Oh? Who is it?"
Xiao Yan immediately asked Su Fan with great interest.
"Long Die?"
Xiao Yan only remembered Long Die having feelings for Su Fan and wondered if he had managed to win her over.
Su Fan shook his head.
"Don't bother guessing, you won't get it right."
It would be a miracle if Xiao Yan could guess. Su Yutong was not from this world at all.
"Could it be my sister?"
Xiao Yan knew that Su Fan had secretly taken the princess out of the palace and asked Su Fan with a strange expression.
Su Fan was going to become his brother-in-law? That would be quite good, a marriage of close kin!
"Get lost! Is there anything else?"
Su Fan was too lazy to bicker with Xiao Yan and asked impatiently.
"There is something important. Fang Shijie has escaped, and now is an opportunity. The Ministry of War is likely connected to Fang Shijie. I want you to help investigate..."
"Scram!"
Su Fan interrupted Xiao Yan before he could finish.
Using me as a pawn again? Go to hell!
Uh...
Xiao Yan looked at Su Fan speechlessly.
"One Martial Essence Stone. Sneak into the Minister of War's home and bring out his ledger."
Xiao Yan said, holding up one finger.
From his understanding of Su Fan, a Martial Essence Stone held more appeal than wealth.
Su Fan immediately stopped in his tracks.
"Two?"
"Deal!"
Xiao Yan agreed immediately.
"Damn! I asked for too little!"
Su Fan's face was filled with regret.
Seeing how readily Xiao Yan agreed, his psychological price must have been much higher. A miscalculation!
[Ding! New quest: Ministry Ledger. Infiltrate the Minister of War's residence and steal the ledger without being discovered. Reward: 200,000 experience, +1 Martial Essence Stone!]
He had even triggered a quest, which was equivalent to getting a Martial Essence Stone from Xiao Yan for free. That was quite good.