Joy of Life

“When it comes to killing, you use your mouth. I use my hands.” Fan Xian stood and glanced at him. “Think about it closely. If I kill you, will the Emperor have me pay with my life?”

After these words were said, He Zongwei fell silent. A moment later, he took a deep breath. A humiliated flush gradually appeared on his dark complexion.

Since entering the court, his path had been smooth. He had the Emperor’s trust and favor, as well as his subordinates’ high regard and respect. In front of the Duke, he was ridiculed and hardly tolerated.

He was already an official in the Hall of Governmental Affairs. Other than Fan Xian, no one else in court would speak to him in such a tone or threaten his life so openly. He Zongwei knew that in front of Fan Xian, there was nothing he could do. Putting aside such nonsense as imperial favor, based on the other party’s blood relation to the Emperor, it was something he, as an official, could never hope to reach.

He Zongwei didn’t understand why Sir Fan junior had such a powerful enmity against him. The entire court of officials did not understand it. If it was because of Prime Minister Lin’s fall, the Eldest Princess had orchestrated that. At the time, He Zongwei was a small player not yet in court. After the matter, it was clear it was all done on the orders of the Emperor. How could it be blamed on him?

He couldn’t help but be confused as to what had caused Sir Fan junior’s enmity toward him. Sometimes, he felt a cold dampness in his dreams. He thrived in the court but knew Fan Xian was always watching him coldly from behind. Stared at by such a sinister and cold official was not a pleasant sensation.

He Zongwei knew Fan Xian loathed him. He shouldn’t have any thoughts about the young lady of the Fan family. He always thought the Emperor’s edict trumped everything. He also wanted to use the marriage to show Fan Xian his intentions. At the same time, he wanted to ease the tension in their relationship. If he became Sir Fan junior’s brother-in-law, surely he wouldn’t have to constantly worry about the cold eyes behind his back.

The most important reason He Zongwei bravely chased after this marriage was because he long had a thirst for Fan Ruoruo in his heart. It started about six years ago and had continued without abating. It was why he had stayed single and not married, just like the heir Hongcheng.

In the end, he didn’t understand Fan Xian. He didn’t know the reason Fan Xian loathed him was because he had seen his fanatical gaze on Ruoruo that year in Yishi Tavern. He was truly guilty for no reason. That little bit of longing in the depths of his heard had finally been shattered by Fan Xian’s direct words.

“Don’t come to the medical shop anymore,” Fan Xian said.

He Zongwei’s heart jumped. Asking him to give up the young lady of the Fan family was a difficult matter. Although his characteristics were average, when it came to affection, it was rooted deep. Plus, he was rather foolish.

“I understand your meaning.” He Zongwei stood and forced down the anger in his heart. Doing his best to remain calm, he said, “I will enter the Palace tomorrow to meet with the Emperor and reject the marriage.”

Fan Xian looked at him and shook his head. “The Palace’s wedding edict has not been issued. What need is there for you to reject it? Don’t think you can hide your intentions from me. You’ll go crying to the Emperor and say that you are not worthy of the young lady of the Fan lady. You won’t say a single bad word about me, but the Emperor will look at you and know that I bullied you again.”

“Whoever I bully becomes popular. That is the situation now.” He looked at He Zongwei and smiled self-mockingly. “Do you want to use this matter to make the Emperor take more pity on your loyalty?”

He Zongwei finally could not suppress his anger anymore. Coldly, he looked at Fan Xian and said, “What exactly do you want me to do? Not this and not that. Will you not be satisfied until you force an official to death?”

“You said it yourself.” Fan Xian looked at him mockingly. “The night before last, Hu the Scholar personally came to my manor to speak on your behalf. Last night, the former scholar of the archives, Zeng Wenxiang, your previous teacher, along with Scholar Panlin also came to speak on your behalf. You are certainly at the peak of your popularity. With three Scholars coming out to act as go-betweens, how can I, a mere Commissioner of the Overwatch Council, coerce you?”

Listening to these light and cutting words, He Zongwei found it difficult to suppress his anger. He said in a low voice, “Dare I ask, what have I done wrong to offend you?”

Fan Xian smiled with light mockery and said, “I don’t like you. That is your wrong.”

“Sir Fan junior. I am the Emperor’s official,” He Zongwei smiled in his extreme anger and coldly said. “Even if your power overturns the court, you are still only the Emperor’s official. Threatening a court official in the streets disrespects the Emperor. Are you afraid the Emperor will send down an edict and strip you of your power? It must be remembered that one should be careful and not act arrogantly.”

Fan Xian didn’t get angry. He just stood calmly across from him and said in a light voice, “Everyone understands this. Three years ago, the Second Prince once said the exact same words as you in a tea shop across from Baoyue Brothel. Don’t forget, now he is lying in a tomb while I am out here.”

After saying this, Fan Xian left the restaurant. He had said what he needed to and shown the attitude he wanted to. As for whether He Zongwei was willing to accept it, that was his problem.

…

…

Returning to Fan manor, he saw Ruoruo surrounded by Wan’er and Ye Ling’er gently saying something. Her expression was unnatural. Li Hongcheng, who had forcefully brought her back to the manor had, for some reason, left.

Seeing Fan Xian return, Lin Wan’er shot him a meaningful gaze and shook her head helplessly. It was probably about Ruoruo’s marriage. It had caused a sensation all through the city. There was a great sense of helplessness. Even Ye Ling’er only glanced at Fan Xian and did not, as Fan Xian expected, come rushing up and ask why he, as a big brother, couldn’t deal with such a tiny matter.

It seemed like love did indeed make people gentle. Fan Xian didn’t ask where Thirteenth Wang was but couldn’t resist smiling slightly. He waved his hand at his sister and the others and went into the second study.

“Was Hongcheng afraid I’d beat him and that’s why he ran away first?” Fan Xian asked in a quiet voice and sat down across from his sister.

Fan Ruoruo blushed slightly. After all, riding the same horse with a young man on the streets was embarrassing.

After a moment of silence, she quietly said, “There was something at the manor. He left first.”

Fan Xian nodded secretly to himself. He had been worried that his sister would be angry at Hongcheng’s impetuous action. It seemed like everything was fine and that Li Hongcheng’s army riff-raff methods were not necessarily bad.

Fan Ruoruo suddenly came to a realization and looked at Fan Xian in shock. “You were there earlier?”

Fan Xian froze and smiled. “This matter got around quickly. The entire Jingdou knew the heir had returned and was fighting for his future wife with Sir He. Of course, I know.”

“Trust Hongcheng to act rashly.” Fan Ruoruo’s expression was slightly angry. “There were still so many patients at the medical shop waiting to be seen.”

“We can talk about those things later. There is a never-ending line of sick people in the world. You can’t cure them all, even if you work from morning to night.” Fan Xian looked at this sister. “I know He Zongwei has been to the medical shop often these days. I have to ask you, what exactly is your attitude toward the Emperor’s intention to appoint you a marriage?”

Fan Ruoruo didn’t even think and calmly said, “I don’t want to marry right now.”

He Zongwei had been going to the medical shop and sitting quietly, not demonstrating any force. He had behaved elegantly and sincerely. Fan Ruoruo wasn’t a girl who lived in a vacuum. She knew there was gossip about her. She also knew her brother was being bothered by the matter. She would make things clear to He Zongwei. However, He Zongwei was unyielding and had the spirit of a dead pig not being afraid of hot water. He also wore a mask of sincerity. Fan Ruoruo couldn’t copy Sizhe and raise a broom to chase someone away.

“Alright, if you don’t want to marry then don’t.” The calm on Fan Xian’s face was not feigned. “You know I appear warm but am actually very tyrannical. I don’t like He Zongwei. Even if you agreed to marry him, I would have still tried to end it.”

Fan Ruoruo couldn’t resist glaring at him and muttering in a low voice. When she was young, he had said something about freedom of love. Now, he only knew how to be tyrannical.

How was she to know that when the two of them had told ghost stories in their youth, Fan Xian, whose true age was a dozen years older than her, had the feeling of raising a daughter.

When one’s own daughter was going to get married, which father would believe such nonsense as freedom of love. There was none in the Qing Kingdom, none in the world, and none in the universe.

After these words, Fan Ruoruo fell silent. Her hands twisted the corner of her clothes forcefully. Her nervous and complicated emotions made her exactly the same as all the other girls in the world. After a long time, she suddenly sighed and gazed at Fan Xian. Faintly, she said, “Brother, am I very headstrong?”

If she was placed in a different noble household or anywhere else in the world, Fan Ruoruo’s decisions for her life, marriage, and love would appear unusual. She had rejected King Jing manor’s request for marriage and escaped Jingdou. She had then studied under Ku He’s tutelage for a few years. Now, she had rejected the Emperor’s second appointed marriage.

Opposing an edict and rejecting a marriage in a feudalistic and monarchical society could bring many dangerous and inconveniences to one’s family. To sink one’s family into unrest for the sake of one’s own life, probably everyone would think such an action was headstrong and irresponsible.

Of all the people in the world, Fan Xian was the only one in the world. He was the only Beauvoir and only man who had read about sex politics. He had never thought there was anything to criticize about his sister’s decision.

Perhaps the Ye woman had also read it many years ago, but she had already left. Thus, there was only Fan Xian standing firmly in this world trying to, through supporting his sister’s headstrong behavior, chase after a wonderful world where marriage did not need to be decided by an elder and there were at least some areas slightly more equal.

“Are you stupid?” Fan Xian’s expression became cold. “Ever since you were little, I have taught you that personal happiness is the most important thing in the world. Other than things that we truly want to do, there is nothing that is worth making any sacrifice or compromise. Loyalty and filial piety both need to be spoken of. In front of your happiness and mine, it is not worth mentioning.”

“But isn’t this a very selfish way of doing things?” Fan Ruoruo was not scared into retreating by her brother’s icy cold face. She raised her head and said seriously, “Because of my matter, the manor is in turmoil and Jingdou is abuzz…”

She had not finished talking when Fan Xian was already waving his hand to stop her. Furrowing his brows, he said, “You are someone I brought up single-handedly. Although you haven’t been by my side as long as Sisi and the other serving girls, you know the great hopes I have for you. I just hope that you will be able to become a person unlike any other girl in this world.”

“What is headstrong?” Fan Xian asked with his eyes narrowed. “Father and grandmother are both in Danzhou. There is only you and me in the capital making decisions. What is there to be afraid of in being headstrong for once? As for selfishness, I am a very selfish person, particularly when it comes to family and those close to me. You should know this very well.”

Fan Ruoruo lowered her head speechlessly. Her eyes gradually grew wet. Only she, who was caught up in everything, knew how long her brother had worried about her marriage after he entered the capital. Back then, in order to reject King Jing manor’s marriage, he had negotiated a deal with the Northern Qi people so she could be a disciple under Ku He’s tutelage.

It looked simple. In reality, Fan Xian had put in a lot of effort and paid a great price for it. Each time she thought of this, Fan Ruoruo felt that her headstrong behavior had made her brother worry too much. The heavier the guilt inside her, the more she could feel her brother’s affection for her in each action. Hundreds of emotions mixed in her heart. It was not something that could be expressed in words.

In the following days, it was as if Fan Xian had forgotten the matter of the Palace appointing a wedding. He was deep in the Overwatch Council with Yan Bingyun planning matters relating to Dongyi. The Xi Lake matter had laid a good foundation. No matter how capable Chief Su Bida and Haitang, disguised as Songzhi Xianling, were, the spies in Dingzhou and Qingzhou had been swept completely clean by the Overwatch Council. Additionally, because of the Left Virtuous Prince’s abrupt death, the grasslands had sunk into an unstable situation. The Western frontier of the Qing Kingdom could finally let out a breath.

Overwatch Council affairs were being dealt with by Yan Bingyun. Each time he thought about this, Fan Xian couldn’t help but feel fortunate for his decision to go deep into Shangjing to rescue Sir Yan junior. His specialties were in ambushes and decisive killings, as well as decisions for the big picture. There was no one better than Yan Bingyun when it came to the specifics of planning and executing a plan.

Without Yan Bingyun’s help, Fan Xian would not be able to control Overwatch Council’s vast system.

Reality had long proven this point. After Fan Xian entered the capital, all of the Overwatch Council’s major operations had been planned by the white-clothed, entirely different from the black of the Overwatch Council’s official robes, Sir Yan junior. The only time Fan Xian decided on a plan himself was in the matter of purging the Jiaozhou navy. After this operation, he had been harshly and thoroughly scolded by Chen Pingping.

After Fan Xian told Yan Bingyun about his and the Emperor’s intentions, he stopped worrying about the Dongyi matter. He quietly took Thirteenth Wang into the Palace.

Although Fan Xian and the Emperor were still in the midst of a cold war because of Ruoruo’s marriage, this matter concerned important court politics. Neither the father nor son chose to hold a grudge. Since the Emperor already secretly knew of Thirteenth Wang’s existence, Fan Xian would not make a big mistake on such a small detail.

As for the marriage, although the task of opposing the Emperor had been handed to King Jing’s manor, Fan Xian still watched with great interest from the side.

Fan Ruoruo continued to go to the medical shop every day to look after the patients. Li Hongcheng stood outside the shop with a cold face. Perhaps he felt great anger toward the news of the Palace appointing a marriage because his face was extremely gloomy. The patients going to and fro from the medical shop couldn’t help shivering in fear as they felt the iciness on his noble body.

Li Hongcheng was the foremost figure in the Dingzhou military. It was his first visit back to the capital to debrief in three years, yet he was willing to stand outside a medical shop and be a bodyguard. With a proper general being a doorman, all factions of Jingdou felt a chill. Even Hu the Scholar had stopped saying further nonsense to Fan Xian.

He Zongwei had not given up his goal because of Fan Xian’s scare. The few times he went to the medical shop, he had been coldly chased away by Li Hongcheng. The tiny medical shop had become the stage for a trial of strength between an official and a general. However, He Zongwei was a civil official. How could he beat Hongcheng’s martial appearance?

Fan Xian heard of this matter and couldn’t help but sigh. He thought that old master Lu had been right. Words could never be as powerful as fists. His slight smile was on behalf of He Zongwei’s pain. A proper official of the Hall of Governmental Affairs just happened to run into him and Hongcheng, two unreasonable but also noble children of the royal family. In the end, it was his fate to be defeated.

During these days, He Zongwei entered the Palace once, probably to express his intention to reject the marriage. This was not beyond Fan Xian’s expectations. Given He Zongwei’s rigorous thinking, he would not give up a chance to attack Fan Xian. Even though Fan Xian had warned him, he did not give him.

As expected, the Emperor took a glance at He Zongwei’s gloomy expression and guessed that Fan Xian had secretly given his trusted official an inhuman fright. He flew into a rage and urgently summoned Fan Xian into the Palace and scolded him harshly in the royal study.

Fan Xian listened without expression and resisted, as usual, with silence. Appointing a marriage was a small matter. The Emperor’s intention to use this matter to completely crush his defenses, to make him into a stupid and loyal official who only knew how to bob his head in fear, was something he could not accept.

He was not afraid of the Emperor’s unhappiness because the present was not like the past. The Overwatch Council and palace treasury in Fan Xian’s hands provided the most important order and financial support toward the development and maintenance of the health of the Qing court. Even the Emperor knew he was less and less able to be separated from his proud illegitimate son.

For the Qing Emperor, the more he liked Fan Xian, the more he wished Fan Xian would reveal his thoughts and listen to all of his plans. He felt that An Zhi was sometimes too stubborn and overly relaxed. He even faintly felt that he was going to escape the palm of his control.

These kinds of feelings were not pleasant for a powerful ruler, so he wanted Fan Xian to back down.

…

…

Entering the winter months, Fan Xian still did not back down. He still held up King Jing’s manor to fight with the Palace. After being sensational for a while, the matter of marriage between the He and Fan families gradually calmed because the Palace had not followed up with an edict. However, the Li Hongcheng still stood outside the medical shop and watched all of the patients going in with cold eyes. If any of those poor and suffering patients had a surname of He, they would take on a fake one to get treated.

The only person in the world not afraid of the Emperor was probably King Jing. He had fought many times with his brother when he was little. Although he had not won many fights, at least his fist had tasted dragon flesh. Once close, there was less respect and fear. Furthermore, one can be hard when one has no desires. King Jing only cared about flowers, grass, and mud. He never interfered in court politics. The Emperor probably had some feelings of remorse and guilt toward his only brother. Other than furrowing his brows, it was impossible for him to bring out more punishing methods.

Li Hongcheng had led the army in Dingzhou for three years. He led by example and killed the enemy while soaked in blood. He had worked hard, even if he had not performed meritorious deeds. He had made himself clear that he was going to fight He Zongwei for his wife. What could the Emperor do? However, he couldn’t lose face like this, so he persisted in maintaining his opinion.

The first snowfall in Jingdou arrived. Fan Xian huffed out a white fog and said to Thirteenth Wang standing next to him by the carriage, “Everything that needs to be said has been said. The Qing Kingdom can put some pressure on the government, but I can’t do anything about the splits within your Sword Hut. Presumably, you wouldn’t want me to interfere anyway.”

Thirteenth Wang was going to leave the Qing Kingdom and return to the Sword Hut in Dongyi to accompany his teacher on the last stretch of his journey. Fan Xian had purposely taken time out to send him off. The two of them stood alone in the snow and talked sporadically. Fan Xian did most of the talking.

“I will wait for you at the Sword Hut.” Thirteenth Wang shouldered his backpack and held the pole of the green banner tightly in his hand. Looking at Fan Xian, he smiled warmly and said, “Come early.”

Fan Xian also smiled. After Thirteenth Wang went into the Palace, the Emperor had finally put the matter of Dongyi entirely into Fan Xian’s hands. With the power to act in his hands, his mood was fairly good.

“Thank you.” Fan Xian paused slightly and then continued. “I hope I won’t have to thank you in the future.”

Thirteenth Wang understood what his thanks was for. Shaking his head, he walked into the wind and snow.