Chapter 46: Recalling the past in the Imperial Study Room

The inside of the Imperial Study Room is warmer than the outside room. Silver bamboo charcoal collected from Langjiazhou is burning in three braziers. The exquisitely designed brazier does not overflow ashes, but only overflows, allowing the whole room to be contained in the spring that is incompatible with the season.

There was just a faint burning smell, which was not bad, but when Fan Xian's gentle nose smelled, he was always a little uncomfortable. He couldn't help but miss the warm smell of a white room in a distant world, and remembered two witty words he had seen in his previous life - Chairman Mao had never used his mobile phone, and the emperor had never blown the air conditioner.

The emperor sat on the couch on his own. From his expression, he could see that he was extremely satisfied with the warmth in the imperial study room. His sideburns were slightly silver hair and slightly wrinkles at the corners of his eyes were smooth. He took off the dragon robe outside on the couch. A little eunuch had already taken the cotton clothes to put on, and brought a bowl of warm bird's nest.

Fan Xian stood quietly aside, but couldn't help but take a secret glance in curiosity. The daily life of the Supreme People in the world is indeed nothing surprising.

The emperor was drinking, and Yu Guangli caught a glimpse of Fan Xian's nerd-headed appearance. He couldn't help laughing and cursed: "There is not delicious in Jiangnan yet? I'm so hungry."

Fan Xian laughed twice and said, "The main reason is that I have to enter the palace as soon as possible today, so I just took a few bites of breakfast."

The emperor waved his hand and signaled him to sit down. Eunuch Yao was waiting for the order, so he quickly moved a round embroidery pole behind the curtain. Fan Xian sat down and couldn't help but remember the situation when he first entered the imperial study room to discuss matters a year and a half ago. He was also a little curious about why the imperial study room meeting did not continue after the court meeting today, but instead summoned him alone.

After not seeing the emperor for more than a year, Fan Xian was thinking about acting skills in his heart. Fortunately, the emperor should have spoken first, and the imperial study room suddenly fell into silence again.

The emperor put half of the bird's nest on the table, looked up at Fan Xian's face, looked at the beautiful and gentle face, somehow, the heart that had been cold for twenty years was moved for a moment, and he couldn't help but shake his head slowly. He wanted to remove that trace of emotion from the emperor's head.

"How is the injury?" the emperor asked as indifferently as possible.

Fan Xian hunched slightly and responded respectfully: "Thank you for your care, I'm fine." He knew that Emperor Ming must have known the news that Yan Xiaoyi's son died abnormally, but since the other party did not mention it and did not associate this matter with him, he was of course happy to pretend to be mute and too lazy to defend himself.

"Your Majesty..." The emperor repeated his heart and sighed. He smiled and said, "Don't be so reserved. If you have anything to say, just tell me. I was expelling you to Jiangnan before the New Year, for... I just wanted to temper you and promote you, but it would be hard for you."

It is not easy for the emperor to say such soft words, but Fan Xian's heart was slightly moved, but he was never soft. He said in a harmonious voice: "I really dare not hide it from Your Majesty. I am really willing to go to Jiangnan...."

He continued with a smile: "The scenery in Jiangnan is beautiful, I have always wanted to go and have a walk."

Well, I don’t want to be a vain but call me. Every time the conversation between these two people develops like this, from the monarch and minister, then from the old and the young, then to the vague father-son situation, they never speak clearly but know each other well. They are ambiguous, sad, and shameless.

The emperor laughed and said quietly after a while: "You did a good job in Jiangnan... I am very pleased."

This is naturally the matter of the Inner Cushion, the matter of Jiaozhou, the matter of Jiangnan Road, and everything. Fan Xian showed the demeanor and courage that a young famous minister should have. He plundered too many benefits from the civil army for this court and the emperor.

Fan Xian is now a knife in the hands of the emperor. He has basically offended the powerful class in the court. The emperor also understands this. When he thinks of sniping in the valley, he can't help but feel a little pity for Fan Xian, but... not much.

After a few words about the affairs of Jiangnan, the report on political affairs was over. After all, the main purpose of returning to the court was to the court. After a few days of the grand ceremony, Fan Xian wanted to wear an official uniform and specially ordered the court to welcome the court to praise or accuse the civil and military officials. Today, the imperial study room was just an emperor and a close minister, especially the matters about Jiangnan and Jiaozhou, which had already been told to the emperor through uninterrupted secret memorials, and today's discussion was in it.

It was in Danzhou. The emperor seemed to be particularly interested in Fan Xian's visit to Danzhou. He asked in detail. Although Fan Xian felt a little strange, he explained it one by one with his patience, and even Dong'er's affairs were not missed. Who knew how much emperor's suspicion was around him?

The emperor naturally had to ask how the wet nurse in Danzhou lived. Fan Xian answered one by one and described the current scene in Danzhou, those white seagulls and the steep cliffs beside the city.

Then Fan Xian fell silent because he was a little surprised to find that the emperor seemed to be distracted.

The emperor's eyes were slightly lowered, and the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes showed the unique charm of middle-aged people. He did not look at Fan Xian or speak, but just calmly recalled everything in Danzhou with Fan Xian's narrative.

Suddenly, the sound of telling stories stopped. The emperor looked up in a daze and found that Fan Xian was looking at him with concern. He couldn't help but smile and said, "It's nothing. I just thought that after returning from the last Western Expedition, I have never left Kyoto again. I can't help but miss the scenery of Danzhou."

During the last Western Expedition, there were changes in Kyoto. The Taiping Villa was washed away by blood. Fan Xian was carried by Wuzhu and fled to Danzhou in the carriage with black cloth. Fan Xian's expression remained unchanged, but he just asked, "Your Majesty, have you been to Danzhou as well?"

"Of course I've been there." The emperor raised his lips slightly and said with a smile: "When I went to Danzhou, you were not born yet, and you met your mother there."

The king and his minister were silent at the same time, and both felt that this sentence was a bit idiotic. When Dad just met his mother, he was of course not yet born.

After a while, Fan Xian said with a hint of confusion: "It turns out that he is in Danzhou."

"Director Chen and... Fan Shangshu have not told you?" The emperor said with a smile: "I thought you should have known some things in the past."

Fan Xian knew that as long as he asked, the emperor in front of him who had been immersed in beautiful memories would definitely satisfy his curiosity, but for some reason, Fan Xian didn't want to ask, just like the beautiful scenery of Cangshan hidden behind the gauze curtain, and in the mountains... there are monsters and big monsters.

He just smiled peacefully and said, "The elders have no time to talk to me about this. But when I was a child, I knew that the court had a decree to Danzhou City. At first, I exempted taxes for three years. This time I went back, and found that I had been exempted from it. The people of Danzhou live a good life and are very grateful to Your Majesty."

"I am the king of the world. It is a matter of cherishing the people. Why do you need to be grateful?" The emperor smiled. Looking at Fan Xian, sighed and said, "I have exempted the 20-year tax on Danzhou, one is because of my mother, and the other is to thank the harbor that year."

Fan Xian was not easy to answer. Should he accompany the emperor to have a first love? What's more, that first love was his mother. At this moment, his stomach gushed, his eyes rolled and said, "Your Majesty... I'm really hungry. Give me a bowl of bird's nest to eat."

The emperor was stunned and then laughed loudly, pointing at Fan Xian's nose for a long time, unable to speak. Since the Emperor of Qing State ascended the throne, he has been powerful and observing the world. All the subjects in the court were horrified and fearful. For more than ten years, no minister dared to yell hungry and beg for food when the king and his subjects were talking... Even when the prince and the eldest prince were young, they were held by the concubines in the palace. They did not dare to speak so much.

After a long time, the emperor stopped laughing, his eyes were filled with love, and he cursed: "This shameless spirit is not as good as your mother... Cough cough."

The emperor forced his words to swallow. Yu Guang caught a glimpse of the half bowl of bird's nest on the table, pointed casually, and said, "It's still hot. Eat quickly."

Fan Xian was stunned and walked forward happily to take the white porcelain bowl of Jieying. He didn't care about anything. He finished it in a few mouthfuls. He did not deliberately show any gratitude and tears of gratitude on his face, but he was very comfortable to eat.

This scene fell into the eyes of the emperor. The emperor was very satisfied. He thought Anzhi was indeed not a fake person. But the emperor didn't know that Fan Xian was cursing in his heart. He was not scolding the emperor for being petty. Instead, he hated that the bird's nest porridge had eaten it.

Eunuch Yao, who stood quietly on the side, was shocked when he watched this scene. He had been in the palace for many years. He had never seen such a harmonious situation as the monarch and ministers today. The last time... it seemed that Grand Secretary Shu Wu returned from Northern Qi. His Majesty gave him half of his porridge to show his favor and no insincere...

But last time, Grand Secretary Shu was so moved by that piece of jerky that he knelt in front of His Holiness, and kept crying and chanting the saints. He was not as comfortable and natural as Master Xiao Fan today.

His Majesty seems to prefer the style of Lord Xiao Fan.

Eunuch Yao lowered his head, but was admiring in his heart that such monarch and ministers, such... father and son are rare in the palace. While thinking about it, he was awakened by his Majesty's words. He quickly took the porridge bowl and retreated, walking along the palace eaves, but he was still thinking about the previous scene, deeply afraid and admired.

Only the Emperor and Fan Xian were left in the imperial study room. After a while, the emperor suddenly spoke, "You are now a person with status and can no longer behave like you did when you were in the Imperial College... Danzhou, well, I would kick an official's young master for half a year to get up from bed for a family maid, and I always lose my dignity."

When Fan Xian heard this, he straightened his neck, his tone was calm but he said stubbornly: "What the emperor said is reasonable, but if there is a next time, I will still kick it."

"Stop." The emperor laughed, "If you like to kick, just kick it, but there must be a limit on making trouble, don't go too far."

Fan Xian realized that the emperor had other ideas in his words, so he did not respond and nodded. The emperor looked at the young man's eyebrows and frowned, thinking that this boy had made such a big noise for a big maid who was driven out of the house. More than a dozen of his men were shot and killed by crossbows in the valley. According to the boy's revenge, it was a bit difficult to make him swallow this breath.

Of course, the emperor could speak directly to make Fan Xian calmer, but the emperor was unwilling to do so.

"I heard you're going to treat you tonight?"

Fan Xian was slightly stunned and said respectfully: "Yes, more than a year away from Beijing, there were many adults and... I haven't seen each other. Taking this opportunity, everyone gathered together."

The emperor's face calmed down: "It's still the same thing as before. It's okay to make a fool of yourself, but there is a limit."

"Yes. Your Majesty."

"The court will investigate the matter in the valley and will give you an explanation."

"Yes, your Majesty."

"Young people, look at things in a long-term way, don't just be limited to the present."

"Yes, your Majesty."

"I'm going to see the next year. I'm going to see how you and Xue Qing manage my granary warehouse."

"Yes...huh?"

Fan Xian raised his head suddenly and looked at the emperor with a hint of surprise. The emperor went on a tour? This is something that has not happened in more than ten years, especially now that all forces in Kyoto are ready to move. Although the emperor is in charge of the palace, no one dares to be too arrogant, but the affairs of the valley and the affairs of Jiaozhou all show that the volcano under the dragon throne has become alive. At this time, the emperor actually dares to... go on tour!

Fan Xian didn't understand what the emperor was thinking, and after a moment of silence, he said, "I think..."

He changed his claim to be a minister, and this was to formally advise and dissuade him. But the emperor did not give him this opportunity, and waved his hand and said, "My intention is decided, and there are a few bed bugs in his hands. Why should I worry about it? I want to go to Danzhou to see it. After the beginning of the New Year, you will go back to Jiangnan and remember to prepare it, but things need to be done secretly."

Fan Xian had nothing to say, so he had to nod and respond.

The emperor looked at him and frowned and said, "Did you remember everything you said before?"

Fan Xian guessed with a headache: "Is it... a nonsense?"

The emperor nodded with relief: "I... have only a few sons. If you like to make trouble, just don't make trouble. I understand your thoughts, it's good to continue doing this."

Fan Xian was shocked, Son, you, this has been pointed out... But he felt that the emperor's eyes seemed to have penetrated his body and saw through his own thoughts - the emperor knew his own thoughts? - He immediately remembered the conflict with the second prince in front of the Baoyue Tower two years ago. He had a conversation with the second prince in the tea shop.

If the emperor guessed Fan Xian’s diary based on that conversation, he had to say that his guess was basically correct.

"Was that girl Haitang back to Northern Qi?" the emperor suddenly said something.

Fan Xian was shocked again, but a hint of helplessness appeared on his face. He nodded and said, "Wang Tao took her back."

The emperor closed his eyes slightly and said, "I didn't like it first. After all, it's only been two days since Chen Meituan promised you, but later I felt that this matter might not be of no benefit. Tianyidao has a deep connection with temple sacrifices in various places. If you have the ability to control Tianyidao, for the court, it is a great achievement comparable to military merits."

Before Fan Xian could speak, the emperor continued to say lightly: "After Ku He dies, Haitang should succeed to the throne. You must think clearly about the relationship."

Fan Xian lowered his head and was silent.

The emperor said: "It's okay to get close to the women of Northern Qi, but keep a distance from Northern Qi. I don't doubt you, but my Daqing Dynasty is determined to be the world. Your actions this year will always make some people in the army suspicious. They are all straightforward men immediately, and what you want is to expand your territory... When you return to Beijing this time, you must also feel that the Privy Council has a bad attitude towards you, and this is one of the reasons."

Fan Xian was still silent, knowing that this was the so-called conflict between the doves and hawks, but the emperor must be that kind of meat eater in his bones. Although he did not doubt it, this was actually a very serious reminder to himself.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Fan Xian responded gently: "I am responsible."

Looking at his Xiaoyi's appearance, the emperor smiled comfortably and waved his hand and said, "It's rare to go back to Beijing and go shopping around the palace..." He pondered for a moment and said, "Make the Queen Mother happy."

Fan Xian received the order and left the gate of the imperial study room.

Eunuch Yao was waiting outside the door. When he saw him coming out, he led him around the palace. Although Fan Xian entered the palace many times and was very familiar with the roads in the palace, he knew that a foreign minister came to the palace and met with Jin. The empress who went to worship each palace was a bit unruly and was particularly slight, so he naturally needed the eunuch to be the leader.

In fact, after all, his royal family member and his identity as a princess and princess consort gave him the opportunity to walk freely in the garden of this palace.

The first place to go is naturally Hanguang Hall, the bedroom of the Empress Dowager's ancestor. The Empress Dowager had just gotten off a nap and was a little tired, so she didn't say much to Fan Xian. But Fan Xian sensitively realized that although the Empress Dowager's attitude towards him was still cold, it was much better than when he was eating mutton soup back then.

After a little gossip, Fan Xian saw that the old man was a little uncomfortable, so he said goodbye with tactfulness. Before leaving, he said that he would come to the palace to pay homage to Wan'er after he came back. The old man was indeed a little happy.

Before leaving the hall, Fan Xian said a few words to the female official in a low voice and prescribed a prescription for the old man to take care of his body. Although the female official in Hanguang Hall did not dare to use medicine for the empress dowager indiscriminately, she knew the name of the famous man in the court. She happily took it over and waited for the Imperial Hospital to use it. She couldn't help but praise the prince-consort's filial piety.

Fan Xian smiled and said nothing, leaving Hanguang Palace and headed west along the road in the Kuoda Palace. When passing by Guangxin Palace, he couldn't help but take a look.

Eunuch Yao asked carefully, "Mr. Fan...is Guangxin Palace."

Fan Xian was stunned and cursed with a smile: "Of course I know, what are you, the old guy, thinking?"

Eunuch Yao laughed and said, "No matter how you say it is, your mother-in-law, if you don't go to see it, it will be heard by the empress dowager, I'm afraid the old man will be unhappy."
Chapter completed!