Chapter 427
Chapter 427: Return Home With Honor (1)
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
As the boat with the white sail slowly moved along the bends of the shore toward the side, a small boat came from the direction of Danzhou . The little boat moved quickly and soon neared the large boat . The men on the boat made hand signals, and the two boats slowly came together .
The rope ladder was let down and a sweaty official climbed up, panting heavily .
Fan Xian had already changed into normal clothing and was currently pulling on his shoes . Unable to speak for the moment, he nodded to indicate for the official to speak .
The official wiped at the sweat on his forehead and said in a trembling voice, "I am the Dianli of Danzhou, here especially to welcome you back to your hometown . "
Hearing these words, Fan Xian was slightly startled . He hadn't noticed the man's official robes earlier . Hearing the man say he was a Dianli, he couldn't help but be surprised .
He was not someone who liked to be flattered and fawned over, but he knew that for an Overwatch Council Commissioner and an imperial envoy to return home, the parent officials of Danzhou must feel very honored and would certainly do their best to curry favor with him . How come the Zhizhou did not come? Why was it a Dianli who came?
He unconsciously looked at the ant-like people on the dock and narrowed his eyes, "Where is the Zhizhou?"
It was only a casual question, however, it landed in the Danzhou Dianli's ears like thunder and scared him severely . With a tearful face, he said, "Sir received the message that Sir would be arriving . At this moment, he should be rushing to docks to welcome Sir . Sir shouldn't blame Sir, it is because…Sir didn't know that Sir would arrive so early . "
This string of "sirs' confused even Fan Xian . Only after parsing it for a while did he understand . Danzhou had not thought his boat would arrive this quickly .
He smiled and said, "What is there to blame? I'm just returning home as a private individual . There is no need for such a grand welcome . "
However, it was already a grand event on the dock . Fan Xian's vision was startling . He could faintly see people rushing to prepare the canopy, and there were more officials rushing toward this area . There were also a great deal of Danzhou commoners gathered there .
The Danzhou Dianli's heart eased slightly . He gathered his courage and raised his head to evaluate this major figure who had not returned to Danzhou in two years . He had been transferred to Danzhou after Fan Xian left, so he had only heard rumors from the strange young master in the Count's manor . In the officialdom, he heard even more stories these two years about the glorious works that Sir Fan junior had done in Jingdou and everywhere else . He had long been filled with curiosity about this important figure who hailed from Danzhou .
Indeed…he is a figure from heaven . The Dianli was startled by Fan Xian's appearance and immediately lowered his head to report the day's situation .
It turned out that Wan'er, the princess, who had taken the Third Prince and a group of people back to Danzhou, had startled the entire city . After Danzhou's seaport business failed, it had long become an isolated location . Although the Emperor conferred favor on it each year, reduced taxations, and the people were happy, who had ever seen such a grand event? This was the prince and princess .
Everyone guessed that since his wife and student had both returned, Sir Fan junior would also return . So, they had long begun to make preparations . However, they had not expected that Fan Xian would be handling matters in Jiaozhou . None of the officials or commoners had any idea when Fan Xian would arrive, so they had gradually relaxed their thoughts . Until today, when a troop of completely black riders suddenly appeared outside the city, went through the city defenses, and went directly to the dock to begin laying out defenses . Only then did the people guess that Sir Fan junior was about to arrive .
Time was too tight, thus, only the Dianli who had coincidentally learned of this matter had rushed over while the Danzhou Zhizhou and other officials were probably still in their manors avoiding the summer heat . They were probably hurriedly putting on clothes and rushing over .
The Danzhou Dianli was terrified that the provincial government wouldn't be ready in time and anger Fan Xian, so he had come quickly on a little boat to apologize humbly .
He carefully looked at Fan Xian's expression .
Fan Xian suddenly opened his mouth and asked, "How is the old woman?"
The Dianli smiled flatteringly and said, "She is very healthy . The Zhizhou often visits the manor to pay his respects . "
"Hmm, Wan…hmm?" Fan Xian suddenly furrowed his brows .
The Dianli's heart jumped . He thought that this young master was finally about to begin expressing his displeasure at today's welcoming party . He was so scared, the amount of sweat on his back tripled in amount .
However, Hong Changqing, who was beside Fan Xian, understood that he was just suddenly confused, not sure how to refer to his wife in front of this official . So he smiled slightly and said, "Has the Mistress come?"
Fan Xian let out a breath and nodded . Although this Dianli in front of him was a low-ranking official, he had no reason to make him use Mistress to refer to Wan'er, although this Dianli would certainly be very willing to have Lin Wan'er as his grandmother[JW1] .
"Your wife is in the manor," the Dianli said carefully . "The old mistress is also in the manor . Today is very hot . I was worried that she would miss you and insist on coming to the dock to welcome you, so I haven't reported this to the manor yet . "
Fan Xian nodded, pleased, and patted this Dianli with approval on the shoulder . It was also his intention to not have the Black Knights inform the manor . He was preparing to surprise the old mistress as well as some other people in the city .
The Dianli was overwhelmed by this show of favor .
"Have everyone on the dock disperse," Fan Xian smiled and said . "Lend me your little boat to use . I'll go back by myself later . "
Since the old mistress and Wan'er had not come to the dock, he couldn't be bothered to go socialize with officials . It wouldn't be too late to talk with the Danzhou locals and elders later . Having experienced the uncomfortableness of sitting properly under the canopy in Suzhou, once was enough .
Unexpectedly, upon hearing these words, Hong Changqing and that Dianli said at the same time, "This cannot be done . "
Hong Changqing was worried about Fan Xian's safety . After a moment of silence, Fan Xian smiled slightly and said, "Qing Wa, you haven't been with me for long . Remember in the future, you are a person of the Overwatch Council . Concerning my decisions, you just have to accept them . I can't get rid of those Tiger Guards the Emperor has granted me . Do you also want to stick to me and let not me have a moment of peace?"
Although his words were gentle, the meaning was heavy . Hong Changqing forced a smile and didn't say anymore .
The Danzhou Dianli said, with a bitter face, "Sir, although this side appears to be smooth beaches, the back is all precipices and cliffs . There is nowhere to go…you can only onshore from the dock . If you want to go for a walk and travel the mountain, it is best to wait for another day . "
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