Chapter 638
After the rebellion in Jingdou, a large number of people in control died in the palace . The connections became much simpler . The overall atmosphere also became more respectful and direct . The empress died, but it seemed the Emperor had no intention of installing a new one . The empress dowager died . There was no longer an old woman sitting up above watching the concubines . Lady Shu apathetically accepted the result of her son's death . She only fasted and prayed in her silent palace . The Emperor not banishing her to the Cold Palace was already a kind act .
In the palace, the women with the most sway were the mother of the Third Prince, Yi Guipin, and the Great Prince's mother, Lady Ning . These two mistresses had both been hurt in the rebellion and formed a friendship bound by blood during the battle . Together, they handled the matters in the palace . It was very harmonious .
As for the matter of inheritance, it couldn't cause any major problems at the moment . Although the Emperor had not chosen another Crown Prince, the bright-eyed people all knew the prince most likely to eventually control the territories of the Qing Kingdom was the Third Prince, Li Chengping .
Although the Third Prince was only in his teens, of the only two "brothers" that could threaten his position, everyone knew the Crown Prince had no interest in the throne . Furthermore, the blood of a Dongyi slave woman was a natural obstacle when it came to matters of inheritance .
The other competitor was Fan Xian . However, Sir Fan junior was an illegitimate child . Furthermore, he was the Third Prince's teacher . Most importantly, judging from his actions these years, Sir Fan junior had no interest in the throne .
For the officials and mistresses in the palace, whether or not Fan Xian had an interest was a question worth careful consideration . For now, the Third Prince's road was bright and the support at his side was true . The future of the entire Qing Kingdom was clear, the atmosphere in the Royal Palace was good . Unified meetings were happening every day . Each person's spirit seemed to be energetically reaching upward .
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Fan Xian traveled at double speed the entire way . When he returned to Jingdou, it was already dusk . After entering the palace, the day had become black . He sat in the royal study and rubbed his gently rumbling stomach . He couldn't help furrowing his brows and thinking that he should have gone to Xinfeng Restaurant first and gotten some buns .
This was a marvelous thought . However, he carried a heavy responsibility given to him by the Emperor . Since he was returning to the capital to report, he didn't dare linger outside the Palace .
Just as he was silently fuming, he suddenly saw two eunuchs carrying a food box into the royal study .
The Emperor was having dinner somewhere in the palace . Even though the inner court informed him Fan Xian had returned to the capital, he couldn't make it at the moment . Fan Xian looked in surprise at the food box and smiled . "You know I haven't eaten?"
Eunuch Yao usually followed the Emperor's side . The head eunuch on duty outside the royal study was also an old friend of Fan Xian's . It was Eunuch Dai who had performed a great deed during the rebellion in the palace .
Eunuch Dai looked at Fan Xian with a smile and said, "You anxious about state affairs, so presumably you've missed the eating hour . I've picked some pastries to tide you over . The Emperor is having dinner in the back palace . Even if he wanted to award you a bowl of caviar with rice, there isn't time . "
Fan Xian didn't bother being polite and began his attack on the contents of the food box . As a subject, sitting in the royal study while the Emperor was not present was already a crime punished by beheading . To eat without asking for an edict in the royal study was an even more disrespectful matter . However, he had long received a special edict, so he sat calmly and ate with relish .
Eunuch Day stood smiling at the side . He thought Sir Fan junior was indeed not like other officials . Immediately after, he thought of the matter that had been spreading sensationally all under heaven . Eunuch Dai warmed again as he thought of the historical deed Sir Fan junior had done for the Qing Kingdom . Who knew how the Emperor was going to reward him? The reason this head eunuch was so excited was because he knew much of his future lay in the Emperor's hand . But, a smaller portion was completely in his relationship to Sir Fan junior .
His life in the palace had gone smoothly until Fan Xian showed up . Only then did he start to experience misfortune and then began to rise again . Since he had done well during the Jingdou rebellion, he was now the deputy head eunuch . His status was far more respected than when he had been in Lady Shu's palace .
Sometimes Eunuch Dai would think back and feel a lingering fear . If he had stayed in Lady Shu's palace, he would probably be a member of the Cold Palace by now or may have even died a long time ago . Thinking of this, he couldn't stop himself glancing back from the corners of his eyes . The eunuch following him had also once been favored and served in the royal study . Unfortunately, he served in the Eastern Palace . Although he had not committed any wrong, his status had fallen a thousandfold .
Fan Xian put down his chopsticks and spoke warmly with Eunuch Dai for a little while . Only then did he slowly turn his gaze toward the person behind the eunuch . Looking at the increasingly solemn young eunuch, whose acne was still as clear as day, he calmly said, "So, you still haven't died . That is somewhat unexpected . "
Hong Zhu's expression was respectful as he bowed toward Fan Xian and replied, "I have just received the Emperor's grace and came out from the Cold Palace earlier in the year . "
"In the future, remember to serve the Emperor carefully," Fan Xian spoke neutrally .
Eunuch Dai casually said some flattering words and then led Hong Zhu away from the royal study . He thought there had long been rumors that young Eunuch Hong and Sir Fan junior did not see eye to eye . Back then, it had been Sir Fan junior who had kicked him to the Eastern Palace . Looking at the situation now, this was indeed probably the case .
He couldn't help but laugh coldly in his heart . Even though Hong Zhu had been looked after by old Eunuch Hong back then, he still wasn't a match for the little Duke's hand that extended in from outside the palace . Old Eunuch Hong had died . Hong Zhu's position in the palace was now very awkward .
When Eunuch Dai left the royal study, he completely missed Fan Xian and Hong Zhu meeting each other's eyes with mutual concern and their gentle, not easily noticed, nod .
It was completely quiet inside the royal study . Fan Xian was organizing his thoughts . Hong Zhu coming out of the Cold Palace was a matter . He had long been liked by the nobles in the palace . During the rebellion, it appeared Hong Zhu knew nothing at all, so reinstating him was natural . During that matter, Fan Xian had taken many roundabout ways to help him out .
As for their mutual entanglement three years ago, Fan Xian no longer thought about it . At least, this eunuch had helped him a great deal . In terms of favors, it should be he who owed Hong Zhu and not the other way around .
As he thought this, the sound of hurried footsteps rang out from outside the royal study . Faintly, a light shone through the darkness through the glass and floated in this direction .
Fan Xian quickly drew back his stretching arms and stood to welcome the Emperor .
The door to the royal study was pushed open . The Qing Emperor, wearing a bright golden robe, walked in with large steps . His slightly thin face was calm . Only the white hairs at his temples revealed his true age and the toll these years had taken on his spirit .
The group of serving eunuchs did not enter . Cleverly, Eunuch Yao closed the door tightly behind them . There was only the Emperor and Fan Xian left in the royal study .
The Emperor sat with great ease on the soft couch and rubbed his knees with his hands . His eyes looked at Fan Xian . Suddenly, he laughed .
Fan Xian was completely confused by this laugh and stood awkwardly where he was .
The Emperor shook his head and said, "You are very good . "
Since it was good, why did he shake his head? Fan Xian laughed uncomfortably . He took out the case of secret reports the Council had prepared and placed it on the table in the center of the soft couch .
The Emperor opened the case and began to read . The case was filled with the initial results of the negotiation between the Qing Kingdom and Dongyi, as well as the Overwatch Council's analysis of Dongyi's bottom line, the territorial map Dongyi provided, and the details of the division of people and finances .
The matter of Dongyi had shocked the entire world . The diplomatic group responsible for negotiations and Fan Xian both maintained daily communication with the Royal Palace in Jingdou about the details . The Emperor was aware of the negotiation details but, after all, the two places were very distant . To truly have a first-hand account of the situation required Fan Xian to return to Jingdou to make a report .
The Emperor slowly put down the scroll and stood up . Walking to a wall of the royal study, he pulled open the curtains hanging across .
Below the curtain was a large map of the entire world . The various provinces and areas were all drawn clearly . Even the seashores to the east and south were drawn with great detail . This map not only included the Qing Kingdom's territories, but it also included the territories of Northern Qi and Dongyi .
The first time Fan Xian truly entered the royal study to discuss state affairs, he had sat with the ministers and scholars and seen this map . He knew of the Qing Emperor's endless enthusiasm for expanding his borders . At the time, there were three princes by the Emperor's side . Now, two of them were gone .
The Emperor's steady palm moved across the map . Although the light inside the royal study was bright, it wasn't like the shadow-free lamps of an operating theatre . Wherever his hand moved on the map, that area would be in a patch of darkness . It was like a black arrowhead containing endless power and representing tens of thousands of troops filled with murderous intent .
The palm landed above Dongyi and the vassal states surrounding it . He lightly tapped it . The Emperor did not turn his head . He calmly said, "Without using a single soldier or firing a single arrow, I have obtained this piece of land . Fan Xian, tell me, how should I reward you?"
"The negotiations haven't come to an end . Plus, there is internal conflict within the Sword Hut . I'm also afraid that the nobility of the vassal states will turn traitorous . Most importantly, we don't know if the matter of stationing troops will cause a rebound in Dongyi . "
Fan Xian responded with a smile . He could see that although the Emperor's expression was calm, he could not hide the joy deep in his heart . This Emperor, who was focused solely on unifying the world and establishing a 10,000-generation legacy, had spent decades getting rid of Ku He and Sigu Jian . He was now able to take the first step in a 10,000-step journey . It was impossible to hide such joy .
"How is Sigu Jian?" The Emperor turned around and smiled, not continuing the question of reward .
"Completely crippled . He is certain to die within three months . " Fan Xian answered quickly and cleanly .
The Emperor thought deeply for a moment and then sighed . "So, he's about to die . I truly admire that sword-obsessed idiot . He endured Uncle Liuyun's scattered hands and another punch by me . Yet, he was still able to live for so long . The strength of his physical form is truly the strongest of all of us . "
Naturally, his words excluded Wu Zhu .
Fan Xian's eyes moved slightly . He quietly said, "It is also fortunate that Sigu Jian didn't die . Only he could suppress the powerful warriors in the Sword Hut . Without his consent, the negotiations would probably not have been successful . "
The Emperor smiled and didn't say anything . He could never quite understand this son of his . Was he speaking for Sigu Jian? What purpose was there in speaking for a Great Grandmaster who was about to die?
Fan Xian thought for a bit and then said, "I think the negotiations will continue until next year . At that time, Sigu Jian would have died long ago . However, since he had already decided and delivered it all around, presumably his disciples in the Sword Hut would not disobey his wishes . "
"Will Thirteenth Wang take over as the Master of the Sword Hut?" The Emperor asked suddenly . He cared nothing about Fan Xian and Thirteenth Wang's private friendship . He cared that the Master of the Sword Hut had to be someone controllable if he wanted to truly control the territories of Dongyi .
Thirteenth Wang, had deep connections with the Qing Kingdom . Regardless of his ability, first and foremost, he was someone who could be controlled .
Fan Xian's heart tightened . His mind turned quickly . "The opening ceremony for the Sword Hut was delayed a month . No one said anything . I haven't found out who Sigu Jian is thinking about leaving the Sword Hut to . "
"There is no need to inquire," The Emperor's face became solemn . "If Dongyi truly submits, the Master of the Sword Hut will have to follow my orders . Regardless of who Sigu Jian chooses, if I don't give my approval, it won't work . "
Fan Xian's mouth tasted bitter . He had originally been worried that Sigu Jian would forcibly expose the Shadow's identity and have him become the second Master of the Sword Hut . Now, it seemed he should be worried about other matters . This action of the Emperor's was like choosing the Dalai Lama back in the day .
Thinking about it closely, the Emperor was right . Even though the Qing Kingdom would send officials and troops to be stationed in Dongyi, in the hearts of the Dongyi people, the true master was still the disciple of the Sword Hut . This would probably be clearly stated in the negotiation between the two countries . The Qing Kingdom would not make any major changes to Dongyi within 50 years .
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