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Joy of Life - Volume 2 - Chapter 112




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Chapter 112: Reaping the Whirlwind

The people around him excitedly discussed military affairs. None of them took notice of Fan Xian's calm silence. Instead, the head official smiled at him, and suggested that he should come outside with him for a moment. Somewhat apprehensively, Fan Xian left the room, and came to a secluded place. Deep within the courtyard, there stood a stone table with two stone chairs. The official indicated to him that he should sit. "Everyone is rather joyous," he asked with a smile, "and yet you remain unmoved, sir. Why?"

"Why is it only natural?" asked the official Ren, curious.

Master Ren looked at him and smiled. "It has only just occurred to me that this battle between the two nations is inextricably linked to the assassination attempt on your good self, Master Fan."

Master Ren seemed to admire his words. He nodded. "Although that may be the case, we have gained much in this instance. There have been many years of peace in the Kingdom of Qing, and we deserve it."

Fan Xian immediately understood another meaning behind Ren's words. He realized that Master Ren was suggesting that the bureaucratic system of the royal court had considerable power over military affairs. After all, Fan Xian had lived two lives; he knew that waging war relied on logistics. "Much credit must also go to the court ministers," he said with sincerity.
Master Ren smiled. "The Prime Minister will soon be your father-in-law
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," he continued. "When you have time, you should go and pay your respects to him. It is only proper."

Just as expected, Master Ren spoke. "I hope that you will visit the Prime Minister's manor. You would not want to alarm too many people."

In the royal court the next day, in thoroughly flattering language, the military received commendations. The Overwatch Council also received praise for their capabilities in information-gathering. But, in a move which many did not expect, Fan Jian, Count Sinan, Minister for the Treasury, stepped forward to suggest that this victory was all down to the careful planning of the Prime Minister. He had put the affairs of the nation ahead of the affairs of his own family, controlling logistics to provide ample rations and fodder for the army, and had truly provided a great service to the nation. There was a hubbub among the gathered ministers, who could not understand why a political opponent would be so kind, but when they recalled the approaching marriage, they suddenly realized why.

With this, the political opponents who had been using Wu Bo'an and collaboration with Northern Qi as a pretext to attack the Prime Minister had seemingly quieted down. With the Emperor's consolation, Lin Ruofu could stand firm again. A rumor circulated throughout the palace that due to the upcoming marriage with the Fan family, the Prime Minister had turned to the Second Prince. The Second Prince, who originally had no support within the royal court, had suddenly become a powerful figure.

Having made a good impression on his father-in-law, Fan Xian finally felt a bit more at ease. Although he was still greatly worried that the Prime Minister would discover that his second son had been killed by someone under Fan Xian's command, he did not avoid him as he had been doing over the past two months.


Now the whole capital knew that he would be marrying the young lady of the palace, and in addition, Fan Manor had spent a great amount of money, so the imperial bodyguards turned a blind eye. Fan Xian and his sister strolled inside, with no intention to see the flowers of the garden. They only intended to go along the cobblestone path straight into the small pavilion. Fan Ruoruo was rather surprised. "Brother, you seem very familiar with this path."

Unfortunately, according to custom, this future son-in-law of the Emperor still could not see Lin Wan'er, so he sat downstairs drinking tea while Ruoruo went up to see her. He was not worried. When night fell, he could see his fiancée, so he was happy to hold off for now. After a while, two people came back downstairs. When he saw the young woman behind Ruoruo, Fan Xian's eyes sparkled. She had beautiful eyes and fine eyebrows. But she did not seem coarse, and instead was rather spirited. It was Ye Ling'er, only daughter of the captain of the garrison, Ye Zhong.

As he spoke, Fan Xian realized that something was amiss. When he had seen Ye Ling'er, he had been in disguise. He was pretending to be a doctor. Although today he had come to visit without any disguise, as soon as he said that it had been a long time since their last meeting, he feared that Ye Ling'er's suspicions would be raised.

Seeing that she knew who he was, and that she was not surprised by what he had said, Fan Xian knew that Wan'er had told her of his secret meetings with her. He smiled. "Wan'er is lucky to have your company. It must be terribly boring on her sickbed. I wanted to thank you."

Fan Xian saw that this girl did not seem to like him at all, but that she was not angry either; he could only imagine that this was thanks to his own handsome face. He could make all the women of the land feel a fondness toward him. So he smiled and saluted her again, and then turned to Ruoruo. "So, how are things?"

Fan Xian suddenly waved his hand and smiled. "Let us go home to discuss family matters."

Fan Xian was surprised. He wondered why she had said that. He had no mind to deal with Miss Ye's temper and her unfathomable anger. Taking his sister's hand, he led her outside.

Fan Xian did not understand, and continued to lead Ruoruo by her slightly-cold hand as they waited for the carriage. Ruoruo's face changed to an awkward expression. In truth, a close brother-sister relationship such as theirs was rare in this world, and Fan Xian had not taken much notice of it. Looking at her face, Fan Xian finally realized something. How could that girl try to intertwine herself with them? He and Ruoruo were close, so he suddenly became angry, and he turned around and frowned at Ye Ling'er. "Miss Ye, have you no one in your household to teach you anything? Is that why you wander around the capital and Dingzhou?"

"Who said that?" Fan Xian smiled gently. "No one around here said that."

Some cracks of anger began to appear in Fan Xian's gentle temperament, but he doubled down on it. He knew that if he got angry, she would get even angrier, and so he spoke even more gently. "I have come to ask after my fiancée, as is acceptable and proper. You are a good friend of my Wan'er and you visit her often, and I have thanked you for it. I only hope that you will take note of my words, and do not attempt to meddle in the relationship of our households."

Fan Xian sighed. "How am I a playboy?"

Fan Xian smiled, somewhat embarrassed. "I hate to boast, but I am known throughout the capital to be a fine scholar and a soldier. I have composed seven-step poems, and I have killed men in seven steps. Excessive praise will make me complacent. Young miss, your words today have made this clear to me, and I must express my gratitude."
Seeing his pretentious act, Ye Ling'er considered his reputation, and she stomped her foot angrily, unsure of what to say. She bit her bright-red lips, and reached for the dagger on her waist. After a moment of thought, she drew it, and threw it at the ground in front of Fan Xian with a clatter.



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