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The rain kept falling. The flowers in the Jingdou gardens had long bloomed, fell, and mixed into the mud.

As for the investigation of the Ministry of Revenue, the Palace was still waiting for a result. This placed a burden on the court officials. They understood clearly that whomever wanted to topple the Ministry of Revenue had to fall first. Without even needing the far away Sir Fan junior to speak out, Sir Fan senior in the capital had showed enough trump cards.

The investigation went back and forth. No one wanted it to fall on them. Who would want that kind of stupid thing? Furthermore, the Crown Prince had already been a stupid example.

In officialdom, the most powerful was the Emperor’s words. Second, was the so-called unwritten rules. The Ministry of Revenue was swaying between these two. No matter how much it swayed, it refused to fall.

Fan Jian refused to resign and resolve this matter. Even though rumors came from the palace saying that the Emperor was prepared to offer nobility as a show of his compensation, the Fan family still held out. For a moment, the officials in the capital couldn’t help but feel great admiration for Fan Jian’s confidence.

In reality, Fan Jian was not holding out with all his might. After the Ministry of Revenue had implicated enough officials and the Crown Prince began to turn his gaze to other things, such as self-preservation or dragging a few of his brothers under the water, the Minister of Revenue had not returned to the Ministry of Revenue yamen. Rather, he began to leisurely drink tea in his manor, went to the residence to look at the mountains and rivers, and occasionally went to friendly manors to have a chat.

It was not appropriate for him to visit other manors because the Ministry of Revenue investigation was at a critical juncture. He did not want to bring trouble to others. Others also did not dare to be too close to him.

King Jing’s manor was an exception. He was the empress dowager’s own son, her youngest son, and the Emperor’s own younger brother. All these years, he had been silent, well-behaved, and planted his flowers. The Palace all knew what this attitude showed so never bothered him much.

Fan Jian and King Jing had always been on good terms. It was normal to visit his manor. On the other hand, given King Jing’s personality, there was nothing he was afraid of.

One day, Fan Jian entered the Palace and talked deeply and sincerely with the Emperor in his royal study for a whole night. He sincerely confessed his thoughts to the Emperor.

He analyzed it from all directions and believed it was best for him to continue in the post of Minister of Revenue. On this question, he did not conceal anything from the Emperor. He was reluctant to give up his post, not to zealously continue fighting[JW1]. In this seemingly simple, but really very complicated situation, Fan Jian analyzed himself and the court piece by piece. He urged the Emperor to withdraw his order to investigate the Ministry of Revenue. This was the best choice for the Qing Kingdom. It was the bright and honorable path. Such raising of the virtuous, even if it was oneself, such straightforwardness and uprightness, even the Emperor was slightly surprised.

The next day, it was said King Jing also went into the Palace. It was rumored that this preposterous King talked for a long time in the empress dowager’s Hanguang Palace and even argued with the old matriarch. As for the content of their argument, no one knew.

...

...

That night, the empress dowager and the Emperor watched the highlights of the opera. As they were eating melon seeds, the empress dowager told the Emperor the story of King Jing entering the Palace. The Emperor smiled and didn’t say anything.

The empress dowager’s meaning was clear, it was the same as when Fan Xian first entered the capital. The Fan family has done a lot for the Li family, so they couldn’t be treated too unfairly. Besides, if the youngest were to come to the Palace every day and make a fuss, this wouldn’t look good...most importantly, the matriarch knew that her grandsons had probably all done some ugly things in the Ministry of Revenue. The investigation of the Ministry of Revenue had gotten to the royal family. What was the royal family to do with their dignity?

Minister Fan had always thought that the Emperor would care more about face than the officials, but he had not expected that the first to be ashamed would be the empress dowager. However, the effect was much the same.

The next day, the edict came down. Although, in order to protect the court’s propriety, it did not explicitly withdraw the imperial edict to investigate the Ministry of Revenue. Using the excuse of state affairs, the Emperor moved most of the officials in the joint investigation unit back to their original departments. Without question, the intensity of the investigation against the Ministry of Revenue weakened greatly.

The officials collectively let out a breath. As the saying went, you are fine, I am fine, we are all fine. It was court that tried not to offend each other. Why make it so that parties could not co-exist?

Everyone knew in their hearts that the reduction in intensity of the Ministry of Revenue investigation certainly had something to do with the fuss King Jing had made in the Palace. Thinking of this, the officials couldn’t help feeling it was a bit odd.

Fan manor ha always been friendly with Jing manor, which was known to all. However, now was not like the past. At the beginning of autumn last year, there seemed to be some problems between the two families. First, Fan Xian and the Second Prince’s battle implicated King Jing’s heir, Li Hongcheng. Later, the lady of the Fan family was, to the shock of everyone, accepted as a disciple by the Northern Qi Imperial Advisor, Ku He, and the marriage between the two families came to nothing.

But King Jing entered the Palace? Have the two families repaired the relationship as it was before? The civil and military officials all sighed, feeling more and more that Fan Jian had unfathomable depths.

However, at the same time, the Emperor announced a confusing personnel appointment—the Imperial Censorate He Zongwei was promoted to Imperial Censorate of the Left and added to the unit investigating the Ministry of Revenue.

He Zongwei was, back then, talented and famous in Jingdou, on par with Hou Jicheng, one of the Fan’s four disciples. Because he had always been on good terms with Guo Baokun and had connections with the Board of Rites, he had delayed his steps going into official service to avoid talk. He waited until the spring examination in the fifth year of the Qing calendar but was forced to give up the examination due to the death of a relative.

So, this famous and talented individual never participated in the imperial examinations. In people’s hearts, his luck was indeed extremely bad.

On the other hand, He Zongwei’s luck was extremely good. That year, he was on good terms with the Guo family, met the Crown Prince, and his fame in the capital took off. Later, in the spring of the fifth year of the Qing calendar, he was “coincidentally” implicated in the matter of the previous Prime Minister’s fall. In the end, he was spotted by the Emperor and jumped over layers and layers of processes and directly bestowed the title of Imperial Censorate by imperial edict.

Everyone knew that this was only because He Zongwei was a person good at swaying from side to side, and he stood on the right team. For one moment, he stood on the Crown Prince’s side, and in another, he stood on Xinyang’s side. However, now he had become the Imperial Censor of the Left.

Such a young figure, yet he made it to such a position. People couldn’t help but be shocked and speechless. Why did the Emperor have such a great appreciation of this person?

Actually, it was not like there wasn’t precedent for such a thing. Fan Xian was younger than He Zongwei, held a higher position, had more power, and was more famous.

The problem was that everyone now knew that Sir Fan junior was secretly a prince and was famous for both his martial and literary accomplishments. It was not strange for him to have the position he did today. But, what was it about He Zongwei?

Some of the gossipy officials couldn’t help secretly laughing that perhaps the Emperor had found another illegitimate child.

No matter how the officials or people guessed, in the end, this old talent of Jingdou, who had long been hidden in the Second Prince’s carriage, in the Eldest Princess’ manor, and in the Imperial Censor’s study, was finally about to officially step onto the stage of history and would radiate light and heat for many years.

Young, handsome, talented. He had status and the Emperor’s approval. He Zongwei stole everyone’s gaze like a newly risen sun, while Fan Xian was probably the black hole that would swallow the sun. No one would believe that last year, Fan Xian had punched this now popular member of the court black and blue.

This was He Zongwei’s lifelong humiliation. He knew that Sir Fan junior far held him in true contempt. Now that the Emperor thought highly of him, then he had to do things for the Emperor.

...

...

The situation that left the Crown Prince in terrible shape was finally being resolved, although, he still had to find a way to smooth over that 400,000 liang of silver. Last night, in the Hanguang Palace, the empress dowager thoroughly scolded her grandson before telling him that the Emperor was not in a good mood. While great-grandmother was able to help protect him once, it did not mean she would be able to do so again.

The Crown Prince was regretful. In the two years after Fan Xian entered the capital, he had been doing well. He was well-behaved and quiet, and even played around with women less. However, the person he was two years ago was rather preposterous and had left a number of loose ends, which were easy to grab.

Thinking of this, he began to feel hatred for the Minister of Revenue who had grabbed these loose ends tightly and caused him such pain. That Fan family!

Compared to the Second Prince that he had hated with intensity in the past, the Crown Prince decided that within the next few years, his biggest enemy was, without question, the Fan family. Regardless of whether it was the senior or the junior.

The matter of investigating the Ministry of Revenue had already forced the Eastern Palace and Fan family into close combat. This time, the Fan family had taken the advantage. Regardless of whether or not the Crown Prince wished to resolve this peacefully, given Fan Jian intelligence, he knew that after the Crown Prince inherited, the Fan family would have to suffer the consequences.

The Crown Prince was not the Emperor. He did not have feelings for the old woman far away in Danzhou.

As for Fan Xian, because of the Ye family matter all those years ago, this was an irreconcilable hatred. The Crown Prince did not have hope that Fan Xian would stand on his side, in fact, he did not even have hope that he would not oppose him in the matter of inheriting the throne.

Since the main dilemma had been established, all the other problems were minor ones. All the past unhappiness could be wiped away by the wave of a hand. So, when his trusted aide sent word that the Second Prince had invited him to meet on the Liujing River, the Crown Prince thought for a moment and then agreed to the suggestion.

He smiled coldly and knew that that second elder brother of his also realized that if they were to defeat Fan Xian, it would not be enough to depend on their own power. There was only one chair. Whether it was the Crown Prince’s or the Second Prince’s, everyone could draw their daggers and fight for it after. At the moment, they had to ensure that this chair did not end up beneath the Third Prince’s butt.

In the current situation, these two sons of the Emperor had to abandon their former hatred and band together. They had to unite all the power they could to be able to strike at that bastard far away in Jiangnan.

On Liujing River, the spring was as heavy as a woman’s glance. It was gradually becoming warmer. Summer was coming.

On a pleasure boat, the Crown Prince and the Second Prince drank and laughed, enjoying the scenery and the beauty. It was like there had not been any unhappiness between them these few years.

The Second Prince actively extended his hand and naturally expressed his position first. He first expressed his apology for the dishonorable action of Minister Yan Hangshu, who had struck while the Crown Prince was down during the investigation of the Ministry of Revenue.

Of course, he would not say it explicitly. Although the Emperor was sometimes a bit stupid, most of the time he was quite clever. He only needed a slight hint to understand.

The Crown Prince also sighed, saying that after Fan Xian entered the Palace, his pressure on him had lessened.

The brother’s met each other’s eyes. Both saw the faint worry and helplessness in each other.

Fan Xian held too much power in his hands, and the old people standing behind him were also too powerful. More importantly, it seemed that now some of the people in the Palace were leaning toward his side.

Li Chengping, the Third Prince had long been at Fan Xian’s side. What exactly did father mean by this arrangement?

The Crown Prince and the Second Prince sank into silence at the same time.

In the end, it was the Second Prince who slowly opened his mouth and laughed gently. “Your Highness, I heard that Fan Xian had opened a branch of the Baoyue Brothel in Suzhou. The two girls in it are very famous. One is a girl he snatched from Hongcheng while the other is rather interesting. I heard...she is a female slave from eldest brother’s manor.”

The Crown Prince’s eyelids drooped, and he gritted his teeth. He gave a cold huff and said, “That big brother of ours. Didn’t he speak for Fan Xian that day in the royal study? Looks like he is truly afraid of that Great Princess from Northern Qi...second brother, you’ve always been friendly with eldest brother, why didn’t you see he is such a henpecker?”

The Second Prince raised his eyebrows and laughed. He didn’t continue to say anything.

A warm breeze gently blew, and the pleasure boat floated slowly. The willow branches were hard put to resist the gradually warmer weather and longed for the rain that had stopped in the morning to fall once again.

The two people sitting by the window in the boat had warm expressions. In reality, they each had their own ulterior motives. They only unwillingly sat together to discuss matters.

“He Zongwei will continue to investigate the Ministry of Revenue,” The Second Prince smiled slightly and said. “Please be reassured, he knows how far to go.”

The Crown Prince huffed coldly. Including the Board of Rites and He Zongwei, these people had actually all been close to the Eastern Palace. They had been pulled away by the Eldest Princess and the Second Prince. Now, He Zongwei had already found firm footing in the court. How could the Crown Prince not be resentful?

He said icily, “Don’t forget, He Zongwei is one who is fond of scholarly honor, and he is a true servant of many masters. Today, he stands on your side. Who knows which side he will be on in the future?”

The Second Prince stared in a daze at the spring scenery outside of the boat and sighed. “Relax, he won’t throw in his lot with Fan Xian’s side.”

The Crown Prince said, “But given his present position, it seems like there is no need to stay on your side...” He mockingly smiled. “When is all said and done, father gave him the position.”

The Second Prince was slightly surprised. He knew that the Crown Prince’s words were right, but he was too lazy to offer a retort. He smiled slightly. “It was not convenient for him to come today for exactly the reason you said. Since he is an official, of course, he has to be careful to maintain distance from us.”

“However...” The Second Prince turned to look at the Crown Prince. An innocent and warm smile remained on his face, but a few threads of annoyance grew in his heart. He felt discomfort in his heart to have been forced to ally himself to this person he has always held in contempt. “Today, I have invited Your Highness out because someone wishes to see you.”

The Crown Prince paused and furrowed his brows. “Who is so arrogant as to dare to call me to meet them?”

...

...

“Even if it is me?”

From the back of the cabin came a soft, bright, and alluring female voice. Once this voice came out, it seemed to immediately cover the marvelous natural sounds of the wind, river, willows, and flight of the birds. It seemed to be incomparably touching.

The Crown Prince’s expression changed. A complicated emotion flashed through his eyes. Dumbstruck, it took him a moment to slowly stand up and bow toward the back of the cabin. He smiled self-deprecatingly and said, “After aunt entered the Palace, you did not visit me. I had thought that you did not wish to see me.”

The Eldest Princess Li Yunrui lifted the beaded curtain and walked out slowly. She gave a sly smile as she gazed at the Crown Prince.

Suddenly, the Crown Prince felt nervous for no reason and did not dare look directly at that inhumanly beautiful face.

...

...

“It seemed like we have fallen into a trap with the Ministry of Revenue matter this time.” There was a hint of tiredness on the face of the Eldest Princess Li Yunrui, yet it could not hide her brilliance. Suddenly, she sputtered in laughter and said, “That son-in-law of mine is truly very amusing. He designed a trap for us to burrow into. Fortunately, King Jing made a fuss. If the problem had grown, we would still not have found evidence of the Ministry of Revenue secretly sending silver from the national treasury to Jiangnan. That would have been difficult to explain to the civil and martial officials.”

The Ministry of Revenue’s silver had made a round in Jiangnan and had long returned, naturally, it could not be found. Although some of the silver had been left in the Jiangnan money house, that amount was not very big. Given Fan Xian’s ruthlessness, it was hidden without a flaw.

The Crown Prince’s eyes watched his nose, and his nose watched his heart. In a quiet voice, he said, “Please give me your advice.”

“I’m just here to drink tea today,” The Eldest Princess said with a smile. “After all, you are...true brothers. Anything can be laid out and talked about. Don’t let outsiders laugh at you.”

She held the “true” on the tip of her tongue and emphasised it. Although it was the main point, she unintentionally revealed an intention to entice.

The Crown Prince’s voice trembled as he said, “If we cannot find information to use against the Ministry of Revenue, Fan Xian...has no flaws to grasp on to. Can we only wait for him to strengthen his wings in Jiangnan and then return to the capital?”

“The Ministry of Revenue has to be investigated.” The Eldest Princess’ watery eyes stared at the Crown Prince’s face and she smiled. “The Emperor has temporarily taken a step back. In the future, he is sure to take a large step forward. There is no need for Your Highness to worry about this. As for that son-in-law of mine, there is even less to worry about...An Zhi seems very stubborn, but in reality...it is very easy to defeat him.”

The Crown Prince and the Second Prince were both surprised wondering how could she say that. It was difficult to slander Fan Xian, and it was even more difficult to topple him. There was no way to destroy him mentally and impossible in the flesh. How could the Eldest Princess say it so casually?

“That son-in-law of mine,” The Eldest Princess said softly, “seems to be emotionless, but actually...he is very sentimental.”

...

...

After the secret conference on the Liujing River came to an end, the Second Prince boarded his carriage under the protection of the Eight Generals and returned to the manor in the north of Jingdou. Since Fan Xian had killed one of the eight generals and Fan Wujiu had been scared home by the swordsman of the Sixth Bureau, there were only six left. They no longer looked as mighty as previous years.

The Second Prince had been bestowed the title of King for some years and had been married for many months. His relationship with his wangfei, Ye Ling’er, had always been very good, and there hadn’t been any negative rumors.

In their bedroom, she helped her husband put on a thin sky-blue coat. Faint worry floated on her usually open face.

The Second Prince turned back to look and felt slightly apologetic. He held her cold hands in his and comfortingly said, “What are you thinking about?”

“Today...” Ye Ling’er bit her bottom lip. A struggle flashed through her bright like jade eyes, and she finally gathered her courage to ask, “Where did you go?”

The Second Prince lowered his head and was silent for a moment before telling her very straightforwardly, “I went to Liujing River to see the Crown Prince and aunt.”

A surge of warmth welled her heart. Such a big thing, yet the Second Prince did not hide it from her. He truly saw her as someone close to his heart. She couldn’t resist asking, “Why? Can’t we just pass our days peacefully?”

The Second Prince was warm and considerate and did not reveal any tyrannical and shameless behavior of the royal family. One of the reasons was because Ye Ling’er’s background was very deep. Another was because he truly did have some feelings for her.

This younger generation of the Qing Kingdom had actually all grown up in one place, for example, Wan’er, these princes, Ye Ling’er, and the young lady of the Fan family. The division between the royal family and their trusted families was not very clear.

The Second Prince knew that his wife was thinking of him and couldn’t resist letting out a sigh. “In many things, we have no choice.”

Ye Ling’er looked at him in a daze. She suddenly spoke. “In the past, it was the Emperor pushing you out, but now...Fan Xian has already taken your role. Why must you still participate?”

The Second Prince sighed again and said calmly a moment later, “If it is truly as you say, and my mission in history has already been completed, then indeed I should not participate in this matter. But don’t you forget.”

He slightly mockingly said, “The master you mentioned, that most famous Sir Fan junior in the Qing court, is in reality...a figure who best remembers a grudge.”

Ye Ling’er frowned slightly and said unhappily, “What kind of grudge cannot be resolved? Should I go talk to him?”

Although the Second Prince secretly smiled at his wife’s childishness, he still felt faintly touched. He pulled her into his embrace and comfortingly said, “There is a lot of hatred between men that cannot rely on the relationship between women for them to be resolved.”

He didn’t explain further. He knew that the hatred between himself and Fan Xian was difficult to resolve. The Tiger Guards that had died on Niulan Street, the Baoyue Brothel incident, those dead prostitutes, and many, many more...Fan Xian held him accountable for all of it. In reality, this was something that the Second Prince did not understand. Clearly, only a few unimportant subordinates had died. Why would Fan Xian hate him so much?

In order to protect himself, he had to have power. Of course, the actual most important reason was...until today, the Second Prince was still not satisfied.

No one was satisfied. Yet, very few knew of the hard work of Fan Xian, far away in Jiangnan.

[JW1]These two phrases sound very similar in Mandarin, hence the comparison.