Joy of Life

“The Emperor likes to watch others plant flowers and look at the scenery.”

“Oh? Isn’t that very similar to uncle’s hobbies?”

“He’s very lazy. He only watches. Who would dare ask him to do it himself?”

“I heard...that Haitang girl likes initiate gardens?”

An awkward silence.

“The Emperor...is a very interesting person.”

“The Emperor actually often does very amusing things. However, ever since his youth, his mother has held him by the ears to have him learn the ways of governance. We are rarely able to see him.”

Inside the Flower Hall, the wangfei’s voice, with a light smile, rang out from time to time. Fan Xian stood outside the door, listening quietly. He knew what this woman said was not false. A dozen years ago, unrest once appeared amongst the Northern Qi royal family, which implicated countless noble families. This included the father of Lady Shen, who was currently hiding in the Yan manor, Shen Zhong. Back then, it was because of this matter that he had stuck his head out.

The Northern Qi empress dowager only had the one son, the current Emperor. The other princesses were all born of the previous Emperor’s other concubines. Although the Great Princess that married in the South Kingdom was very respected by the Northern Qi empress dowager and Emperor, she, after all, was not the empress dowager’s trueborn daughter. Plus, there would be some distance between them. Furthermore, after experiencing the tragedy in the past of holding onto her son and seeking a means of surviving, the Northern Qi empress dowager was even more wary of the other children of the imperial family.

The people from the South Kingdom were all slightly curious about Northern Qi’s little Emperor and asked endless questions. However, the wangfei could not speak of any details and could only emptily state he was very interesting and amusing.

Ye Ling’er saw him eavesdropping outside and glanced at him with curiosity.

Fan Xian smiled, pushed open the door and entered.

The Great wangfei, who was furrowing her brows and feeling awkward, saw the two of them walk in and let out a breath. “You should all stop asking me. I really don’t understand the Emperor that well. Usually, it is rare to see him in the palace. When he was young, he was strictly controlled by the Empress Dowager. After he grew up, he was busy with state affairs. However, Fan Xian has traveled with the Emperor a number of times in Northern Qi. The Emperor has always liked him. If you want to ask about amusing things, it’s better to ask him.”

Fan Xian and Ye Ling’er had returned to their seats. Ye Ling’er moved to where Lin Wan’er was. With excitement on her face, she lowered her voice and spoke about how much she missed her after their farewells and didn’t pay much attention to the other people’s conversation. Fan Xian met the Second Prince’s eyes and smiled helplessly. He didn’t notice that someone had mentioned his name.

After hearing the Great wangfei’s words, everyone remembered that other than the wangfei, the only other person present who had met the Emperor of Northern Qi was Fan Xian. Everyone knew the Emperor thought highly of Fan Xian’ poetry and learning.

The heir, Li Hongcheng, burped and gazed at Fan Xian. “An Zhi, ah, just what kind of person is the Northern Qi Emperor?”

Fan Xian paused. Pulling back his attention, he said, “As the ruler of a nation, it is not for a foreign official such as me to discuss him.”

It was only after he said this that everyone in the hall felt a bit awkward. It was indeed not very appropriate to arrogantly discuss the Northern Qi Emperor’s gossip in front of the Great wangfei. However, it was always difficult to suppress humankind’s curiosity. Including the Second Prince, they all urged Fan Xian to say something.

Fan Xian scratched his head and asked, “Why are you all so interested in the Northern Qi Emperor?”

The men in the Flower Hall suddenly fell silent with awkward expressions on their faces. Only the three women whispered privately, making a chittering noise like ants munching on a leaf.

The Great wangfei shook her head, lifted her dress slightly, and walked out of the Flower Hall with a quiet and contented look on her face, saying she had to see how the preparations for lunch were going.

Given her status as a wangfei, there was no need for her to be personally worried about these trivial matters. Without a doubt, it was to give these noble Qing Kingdom families a setting talk conveniently. As expected, after the wangfei was some distance from the Flower Hall, the Great Prince shook his head and opened his mouth. “There is no choice but to be concerned. That little Emperor of Northern Qi has always been very secretive. Regardless of whether it is the Overwatch Council or military, the intelligence reports are all not very detailed. His personality, hobbies, and likes and dislikes are all a mystery.

“So what? As an Emperor, he has to maintain a secrecy in front of his people,” Fan Xian smiled and replied.

The Great Prince said, seriously, “But, he is the ruler of a foreign country. The more mysterious he is in front of us, the more terrifying he is.”

Fan Xian furrowed his brows and said, “He is nothing more than a young man. How could he be terrifying?” When he first met the Northern Qi Emperor in Shangjing, he had thought the other party was a young man of similar age to himself. It was not until after he returned and carefully checked the intelligence reports did he discover that the little Emperor was actually two years younger than himself.

While he was in Jiangnan, every time he thought of the Northern Qi Emperor’s deep plans, calm, and courage in moving palace treasury silver to participate in the inner politics of the South Kingdom, Fan Xian also felt some fear. However, this matter involved his deepest secret, so he did not speak it in the Flower Hall.

The Second Prince put down the fruit in his hand and sighed. “Being terrifying has nothing to do with age.” He glanced at Fan Xian, meaning to say, When you first entered the capital, you were also no more than 16 or 17, yet you were extremely terrifying. Immediately after, he smiled slightly and said, “You should all know about the matter of Shen Zhong of the Northern Qi Brocade Guards. In the end, Wei Hua became the commanding official...Shen Zhong died wretchedly. However, with a clever wave of his hand, the Emperor rounded out the matter. He forced Shang Shanhu to be trapped in Shangjing and also successfully took over the power of a faction behind him. Now, Wei Hua barely even listens to the empress dowager’s orders, and Imperial Advisor Ku He also maintained his silence. Where did this young ruler learn such subtlety? And, how could he convince so many people to stand on his side?”

The Second Prince’s voice grew heavier. “If the battle for the position of Northern Qi’s empress becomes more intense, then it is a blessing for the Qing Kingdom...we originally thought when the Emperor first began to rule personally, he wouldn’t be as good as the Northern Qi empress dowager who has been running things for a long time and in the end, because of the young man’s explosive temper, it would cause great unrest in the Northern Qi palace. Who knew that this little Emperor could silently pull the power back into his own hands? This kind of ability is truly...terrifying.”

Fan Xian fell silent. He knew the inside story of Shen Zhong being killed very clearly. It was he who had suggested to the Northern Qi Emperor, through Haitang’s mouth, to do it.

The atmosphere in the Flower Hall was somewhat tense. The three women knew their men were discussing state matters and tactfully kept their mouths closed.

Li Hongcheng’s eyes no longer showed any drunkenness. He furrowed his brows. “The Northern Qi Emperor is the ruler of a country. He doesn’t lust after women and does not have any harmful indulgences. His mind is clear and, he has self-restraint...this kind of person is the scariest. In the future, if we want to bring soldiers up North, what we should first consider isn’t the strength of Northern Qi but the temperament of the master of Northern Qi. If the Northern Qi Emperor does not panic, there is not much we can do.”

After hearing this, the Great Prince and Second Prince both nodded their heads.

Fan Xian was slightly surprised and felt some astonishment as he looked at this scene. He was shocked by the serious moods of the three royal sons. For a moment, he couldn’t speak. It was not until now that he understood, for him, Northern Qi was only a friend while for the younger generation of nobles in Qing Kingdom, Northern Qi was the opposition that was destined to be swallowed up by Qing Kingdom.

Qing Kingdom loved combat. The people of the previous generation had already conquered a massive territory. What was left now to the new generation of people was the large but not rigid Northern Qi. This was a fanatical wish to expand their borders that were deeply planted in their blood. Regardless of whether it was the Great Prince or Li Hongcheng, neither could cast off this kind of fanaticism. Even the warm and solemn Second Prince kept the idea of attacking Northern Qi constantly in his mind.

Qing Kingdom was flourishing. For the past 30 years, it had maintained a momentum through attacking. For the people of Qing Kingdom, this was no longer something that needed to be considered. What needed to be considered was when to attack Northern Qi. Thus, it was a very important matter to the three royal sons in the hall to know the kind of person the Northern Qi Emperor was.

It was clear from looking at the Second Prince’s expression, as he was deep in thought, that to be able to unite the world was every Qing Kingdom person’s final goal. It could even temporarily suppress his worry over the dragon chair.

“Everyone says that the Northern Qi Emperor doesn’t lust after women. However, last time, he especially wanted to exchange Si Lili back to Northern Qi. An Zhi, you were the diplomat last time. Did you not discover anything in Shangjing?” The Great Prince asked.

A moment later, Fan Xian slowly said, “It’s true he doesn’t care much for beauty. In the giant royal palace, there are only a few concubines. Furthermore, to prevent the imperial relatives growing in power, the little Emperor went forcefully against the pressure of the major families in Shangjing. All his concubines are chosen from among those of common birth. What is very strange is that the empress dowager seemed to not oppose such an arrangement.”

The Second Prince furrowed his brows and said, “Even if it was to prevent the imperial relatives from growing too powerful, this kind of arrangement is not good for comforting officials. This action is inappropriate.”

Fan Xian nodded. Pretending to be worried, he said, “It is just as the wangfei said earlier, this Emperor is impossible to understand. Clearly, he is right in front of your eyes, but one always feels that he has some kind of clever disguise.”

Li Hongcheng laughed. “All right, that’s enough. That Emperor has treated you with considerable sincerity. Earlier, you said you were a foreign official, but I think the Northern Qi people certainly don’t see you that way. Otherwise, after the attack, why would they send a letter to Jingdou to protest?”

The Great Prince shook his head in anger and said, “Northern Qi has gone too far to forcibly do such a thing.”

Fan Xian forced a smile and said, “Your Highness, this matter has nothing to do with me.”

Speaking of the attack, the Second Prince was not awkward at all. He wore a selfless and open expression, yet he laughed at Fan Xian. “Of course, this matter has nothing to do with you. Not even considering that you are a Qing Kingdom person and Northern Qi only wants to incite trouble, even if the little Emperor likes you a great deal and pulls you to Northern Qi, could he also marry his own sister to you as well?”

At this moment, Ye Ling’er broke in and said, “I don’t think it’s impossible...Fan Xian was born with good looks, and the little Northern Qi Emperor is also his biggest fan.”

Once these words were said, the serious discussion became a mischievous joke.

Fan Xian twitched his lips into a smile and quietly watched these men and women talk from the side. Fan Xian didn’t quite understand when they spoke of some of the amusing things that had happened in the Palace in the past. Gradually, he developed a misperception of being rejected by the group. Before he entered Jingdou, the men and women in the Flower Hall had all watched each other grow up from a young age. The relationship between the younger generation of the Qing royal family had always been quite good.

He was originally an outsider.

However, Fan Xian did not dwell long in such feelings. He had sunk deep into thought because of the earlier discussion about the Northern Qi Emperor. He faintly felt that he seemed about to catch some mysterious thing.

In his mind, he closely re-examined the scenario when he met the Northern Qi Emperor in Shangjing. He also closely recalled their mutual understanding and cooperation during the year and a half of time. He complemented it with the Northern Qi Emperor’s tastes, interests, and the details of his life. Gradually, a spot of light in his mind was about to burst forth.

However, it never did.

Amidst the faint fragrance, Fan Xian remained in a daze. Even when everyone around him quieted down to look at him, he still didn’t notice it.

Fan Xian abruptly realized his loss of self-control. He smiled awkwardly and unconsciously said, “Smells nice.”

...

...

Smells nice!

A faint fragrance pervaded the air in the Flower Hall. Fan Xian’s focus wandered for a moment. There seemed to be some kind of magic on the tip of his nose that made his mind wander again. This fragrance was actually very light and elegant. For him, it was heavy and extremely disturbing.

He turned his head and saw that the Great wangfei had already left and come back, and changed an outfit. Fan Xian barely managed a smile and asked, “Where is the fragrance coming from?”

The Great wangfei was slightly shocked then immediately smiled, “I never knew that not only are you exceptionally intelligent, but your thoughts and nose are also very sensitive. I’ve worn this fragrance pouch for a year, but the Great Prince has never noticed it. Today, I’ve just put it on yet you’ve already noticed it.”

Everyone looked curiously at Fan Xian. Ye Ling’er sniffed hard but still could not smell any special fragrance, only the scent of the incense that had been diluted by the cold breeze from the lack.

“Is it not the incense?” Ye Ling’er asked curiously.

The wangfei smiled. “Of course, it is not the incense.” She took out a very exquisitely made fragrance pouch from by her waist and said, “I brought it from Shangjing.”

Fan Xian had the powerful urge to hold the fragrance pouch in his hand and smell it closely. However, a fragrance pouch was something a woman wore close to her body and was very meaningful. It was impossible for him to raise his request.

Hearing the wangfei’s words, his expression had already calmed. He smiled and said, “They’ve never been to Northern Qi, so they can’t smell this light fragrance. I’ve been before, so no wonder I can smell it.”

The wangfei laughed and shook her head. “I bet that you also haven’t smelled it before...you’ve been to the royal palace in Shangjing, did you go up the mountain behind it?”

Fan Xian nodded.

The wangfei said, “This fragrance pouch is filled with gold osmanthus. The flower grows on the mountain. There is probably just that one plant in the entire world...the scent of the gold osmanthus is very light. If one is not concentrating, it is impossible to smell.”

Fan Xian smiled. “When I went up the mountain, I only stopped for a short while in the pavilion by the creek and did not see the rare gold osmanthus.”

“It grows at the summit of the mountain,” The Great wangfei smiled and said. “It is a lone seed that the Imperial Advisor personally transplanted from the North many years ago. Adding to the fact that the scent is not very strong, no one had thought to gather its stamen to make into a fragrance pouch. I dare say, even if you’ve stayed in the palace, you’ve still have not smelled it’s fragrance before.”

Fan Xian asked with astonishment, “Then your fragrance pouch...”

Everyone was a bit confused. Why was Fan Xian not letting go of this fragrance pouch and constantly asking questions? Fan Xian was also afraid he would give the game away so he smiled and explained, “I like this scent, and I want to get one for Wan’er.”

Lin Wan’er smiled slightly, knowing that her husband was certainly not thinking of this. However, the others did not understand. The Great Prince said with disapproval, “You are a man, so why is your attention to these womanly things?”

The Great wangfei glared at him and said, “Those who can ride a horse and embroider a flower are true men.”

The Great Prince immediately shut his mouth.

The Great wangfei turned to Fan Xian and smiled. “I’m afraid it would not be easy for you to get one for Princess Chen...no, it may be difficult for everyone else in the world, but you have a chance...you can write a letter personally to ask the Emperor.”

Naturally, this Emperor was the one in Northern Qi.

Fan Xian smiled warmly. “Is the one you’re wearing also a gift from your Emperor?”

“Yes.” A faint sense of homesickness appeared in the wangfei’s eyes. “In the past, there was just the Emperor alone in Shangjing who wore a gold osmanthus fragrance pouch. He said he liked the light and clean scent. The night before I left, the Emperor gifted me the fragrance pouch he wore at his side so that I could remember the smell of home even when I’m in the South.”

The atmosphere in the Flower Hall became sorrowful with the wangfei’s faint words.

Fan Xian’s gaze swept over the fragrance pouch. He smiled and didn’t say anything more.

...

...

As they talked in the manor after having lunch, it was already dusk. During this, under the arrangement of the Great Prince, Fan Xian and the Second Prince carried a deep conversation in the study. However, the two of them had already talked in sufficient depth last time in Baoyue Brothel. The present Second Prince had the support of the Ye family and a Great Grandmaster behind him, so he would certainly be unwilling to take even half a step back. Fan Xian knew that although his position was as the Second Prince said. It appeared to be as powerful as a mountain but, in reality, it could shatter at any moment. He lived in this world and had no choice. Even if he did want to extricate himself and retreat, he didn’t have that possibility.

At least, the Qing Emperor would not allow it.

In the end, the Second Prince glanced at him deeply and slowly said, “An Zhi, there is something I must remind you...without question, you are the biggest troublemaker these past two years in Qing Kingdom...and you are also aware of the matter in the past. Do you know why father let you live and grow up in Danzhou rather than decisively sweeping clean all of these troubles?”

Fan Xian lowered his head slightly, thinking that the Second Prince was indeed someone very capable of swaying others. If Uncle Wu Zhu’s threat to the Emperor was not considered, the Qing Emperor secretly protecting his growth could only be explained by one thing. Although rulers were heartless, they always felt some pity toward their children.

“Father will not allow anything overly intense to happen between us brothers,” the Second Prince looked at him quietly and said. “However, for you, if the situation cannot be intensified, you can only sit and watch as things flow away from you as your situation worsens day by day. This is where your problem lies.”

Fan Xian smiled slightly. He thought that the situation was about to intensify. If he wanted to preserve what he had in the past, then he must have others pay a difficult-to-endure cost.

“Regardless of life and death,” Fan Xian spoke very seriously and looked at the Second Prince.

“Regardless of life and death” had two layers of meaning. Life and death had to be decided while another only focused on the matter and did not involve their life and death.

The Second Prince raised his hand and gently clapped his palm with Fan Xian’s.

...

...

In the afternoon, the Overwatch Council sent a message saying there were strange movements on Xi Lake. The military report had already been sent to the Bureau of Military Affairs, so the Palace was summoning Fan Xian to see the Emperor. As the Commander of the Imperial Army, the Great Prince had no choice but to also leave. However, the Second Prince and Li Hongcheng were still able to stay in the manor.

Fan Xian let his wife and Ye Ling’er talk a bit more and left the manor alone. He got into his carriage and, without waiting for the Great Prince, ordered the carriage to drive slowly alone along the snow-filled Jingdou streets.

The Xi Lake matter was not very urgent. It would take at least a month for messages to travel between the two places. At this point, there was no need to rush into the Palace. Fan Xian needed time to digest everything that had happened today.

The black carriage made a made a few rounds on the Jingdou streets and drove onto a relatively solitary street. Sitting in the coachman’s position, Teng Zijing warily looked around in all directions. There were also a number of unremarkable secret agents in disguises all around the carriage to maintain Fan Xian’s safety.

Fan Xian closed his eyes and leaned against the back of the chair in the carriage. His face was a bit pale, and the corners of his lips were a bit dry.

That faint scent of the gold osmanthus...so the smell from that night was that of the gold osmanthus. He suddenly dazedly remembered that night, that temple, that patch of land, and that belt he didn’t have time to tie properly. However, it clearly was Si Lili...but, that scent after he woke up and the hands gently rubbing his temples...

His thin lips trembled a little. He cursed a few times, quickly and in a low voice. Unconsciously, he slapped the boards of the carriage beside him.

In his anger, Fa Xian struck hard with his palm. The extremely vigorous Tyrannical zhenqi in his body surged out. With a boom, everything that the palm wind touched could not stand against it. In an instant, the loud sound of wood shattering rang out in the silent street.

It was like the black carriage was made from paper. Half of it collapsed with this one strike. The carriage wheels shattered, the carriage flipped, and the horses were startled, pawing endlessly at the ground. Teng Zijing’s face drained of all color. He barely managed to stand his ground.

The dust gradually settled. Fan Xian, in his black official robes, stood in a daze among the wood and gravel all over the ground.

At his side, Gao Da of the Tiger Guard had his long knife half unsheathed. A bright light danced chaotically in his eyes as he searched for a trace of the assassin. Seven or eight swordsmen of the Sixth Bureau surrounded him. They held tight to the metal drills at their waist, and the crossbows in their left hands were aimed at outwards.

Fan Xian lowered his head and thought for a long time, involuntarily he thought of the two words in the letter his mother had left in the chest. He couldn’t stop the corners of his lips tilting up slightly and revealing a very self-mocking laughter. He sighed unhappily and said, “Karma...”