Fan Xian's original title was a first-class Baron, of the second rank, while a Duke was beyond rank, with Marquises and Counts in between. Given his age, to be directly granted the title of Duke was an extremely rare honor, so even he was momentarily taken aback.

When the others in the hall finally understood, they naturally figured out the reason. On the one hand, the court wanted to reward him for his achievements in Jiangnan. But everyone knew that the most important reason was that His Majesty wanted to give his illegitimate son some compensation.

The First and Second Princes had already been enfeoffed as Princes of the Blood. What did it matter that Fan Xian was only the Duke of Danbo? With this in mind, the officials who had originally intended to step forward and vehemently oppose the conferment fell silent. This was a matter for the Imperial family, not a matter of state for the court; it was not their place as subjects to interfere.

After a moment of amusement, Fan Xian quickly calmed down. To most people in the hall, the title of Duke was indeed a glittering prize. But for him, the power he already held far exceeded that scope. Moreover, the Emperor had not given him any prior warning before allowing the Censorate to squeeze into the Supervisory Council's sphere of influence. This was the problem that Fan Xian was truly concerned and wary of.

Therefore, he would rather discard his usual demeanor and act unreasonably, rather than allow the Emperor to easily plant spies.

Moreover, he vaguely knew in his heart that the position of Duke was the final destination he could reach in Qing Kingdom. The current Duke of Danbo was a third-class Duke, with two more levels to climb. And then... he would be retiring at a young age.

The thought made him feel somewhat lost and absurd, and he couldn't help but laugh out loud in the great hall.

All eyes were on him, looking at the youngest Duke in Qing Kingdom's history, at his detestable smile, their hearts filled with complex emotions, and feeling that his laughter was extremely grating.

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The Grand Court Assembly dragged on until after lunchtime. This was only because the formal court discussions regarding the matters of the three Regional Governors were postponed to a later date. The Emperor decisively cut through the mess, made unilateral decisions on most matters, and dismissed the officials.

The officials were already starving and rushed through the palace gates to return to their respective residences. But some were not allowed to leave. The Grand Secretaries who handled affairs in the Chancellery, the Regional Governors who had been away from the capital for a long time, and the Ministers of various departments all carefully followed His Majesty the Emperor to the Imperial Study.

Fan Xian also followed behind, looking helpless.

Just like more than a year ago, when he returned to Nan Qing from Bei Qi, a seat was still reserved for Fan Xian in the Imperial Study. Last time, it was because of Zhuang Mohan's cart of books. This time, it was because of the countless taels of silver sent from the Internal Treasury.

Fan Xian sat on the round embroidered stool, feeling somewhat restless. The sound of state affairs being discussed in the Imperial Study did not concern him much. Politics was not his forte, and he couldn't offer much advice. He could only play the role of filling in the gaps.

Obviously, the Emperor was aware of his abilities and didn't want Fan Xian to express too many opinions on state affairs, so he didn't call on him today.

However, this newly appointed Duke still had a seat, while the Princes, including the Crown Prince, had to stand obediently beside the Emperor's soft couch, listening and learning like students. Fan Xian felt good, thinking that he could be considered a teacher to his imperial brothers.

The Emperor discussed the snow disaster in the south, the situation in the north, and the auspicious signs in the garden with the dignitaries, and then announced that food was being served.

Fan Xian had been busy all night, and the mutton slices and tofu pudding had long been digested. Hearing that food was being served, he perked up and felt the happiness of a supporting character finally getting a lunchbox. He took the food box from the eunuch and ate silently, devouring everything.

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The main issues had already been decided at the Grand Court Assembly, so there was nothing new in the Imperial Study meeting. However, when Xue Qing occasionally mentioned the excellent performance of the Hangzhou Guild in the Jiangnan disaster relief efforts, the ministers in the capital showed a hint of surprise. They had heard of the Hangzhou Guild, but they didn't expect it to have such great financial resources and influence, that it could do so much outside of the official government channels.

The Emperor asked Fan Xian to explain. Listening to Fan Xian's explanation, Shu Wu and the others realized that the Hangzhou Guild was backed by the consorts in the palace, nominally led by the Empress Dowager. No wonder the Hangzhou Guild had such strength. But everyone knew that the palace was just using the name of cherishing the people, and that the person who was really doing the work and providing the money was probably Fan Xian.

The Emperor smiled and said, "The one who really worked hard is not Fan Xian, but my Chen girl."

The ministers laughed and offered some flattering remarks, praising the nobles in the palace and singing praises of His Majesty, which was naturally unavoidable. The Emperor frowned slightly as he looked at Fan Xian's somewhat distracted face.

The First Prince, watching this scene from the side, said, "The Princess is returning to the capital today."

The Emperor oh-ed and looked at Fan Xian with a softer gaze. He smiled, but didn't say anything or allow Fan Xian to return to the palace early. Instead, he kept Fan Xian, who wanted to return to his residence the most, behind.

The calming incense in the Imperial Study drifted slowly, its color not as milky as white smoke, its fragrance extremely faint.

Only the Emperor and Fan Xian were left in the Imperial Study. Fan Xian felt a little uneasy because he didn't know what the Emperor was going to say next.

The Emperor took a sip of bird's nest soup and looked up at Fan Xian, gesturing to ask if he wanted some. Fan Xian quickly shook his head.

"Without serenity, there is no manifestation of intent; without tranquility, there is no reaching far." The Emperor put down the bowl and slowly said, "Without troubles or worries, serene and unperturbed... This is the explanation you gave to everyone when you opened that bookstore in Kyoto two years ago."

Fan Xian nodded. The name Danbo Bookstore came from this. But Ruoruo knew his intentions best and, unlike others, offered the explanation of "drifting in Danzhou." Thinking of this, he suddenly missed that little rascal and wondered if she was doing well in the north.

"I like these two sentences of yours very much. You should understand what I mean by making you the Duke of Danbo." The Emperor looked quietly at his most accomplished illegitimate son.

Fan Xian lowered his head and pondered for a moment, then said seriously, "To manifest intent, think less."

"That's right." The Emperor said calmly, "Be clear about what you should do, but think less about what you can do."

A pure official? A lonely official? The meaning was simple: to be the Emperor's subject, without troubles or worries, living a serene life.

Fan Xian didn't know what he was thinking, but the smile on his face was extremely sincere and relaxed. He said, "Understood."

In a conversation between monarch and subject, the one who should say "Understood" was the Emperor. But Fan Xian said it so clearly, yet it didn't seem out of place. The Emperor didn't look displeased. Eunuch Yao, who was serving on the side, was calm-faced. He had become accustomed to His Majesty's special treatment of Fan Xian in the past two years.

The Emperor waved his hand, and Eunuch Yao bowed and left the Imperial Study.

After a moment of silence, the Emperor said coldly, "As for the matter of the Censorate entering the Supervisory Council today, you will understand later. I know your heart is good, but state affairs do not shift according to people's hearts."

Fan Xian knew that there were few people present, so he couldn't act unreasonably or stubbornly resist, so he remained silent.

The Emperor continued slowly, "Still that sentence: I know your heart, so I was very pleased with what happened last night... But I didn't expect you to put in so much effort. It was a bit of a surprise."

Fan Xian's throat felt dry. After considering for a moment, he solemnly replied, "Before the great river bursts its banks, I will divert the water first, to spare the people from suffering."

The Emperor looked at Fan Xian's face without saying a word. After a long time, he nodded with satisfaction. "But have you thought about it? If all the water is drained by you, but fresh water enters later, who knows if that water will flood the riverbanks again in the future? So I think we should always watch and see, until the day the mountains collapse and the earth caves in, and the riverbanks crumble, to know whether the water in that river will obediently flow downstream, or will... shamelessly break through this dam of mine... You child, you put on a fierce appearance, but you always have a soft spot in your heart."

The Emperor's face turned cold, and he continued, "In my life, I seek only two things: the world and inheritance. If I don't see their hearts clearly, how can I let go and fight for this world? Don't move anymore. Accompany me and watch."

Fan Xian was silent and wary, not daring to reply. The Emperor's earlier words were full of warning. The Duke of Danbo could only ever be a Duke. And to have him accompany him to watch, and to keep him calm and not attack the Second Prince and the Crown Prince's faction, this could be considered a promise of a lifetime of glory and unparalleled trust.

"Also, don't mess with Yan Xiaoyi." The Emperor stared into his eyes and said, "Yan Xiaoyi has rendered meritorious service to the country and is a fierce general in the army. I don't want him to be lost in these matters."

Fan Xian shuddered slightly, thinking about how he and Grand Commandant Yan had formed an irreconcilable feud. How could he ease this situation? Moreover, even if Yan Xiaoyi had rendered meritorious service to the country, he was still too deeply involved with the Eldest Princess. Wasn't the Emperor even a little afraid? He was now finally certain that the one who sent Hong Gonggong to break the stalemate last night was not the Empress Dowager, but the Emperor himself, which made him even more puzzled.

"At the martial assembly, what if the Grand Commandant challenges me?" He glanced at the Emperor and asked worriedly. Qing Kingdom valued martial prowess. If the martial assembly was held again this year, and Yan Xiaoyi challenged Fan Xian in the hall, the Emperor couldn't possibly say in front of hundreds of officials that Fan Xian was a prince and must not be harmed.

"Yan Xiaoyi will leave before the martial assembly," the Emperor said.

Fan Xian frowned and said, "But the Grand Commandant holds me accountable for the death of his son..."

The Emperor looked at him with a smile that wasn't quite a smile and said, "Did you kill him?"

Fan Xian replied sincerely, "This matter is indeed not related to me. I wouldn't dare to assassinate the son of a minister in secret."

The Emperor laughed loudly and said, "Good, 'wouldn't dare to assassinate in secret'. Does that mean the ones you killed last night were... open assassinations?"

Fan Xian's face turned red, and he said, "The ones who moved last night were all martial arts figures, not related to the court."

After a moment of silence, the Emperor said, "The ones who acted in the Yuantai military camp were from Dongyi City, so I'm a little curious if there will be any problems there. I want to see if Yan Xiaoyi is a smart man."

Fan Xian's expression was calm, but he was complaining inwardly. Thirteen Lang, ah, Thirteen Lang, you have managed to deceive His Majesty as well. His Majesty has clearly made a wrong judgment based on this incorrect source of information. But Fan Xian could not remind him no matter what.

"As for the issue of Yan Xiaoyi, I must remind you that the army... cannot be thrown into chaos." The Emperor's eyes deepened as he sighed and said, "The Hu chieftains in the west... are causing trouble again."

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The Hu people in the west are causing trouble?

Fan Xian looked up in astonishment, looking at the Emperor's face, which was slightly worried. Twenty years ago, the Emperor led troops on a western expedition, already decimating the Western Hu people. In addition, the First Prince led a large army to sweep through the west a few years ago, completely shattering some of the vitality that the Western Hu had managed to gather.

How could the Hu people be causing trouble again? Moreover, even if they were causing trouble, with the strength of Qing Kingdom's military and the number of generals, the Emperor wouldn't be worried about instability in the military because of foreign troubles.

Fan Xian had grown up in Qing Kingdom since childhood and knew that Qing Kingdom was bullied by the Western Hu people in the early years of its founding. The Hu people had always been a major problem for Qing Kingdom, but in the past twenty years, under the strong suppression of the Qing Emperor, they had become somewhat unworthy of Qing people's discussion.

Looking at Fan Xian's surprised expression, the Emperor smiled mockingly and said, "My Great Qing has suffered from years of disasters, with droughts and floods, and now snow disasters. Coincidentally, the Western Hu side has had good weather and abundant grass and fat horses for the past two years... Of course, if it was only like this, the mere Hu barbarians wouldn't make me so careful. But... do you know that before the snow disaster in my Great Qing, those snow-dwelling barbarians north of Bei Qi also suffered their worst freeze in decades?"

Fan Xian frowned and suddenly thought of something that Haitang Duoduo had mentioned to him with concern by the lake in Hangzhou more than half a year ago. Those northern barbarians had indeed suffered a snow disaster, and countless cattle, sheep, and horses had frozen to death. But... the northern barbarians and the Western Hu were far apart. What did this have to do with Qing Kingdom?

The Emperor said, "No wonder the Bei Qi imperial family dared to leave Shang Shanhu in Shangjing City without worrying about the northern barbarians coming south. It turns out that God is helping them... Those northern barbarians couldn't survive the freeze and didn't dare to risk going south because of Shang Shanhu's years of power. They had to bypass the Qilian Mountains and try to find a way to survive... The Hu people lived by following water and grass. After half a year of great migration, those northern barbarians have finally reached the territory of the Western Hu. Although only 40,000 survived out of 200,000 tribes, those who survived the wind and snow, and the treacherous roads... were all elites."

Fan Xian narrowed his eyes, and countless tribes seemed to appear before him, driving thin sheep and horses, dragging tattered tents, and desperately searching for a westward path in the wind and snow, with frozen corpses everywhere and vultures screeching.

What a magnificent and tragic scene, what a great migration.

"How can the Western Hu tolerate the arrival of northern tribes?" Fan Xian said worriedly.

The Emperor laughed, his laughter filled with endless confidence and pride. "We have long since crippled the Western Hu. How dare they gnaw on these foreign snow wolves... Although the Western Hu have a much larger population, after several major battles, the two sides have finally formed an alliance."

Fan Xian sighed. If the Hu people really formed an alliance, then Qing Kingdom, which was adjacent to the Western Hu, would naturally be under the greatest threat. No wonder the Emperor was so cautious in his handling of the military.

Seeing Fan Xian's concern, the Emperor said calmly, "What are you thinking?"

"I'm thinking that this intelligence is probably still top secret... But a great war is probably coming. I... am willing to go to the front and charge." Fan Xian wasn't just saying empty words. He really wanted to experience the thrill of galloping across the grasslands, but... it seemed that the internal problems of the court had not been explained yet.

The Emperor laughed sarcastically and said, "Don't think that just because you are a martial arts master, you can lead troops into battle and seek military merit... Once a great war breaks out, millions of people will be fighting. Unless you are like Uncle Liuyun, you will still be hacked to pieces."

Fan Xian smiled wryly.

The Emperor paused slightly and said calmly, "The Hu barbarians are not to be feared. I have never taken them seriously... But since the northern barbarians have migrated, the pressure on Bei Qi has suddenly lessened. I have to turn my gaze to the north."

Fan Xian immediately understood. The Emperor's gaze was indeed shifting faster than his own. In this world, the only true enemy of Qing Kingdom was still Bei Qi. Especially since the northern barbarians had left, Bei Qi had no worries, and who knew what ideas that little emperor might have.

The Emperor finally said slowly, "Yan Xiaoyi will return north soon... Because the little emperor in the north has finally convinced the Empress Dowager and allowed Shang Shanhu to be reinstated. He is leading the army straight towards Yanjing."

Shock flashed in Fan Xian's eyes and immediately disappeared.

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Outside the palace, in the black carriage, Fan Xian rubbed his temples, feeling uncomfortable. On the one hand, he was overly tired, and on the other hand, he had heard too much bad news in the palace today. As the Emperor had said, the Western Hu would not be able to pose a substantial threat to Qing Kingdom without a few years of recuperation. But Bei Qi... Shang Shanhu's reinstatement!

Shang Shanhu, Fan Xian's head ached just thinking about this name. Although he hadn't witnessed the assassination on the long street in the rainy night with his own eyes, he had always deeply understood the power of that famous general.

Could Yan Xiaoyi withstand Shang Shanhu by going north? Moreover, Brother Yan had recently lost his son and was probably gradually becoming estranged from the court. The Emperor wasn't even afraid that Yan Xiaoyi would really go mad and defect to the enemy.

As for why Fan Xian was so wary of Shang Shanhu's reinstatement, the reason was actually very simple. In Shangjing City, he had ruthlessly schemed against Shang Shanhu, causing him to lose countless subordinates in a miserable way. The phrase "The one who killed me is Fan Xian" probably still echoed in Shangjing City in Bei Qi to this day. Moreover, Shang Shanhu's godfather, Lord Xiao En, had been captured and killed by him again and again...

In this matter, Fan Xian was Shang Shanhu's biggest enemy. Shen Zhong was just a minor character, but Shang Shanhu had killed Shen Zhong with a single spear in the rainy night to avenge himself. If they really met on the battlefield in the future, how would Shang Shanhu deal with him?

Fan Xian thought sadly in the carriage, there were so many enemies in this world.

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