Fan Xian gazed blankly at Guangxin Palace, at the pillars beneath it, wondering if the hole in the pillar had been filled with plaster.

Years ago, during his first night exploration of the palace, it was behind the pillar of this palace that he was stabbed with a sword by the palace maid.

The sword tip pierced through the thick wooden pillar, almost piercing his lower back.

Even now, Fan Xian could still feel the killing intent on that sword, even though the palace maid was killed by him on the spot. And it was also that night that he overheard the collusion between the Eldest Princess and the Northern Qi royal family, the truth about Yan Bingyun being betrayed, and blocked Yan Xiaoyi's arrow that seemed to come from the horizon!

Today the snow had stopped, and the palace was filled with cold wind, which was even colder than the past few days. Fan Xian shivered, shook his head with a self-deprecating smile, and left with Eunuch Yao towards the East Palace where the Empress and the Crown Prince resided.

Although the Eldest Princess was his mother-in-law, he would eventually have to meet her, but it was better to keep some distance from that enchanting, ruthless woman, postponing the meeting whenever possible.

Over the years, under the Emperor's secret arrangement, and with the cooperation of Chen Pingping and various parties, Fan Xian gradually accepted the Eldest Princess's power. The two sides could no longer coexist, and there would eventually be a day of reckoning. However, the Princess's power was no longer what it used to be, yet Fan Xian remained vigilant, not only because she was Wan'er's mother, but also because of that strange feeling in his heart.

In his previous life, he had heard a song by Miss He, about giving something to him... Fan Xian felt the same way. The Eldest Princess had given him the Internal Treasury, her daughter, her lover, the Cui family, and the Ming family was about to be given to him. It seemed like there were many more things to be transferred to him. If he were the Eldest Princess, he would probably bite his lip and not say a word, his eyes spitting fire to burn this bad son-in-law to death. (Thanks to a certain book friend, I forgot your ID, sorry.)

And there was the Junshan Society, and those restless people in the military. Although the Eldest Princess wasn't a fire-breathing dragon, but on the contrary, was quite alluring, Fan Xian was still a little afraid, afraid of the madness and allure hidden beneath her gentle demeanor.

Being with such a thirty-something-year-old mother-in-law, hailed as the most beautiful woman in the world, felt very awkward, so from beginning to end, Fan Xian had only met his greatest enemy in this life once.

This matter itself was very interesting.

……

……

Eunuch Yao glanced at the silent Fan Xian, said nothing, and followed him with small steps. Before long, they arrived at the East Palace. Unfortunately, the Empress was currently chatting with the Eldest Princess in Guangxin Palace, and only the Crown Prince was studying under the guidance of his tutor.

Seeing Fan Xian entering the palace, the Crown Prince greeted him with a smile and said, "How is your injury? I wanted to visit you at your residence, but I thought it might disturb your rest, so I gave up the idea."

Fan Xian performed the proper courtesies and then straightened up and smiled, "My body is naturally strong, I'll be fine after a few days of rest. Today I received an imperial decree to enter the palace, so I came to see Your Highness the Crown Prince, so you won't worry."

"When will Chen mei mei (younger sister) be back?"

"Tomorrow, probably."

The Crown Prince smiled, "While she's not here, you should seize the opportunity to have some fun."

The two sat down with a smile and talked briefly about the scenery and beauties of Jiangnan, but not a single word was uttered that would lead to unpleasantness. In fact, tracing things back a few years, the Crown Prince had been quite good to Fan Xian. Although it was on Xin Qiwu's advice, with the intention of winning Fan Xian over, the two had gotten along really well when Fan Xian first entered the capital.

But no one had expected that things would develop in such a strange way later.

Fan Xian was actually a prince!

And there was a legacy issue that had not been resolved.

So, naturally, Fan Xian was picked out, and the Crown Prince became the other person. Both sides knew it clearly. Because of that legacy issue, it was impossible for the two sides to join hands again. Inevitably, there was some sighing in their hearts, but in the past two years, Fan Xian had mainly focused on the Second Prince's faction, and had not launched a full-scale attack on the Crown Prince's faction, so on the surface, the two could still maintain the feeling of harmony at this time.

Even if the two had already torn their faces, they still had to be harmonious in the palace.

Eunuch Yao watched this scene coldly, and admired the sophistication of the imperial family members.

After a gentle conversation, Fan Xian got up to say goodbye, leaned close to the Crown Prince's ear and whispered, "Your Highness, you must come tonight."

The Crown Prince smiled, "Speaking of which, I haven't really been to your brothel..."

The legitimate Crown Prince, who was increasingly marginalized, sighed, "You also know that in recent years, this palace has been cultivating self-discipline and rarely goes out of the palace to play... Take the famous Bao Yue Lou (Embrace Moon Tower) as an example, first it was Second Brother, then it was you, both have ways, but I have no way."

Fan Xian didn't know if there was any hidden meaning in these words, but he was too lazy to guess. He chuckled twice, bowed respectfully and withdrew from the East Palace.

Outside the palace, he unexpectedly saw a familiar person.

The eunuch with a face full of acne, Hong Zhu, now the head eunuch of the East Palace.

Hong Zhu quickly stepped aside and greeted him.

Fan Xian's expression was cold. He grunted and walked forward, but he felt a little strange in his heart. Looking at Hong Zhu's expression, it seemed that he wanted to say something to him. The little eunuch had some fear in his eyes, but he didn't know what he was afraid of.

But in the palace, Fan Xian would not pay attention to Hong Zhu, but would still pretend to despise him. This chess piece buried in the palace should not be used easily.

Next, he went to the palaces of Consort Shu and Consort Ning, bringing a list of books to Consort Shu, the Second Prince's biological mother. These were all ancient and rare books copied from the Tianyi Pavilion in Jiangnan. Consort Shu was obviously a little surprised, and did not expect that Fan Xian, who was fighting to the death with her son, would still be so attentive to her, and she felt a little moved.

And in Consort Ning's palace, Fan Xian was given a good scolding.

This forthright woman from Dongyi City saw him for the first time after knowing Fan Xian's background. Looking at Fan Xian's eyes and expressions, Consort Ning could not restrain herself from thinking of Miss Ye, who had saved her and the child in her womb back then... She was angry that Fan Xian did not take his own life seriously, and Fan Xian nodded repeatedly as she scolded him.

After telling some stories from those years, Consort Ning's eyes softened and became gentle, looking at Fan Xian as if looking at her own son, gently rubbing his head, and told him that he must bring Princess Chen to the palace to see her often when he was free in the future.

Fan Xian agreed to everything. When he left the palace, he turned around and found that Consort Ning seemed to be wiping the moisture from the corners of her eyes, and his heart could not help but become moist, with an inexplicable sadness.

These were all people from those years, things from those years.

……

……

Busy, walking around, Fan Xian also felt a little bored. It was like entering the palace for the first time before the wedding to pay respects to the various imperial concubines. Walking around in various palaces, the words spoken and the things done were almost the same. The constant repetition was really exhausting for both sides.

Fortunately, it was easier to relax at the Shufang Palace in the end.

After sending Eunuch Yao away, Fan Xian leaned back on the chair like a tired dog, squinting his eyes and looking at the palace maid who was busy bringing him tea. This palace maid had clear and docile features, and her head was always lowered, very well-behaved. Fan Xian couldn't help but feel a stir in his heart. When he took the tea, he pinched her white wrist.

The palace maid glared at Fan Xian.

Fan Xian laughed and said, "Xing'er, you were only thirteen when I first met you, and you've grown up with a bigger temper."

Consort Yi, reclining on the couch, watched Fan Xian fooling around with the child, and couldn't help but say, "Go make trouble outside, don't come to make trouble with my people in this palace."

The girl Xing'er was the little girl who led Fan Xian around the palace to pay respects back then. When the two masters said this, her face turned red immediately, and she ran into the back room with small steps.

Fan Xian took a sip of tea, moistened his throat, and said seriously, "Auntie, I'm leaving the palace soon, so I won't chat with you too much."

"Leaving the palace?" Consort Yi was slightly startled, and immediately understood what was going on. A hint of worry welled up between her brows and she said, "What exactly do you want to do tonight?"

Fan Xian was also stunned and asked, "You know about this?"

Consort Yi covered her mouth and smiled, "Young Master Fan is hosting a banquet tonight, and invited those big shots... This matter has already spread, the most sensational news in the capital. Although I live in the palace, how can I not know the reason?"

Fan Xian said with a wry smile, "It's only been a day, how could the commotion be so big? It's just that I haven't returned to the capital for more than a year, so it's inevitable to invite some people."

Consort Yi said sternly, "Although there are some words I want to say to you, at least I should thank you for your guidance of the child this year, but knowing that your affairs tonight are important, you should go first."

She paused and added, "Did you invite Hongcheng?"

Fan Xian shook his head and said with a smile, "I'll take Wan'er to Prince Jing's mansion another day."

Consort Yi nodded.

Fan Xian smiled again and said, "I can't leave yet. I came here specifically to pick up Third Brother. Master Liu is still teaching him his lessons, how can I leave?"

Consort Yi was startled and said worriedly, "Ping'er is going too?"

"The brothers are getting together, with me here, what's there to worry about?" Fan Xian smiled gently, full of confidence.

————————————————————————

As the end of the year approached, the heavy snow suddenly stopped, not knowing when it would start again. The capital was filled with cold, but the buildings on the street were brightly lit with red lanterns and candles, and warm stoves were scattered everywhere, as if those precious bamboo charcoal were free.

Three layers of thick leather curtains hung at the gate of Bao Yue Lou. Occasionally, a servant would pass by and lift the curtains, and the heat from the building would rush out, making the air on the street seem warmer than elsewhere for a moment.

There were no pedestrians passing by on the street. Those constables from the Kyoto Prefecture Yamen and the soldiers from the Kyoto garrison, rubbing their frozen hands, looked at the brightly lit building. They didn't dare to say anything, but cursed in their hearts, that they had to guard outside, while the nobles inside could bathe in the spring breeze.

Of all the restaurants and brothels in the world, probably only Bao Yue Lou would be so extravagant. However, it wasn't usually like this, but today was different from usual.

Bao Yue Lou was not open for business today.

Even half the street had been sealed off by the Kyoto Prefecture and the Kyoto garrison. This was because Bao Yue Lou had reported to the government in advance, and it was specially approved without any delay.

The adults of the Kyoto Prefecture were not qualified to participate in this gathering, but they still had to carefully and vigorously arrange all the defenses. Not only him, but the other officials in Kyoto thought the same way. No matter which faction they belonged to, they had to serve Bao Yue Lou today.

Because today, all the people in Kyoto who could be called masters were coming to Bao Yue Lou.

The Director of the Imperial College and Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, concurrently the Chief of the Internal Treasury Transport Department, concurrently the Chief Supervisor of the Supervisory Council, concurrently the Fully Authorized Imperial Envoy of Jiangnan Circuit – Fan Xian, Young Master Fan was hosting a banquet today!

Dazzlingly brilliant, holding great power, with an official title longer than the family tree, Young Master Fan was hosting a banquet, who dared not come? Who would be embarrassed not to come? Although everyone knew that this Young Master Fan was a lone minister who dared to offend court officials and was willing to offend court officials, today's guests of honor were the Crown Prince, three princes, two deputy envoys of the Privy Council, and several other high-ranking figures. Even these people had to give Fan Xian face, let alone the others.

Today's Bao Yue Lou was crowded with dignitaries. If anyone had the ability to kill all the guests tonight, it was feared that the Qing Kingdom would be in great chaos. No wonder the Kyoto Prefecture and the Kyoto garrison were so careful, and the defenses were so strict that they could be compared to the deep palace.

Several high-quality sedan chairs came to Bao Yue Lou before dusk, and several other big figures arrived by carriage, followed by several military figures with real power on horseback.

No one would bring too many attendants to offend Fan Xian. The sons of the dragon only brought two or three tiger guards, and the ministers were also confident of their own safety. Although the assassination in the valley had just happened, everyone knew that Bao Yue Lou was Fan Xian's property.

The First Prince arrived, the Left and Right Deputy Envoys of the Privy Council arrived, Xin Qiwu arrived, and Ren Shaoan arrived. Bao Yue Lou was fully operational today, and the girls helped these big figures to their private rooms to rest, waiting for the banquet to begin.

Fan Xian chatted with the others for a few words, said some jokes, and then led the child beside him to the door, because he had heard the news of the arrival of His Highness the Crown Prince.

Watching the child obediently let Fan Xian lead him, the two Deputy Envoys of the Privy Council who were staring at them, as well as several other ministers at the seat, were all shocked. The scene before them was enough to make these big figures think of many things.

In ancient times, there was coercing the emperor to command the lords. Today, Young Master Fan was holding the child's hand. Who knew if the future Qing Kingdom, the future world, would be these two people?

Fan Xian was holding the Third Prince.

……

……

It was a little cold outside the leather curtains of the gate. The Third Prince shivered, turned his head to look at his teacher, who was two heads taller than him, and a look of admiration flashed in his eyes. He then asked, "Teacher, your injury hasn't healed yet, why bother coming out to greet him?"

Fan Xian shook his head and explained gently, "The one who is coming is His Highness the Crown Prince, the heir of the country. His status is different, and he is also your brother. Whether as a minister or a brother, you should respect him."

A small sedan chair came to Bao Yue Lou under the protection of a dozen guards. Fan Xian had sharp eyes and saw that several tiger guards around him were carrying long knives and were standing by coldly. Today's banquet at Bao Yue Lou was to prevent too much public opinion, which would embarrass the court, so all the guests had removed their usual travel arrangements. Even the Crown Prince who had arrived at this time could be considered lightly dressed.

Fortunately, otherwise, it was feared that this street would be blocked by the pomp and circumstance of the big figures.

The sedan chair curtain was lifted, and His Highness the Crown Prince, dressed in light yellow clothes, got off the sedan chair with a smile on his face. He raised his eyes and saw Fan Xian and Third Brother waiting for him outside the building. The Crown Prince was in a good mood. Although this was the proper thing to do, this respect was exactly what the Crown Prince needed, given Fan Xian's current power.

Fan Xian and the Third Prince rushed to greet him first, and the Crown Prince quickly helped them up. Before long, the others in the building also knew that the Crown Prince had arrived, and hurried out to greet him. Only the First Prince seemed to have drunk so much that he had forgotten to come out, but the Crown Prince knew that his elder brother came from the military and was this kind of nature, and didn't care too much.

A group of people surrounded the building, preparing to go in and talk, when another carriage slowly drove over.

The Crown Prince turned his head curiously, wondering whose airs were even bigger than his, and who would arrive even later than him?

Everyone also looked over, and saw a thin middle-aged official get out of the carriage. This official was not wearing clothes indicating his rank, but everyone recognized him immediately, and couldn't help but be a little surprised and shocked that this adult would also come.

The visitor was none other than Xue Qing, the Governor of Jiangnan Circuit. Of the seven circuits in the world, Xue Qing controlled one of them. As a super-grade minister, and controlling the wealthiest circuit in the world, the key was that he was a confidant of His Majesty, and had also been a teacher of the princes in the library pavilion, so compared to these ministers in the court, his status was even more revered.

Xue Qing looked at everyone, smiled slightly, and first saluted the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince repeatedly said he dared not, and led by him, everyone hurriedly saluted Xue Qing.

Fan Xian said with a smile, "Master Xue has returned to the capital to report his duties. This junior is presumptuous. Thinking that he has worked together in Jiangnan for the past year and has been favored by the master, he dared to ask him to come over."

Everyone ohhed, and all praised Young Master Fan for having a big face, that he had even invited Governor Xue over. But they were secretly slandering, was Fan Xian going to show off his power to certain forces because of the assassination in the valley, so he had even moved Xue Qing over?

It's no wonder these big figures thought so, because today's Bao Yue Lou banquet was still a gathering of the younger generation. Chen Pingping, Grand Scholar Shu and other old guys were definitely not to be disturbed. Even if they wanted to invite them, it was feared that His Majesty would not allow it.

Moreover, people were thinking, why did Fan Xian invite so many people from different forces to gather at Bao Yue Lou?

"Just eating and drinking wine, talking and chatting, the adults are busy with official duties all year round. As the end of the year approaches, they should always take a rest."

Fan Xian stood at the door of Bao Yue Lou and explained with a smile.

Then he saw a group of people walking over, led by the Second Prince – the one who looked extremely similar to Fan Xian, with a temperament and taste as if carved out of the same mold, but who had been fighting Fan Xian to the death in Kyoto, in the North, and in Jiangnan.

Of course, the temporary victor now was Fan Xian.

Fan Xian and the Second Prince looked at each other, with great tacit understanding, regardless of seniority, and simultaneously cupped their hands, bent their waists slightly, and bowed to each other.

Then, the corners of their lips twitched at the same time, and a slightly shy smile emerged.

The two sighed in their hearts, this smile... had been gone for a long time.