"Why do you laugh, Lord Fan?"

It was Haitang's expected question. Fan Xian coughed twice, explaining with a smile in his eyes, "I quite like the way you walk, Miss."

Haitang paused slightly, a hint of anger flashing in her eyes.

Fan Xian quickly added, "If I'm lying, may I be struck by lightning."

The oath was so severe that Haitang couldn't help but believe him, but she still didn't understand why this young man liked the way she walked, which had been ridiculed by the palace staff for years. Thinking about Fan Xian's shameless tactics by the North Sea, Haitang's heart became even more confused.

The two fell silent again, walking towards the palace exit surrounded by green trees and black eaves. Haitang's position in Northern Qi was indeed highly respected. The eunuchs and maids they encountered along the way, upon hearing the lazy scraping sound of her cloth shoes against the ground, would quickly step aside and stand under the trees, respectfully bowing to this casual village girl, not daring to look directly at her.

"His Majesty's favor towards a foreign official like me makes me feel quite apprehensive," Fan Xian finally asked cautiously.

"Why be so humble, Master Fan?" Haitang replied expressionlessly, "His Majesty is most fond of poetry. Since the publication of the *Ban Xian Zhai* poetry collection, every scholar in the world has a copy, and His Majesty is no exception. After Zhuang Mo Han returned to the capital from Southern Qing, he had a long conversation with His Majesty in the palace. From that day on, His Majesty often mentioned Master Fan's name, often saying that it would be wonderful if Northern Qi had a talent for poetry like you, a great pity that such a gem was overlooked. Now that you are escorting Xiao En back to the capital, and the two countries are in a standoff, His Majesty is naturally concerned about your safety."

Fan Xian remained silent, realizing that this young emperor had such a connection with him, whom he had never met. However, the young emperor had a worried look between his brows, suggesting there was something he wanted to tell him, but the palace had many ears, and the Emperor was unwilling to speak in front of Haitang - he wondered what it could be.

"Hmm? That's quite unexpected," Fan Xian frowned slightly, seeming not to fully believe Haitang's words.

Haitang said softly, "Today, when Master Fan saw the palace halls and mountains, you blurted out the phrase 'unity of man and nature.' I admire that. In the future, when you have time from your official duties, I hope you will be willing to offer guidance. After reading the *Ban Xian Zhai* poetry collection, my teacher was silent for a while and praised you highly. I was a bit surprised at first, but after our conversation today, I realize that you truly deserve your reputation."

"Not at all, not at all." Haitang's words sounded quite sincere, so Fan Xian responded even more sincerely, "Regarding the Yan Bingyun affair, I hope Miss can provide assistance."

"I never interfere in politics," Haitang said softly.

Fan Xian frowned slightly and said, "Then why did Miss go to the North Sea alone to kill Xiao En? Didn't you know that if Xiao En really died, it would have a huge impact on this agreement?"

Haitang smiled and said, "Before I made my move, Master Fan also considered killing Xiao En, didn't you? Why did you suddenly change your mind?"

"Because I'm also very interested in Xiao En's secret," Fan Xian rubbed his slightly damp hands and turned to look at the scenery within this vast palace complex.

Haitang said quietly, "I killed Xiao En because his secret will cause a lot of trouble for many people."

The two stopped walking at the same time, pausing under a large tree. The green leaves above their heads were like clothing, shielding them from the sun, providing a cool shade. Fan Xian looked at Haitang's calm and steady shoulders and suddenly said, "In this world, there are no eternal secrets."

"If Xiao En lives, many people might die."

Fan Xian raised his eyebrows, knowing that this inexplicable compassion of hers could be quite infuriating in many ways, but he couldn't change anything with just a few words.

"His Majesty seems to have something to ask of Master Fan," Haitang said.

Fan Xian paused slightly, knowing that she had also noticed. After thinking for a moment, he asked sincerely, "I wonder, Miss Haitang, what is your advice?"

Haitang said softly, "I don't know either, but if the matter is related to Si Lili, please let me know."

Fan Xian didn't immediately agree, but fell into a slight contemplation. What exactly did the emperor of a country want him to do? Could it really be about Si Lili? But he had no influence or power in Northern Qi. What could he possibly do?

"Lili is a pitiful girl, a good girl," Haitang said, her hands still in her large pockets, "If you can help, please do so."

Fan Xian thought of everything on the carriage during his trip north, and was momentarily lost, unsure how to respond. So, the two returned to silence, walking slowly forward, letting the light and shadows woven by the green leaves and the sun above fall on each other, on the blue robe and the coarse cloth clothing.

Fan Xian suddenly strode forward, walking side by side with Miss Haitang. Haitang glanced at him sideways, saying nothing.

Fan Xian gradually put his worries aside, learning from the village girl's posture of the woman beside him, slightly raising his chin, looking around with a hint of laziness in his eyes. His blue robe had no pockets, so he couldn't put his hands in them, so he put his hands behind his back like an old scholar, pushing his hips forward, relaxing every muscle in his body, letting his seemingly heavy feet drag his seemingly rickety body along the stone path, walking forward lazily.

Haitang glanced at him again, seemingly not knowing why he was imitating her habitual way of walking. The emotion in her eyes was somewhat complex.

Fan Xian wore a gentle smile on his face, as if he hadn't noticed her gaze, and walked lazily alongside her. Haitang was too lazy to bother with this rogue and moved her neck slightly, seeming quite comfortable. Fan Xian also stretched and yawned.

At this time, the sun was nearing its zenith, and the sunlight was blazing.

The sound of the two pairs of feet scraping the ground gradually merged into one, making people feel inexplicably sleepy. The two of them walked through the palace in this way, looking very much like a lazy rural couple heading home from the fields for a midday nap.

A drop of sweat seeped from Haitang's nose. Her ordinary face had a strange charm.

"The antidote you gave me last time had too much aged tangerine peel, it tasted a bit bitter," Haitang said, basking in the sunshine.

Fan Xian smiled, knowing that she had seen through his trick that day, and said softly, "I am a supervisor of the Overwatch Council, not a Taoist master seeking the Way of Heaven. It's common for me to use some tricks. Please don't mind, Miss. Of course, if you really do mind, you can give me some of... that medicine."

His words were somewhat frivolous, but Haitang didn't blush and feel shy like ordinary women. She said calmly, "If there's a chance, I'll naturally use it."

Fan Xian was stunned, then heard her say, "You are a supervisor in the Overwatch Council, a person who walks in the darkness. Why have you been spreading brilliance since you went from Danzhou to the Qing capital? Just like you are walking in the sunshine now."

"The night has given me black eyes, but I will use them to seek the light."

Fan Xian continued to borrow the brilliant lines from his buddy in that other life, even though that buddy died quite pathetically and despicably. As expected, Haitang paused slightly, looked at him sideways, and her perception of Fan Xian must have unknowingly changed again.

Fan Xian continued with a smile, "Of course, the night has given me black eyes, and I have more opportunities to... roll them at this world."

Haitang finally smiled. As the saying goes, "A smile from among the bamboo fence." Compared to the full-mountain beauty of Haitang flowers, the palace wall is nothing but a bamboo fence. What fear of the world's vulgarity can there be?

——————————————————————————

After leaving the palace, he spoke a few words to the Tiger Guards and Wang Qinian, who already looked anxious. Escorted by the Imperial Guards of Northern Qi, Fan Xian, the Southern Qing envoy, returned to the villa in a carriage. As soon as he got off the carriage, he was surprised by the chaotic scene before him.

When he walked two steps towards the main entrance of the villa and saw the scene clearly, he was shocked.

Many Northern Qi yamen runners and guards were squatting on the ground, picking up things. Each of them was dragging a large sack behind them, picking up something from time to time and throwing it inside. Judging from the way they were dragging them, the things seemed to be quite heavy. Fan Xian was very curious and asked Wang Qinian, who was beside him, "What's going on?"

Wang Qinian was also very puzzled.

The group stepped forward and realized that the open space in front of the villa was filled with all kinds of small knives, some decorated with emeralds on the sheath, some simple and ancient, some trendy, and of course, more of the small curved knives that the people of Northern Qi liked to carry with them.

Fan Xian gasped and said, "Quickly, get those sacks back. Since they were thrown in front of our door, even if we sell them as scrap metal, we have to make this extra money ourselves." Today, he was in a good mood after enjoying the scenery, chatting, and learning to walk like a village girl in the palace, so his jokes had a bit of Fan Sizhe's style.

Wang Qinian smiled wryly, "Master, you really have a good state of mind, you can still joke like this."

Fan Xian smiled helplessly, "What else can I do? Am I really supposed to catch every knife?" Ever since he was almost hit in the nose by a knife thrown by Ye Ling'er, the daughter of the Kyoto garrison commander, in Kyoto, Fan Xian had understood the rules of martial arts duels in this world - throwing knives at the opponent's feet. If the opponent accepts the challenge, they will pick up the knife.

"Why are there suddenly so many people causing trouble after only half a day?" he asked with a frown.