Vol 2 Chapter 217 (2/2)
The servants could see that the visitors were garbed in fine clothing These were the envoys fro! What reason was there for these envoys to personally visit the n country? If this were indeed permitted by both countries as part of the itinerary, then Marquis Ning's manor would have made preparations sooner How could they arrive so silently?
The gatekeeper sed his spittle What were they playing at? Did these envoys not understand convention at all? The diplomatic mission was not here on official business Fan Xian had decided to cause trouble and shake off his escorts from the Office of the Grand Herald, so the only Northern Qi official with hie were planning to enter Marquis Ning's mansion, Commander Wei was concerned He blocked their path ”Master Fan, this cannot be done without the approval of the royal court An envoy cannot fraternize with a court councilor If you are truly on good ter, Master Fan, then it even more important that you do not enter If you were to cause trouble for Marquis Ning, then what?”
Marquis Ning was the brother of the Eer What trouble could they cause? Fan Xian ood to cause hi his son had hidden himself all day But he kept a s I spoke with His Majesty in the palace If His Majesty doesn't mind, then who cares about idle chatter?”
When he brought up the Eone to seek confirmation from the palace?
Fan Xian and his three subordinates had already entered Marquis Ning's gate The gatekeeper hurried out to greet them He was respectful, and his words were clear Fan Xian felt a secret sense of praise This really was a high-ranking noble family ”May I trouble you to infor companion from the south has arrived?” asked Fan Xian
Fan Xian had learnt this kind of familiarity froatekeeper was surprised He knew that histhe previous year, and he had heard that he had gotten drunk in the south a nu official before hio up and report it to histhe mansion This was a serious ate, and someone came out ”The master requests the pleasure of your co to Fan Xian
Fan Xian had not expected it to be so easy to enter the Marquis' ed hed, and walked up to him to embrace him warmly ”I haven't seen you in a year You look more svelte than before, Marquis” In fact, last year in the Qing capital, he had only met this envoy from Northern Qi a handful of ti at the palace He only vaguely re was the brother of the Ehly respected position He had never met with such ”warmth” before He cleared his throat and spoke with so Master Fan, your reputation has only grown since What has brought you toyesterday Thiswith His Majesty As a matter of fact, as soon as I realized that I had no other acquaintances in the city, I thought I simply had to cohou's face was pale and his eyes were swollen He was 45 years old, but excessive drinking had left its ot close, Fan Xian could clearly s all through the night Fan Xian was aht had been the right approach
Not only was Marquis Ning a drunkard and a wo of a blowhard The E Anhou could still lead soldiers into battle, and although he was the leader of a defeated arer than hi around the capital He was a sloitted sort, and relied on the support of his sister, the Eer Only in this way could he naïvely welco, into his et closer to the brother of the Eet one over on that vice-h, when he saw the wine that the servants brought in, Marquis Ning laughed, his eyes narrowing Although he did not have a clearly respected role, being the brother of the Eh to make him think little of people Even if Fan Xian were a co, it didn't cross his ht of that young man with his handsome face and i to Northern Qi, he had thought often of the time he had ”lost”, and so he let Fan Xian enter his manor
As soon as he saw the jars of fine wine, the Marquis felt even happier He deeply believed in his own intelligence, and this Fan Xian was indeed a knowledgeable and tactful fellow
According to the Overwatch Council's reports, Chang Ninghou was fro Mohan, he was unhappy with his position at the royal court of Northern Qi The officials of Northern Qi always presumed that he had been promoted as a result of favoritiser, so few bothered to take him seriously In the royal court, his reputation was not even equal to that of Wei Hua And so the Marquis was frequently drunk It was the middle of the day, and yet the staff of the Marquis's hou ushered the foreign officials in, and they began to eat and drink their fill
Fan Xian narrowed his eyes and sipped froreedily s in, Co you trouble”
”Perish the thought!” scolded the blustering Marquis ”When visitors arrive atcapital, you and Master Xin Qiwu accoraciously indeed Today I shall return the favor Who would dare do anything less?”
Fan Xian agreed After three rounds of drinks, he could see the Marquis' pale face getting gradually rosier His expression looked so that the man had drunk a little too much, Fan Xian decided that noas the ti it, Chang Ninghou was somewhat taken aback ”Master Fan, you wish to meet with Master Shen, Provost of the Discipline Commission?”