251 Even the Emperor Gossips (1/2)
Chapter 251: Even the Emperor Gossips
Translator: Nyoi-Bo StudioEditor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
”Mother enjoys quiet.” The young emperor leaned against his cushion. A eunuch brought some swallow's nest soup, which the emperor drank. The emperor then frowned slightly and dismissed all the eunuchs and palace girls. For the moment, the entire hall was silent.
Fan Xian gave a light bow. ”What are your orders, Your Majesty?”
Seeing this official from the south being so polite, a hint of amusement flashed in the emperor’s eyes. ”Minister Fan, you will be returning in a few days. You must treat the Great Princess well on the journey.”
Fan Xian was slightly shocked; only now did he remember the recent major event which he hadn’t been paying attention to. Taking the princess back to Qing for her marriage was a huge responsibility; there was absolutely no room for error. In the past few days, Fan Xian had learned about the background of this Great Princess from Yan Bingyun. She was the half-sister of the emperor, born from a different mother, and resided deep within the palace. Her mother was most likely dead long ago. Because she wasn’t liked by the empress dowager, she ended up being the ”sacrifice” for this political marriage.
Fan Xian didn’t know why the emperor brought her up; he probably wasn't too close to his half-sister.
Judging by the way the emperor spoke, Fan Xian realized he had guessed wrong. The emperor sighed. ”The Great Princess has never ventured outside the palace. Now with her being married far down south, I am unable to offer her more protection, despite my position.”
Fan Xian replied humbly, ”Rest assured, Your Majesty. The Great Prince is my nation’s greatest hero, admired by all. Together they are sure to live a long life of harmony. All civil servants of Qing surely would not dare to show her neglect.”
The emperor laughed coldly. ”What’s the use in that?” He suddenly stared into Fan Xian’s eyes. ”Minister Fan, I see you as my friend… I hope that you, back in your southern capital, will give plenty of advice to the princess and ensure she lives well.”
Fan Xian was shocked again. Friends with the emperor? He and the emperor had only met each other four times in total.
The emperor smiled, knowing what Fan Xian was thinking. ”Minister Fan, back when we first met, I told you I enjoy your works, so much so that I treat them as you talking in person. Having 'talked' with you for the past year, it’s really not strange to see you as my friend.”
At this point, being so favored by the emperor had Fan Xian feeling genuinely overwhelmed. As he was about to express his gratitude, the light voice of the emperor rang out again, this time with a hint of anger.
”But you seem to be keeping your distance. You refusing to visit me aside…” The emperor was looking directly into Fan Xian’s eyes. ”You are keeping many things from me.”
Fan Xian, in great distress, explained, ”I have a great number of things to attend to. I was worried coming to the palace would disturb Your Majesty’s rest.”
The emperor took a glance at Haitang, who had been quiet thus far, and laughed suddenly. ”Really? I thought recently you’ve been busy with Haitang, strolling the streets and… drinking.”
With that, even Haitang became unsettled. She said, ”I often consulted Sir Fan for his wisdom. I have learned much.”
The emperor shook his head and returned his gaze to Fan Xian, ”In that case, Minister Fan, how long do you intend on keeping ‘that’ hidden from me?”
A drop of cold sweat appeared on Fan Xian’s head, his first thought being—had that meeting with Si Lili been exposed? If so, even assuming this emperor has no interest in women, Fan Xian probably wouldn’t leave Northern Qi alive!
Fan Xian looked out of the corner of his eye and discovered Haitang’s face was at ease. So he calmed himself and respectfully asked, ”Your Majesty, I’m afraid I don’t know what you are talking about?”
No one should know about Xiao En, although Haitang might be able to guess parts of what had happened. As long as the emperor wasn't talking about Si Lili, Fan Xian was certain he wouldn’t feel any guilt or fear. However, what the emperor said next almost scared Fan Xian out of his seat. Tonight, surprises kept coming one after another!
”Then, let me ask you, how is cousin Lin?” the emperor asked coldly.
Like a clap of thunder, like that young girl shouting to heaven on that stormy night, Fan Xian was dumbfounded, unable to answer—how could this emperor know Wan’er was Fan Xian’s cousin?! In other words, this emperor knew Fan Xian’s true past!