Night had deepened. In the eastern courtyard of Qiuhu Mountain Villa, candles blazed brightly.
“This old slave failed to properly teach his son, and managed the estate with insufficient strength, thus causing this disaster. This old slave has failed the family head’s trust and is filled with shame. I have no face to remain and serve the family head and young master.” Fan Xicheng knelt in the hall, tearfully pleading to resign and leave the estate.
Han Qian stood to the side, watching his father Han Daoxun’s face shift between light and shadow in the candlelight, knowing his father had no capable hands at his disposal and absolutely didn’t want to see Fan Xicheng, who had followed him for many years, leave like this—Fan Xicheng was different from other household guards. He had accumulated military merit early on to redeem his slave status and had freedom to come and go. Currently remaining by Han Daoxun’s side, he was considered a retainer.
“This matter was the child’s fault—if it weren’t for Qian’er being willful and agreeing to let tenant farmers enter the mountain to hunt and forage without consulting Master Fan, today’s incident would never have been provoked. In this matter Master Fan has no fault whatsoever. If blame is to be assigned, blame Qian’er for being too willful—only the matter has already occurred, and if the Han family were to use private punishment, it would damage Father’s reputation. Father often says the court is treacherous, and one must act as if walking on thin ice, not carelessly or rashly. Master Fan is heartbroken over losing his son, Dahei grieves deeply for his brother. The child didn’t want the matter to compound error upon error, so I said some extreme words to Master Fan, but in my heart I absolutely didn’t think that way.” With a “smack,” Han Qian also threw himself onto the stone floor, kneeling. He immediately regretted it—this stone floor was incredibly hard, hurting his knees terribly. Cursing inwardly, he steeled himself and spoke the words he had long prepared.
When Han Qian said this, not to mention Han Daoxun, even Fan Xicheng wore an expression of astonishment. Truly with ten thousand grievances in his heart, he momentarily had no way to voice them.
What could he complain about?
Complain that he was utterly loyal with absolutely no intention of usurping the property?
Han Qian had already said that deliberately speaking those words in public was only to prevent them from making mistakes in their agitation—that wasn’t his true intention.
Complain that the matter arose because the young master Han Qian had willfully and recklessly promised tenant farmers they could hunt in the mountains?
Han Qian had already admitted this was his fault.
Then didn’t all the responsibility for the entire matter rest solely on Fan Wucheng completely disregarding the young master Han Qian’s words and urgently trying to drive the Zhao father and son from the estate?
What more could Fan Xicheng say?
Even raising the matter of resignation now would make him Fan Xicheng appear to disregard the family head’s kindness and be ungrateful.
Han Daoxun also looked at his son with considerable surprise. This stubborn temperament that even oxen couldn’t pull back—now he knew to admit his mistakes?
Not knowing how Han Qian had changed his nature, Han Daoxun had a belly full of scolding words stuck in his throat with no way to speak them.
As a father, what angered him most about his son wasn’t lack of learning or skill, but refusal to repent.
Han Qian recognized his error and admitted his fault. Moreover, after the incident occurred, he knew to make amends and didn’t let the matter compound error upon error. What more could Han Daoxun scold?
“Look at the fine trouble you’ve caused! Kneel there properly and reflect.”
To comfort Fan Xicheng, Han Daoxun still put on a stern face ordering Han Qian to continue kneeling there, then with a pained expression helped Fan Xicheng up, saying:
“Wucheng was a good child, worldly-wise and talented. I had even thought of taking this child under my knee. For such a thing to happen, my heartache is no less than yours…”
Han Qian had been full of doubt about how Fan Wucheng could have colluded with Yao Xishui to harm him. Hearing these words, he thought perhaps the root of the disaster lay here.
Regardless of whether this was his father Han Daoxun’s method of winning hearts, if Fan Wucheng had once heard such words, having delusions of taking his place after his sudden death would be normal. No wonder there was usually a difficult-to-suppress air of solitary pride in his expression. Even if he hadn’t been bought by the Evening Crimson Tower, he deserved to die.
Although Fan Xicheng’s heart was unbearably bitter with unresolved anger, since the family head Han Daoxun had spoken to this extent, he had no way to say more. After all, the entire matter still rested with Wucheng himself.
Even he had swallowed his anger and accepted the young master Han Qian’s promise about tenant farmers entering the mountain. Yet Wucheng couldn’t endure this slight, wanting to drive away the Zhao father and son, but carelessly let himself be shot to death by the youth Zhao Wuji.
Fan Xicheng had killed countless people in his early years, his hands stained with blood. Now in old age, his temperament had faded. After being put through such trouble by the young master Han Qian today, he had no thought of avenging his adopted son Fan Wucheng, thinking perhaps Wucheng’s fate was destined thus.
“Wucheng was after all a member of the Han family. After the county yamen closes the case, you can retrieve his body and choose an auspicious burial site in the back mountain for his funeral.” Han Daoxun didn’t want to dwell further on Fan Wucheng’s matter, but would show what was appropriate.
“Thank you, family head,” Fan Xicheng said.
“We should make that little bastard Zhao Wuji keep mourning vigil before Wucheng’s grave. We can’t let these lowly commoners off too easily. Otherwise, people around here truly won’t take my Han family seriously!” Han Qian said while kneeling on the ground.
Han Daoxun originally didn’t want more trouble, thinking that after this matter he would simply expel Old Zhao, Zhao Wuji, and their family from the estate. But hearing his son Han Qian say this, he asked Fan Xicheng: “If you think it’s acceptable, then send a message to Liu Yuan. I believe he’ll give my Han family this much face…”
Fan Xicheng also didn’t want to see the Zhao father and son again, but since the young master Han Qian had spoken first, how could he say “no”?
“This old slave will immediately take Zhao Kuo and the others to the county to retrieve Wucheng’s body,” Fan Xicheng said.
“Go ahead…” Han Daoxun indicated Fan Xicheng and the others should go handle matters first. He still had words to tell his son Han Qian.
“…”
Han Qian knelt with his knees sore and numb, cursing inwardly. He stole a glance at his father Han Daoxun’s heavy brows furrowed in the candlelight, not knowing what worries weighed on his heart. Clearly there were some words he was hesitating whether to tell this unworthy son.
“The Third Imperial Prince who has just been granted the title Prince Linjiang is already thirteen years old. It’s inappropriate for him to remain long in the palace. A date will be chosen for him to move to reside outside the palace, and at that time four ministers’ sons will be selected to study alongside at Prince Linjiang’s residence—you will also study alongside His Highness…” Han Daoxun sighed bitterly, sitting before the candle as he spoke.
Han Qian trembled at these words. Though he was unfamiliar with palace affairs, he knew that Yao Xishui and those people going to such lengths to kill him and fabricate the illusion of his sudden death from illness was extremely likely related to this matter. Someone didn’t want him studying alongside the Third Imperial Prince?
Seeing his father Han Daoxun’s worried and distressed appearance, Han Qian knew his father didn’t want him studying alongside the Third Imperial Prince, not wanting him to invite disaster. And the Evening Crimson Tower sparing no effort to create the illusion of his sudden death clearly wasn’t thinking of the Han family’s welfare…
…
…
They said the Third Imperial Prince Linjiang would leave the palace on a chosen date, but since he hadn’t yet left the palace, Han Qian as one of the four ministers’ sons personally selected by the Empress had no need to go to Prince Linjiang’s residence immediately. For now he would continue staying at the estate cultivating himself.
Although such an incident had occurred at the estate this time, Han Qian had acted so contrary to his usual nature that it didn’t anger Han Daoxun to the point of chest pain. But when Han Daoxun stayed three days at the estate and returned to the city after Fan Wucheng’s funeral, he was still full of worry.
It’s often said that serving the emperor is like serving a tiger. Han Daoxun also felt like walking on thin ice in the court, completely uncertain what would happen when Han Qian studied alongside the Third Imperial Prince Linjiang.
However, for a minister’s son to study alongside an imperial prince was a great honor with corresponding rewards, so naturally Han Daoxun couldn’t refuse.
Han Qian watched his father Han Daoxun’s carriage sway around the mountain road under the escort of two household guards before he and Fan Xicheng, surrounded by Zhao Kuo and other guards, reined their horses back to the estate.
Han Qian certainly wasn’t complacent about having the opportunity to study alongside an imperial prince.
No matter how arrogant and ignorant he was, he knew that studying alongside an imperial prince was truly not a good assignment.
He hadn’t even begun studying alongside the Third Imperial Prince Linjiang, yet the forces behind the scenes had already resorted to using the chess piece Yao Xishui to poison him, wanting to create the illusion of his sudden death from illness. How could this be a good assignment?
Compared to this, he’d rather flee back to Xuanzhou to live freely and happily as an aristocratic son, quietly waiting for Emperor Tianyou’s death four years hence.
However, even if he could decline this bitter assignment of studying alongside the prince, the Evening Crimson Tower had such deep schemes, and the biggest flaw appeared on him. If he fled the household guards’ protection now, could he possibly reach Xuanzhou alive?
Of course, Han Qian also hadn’t thought of telling his father everything.