Chapter 160: The Riverside Makes One Weary

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Fan Xian rode on his horse. His buttocks felt a bit uncomfortable. He couldnt shake the sense of familiarity as he thought about this Second Prince. He understood very well he should not talk too much during this first meeting. Matters regarding the palace treasury shouldnt be brought up either. This was simply a casual meeting.

Brushing aside a willow branch that was in the way, he asked Li Hongcheng, "The Second Prince just wanted to see me?"

Li Hongcheng answered, "Hes one of your admirers, and it just so happens you married Princess Chen. So, as your brother-in-law, he wanted to see what this Poetry Sage was like."

That caught Fan Xian off guard. Wondering if that was all, he shook his head. Moments later, he suddenly sighed, "Why does Second Prince look so familiar to me?"

Li Hongcheng had known Fan Xian for many months; he knew Fan Xian had a gentle demeanor, but that he was also resolute on the inside. Other than the occasional bouts of insanity, he put in effort to keep himself composed. Seeing him being caught off guard like this, Li Hongcheng said, "You shouldnt have met him."

Fan Xian could only smile and shake his head. While the Second Prince was handsome, he was no Sister Lin, and Fan Xian was not interested in the same sex. As to why he couldnt forget the Second Prince, Fan Xian smiled shyly.

Li Hongcheng was staring at him the whole time. After staring for a while, he said, "I know why you find Second Prince familiar."

Fan Xian opened his eyes wide. "Why?"

Li Hongcheng pretended to be disgusted. "Because, sometimes, you both make that shy and effeminate smile."

Fan Xian was startled and immediately stopped grinning. "Like I was doing just now?"

Looking at Fan Xians flawless face, Li Hongcheng suddenly felt a chill, "Your demeanors are similar too; truly effeminate."

"Nonsense." Fan Xian didnt know whether to laugh or cry. But suddenly, he had a change in thought. Perhaps Second Prince and he were really alike in those regards. He shook his head and got rid of the question lingering in his heart. He made the same smile again to disgust Crown Prince Jing once more before waving his horsewhip and galloping back to the capital.

On the way back, he took the path along the river. The spring wind caressed his face, and willow branches were also coming at him. Fan Xian was too lazy to duck, so he moved his zhenqi to his face and literally shocked the incoming branches away. He felt lively on top of his horse.

Having distanced himself from Crown Prince Jing and his guards, Fan Xians horse began to tire. So he slowed down and gazed across the water. He found himself having arrived at where pleasure boats gathered. Far in the distance, there was one that was gathering dust. Compared to the other boats teeming with guests, that one looked exceptionally desolate.

Fan Xian squinted as he guessed which boat that one was. That boat once had the most popular girl in the capital. To think it had fallen to such a state, Fan Xian couldnt help but remember Si Lili who was still imprisoned. After the spring examination, Qing would release her to Northern Qi. Coincidentally, since he would be the envoy this time, he didnt know what their next meeting would be like.

In the prison, he had utilized drugs, words, and psychological warfare in order to wring out an answer from that girl, and discovered that the one behind his assassination attempt was Wu Bo'an. At the time, he vowed to let her go without the intention of keeping his word, but now things had become much more complicated.

He smiled gently, in the way Li Hongcheng described. He thought he should follow through with his promise.

The sound of hurried hooves came up behind him. Li Hongcheng had also shook his guards and followed ahead. The two riders stopped at the same spot and both stared across the water. Occasionally they took a glance at that one desolate spot on the water.

Moments later, Li Hongcheng said gently, "The night you beat up Guo Baokun, you drank with me over there."

Fan Xian smiled. "We also spent a night there."

"Whats this?" Li Hongcheng gave Fan Xian a look. "Feeling pity? Your status is different from mine. Never mind Si Lili in prison; even the other girls out there right now if you go out every single night, the palace would probably send out some guards right away to give you a beating."

Fan Xian smiled sheepishly, "How could I think about that? I just felt something watching that one boat."

"Wu Bo'an is not with your father-in-law." Li Hongcheng thought Fan Xian didnt know that, so he quietly reminded him."

"I know. Hes with Eldest Princess. But since shes not in the capital, Im not going to bother thinking about all of that."

"Dont forget that Eldest Princess is on very good terms with Empress Dowager to the point of being adored. Also in recent years, Eldest Princess has trusted her very much." Li Hongcheng looked at Fan Xian silently, as if wanting him to take a hint.

Fan Xian smiled, "Whatevers on your mind, just say it. Second Prince and I met for the first time. Naturally there would be something that shouldnt be said. The reason I left the guards was to speak to you in private."

The two horses proceeded slowly, their heads occasionally touched in a display of affection. Li Hongcheng, parting a willow branch away from his face, said lightly, "After you return from Northern Qi, you will probably be put in charge of the palace treasury. Both the East Palace and Second Prince need you. I believe you know that."

Fan Xian smiled without saying a word and listened.

"The only reason those in the East Palace are being friendly with you now is because of Eldest Princesss absence. While I dont know why she despises you so, I do know that a thousand of you isnt worth a single sentence from her. You shouldnt trust those in the East Palace." Li Hongcheng said very seriously, "You and I are friends. I want to remind you, if there comes a day you fall whether or not it's from public or private matters I hope you will fall to our side."

He pointed at a single hill on the other side of the river. It was divided in two by a forest, looking like the Chinese character for two.

"What a coincidence." Fan Xian followed Li Hongchengs finger and looked. "Waiting in line is stupid enough already, Hongcheng. I advise you not to wait in line too early."

"it's not a coincidence. Thats Second Princes estate." Li Hongcheng smiled, "My father said similar things. But there are always things one must do."

Fan Xian shook his head in disagreement. "After seeing Second Prince today, I have this strange feeling. How come he wouldnt settle for a safe position as the brother of the emperor, like how King Jing did?"

Upon hearing Fan Xian mention King Jing, Li Hongchengs gaze turned to ice, and his usual smile disappeared. "There are no private matters in the royal family. Many things cant be avoided even if one wants to. Do you remember how the previous emperor, my grandfather, attained the throne? The two other successors to the throne were assassinated on the same day. The capital was such a bloody place back then can you even imagine? If you were to go back to the past, would you ask the two why they wouldnt back down?"

Fan Xian felt a chill in his heart and forced a smile. "Back then, the nation had just been founded. It was unlike the current period of peace. If Second Prince is willing to give up, I dont think anything would happen in East Palace. King Jing spends his days planting flowers; isnt he quite happy? I can see that Second Prince enjoys studying. Why cant he follow your fathers example?"

"Youve seen His Majesty, and also Eldest Princess. My Lord Father ranks second, but hes already an old man." Li Hongcheng gave a fake smile. "Would giving up really bring a happy ending? My Lord Father always seems to have some regret. Although I dont know why, it must be due to all of the rotten things going on in the royal family."

In fact, Crown Prince Jing was wrong about why King Jing took up planting flowers.

Fan Xian frowned. "But you shouldnt follow Second Prince so closely. No matter how you look at it, hes the least likely one." Fan Xian was now close enough to Li Hongcheng to be able to speak so frankly.

Li Hongcheng blanked out a bit, then his usual smile returned to him as he knew Fan Xian was treating him as a true friend. Moved, he said, "When our parents place dessert in front of their children, we must first express that we want to have it. That way, when our parents allocate food later, they'll think of us first."

Fan Xian smiled, "So Second Prince had been showing he wants to eat."

"Correct." Li Hongcheng looked away from Fan Xian. He looked toward Cang Mountain in the far distance. "The previous emperor was fortunate to have only two sons. The current emperor is fortunate too, with only three sons. But who knows what trouble the Eldest Prince will cause when he comes back? Thats why Second Prince must make the first move, show his intentions, and obtain all the power he can."

"I still dont understand why you chose him."

"It's simple." Li Hongcheng smiled at Fan Xians question. "I dont dislike him."

Fan Xian raised an eyebrow. He couldnt fully believe what he heard. He emotionlessly stared at Crown Prince Jing, who was smiling warmly. Fan Xian did not seek to be free from worldly affairs. He knew there were many things he could not avoid, which was why he never had the intention to in the first place.

Living as a man, "live freely" was his mottoof course, that process would most likely involve more things.

Before they entered the city, Li Hongcheng asked Fan Xian to go to certain restaurant. Naturally, Fan Xian was too lazy to oblige and bid him farewell. Before that, the prince said to him, "Second Prince had asked to see you first because, after the examination, you won't be able to escape this favor."

Fan Xian was slightly shocked as he picked up on the hidden meaning behind Li Hongcheng's words. While he didnt have enough merits to even grade the exams, he would still be hanging around the Imperial College and the Board of Rites.