128: Emperor Qing: Li Changan! What are you doing touching my throne?

Chapter 128: Emperor Qing: Li Chang'an! Why are you touching My imperial seat? (13)

Li Chang'an's entourage separated from Zhan Pianpian's convoy upon entering the city.

It wasn't time for the wedding yet, so Zhan Pianpian couldn't stay at Prince Yong's Residence; the Court of Imperial Sacrifices would arrange special accommodations for her.

Li Chang'an didn't return directly to his residence either but went to the manor of Fan Ruoruo's maternal grandfather.

Fan Ruoruo's maternal grandfather was a hereditary marquis in Qing Kingdom, and although his power wasn't prominent, he was wealthy and lived without worries.

"His Highness Prince Yong has arrived!"

With a shout from the butler, Fan Ruoruo's maternal grandfather and several uncles all came to the main hall to pay their respects.

Fan Ruoruo emerged from the inner hall and, disregarding the many people present, directly burst into tears and threw herself into Li Chang'an's arms.

Li Chang'an told those kneeling to rise, then said to everyone, "This Prince is taking Ruo Ruo today. Thank you all for taking care of her these past days."

Fan Ruoruo's maternal grandfather wiped away tears and said, "Your Highness, what are you saying? Ruo Ruo is my own granddaughter."

"This old man is ashamed that I only recently learned the true cause of my daughter's death. Fan Jian is truly heartless!"

Li Chang'an took Fan Ruoruo's hand and said, "Since ancient times, even an honest official finds it hard to settle family disputes."

"This Prince will not intervene in the Fan Family's affairs, but I will support all of Ruo Ruo's decisions."

"Elder, please rest assured. With this Prince here, even if Count Sinan is favored by Your Majesty, he will not be able to bully Ruo Ruo again!"

Fan Ruoruo's maternal grandfather once again expressed his gratitude, saying, "My entire family thanks His Highness Prince Yong!"

Subsequently, Fan Ruoruo boarded Li Chang'an's carriage.

"Ruo Ruo, from now on, you will live in the Prince's Residence. If you don't want to return to the Fan Manor, then don't go back."

Fan Ruoruo said sadly, "Your Highness, Father killed my biological brother and indirectly caused my mother's death."

"However, he is also my biological father who raised me. I can't possibly kill him to avenge my mother and brother."

Li Chang'an could see that Fan Ruoruo had been struggling with this issue recently.

"Ruo Ruo, I am very pleased that you were able to uncover the cause of your mother's and brother's deaths yourself."

"Regarding Fan Jian, whatever you do is not wrong. If you want to kill Fan Jian, I can help you. If you want to remain estranged from him until death, I will also support you."

"As this Prince just said, no matter what, Fan Jian will never again be able to force you to do anything in the name of being your father."

In the original novel, Fan Jian had planned that if Fan Xian couldn't find a wife, he would marry Fan Ruoruo to Fan Xian.

Li Chang'an couldn't understand such a bizarre thought process, sacrificing both his son and daughter.

Fan Ruoruo said gratefully, "Thank you, Your Highness, but... I no longer consider myself Count Sinan's daughter."

Li Chang'an embraced Fan Ruoruo and said, "From the time you were one year old, I never considered you Fan Jian's daughter."

"All the paintings and calligraphy I gave you were directly for you; I never asked you to pass them on to Fan Jian."

"Whether you are a countess's daughter or not, you are this Prince's Princess Consort."

Fan Ruoruo said moved, "Your Highness, you are so kind!"

When Li Chang'an went to pick up Fan Ruoruo, Fan Xian was summoned directly into the palace by Emperor Qing.

Emperor Qing and Chen Pingping meticulously questioned Fan Xian about the secret Xiao En had spoken of.

Fan Xian recounted all of Xiao En's last words, truthfully and in detail.

After listening to Fan Xian, Chen Pingping slowly said, "So Xiao Yezi came out of the Divine Temple."

"Before meeting us, she also encountered Xiao En and Ku He."

Emperor Qing gazed far to the north, "The extreme north! The Divine Temple is in the extreme north!"

"But even knowing the direction, it would be extremely difficult to send people to search for the Divine Temple again."

Fan Xian also said, "Indeed, it would be difficult for people to follow the exact same route as Xiao En and Ku He if they were to go again."

Although Emperor Qing said this, he didn't think so in his heart.

He thought that after he eliminated the threats of the other Great Grandmasters, Wu Zhu, and barrett, with his Great Grandmaster strength, he would surely find the Divine Temple!

"Fan Xian, regarding the Divine Temple, do not tell anyone else besides Me and Director Chen."

"You walk with Me, Chen Pingping, push yourself back."

Chen Pingping showed an aunt-like smile, "This old subject obeys."

After Emperor Qing and Fan Xian left, the smile on Chen Pingping's face instantly disappeared.

As shrewd as he was, he naturally guessed what Emperor Qing wanted Fan Xian for.

"Your Majesty is extremely wary of the Sharp Weapon left by Wu Zhu and Young Miss. He must firmly win over Fan Xian to feel safe."

"The hypocritical and vicious Your Majesty will surely feign deep affection for Xiao Yezi again to gain Fan Xian's trust."

"Your Majesty, acting this way is truly nauseating!"

"Your brother, Li Chang'an, has returned, and he seems to have ambitions now!"

"How wonderful! Let the internal strife of the Li Family come even more fiercely!"

In a pavilion in the imperial harem.

Emperor Qing led Fan Xian to the top floor, to a room that had not been visited for a long time.

On the wall of the room hung a portrait of a woman carrying a box, precisely Ye Qingmei.

"You are still so young, but I have grown old."

Emperor Qing put on a deeply affectionate expression and said to Fan Xian, "Look closely, this is the only portrait your mother left behind during her lifetime."

This was the first time Fan Xian had seen a portrait of Ye Qingmei, the woman who once stirred up the world.

At this moment, Fan Xian, who had not yet experienced the many twists and turns as in the original drama, was almost moved by Emperor Qing's deep affection.

Because he lacked experience in court struggles, he knew very little about this biological father.

In fact, this Emperor Qing, whose affection was half-true and half-false, was the main culprit in Ye Qingmei's death.

"Your Majesty, why is my mother so young in the portrait?"

Emperor Qing looked at the portrait with deep affection and said, "I painted it when I first met her, so of course she looks young."

Fan Xian asked again, "Does this portrait resemble her?"

Emperor Qing frowned and said, "Not as beautiful as her!"

After Fan Xian gazed for a long time, Emperor Qing called him to the window.

Emperor Qing pointed to the chrysanthemums in the nursery outside the window and said, "Look at that patch of chrysanthemums; your mother planted them herself back then."

"The chrysanthemums for the triennial Imperial Family Hanging Temple flower viewing are all moved from here!"

Fan Xian asked curiously, "Did you take her to the triennial flower viewing every time?"

Emperor Qing smiled kindly and said, "Yes, because she liked it! She liked all living things!"

Fan Xian asked somewhat nervously, "Do you miss her very much?"

Emperor Qing nodded, "That's why, I still plan to entrust the Imperial Treasury to you."

"You successfully brought Yan Bingyun back this time. At tonight's family banquet, in front of Prince Yong and the various princes, I will confer a noble title upon you."

"Once Wan'er has finished investigating the deficit, I will find a way to let you handle the deficit and deal with the Ming Family!"

"As long as you handle it properly, I will naturally transfer the Imperial Treasury from Wan'er's hands to yours."

"In this world, only you are fit to control the Imperial Treasury, because you are her flesh and blood!"

After saying all that, Emperor Qing was still performing his favor towards Fan Xian.

"Don't blame Me for leaving you in Danzhou all these years."

"In the plan against Xiao En, you were indeed used as a chess piece, but it was a rising chess piece!"

"I want you to be a powerful and solitary minister of Great Qing; you must undergo these trials, and these are just the beginning!"

At this point, Emperor Qing had almost admitted that he was Fan Xian's biological father.

Fan Xian tentatively asked, "Your Majesty, I don't know... who my father is now?"

Emperor Qing crossed his arms, a gentle smile on his face, "Do you still need to ask?"

Fan Xian was a little flustered, because Emperor Qing was a bit too kind, which was abnormal!

However, Fan Xian didn't know why he was flustered; he just felt uneasy.

"This subject... your son, I still don't know which day I was born?"

Emperor Qing smiled and said, "The eighteenth of the first month!"

Fan Xian forced a smile, "Thank you, Your Majesty, I finally have a birthday."

Emperor Qing patted Fan Xian's shoulder, then began to encourage him.

"You did well on the Northern Qi assignment. Next, take over the Department One of the Supervisory Council."

"As the head of the Department One, investigate a group of corrupt officials and accomplish some significant things."

"Then you can go to Jiangnan and see what your mother left for this world!"

"Let's go, come with Me to the family banquet!"

Fan Xian followed Emperor Qing closely, trying to cover his nervousness with the sound of his hurried footsteps.

Soon, the two arrived at the luxurious balcony where they had a family banquet before leaving Northern Qi.

From afar, Fan Xian saw a figure with broad shoulders, a slender waist, and handsome demeanor standing beside Emperor Qing's imperial seat.

That person had his hand on the imperial seat, staring at it with great interest.

Needless to say, besides Li Chang'an, who had been acting increasingly out of line recently, no one else came to mind!

Emperor Qing saw it from a distance but only chuckled lightly.

Only when they got closer did he call out, "Li Chang'an, what are you doing touching My imperial seat?"

"What's wrong? You've become addicted to sitting on the Emperor's imperial seat in Northern Qi!"

Hearing Emperor Qing's voice, the eunuch hurriedly shouted, "Your Majesty has arrived!"

The Crown Prince, who had been standing straight, suddenly bowed and instantly changed his posture.

His fluid movements made Li Chengze grimace; this fellow's acting skills were truly getting stronger!

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

The few people saluted Emperor Qing, who was still staring intently at Li Chang'an.

"Do you want to sit side-by-side with the Emperor, just like in Northern Qi?"

Li Chang'an nodded and said, "Today is a family banquet, and Your Majesty and I are elders. It's perfectly fine to sit side-by-side!"

Witnessing Li Chang'an caressing the imperial seat and speaking to Emperor Qing in such a manner, Li Chengqian's heart instantly felt balanced.

What was not saluting the Crown Prince at the city gate? Uncle Prince Yong went to Northern Qi, and his courage had become terrifyingly great!

Li Chang'an had achieved a Breakthrough to Great Grandmaster. Although he couldn't kill Emperor Qing, he could definitely make Emperor Qing flee in disarray.

So his idea was to first participate in the court struggles according to his own plan.

The Second Prince, the Crown Prince, Li Yunrui, Chen Pingping, and these people would inevitably fall at his feet one by one.

In this process, Li Chang'an, who had become a Great Grandmaster, would not show respect to anyone.

If Emperor Qing used his authority to suppress and obstruct Li Chang'an's rise, then Li Chang'an would directly reveal his Great Grandmaster status and take his close associates to Western Qin to start anew.

If Emperor Qing was broad-minded enough to understand Li Chang'an's role for Great Qing, and either tacitly approved or supported Li Chang'an's rise, then Li Chang'an wouldn't mind gradually defeating his opponents and ultimately marginalizing Emperor Qing.

Emperor Qing snorted coldly and said to Eunuch Hou, "Arrange Prince Yong's seat next to Mine. Let's see what tricks he can pull!"

Hearing Emperor Qing's indulgence, the Crown Prince and the Second Prince were both stunned!

When had this usually stern imperial father become so tolerant!

Fan Xian's emotional contrast was a little smaller, as he had just experienced Emperor Qing's gentle side.

Emperor Qing sat on the imperial seat and casually said, "All sit down!"

"Don't you think I am too lenient with Prince Yong?"

"Then let Me ask you, who among you can compose three hundred poems in one night? Who can overthrow two powerful Northern Qi officials in one night?"

"Who can directly attack the capital, burning down the Northern Qi Bureau of Surveillance? And who can brazenly sit on the Northern Qi Emperor's imperial seat!"

"If any of you can do that, you can also sit next to Me!"

Li Chang'an sat side-by-side with Emperor Qing, feeling completely at ease and without any apprehension.

The other princes were even more puzzled as to how Li Chang'an managed to remain so calm.

No matter how great your achievements, sitting with the high and mighty Emperor, shouldn't you instinctively feel nervous and apprehensive?

Only Fan Xian secretly took a bite of food. He knew clearly that for a Transmigrator, there was no reverence for imperial power.

"Your Majesty overpraises me. These were all minor efforts; Northern Qi's internal affairs are chaotic and its strength is superficial."

"If it weren't for that old monster Ku He, this subject might have easily destroyed Northern Qi on this trip."

Hearing Li Chang'an's words, Emperor Qing suddenly let out a cold laugh.

"Li Chang'an, you seem to have become greatly inflated! Give you an inch, and you'll take a mile!"

"I praised you a couple of times, and you're already so immodest. This attitude will set a bad example for your nephews!"

Li Chang'an pointed at his nephews and said, "The eldest can't be taught badly no matter what, and the Crown Prince can't be taught well no matter what."

"The second has been forced to become bad, the third is still young and only knows how to eat, completely unable to understand our words, and Fan Xian won't listen no matter how you teach him."

Emperor Qing and the various princes were now gradually adapting to Li Chang'an's frankness and directness.

Emperor Qing sneered repeatedly, scanning his sons one by one, and suddenly felt that Li Chang'an was very right.

"Prince Yong is just speaking casually; don't explain yourselves. Whoever explains is guilty."

Then he said to the First Prince, "Li Chengru, you look very spirited!"

Li Chengru respectfully said, "After many years, Imperial Father's health is robust!"

Emperor Qing nodded and said, "He won't die!"

The princes took their seats, and the family banquet officially began.

After Fan Xian finished recounting the process of bringing Yan Bingyun back, Emperor Qing shifted the topic to Li Chang'an's exploits in Northern Qi.

"Prince Yong, you burned down the Northern Qi Bureau of Surveillance. Did you manage to seize any confidential intelligence from it?"

Li Chang'an said, "There truly was some. This subject intended to report it separately to Your Majesty, along with matters concerning the Junshan Society."

Emperor Qing took a bite of food and said, "Everyone present is family; if there are any major developments, it's fine to speak of them here."

Li Chang'an stopped his chopsticks. He truly hadn't expected Emperor Qing to be so cooperative.

He had originally intended to directly launch his attack, disregarding Emperor Qing's attitude, but now Emperor Qing had actually given him the opportunity directly.

"Your Majesty, among the confidential Brocade-Clad Guards documents this subject obtained, I discovered a shocking secret!"

"The Imperial Treasury, the economic pillar of Great Qing, is involved in major smuggling activities!"

"Someone is privately reselling Imperial Treasury goods without proper accounting, earning enormous profits!"

Hearing Li Chang'an's words, Li Chengze suddenly felt his legs go weak, almost collapsing to his knees.

"Uncle Prince Yong, we have a good relationship, why are you targeting me?"