Episode 33 recap: Emperor Qing and Fan Xian father and son recognized each other.
Fan Xian's injuries were gradually healing, and he did not want to stay in the capital and wait to die. He decided to go down to the Jiangnan region. Fan Xian brought Li Cheng Ping with him as he traveled south, and some commoners in small boats came to find Fan Xian.Emperor Qing brought Fan Xian to the Suspended Temple, and not only told him the story of Ye Qingmei, but also acknowledged that Fan Xian was the child of himself and Ye Qingmei. Years ago, Ye Qingmei had just given birth to Fan Xian when she was cruelly murdered. Emperor Qing had just ascended the throne, and he had no choice but to send Fan Xian to Tan Zhou. Fan Xian had already learned this from Xiao En, so he pretended to have just discovered his origins, acting both excited and surprised, which even the usually suspicious Emperor Qing did not see through as an act.
Emperor Qing had high hopes for Fan Xian, and after his injuries healed, he wanted Fan Xian to go to the three great wards of Jiangnan to properly experience the precious wealth left behind by Ye Qingmei. Although Fan Xian had reconciled with Emperor Qing as father and son, he still felt uneasy. Beyond Emperor Qing's genuine affection, there was also wariness, which left Fan Xian chilled. He confided his conflicted feelings to Fan Ruoruo.
Fan Xian had experienced countless life-and-death trials since coming to the capital, and it was because he had risked his life to rescue the Emperor at the Suspended Temple that Emperor Qing was willing to recognize him. Fan Xian did not know whether he was a son or a pawn in Emperor Qing's eyes. Although Fan Jian was not Fan Xian's biological father, his feelings for Fan Xian were pure and genuine.
Fan Ruoruo advised Fan Xian to return to Tan Zhou and live a simple life, but Fan Xian was unwilling to just sit and wait to die. He decided to go to Jiangnan. Wu Zhu, wounded, returned to the Fan manor, repeatedly urging Fan Xian to go to the three great wards of Jiangnan. When Lin Waner questioned whether Wu Zhu had killed Lin Gong, Wu Zhu openly admitted it. Lin Waner swore to kill Wu Zhu to avenge Lin Gong, but now was not the time. During this trip to Jiangnan, Li Chengze and Li Yunrui would certainly send assassins to kill Fan Xian, so she hoped Wu Zhu would protect him. Wu Zhu promised that when Fan Xian no longer needed him, he would give his life to Lin Waner.
Before Fan Xian's departure for Jiangnan, Li Chengru, Li Chengze, Li Chengqian, and Li Chengping accompanied him on the boat to see him off. Fan Jian and Liu Ruyu arrived later. Fan Xian planned to formally pay respects to his ancestral shrine at the Fan family upon his return from Jiangnan, emphasizing that he was a descendant of the Fan family. Li Chengqian was naturally delighted, as this meant one less prince to compete with him for the throne.
Li Chengze scoffed at Li Chengqian, reminding Fan Xian to be extremely careful on this trip.
Emperor Qing had Li Chengping follow Fan Xian to Jiangnan. Li Chengping was delighted to remain on the boat. Fan Xian asked Hong Zhu to take good care of Emperor Qing. Fan Jian reminded Fan Xian to think carefully before acting, as the Mingshi family had controlled the three major wards in Jiangnan for many years, and the relationships were complex, so even a slight misstep could cause a lot of trouble. Fan Xian took note of this.
Liu Ruyu repeatedly confirmed that Fan Xian really wanted to enter the Fan family ancestral hall. She was overjoyed. Fan Jian was also deeply moved to tears, hoping Fan Xian would return victorious. Even if Fan Xian had nothing, Fan Jian could still support him. Fan Xian felt warmth in his heart, and he felt the profound fatherly love from Fan Jian.
As the ship was about to depart, Fan Xian had still not seen Lin Waner. He felt very disappointed. Vaguely, Fan Xian sensed that Lin Waner had come to see him off. He hurried to the deck and saw Lin Waner in the distance. Their eyes met, and all grievances were instantly resolved. They bid farewell to each other with tears.
As the ship sailed southward, it was about to reach the Shazhou area. The Shazhou naval defense commander Xu sent people in small boats to present gifts to Fan Xian. Wang Qinian had the gift boxes hoisted aboard. The Shazhou prefect also sent people to deliver gifts, which Shi Chanli recorded one by one. Soon, officials from all over Shazhou came to present gifts, which Fan Xian accepted.
Several small boats slowly approached the ship carrying Fan Xian. Most of the people on board were elderly. Wang Qinian could tell they were not there to deliver gifts, but rather to voice grievances. Fan Xian suspected these people were somehow connected to the Ming family.
At the same time, Li Chengze and Xie Bian rushed to Jiangnan, directly going to negotiate with the Ming family patriarch Ming Qingda. The wealthy Ming Qingda wore tattered clothes, and Li Chengze realized he was deliberately putting on an act. Li Chengze guessed that the real power holder, Madam Ming Laotai, was watching them from the next room.
Madam Ming Laotai had to come out to meet Li Chengze. Li Chengze demanded that they firmly hold on to the three major wards and not hand them over to Fan Xian. Madam Ming Laotai dared not disobey the imperial order. Li Chengze angrily accused the Ming family of being the court's dogs, and he also cut off the Ming family's retreat. Ming Qingda dared not voice his anger.
Li Chengze issued a bounty in the Ming family's name to hunt down Fan Xian, and many heroes flocked to it. He also bribed the refugees the Ming family was sheltering in northern Jiangnan to attack Fan Xian's ship. Madam Ming Laotai used the excuse of taking a nap to evict Li Chengze, who threatened and intimidated them.
Ming Qingda suspected that someone in the Ming family had allied with Li Chengze, otherwise the bounty could not have been issued. Madam Ming Laotai did not allow him to speculate and punished him by making him prick his own finger with a needle.
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