Chapter 12 Guo Baokun wants revenge!

Inside the Fan Mansion.

When Fan Ruoruo learned that her father Fan Jian had spoken up for the Sixth Prince in the court, tears welled up in her eyes. She hurried to the study and asked in a trembling voice:

"Father, why did you act like this? Why did you put your daughter in this situation when you had the opportunity to decline His Majesty's offer of marriage?"

Seeing this, Fan Xian hurried forward to stop him.

Fan Jian's face was solemn. He turned his head slightly, not daring to look directly into Fan Ruoruo's eyes full of resentment. He said in a deep voice:

"This is not my wish, it is the will of the emperor."

He knew very well that he was being unfair to his daughter, but for Fan Xian, he had to obey.

Why would he want Fan Xian to be involved in the court disputes?
Originally, they intended to let Fan Xian take charge of the inner treasury, hoping that he would be a free and easy official son, holding all the financial resources in the world and no one would dare to harm him easily.

However, the situation is changing and we have no control over it.

The king’s orders are hard to disobey and the king’s heart is hard to predict.

Seeing this, Fan Xian vaguely understood that his father's move might be to pave the way for him in the future and to find help.

However, he was still puzzled in his heart, is the power of the inner treasury really so important?

No matter what, he still didn't want to marry the woman he had never met, and he felt extremely depressed.

……

The next morning.

The three siblings made an appointment to go to a restaurant for dinner.

Walk to the door of the restaurant.

But I saw a woman with a child in her arms selling books on the street.

Fan Xian walked forward and caught a glimpse of the book "A Dream of Red Mansions" displayed prominently on the stall.

Moreover, each volume was priced at eight taels of silver, which made him gasp in amazement.

He expressed his intention to buy a few more copies, and followed the woman to find the source of the books.

Unexpectedly, when he arrived there, he found that the bookseller was his old acquaintance Wang Qinian.

As soon as Wang Qinian saw Fan Xian, he knew something was wrong. He used his eloquence to slip away, leaving Fan Xian smiling bitterly.

After returning to the restaurant, Fan Xian told Fan Ruoruo about this matter, and mentioned that the person who sold "The Red Mansion" was actually Wang Qinian.

Fan Sizhe was listening with great interest. Seeing that there were many people selling books below and learning that the book was written by Fan Xian, his eyes flickered, as if he had seen the business opportunity.

He patted Fan Xian's shoulder excitedly and said, "The market for this book is so huge, why don't you and I join forces and work together to achieve this goal?" Fan Sizhe has always been good at calculations, and he was even more excited when he mentioned business at this time.

Seeing that although Fan Sizhe loved money, he really liked doing business, Fan Xian couldn't help but look at him with admiration.

The three were sipping tea and chatting when they suddenly heard a commotion coming from the street below.

"Get out of the way! Get out of the way quickly!" the leader shouted, his voice shaking all around.

"Who is selling books here? Pack up your stall and leave immediately, otherwise don't blame us for being rude!" They drove away the booksellers wantonly and snatched the books from their hands one by one, without mercy.

The group of people pushed and shoved all the way and finally came to a luxurious sedan chair.

"Sir, I have already chased away those book sellers as you instructed."

The curtain of the sedan chair was lifted slightly, and a man in gorgeous clothes walked out slowly.

He seemed to be staggering as he walked. At first glance, I saw that his eyes were swollen and his forehead was bandaged with white cloth. It was obvious that he had suffered serious injuries.

Fan Sizhe saw the man from afar and a playful smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.

He turned to Fan Xian and said softly, "Do you know this person? This is Guo Baokun."

"You should have heard of the son of Minister of Rites Guo Youzhi."

Fan Xian nodded slightly to show that he understood.

Fan Sizhe pointed at Guo Baokun, his eyes flickering with pride, and said:

"Look at the wounds on his body. They are the marks I left behind!" "This is what happens when you mess with my boss. Now do you understand that I was really saving you last time?"

He paused, and continued, "If you had dared to speak rudely last time, I'm afraid you would have suffered the same fate as Guo Baokun today!"

Upon hearing this, Fan Xian frowned slightly.

He recalled that it was Guo Baokun who was taught a lesson by Fan Sizhe last time.

Moreover, if he remembered correctly, Guo Baokun was the culprit who caused Teng Zijing's family to be destroyed.

What happened today is probably not a coincidence.

After Guo Baokun got off the sedan chair, he took a copy of "A Dream of Red Mansions" from his subordinate, flipped through a few pages at random, and showed a look of disdain on his face.

He said loudly to everyone: "My name is Guo Baokun. My father is the Minister of Rites. Although I am not talented, I have compiled classics in the palace."

"I have been learning literature since I was young, and I value etiquette the most. Since you are scholars, you should read the books of sages! These filthy and miscellaneous books are simply a disgrace to civility!"

After that, he threw "The Red Mansion" to the ground and stepped on it, and continued:

"In my opinion, this book should be banned from being disseminated from today on!"

After saying this, Guo Baokun turned around and looked directly at the restaurant. His intention was self-evident.

When Fan Xian saw this, he instantly understood that Guo Baokun must be coming for them this time.

The so-called ban on "Dream of Red Mansions" is just an excuse.

Either he came for revenge, or he was instructed by someone!
Before Fan Xian opened his mouth, Fan Sizhe was already furious and shouted:
"Nonsense! Guo Baokun, how dare you talk nonsense here!"

He recalled the previous conflict, his voice even more fierce:

"Isn't the lesson from last time enough? Are you planning to repeat the same mistake again today?!"

After saying that, he rushed down the stairs without hesitation. Before anyone could react, he was already standing in front of Guo Baokun.

Fan Xian stared at Guo Baokun below with a sharp gaze, and asked Fan Ruoruo in a low voice:

"Who does Guo Baokun usually associate closely with?"

Fan Ruoruo thought for a moment and replied, "He was once a companion to the Eastern Palace, and was considered a member of the Crown Prince's staff."

Fan Xian suddenly realized: "It turns out to be His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"

He already had a plan in mind, and everything seemed to be connected.

"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince doesn't want me to be in charge of the inner treasury, so he sent men like Guo Baokun to cause trouble." Fan Xian thought, "But this may not be entirely directed at me, perhaps it is also aimed at Fan Sizhe."

Fan Sizhe and Guo Baokun have had a grudge against each other for a long time, so it is understandable that he would seek revenge.

Moreover, Fan Sizhe and Li Chengyun had a close relationship, and the prince might have gone to great lengths to kill two birds with one stone.

"Guo Quezi, what do you know?" Fan Sizhe sneered, "The charm of this book has long been revealed from the craziness of the people who bought it. Doesn't this prove that it is a good book?"

"How dare you be so arrogant and want to ban a book? You are just an editor in the palace, your position is as lowly as sesame seeds and mung beans!"

When Guo Baokun heard the insulting title "Guo the Cripple", he was furious, clenched his fists, and a trace of resentment flashed in his eyes.

Every scar on his body was caused by Fan Sizhe. How could he easily forget this hatred?
However, he knew that all this was instigated by the Sixth Prince. Although he was unwilling, the imperial power was as heavy as the sky. How could he dare to act rashly?
However, he could take revenge on Fan Sizhe at will.

Thinking of this, Guo Baokun raised a scornful smile and said sarcastically:

"I was wondering whose bastard it was! Turns out it's a stupid pig!"

He deliberately emphasized his tone so that everyone around him could hear clearly, "This Si Nanbo is an important official in the Ministry of Revenue, in charge of the money of the country, but I didn't expect that his son is so shallow and ignorant!"

Fan Sizhe was furious when he heard this. He could not stand such an insult and immediately shouted:
"How dare you humiliate my father? How audacious!"

He rushed towards Guo Baokun angrily, wanting to teach him a lesson.

However, Guo Baokun's men were well prepared and subdued Fan Sizhe in an instant.

Seeing this, Fan Xian's face changed and he rushed down the stairs.

(End of this chapter)