Chapter 13: Incognito Departure from the Palace

The Hongzhi Emperor wore a stern expression. His gaze swept past but then lingered on that essay. His eyes instantly turned profound once more.

Bureaucratization of Native Chieftains…

This was indeed a fundamental solution! Could a mere brat possess such foresight? Furthermore, could there truly be such a wicked person in this world?

He narrowed his eyes slightly, a trace of suspicion flashing through the slits.

After a long while, the Hongzhi Emperor suddenly declared: “Prepare the carriage. I wish to go to the Eastern Market. However… if it causes disturbance to the people, I would be most uneasy. We shall go in plain clothes. Select a few dozen men to guard us in secret. I want to see for myself, just who exactly this Fang Jifan is!”

Liu Qian was so shocked his jaw nearly dropped. The current Emperor was not the type who enjoyed making inspection tours outside the palace. For one, he did not wish to disturb the people. Secondly, he was fully occupied with state affairs and had no spare time.

Never could he have imagined that today, for the sake of a Fang Jifan, the Emperor actually intended to leave the palace.

Yet immediately, Liu Qian felt a secret delight. He knew very well what Fang Jifan’s character was like. Just hearing about this person’s words and actions had already infuriated His Majesty. If he saw it with his own eyes, wouldn’t he wish to execute him on the spot?

So he hurriedly said, “Your Servant will go make the arrangements immediately.”

Zhu Houzhao, who was kneeling silently to the side with lowered eyes and submissive demeanor, suddenly raised his eyebrows: “I beg Imperial Father to grant permission for your son and servant to accompany you.”

…

Fang Jifan set up a stall in the Eastern Market. On it was just a sample piece of ebony. Behind it, a flag was planted, bearing the words ‘Fine Quality Ebony, Priced at One Hundred Liang.’

One Hundred Liang, of course, meant Sycee Silver. Ebony was usually sold by the log. That is to say, this fellow dared to sell a single log of ebony for one hundred Liang of Sycee Silver.

Although ebony was expensive, the current market price was only about thirteen or fourteen Liang. Passersby initially found it novel, thinking at first that Fang Jifan and Deng Jian, who was squatting by the wall, were street performers or acrobats. Curious onlookers gathered, pointing and commenting, naturally mocking them.

Selling ebony like this, how could it possibly sell? This was madness.

As for Fang Jifan, he sat cross-legged, his eyes observing his nose, his nose observing his heart, adopting a Buddha-like posture for selling wood.

Then, someone in the crowd whispered, “Isn’t that the young master of the Nanhe Bo Mansion, Fang Jifan… Young Lord Fang…”

As soon as these words were spoken, the previously lively stall suddenly became as quiet as if swept by a swift wind; the crowd scattered in an instant.

Young Lord Fang’s notorious reputation actually had the effect of clearing the streets and stopping children’s nightly cries.

Deng Jian, suffering from Wind-Cold Disorder, sniffled, then spat a mouthful of phlegm towards the base of the wall. Seeing the street instantly empty, he was just about to say something to Fang Jifan.

But Fang Jifan glared at him coldly, looked disgustedly at the filth by the wall, and said with deep distress, “Be civilized, damn it, you dog-like thing! Look at how ugly you are, and on top of that, so uncivilized, utterly without virtue! Now look, you’ve scared everyone away!”

“Oh.” This was Deng Jian’s good point; he never argued with Fang Jifan. Smoothly and effortlessly, he patted his own face and said with an apologetic smile, “This lowly one deserves death. But Young Lord, everyone thinks this lowly one isn’t ugly, just a bit short and with rough skin.”

Fang Jifan sighed inwardly, feeling he was becoming more and more like that damned spendthrift. So he subconsciously took out his Xiangfei Bamboo Fan, fanned himself, and gazed at the deserted street. A feeling of decay and wasted time came over him. Bearing the ill repute of a spendthrift, it seemed as if it would be difficult to have a day of success in his entire life. Would it affect his chances of getting a wife in the future?

This… also seemed quite a headache.

At this moment, he thought again of the Military Review results. He didn’t know when they would be released. Was the essay he wrote too ahead of its time? After all, the Bureaucratization of Native Chieftains policy was implemented during the Qing Dynasty, and its effects were remarkable. After the bureaucratization, the Chieftains faded into history, and the Southwest region became completely pacified.

But that didn’t mean the examiners would recognize its value.

As for this ebony, it also seemed rather uncertain. He clearly remembered the large-scale shipwreck recorded in the Tongzhou Chronicles. It wouldn’t just not sink, would it? If that were the case… Fang Jifan felt a chill run down his spine. This would truly be well-deserved ‘screwing over his father’.

Poor father…

“Young Lord, look, someone’s coming.” Deng Jian trembled with excitement, pointing towards the street corner.

Fang Jifan looked into the distance and indeed saw several people, as if stars surrounding the moon, escorting a man who was approaching slowly. Next to that man was also a young lad. The young lad kept his eyes downcast and looked submissive, clearly someone who had received many beatings from his father. The middle-aged man, however, was extremely striking. Although he only wore a silk round-collared robe and seemed somewhat frail, there was a certain unusual quality in his demeanor—both amiable and authoritative.

The newcomers were indeed the Hongzhi Emperor and Zhu Houzhao. Zhu Houzhao was muttering under his breath, “Didn’t they say the Eastern Market was very lively? Why does it look even quieter than the House of the Crown Prince?”

Liu Qian carefully accompanied them and hurriedly whispered, “Your Highness, if a tiger suddenly appeared in a bustling market, wouldn’t it… wouldn’t it… hehe…”

The Hongzhi Emperor heard this clearly. As he walked slowly, the anger between his brows grew stronger. He couldn’t help but let out a cold snort.

Bullying and disturbing the people were things the Hongzhi Emperor could not tolerate.

As they drew nearer, Fang Jifan got a clear look at these people. Behind that man followed several guards, each looking vigorous and powerful. But finally, Fang Jifan’s gaze froze as it landed on Liu Qian.

It was that damned eunuch again.

But he noticed that this Liu Qian was following the middle-aged man step for step, even showing a respectful demeanor. Fang Jifan’s heart suddenly skipped a beat. This person…

Fang Jifan was definitely not someone without perception. What shocked him was that this person actually had a beard. A eunuch, acting deferential towards a bearded man… then who was this person…?

Fang Jifan did not hesitate. He quickly rose to his feet and without delay, saluted and said, “Your subject Fang Jifan pays respects to His Majesty.”

His Majesty…

Deng Jian was stunned at first, but was quickly scared to the point his legs trembled. Selling ebony here in the Eastern Market, and he actually encountered His Majesty?

The Hongzhi Emperor was actually taken aback. He hadn’t expected his identity to be seen through in an instant.

Meanwhile, Liu Qian hid behind the Hongzhi Emperor, constantly watching Fang Jifan with a sinister gaze.

The Hongzhi Emperor quickly composed himself. He looked Fang Jifan up and down. The impression this person gave him wasn’t actually too bad; it even made him feel somewhat refined and scholarly.

He clasped his hands behind his back, his face wearing an interesting expression. He paced back and forth a few steps near Fang Jifan’s stall before stopping and turning his head: “You are Fang Jifan?”

His tone was lazy, but Fang Jifan’s heart was incredibly tense!

This is the Emperor, damn it, the Emperor! And a living one at that.

This gleaming Emperor was right before his eyes. As they say, ‘accompanying the emperor is like accompanying a tiger’. Any single thought or whim of the Emperor could decide his life, death, glory, or disgrace.

At a time like this… still play the fool?

Fang Jifan performed the salute according to protocol. He raised his eyes and found the young lad staring fixedly at him. His eyes were very lively, as if looking at… uh… a monkey.

This was a bit awkward.

“Your subject is Fang Jifan.”

The Hongzhi Emperor only gave a slight nod and looked Fang Jifan over again: “I heard you sold your ancestral property, is that true?”

Fang Jifan felt immense pressure. This seemingly frail Emperor gave him a huge sense of pressure. This seemingly casual question appeared to conceal unpredictable imperial authority: “Yes.”

“Why?” The Hongzhi Emperor’s gaze fell upon the flag that read ‘Priced at One Hundred Liang’, a cold glint passing through his eyes.

Fang Jifan thought for a moment: “I sold it in a muddled state.”

He could only answer like this. He certainly couldn’t say he sold the ancestral property to buy ebony, and bought ebony because he knew the ebony fleet would sink.

Beside him, Zhu Houzhao nearly burst out laughing.

Liu Qian was secretly delighted in his heart, wishing for nothing more than Fang Jifan to keep talking nonsense.

The Hongzhi Emperor seemed lost in thought, but suddenly said: “Bureaucratization of Native Chieftains, that was your examination answer, correct?”