Chapter 23: A Filial Son is Forged Under the Stick

The sky had already darkened. The setting sun shone on the colored glaze tiles of the Imperial Palace’s roofs, casting strange and colorful halos.

At this time, inside the Warm Pavilion, Emperor Hongzhi leaned against a cushion, holding a book and reading it half-heartedlyily.

The tea on the Imperial Desk had gone cold, but since there were no urgent matters today, Emperor Hongzhi decided to personally supervise the Crown Prince’s studies.

Therefore, the Crown Prince was now obediently sitting below, copying the “Bureaucratization of Native Chieftains” policy.

Zhu Houzhao drooped his head, occasionally sneaking a glance at his Imperial Father and letting out little whimpers and grunts. The sounds carried both resentment and pitifulness.

That’s right, Zhu Houzhao had just been spanked.

His Imperial Father had personally urged him to copy the text, but when checking, discovered his handwriting was sloppy. In the past, his Imperial Father would have just scolded him at most. Who knew that today, he actually got a spanking.

Although the spanking wasn’t heavy, Zhu Houzhao felt wronged. He immediately became well-behaved. Seeing that the sky was gradually darkening, his Imperial Father remained seated there like an old monk in meditation, reading his book, showing no intention of letting him rest. Zhu Houzhao whimpered and grunted, but his Imperial Father showed no sympathy, acting as if he heard nothing.

Zhu Houzhao felt that the course of his life had changed. In the past, his Imperial Father was never this strict.

Life was becoming unbearable.

Suddenly, his mind wandered, and he began to fantasize about his crickets and the few dogs he secretly kept in the House of the Crown Prince. Then, he heard his Imperial Father cough. Zhu Houzhao’s face tightened in fear, and he hurriedly started writing furiously, continuing to copy the text.

At that moment, a eunuch outside said, “Your Majesty, Your Servant has come to report.”

Emperor Hongzhi finally lifted his gaze from the book, perking up a bit. The corner of his eye didn’t forget to sweep over Zhu Houzhao. Zhu Houzhao immediately sat up straight reflexively, appearing as obedient as could be.

Only then did Emperor Hongzhi say calmly, “Enter.”

The eunuch who delivered the decree crept in quietly and then bowed down smoothly.

Emperor Hongzhi lifted his eyelids lazily and said, “Well, what did Fang Jifan say?”

The eunuch hesitated, dawdling for a long time before saying, “He… he said…”

“Speak freely.” Emperor Hongzhi noticed something was off.

The eunuch had no choice but to say tremblingly, “He said… why is the Golden Belt made of copper…”

“…” Emperor Hongzhi was first stunned, then became depressed. He suddenly began to question his life decisions and even started regretting how he could have been so foolish. Just because Fang Jifan’s “Bureaucratization of Native Chieftains” policy was well written, he had named such a thing first place. If he had known earlier, he should have held back.

Zhu Houzhao had buried his head even lower; he was most likely hiding his snickers.

Emperor Hongzhi said with a dark face, “That boy doesn’t know any better. His father must have taught him a lesson, right?”

The eunuch, however, remained prostrated on the ground, shaking like a sieve.

Emperor Hongzhi roughly understood something and sighed, “I forgot. Nanhe Bo dotes on his son excessively. I imagine he couldn’t bear to scold his son and probably stayed silent.”

The eunuch stammered, wanting to say something but seeming hesitant.

“Whatever it is, just say it.” A trace of severity flashed across Emperor Hongzhi’s face.

The eunuch said fearfully and hurriedly, “Nanhe Bo… Nanhe Bo pinched his own face and said, ‘Has His Majesty become senile?'”

“Pfft…” This time, Zhu Houzhao really couldn’t hold it in. A mouthful of saliva sprayed out. Then, covering his stomach, the still-wet ink on the desk was immediately smeared by his sleeve. Afterwards, Zhu Houzhao felt his stomach convulsing violently. He threw his head back and laughed heartily, “Hahahaha…”

“…” Emperor Hongzhi was actually speechless. He remained silent for a long time, seemingly unable to lose his temper.

The Golden Belt had already been bestowed, and Fang Jifan had been praised. His royal word was spoken; he couldn’t take back the command. That Nanhe Bo, Fang Jinglong, usually seemed quite honest and reliable. When he campaigned outside, he was quite capable. How could he…

Ah… Emperor Hongzhi was ultimately a tolerant person and only let out a sigh.

But when he turned to look at Zhu Houzhao again, he saw that his desk was a complete mess, ink was spilled, and the text he had just copied was all blackened. Emperor Hongzhi’s brow unconsciously furrowed, and a murderous aura spread from within him.

Zhu Houzhao immediately sensed danger. He truly hadn’t been able to hold back, feeling like he wanted to hold his stomach and laugh. But seeing his Imperial Father’s sharp eyes shoot towards him like arrows, he knew he was finished. He hurriedly suppressed his laughter and said pitifully, “Your Son and Servant… deserves ten thousand deaths!”

Emperor Hongzhi glared at him and said coldly, “Copy it again. Don’t eat until you finish!”

“…” This time, Zhu Houzhao could no longer laugh.

…

Early in the morning, Fang Jifan got up comfortably, and Xiaoxiangxiang came to help him dress.

Fang Jifan got up and saw that Xiaoxiangxiang’s complexion finally had some color, probably because she had recovered from her illness. He smiled, instinctively grabbed her hand, and said, “Hmm… very smooth…”

“Young Lord, you… you’re so bad.” Xiaoxiangxiang’s face turned bright red. Her eyes looked down at the tips of her shoes, almost not daring to lift her head. For some reason, she increasingly felt that the Young Lord meant no harm. Besides, Manager Yang had secretly instructed her earlier: if the Young Lord wasn’t being handsy, that would be strange; it might even mean he was having a relapse. Xiaoxiangxiang deeply agreed with this reasoning. So, every time the Young Lord happily took advantage, she felt a sense of relief. She had served the Young Lord since she was young, seeing it as a sacred duty. Although she felt a bit shy, for some reason, sometimes thinking back on these moments, she felt a certain… indescribable feeling.

Fang Jifan then laughed exaggeratedly, “If the Young Lord weren’t bad, would he still be called Young Lord? So, why are you waking the Young Lord up so early today?”

As Fang Jifan lifted his eyes, he saw Deng Jian peeking in from outside. He held Xiaoxiangxiang tighter, pulling her body closer to his, completely acting like a ruffian.

The young girl emitted a unique scent, mixed with the usual fragrance of soap beans used for washing, which made Fang Jifan’s mind wander a little.

“Deng Jian, get in here, you rascal.”

“Coming, coming! This humble one congratulates the Young Lord, celebrates the Young Lord! The Young Lord is amazing! The Young Lord doesn’t take exams often, but when he does, he surpasses everyone!” Deng Jian flattered Fang Jifan with a smile.

Fang Jifan said, “Hmm,” and asked, “Is there something?”

“Yes, yes. The Master requests the Young Lord to go to the hall for breakfast. The Master said he has a bold idea and would like to discuss it with the Young Lord…”

A chill immediately ran down Fang Jifan’s spine. His father was getting too carried away. He thought it was just a casual mention yesterday, but it turned out he was serious.

“Let’s go.” Fang Jifan also got up promptly and went straight to the hall.

He saw Fang Jinglong sitting on a long bench in the sparsely furnished hall, his hand resting on the rickety willow wood table. As soon as Fang Jifan arrived, Fang Jinglong beamed with joy, “Good son, good son! Come, come, sit down. Have some Steamed Cake, and there’s plain congee too.”

Fang Jifan went forward and sat down, “Fa…” Calling this person father felt somewhat unfamiliar and strange. Seeing Fang Jinglong’s face show surprise again, Fang Jifan smiled and said, “Old man, just say what you want to say. And don’t bring up that bold idea of yours.”

“Won’t mention it, won’t mention it.” Fang Jinglong coaxed Fang Jifan, “The parents’ orders and the matchmaker’s words—this is something for your father to handle. How could I let you worry about it? I… I will go ask your Uncle Zhang to think of a way.”

After a pause, Fang Jinglong sighed, “You’ve made something of yourself now. First place in the Military Review, shaking the entire Capital. After breakfast, I need to go on duty. I really wish I had wings to fly over now and let those old brothers and colleagues see. Son, tell me, how did you pass the exam? Usually, I never see you… ahem…”

The meaning was clear: you’re usually idle and don’t study!

Fang Jifan, however, said righteously, “I guessed.”

Fang Jinglong let out a long sigh of relief. Actually, last night, he didn’t sleep a wink. At first, he was very excited, but upon careful thought later, he actually became frightened. This son… could it be that he cheated?

Once this thought occurred, he felt the Fang Family was doomed. The more he thought about it, the more terrified he became.

Although the Military Review wasn’t as strict as the Imperial Examination, cheating, in any exam, was a capital crime of deceiving the emperor.

Hearing his son say he guessed, Fang Jinglong seemed to relax all at once. Good, now he could finally rest easy.