Chapter 39: True Man of Iron and Blood

Fang Jifan, who was well-prepared, looked at Zhu Houzhao’s surprised face and chuckled. “I am a person who likes to make friends. Someone as straightforward as Your Highness is priceless. I value loyalty and never care about money. So, please accept this small token. If Your Highness has any grievances against me, you can beat or kill me as you wish. But I will only feel at ease if you take this money.”

He liked making friends…

If there were any grudges, he could just take a beating.

But the condition was that he had to take the money.

This was like bringing warmth to the countryside.

Zhu Houzhao touched his nose. Upon hearing the word “friend,” he was clearly moved. Of course, that wasn’t the most important part. What mattered was that Fang Jifan was very enthusiastic. Not only did he admire him greatly, but he was also so generous. What a good guy! Had he misjudged him before?

As Fang Jifan tried to stuff the Treasure Note into Zhu Houzhao’s hand, just as he had predicted, Zhu Houzhao had not yet fully awakened his inner scoundrel. Otherwise, how could Fang Jifan have become the biggest spendthrift in the Capital?

Zhu Houzhao, however, felt awkward and hesitated to accept it. Fang Jifan said generously, “Your Highness, no need to be polite. Just take it and spend it. Money is like dirt, and a wife is like clothing. A friend like you, I, Fang Jifan, am determined to befriend. If you don’t take this money, it means you look down on me!”

Zhu Houzhao was stunned. He suddenly felt that Fang Jifan’s image was completely different from what he had imagined. He stopped being polite and happily accepted the money. “Actually, This Palace is also a person who values loyalty.”

Fang Jifan had long figured out Zhu Houzhao’s personality. This young man liked weapons and battles—a typical chuunibyou. By saying some passionate words, it was easy to get close to him. Feigning surprise, he said, “Oh, Your Highness values loyalty too?”

“Of course!” Zhu Houzhao said proudly. “A True Man puts loyalty first.”

Perhaps because his movement was too abrupt, he suddenly cried out in pain. The whip mark on his neck, though medicated, hadn’t fully healed. The sudden tug on the wound brought tears to his eyes.

Fang Jifan, however, gave Zhu Houzhao a thumbs-up. “Your Highness, that scar of yours is quite unique.”

“Wh-What do you mean?” Zhu Houzhao was annoyed. This Palace had let you off, and now you’re bringing up old wounds? This injury was caused by you, Fang Jifan!

Fang Jifan said seriously, “The last time I saw Your Highness, I only thought you were majestic. Though you looked dashing and had an imposing presence, your aura was still restrained. But today, with this scar, your masculinity is even more pronounced. From afar, your vigor is overwhelming. I often hear that soldiers at the border take pride in their scars. Your Highness’s scar is perfectly placed. You are a True Man of Iron and Blood!”

“Huh? Really?” Zhu Houzhao was delighted. “Is that so? Does This Palace really look heroic now?”

Although it hurt, Zhu Houzhao thought it made sense. How could a man not have scars? He wanted to find a bronze mirror to see if it was true, as Fang Jifan said, but he thought looking in a mirror was too effeminate. He thought, This Fang Jifan seems like an honest person. He probably wouldn’t deceive This Palace.

He looked reliable and sincere, and his words were pleasant to hear.

So he put on a dignified expression. “This Palace is indeed a True Man. Fang… Fang Jifan? Whatever the case, This Palace forgives you. This Palace likes heroes. Now, you seem quite loyal. Come, This Palace will take you horseback riding.”

Horseback riding…

Fang Jifan wasn’t too thrilled upon hearing this. History books said Zhu Houzhao loved riding untamed horses. He hadn’t learned to ride yet. If he were given a wild horse to ride, he would likely make a fool of himself.

So he pondered how to refuse.

Zhu Houzhao, however, acted familiar, slung an arm over Fang Jifan’s shoulder, and happily walked back with him.

Liu Qian was still waiting to see the drama unfold. But when he saw the two returning, laughing and chatting, his face fell. It couldn’t be! The Crown Prince had been beaten because of this Fang guy yesterday. How could they be so friendly now?

He was shocked and suspicious, his face turning pale with fear. He didn’t dare linger and fled in a flash.

Zhu Houzhao didn’t notice Liu Qian but said to the waiting eunuchs, “Go, prepare a few of This Palace’s finest horses from the Western Regions. This Palace will go riding with Brother Fang.”

The eunuchs and guards behind them had been instructed earlier to beat up Fang Jifan as soon as Zhu Houzhao gave the order. But in the blink of an eye, the villainous Fang Jifan had become “Brother Fang.” They all looked at each other in confusion.

The lead eunuch said, “Your Highness, you can’t go riding now. It’s getting late, and it’s time for Expositor-in-waiting Yang’s lesson. Your Highness should go to Left Chunfang to study. Otherwise, if His Majesty finds out you skipped your studies to ride horses, I’m afraid…”

Zhu Houzhao then remembered he hadn’t studied today and immediately looked pained. He turned to Fang Jifan and said, “Wait here for a bit. This Palace will be back in an hour.”

With that, he led the eunuchs away.

Fang Jifan breathed a sigh of relief. Horseback riding? Hah, the horse would probably ride me instead. It seemed that for the sake of his safety, he needed to practice riding soon. But this Crown Prince was really easy to fool.

The problem now was, what if the Crown Prince insisted on riding after his lessons?

No, he had to think of a solution.

Got it… Fang Jifan suddenly remembered something. He hurriedly asked a eunuch for directions and then, following his family’s “Blade of Benevolence,” found several commandants of the Imperial Forest Guard.

These commandants had expected Chief Fang to get beaten up today. But seeing Fang Jifan return unscathed, they were all surprised.

Fang Jifan gestured with his chin. “You there…”

The commandants hurriedly replied, “What are your orders, Chief Fang?”

Fang Jifan thought for a moment and said, “Find me a small carving knife and some wood. Oh, and a piece of paper. I want them within the time it takes for one incense stick to burn.”

Not only was Fang Jifan the Chief Banner Officer, their direct superior, but his status as Nanhe Bozi and the Capital’s notorious troublemaker was enough to scare the commandants out of their wits. They didn’t dare delay and, with newfound respect, hurried off to gather the items.

By noon, Zhu Houzhao emerged from Left Chunfang, yawning and looking dazed. He had slept through Yang Shidu’s lecture again today. After yawning, he felt refreshed.

He suddenly remembered something and asked the eunuch attending him, “Liu Banban.”

Liu Banban was Zhu Houzhao’s personal eunuch, Liu Jin. Liu Jin quickly bowed and said, “Your Servant is here.”

“Where is Brother Fang? This Palace promised to take him riding. Go fetch him quickly.”

Liu Jin felt a pang of jealousy. How did he become “Brother Fang”? But he didn’t dare say anything and hurried off to find Fang Jifan.

When Fang Jifan arrived with Liu Jin, Zhu Houzhao grinned broadly and waved enthusiastically. “Come on, let’s go riding.”

Fang Jifan, however, smiled and said, “Riding is boring.”

“What?” Zhu Houzhao thought he had misheard. He had just felt that he and Fang Jifan were kindred spirits. How could Fang Jifan say riding was boring?

Fang Jifan smirked mischievously. “Your Highness, I have something even more interesting.”

“What could be more interesting than riding?” Zhu Houzhao looked skeptical.