Chapter 41: Two Trouble-makers Join Forces

Deng Jian became Fang Jifan’s tag-along again.

Fang Jinglong had ordered this. After losing fifty thousand taels of silver, Fang Jinglong, who had finally felt a glimmer of hope for his family’s fortunes, fell into depression again.

A perfectly fine military officer unexpectedly developed the melancholy of a sentimental poet. When he looked up at the moon, he would sigh. When he gazed at the shimmering autumn ripples in the pond, he felt the urge to recite poetry and express his emotions.

Countless anxieties tangled together, and Fang Jinglong returned to his gloomy state.

The reason he assigned Deng Jian to follow Fang Jifan on duty was that Fang Jinglong was determined to protect his last remaining wealth. This wealth was the material foundation for a bold idea he had in mind, and he couldn’t let Fang Jifan squander it again.

So, when Fang Jifan put on his qilin robe and left early in the morning, Deng Jian trailed behind him pitifully. Fang Jifan ordered the household to prepare a carriage for him, and Deng Jian panted as he jogged behind it.

When they arrived at the House of the Crown Prince, they saw Zhu Houzhao waiting impatiently. The moment he spotted Fang Jifan, he exclaimed delightedly, “Come, let’s play a game of chess. This palace stayed up all night thinking of strategies, waiting just for you. Today, I will definitely defeat you completely.”

When Deng Jian finally arrived, panting heavily, Zhu Houzhao frowned and glared coldly at him. “Who is this?”

Fang Jifan replied, “This is Your Servant’s family servant.”

Zhu Houzhao seemed to understand: a family servant was somewhat similar to the eunuchs around him.

Deng Jian, who seemed unfamiliar with grand occasions, felt his legs go weak at the sight of the Crown Prince. He instinctively said, “This lowly one greets the Crown Prince. Your Highness has such a majestic and imposing presence… truly heroic and extraordinary.”

Zhu Houzhao said in surprise, “Why does this sound so familiar to This Palace? Where have I heard it before?”

“…” Fang Jifan broke into a sweat and kicked Deng Jian’s backside. “You talk too much! Are you trying to steal This Young Lord’s lines?” He then forced a dry laugh and said to Zhu Houzhao, “Your Highness, constant exposure makes it familiar. It’s getting late, and there might not be time for chess. Yang Shidu is waiting for Your Highness to attend lessons at Left Chunfang.”

Zhu Houzhao curled his lip. “Not going. This Palace will have Liu Banban inform Yang Shidu that This Palace is feeling unwell again today.”

Without waiting for Fang Jifan’s agreement, he pulled Fang Jifan into the bedchamber, set up the chessboard, and said through gritted teeth, “Today, I will defeat you utterly.”

Fang Jifan shrugged. Was this guy not tired of losing enough already?

Well… bring it on.

Zhu Houzhao was an extremely focused person. Once he became interested in something, he would obsess over it. He rested his chin in his hands, his eyes bloodshot. At times, he would grit his teeth; at other times, he would mumble quietly. Sometimes he laughed loudly, and other times he frowned in frustration.

Fang Jifan played along with him half-heartedly.

However, Zhu Houzhao seemed to have improved at chess, forcing Fang Jifan to be more careful.

They played for a long time, and even Fang Jifan became fully engrossed.

The surroundings grew unusually quiet. Earlier, he had heard the footsteps of a few eunuchs. Occasionally, Liu Jin and others would bring tea. But now… it was eerily silent. Zhu Houzhao was completely absorbed in the game, while Fang Jifan felt that something was wrong.

He couldn’t help but look up and saw a figure standing behind Zhu Houzhao like a ghost.

Fang Jifan stared intently and froze—it was Emperor Hongzhi.

He had been so focused on the game that he hadn’t noticed someone entering.

The question was, why had His Majesty come?

Who had called him?

And since he was here, why hadn’t Liu Jin and the others made any noise?

Fang Jifan’s heart skipped a beat. He suddenly understood: this was a trap, no—a sting operation.

Emperor Hongzhi stood with his hands behind his back, a faint smile on his face. He appeared calm and composed, exuding an air of elegance. His eyes were fixed on Zhu Houzhao’s fingers as he moved a chess piece.

“Haha, This Palace explodes! I blew up your Regional Military Commander! Hey, hurry up and make your move! It’s your turn!”

Fang Jifan was dumbfounded. Ignoring Zhu Houzhao, he looked at Emperor Hongzhi, who was smiling—though his smile seemed a bit unsettling. He instinctively said, “Your… Your Majesty…”

Zhu Houzhao raised an eyebrow. “You’re talking about Imperial Father? Imperial Father is good in every way, but he’s too gentle. Look at the emperors of past dynasties—how many didn’t have countless concubines? But Imperial Father… ah, I don’t understand him. Jifan, you don’t know this, but when Imperial Father sees Empress Mother, he becomes as docile as… as a quail. Last time, he wanted to hit This Palace, but hehe… Empress Mother yelled at him, and nothing happened.”

“…”

“Hurry up and make your move!”

Emperor Hongzhi narrowed his eyes, pondering Zhu Houzhao’s assessment. His gaze was deep and unreadable, his emotions hidden in the shadows.

Fang Jifan was terrified and quickly said, “Your Servant greets Your Majesty. Long Live the Emperor!”

Zhu Houzhao laughed. “You brat, daring to scare This Palace? Right now, Imperial Father should be in the Warm Pavilion reviewing memorials. How could he have time to…” He instinctively turned around, and then… his facial expression froze instantly, like a fossil trapped in amber.

Emperor Hongzhi smiled faintly and placed his hand gently on Zhu Houzhao’s shoulder. His gaze then swept over Fang Jifan, who looked speechless.

Emperor Hongzhi said calmly, “This Emperor heard that the Crown Prince was ill and came specifically to check on him. It seems the Crown Prince is quite spirited.”

“Imperial Father, Your Son and Servant… Your Son and Servant…” Zhu Houzhao tried to say something.

Emperor Hongzhi smiled again. “This place… is too cramped. It’s not a good place to talk. This Emperor will wait for you in Minglun Hall at Left Chunfang. Oh, and Fang Jifan…”

Fang Jifan looked embarrassed. “Your Servant is here.”

Emperor Hongzhi said lightly, “You come too.”

With that, he walked away slowly, leaving the bedchamber.

Fang Jifan and Zhu Houzhao stared wide-eyed at each other.

It had always been Fang Jifan who tricked others, but today, the master had slipped up—he had been tricked by Zhu Houzhao.

As soon as Emperor Hongzhi left, Liu Jin stumbled in, trembling, with beads of sweat the size of soybeans on his forehead.

“Your… Your Highness…”

Zhu Houzhao said furiously, “You dog-like creature! Why didn’t you announce Imperial Father’s arrival?”

Liu Jin shivered and replied, “Your… Your Servant… when Your Servant saw His Majesty, before Your Servant could call out, the accompanying guards… they… made as if to draw their swords. Your Servant… Your Servant was too scared to move.”

It was completely over. This was a premeditated operation.

It seemed Zhu Houzhao had been too carried away. Every now and then, he would claim to be ‘ill,’ and Yang Shidu had gone straight to the Emperor to report him.

This time… they were truly finished.

“This time, I’m definitely going to get beaten again,” Zhu Houzhao shuddered.

No kidding. The real question was whether they would be beaten to death or just maimed, and whether Zhu Houzhao would die more miserably or Fang Jifan would die even worse.

Then, Zhu Houzhao suddenly stood up. “Liu Jin, hurry to Kunning Palace to see Empress Mother. Tell her Your Son and Servant is on the brink of death and needs saving! Also, go back and put on a thick padded jacket for padding.”

“Crown Prince!” Fang Jifan shouted. “Find a few for me too! I need padded jackets as well!”

…

Minglun Hall.

Emperor Hongzhi sat expressionlessly on a high seat. Beside him, on a small table, lay a club.

There was no helping it—Fang Jifan’s whip wasn’t handy, so along the way, Emperor Hongzhi personally picked up a few branches and selected the thickest one. He tested it, and it worked quite well.

Today, he had caught them red-handed. Minister Yang had come to the palace several times to complain. At first, Emperor Hongzhi hadn’t paid much attention, but this morning, Yang Tinghe came again, fuming with anger, which made him take the matter seriously.

“Talent comes from under the rod”—this was the principle Fang Jifan had taught him, and now… he was becoming more and more convinced of it.

Regarding Jifan, Emperor Hongzhi had mixed feelings. Fang Jifan’s father, Fang Jinglong, had risked his life for the imperial court, and his family had been loyal for generations. This made Emperor Hongzhi somewhat lenient toward this wastrel.

Additionally, Emperor Hongzhi felt that, although this wastrel was absurd, he also had his redeeming qualities. Emperor Hongzhi had granted him the Golden Belt and later appointed him to the House of the Crown Prince as a Chief Banner Officer of the Imperial Forest Guard, intending to temper him.

After all, the civil and military officials in the House of the Crown Prince were the pillars of the imperial court, reserved for the Crown Prince. They would surround the Crown Prince, forming his inner circle. As they grew older and gained experience, they would gradually become more steady and eventually become the trusted ministers of the Crown Prince.

It wasn’t a big deal for young men to be a bit unruly. Emperor Hongzhi had sincerely hoped that Fang Jifan would shed his youthful recklessness in the House of the Crown Prince and gradually mature. Deep down, he intended to pave the way for Fang Jifan.

But who would have thought… these two pests would come together and join forces!

If the tiger doesn’t show its might, do you think This Emperor is a sick cat?

In an instant, a sharp glint flashed in Emperor Hongzhi’s eyes—like a blade unsheathed and ready to strike!