Chapter 48: Jinx

Zhang Heling’s eyes darted around. No matter how he looked at it, Fang Jifan seemed like an easy target. “This is good land. I won’t sell it, absolutely not. Not for anything less than a hundred or two hundred thousand taels of silver. I wouldn’t sell even if you beat me to death.”

Zhang Yanling, sitting nearby, was startled. His elder brother was ruthless—demanding a hundred or two hundred thousand taels right off the bat.

Fang Jifan didn’t bother dragging it out. He said bluntly, “Fifty thousand taels. We’ll settle it right now, no more talking. If you refuse, I’ll leave immediately!”

Fifty thousand taels was actually more than Fang Jifan thought it was worth. He didn’t care about the money; he just wanted the land.

Zhang Heling was stunned for a moment. He exchanged a look with Zhang Yanling. This guy… was he insane? Fifty thousand taels for that barren land in the Western Hills? You couldn’t grow crops in those desolate mountains.

Zhang Heling’s spirits lifted instantly. He immediately shouted, “Fifty thousand? I clearly said a hundred or two hundred thousand… But since your father and I are old friends despite the age gap, I’ll give it to you for a hundred thousand!”

“Oh.” Fang Jifan kept a straight face. “I see. Well… sorry to have bothered you then.”

Seeing Fang Jifan acting as if he were about to leave, Zhang Yanling panicked. He quickly smiled and said, “Wait, wait! Nephew Fang, I’ve long admired your reputation. I know you’re clever and sharp, haha! I truly admire you. Let’s talk this over properly. Eighty thousand taels—that’s the lowest I can go. This is an ancestral property! An ancestral property! Just thinking about selling it makes my heart ache. It really hurts… How about this: the land in the Western Hills covers about fourteen square li. Although it’s all mountains, there’s also a manor at the foot of the hills. The soil there is very fertile—nearly a thousand mu of it. For eighty thousand taels, I’ll throw it all in, just to make a friend. Your father and I share a life-and-death bond. But… do you even have the money?”

Fang Jifan was somewhat tempted. Never mind the Western Hills; he was also getting a manor at the foot of the hills. That was perfect—it could be used for processing smokeless coal. The price was actually a rip-off. To put it plainly, the Western Hills were just a barren mountain. The price could definitely be negotiated, but to Fang Jifan, it was a Gold Mountain. Arguing with them was pointless. He shook his head and said, “I don’t have much cash on hand.”

Hearing he had no money, the brothers’ expressions changed abruptly.

Fang Jifan, however, chuckled and continued, “But I do have land—prime farmland, in fact. Look, I’ve brought the Property Deeds, and also some Treasure Notes…”

Zhang Yanling and Zhang Heling were mesmerized. They held their breath, suddenly overcome by a wave of unexpected happiness that made them dizzy.

Not long after, Fang Jifan walked out of the Zhang Family residence with his hands behind his back. The Zhang brothers personally escorted him out.

Zhang Heling seemed quite emotional. He warmly took Fang Jifan’s hand and said, “Nephew, come visit often when you have time. Our families are old friends—we should keep in touch and not grow distant. I’m a straightforward person; I don’t like beating around the bush. In short, I like you.”

Fang Jifan gave an “oh” and tucked the Property Deed for the Western Hills into his bosom. He suddenly felt much more confident.

Deng Jian was waiting outside, looking dejected. Fang Jifan, in high spirits, kicked him playfully on the backside and said cheerfully, “Let’s go.”

It was still chilly outside, and Fang Jifan’s breath came out in white puffs. The beginning was always the hardest. Now that he had the land, he had taken the first step.

He walked briskly, already leading Deng Jian around the street corner.

The Zhang brothers still leaned against the gate, watching. Though the weather was freezing, Zhang Heling didn’t feel cold at all. After a long while, he let out a deep sigh. “That good-for-nothing from the Fang Family… I quite admire him.”

Zhang Yanling also smiled. “Brother, we… struck it rich? Haha! A patch of wasteland actually netted us eighty thousand taels—and it was paid with land deeds for prime farmland! Should we have a bowl of porridge to celebrate?”

Zhang Heling’s face glowed, and his eyes shone brightly. Even now, it felt like a dream. That Fang Jifan really was a foolish heir. Such good fortune had actually fallen into their laps.

But… celebrate?

Zhang Heling thought for a moment. “Forget it. We should save our money. Let’s not waste food. But… this Fang Jifan, could there be some trick?”

Zhang Yanling paled at that. “No way, isn’t he known as a good-for-nothing? Brother, don’t overthink it. It’s just our luck to get rich. The Fang father and son are both fools! Haha…”

Seeing Zhang Yanling laugh heartily, Zhang Heling finally relaxed. He nodded sagely. “That young man… I really do admire him. At the very least, he’s better than his father! His father was too stingy—always dawdling and reluctant to pay up. But this one is straightforward. I like straightforward people.”

…

Kunning Palace.

Ever since Fang Jifan had spouted nonsense at the House of the Crown Prince, telling the Princess to take care of her health, Empress Zhang had felt nothing but disdain.

She had heard a thing or two about Fang Jifan’s reputation. Well… it was rather bad.

That kid must have been talking nonsense.

Even so, after Fang Jifan’s reminder, Empress Zhang couldn’t shake off a nagging worry. After all, it was her own daughter—her only daughter. She feared even the slightest possibility of something going wrong.

So, she went from outright disdain to gradually growing anxious. She couldn’t help but think to herself, That kid is such a jinx. Even my eyelid started twitching because of him.

She quickly ordered someone to summon the imperial physicians.

When Emperor Hongzhi heard that Empress Zhang had actually called for physicians to examine the Princess, he smiled and teased, “That Fang Jifan is rather clever, but he’s always enjoyed talking nonsense. Just take his words with a grain of salt—no need to take them to heart.”

Seven or eight imperial physicians began their work, going through the usual routine of observation, listening, pulse-taking, and questioning. The Princess seemed a bit annoyed, wrinkling her nose slightly as she let them examine her.

Empress Zhang merely smiled lightly. She glanced at the Princess and said, “Your Majesty, this is what they call ‘worry breeds chaos.’ I’m afraid of that one-in-a-million chance. Even though I know that kid was talking nonsense, having the physicians check will put my mind at ease.”

Seeing that Emperor Hongzhi looked tired—evidently worn out from reviewing memorials in the Warm Pavilion—she moved behind him and gently massaged his shoulders. “Your Majesty said this person is a little clever?”

Emperor Hongzhi smiled faintly. “To be honest, I can’t quite figure him out either. Ah, let’s not talk about that.”

Empress Zhang, understanding, didn’t press further.

A short while later, the head of the Imperial Medical Bureau, Zhou Rong, stepped forward. “Reporting to Your Majesty, reporting to Your Highness, the Princess is in good health. Her body is perfectly fine.”

This was the unanimous conclusion of several imperial physicians. As the chief medical official, and being in his seventies with graying hair and beard, Zhou Rong exuded an unparalleled sense of reliability.

Emperor Hongzhi chuckled softly. “I knew it.”

Empress Zhang was still slightly worried. “Are you sure she’s all right? Should we check again?”

Zhou Rong quickly replied, “Your Highness, you must not let the ramblings of a young brat unsettle you. We, your servants, have served in the Imperial Medical Bureau for decades. We wouldn’t call ourselves miracle workers, but we do have some experience. I and the other physicians have examined her carefully. I guarantee there is no mistake.”

Empress Zhang finally let out a long sigh of relief and smiled gracefully. “Zhou Qing, this palace does not doubt the Imperial Medical Bureau. Very well, you may withdraw.”

Zhou Rong felt a little displeased. To be honest, raising such a fuss just because of some young fool’s nonsense felt somewhat insulting. After all, the nobles in the palace were precious, so the physicians regularly checked on them to prevent any issues. He himself had examined the Princess just half a month ago and found nothing wrong. If it had been some renowned physician from outside the palace issuing a warning, that would be one thing. But it was… that Fang Jifan fellow.

Zhou Rong had heard a bit about him. All this commotion over the ravings of a good-for-nothing?

But in front of the Emperor, he couldn’t show his displeasure. Moreover, Nanhe Bo was not someone a mere medical official could afford to offend. So he didn’t dare mutter anything under his breath. He bowed and prepared to take his leave.

The other physicians also packed their medical kits, ready to go.

Empress Zhang chided lightly, “Your Majesty, that Fang Jifan really is audacious and unrestrained in his speech…”

There was a clear note of reproach in her words. The Princess was the apple of her eye. Anyone would feel uncomfortable if someone said their daughter had a problem.

Emperor Hongzhi smiled but sighed. “You don’t understand. Nanhe Bo only has this one son, and he suffers from a Brain Illness. Usually, he loves to talk nonsense—it’s in his nature. I, the Emperor, am above holding a grudge against him. If it were anyone else, such insolence would be punishable. But him… if I were to punish him, it would seem petty.”

Empress Zhang smiled gracefully and nodded, as if finding it reasonable. How could the Imperial Palace possibly bother with a troublemaking kid? She sighed. “In that case, Nanhe Bo is rather pitiful…”

Just as they were sighing, a eunuch in the bedchamber suddenly screamed, “Your Highness, Your Highness! What’s wrong? Your Highness!”

In an instant, the Princess, who had been perfectly fine just moments before, suddenly flushed. She lifted her delicate hand to her forehead, parted her thin lips, and seemed about to say something, but then she collapsed onto the bed.

The palace was thrown into chaos.

“Someone, help! Help!”