Chapter 54: The Good-For-Nothing

Emperor Hongzhi left. He left in a hurry, mainly to prevent Empress Zhang and Fang Jifan from making any more promises. Although Emperor Hongzhi cared for the younger generation, he was a dignified man. He disliked people who recognized relatives just because they looked familiar, or who burned yellow paper to become brothers after a few nonsense words.

Of course, for him, what he cared about more was that if this matter spread, it would inevitably cause unnecessary speculation among his subjects. Besides… Fang Jifan’s reputation was indeed not very good. To be honest, he felt that Fang Jifan was a ticking time bomb, who might cause a huge joke at any time, which would eventually affect the Imperial Palace.

Fang Jifan and his father, along with the Duke of Yingguo, respectfully sent His Majesty off.

Before leaving, Empress Zhang, sitting in her phoenix carriage, smiled and looked at Fang Jifan, who was seeing her off. “Come and see your aunt when you have time. I come from an ordinary family too, so don’t have any doubts.”

“Okay, okay.” Fang Jifan nodded like a chicken pecking at rice.

After the Imperial Carriage had gone far away.

Zhang Mao took a deep breath, still a bit confused.

Fang Jinglong, however, was beaming with joy. Who said his son was useless? Now even His Majesty and Empress Your Highness liked him so much. He rubbed his hands excitedly. “Lao Zhang, do you think I should set up dozens of tables for a banquet? After all… this is a glorious event for our family.”

Before Zhang Mao could reply, Fang Jinglong scratched his head again. “It seems too showy. Will it attract criticism? Forget it, forget it. Let’s just close the door and invite a few old brothers over for a drink.”

Zhang Mao quickly waved his hand. “No more drinking, no more drinking. I don’t understand your family’s strange one. I can’t figure him out, and I can’t afford to mess with him. See you tomorrow at the Military Governor’s Office.”

With that, he hurried away as if fleeing.

…

The weather grew colder. Although it was mid-autumn, frost had formed in the early morning. Fang Jifan also shivered from the cold, feeling as if the chill was everywhere.

Today, he wore a padded jacket, with a Qilin Uniform made of cotton and silk on the outside, and a pair of deerskin boots on his feet. Xiaoxiangxiang crouched down to help Fang Jifan put on his boots. Fang Jifan felt sorry for this little girl. Seeing her working hard, he scolded angrily, “I raised you so big, and you still don’t know how to put on boots? Let this Young Lord teach you.” He pulled his foot out and put on the boots himself.

After quickly eating breakfast, he set off for his duties.

As he approached the House of the Crown Prince, he saw two familiar figures coming out.

When these two saw Fang Jifan, their eyes lit up.

“Fang, my good nephew, how are you?” The visitors were none other than the Zhang Brothers—the Marquis of Shouning and the Earl of Jianchang.

Zhang Heling greeted him kindly, but Fang Jifan didn’t feel like talking much with them. He just said lightly, “Oh, hello, Uncles.”

“Would you like to come to Uncle’s house for a sit and a drink of water?” Zhang Heling eagerly tugged at Fang Jifan.

Fang Jifan shook his head bluntly. “No drinking!”

Zhang Heling seemed relieved and laughed. “Good, good. Drinking water isn’t good either; it hurts the stomach. Where are you going, Fang, my good nephew?”

Fang Jifan said, “On duty.” With that, he hurried away.

The smile on Zhang Heling’s face didn’t fade as he watched Fang Jifan enter the House of the Crown Prince. But suddenly, his smile stiffened. He thumped his chest and sighed.

Zhang Yanling couldn’t help but ask, “Brother, what’s wrong?”

“It hurts!” Zhang Heling covered his chest and said.

“Oh no…” Zhang Yanling was terrified. “Was it the porridge this morning that upset your stomach?”

Zhang Heling grimaced, but his eyes turned red. He blinked, and tears welled up. “I’m talking about my heart. My heart hurts. Look, this little fool—the moment I see him, I feel a closeness. In our Great Ming Dynasty, even if you search with a lantern, you can’t find another good-for-nothing like him. I really want to be friends with him. It’s a pity he’s probably broke now. Have you heard of ‘draining the pond to catch all the fish’? Thinking about this, your brother… feels very sad.”

After hearing this, Zhang Yanling actually felt the same way and sighed softly. “Yes, it’s such a shame.”

The two brothers lingered, sighing deeply.

Meanwhile, Fang Jifan entered the House of the Crown Prince. When Zhu Houzhao learned that Fang Jifan had arrived, he immediately sent Liu Jin to invite him in.

Liu Jin didn’t leave a deep impression on Fang Jifan. He seemed no different from an ordinary person, yet Fang Jifan knew that after Zhu Houzhao ascended the throne, Liu Jin would become one of the infamous “Eight Tigers,” a villain among villains.

However, Fang Jifan would never discriminate against any bad person because he and Liu Jin were two of a kind. The pot couldn’t call the kettle black. Besides, for someone to be so evil as to be remembered in history, it should be considered a special skill. That was the spirit of an Artisan—only one in a thousand could achieve it.

Zhu Houzhao wasn’t setting up military chess today. Instead, he wore a jacket like the Tatars and imitated their way of drinking hot horse milk.

Historically, Zhu Houzhao loved military affairs and equestrian archery, much like King Wuling of Zhao, who adopted the customs of the northern tribes.

But the moment he saw Fang Jifan, he perked up. “You know how to treat illnesses too?”

Fang Jifan said modestly, “Not really, not really. I’ve just been studied a lot, so I’m only slightly better than the Imperial Physicians.”

Zhu Houzhao laughed. “This Palace heard you bought a large piece of land from the Marquis of Shouning? Come, tell This Palace, what are you planning to do?”

Fang Jifan didn’t hide it from Zhu Houzhao. To be honest, since coming to this world and acting crazy every day, he always felt a bit distant from the people here. But he felt much better around Zhu Houzhao, probably because this guy had some issues with his head, just like him.

Fang Jifan said, “Business.”

“Business?” Zhu Houzhao’s eyes lit up instantly. “What kind of business? Take This Palace with you. We’re brothers.”

Fang Jifan glared at him and said slowly, “Your Highness, do you have silver?”

This question undoubtedly hit Zhu Houzhao’s sore spot. He said somewhat unconfidently, “Last time, you gave This Palace some silver, and there’s quite a bit left. Is it enough?”

Fang Jifan just smiled slightly and didn’t say anything.

“It’s just silver. Don’t be stingy. This Palace is the Crown Prince. What silver don’t I have?”

Though he said that, even a hero could be stumped by lack of money. Zhu Houzhao still felt a bit guilty. Emperor Hongzhi was an exceptionally frugal man. Although Zhu Houzhao’s daily expenses were covered by the Imperial Privy Purse, and his treatment was generous, he couldn’t get a single copper coin in cash.

He narrowed his eyes, as if pondering something, and said, “Alright, no more talking with you. Go on duty. Master Yang isn’t coming to teach today; he said he caught a Wind-Cold Disorder. This Palace will go pay respects to Imperial Father and Empress Mother.”

…

In the Forbidden City.

The Emperor’s Imperial Carriage moved from Fengtian Hall to the Warm Pavilion.

Today’s Court Conference was held in Fengtian Hall. After discussing state affairs, Emperor Hongzhi came to the Warm Pavilion to rest. There would be another court session after noon.

But as soon as he stepped into the Warm Pavilion today, Emperor Hongzhi felt a slight strangeness. He looked around the Warm Pavilion and felt that something was missing.

Suddenly, he remembered. Besides the plaque that read “Revere Heaven and Emulate Ancestors,” there was also his favorite “Thousand Li of Rivers and Mountains Painting.” This painting was the work of Wang Ximeng, an artist from the Song Dynasty. This student of the Northern Song painting academy was personally instructed by Emperor Huizong of Song in brush and ink techniques, and this painting was his only surviving work.

Although the painter wasn’t widely famous, this painting was majestic and grand, a treasure collected in the palace, truly unparalleled. Among the paintings and calligraphy collected by the royal family, this painting could be described as rare and precious.

Emperor Hongzhi loved this painting the most, so he specifically ordered it to be framed and hung in the Warm Pavilion.

But now, the “Thousand Li of Rivers and Mountains Painting” that had been hanging on the wall was gone. Staring at the empty wall, this large blank space left Emperor Hongzhi somewhat stunned, as if he couldn’t believe such an unbelievable thing could happen in the world.

“Someone!” Emperor Hongzhi called out calmly. In fact, he didn’t have much emotion at this moment. This was the Forbidden City, the Son of Heaven’s residence. Theft? Impossible. Perhaps the Eunuchs from the Directorate of Imperial Temples had taken it down for cleaning.

Liu Qian was on duty today, but his expression was also a bit strange. He tremblingly stepped forward. “Your Servant is here.”

Emperor Hongzhi said lightly, “Where is the painting?”

“Your Servant… Your Servant…” Liu Qian suddenly knelt on the ground, shaking like a sieve.

Emperor Hongzhi suddenly had a bad feeling. “Did the Crown Prince come?”