Chapter 114: Golden Words

Xu Jing wanted to become a disciple. On the one hand, he and Tang Yin were the closest of friends. It would be wonderful if they could become fellow disciples under the same mentor. On the other hand, he also admired Fang Jifan’s character. Of course… he admired that unique quality Fang Jifan possessed, not the habit of speaking crudely all the time.

Yet, he never expected Fang Jifan would refuse to take him as a disciple in the end.

Seeing Xu Jing’s terribly disappointed expression, Tang Yin couldn’t hold back any longer. “Brother Xu, why give up? Actually, our Mentor has a soft heart. If you persist, he will surely agree.”

Xu Jing could only respond with a bitter smile. The flickering candlelight illuminated his face, making him appear even more forlorn. “How could I want to give up? It’s just… I haven’t found the right way. Since our Benefactor dislikes me so much, if I still shamelessly cling on, wouldn’t I become the laughingstock of the world?”

Ultimately, it was his family background and inherent pride getting in the way. Cripplingly obsessed with saving face, used to showing off, he couldn’t handle being constantly embarrassed every day.

Tang Yin then advised, “Actually, it’s not hopeless.”

“Hmm?” Xu Jing froze, as if suddenly glimpsing hope.

Tang Yin said, “I heard from Senior Brothers Ouyang Zhi and the others about one thing. Our Mentor once used it to make people in his household comply obediently. Since he could use it to pressure the Fang Family, and since he ultimately has a soft heart, perhaps you could try it too. Though, it would require Senior Brothers Ouyang Zhi and the other two to cooperate. But they seem to hold some prejudice against this foolish junior…”

Tang Yin was a man of great talent, but he seemed somewhat lacking in social graces.

Moreover, their Mentor clearly took a strong interest in Tang Yin’s painting, praising him frequently. Tang Yin was highly motivated. His room was now filled with many unfinished paintings. Ouyang Zhi and the other senior brothers got scolded much more often. It was only natural they felt a little sour inside.

Xu Jing, however, just smiled. He understood Tang Yin well enough to grasp his meaning.

But things like dealing with people and making friends were what Xu Jing, a scion of a prominent family, excelled at. “That’s easy. The key to friendship is humility. I see Senior Brothers Ouyang Zhi and the other two are honorable and dutiful men. Getting familiar should be easy enough.”

Here, under the flickering lamplight, Tang and Xu stayed up half the night, whispering low as they plotted something together.

The next day, Fang Jifan ordered Deng Jian to request leave at the House of the Crown Prince, saying he was sick.

He’d learned this trick from Zhu Houzhao. Historically, Zhu Houzhao loved to be ‘sick’. The Veritable Records of the Ming Dynasty contained many such entries. When Fang Jifan read history, he often came across phrases like ‘Eastern Palace took medicine,’ ‘His Majesty was unwell, decree issued to suspend court temporarily,’ ‘This Emperor caught a slight cough,’ ‘His Majesty’s throat infection became quite critical,’ ‘sudden abdominal pain,’ ‘This Emperor’s person is occasionally indisposed,’ ‘This Emperor took ill due to qi disturbance,’ and so on.

In other words, during his time as Crown Prince and Emperor, this fellow took countless sick leaves. He was constantly claiming a cough, taking medicine, and never stopped undergoing ‘treatments.’

But when it came time to review troops, slip out of the palace to fight the Tatars at Datong, or tour Jiangnan, he would suddenly become vigorous and mighty, as if divinely assisted.

Whether he was truly sick or faking it, Fang Jifan couldn’t rashly judge from reading history. But faking illness to skip Yang Tinghe’s lectures was something Fang Jifan had witnessed firsthand.

Growing watermelons was hard work! And Zhu Houzhao didn’t dare delegate it, fearing careless eunuchs might kill his precious ‘Champion Marquis’. Only Fang Jifan was allowed to help with the watering and fertilizing.

But Fang Jifan just wanted to make money, not farm! Damn it! This Young Lord was a study companion, not some master watermelon planter!

So… early in the morning, Fang Jifan lay on his couch, groaning ‘aiyo, aiyo’ a couple of times, casually saying he’d ‘caught a chill.’ Then he dispatched Deng Jian to the House of the Crown Prince, saying he felt unwell, probably caught a cold. Depending on how his body felt, he would go later once he recovered.

If he didn’t go at all today, it meant he was still sick.

This method of requesting leave seemed much more sincere, at least it looked the part.

Besides, it was nearly the end of February, but still freezing cold. Catching a chill was normal.

He happily had Xiaoxiangxiang give him a massage in the manor. Legs propped up, sipping tea, Tang Yin brought paintings for him to appraise. Ouyang Zhi and the other three were silently tending to the stove heating coal or warming wine at his feet. All four disciples were filial and attentive in their care. Of course, compared to Xiaoxiangxiang, they were still far behind.

Fang Jifan couldn’t help but muse: How wonderful it would be to just lie around forever. It seems… I’m becoming decadent.

By noon, after lunch, he napped pleasantly. He slept soundly. When he finally awoke, Fang Jifan realized that fellow Xu Jing seemed to have vanished.

This guy… had he run away?

What a lack of promise! He’d wanted to grind down that sharp edge a bit. Could he really not handle it already? Of course, Fang Jifan wouldn’t summon Tang Yin to ask. He couldn’t appear concerned about that guy.

Just then, the gatekeeper arrived. “Young Lord, someone is here from the palace! Someone from the palace!”

“Who is it?”

“I… I don’t know.”

Fang Jifan glared at him. “Bring them in.”

“It’s strange. The person from the palace said His Majesty has a spoken decree, meant only for you. Everyone else must keep away.”

Fang Jifan straightened up dramatically. His Majesty was being very considerate! Did he have some major, secret task for him? It seemed he truly held a place in the Emperor’s heart and deeply enjoyed His Majesty’s trust.

So he dismissed everyone else and invited the Imperial Envoy in.

In the hall, he saw a servant lead the way, followed by an Old Matron, and then… surprisingly, the Taikang Princess.

The Princess walked with tiny steps, eyes cast down, supported by the Old Matron. She seemed a little embarrassed, her face tinged with a faint blush.

Fang Jifan was startled.

The servant spoke: “Chief Fang, the Princess came out of the palace today for a follow-up examination. Your Servant was ordered by Her Highness the Empress to escort Her Highness to the House of the Crown Prince to await your arrival. Who would have guessed Chief Fang caught Wind-Cold Disorder and said it would be later before you could attend duty? We waited and waited, but Chief Fang never showed. Your Servant thought, it’s rare for the Princess to leave the palace. If she returned empty-handed, Her Highness the Empress would surely blame us. But sending someone to urge Chief Fang wasn’t right, both because Chief Fang is unwell and because going back and forth would take too long, making it late anyway. So I took the liberty of pretending to bring an Imperial decree to come seeking medical assistance here.”

“……” Fang Jifan didn’t believe for a second this was the servant’s own idea to pretend to bring an Imperial decree. He lacked the daring. So Fang Jifan glanced at the Princess, thinking to himself: this Princess has some decisiveness.

He nodded and said, “So it seems if I did not perform the examination, Her Highness would remain worried. That… is understandable. Your Highness, please sit down. This official will examine you.”

With that earlier glance, Zhu Xiurong felt Fang Jifan had seen right through something. Naturally feeling a bit shy inside, she still managed a faint smile. She sat down respectfully as instructed, with the Old Matron standing protectively beside her.

Fang Jifan felt annoyed. He coughed. “Old Matron, could you stand a little farther away? You’re putting too much pressure on me.”

The Old Matron, her face perpetually expressionless, had no choice but to take a few steps back.

Then Fang Jifan stepped forward. He smiled at Zhu Xiurong. Zhu Xiurong was naturally beautiful, even though still young. Her eyes were misty and captivating. To ward off the cold, she wore a fox fur shawl patterned with peonies. A delicate, jade-like hand instinctively extended for Fang Jifan to take her pulse.

Fang Jifan put on a show, placing his fingers on her wrist.

Zhu Xiurong’s face remained serene, betraying no emotion. Yet, the rapid beating of her pulse gave her away.

Fang Jifan frowned. “Hmm, this pulse is a bit fast.”

Hearing this, the Matron behind them tensed up immediately.

But then Fang Jifan said to Zhu Xiurong, “Don’t be nervous. I’m not a monster. I don’t eat people.”

Zhu Xiurong was slightly taken aback at first. Then, the smile on her face deepened. Evidently, the previous poised smile was forced; this genuine one came from a more heartfelt place.

“Hmm… much steadier now. It seems… nothing’s seriously wrong. Try eating more meat on a regular basis.” Fang Jifan quickly withdrew his hand, avoiding any improper familiarity.

“How so?” The Old Matron couldn’t help asking, full of concern. “What’s the reason behind this?”

Fang Jifan said, “Her constitution is delicate. Eating more meat can make her stronger. Like the Crown Prince.”

“……” The Old Matron wished she could slap herself. Such a foolish question! She shouldn’t have taken the bait.

Zhu Xiurong gave a radiant smile, her flawless skin seeming to glow. She said timidly, “This Palace does not enjoy eating meat.”

“That’s strange indeed. Born of the same mother, yet the Crown Prince loves meat.”

“…”

The Old Matron coughed emphatically, signaling to Zhu Xiurong not to engage Fang Jifany this way.

Zhu Xiurong immediately became more guarded. Her pearly white teeth lightly bit inwards, and she adopted a slightly stern expression. “The Crown Prince told This Palace that Chief Fang enjoys frightening people. Chief Fang saved This Palace’s life, and This Palace is profoundly grateful.”

She spoke, trying hard to project the dignity expected of a Princess. It almost felt like a formal meeting.

Such a young girl, yet forcing this demeanor. Fang Jifan sighed inwardly. She’s beautiful, and undeniably stirring, but also full of troublesome quirks.

Zhu Xiurong continued, “However, This Palace has a word of good advice. I wonder if Chief Fang is willing to listen?”

Fang Jifan thought to himself, you’re the Princess, you outrank, of course I have to listen. “Please enlighten me.”

Zhu Xiurong pondered for a moment. “Chief Fang must never learn the Crown Prince’s habit of mischief. Cherish your feathers…”

“Cough, cough… Your Highness, your official doesn’t have feathers.”

“……” Zhu Xiurong’s lovely face froze momentarily. She took a deep breath, then smiled faintly, eyes misty as before. “This Palace means to say, cherish your reputation. Never let people point fingers. Words can be terrifying. For example… This Palace heard from the Crown Prince that Chief Fang made a bet, forcing scholars to become his disciples. They also said you took advantage of others’ difficulties and humiliated scholars… This… is very inappropriate. Chief Fang ought to become a genuine Noble Person.”