Chapter 162: Giving Gifts
Chapter 162: Giving Gifts
After hearing Fang Jifan’s words, Liu Tianzheng let out a cold snort.
Misconduct before the emperor was a serious offense, but Liu Tianzheng was a Perfected Master who, at his age, had nothing to fear. What he detested most were frauds who tarnished Taoism’s pure reputation!
With a cold expression, he asked, “May I ask the layman’s name?”
Fang Jifan sighed. He just wanted to attend the birthday banquet peacefully, but someone insisted on challenging him.
This Young Lord was only a half-baked Taoist, though he did hold proper certification.
Fang Jifan had to reply, “Fang Jifan.”
Fang… Jifan…
Upon hearing the name, one might have expected Liu Tianzheng to respond with a few mocking remarks.
Instead, Liu Tianzheng trembled and seemed to freeze, completely losing the demeanor of a Perfected Master.
He stared at Fang Jifan in disbelief, his body shaking uncontrollably.
Lady Mu, standing nearby, found it strange and wondered, What’s wrong with Perfected Master Liu? Could it be that Fang Jifan is so infamous that even he has heard of him?
Everyone stared intently at Liu Tianzheng, occasionally glancing at Fang Jifan.
The two of them exchanged looks, and Fang Jifan felt equally bewildered. The atmosphere had become tense.
Only Liu Tianzheng suddenly had tears in his eyes.
He took a deep breath, and then, with a thud…
“…”
Fang Jifan was even more confused, completely lost.
Liu Tianzheng had fallen straight to his knees at Fang Jifan’s feet.
The Renshou Palace, which had been so quiet you could hear a pin drop, erupted in whispers.
The Grand Empress Dowager was visibly moved.
The Mingfu whispered among themselves, looking at Liu Tianzheng in shock.
Lady Mu turned pale. What… what is happening now?
After kneeling, Liu Tianzheng performed a formal bow and said, “This humble Taoist… pays respects to Grandmaster Uncle…”
Grand…master…uncle…
Lady Mu almost fainted. How could this be fair?
A man of Perfected Master Liu’s age, how could he bring himself to do this?
If she hadn’t personally escorted this Perfected Master to the Capital, Lady Mu would have suspected that he had been bribed by Fang Jifan.
A man in his seventies calling a young man Grandmaster Uncle? She felt her heart ache. What kind of sin was this?
The Grand Empress Dowager was too astonished to speak.
She didn’t understand the seniority system within Zhengyi Taoism, but in those times, whether in Taoism, Confucianism, or ordinary clans, no one dared to joke about seniority.
But… Fang Jifan… he…
Fang-shi, who had been standing in the corner, was secretly anxious. She knew Lady Mu’s tactics and was sure her nephew would face retaliation. Who could have imagined this?
Fang Jifan took a deep breath and looked at Liu Tianzheng, who was prostrating himself on the ground… In that moment, he understood everything.
He had forcibly connected himself to Wei Dayou, never expecting that Wei Dayou’s seniority would be so terrifyingly high.
And seniority wasn’t about ability or skill. If someone was higher in rank, they were higher—just like how Fang Jifan would be your father. No matter who you were, even if you became a king, you would still have to call him father in public.
Liu Tianzheng’s face was red with shame.
Just two days earlier, he had visited Longquan Taoist Temple and learned that Puji Zhenren had a junior fellow named Fang Jifan. But he never imagined this person would be so young.
Although Puji Zhenren had mentioned his youth, to someone in his seventies, anyone under fifty seemed young.
After reading “Collected Commentaries on the True Scripture of the Dao and Its Virtue,” Liu Tianzheng was astonished. Over the past two days, he had read the text more than ten times. And now… the author of that book was right in front of him.
This kneeling was done with genuine respect.
“This humble Taoist was presumptuous, daring to debate Taoist studies with Grandmaster Uncle. I am ashamed. After studying Grandmaster Uncle’s ‘Collected Commentaries on the True Scripture of the Dao and Its Virtue,’ I couldn’t sleep or eat. I now understand there are always greater heights. Grandmaster Uncle’s wisdom is beyond what a fool like me can comprehend. I beg for your forgiveness.”
Hiss…
The Grand Empress Dowager was stunned.
In fact, everyone was stunned. The earlier kneeling could have been attributed to seniority, but now, Perfected Master Liu was admitting that he wasn’t even worthy of carrying Fang Jifan’s shoes. He even regretted not being able to become Fang Jifan’s follower. Debating Taoist studies? Out of the question.
While everyone was in shock, Liu Tianzheng stood up, his face full of shame, and bowed to the Grand Empress Dowager. “Your Highness, this humble Taoist was invited by the Duke of Wei to expound the scriptures for you. But today, I learned that Grandmaster Uncle is here. I am ashamed and dare not show off my meager skills in front of an expert. I beg Your Highness to allow this poor Taoist to withdraw.”
He refused to continue, just like that.
Liu Tianzheng felt he couldn’t afford to embarrass himself. That “Collected Commentaries on the True Scripture of the Dao and Its Virtue” was considered the pinnacle of scriptural studies since the beginning of the Great Ming dynasty. In the presence of his Grandmaster Uncle, what right did he have to expound the scriptures? Even the most excellent Provincial Graduate would never dare to lecture in front of a Zhuangyuan.
One must know their limits.
“Perfected Master… are you being too harsh?” the Grand Empress Dowager asked, pale with shock.
Liu Tianzheng said solemnly, “This poor Taoist deserves death. Farewell.”
Without another word, he turned and left. Though his actions seemed willful, for him, it was a matter of principle. Without hesitation, he bowed once more to the Grand Empress Dowager and departed.
Just… like that.
No one could process what had happened.
Fang Jifan was also stunned. This Taoist was truly sincere! On second thought, how did he end up with another grandson? Ah, no, a grand-disciple.
Then he noticed countless gazes fixed intently on him. Fang Jifan rubbed his nose. With his thick skin, he was gradually getting used to being stared at by so many women.
Lady Mu’s face was ashen. At this point, she felt a chill. This nephew of Fang-shi was truly terrifying.
She glanced up and saw the Grand Empress Dowager smiling at Fang Jifan, her eyes filled with undeniable admiration. Lady Mu never expected such a prodigy to emerge from the humble Nanhe Bo Mansion.
Her heart pounded, and she forced a smile onto her pale face. She stepped forward, wanting to affectionately pat Fang Jifan’s cheek.
Fang Jifan stepped back, avoiding her touch.
Lady Mu felt awkward. “Nephew Fang, you are truly remarkable. If I offended you earlier, please forgive me. I am just an ignorant woman. If you ever have time to visit Nanjing, you must come to our residence…”
She wasn’t foolish. After fully recognizing Fang Jifan’s capabilities, her only thought was to mend their relationship. She had offended Fang-shi many times before, but who knew the Fang Family would suddenly have such great fortune?
The Grand Empress Dowager ignored Lady Mu and smiled at Fang Jifan. “Jifan, come here.”
Fang Jifan stepped forward. “Your servant is here.”
The Grand Empress Dowager said happily, “The Nanhe Bo Mansion has truly produced an outstanding child.”
Just then, a eunuch entered and announced, “Your Highness, the gift lists from each family have been delivered.”
The Grand Empress Dowager smiled. She was in a good mood. Perfected Master Liu hadn’t shocked her, but Fang Jifan had truly astonished her. This young man… at such a tender age, could he really be the reincarnation of a Taoist deity?
But she wouldn’t show it openly. After all, she was the Grand Empress Dowager, and some matters were best kept to herself.
As for the gift lists, the Grand Empress Dowager didn’t care much. The royal family lacked nothing.
But she understood human nature all too well. To celebrate her birthday, each family had gone to great lengths. If their meticulously prepared gifts were accepted without acknowledgment, it would surely disappoint them.
For this reason, the Grand Empress Dowager had specifically instructed that the gift lists be read aloud, so everyone’s efforts would be recognized.
She signaled to the eunuch Wang Yan.
Wang Yan took the gift list and bowed.
The Grand Empress Dowager glanced around and said lightly, “Read.”
The Mingfu finally snapped out of their shock. Many beamed with joy, having put much effort into preparing their birthday gifts. Now that the Grand Empress Dowager was having them read aloud, their efforts were finally acknowledged.
Wang Yan began reading loudly, “The Residence of the Duke of Dingguo presents four pairs of Jade Discs, sixteen pieces of Coral…”
Fang Jifan sat and listened. The birthday gifts from each family were truly astonishing—every one was a rare treasure, priceless beyond measure. He couldn’t help but shed tears. This Young Lord, a coal tycoon, was still several levels below these old birthday celebrants.
Those whose names were called flushed with pride, looking especially spirited.
The Nanhe Bo Mansion’s rank was not high, so they were listed last. When it was time for the Nanhe Bo Mansion, Wang Yan’s raspy voice suddenly stopped. He looked down to confirm again before hesitantly saying, “The Nanhe Bo Mansion presents one Glass Mirror.”
And then… that was it.
The other families’ gifts included Jade Discs, Coral, Agate, and Pearls—Jade Discs in pairs, Coral in sets, Agate by the pound, and Pearls by the bucket. But what was this “one Glass Mirror”?
Zhu Houzhao had been sitting idly by, bored. He didn’t understand Taoist studies and had been lost in the earlier discussion. But when he heard “Glass Mirror,” his eyes lit up. “This Palace knows about glass. Glass is a good thing. Old Fang… Minister Fang used it to build greenhouses—very useful. Minister Fang has a Glass Workshop in the Western Hills that produces thousands of pounds a day.”
His words only made things worse for Fang Jifan.
Everyone’s expressions turned strange. Zhu Houzhao wondered to himself, Did This Palace say something wrong?
Such cunning.
Not only did Fang Jifan not send a better birthday gift, but he only gave one Glass Mirror… even though his workshop produced thousands of pounds a day.
The Grand Empress Dowager’s impression of Fang Jifan had completely changed. She thought he was clever, sharp, and honest—rare qualities among the Noble Families. Look at those shameless sons and nephews—how many of them were truly presentable? Humph, a bunch of disgraces to their ancestors.
But now… though she didn’t say anything, she felt that Fang Jifan was being excessively stingy.