Chapter 208: The Cure for a Troubled Heart Lies in the Heart

Worry had made him sick.

This was a perfectly normal symptom.

In his previous life, when Fang Jifan had no girlfriend, he was probably in a similar state.

Of course, Emperor Hongzhi’s situation was much worse.

His lifelong efforts had been devoted to this, and then he discovered that all his hard work had been in vain. So, he became depressed.

It seemed he felt he had done his absolute best, yet reality seemed to have slapped him in the face.

As a result, he became disheartened and cold.

He realized that no matter what, he could not become the confident and determined person he once was. He felt that no matter how hard he tried, he could not become the person he wanted to be.

What a blow this was. The more he thought about it, the more anxious he became, making him dazed. Sometimes he felt that all of this was not worth it, and sometimes he could not help but smile bitterly at the cruel reality.

What occupied his mind more were thoughts of Wang San, the woman from Wang San’s family, and that filthy, wretched hut.

He paid no attention to Fang Jifan. Or rather, at this point, Emperor Hongzhi had closed himself off. He did not want to deal with people or matters from the outside world.

Ignoring him?

Fang Jifan let out a soft breath and smiled. “If you won’t pay attention, then I’ll just keep talking!”

Fang Jifan then said, “Actually, at first, I wanted to be a good person, a truly great person. But later, I realized how difficult it is to be a good person. So many people insisted on making me a complete villain. Can Your Majesty understand this feeling? They simply couldn’t bear to see me do well. For me to be a good person was a thousand times harder than for ordinary people.”

“But… I did it. I still did it. I became a good person with high morals, who stayed pure, remained untainted by corruption, and was honest and reliable. Does Your Majesty know how I managed it? Because no matter what others in this world say, no matter how they see me, no matter how the world changes, as long as I stay true to my own heart, that is enough. Everything else is actually not worth mentioning.”

Emperor Hongzhi finally lifted his eyes and quickly glanced at Fang Jifan, but his face remained cold.

It seemed… His Majesty did not quite believe him.

However, getting a reaction was a good start. So, Fang Jifan continued, “Your Majesty, please listen to me explain in detail.”

“Step back,” Emperor Hongzhi said faintly. He appeared extremely calm, so calm it was frightening. Yet precisely this calmness made it impossible to refuse.

“……”

Fang Jifan was speechless. He genuinely wanted to share with Emperor Hongzhi the process of his new path. For him, Fang Jifan, to have come this far and still maintain such noble character was truly not easy.

Ah… what a pity…

He was being so proactive, yet he was ruthlessly rejected. It was very awkward. But Fang Jifan had no choice but to say, “Your servant… takes his leave.”

People who had gotten so deeply stuck in their own thoughts were the hardest to deal with lightly. Who knew if the next words might be, “Guards, cut off his little birdie!”

Coming out of the Warm Pavilion, it seemed he hadn’t received an enthusiastic response.

From this, it was clear that many people did not think highly of Fang Jifan.

Instead, Zhu Houzhao hurriedly ran up and asked, “How did it go?”

Fang Jifan shook his head. “This is a sickness of the heart.”

“Everyone knows it’s a sickness of the heart,” Xiao Jing said, raising his voice.

Xiao Jing was the old companion who had served by Emperor Hongzhi’s side for over twenty years. Now that His Majesty was ‘gravely ill,’ he was extremely anxious and naturally couldn’t stand Fang Jifan’s nonsense.

Empress Zhang just frowned and remained silent.

Liu Jian and others said, “There’s no other way. We have to go in…”

They wanted to go in and risk their lives to remonstrate.

An idea struck Fang Jifan, and he quickly said, “You must not go in. If you go in, it will only worsen this sickness of the heart. In my opinion, to cure this heart sickness, there are only two methods.”

At this point, obviously, few people had the mind to pay attention to Fang Jifan.

Everyone gathered in small groups, discussing in low, anxious voices, each trying to come up with a solution.

Originally, bringing Fang Jifan into the palace was to ask about the matter of the Western Hills. No one expected Fang Jifan to play any major role.

So when Fang Jifan went to see His Majesty, many had already predicted this outcome for him.

Fang Jifan felt slightly awkward, but Zhu Houzhao seriously gathered around him. “Two methods? What methods?”

This made Fang Jifan’s expression soften a bit. He patiently explained, “First, give His Majesty hope.”

“Hope?” Zhu Houzhao was stunned for a moment, then said, “Should This Palace go recite the Four Books before Father?”

Fang Jifan shook his head. “I’m afraid that won’t be of much use! But the second method is a bit easier. We need a way to inspire His Majesty.”

Inspire…

Yes, Emperor Hongzhi’s problem was that he was disheartened. But if something could give him a strong stimulus, perhaps… there would be hope.

Zhu Houzhao looked at Fang Jifan and couldn’t help saying, “Old Fang, stop being so mysterious. This Palace doesn’t understand all this. Just tell This Palace, what should This Palace do?”

Zhu Houzhao was genuinely a bit anxious. After all, that was his closest relative. So he temporarily set aside the grudge from being beaten by his Imperial Father and was so worried he was stomping his feet.

“Your Highness doesn’t need to do anything. Even if you did, it would be useless,” Fang Jifan said with a sigh.

To some extent, in Emperor Hongzhi’s heart, seeing Zhu Houzhao might actually cause even deeper worries. After all, this battered empire was supposed to be handed over to Zhu Houzhao in the future. Thinking of how he had exhausted himself, yet there were so many Wang Sans in the world, plus the Crown Prince himself did not look like a proper ruler at all—putting Zhu Houzhao right in front of him would clearly be telling him that the Great Ming… was doomed.

The consequences of that were hard to predict. Vomiting three pints of blood might be a light outcome.

Zhu Houzhao pursed his lips, lowered his eyelids, and suddenly said, “Imperial Father probably won’t have any serious issues, right? He… after all, he has always protected This Palace. He is so…”

His voice grew softer and softer…

It sounded quite sorrowful.

Fang Jifan had never seen the carefree Zhu Houzhao look like this before. Even when he was hung up and beaten, he still had some semblance of a tough guy.

Fang Jifan shook himself and said, “But there might still be a way to inspire His Majesty.”

“What?” Zhu Houzhao was startled, seeming to grasp a sliver of hope. His eyes shone brightly as he looked at Fang Jifan.

Fang Jifan’s words seemed to attract the attention of several others.

At this time, the Grand Empress Dowager and Empress Zhang had already entered the Warm Pavilion.

Liu Jian, who had been whispering with Li Dongyang and Xie Qian, turned back in surprise. Xie Qian, being the most impatient, said, “Speak quickly.”

But Fang Jifan said, “I cannot say. If I say it, it won’t work. I must go to the Western Hills.”

“……” Xie Qian almost choked to death.

Beside him, Xiao Jing said sourly, “The Newly Established Count seems to know His Majesty very well…”

His words were like pouring cold water on everyone.

Even Zhu Houzhao was taken aback.

Yes, the one who spent every day with His Majesty was Empress Zhang, and the one who attended to His Majesty’s daily needs was Eunuch Xiao.

Weren’t these two people enough to understand His Majesty?

The Crown Prince was His Majesty’s son. Even if the Crown Prince was mischievous, didn’t he know His Majesty’s temperament?

Even if we step back ten thousand steps, Liu Jian and the others had assisted His Majesty for over ten years. Didn’t they understand His Majesty?

His Majesty’s illness was a sickness of the heart. Even they were at a loss. How could we rely on you, Fang Jifan?

How many times have you, Fang Jifan, even seen His Majesty? Do you, Fang Jifan, know what His Majesty usually likes to eat the most?

Seeing everyone looking at him with complex expressions, Fang Jifan simply smiled. He was long accustomed to such looks.

These people clearly did not know that the one who truly understood Emperor Hongzhi was precisely himself.

In later generations, countless experts on Ming history had analyzed and researched Emperor Hongzhi from vast historical records. Even a single imperial edict from Emperor Hongzhi might be analyzed at length by some student, with all sorts of interpretations.

The emotional understanding of those close to him was different from the scientific study and analysis of a person.

Even if you had a lot of contact, there would still be emotional factors. Later research, however, examined every detail, making judgments based on Emperor Hongzhi’s actions, his decrees, and the various reactions of those around him.

These conclusions were stored in Fang Jifan’s heart. Perhaps they weren’t 100% accurate, but combined with Fang Jifan’s careful observations since coming to this world, the two combined could often uncover the deepest secrets in Emperor Hongzhi’s heart.

Fang Jifan knew that if things continued like this, Emperor Hongzhi would really be in trouble. Right now, they could only give it a try. He said sharply to Xiao Jing, “If Eunuch Xiao understands His Majesty so well, by all means, go and see His Majesty to cure this major worry in his heart. If you cannot, then shut up!”

“……” Xiao Jing finally had no strength to refute, because the facts proved that he was also helpless.

Fang Jifan then glanced at the sky and said, “Crown Prince, I must go to the Western Hills immediately now. I will strive to return by noon tomorrow.”

Zhu Houzhao’s confidence had evidently been shaken by Xiao Jing, but he still grabbed Fang Jifan’s hand, steadied himself, and said, “This Palace… believes in you!”

“By the way, there is one thing you must remember clearly.”

“Tell me…” Zhu Houzhao’s eyes were red, wanting to cry, but he remained strong, desperately holding back.

“Do not go to see His Majesty.”

“What… why?” Zhu Houzhao was utterly perplexed.

“You’re an eyesore!” Fang Jifan said with a worried expression. “It will worsen his condition.”

“……”

So Fang Jifan hurriedly left under the cover of night.

He left behind a group of people sighing deeply.

Zhu Houzhao anxiously clasped his hands behind his back and looked up at the sky.

An eyesore…

How am I an eyesore?

Am I not Imperial Father’s own son?

He thought of a terrifying possibility…

Could it be… because Imperial Father discovered this, that’s why… he became sick with worry?

No wonder I don’t look like Imperial Father at all. We’re not from the same mold.

Then who is my real father?

That scoundrel Fang Jifan, he only said half of it!

No, at a time like this, why am I having such strange thoughts…

Zhu Houzhao quickly shook his head. He should be worrying about Imperial Father’s illness.