Chapter 119: Auspicious Omen

Now that Wang Shouren had finally decided to stop trying to study Fang Jifan, Wang Hua finally sighed in relief. But upon hearing his son’s request, his face instantly started to flush again.

Life really was unbearable.

Since childhood, this troublesome child had caused him endless worry. When told to study for the Imperial Examination, he said there were things more important than the exams. When urged to get married, he ran off on his wedding day to study Taoist health practices with a Taoist Master. When told to properly stay home and fulfill his filial duties, he instead went on patrols to Juyong Pass and Shanhai Pass. Just when Wang Hua thought his son had finally settled down and obediently taken the Imperial Examination, placing fourth in the Metropolitan Examination – fitting for a hero’s son, matching his own top scholar father and bringing honor to the family.

And now, instead of properly preparing for the Palace Examination, Wang Shouren was researching Fang Jifan! And having finished that, he now wanted to offer advice! Offer advice? Ridiculous! Still wet behind the ears, what business had he meddling in frontier affairs? Were all the experienced ministers at court inferior to him?

Wang Hua slammed his desk angrily, unable to contain himself further. His eyes turned red, his face flushed crimson. “Just whose son are you? You bear not the slightest resemblance to this old man!”

…

By the next morning, though the weather had warmed slightly, an early mist hung in the air. The dew clinging to clothes was still bitingly cold.

This early morning was the Court Conference. All civil and military officials ranked fifth grade and above were required to attend. Zhu Houzhao, the Crown Prince, was also supposed to go, but he had again claimed illness. This habit of pleading sick every other day was quite like Fang Jifan’s style… or rather, Fang Jifan had learned it from him.

Though claiming illness, Zhu Houzhao showed no sign of sickness. On the contrary, his face was ruddy and glowing, brimming with energy.

He had already divided up the several dozen ripe watermelons. First, he ordered Liu Jin to carry two into the palace as gifts for the Grand Empress Dowager and Empress Zhang.

Then he commanded Zhang Yong to prepare a large cart. He and Fang Jifan rode horses at the front, while a detachment of Imperial Guards and eunuchs loaded the watermelons into the cart, covering it with a black canopy as they made their way towards Donghua Gate.

The cart stopped not far from the dismounting stele statue near Donghua Gate.

Donghua Gate was adjacent to the various ministry offices; the administrative locations of most high-ranking officials in the capital were clustered around its drum tower.

According to Zhu Houzhao and Fang Jifan’s calculations, the hundreds of civil and military officials attending the Court Conference would leave the palace through Donghua Gate after the session ended, seeking the quickest route.

Wasn’t this the very place where capital nobles were most frequently seen?

Since the watermelons were grown, the next step was to advertise them. To whom they sold these melons was crucial. In this era, the influential and wealthy set the trends. Only if they scrambled to buy them would a fashion emerge.

With a prestigious reputation established, once the fame and exclusivity were secured, they could rapidly build large-scale greenhouses on the Western Hills as the weather warmed. Once winter arrived, the time for profits would come.

Zhu Houzhao excitedly rubbed his hands together, directing people to park the cart. Then, he placed a plank on the cart, positioning the watermelons on it. The melons looked incredibly fresh and appealing. A watermelon knife sat beside them on the plank.

Zhu Houzhao waited impatiently, his eyes fixed hungrily on the melons. He desperately wanted to grab the knife, slice one open, and satisfy his craving.

But… business came first. Doing business took priority. He gritted his teeth and fought down the urge.

Finally, as the morning bells rang repeatedly, the Court Conference concluded.

Emperor Hongzhi immediately proceeded to the Warm Pavilion, where numerous memorials awaited his review.

The Hundred Officials, apart from the Grand Secretaries of the Grand Secretariat on duty in the palace and the Hanlin Academicians staying behind, also streamed towards Donghua Gate with the crowd.

In truth, Court Conferences were often formalities. The more grandiose the assembly, the more effort was wasted on ceremonial formalities, with very little substantive discussion due to the crowd and confusion.

Truly important matters were usually settled in the Warm Pavilion, where the Emperor consulted with a few Grand Secretariat Ministers and Ministry Heads to establish the broad direction.

Therefore, the officials mainly felt profound exhaustion. But upon emerging from Donghua Gate, they were startled to hear a jarring call.

“Selling melons! Selling melons, here!”

“???”

Many were bewildered.

Selling melons?

What place was Donghua Gate? This was a forbidden precinct of the palace! Even outside the gates for hundreds of yards, apart from some minor officials, eunuchs, and Imperial Guards coming and going, how could any vendor or merchant possibly be permitted to linger?

Daring to sell melons here? This was practically a joke!

Why hadn’t the Imperial Guards driven them away? Was there no law anymore?

Many started huffing and puffing, indignation flashing in their eyes.

However… this tactic was undeniably attention-grabbing.

For example, Marquis of Shouning Zhang Heling and Earl of Jianchang Zhang Yanling, amidst the throng, were immediately intrigued. Like others, they assumed someone had dared to hawk goods in this forbidden area.

“Brother… I want a melon,” Zhang Yanling whispered.

Zhang Heling instantly felt his intelligence was being ground into the dirt by his younger brother. He glared at Zhang Yanling while slowly pacing within the gate passage, hands clasped behind his back, speaking with annoyance. “Utterly foolish! Utterly foolish! What season is this now? Could there be melons? Just because someone shouts ‘selling melons’, you believe there are melons for sale? It must be a prank! Besides, you’ve already eaten three bowls of porridge this morning. Isn’t that enough? Truly, you understand nothing of managing a household! If it weren’t for me, our Zhang Family fortune would surely be squandered by you!”

Zhang Yanling immediately bowed his head in shame, wishing he could vanish into the earth.

Zhang Heling sneered, adopting a righteous and principled stance. “I just don’t know which reckless fool dares play such a prank in this forbidden area! Hmph! As Imperial Relatives, how can we stand by and do nothing? It infuriates me! This realm belongs to the Emperor! It belongs to the Crown Prince! We are the Crown Prince’s maternal uncles – Imperial Uncles! It is our duty to uphold propriety! Come, let’s levy a fine on them!”

Zhang Yanling’s previously dull eyes suddenly brightened. The two brothers sped through the gate passage.

Looking ahead, they saw the dismounting stele already surrounded by a dense crowd of dark-robed ministers. Some whispered among themselves; others stood like stone statues, dumbfounded and incredulous, witnessing the scene before them.

“Selling melons! Selling melons! Fresh watermelons! Come and take a look, incredibly fresh…”

Zhang Heling charged into the crowd with an air of righteous indignation, his brother following. “Before the Son of Heaven’s palace, who dares…” he started to shout.

He intended to start shouting, but the words died in his throat halfway. He saw Zhu Houzhao and Fang Jifan standing behind a cart – and the cart was indeed piled high with watermelons!

Zhang Heling’s face changed drastically.

But it wasn’t just him. Layers upon layers of encircling ministers all wore expressions as if they’d seen ghosts.

Crown Prince… you are the noble Crown Prince… you’re here… selling melons?

This…

Many trembled with anger. But others recovered their senses.

Melons… watermelons… Where did these watermelons come from? At this season? Could this be… an apparition?

Instantly, the place fell dead silent. Though surrounded tightly multiple layers deep.

Quickly, however, shock over the Crown Prince demeaning himself was replaced by sheer astonishment. Officials gasped aloud, staring at the Crown Prince with disbelief, their hearts aching as if they could barely breathe.

This… was utterly absurd!

Absurd as it was, when they lowered their heads and saw the actual watermelons, expressions of utter incredulity surfaced on their faces.

Where could melons come from at such a time?

Everyone was completely bewildered.

Could it be… an Auspicious Omen?

Someone grasped the implication.

Yes… if not an Auspicious Omen, how could melons exist in this season? Where did these melons even come from?

“Watermelons?” Zhang Heling narrowed his eyes at Fang Jifan, unable to suppress a grimace. However, he clearly feared Zhu Houzhao and dared not act disrespectfully. His status as the Crown Prince’s maternal uncle offered some protection. He crept forward slightly, gently tapping a watermelon… his face instantly lit up.

They were real! Authentic watermelons!

“What’s the price?” Zhang Yanling swallowed hard; he was feeling hungry.

Zhu Houzhao declared, “Ten taels of silver each.”

Ten taels of silver…

That was equivalent to two years’ income for a commoner.

Zhang Heling couldn’t help letting out a short laugh. The Crown Prince was insulting his uncles’ intelligence! “You might as well just rob people!”

Zhu Houzhao was already annoyed. He had waited so long, called out for so long. There were only people staring, no one buying. These ministers just stood open-mouthed as if witnessing something supernatural. And now, Marquis of Shouning inquired about the price only to insult him!

In a fit of pique, Zhu Houzhao snatched up the watermelon knife and bared his teeth. “That’s right! This Palace is robbing you!”

Zhang Heling’s face paled with fright. This nephew who recognized no family ties was truly unreasonable!

Zhang Heling instinctively stepped back, his face flushing crimson.

Seeing this, Fang Jifan hurriedly intervened. “Your Highness, put the knife down, put the knife down. We’re doing business. Harmony breeds wealth, remember?”

“Oh.” Hearing Fang Jifan’s final words, Zhu Houzhao finally lowered the knife.

Fang Jifan glanced around. He knew the appearance of the watermelons alone was enough to shock the ministers. The Crown Prince selling melons would normally be fiercely criticized for pinpricks and needles – how could the Crown Prince engage in commerce and sell melons here of all places?

But… that was manageable now. The watermelons’ existence was enough to make people temporarily forget that offense.

Actually, Fang Jifan hadn’t wanted the Crown Prince to come. It invited too much attention; they were bound to be impeached by Censors. But Zhu Houzhao insisted, and Fang Jifan couldn’t stop him. Well, Fang Jifan could understand, sort of. The melons were like the Crown Prince’s ‘own children,’ raised with painstaking effort (‘one spoon of manure, one spoon of milk’). Could selling your ‘sons and daughters’ be delegated to others?

But this stalemate wouldn’t do. Fang Jifan turned to Zhang Heling with a smile. “Uncle, hello there.”

Zhang Heling squinted, eyeing Fang Jifan suspiciously, and snorted coldly. Clearly, he still remembered their grudge.

Fang Jifan smiled, sweetly, like an innocent, harmless young man. “How about it, Uncle? Want to taste one of these melons?”

“How can we just give it to him for free?!” Zhu Houzhao protested impatiently beside him.