Chapter 131: An Enormous Favor
Chapter 131: An Enormous Favor
Fang Jifan’s troubled expression was clearly visible.
Empress Zhang said with deep worry, “This Palace has been at fault, repeatedly indulging them…”
She blamed herself and couldn’t help but feel disappointed.
Fang Jifan narrowed his eyes, his mind in turmoil.
Should he save those two troublemakers or not?
Seeing Empress Zhang like this, he could imagine that if he saved them, it would be an enormous favor.
But saving them wouldn’t be easy at all. Angering the Grand Empress Dowager would only lead to a quicker death.
Unless…
Fang Jifan’s eyes lit up as he said, “Your Highness, I just noticed that the two Imperial Uncles didn’t look well.”
“Hmm?” Empress Zhang gritted her teeth. “How could those two worthless fellows look good after being scolded by This Palace?”
Fang Jifan, however, was full of confidence and gave Empress Zhang a meaningful look.
Empress Zhang felt a chill when she saw his expression.
Could it be… that Fang Jifan really had a good idea?
Actually, her earlier inquiry was just a desperate move in a hopeless situation. How could she truly place her hopes on a child?
But now, looking at Fang Jifan’s eyes, Empress Zhang was almost certain that he already had a clever plan.
Empress Zhang was both surprised and hesitant. Did Fang Jifan really have an idea? Even she, as the Empress, wouldn’t dare say she could handle this matter properly.
Then she heard Fang Jifan speak confidently, “No, the poor complexion I mentioned has nothing to do with them being scolded by Your Highness.”
“Hmm?” Empress Zhang looked at Fang Jifan in confusion, still not understanding his meaning.
Fang Jifan decided not to be mysterious any longer and said directly, “The two Imperial Uncles seem to be ill. Based on my extensive experience of being studied for over ten years, it seems to be a Brain Illness!”
Brain Illness!
Another two cases of Brain Illness?
First Fang Jifan, then Her Highness the Princess, and now the two Imperial Uncles.
Zhu Houzhao was listening in confusion, but when he heard “Brain Illness,” he wasn’t pleased.
In his heart, not just anyone could have Brain Illness. Old Fang was his brother, and he had Brain Illness. The Princess was his sister, and she also had Brain Illness. So Zhu Houzhao naturally felt an affinity for people with Brain Illness. But now even those two good-for-nothing uncles from the Zhang Family had it?
His face turned red, and he wanted to curse.
Empress Zhang was stunned, her eyes still unclear, like a thin mist covering them.
What did this have to do with protecting her two brothers?
But seeing the meaningful smile on Fang Jifan’s lips, in that moment, Empress Zhang suddenly understood something. Her eyes shone with infinite joy.
Brain Illness… how wonderful.
She couldn’t help but look at Fang Jifan with relief. Her previously dull eyes suddenly regained their luster. She said, “Is that so? No wonder This Palace thought the two of them seemed unusual. This matter is no small issue. Jifan, you must find time to prescribe them some medicine. We must ensure nothing happens to them.”
Since Her Highness the Empress had already understood, Fang Jifan didn’t need to explain further. He said seriously, “This subject will do his utmost.”
Empress Zhang looked at Fang Jifan with gratitude and admiration, a faint smile on her lips. “Then, thank you for your trouble. But you are This Palace’s nephew. We are family, so there’s no need for formalities. Someone, bring the Beizi This Palace wove.”
A eunuch waiting nearby hurried to fetch a jade plate, on which a Beizi was folded.
The so-called Beizi was actually a cloak. Empress Zhang stood up, took the Beizi from the jade plate, and gently unfolded it. The Beizi had a symmetrical front, a straight collar about a foot long, wide sleeves, and slits on both sides of the garment. The front and back were separate, not connected, and the front was adorned with a silver fish pouch.
She personally draped the Beizi over Fang Jifan’s shoulders and said warmly with a smile, “The weather is gradually warming up now, but there are still cold times. Originally, this Beizi was woven for the Crown Prince, but This Palace has nothing to do in the palace, so this one is bestowed upon you first. This Palace will simply weave another one for the Crown Prince later.”
As she spoke, her eyes met Fang Jifan’s with a meaningful look.
Fang Jifan had long since figured out Empress Zhang’s personality. She had a certain straightforwardness about her, typical of a woman. After all, she wasn’t from a noble family but was the daughter of an ordinary scholar. Thus, she clearly distinguished right from wrong and knew exactly who was on her side and who wasn’t.
Empress Zhang personally tied a bow under Fang Jifan’s chin with the Beizi’s strings, then gently patted his back with her jade-like hand. She said gracefully, “Take good care of Marquis of Shouning and Earl of Jianchang’s illness. In the future, if you encounter any difficulties, feel free to come to This Palace. This Palace will stand up for you.”
“Thank you, Your Highness…” Fang Jifan said without hesitation.
Empress Zhang nodded with satisfaction and said, “Alright, you should go see Xiurong now. Someone, take Jifan there.”
Oh, it was time to fulfill his duties as a doctor again. Thinking of the last time, when Her Highness the Princess sternly scolded him, Fang Jifan actually missed it a little.
After all… a person who is willing to offer sincere advice can’t have a bad heart. The reason he was labeled a prodigal son was precisely because no one usually cared enough to correct him.
…
At that moment, in Renshou Palace, Marquis of Yinzhuo Zhou Qin was crying bitterly.
His hair and beard were already white, and he was the biological younger brother of the current Grand Empress Dowager Zhou.
This time, his son had been beaten. Although the injuries weren’t serious, how could he swallow this anger?
Just because of a few dozen acres of land, the Zhang Family had come to his doorstep and cursed loudly. His son, unable to bear the insult, had argued with them, and they had started a fight. How outrageous! If the Zhang Family wasn’t punished, where would the Zhou Family’s dignity be?
If this had happened during the Chenghua Reign or the Tianshun Reign, who would dare bully the Zhou Family? Preposterous, utterly preposterous.
Zhou Qin looked at the Grand Empress Dowager sitting high above. Her expression was unreadable, and it was hard to discern any thoughts from her face. But he knew that his sister was already furious inside.
“That land has always belonged to the Zhou Family, without any dispute. What kind of family are we? How could we do something as despicable as seizing land by force? If Your Highness doesn’t believe me, you can send someone to investigate. Since the time of the late Emperor Tianshun, the Property Deed has always borne the Zhou Family’s name. But a few years ago, there was a great flood, and the fields were submerged. The Zhang Family saw an opportunity. After the floodwaters receded, they actually claimed it was wasteland. Is that reasonable? Zhi’er naturally couldn’t bear it. He has a bad temper, I admit that. Indeed, during the argument, he said some harsh words. But the Zhang Family struck first. Zhi’er is already over forty years old. How could he be a match for the two vigorous Zhang brothers? If Zhou Qian and the others hadn’t arrived in time, who knows how badly he would have been beaten?”
“The Zhou Family has never dared to act recklessly under Your Highness’s influence all these years. Our Zhou Family cares about face!” Zhou Qin trembled with anger, his voice growing louder. “But encountering two such shameless scoundrels, this subject… cannot accept it. Please, Your Highness, stand up for the Zhou Family. If Your Highness refuses to intervene, the Zhou Family will simply fight back. Hundreds of manor guards have already gathered. If I go out and give the order, they will smash the Zhang Family’s several residences to pieces…”
“Nonsense!” the Grand Empress Dowager immediately scolded sharply. “They don’t know any better, but do you not either? Aren’t you afraid of being laughed at?”
Zhou Qin’s lips trembled with rage. He took a deep breath and said, “If we can’t use force, then the two Zhang brothers must not get off lightly.”
The Grand Empress Dowager’s expression softened slightly. She looked deeply at Zhou Qin and said, “Zhi’er isn’t seriously injured, is he?”
“Fortunately, he survived.”
The Grand Empress Dowager frowned, pondered for a moment, and then snorted coldly. “I’ve always known that the two Zhang brothers act lawlessly, but I never thought they would be this despicable. You… must not act rashly. We must leave some dignity for His Majesty and Lady Zhang.”
She closed her eyes, a dark glint flashing within them. She had married the Tianshun Emperor and experienced countless storms. During the Tianshun Emperor’s reign, the Tumu Fortress Crisis occurred. The Emperor was captured by the Oirats and taken to the Northern Desert. She waited in the Imperial Palace, during a time when the court was filled with intrigue. The Tianshun Emperor’s younger brother later ascended the throne, clearly not wishing for his elder brother to return. At that time, she was merely the Empress, and her position was extremely awkward.
When the Tianshun Emperor returned to the court and eventually regained power, reclaiming the throne, he passed away shortly after. She survived. Her son, the Chenghua Emperor, was also a disappointment, allowing Consort Wan to monopolize power and fill the Imperial Palace with corruption. Yet, she endured.
She wasn’t one to easily interfere in worldly affairs, often spending her time in prayer and meditation. But today, she was somewhat angered.
“This matter should be left to His Majesty to decide. Have a few more Impeachment Memorials submitted. The Zhang brothers truly have no sense of propriety. They need to be taught a lesson.”
She spoke lightly, but her words carried an undeniable authority.
Zhou Qin immediately felt reassured upon hearing this.
This was exactly what he had been waiting for. As long as the Grand Empress Dowager personally spoke, even the highest authority would not dare neglect her words. The Zhang brothers… this time, they had kicked an iron plate.
“Thank you, Your Highness,” Zhou Qin finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Just then, a eunuch outside said, “Your Highness…”
“Come in,” the Grand Empress Dowager said.
The eunuch crept in quietly, first glanced at Zhou Qin, and then respectfully approached. “Your Highness, at Kunning Palace, Her Highness the Empress severely scolded the Zhang brothers.”
“Oh,” the Grand Empress Dowager responded indifferently, without even lifting her eyelids or saying another word.
The scolding was just for show, to appease others. Who didn’t know that Lady Zhang treated her brothers as treasures? Now that they had beaten someone from the Zhou Family, could a mere scolding resolve the matter? What was at stake was the Zhou Family’s dignity. Otherwise, people might think that the Grand Empress Dowager’s words no longer held weight.