Chapter 134: True Man of Iron and Blood
Chapter 134: True Man of Iron and Blood
Hearing Fang Jifan’s words, Nanny Liu’s face instantly changed color!
She took a closer look—the Beizi did look familiar, especially the fish-shaped gold pouch hanging from its ties. Engraved on it… It was…!
Her breath seemed to stop. Disbelief warred with guilt in her expression.
Fang Jifan snapped coldly, “Oh, how mighty you are, Nanny Liu!”
All traces of icy calm vanished from her eyes, replaced by fear. She stammered, “T-this old servant… I was only doing my duty…”
These words were clearly heard by the Princess and the eunuchs in the hall.
Many were stunned. They never imagined Nanny Liu would back down.
The Princess felt a wave of relief. Perhaps… this was a joyous resolution?
But Fang Jifan glared at the trembling Nanny Liu with utter disgust. He raised his hand and slapped her across the face.
Smack!
A sharp slap echoed through the hall.
Five crimson finger marks instantly bloomed on the old woman’s face. Instinctively, she clutched her cheek, stumbled back, and let out a wail.
The eunuchs stared in disbelief.
The Princess widened her beautiful eyes, stunned by the scene!
A sense of unease washed over her. She frowned. She expected to feel concern and pity for Nanny Liu, but instead, her heart filled only with fear for Fang Jifan.
He… how could he do such a thing? Would Nanny Liu let this slide? If the Empress Mother knew, she would be furious! Even the Emperor might fly into a rage! Had his… Brain Illness returned?
Countless worries crashed over her. The Princess felt utterly exhausted…
Several eunuchs exchanged glances. Naturally, some were close to Nanny Liu. One stepped forward, voice sharp with accusation, “Fang Jifan! You dare?! This is a capital crime! How dare you strike—”
“And whom did I strike?” Fang Jifan pressed his lips together, radiating cold authority. “Nanny Liu, they say I hit you. You tell them. Did I?”
Humiliation burned fiercely inside Nanny Liu. She hated Fang Jifan fiercely. Yet, faced with his icy tone, she clutched her cheek. Though seething, her voice was meek and obedient. “Lord… Lord Fang did not strike this old servant…”
The accusing eunuch thought Nanny Liu must be addled by the blow. This is a chance to curry favor! She’s one of Her Highness’s trusteds! He immediately pressed, “But he clearly did!”
Fang Jifan clasped his hands behind his back, looking every inch the spoiled noble child. “How strange. Even the person supposedly attacked denies it. What are you, trying to pin a false accusation on me? Think I’m an easy target?”
“…” The eunuch faltered. Somehow… that made sense?
Had he… imagined it?
Then, the unbelievable happened again. Fang Jifan raised his hand—
Smack!
A second slap landed squarely on Nanny Liu’s face!
Her cheekbone swelled instantly. “Aiyah!” she cried, trembling, clutching her face.
Fang Jifan’s expression was glacial. “Nanny Liu! Tell them once more—did I strike you?”
“…”
This wasn’t just arrogance; it was sheer cruelty!
The eunuchs, united as palace servants, burned with collective outrage. One slap wasn’t enough? To strike her again, right in front of them, utterly disrespectful? Did he think they were nobodies, slaves only to the royals, but somehow lesser before him, Fang Jifan?
But Nanny Liu, face buried in her hands, only peered out from between her fingers with deep, abject terror towards Fang Jifan. She hurriedly insisted, “No! No blow! I declare it: Lord Fang did not strike me!”
“…”
The eunuchs were utterly speechless, frozen in confusion.
Fang Jifan’s cold gaze lingered on Nanny Liu, then shifted to the eunuchs.
Those in the palace were all shrewd survivors. If you weren’t, you didn’t last. They were masters of manipulation; groveling sycophants before the Emperor and Empress, but cunning tormentors of the young, unsuspecting nobles—especially the shy, gentle ones like the Taikang Princess. The Veritable Records of the Ming Dynasty held countless such accounts. Who knew even the Taikang Princess hadn’t escaped their petty cruelties?
It could be understood. In an era where men ruled and women were rigidly confined by strict propriety, even an Emperor and Empress who cherished their daughter feared her stepping beyond a girl’s proper bounds. Thus, her discipline was exceptionally harsh, an opportunity these Matrons and eunuchs exploited shamelessly.
But now, the eunuchs felt a collective chill.
They met Fang Jifan’s eyes. The legendary playboy’s gaze held a deep, unsettling sharpness.
Fang Jifan stood straight, hands clasped behind his back. “How strange,” he declared loudly. “You accuse me of striking someone, yet Nanny Liu herself denies it! How audacious! Think you can turn black into white? Fabricate slander against me?”
His accusations hung heavy in the air, intimidating the eunuchs into holding their breath. They were in trouble now. Palace denizens were slippery; feeling the danger, they instantly cowered, utterly subdued before this ruthlessness.
Fang Jifan’s voice turned icy. “Hmph! We’ll see who dares slander me! I’ve spent my life stepping on others. No lowly dog dares try stepping on my head!”
With that, he didn’t spare another glance at Nanny Liu’s swollen face. He simply said, “I am here to treat Her Highness. Get out of my sight.”
Nanny Liu shivered. Resentment and bitter hatred flashed in her eyes, but ultimately, pure fear won out. Customarily arrogant and haughty, secure in the Empress’s trust, she became meek as a lamb. She hastily retreated to a corner, head bowed low.
The eunuchs, heads hung, also retreated to corners. The hall fell silent.
Fang Jifan turned to the Princess, his expression gentle. Seeing her shocked state, he said softly, “Your Highness, you were frightened.”
The Princess was dumbfounded.
She’d feared his rashness invited catastrophe. Though he acted wildly, she couldn’t help worrying for him.
She knew Nanny Liu’s tricks all too well. Not suffering the ‘Zhang family’s intelligence defect’, she saw through these servants’ games.
Even if she saw it, she could barely speak it. A young woman lacked the courage for confrontation. Complaining to the Empress Mother was useless—she’d dismiss it as the daughter’s youthful unwillingness to be disciplined, causing only more worry.
So she’d pretended indifference. And today…
Nanny Liu had been humiliated. Reason said she should feel some sympathy, but something else stirred within her—worry for Fang Jifan. Those two sharp slashes, smack smack!—made the sheltered princess’s heart race. She thought Fang Jifan was finished. Yet, before him, Nanny Liu turned submissive as a lamb.
How… how had he done it?
Seeing him look at her gently now, his earlier fierceness gone, the Princess felt a strange mix of tears and a near-laugh. Flustered, she said, “I… I… This Palace… Please administer the examination.”
Truly… she was frightened.
Fang Jifan sighed inwardly. Being good truly has no rewards. He offered a small, reassuring smile. “Very well. Let’s proceed. Please extend your hand.”
This time, though still shy, the Princess offered her hand much more readily than during previous visits. A section of fair wrist extended before Fang Jifan. He stepped closer, catching her soft breath, like orchids.
His fingers brushed her pulse lightly. The sham physician, hardened by practice, almost looked the part.
Their faces were quite close. Fang Jifan closed his eyes, faking deep concentration, his touch light on her wrist. Only now did he lose his usual brashness, acting carefully, almost respectfully.
He intended to withdraw almost immediately—taking such petty advantage held no appeal for someone of his righteous bearing. But just then, the Princess bit down gently on her pearly teeth, murmuring softly, “Thank you.”
Fang Jifan’s fingers lingered. The words were faint, yet clear. He opened his eyes, smiling faintly at her. “Hmm?”
“Thank you for just now… for This Palace…” She almost said ‘avenging me’, but thought better of it. She hesitated, blinking at him with a light, grateful smile.
Fang Jifan thought, Women! Always half-saying things. Still, he got the meaning. At least Her Highness has some conscience. Suddenly buoyed by her gratitude, a surge of protectiveness filled him. He nearly rolled up his sleeves in righteous fervor, lowering his voice instead, “Whoever troubles you again, come tell me. I’ll thrash him so hard his own mother won’t recognize him.”
“…” The Princess looked at him with wide, innocent eyes, seemingly baffled by his crude language about others’ families. Yet… moments before, during the examination, he hadn’t overstepped!
Strangely, it was this mix of ‘roughness’ and his surprising restraint at key moments that fostered a sliver of trust.
She seriously thought about it. Then, softly: “There is.”
There really is?
Bullying a young woman? Fang Jifan despised such behavior. “Who? I’ll pound him.”
“My brother…”
“…” Fang Jifan had been ready to clench his fist, showing the spirit of a ‘True Man of Iron and Blood’. But in an instant, his expression stiffened.
P-Prince Zh…
Fang Jifan took a deep breath. “Alright. Next time… I’ll scold him. If he dares bully you again, I’ll give him an earful.”
Seeing Fang Jifan’s suddenly deflated look, the Princess couldn’t help it—a small sound, almost a laugh, escaped her lips.
By then, Fang Jifan had already retracted his hand, stepping back two paces. Now he just wanted to bolt. He bowed hastily. “The examination is complete. We rejoice that Your Highness’s Royal person is healthy. Farewell.”
When leaving, Fang Jifan was never one for lingering. Before the Princess could respond, he was already striding out with large, confident steps.