Chapter 20: Like Father, Like Son
Chapter 20: Like Father, Like Son
After hearing the doorman’s words, Fang Jifan understood the seriousness.
The Duke of Yingguo was no ordinary person. The last Military Review, he was the chief examiner. His ancestor was Zhang Yu, the beloved general of Emperor Wen during the Jingnan Campaign. First, he was granted the title of Duke, and after his death, he was posthumously honored as the Prince of Hejian. The lineage of the Duke of Yingguo held the highest positions among officials, not inferior to Imperial Princes or Commandery Princes.
Fang Jifan’s good mood instantly vanished. He felt his own stature shrink. He noticed Deng Jian beside him also turned pale, who said miserably, “Young Lord, the Duke of Yingguo has summoned you, you cannot refuse. He has a fiery temper; even in front of the Son of Heaven, he dares to argue. And… after the last Military Review, I heard rumors that the Duke of Yingguo had already declared he would teach you a proper lesson on behalf of the Earl.”
“Really? Why didn’t I know about this?” Fang Jifan was stunned.
Who had he offended? During the last Military Review, that ‘Uncle’ had already been shouting about beating or killing him. He looked at Deng Jian with fear and asked, “Who did you hear this from? Is it reliable?”
Deng Jian said with a miserable face, “I heard it from the carriage driver of the neighboring Zhou Family. The Zhou Family’s sedan carrier heard it from the Duke of Yingguo’s mansion’s stable hand. It can’t be wrong.”
Fang Jifan already felt a chill down his back. He hurriedly said, “Then I better slip away, go out and hide for a couple of days.”
Just as he was about to make a quick escape, he saw a man emerge from the mansion. This man clearly had the appearance of a personal guard, with a broad back and sturdy waist, exuding an imposing aura without showing anger. He said in a deep voice, “Are you Young Master Fang? The Duke of Yingguo has ordered me to wait here specifically for you, Young Master. Please come with me.”
His expression was cold, his eyes showing no emotion, but Fang Jifan’s heart trembled. This man was not simple.
Fang Jifan struggled internally for a moment, then had no choice but to obediently follow this man to the hall. There, he saw the Duke of Yingguo, Zhang Mao, sitting imposingly in the main seat, and his father, Fang Jinglong, sitting to the side keeping him company.
When Zhang Mao saw Fang Jifan arrive, his eyes immediately fixed sharply on him. That gaze was terrifying.
“Jifan, you’re here. I was just talking about you with your father. Come… come closer to me.”
Uncle, are you treating me, Fang Jifan, like the foolish son of a landlord?
Fang Jifan shook his head without hesitation. “I won’t come.”
Zhang Mao angrily slapped the table and said coldly, “Why not?”
Fang Jifan shrunk his neck. By now, he had fully immersed himself in the role of the prodigal son. “Afraid of getting beaten.”
Such an honest statement, only Fang Jifan could say it out loud.
Zhang Mao seemed choked for a moment, actually finding this reason flawless. He had indeed been rolling up his sleeves, thinking to himself, since Old Fang doted on his son so much, if he didn’t teach this prodigal a lesson, what was he waiting for?
Fang Jinglong, not daring to offend Zhang Mao but also unable to bear watching his son suffer, looked pitifully at Zhang Mao, wanting to speak but hesitating.
Zhang Mao got angry and said furiously, “You brat, ever since I found out last time that you sold the farmland, I started paying attention to you. When I saw you at the Military Review and learned you were Jinglong’s son, I took special notice. It was better not to have looked closely; once I checked your background, I realized what a disgraceful scoundrel you are. Are you even fit to be a son? Your father had you as a son, and sooner or later he’ll be angered to death by you!”
Fang Jifan felt extremely wronged. Uncle, I’m a victim too! Seeing Zhang Mao about to roll up his sleeves to attack, Fang Jifan quickly turned to Fang Jinglong and said, “Dad.”
It was the first time he called him Dad, and it felt completely natural.
Fang Jinglong only felt heartache.
Fang Jifan said, “Dad, your son has something to ask.”
Only then did Zhang Mao stop his action, his face full of suspicion.
“Ahem…” Fang Jinglong said, “Speak.”
On Fang Jifan’s handsome face, he wore a serious expression, then slowly said, “Dad, are you happy?”
“Ah…” Fang Jinglong was dumbfounded.
Fang Jifan patiently explained, “Dad, having a son like me, are you happy?”
“Ha…happy…” Fang Jinglong answered instinctively.
Fang Jifan then spread his hands toward Zhang Mao. “You see, Uncle was wrong. My dad hasn’t been angered to death because of me. He is very happy now.”
On Zhang Mao’s old face, it seemed as if dark clouds gathered. At this moment, he had to feel a bit of admiration for this kid Fang Jifan. He had intended to teach Fang Jifan a lesson, but this guy dragged his own father into it right in front of him. This was using one’s own spear to attack one’s own shield, leaving Zhang Mao without a reason to explode in anger.
Zhang Mao couldn’t help but shake his head and sigh. This Old Fang, he was good in every way, except when it came to his son, he was indulgently spoiling him to an unimaginable extent. Before, it was hard to believe, but seeing it today, he knew the rumors were true…
They say a doting mother often ruins the son, but if you end up with an overly compliant father, it would be a miracle if the son turned out well.
Zhang Mao was clearly a strict father at home. Now, narrowing his eyes, he was determined to confront Fang Jifan. Well, kid, you still dare to play tricks? Today, not only will I beat you, but I’ll also make your father applaud and cheer on the side.
He looked at Fang Jinglong and said earnestly, “Has nephew Jifan been married?”
As soon as Fang Jifan heard this, he knew this Duke was actually subtle in his roughness, and it was a setup.
Sure enough, when Zhang Mao brought up the matter of marriage, Fang Jinglong became distressed.
He seemed reluctant to speak, saying, “Not yet married. The situation of the Fang Family, Duke, you know. My son has a bad reputation. If it’s a high-ranking family, they probably won’t agree. To be honest, in recent years, I’ve hinted to a few old friends; they all have daughters. But who knew… ahem…”
Fang Jinglong continued, “But if we look for a girl from an ordinary family, Duke, after all, the Fang Family is a hereditary Earl. If word got out, it would be a joke. Actually, that old scoundrel the Marquis of Qianzhou has a daughter, four years older than my son. She was previously engaged, but who knew shortly after marrying, her husband fell ill and died. That old scoundrel actually hinted that since our Old Fang Family can’t find a good match, why not marry his widowed daughter to my son? When I heard that, I was so angry I almost wanted to take my eight-foot broadsword, chop him up, and feed him to the dogs.”
Fang Jinglong had indeed been troubled by this matter a lot. Zhang Mao happened to hit Fang Jinglong’s sore spot. The Fang Family had only Fang Jifan as the sole heir, counting on him to continue the family line. But getting him married wasn’t easy… his son’s reputation stank to high heaven. Families of matching status didn’t dare marry their daughters to Fang Jifan, while girls from common, lower-status families were unsuitable matches. It was worrying to death.
Zhang Mao narrowed his eyes to slits, a subtle glint flashing in them. He said persuasively, “Jinglong, have you thought about the reason?”
Fang Jinglong was taken aback. “This… this…”
Zhang Mao slapped his thigh and said, “It’s because people look down on the Fang Family! Not to mention anything else, a man should have ambitions; sons from Noble Families should have an official post, serve the imperial court. They can’t just sit at home, idling and waiting to die, right? But this Jifan, do you know, even when he went to the Military Review, he had to be tied up and taken there.”
Fang Jinglong felt ashamed and hurriedly nodded. “This… this… I know a little.”
“Then do you know that Jifan even turned in his paper early?” Zhang Mao pressed step by step.
“Ah, such a thing happened?” Fang Jinglong looked at his precious son, then felt his question was a bit foolish. His own son… of course he knew. Turning in the paper early didn’t seem out of character.
Zhang Mao hated Fang Jinglong’s indifferent attitude the most. So, gritting his teeth, he said, “Think about it, taking the exam like that, could he possibly pass the Military Review?”
“I suppose not.” Fang Jinglong sighed and couldn’t help saying, “It’s embarrassing, embarrassing.”
Zhang Mao slapped his thigh again. “Exactly! Once he fails the Military Review, he won’t even get an official post. A person like that becomes useless! Who would dare marry their daughter to the Fang Family? If no one marries into the Fang Family, when will you get to hold a grandson? You won’t even have a grandson to hold! The Fang Family line will be cut off!”