Chapter 21: The Imperial Edict Arrives

Though Zhang Mao was a military man, he had a sharp mind. His words about “ending the family line” suddenly struck the deepest fear in Fang Jinglong’s heart.

Striking while the iron was hot, Zhang Mao widened his eyes. He glared fiercely at Fang Jinglong and continued, “And frankly, I hear the rumors have already reached the Imperial Palace. They know about Fang Jifan’s usual misdeeds. I fear that in the future, even Jifan’s inheritance of the title may become an issue.”

“It couldn’t be that bad,” Fang Jinglong sucked in a cold breath. “His Majesty surely isn’t such an unfeeling man.”

Zhang Mao seemed to realize his words were a bit extreme. But seeing Fang Jinglong’s terrified expression, he decided to take a roundabout approach. He narrowed his eyes and said calmly, “You’ve met my youngest son, Zhang Xin, haven’t you? Last year, during the military review, he placed second. He earned the Silver Belt. Such glory. And then, as you know later, His Majesty personally decreed a marriage – bestowing upon him the Longting Princess, daughter of the Prince of Zhou. Didn’t he invite you to the wedding feast last year? See? What prestige! To tell you truthfully, the Princess is now with child.”

Silver Belt… Princess bestowed in marriage… children…

Fang Jinglong took a deep, effortful breath. A gleam shone in his eyes as he looked at Zhang Mao with envy.

Fang Jifan could already smell disaster brewing.

Suddenly, Zhang Mao slammed his palm hard on the writing desk and roared, “Do you know WHY that useless son of mine, Zhang Xin, managed to place second in the review, win the Silver Belt, and wed the Princess?”

Fang Jinglong was stunned for a long moment. “N-no… I don’t know.”

“Beatings!” Zhang Mae raised his fist and said fiercely. “Beatings make them useful! Beatings make them capable! Miss three days and they’ll lift the roof! Fail at reading? Beat them! Fail at archery and horsemanship? Beat them! Feeling irritated? Beat them senseless! Even when things seem fine? Give them a beating still! That’s nipping problems in the bud! When he’s well-behaved, you go give him a beating anyway! Then he’ll behave, he’ll lose all bad ideas. Beat him senseless until he wets himself! Then he’ll finally understand ambition! He’ll finally understand diligence! Beat him dozens of times a year, he becomes a fine, upstanding lad. Beat him hundreds of times a year? Winning a Silver Belt is nothing! A Princess? Or even a Princess? It’d be yours for the taking! Old Fang, you must beat him! If you don’t, not only will the little scoundrel never learn his place, he’ll get no official posting! No posting? Then others will look down on you! Looked down upon? He won’t find a wife! No wife? How will you hold a grandchild? No grandchildren? Our ancestors, blessed souls knowing everything down there beneath the springs, how could they rest in peace?!”

Fang Jinglong blanched with terror. Yet, the beautiful future Zhang Mao painted held a fatal attraction for him. Holding a grandchild… earning the Silver Belt… bringing glory to the family name…

But finally, his resolve crumbled. He looked lovingly at Fang Jifan’s pathetically pleading face, and his heart softened again. “Ah, to be honest… I just… I can’t bring myself to hit him.”

Fang Jinglong sighed deeply. Truly, he understood the saying that ‘filial sons come from under the rod’. But… He, Fang Jinglong, on the battlefield, had cut down countless foes. Yet, against this son of his… he was utterly helpless.

Zhang Mao had been waiting for precisely this. He quickly said, “This old man can do it for you! Let me tell you this candidly. Ever since hearing about this lad’s evil deeds, my palms have been itching so much I haven’t slept well for several nights! Tossing and turning! If I don’t give him a lesson today on your behalf, I’ll be antsy all over! Nothing else will hold my interest!”

Zhang Mao was a military general. His equestrian archery skills were once formidable. Now, he presented his hand, spat onto his palm, rubbed his hands together, and clenched them into fists – fists as large as sandpots. Fang Jifan stared at them, his eyes wide with dread.

“Uncle, what grudge do you bear me? What enmity lies between us?” Fang Jifan’s heart sank in despair.

Zhang Mao let out a loud roar, towering up to his full height. His massive chest rose and fell like mountains. He glared fiercely. “No grudge! No enmity! I just can’t stand useless wastrels like you! Shiftless and lazy! Good at neither books nor arms! Run! Just try to run! Better to obediently take the fists! If you dare to run away? When caught, I’ll hang you up and flog you for three days and three nights!”

Fang Jifan choked on his words, speechless. He gave Zhang Mao a resentful look.

Zhang Mao was already striding towards him like a dragon or tiger, fist twisted back, veins bulging, knuckles cracking loudly.

Heaven has forsaken me! Damn it! If I don’t act like a wastrel, they jab me with needles! And when I do settle into being a wastrel, you bastards still beat me up?!

Fang Jifan quickly looked towards Fang Jinglong.

Filled with pity, Fang Jinglong couldn’t help but speak up. “Brother Zhang, go easy! Don’t break the bones! Please! A token gesture is enough!”

“…”

“Wait!” Fang Jifan had to take a deep breath, making a last-ditch struggle. “Uncle! Even in warfare, one must have a just cause! What crime have I committed?”

Zhang Mao was momentarily stunned, then sneered coldly. “Failing to amount to worthy expectation is the gravest sin!”

With that, giving Fang Jifan no further chance to argue, he raised his fist to strike.

Fang Jifan stared at the massive fist hurtling towards him. He heard the frantic thumping of his own heart. He even momentarily forgot to dodge.

“My Lord! My Earl!”

At this critical moment, the frantic voice of a gatekeeper rang out from the courtyard.

The gatekeeper stumbled in, looking terrified. Fang Jifan’s face had already turned deathly pale.

Zhang Mao was instinctively distracted by the panting gatekeeper. His fist remained raised high.

Fang Jinglong, who had been sitting stiffly, wanting to intervene but holding back tears in silence, felt a surge of relief seeing Zhang Mao’s fist halted.

“My Lord! Imperial Envoys are here! Envoys from the Imperial Palace! His Majesty has sent an edict!”

His Majesty…

Fang Jinglong shuddered. His body, just relaxing, tensed up again as he drew in a sharp breath.

In that instant, the world spun around him. He clutched his forehead, face ashen. Finished!

Earlier, the Duke of Yingguo had just mentioned the Imperial Palace was displeased with his son. And now? The Imperial Edict arrived immediately. This… wasn’t it over?

Though His Majesty was lenient, he was a Noble Person. Now that he must have heard about Jifan’s deeds… surely his Dragon Face was furious.

Zhang Mao also grasped the situation. His expression changed, showing genuine concern too. He glanced at Fang Jinglong. “I heard rumors in the Palace… ah… You see? I warned you before. Filial sons come from harsh blows, Old Fang… I fear a great calamity is upon us now.”

A bitter smile touched Fang Jinglong’s lips. He simply shook his head. “It is my failure. My fault. I regret not listening to you, Brother Zhang. This immense disaster is the result. We must receive the decree. ‘The son’s disobedience is the father’s lapse.’ If His Majesty directs his anger at Jifan, as the father, I must bear the consequences for my son. At worst, I shall go outside the Meridian Gate and plead guilty on his behalf.”

Zhang Mao shot Fang Jifan a glare full of blame. “Useless wretch! You have brought ruin upon your father!”

With that, the two men hurried towards the central gatehouse.

Fang Jifan, startled by the sudden turn of events, felt a chill run down his spine. He had encountered the Emperor today… Would the Emperor punish him for speaking disrespectfully?

If that were the case… he had truly doomed his old man.

He scrambled after them. At the central entrance, they indeed saw eunuch eunuch already present. The Fang Family’s central gate was open wide. Household servants had brought forward an incense table, lit the incense, and then all hastily withdrew.

The eunuch looked up and was startled to see Zhang Mao, the Duke of Yingguo. He hurriedly offered Zhang Mao an ingratiating smile.

Zhang Mao, however, looked grim, merely uttering a low hum.

Fang Jinglong’s face was deathly pale. The eunuch unrolled the Imperial Edict he held and shouted at the top of his lungs, “Nanhe Bozi Fang Jifan is commanded to receive the Imperial Decree!”

It was like a thunderbolt from a clear sky. Fang Jinglong slumped to the ground. His eyes reddened, unable to hold back his tears any longer. He kowtowed, sobbing uncontrollably.

It truly was an edict directed at Fang Jifan. How would His Majesty know of Jifan? It had to be because of Jifan’s notorious villainy! This was truly disastrous.

Zhang Mao sighed heavily, his sympathy for Old Fang intensifying. His own sons, every single one was promising. But look at Old Fang’s line… this one pitiful sprout alone… and now…

He shook his head. To raise a son like this was the misfortune of the entire House.

Fang Jifan also knelt with profound anxiety.

They heard the eunuch announce in his high-pitched voice: “By Heaven’s Mandate, the Emperor decreed: …”