Chapter 38: To Do As One Pleases

Fang Jifan looked at the high wall nearby, the lush trees inside the wall, and the pavilions that complemented the trees. He naturally knew that the Eastern Palace had been reached, and the row of people bowing to him in front were definitely Imperial Forest Guard Commandants, specially waiting there for him, the Zongqi.

“Oh, hello.” Fang Jifan smiled at them as a greeting. “I have matters to attend to, maybe next time when I’m free…”

“Zongqi, sir…” Fang Jifan was about to slip away when one Commandant stepped forward. “His Highness just gave orders that if you came, you were to go see him, so…”

“Indeed.” Liu Qian chuckled beside him. “His Majesty also instructed that today, young master, you must obediently fulfill your duties here. Otherwise, this servant will have no choice but to follow the decree and tie you up to bring you into the House of the Crown Prince.”

Fang Jifan took a deep breath. It seemed there was really no escape. Instead, he smiled and said, “That was just a joke earlier. Let’s go, duty calls.”

Led by Liu Qian all the way, he entered the Eastern Palace. Lining the path were lush camphor trees, with countless pavilions faintly visible. Ahead, a group of eunuchs hurried over, surrounding a young man.

Who else could it be but Zhu Houzhao?

Zhu Houzhao was arrogantly shouting, “Fang Jifan is here? Where?” His eyes swept around and spotted Liu Qian leading Fang Jifan over.

Zhu Houzhao’s face fell, and it twitched. The whip mark on his neck hadn’t faded from the bruising yet. The moment he saw Fang Jifan, the spot where he had been whipped began to sting fiercely.

He strode quickly, stopping in front of Fang Jifan, and glared at him fiercely.

Without hesitation, Fang Jifan immediately bowed and saluted. “Your humble servant Fang Jifan greets the Crown Prince.”

Zhu Houzhao bared his teeth and scrutinized Fang Jifan viciously. Last night, the pain had kept him up half the night. He had long decided that if he didn’t tear this Fang Jifan to pieces, he would write his surname Zhu upside down.

Zhu Houzhao said, “Fang Jifan, do you remember This Palace?”

The voice was as if from the depths of hell, especially deep and eerie.

Liu Qian wasn’t in a hurry to return to the palace to report completion of the order. Instead, he stood by, ready to watch the show.

Fang Jifan said, “Your Highness is so imposing and remarkable, even if your humble servant were turned to ashes, he would recognize you. Not only that, your humble servant has long heard of Your Highness and has always admired you, yearning to meet you.”

“…” Zhu Houzhao had actually prepared ‘executioners’ long ago, waiting for his command so the eunuchs and guards behind him could rush up and beat Fang Jifan first.

But Fang Jifan’s words about having “long heard” of him seemed to carry a hidden meaning. “Heh…” Zhu Houzhao sneered repeatedly. “What do you mean, ‘long heard of me’? You’re just afraid of getting beaten, aren’t you?”

But how could he know that Fang Jifan was secretly laughing inside? Crown Prince Zhu Houzhao was just a child who never grew up!

Emperor Wuzong of Ming, Zhu Houzhao—I had already studied you thoroughly back in the library.

Putting on a serious face and an expression of admiration, Fang Jifan said, “Your humble servant truly admires Your Highness immensely. Your Highness is extraordinary. Your humble servant has always known that Your Highness is skilled in martial arts, that you have the strategies of a million troops in your mind, surpassing others in tactics. Not only that, but you are also adept in equestrian archery. Your humble servant has read extensively through ancient and modern times. Throughout history, how many crown princes have there been? But which one could compare to even half of Your Highness? Actually, your humble servant knows a little about reading people…”

Zhu Houzhao had come to demand answers, with a bellyful of rage. But now, hearing this, his expression softened slightly.

This guy actually knew that he had learned martial arts from the guards? And that This Palace was proficient in equestrian archery? Even that This Palace was well-versed in military strategy?

It had to be understood that, for the imperial court, the Crown Prince having such hobbies wasn’t actually something glorious. Zhu Houzhao had also been strictly ordered not to neglect his proper duties, so those who knew about these matters were extremely rare.

But Fang Jifan knew. Fang Jifan not only knew that this eccentric Zhu Houzhao liked equestrian archery; in history, after this Crown Prince ascended the throne, he even appointed himself as a general. Every now and then, he would sneak out to Guanwai to act as a general, commanding troops in battle.

But for Zhu Houzhao, it was a different matter. Such secret matters, and Fang Jifan actually knew about them too? Could it be that this guy really had been paying attention to This Palace and truly admired This Palace immensely?

Zhu Houzhao narrowed his eyes, staring intently at Fang Jifan. “Reading people? Reading what people…”

Fang Jifan composed himself and said calmly, “Your Highness is the reincarnation of the Martial Star. In the future, you are destined to sweep across the Great Desert, making the Northern Barbarians dare not come south to pasture their horses.”

Sweep across the Great Desert…

Zhu Houzhao’s heart jolted slightly again. It had to be said, Fang Jifan’s words hit exactly what Zhu Houzhao had in mind.

Zhu Houzhao, in the Eastern Palace, secretly practiced equestrian archery, and even drank mare’s milk like the Northern Barbarians, learning to eat meat as they did—all for the day when he could personally lead an army, emulating his ancestor Emperor Wen, to sweep across the Northern Barbarians beyond the passes.

Fang Jifan’s words struck a chord in his heart, and he actually felt quite comfortable. His face softened a lot more. “You can even see that?”

Fang Jifan patted his chest. “Your humble servant has long admired Your Highness and always wished to follow you. One day, when we sweep across the eight wildernesses, how could I not see it?”

Zhu Houzhao was, after all, a teenager. Though his anger hadn’t fully dissipated, curiosity now occupied his mind. He narrowed his eyes. “So, you understand military strategy too?”

Fang Jifan smiled. “I’m ashamed, ashamed. I know a little, of course, nothing compared to Your Highness. Your Highness is heroic and mighty.”

Flattery didn’t cost much. Anyway, Fang Jifan’s reputation had long been ruined. Everyone in the Capital knew he was the notorious wastrel. So Fang Jifan didn’t feel any regret about doing things with no lower limit. He narrowed his eyes. “Your Highness, how about we talk somewhere else?”

Zhu Houzhao looked suspicious. “What do you want to say?”

Seeing Fang Jifan’s sneaky smile, Zhu Houzhao put his hands behind his back, pretending to be dignified. But in the end, he couldn’t overcome his curiosity. Fang Jifan made a gesture of invitation toward him, and Zhu Houzhao subconsciously stepped forward.

They walked one after the other into a nearby flower garden. Zhu Houzhao suddenly remembered something and said through gritted teeth, “Fang Jifan, you harmed This Palace like that, and This Palace still can’t get over it. If I don’t beat you up, won’t This Palace’s beating have been for nothing…”

Halfway through his sentence, his eyes blurred, and he saw Fang Jifan casually pull out a thick stack of something from his sleeve.

Zhu Houzhao focused his eyes and was startled.

These were Great Ming Treasure Notes, all with a face value of five hundred taels, brand new. This thick stack probably had several hundred notes.

Fang Jifan smiled. “Your Highness, this is our first formal meeting. A small token. These Treasure Notes probably amount to one or two hundred thousand taels. But Treasure Notes aren’t worth much; exchanged for Baiyin, it’s only a few tens of thousand taels. A small token, hardly expressing my respect.”

Zhu Houzhao’s eyes went wide.

This one move was several tens of thousands of taels of real silver!

Even though Zhu Houzhao was the Crown Prince, Emperor Hongzhi managed his monthly allowance extremely strictly. Usually, the monthly expenses of the Eastern Palace, what was actually spent on Zhu Houzhao himself, was only a few hundred taels per month. But Fang Jifan was extravagantly generous. Zhu Houzhao’s face actually seemed to stiffen a bit. “For This Palace?”

Fang Jifan grinned sneakily. “I’m a person who values loyalty. Money is external; women are like clothes. Loyalty comes first—what does money matter? Besides… what relationship do your humble servant and Your Highness have…”

Zhu Houzhao, dumbfounded, was somewhat dazed and subconsciously asked, “Is… what relationship?”

Fang Jifan raised an eyebrow. Indeed, money could make the impossible possible. Actually, when he came, he knew he couldn’t avoid it and had already weighed his options. At this time, the Crown Prince was certainly far less shameless than after his accession. Since this Crown Prince kid still had a bit of a sense of shame, plus Emperor Hongzhi had always advocated frugality—in history, this Emperor Hongzhi even led by example and issued an edict for Empress Zhang in the Inner Palace to weave cloth to solve the clothing issue in the palace.

Such a diligent and thrifty Emperor, even having the Empress weave cloth in the Inner Palace—surely the Crown Prince’s finances were tightly controlled. So…

Ah, reasoning with such a joker was so tiring!

Better… to crush him with money!