Chapter 52: Your Highness Visits

Fang Jifan wasn’t someone easy to subdue. Since fists were practically flying, was he supposed to just obediently surrender?

Fang Jifan was about to run away.

“You dare run?” Zhang Mao shouted, full of bluster.

Fang Jifan shot him a look. Wasn’t he the worst young lord in the capital? If he didn’t run, wouldn’t he get caught as a punching bag?

Fang Jifan said, “I won’t run if you don’t hit me.”

Zhang Mao froze. Strangely, that made sense. Who wouldn’t run when about to get beaten?

Zhang Mao suddenly sighed deeply and turned to Fang Jinglong. “Forget it. Ah, Old Fang… truly useless.”

Fang Jinglong nearly burst with anger. “Lao Zhang, that’s not fair!”

Seeing his father’s rage, Fang Jifan felt embarrassed inside. His father really went all out, always taking his side without question.

Zhang Mao grinned. “Then tell me, what is possibly good about your son?”

Fang Jinglong puffed up indignantly and started thinking really hard.

Time dragged. The hall fell silent, only Fang Jinglong’s heavy breathing could be heard. He racked his brain but couldn’t think of anything good right away. Finally, he seemed to remember something and slammed the table. “My son is handsome!”

Here… Fang Jifan wasn’t sure if he should applaud!

Zhang Mao stared blankly. He looked Fang Jifan over. Fine features… but was that really a virtue? “Fine, fine, keep spoiling him! When he causes huge trouble someday, we’ll see how you handle it!”

Just then, a door attendant rushed in, panting. “Master! Trouble! Big trouble!”

Fang Jinglong felt Zhang Mao, this old pal, was a jinx. Seeing the servant, breathless and kneeling, made him irritable. “What now? Why the panic?”

“Someone… someone… is here to visit Young Lord,” the servant stammered.

Zhang Mao’s eyes shifted. “Probably another of that kid’s worthless friends.”

But the servant smiled bitterly, clearly still shook. “It’s… it’s His Majesty and Empress Your Highness! They brought many people! Outside… it’s packed… terrifying…”

Laughter erupted almost everywhere at the servant’s words.

Terrifying? This was a joke, right?

Zhang Mao shook his head. There wasn’t a normal person in the whole Fang family.

Would the present Emperor visit you, Fang Jifan? Who were you? Even he, a Duke, hadn’t had the Emperor visit him!

Plus, Empress Zhang coming too? That was even more bizarre. The Empress ruled the Inner Palace. Why would she specifically visit the Fang family to see a notoriously good-for-nothing spendthrift?

Zhang Mao lounged back, teasing Fang Jinglong. “Old Fang… hey, Old Fang… speak!”

Fang Jinglong was speechless. He jumped to his feet, eyes fixed on the hall’s main door, frozen.

Zhang Mao called, “Old Fang…” As he spoke, his eyes involuntarily followed Fang Jinglong’s gaze towards the door.

There, entering together, were Emperor Hongzhi and Empress Zhang. Behind them, eunuchs followed respectfully, backs bent. As they crossed the threshold, Emperor Hongzhi lightly steadied Empress Zhang. He spoke casually, “Noble Duke Zhang is also here. Quite leisurely, it seems.”

Zhang Mao’s eyes bulged wide as bells. Utterly dumbfounded, his legs went weak. Thump! He knelt. “Your servant Zhang Mao greets Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor!”

Fang Jinglong hurriedly knelt too, holding his breath. The Fang family, though of martial merit, had never hosted the Son of Heaven. Worse, unprepared and failing to greet the arrival… surely a grave offense!

But the crucial question now was, why would the Emperor bother visiting the Fang family?

Everyone in the hall paled and knelt.

Emperor Hongzhi stood tall, smiling slightly, radiating dignity.

Empress Zhang acted differently. She stepped forward and steadied Fang Jifan as he began to kneel. “Jifan, no need for such formality. This Palace came specifically to see you…”

Jifan…

Hearing Empress Zhang personally call Fang Jifan “Jifan” almost made Fang Jinglong’s and Zhang Mao’s jaws drop! Such address was rare. Normally, Empress Zhang called close ministers “Noble Duke” and distant ones by their titles. “Jifan” sounded… strange.

Empress Zhang smiled at Fang Jifan, her eyes warm. “We truly owe you a great debt this time. Without you, the Princess might truly have been lost. Thankfully, your wonderful skills brought her back. This Palace? Well, she came from a humble home. Grand principles were never learned. But we know ‘gratitude must be repaid’. This is a life-saving grace. We came for only one thing… to thank you…”

“No need to be polite,” Fang Jifan quickly waved his hand.

This time, surprisingly, the spendthrift persona wasn’t showing. This was pure instinct. In his past life, wasn’t “You’re welcome” the polite response?

But Fang Jinglong and Zhang Mao nearly cried on the spot.

That silly boy! Gone mad!

Wait… what? He saved the Princess? When did that happen? Heavens! What luck did he stumble upon?

Zhang Mao desperately wanted to scold: You say “No need to be polite”? Your guts are outrageous! Accepting the Empress’s thanks like that? Silly boy, you should have knelt immediately! Said “Your servant is unworthy,” or “deserves death,” or at least “absolutely dare not accept”! You dare say “No problem”?! Begging for death!

He sneakily glanced at Fang Jinglong, who seemed stunned, eyes wide.

Unexpectedly, Empress Zhang beamed at the “No need to be polite,” completely unbothered. “Such a simple, honest child is rare,” she even said.

Simple and honest…

Empress Zhang meant other kids were too cunning. Seemingly well-mannered and learned, she found someone like Fang Jifan most genuine, seeming without schemes or guile.

Emperor Hongzhi caught the subtle praise but remained hands clasped behind his back. He hadn’t wanted this big spectacle. But Empress Zhang insisted on personally giving thanks.

As she put it: even common folk knew to visit and thank someone for saving a life. Could royalty, receiving such grace, act like it was owed?

Empress Zhang came from very humble origins. She scoffed at many palace rituals.

Fang Jifan instantly adopted a harmless, obedient expression. “Your servant is only a bit silly; nothing else is good.”

Empress Zhang giggled and looked him over. “A truly good boy! Before, this Palace heard some… unflattering rumors. Now we see… all slander, utterly exaggerated. Those gossiping tongues deserve cutting off! Looking at you, all seems good! People? Better simple. Too clever, and one never dares show their true heart.”

Hearing “cutting off tongues,” Zhang Mao reflexively felt his own tongue tingle. But Empress Zhang kept praising Fang Jifan. Zhang Mao felt utterly speechless.

Empress Zhang then seemed to recall Fang Jinglong and Zhang Mao. “All rise. No need for such ceremonies. Nanhe Bo, you raised a fine son.”

Fang Jinglong felt dizzy, clutching his chest. His grin widened. “Many thanks for Your Highness’s praise! My unworthy son is rude! Begging pardon!”

“Pardon?” Empress Zhang’s lips curved slightly. “Pardon what? Besides his innocence, even if guilty, this Palace already sees him as kin. Any crime, pardoned.” Her light tone belied the turbulent waves raised in Fang Jinglong and Zhang Mao’s hearts.