Chapter 75: Study Companion

Liu Jian did not oppose His Majesty’s decision. Even Xie Qian, who usually disliked Fang Jifan, remained silent. It seemed that while they were not exactly pleased, they did not object.

Being a study companion to the Crown Prince was clearly a sign of future important assignments. This was likely the Emperor’s way of paving the path for the Crown Prince and building his inner circle.

When Fang Jifan heard about being a study companion, he understood the significance. The Great Ming Dynasty did not have official study companions for the Crown Prince. However, there was one Emperor who had a study companion during his princely days—Emperor Jiajing, Zhu Houcong, son of the Prince of Anlu who came to the capital to Inherit the Throne. When Zhu Houcong was still the Heir of the Prince of Anlu, he had a study companion named Lu Bing. No one expected Zhu Houcong to become Emperor. As a prince, Zhu Houcong was not bound by strict etiquette, so Lu Bing accompanied him in studies. Later, when Zhu Houcong ascended the throne, he remained suspicious by nature and was wary of almost all his ministers. Yet, he trusted Lu Bing, his childhood study companion, above all others. If there was one person Emperor Jiajing trusted in this world, it was that young study companion.

Now… Emperor Hongzhi suddenly issued this Imperial Decree. How could Fang Jifan not understand?

But Fang Jifan was a bit confused. The Great Ming did not have an official study companion position. He cautiously glanced at Emperor Hongzhi and asked shamelessly, “Your Majesty, what kind of official position is a study companion?”

“…”

It was like a bucket of cold water poured directly onto Emperor Hongzhi’s face.

This fellow… had no sense of sentiment at all? It was like when the Emperor rewarded you with a fine painting, and you immediately asked how much it was worth?

Taking a deep breath, Emperor Hongzhi decided to endure it.

He appeared calm and composed. “Alright, you may leave.”

Fang Jifan did not get a clear answer and felt somewhat disgruntled. The Emperor clearly did not give him much face.

But… it seemed he did not have much face to begin with.

Zhu Houzhao felt as if he had received a pardon and quickly said, “Your Son and Servant takes his leave.” He secretly winked at Fang Jifan, signaling to leave this troublesome place quickly. Fang Jifan bowed and said, “Your servant takes his leave.”

They had not walked far, just reached the entrance of the Warm Pavilion, when Emperor Hongzhi’s voice came from behind. “Minister Liu, suppressing the rebellion is the top priority now. But the year is ending soon, and next spring is the Spring Imperial Examination. The Metropolitan Examination must be prepared early…”

The rest of the words were faint.

Yes, the twelfth year of Hongzhi Metropolitan Examination was about to begin.

Fang Jifan looked forward to this examination with great anticipation.

He had three disciples, and he hoped they would pass the imperial examination and become Metropolitan Graduates. Then he could enjoy the benefits of their success.

The twelfth year of Hongzhi Metropolitan Examination was known to be the most unpredictable one.

This examination was extensively recorded in numerous historical materials, mainly because it involved a cheating scandal connected to a certain examiner. Moreover, it implicated a talented Scholar from Jiangnan.

This person… Fang Jifan was very familiar with him. Not only that, Fang Jifan still remembered his poem: “In the Peach Blossom Cove, there is a Peach Blossom Hut; in the Peach Blossom Hut, there lives a Peach Blossom Immortal; the Peach Blossom Immortal plants peach trees, and sells peach branches to buy wine…”

Of course, thanks to an actor from later times, whenever Fang Jifan thought of this talent, a faint voice echoed in his mind: “I like to eat braised chicken wings…”

But compared to the image in movies and dramas, the historical talent was very destitute. Tang Yin, now twenty-eight, had already topped the Yingtian Prefecture Provincial Examination, becoming the famous Provincial First Place Scholar Tang.

It was important to know that not all Provincial First Place Scholars were equal. For example, Fang Jifan’s disciple Ouyang Zhi was the Shuntian Prefecture Provincial First Place Scholar, but the prestige of that title was much lower. Talents varied across provinces. Scholars from northern provinces generally performed slightly worse in exams compared to those from southern provinces. Among the southern provinces, Yingtian Prefecture, Zhejiang, and Jiangxi were traditional powerhouses for exam-takers. Scholars from these three regions were like the top fighters among exam-takers. Those who stood out from these places were almost halfway into the Hanlin Academy.

Provincial First Place Scholar Tang should be heading to the capital for the exam soon. In Beijing, he would get involved in a cheating scandal because of several fellow townsmen. Although he would pass the imperial examination, he would soon be imprisoned and suffer inhuman torture. Eventually, the imperial court would declare that he would never be appointed to office. At that point, the once high-spirited Provincial First Place Scholar Tang would hit the lowest point in his life and remain destitute forever.

Fang Jifan had a thought. Perhaps… he could save him. Fang Jifan did not believe that the prestigious Yingtian Prefecture Provincial First Place Scholar would cheat in the Imperial Examination. The only possibility was that he was implicated because he associated with certain people and became a victim.

The only way to clear him of the cheating suspicion was to ensure that once he arrived in the capital, he had no contact with those individuals.

Besides, his three disciples should also study hard. He had already hidden the exam questions in the assignments he gave them. These three fellows were indeed diligent; they had reached the point of forgetting to eat and sleep for their studies and Eight-Legged Essay practice. After all, they did not have Tang Bohu’s talent, so they had to start early like the slow bird.

As Fang Jifan pondered this, Zhu Houzhao, who had exited the Warm Pavilion with him, let out a long sigh and patted his chest. “That was close, very close. Fellow Student Fang… did This Palace say anything wrong earlier?”

Fang Jifan replied without hesitation, “Your Highness, every word was pearls and jewels. Admirable, admirable.”

Zhu Houzhao still looked apprehensive. “Not at all, not at all. But whenever This Palace sees Imperial Father, This Palace feels nervous.”

Fang Jifan said, “Same here, same here. This humble servant also feels like a rat crossing the street, while the Emperor is like the sun in the sky. Every time This humble servant stands before him, This humble servant feels there is nowhere to hide.”

“Ah…” Zhu Houzhao immediately perked up. “This Palace feels the same way! Haha, good brother…” As he spoke, he slung his arm over Fang Jifan’s shoulder and hooked his elbow.

After this rough handling, Fang Jifan felt a chill inside. He carefully checked if anyone was around. He even began to wonder if the Crown Prince had improper intentions toward him. Then he thought that maybe he should find a wife. Otherwise… people might think he and the Crown Prince had some shady dealings.

The thought of a wife lifted Fang Jifan’s spirits, and he suddenly felt vigorous and energetic.

Just then, a Eunuch came jogging over, bowed, and said, “Her Highness heard that the Crown Prince and Chief Fang had entered the palace for an audience. She specifically ordered the Crown Prince and Chief Fang to go to Kunning Palace so Chief Fang can reexamine the Princess.”

Fang Jifan then remembered that he had not yet reexamined the Princess. He obediently followed Zhu Houzhao and the Eunuch to Kunning Palace. As soon as they entered the hall, they did not see the Princess. Instead, they saw Empress Zhang sitting with her usual elegant and dignified demeanor. The Zhang Brothers beamed as they saw people enter. Upon seeing Fang Jifan, Zhang Heling grinned cheerfully. “Chief Fang, how are you?”

He seemed very friendly.

Zhu Houzhao naturally acted ingratiatingly and went to sit beside Empress Zhang. Fang Jifan first bowed to Empress Zhang and said shamelessly, “Your servant pays respects to Aunt. May Aunt be well and safe. Ah, Aunt’s complexion looks even better. Your servant almost mistook you for the Princess sitting here.”

“…”

These words had crossed the bottom line of shamelessness. He compared a woman in her thirties to a young girl.

Empress Zhang smiled slightly and nodded. “Good, good…” Though she did not show great delight, any woman complimented on her youth would find it hard to conceal her happiness.

Fang Jifan then turned to look at the Zhang Brothers.

Zhang Heling smiled happily at Fang Jifan.

Fang Jifan, in turn, smiled happily back at Zhang Heling.