Chapter 8: Brother Was Going to Soar High

Although Fang Jinglong knew his son was worthless, he sometimes wished the child would become a dragon. Now, he couldn’t help but sigh and shake his head, feeling he was asking for the impossible.

Fang Jifan didn’t dare say he wanted to go to the Military Examination. The previous good-for-nothing would never have gone to take an exam. So, he avoided his father’s self-mocking gaze, thinking to himself, “I really should try this Military Examination. But my situation is special. How could I go take it smoothly, without arousing suspicion?”

Seeing Fang Jifan remain silent, Fang Jinglong thought his words had upset his son. He quickly said, “Alright, alright, your father won’t say anymore. I know you don’t like taking on duties or being restrained. I won’t bring it up again.” He waved his hand, feeling very melancholy. He thought of the sons of other Dukes, Marquises, Earls, and Viscounts, who all took pride in the Military Examination, and then looked at his own son.

Ah… ancestors…

But thinking of his ancestors made Fang Jinglong’s chest hurt.

Fang Jifan, however, grew anxious inside. “Father, I want a duty! I want to go to the Military Examination! I don’t want to be a useless person my whole life! Why did you stop talking? Oppress me! Can’t you be more forceful? Slam the table, put me on the torture rack, drip candle wax on me! Even tying me up and dragging me there would be fine! Give me a chance to take on a duty!”

Of course, he didn’t dare say these things aloud. It seemed the whole world believed this idle, good-for-nothing young lord was only fit to ruin his father in this lifetime. If he suddenly showed ambition, it would be highly suspicious, especially since he suffered from a ‘Brain Illness’…

Fang Jifan sighed inwardly, feeling even more melancholy than Fang Jinglong.

But the next day, Deng Jian’s voice sounded like a Brass Gong again: “Young Lord! Young Lord! Someone came from the Imperial Palace! They order you to go to the Military Examination!”

Fang Jifan was still half-asleep. Hearing this, he rolled over and scrambled up… The Imperial Palace… What did this mean?

He saw Deng Jian run up to him, panting, “A Eunuch came from the palace. He said today is the Military Examination. His Majesty heard about it and was immensely pleased. He said he wanted to select talented individuals to join the Imperial Guard. But somehow, he remembered you, Young Lord! He actually said to those around him, ‘Isn’t that son of Nanhe Bo always wild and unrestrained? That’s due to lax upbringing at home. Have him take the examination as well. If he doesn’t go, charge him with grave disrespect!'”

Fang Jifan felt both shock and joy. This Emperor was quite interesting.

Wait, what did he mean by ‘lax upbringing’ and ‘wild and unrestrained’… Had his notorious reputation actually reached the Emperor’s ears?

Fang Jifan was deeply distressed, but didn’t show it.

Deng Jian, however, grew anxious: “The Imperial Envoy from the palace is already in the main hall, waiting for you, Young Lord! The Earl went to the Five Chief Military Commissions early this morning on business. You must go quickly, Young Lord, or you’ll offend the Envoy…”

“Alright, alright, stop nagging,” Fang Jifan said impatiently. “Where is Xiaoxiangxiang? Come help me dress.”

Deng Jian said with a worried face, “Xiang’er is sick today. This humble one will go get Lan’er.”

Fang Jifan actually felt relieved inside. Being forced to act like a rogue day in and day out was really difficult for his upright and pure self. So he deliberately put on an impatient expression and said, “Then this Young Lord will do it himself. Lan’er’s chest is too small. This Young Lord would rather feel his own.”

Deng Jian looked at the Young Lord with a gratified expression. The Young Lord truly hadn’t changed his colors. It seemed his illness was getting better.

Fang Jifan quickly put on his clothes, his mind occupied with the Military Examination. He was full of anticipation. “Brother is going to amaze everyone with a single brilliant feat! Brother is going to soar high! I’ll make everyone know that this Young Lord is not just clever, witty, and handsome, but also immensely talented!”

He hurried to the main hall and saw a pale-faced Eunuch standing with his hands behind his back, looking around the Fang Family’s main hall with disdain.

He had long heard that this spendthrift had sold off the family’s land and possessions. Looking at the few long benches in the hall, the young Eunuch felt he had gained a new understanding of the phrase ‘bare walls with nothing inside’.

Seeing the person in question arrive, and noticing Deng Jian hadn’t caught up yet, Fang Jifan immediately put on a smile!

A eunuch! A living eunuch! Based on Fang Jifan’s understanding of eunuchs, these castrated men who were always around the Emperor were not easy to deal with. Though their status was lowly, they possessed astonishing influence.

The young Eunuch looked at him with a faint, mocking smile. Fang Jifan quickly bowed, cupping his hands in a salute, and said politely, “Greetings, Sir Eunuch. You have come a long way, and I failed to welcome you properly. I beg your forgiveness…”

As he spoke, Fang Jifan made a motion as if to take silver from his pocket. He had to give the man some tea money. Even though he pretended to be a spendthrift every day, he still understood the unspoken rules.

The young Eunuch saw through it clearly but suddenly pulled a long face, saying displeasedly, “Young Lord Fang, skip it.”

“It’s necessary, it’s necessary, just a small token,” Fang Jifan said, already pulling out a piece of broken silver.

But the young Eunuch’s face remained cold, his smile not reaching his eyes. “Other people’s silver, of course I would dare to take. But Young Lord Fang’s silver… hehe… I truly don’t have the guts to accept it. Young Lord Fang, have you forgotten? Last year, it was also me who came to deliver the decree. You cursed me to my face, called me a man without balls? Well, I still haven’t grown any new ones today… so… I don’t deserve your courtesy…”

“……” Fang Jifan never expected that this Eunuch and the former good-for-nothing had such a history. For a eunuch, the most hated thing was probably someone mocking their defect. Ah, that damnable good-for-nothing…

At this moment, the young Eunuch looked even more sinister, his smile growing colder as he continued, “Back then, I couldn’t do anything to you. But now, I’ve entered the Directorate of Followers and Guidance. From time to time, I get to serve the Emperor. From now on, Young Lord Fang, you’d better be careful.”

Fang Jifan had an excellent grasp of Ming history. Hearing ‘Directorate of Followers and Guidance’, he immediately understood why this young Eunuch was so smug. In terms of power, among the twelve eunuch agencies in the palace, the Directors of Ceremonial and the Directors of Imperial Horses were, of course, the most powerful. But for a young eunuch, the Directorate of Followers and Guidance was also a good post. Its duty was to follow the Emperor closely, responsible for guiding and clearing the way. Those who accompanied the Emperor every day were highly sought after both inside and outside the palace, a real hot commodity.

Just then, Deng Jian caught up but didn’t dare enter the hall, only peeking in from outside.

Seeing Deng Jian arrive, Fang Jifan felt a bit regretful. At this point, playing the role of the good-for-nothing, mending the relationship was impossible. And looking at the situation, repairing the relationship would probably be difficult anyway.

Although he was the Heir of Nanhe Bo, this eunuch couldn’t really do much to him. But what he feared was if some misfortune befell his family, this person might take the opportunity to kick them when they were down.

He gave a dry laugh. “Sir Eunuch, for what purpose have you come here?”

The young Eunuch said coldly, “By His Majesty’s oral decree, the Imperial Guard Office holds the Military Examination today. You are summoned to the Imperial Guard Office.”