The guard was speechless as he witnessed the Second Prince’s demeanor. Clearly of a noble status, he appeared before Zhang Fang like a lowly servant, which was quite unbecoming!
Once Zhang Fang entered the carriage, the Second Prince patted his own face and adjusted his clothing, cautiously stepping in afterward. The guard sat outside, observing the coachman drive the carriage.
Nervously fidgeting with his thighs, the Second Prince wore a bashful expression, his mouth curving into a happy smile as he excitedly said, “Zhang Lang, I’ve prepared a residence for you! I hope you’ll like it!”
Zhang Fang removed his hat, revealing a gentle smile as he softly thanked, “Thank you, Your Highness. Due to Wang Zhanggui’s busy schedule, I have no choice but to trouble you. I truly appreciate your care!”
The Second Prince shook his head eagerly, his smile as innocent as a child’s. He cheerfully said, “It’s my fortune that you came to find me! I’m already your biggest fan!”
“Thank you for your support, Your Highness. I will strive to continue creating stories,” Zhang Fang replied, their conversation flowing like that of a typical author and their fan.
The guard, listening attentively to the dialogue, found it tedious and rolled his eyes.
The Second Prince’s carriage passed without inspection from the guards at the city walls, arriving smoothly at the residence prepared for Zhang Fang. The Second Prince exited first and then invited Zhang Fang to disembark.
“Considering that an outsider like Zhang Lang might find it uncomfortable here, I’ve specially arranged for my staff to assist you,” the Second Prince thoughtfully said. The servants assigned to assist Zhang Fang were carefully selected.
“There’s no need for that. Please send them home. I come from humble beginnings and am unaccustomed to being catered to,” Zhang Fang directly declined the Second Prince’s offer.
The Second Prince hesitated but chose to respect Zhang Fang’s wishes, instructing the guards to escort the household staff away.
Once everyone was dismissed, the guard blankly stood by, holding tea to serve them. The Second Prince eagerly poured tea for Zhang Fang, while the guard turned away in frustration.
“There’s no need for such care, Your Highness. I am here for you.”
Understanding and perceptive, Zhang Fang had already sensed that this guard was quite dissatisfied with the Second Prince’s actions. The guard harbored unwavering loyalty to the Second Prince, naturally disapproving of him being so solicitous toward others.
The Second Prince felt shy from Zhang Fang’s words, his movements while pouring the tea becoming awkward. The tea overflowed, spilling onto the table and dripping onto Zhang Fang’s clothing.
Zhang Fang stood, saluting the Second Prince as he solemnly declared, “My visit is to seek justice for the Liu family.”
The guard’s eyes widened in disbelief, staring intently at Zhang Fang.
The Second Prince was stunned. The treason case involving the Liu family was something many dared not mention. Because of this incident, many distanced themselves from the Second Prince, showing no concern for him.
However, today someone had brought up this matter, even stating an intention to seek justice for the Liu family!
Tears welled in his eyes as he gazed at Zhang Fang, shaking his head in a daze.
Zhang Fang looked up at the Second Prince, noticing his disapproval. With a light sigh, he stood upright and spoke earnestly, “Such a significant case was hastily concluded within a month, and all are aware of its complexities. This blatant act of killing heroes cannot stand! I, Zhang Fang, shall not allow it!”
Tears streamed down the Second Prince’s face as he choked out, “You mustn’t…”
No one in this world had the ability to overturn such a case. Even though Zhang Fang was now famous and influenced many hearts, he lacked the power to oppose imperial authority.
Yet, the guard suddenly knelt before Zhang Fang, begging, “Please, Master Zhang, seek justice for the Liu family! The Liu family was annihilated due to the emperor’s suspicions, and they were innocent!”
“Heroes shed blood to protect their homeland and should shine throughout history! I, Zhang Fang, will restore the honor of the heroes!”
Zhang Fang stood tall, like a bamboo shoot, with a solemn expression, his eyes seemingly glazed with frost.
The Second Prince stood up, slightly hunched over, shaking his head through his tears. He tried to persuade Zhang Fang, “This case was set by my father; there is absolutely no chance for it to be overturned. The obstacles ahead are immense; why bother?”
“If the way ahead is an ocean with no path, I will build a bridge to cross it. If the road ahead is blocked by mountains, I shall shatter the boulders! The righteousness of man cannot be suppressed!”
Zhang Fang’s voice, though not loud, carried a tremendous strength that made it feel as if the hearts of all in attendance shared one will strong enough to move mountains.
The Second Prince wept, his vision blurring as he muttered, “Why…”
He couldn’t comprehend why Zhang Fang would help him in such an impossible endeavor.
“The injustices in this world should not fade with time. If everyone fears the darkness and no one stands to uphold justice, how could there be light?”
His beautiful brows and eyes displayed a steadfast determination, like a resilient pine tree on a snow-covered mountain, embodying tenacity and fearlessness in the face of adversity!
Once disdainful of Zhang Fang, the guard now held him in immense admiration. He suddenly bowed deeply to Zhang Fang, proclaiming loudly, “I vow to follow Master Zhang until death!”
The Second Prince, oblivious to his guard’s shift in loyalty, focused solely on Zhang Fang.
In that instant, he thought of the protagonists from Zhang Fang’s writings.
While reading, the Second Prince had wondered if such a character could help him seek justice.
Upon meeting Zhang Fang, he felt astonished, as if a celestial being had descended, and he projected his own shell onto the protagonist of the stories.
In that moment, the Second Prince had only one thought— a celestial being had come to help him!
第30章 农户家的虚荣子
The Second Prince appeared debauched, yet he saw through it all. Clearly uninterested in politics, he had nevertheless grasped the dynamics of the court with clarity.
Zhang Fang and the Second Prince shared a deep conversation throughout the night, clarifying the situation in the court and formulating a plan of action in his mind.
The Second Prince felt unsettled; he had many words of persuasion on the tip of his tongue, but when he met Zhang Fang’s unwavering eyes, he couldn’t voice them. Zhang Fang was the one he admired most; now that someone was willing to extend a hand to pull him out of the darkness, how could he continue to be cowardly?