Years ago, the Second Prince was born in the same year as the Crown Prince, the two royal princes separated by only a month. The Crown Prince’s birth mother was just a beauty, while the Second Prince’s mother was a favored concubine. Many officials in the court submitted requests for the Emperor to declare the Second Prince as Crown Prince, but the Emperor, being still in his youth, did not immediately comply. It wasn’t until three years later, after punishing the Liu family and forcing Concubine Liu to commit suicide, that the Emperor finally named the Crown Prince. The Second Prince was left as a fool and was sent to a temple to be raised until he reached ten years of age, at which point he was brought back to the palace once his mind had regained normalcy.
Mu Qing believed that the Emperor exterminated the Liu family out of fear of the Liu family’s influence over the court. This was a suspicion shared by many, yet no one dared to discuss it openly. If it weren’t for private conversations behind closed doors, Mu Qing would not have the courage to address the details of this issue.
Since returning from the prefecture, Zhang Fang often corresponded with the Second Prince. On the surface, the Second Prince seemed like a carefree and indulgent individual, lost in pleasures. However, when discussing the injustices depicted in various narratives, the Second Prince was filled with righteous indignation.
A person who cares about justice would certainly not be foolish. Zhang Fang could see that the Second Prince was deeply affected by the Liu family’s tragic extermination. Unfortunately, despite being the Prince, the Second Prince had no power and could do nothing. Everyone knew that it was the Emperor who destroyed the Liu family and ruined the Second Prince’s future. No one dared to support him.
Yet Zhang Fang decided to place his bets on the Second Prince. He aimed to exonerate the Liu family and restore the reputation of heroes!
Even though the road ahead was fraught with difficulties and obstacles, Zhang Fang was undeterred!
“Scholar! The county magistrate is coming!”
During this time, anyone who sought Zhang Fang would be stopped by the villagers outside. However, today the visitor was the magistrate of Dou County! The villagers dared not obstruct him and could only let Lin Zheng in.
Zhang Fang assigned homework to his students and stepped out of the classroom.
The Third Prince had already taken action, and the Crown Prince would certainly not be far behind. Zhang Fang had been waiting for the Crown Prince’s people to come find him. Unexpectedly, it was Lin Zheng who showed up. Wasn’t this fellow associated with Xu Chang? Could it be that Xu Chang sent Lin Zheng to find Zhang Fang?
Zhang Fang had not forgotten that the Liu siblings were still staying at his home; he absolutely could not allow Lin Zheng to be entertained there!
“Where is Magistrate Lin?” he asked a villager.
The villager replied, “Upon hearing that the scholar was teaching here, the magistrate came this way. I was swift of foot and ran ahead to inform the scholar!”
This prepared Zhang Fang mentally, as he had to face the magistrate.
Zhang Fang understood, and asked the villager, “Since Magistrate Lin is coming for the first time, he may not be familiar with the roads. Please trouble Uncle Niu to guide him here.”
Seeing that Zhang Fang was quite welcoming toward Magistrate Lin, Uncle Niu felt relieved and hurried off to find Lin Zheng and accompany him.
Lin Zheng was already aware that Zhang Fang had stopped attending the academy and remained in the village to be a teacher. Because of Zhang Fang’s previous disrespect, Lin Zheng felt quite displeased and had been keeping this resentment in his heart. He intended to wait until Zhang Fang fell from grace to seize the opportunity to settle the score. Little did he know, this fellow’s luck was extraordinary! He not only befriended Xu Chang, becoming his student, but now he had also caught the attention of the Crown Prince! The Crown Prince sent someone to Dou County, clearly wanting to woo Zhang Fang!
What kind of divine being has Zhang Fang worshiped? His good fortune was simply relentless! It was truly enviable!
“Scholar Zhang has topped the provincial exam; I haven’t had the chance to congratulate you yet! I specially came to express my congratulations!” Upon meeting, Lin Zheng revealed a kind smile to Zhang Fang.
Zhang Fang stood on the steps, keeping his back straight. Upon seeing Lin Zheng, he merely nodded lightly, rather than greeting him in a bow as he had done before.
The clear and graceful youth stood before a bamboo house, the chilly autumn wind sweeping through, causing the dried bamboo leaves to dance. Such a scene seemed like a painting. However, Lin Zheng had no mind to appreciate it; dark thoughts stirred within him, wanting to snap the waist of the person before him!
“I’m currently teaching, not aware of Magistrate Lin’s purpose in coming here,” Zhang Fang stated. Though his tone was polite, it implied: I’m busy; if it’s nothing urgent, don’t disturb me!
Lin Zheng was not angered, however, and walked over with a smile, saying to Zhang Fang, “Scholar Zhang is now famous across the land! Even the nobles in the capital have heard of you.”
Lin Zheng expected Zhang Fang to immediately engage him in discussion after hearing this.
Yet to his surprise, Zhang Fang merely nodded indifferently, avoiding this topic and gesturing towards the bamboo house, saying, “If Magistrate Lin has no important business, I must excuse myself, as I have many students waiting for instruction.”
Lin Zheng’s smile vanished; this brat truly deserved a beating! He had said so much, yet Zhang Fang managed to keep his composure! Could it be that he had already latched onto someone else’s influence?
Thinking of Xu Chang’s connections, Lin Zheng’s expression grew solemn. The Crown Prince had sent people to find him, asking him to persuade Zhang Fang, completely bypassing Xu Chang, indicating that Xu Chang’s backing was not the Crown Prince!
Previously, Lin Zheng had no choice but to curry favor with Xu Chang through money and gifts. But now he had an opportunity to align himself with the Crown Prince, with Zhang Fang being the key! He had to secure Zhang Fang! Even if Zhang Fang might have already been won over by Xu Chang and joined the opposing camp, Lin Zheng still needed to find ways to bring Zhang Fang over! To the Side of the Crown Prince!
Suppressing his anger, Lin Zheng walked toward Zhang Fang, standing right before him. He realized he was a head shorter than Zhang Fang, lacking authority in this confrontation. The frustration boiled within him, and Lin Zheng lowered his voice to say to Zhang Fang, “Don’t you want to know whose eyes you’ve caught?”
Zhang Fang also lowered his voice, softly responding to Lin Zheng, “Though I am not in court, I am aware of the situation there. The Crown Prince is the True Dragon; naturally, I must be loyal to him. Surely, Zhang Fang cannot rely solely on a book as a stepping stone?”
Lin Zheng widened his eyes and suddenly looked up at Zhang Fang. What did this guy mean?
Though he couldn’t immediately grasp the deeper meaning behind Zhang Fang’s words, Lin Zheng suddenly felt a chill down his back. The youth before him, clear and bright as the moon, shining like spring light, now seemed like a venomous snake hidden in the bamboo forest, poised to strike and kill!
Swallowing, Lin Zheng’s expression froze. More fear flickered in his eyes as he regarded Zhang Fang.
After a moment, Lin Zheng finally regained his composure, adjusted his mood, took a deep breath, and stiffly smiled as he spoke to Zhang Fang: “Scholar Zhang is indeed someone destined for greatness, soaring like a great roc, your future is promising. I have prepared a banquet in the county office; I hope Scholar Zhang will honor us with your presence!”