kvmb Chapter 997 (Open Card) 2-in-1
Chapter 997 (Open Card) 2-in-1
Fang Tong decided to play dumb for a while: "Your Highness is different from the Crown Prince. Your Highness is the foundation of the country and should have an heir as soon as possible to continue the family line. This would be better for the country and the people."
These words were very much in line with his status as a subject.
This is what all the officials are hoping for now.
The idea that royalty doesn't pressure people to get married depends on the individual.
If the crown prince does not marry or have children for a long time, he will not only be criticized, but more importantly, his position will be unstable.
This is a subtle reminder.
Qingyan was well aware of this, but he never cared. He was confident that he could control everything.
“Uncle Fang, my father was not a good man in the past. He was determined to be a good emperor, but he was not a good husband or a good father.”
"Later, my mother passed away, and he devoted his energy to regret and politics, and at one point he didn't even want to see me."
"When I was young, I was a prince in the palace who could be bullied by the palace servants at will. It was common for me to not have enough to eat or wear."
"To be honest, you might not believe me, but I was probably more pitiful than Zhizhi back then. I had to compete with the dogs kept by the concubines in the palace for food."
"I imagine those concubines must have felt a great sense of accomplishment in humiliating the Empress's own child."
Qingyan casually glossed over these past events and continued, "Later, when my father remembered me and learned about what had happened, he felt guilty and ashamed, and tried every means to make amends, but it was no use."
"Uncle, those past experiences are like a brand on my mind and body. Although they are over, I still think about them from time to time. I can never forget them."
Qingyan's eyes were full of sincerity and honesty.
But precisely because of this, it makes people feel even more sorry for him. Fang Tong cannot deny that he is truly feeling uneasy.
Despite having known him for so many years and having helped his family multiple times, the seemingly powerful Crown Prince also carries an unhealable scar.
“I have been through it, so I think my future offspring will be born within my expectations and capabilities. To give birth and not raise them is just another tragedy.”
Fang Tong wanted to say, if a grandson of the emperor were born, with the vast wealth and power of the royal family, would you really need to raise him yourself?
Palace servants attend to him, and civil and military officials serve as his teachers...
But he also understood very well that Qingyan meant to express the responsibility of a father.
"It just so happens that my father has recently been learning from you how to be a loving father. I did not want to get married, so he agreed."
"With my father around, my marriage can be delayed for a few years, or even done as I please."
Qingyan laid so much groundwork just to say this one sentence.
Fang Tong almost choked on his saliva.
What does it mean to learn to be a loving father from him?
How could a mere minor official like him have the audacity to ask the Emperor to learn from him?
"Your Highness, please be careful with your words. His Majesty's affection for you stems from a deep love for his son, and it has nothing to do with me."
Fang Tong denied it.
Qingyan only glanced at him sideways without offering any explanation.
Fang Tong also realized something was wrong; he had misunderstood.
This kid, first he played the victim, then he said his marriage was "as he pleased," and that the emperor even supported him. Was he being set up? Was he being waited for to fall into a trap?
That's outrageous! Absolutely outrageous! This kid is too cunning.
Fang Tong sensed something was wrong and knew he couldn't continue the conversation.
No matter when the Crown Prince gets married, he should not be involved with him.
"His Majesty may not have had it easy back then either, Your Highness should be more understanding."
Fang Tong cleverly shifted the topic to the father-son relationship.
Qingyan sighed inwardly; he knew it wouldn't be that easy.
Uncle Fang was far too cautious about Zhizhi.
From the moment his family arrived in Beijing, they began to be wary of him. At that time, he had no improper thoughts... no, he was ignorant of romantic feelings.
He didn't reply, but instead asked, "Uncle Fang, when do you think Zhizhi will get married?"
His gaze was intense, as if Fang Tong had told him that he would come to propose marriage when the time was right.
Fang Tong frowned, knowing he couldn't avoid this topic.
"There's no rush. Maybe two or three years, maybe four or five years."
This means, you can wait two or three years, but four or five years? I don't believe the emperor will let you have your way.
"As her father, I don't ask that Zhizhi's future husband be rich or powerful. I only ask that she be happy and at ease. After all, I know my daughter. She has a wild nature and a big heart."
Did you hear that? "Being carefree and at ease"—that's something even royalty can't achieve.
Along the way, Qingyan and Fangtong seemed to have developed their own "encrypted" language.
There is a vague but existing subtext.
The subtext cannot be explicitly stated, otherwise, at best, one will find out that one has been deluding oneself, and at worst, one will be unable to extricate oneself from the situation.
Qingyan understood, but he felt that Uncle Tong was just trying to coax him.
He didn't believe that he didn't care about wealth or status.
Uncle, with his heart set on giving Zhizhi the best of everything, couldn't bear to find her a poor boy and leave her to eat coarse food.
"Uncle, I think only someone who has enough power and shares the same ideals as Zhizhi can truly make her happy."
Qingyan was very serious.
If he had a tail, it would be sticking up right now so everyone could see it.
Who holds power in the world? Besides the emperor, it's him.
As for sharing the same ideals, he and Zhizhi are good friends, how could they not share the same goals? He has been helping her for a long time.
For a moment, Fang Tong was almost convinced.
That's true. This world is unfair. The vast majority of men don't like women showing their faces in public, let alone Zhizhi becoming a doctor and having to come into contact with men from other places frequently.
Many men are very stingy and can't accept that.
Not to mention, Zhizhi also wants to be a famous scholar.
For his daughter's sake, Fang Tong had also looked into what a "famous scholar" was, and knew that all famous scholars throughout history had been men, never women.
You can see how difficult this is.
Such a wish would be extremely difficult to fulfill without the help of a benefactor.
If she were to encounter a man who didn't understand her aspirations, life would be too difficult.
Wait, no, his daughter is capable and has the support of her whole family. Even if her power is not as great as the Crown Prince's, she doesn't necessarily need to find a powerful future husband to help her.
Why is he thinking about these things?
It's all the Crown Prince's fault; he almost confused me again.
Just as he was about to continue his witty banter, Qingyan cut straight to the point.
"Uncle, why don't you think about it carefully? I'm not in a hurry. I prefer to show my sincerity through actions rather than words."
This statement is somewhat like making everything clear.
Fang Tong almost turned pale, but then he saw Qing Yan swagger back, find the carriage where Zhizhi was, and knock on the window.
The curtain was drawn back, revealing the girl's delicate face.
After glancing at the book she was holding, Qingyan paused for a moment before saying, "A natural hot spring has been discovered in Xihua Mountain. I invited Mr. Deng to soak in the hot spring. He only left the capital yesterday and should not return for at least three days."
Fang Nanzhi's eyes lit up at a speed visible to the naked eye.
"Your Highness, you truly are my closest friend."
Qingyan nodded reluctantly, and said righteously, "I only invited you to have some fun, and I have no other intentions."
It was just a coincidence, but it should be able to help Zhizhi.
Fang Nanzhi didn't care about any of that; she was excitedly chuckling.
"Your Highness, once I get past Mr. Deng, I will definitely treat you to a meal."
"The Lantern Festival is coming soon, won't Zhizhi invite me to the lantern festival?"
Qingyan's gaze held a hint of resentment.
Fang Nanzhi immediately did the math: the fifteenth was the day after tomorrow, three days, enough for her to review her studies.
Going out on the night of the 15th is fine.
“Okay, let’s go to the lantern festival!” she readily agreed. “I’ll pay for everything at the lantern festival.”
Qingyan curled his lips; his goal had been achieved.
He didn't bother him too much, mainly because he was afraid Uncle Fang would rush over and beat him up.
"Well then, I'll head back to the palace now. See you on the 15th."
Qingyan rode away, leading a large entourage towards the palace.
He was still a little disappointed. He had originally planned to visit the Fang family today, but unfortunately, he had spoken frankly earlier, and now his uncle wouldn't welcome him.
Fang Tong was indeed so angry that his chest heaved. Looking at him now, riding his horse towards the palace, he was even more furious.
Pooh!
Wasn't he pretending to be leaving Beijing and hoping to bump into them?
What does going to the palace now mean? It's as clear as day.
His face was contorted, and he wished he could chase after him and warn him: Hey, I don't care if you're a prince or a king, if you dare to covet my daughter, believe me or not I'll turn you into a grandson.
But considering the official hat on his head and his entire head, he held back.
But endurance is not easy; Fang Tong's face twisted in pain.
Fang Yin rode up and saw that his face was as black as if he had eaten three pounds of stinky vegetables.
"What's wrong, brother? What did His Highness say to you?"
Just now, the Crown Prince caught up, and his men pushed forward, separating Fang Tong from them at a distance that was neither too close nor too far.
Therefore, Fang Yin heard nothing.
Fang Tong glanced at the people in front and behind him. They were still on the street, and he couldn't act as recklessly as that kid.
"fine."
But he doesn't look like he's alright at all.
Upon returning to the manor, the servants unloaded the luggage, and Fang Yin and Zhizhi went together to settle Mr. Zheng and his grandson into their lodgings.
Mr. Zheng was led to the front yard, Qin Yan's yard.
Qin Yan gave up the main room and moved into the west room.
As for the east room, it was a large study with several rows of bookshelves.
Mr. Zheng was also a book lover, so he was naturally satisfied. However, he didn't want to take over Qin Yan's place and wanted Qin Yan to continue living in the main house.
In the end, Qin Yan knelt down and bowed: "Although we are not in the name of master and disciple, we are in the reality of master and disciple. If I do not respect you, I will be ashamed to face the sage."
Only then did Mr. Zheng agree.
As for the courtyard where Zheng Wanru recuperated, it was near Fang Nanzhi. The courtyard was quite large, with three rooms, each of which had a partition.
Zheng Wanru liked it very much.
She felt good about being close to Zhizhi.
After settling in, Yu Huan helped Fang Nanzhi bathe and wash up, and then wrung out her hair.
Fang Nanzhi was reading a book, and sometimes she would put it down, walk around the yard with her hands behind her back, and recite aloud.
Zheng Wanru, who was using the window next door to ventilate the room, heard this and couldn't help but curl her lips into a smile.
The maid saw that since her mistress left the city, her mood had improved day by day. Although she was on the road, her health had not deteriorated. On the contrary, she was becoming more and more energetic, which made her feel better as a result.
"Miss, it's strange, since Miss Fang doesn't take the imperial examinations, why is the Fang family so insistent on her studying?"
The maid knew that young ladies from wealthy families only needed to be literate; starting in their teens, they had to learn music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and needlework—all in preparation for marriage.
"Because studying is good."
Zheng Wanru has experienced many things and has many insights.
"Reading can enlighten you, and in the future, Zhizhi can become an extremely capable person."
"But Miss Fang doesn't need to get married and support a family, so why does she need to be so capable?" the maid asked, puzzled.
“Being strong is always useful. She wants to be someone who can stand on her own and not be looked down upon or bullied. Unlike your young lady, who lost most of her life and still needed the protection of her family to get a divorce.”
Zheng Wanru sighed.
The maid dared not reply, afraid that her mistress would be reminded of painful memories.
Zheng Wanru was also tired, so she leaned against the couch and fell asleep in a daze.
She slowly opened her eyes when it was time for a meal.
Fang Nanzhi was sitting in the room, eating by the table, taking small bites, but not slowly.
"Yes, this lotus seed soup is indeed delicious. It's sweet but not cloying, and it has a refreshing fragrance."
The maid smiled and said respectfully, "If Miss Fang likes it, I will tell the cook in the main kitchen about the recipe later."
Zheng Wanru's courtyard has a small kitchen, and today servants are setting up a stove.
Because she needed to take care of her health, her diet was light but nutritious, and she strictly followed the recipes given by Fang Nanzhi.
Her meals couldn't come from the main kitchen, so she couldn't have the same food as everyone else.
In addition, there's the matter of decocting medicine, so having a kitchen is certainly convenient.
The maid knew that her mistress would have to rely on Miss Fang a lot in the future, so she tried very hard to please her.
I invited Ms. Fang to come for a consultation, and I also specially cooked lotus seed porridge for her.
"Okay, thank you." Fang Nanzhi didn't stand on ceremony at all.
The maid was even happier.
"Can I eat?" Zheng Wanru asked abruptly, and the two people on the ground realized that she was awake.
The maidservant rushed over to serve her, helping her to sit up and placing a large cushion behind her.
"No, it's too sweet. You should wait until you're better before eating it."
Fang Nanzhi also came over.
Her eyes shone brightly: "How did you sleep?"
“Very good, you didn’t even dream about it.” Zheng Wanru replied while looking outside, only to find that it was already dark outside.
She paused slightly, "It's night?"
Fang Nanzhi nodded and patted her stomach: "Yes, I ate dinner earlier."
Zheng Wanru didn't expect that she would sleep for so long.
"Are you hungry, Miss? I'll go get some food right away."
The maid asked with concern.
It was because her master had been sleeping for too long, something that had never happened before, that she was worried and that's why she invited Miss Fang.
Zheng Wanru nodded, and the maid left.
Fang Nanzhi looked at her face and nodded in satisfaction: "Your body is starting to recover. Get more sleep and you'll recover faster."
Actually, the medication she prescribed contained some sleep-aiding ingredients.
However, since starting the medication, the effect has not been significant. Zheng Wanru never mentioned it, but Fang Nanzhi could tell by taking her pulse.
She is sleep-deprived every day and still overthinks... When a person doesn't get enough rest, their energy recovers very slowly.
Today, perhaps because of the change of environment, Wanru was less worried, and coupled with the fatigue of the past few days, she couldn't hold on any longer.
"I understand. Have you finished memorizing your book?"
Fang Nanzhi's face immediately fell. No.
She is suffering so much.
She was reading a book, and Zheng Wanru watched her distress while eating, and unknowingly ate half a bowl more than usual.
Fang Nanzhi was in a hurry to prepare at the last minute, but she still brought gifts to the Zhou residence the next day.
Not long after, Old Master Zhou returned to his residence with her.
Mr. Zheng personally greeted them at the second gate, expressing his gratitude to the old doctor for coming, and then they went to see Zheng Wanru together.