Royal Gold Magistrate

With the matter resolved, Zhang Biao shut the main gate. The group then returned to continue their meal.

Xiao Tao found a letter that had fallen in the courtyard. Picking it up, she said, “Young Master, it seems that person just now came to deliver a letter for you.”

“Oh? What letter? Open it and take a look.”

After reading it for a bit, Xiao Tao said, “It’s an invitation, asking you to attend a poetry contest at Quzuo Lake in three days… The seal is from the Ministry of Revenue. Do you want to go?”

A poetry contest? How novel!

Having transmigrated here without inheriting a single memory from the original owner, not to mention the poems stored in his mind were mostly incomplete fragments, if he went wouldn’t he just embarrass himself?

Poems beyond the scope of nine years of compulsory education were all too advanced!

Taking the letter, Fang Zheng snorted disdainfully. “I won’t go! It must be that son of the Minister of Revenue, Zhang Chang, coming to stick up for Jia Liang who he mentioned before!”

“That guy’s brain has issues. He actually had Jia Liang deliver the letter, clearly indicating it’s a setup. Does he take me for an idiot?”

“Young Master, what’s a setup? Is it tasty?” Zhang Biao moved closer.

“Tasty indeed! It’ll fill you up with raw meat! Why don’t you go in my place?”

Zhang Biao could tell Fang Zheng was mocking him. He chuckled foolishly, “Raw meat works for me… I’ll bring it back and cook it before eating.”

“Enough. Just rip up the letter. Let’s keep eating.”

With that, Fang Zheng was about to tear the letter to shreds.

“Hey! Don’t rip it!” Bai Yi, who had been standing in the corner, suddenly spoke up. Everyone looked over at her.

Bai Yi sheepishly walked over and took the letter from Fang Zheng’s hands. Stammering awkwardly, she said, “Young Master, look, this letter was sent from the Ministry of Revenue’s estate. There will definitely be quite a few noble sons attending the poetry contest.”

“How many people wish for but can’t get such an opportunity… You’ve only just arrived in the capital and don’t know many people yet. Why not… sell this invitation?”

Fang Zheng’s eyes lit up. “Ah! Xiao Bai, you’ve grown! That makes sense. Let’s take it out and sell it!”

He then reached out and carelessly tousled Bai Yi’s hair.

Bai Yi resisted the urge to dodge, her pretty face gradually flushing red…

“Xiao Tao, go out tomorrow and see if anyone at the major taverns or academies is willing to buy this invitation. If anyone doesn’t trust it, bring them directly to the estate. I’ll meet with them personally!”

“Young Master, leave it to me! I haven’t been anywhere in the capital yet. Sister Xiao Tao has also run around for two days and must be tired.” Bai Yi hurriedly said.

“You?” Fang Zheng sized up Bai Yi suspiciously.

Xiao Tao had helped him manage Taoyuan County for many years. She was adept at handling interpersonal relationships and he trusted her to handle matters reliably.

To be honest, Bai Yi really seemed like a decorative flower vase and didn’t appear very dependable.

If he let Bai Yi go out, with her beauty and naivety wouldn’t she get swindled?

“Can you handle it?”

“I can! I can!” Bai Yi affirmed confidently.

“Alright then. Have Zhang Biao accompany you tomorrow. Xiao Tao can take a break too. You did well this time! I’ll give you one percent commission if you sell it for a high price!”

“…………”

Who wants your measly bit of money! Bai Yi grumbled inwardly.

“Um.. Young Master, I remember my father had dealings with some merchants in the capital years ago. So I want to go take a look myself. No need to trouble Brother Biao…”

It seemed Bai Yi wanted to prove herself. It would be good for her to get some experience too.

Fang Zheng continued, “Okay. Have Xiao Tao give you some silver then. Be careful when you go out tomorrow. You did well today. Come eat.”

…………………

The next day, Fang Zheng wasn’t late.

He arrived on time for the morning court session. Under everyone’s disdainful gazes, he found a spot at the very end by a pillar and settled in to space out…

Before Fang Zheng could even get comfortable, a eunuch reminded him.

Guo Tianyang softly called out, “Lord Fang! Lord Fang! Wake up! You can’t stand there!”

“Huh? Where should I stand then?” Fang Zheng looked completely baffled.

Guo Tianyang rolled his eyes. With no choice, he pulled Fang Zheng out and led him to a position in the middle.

He lowered his voice again, “Lord Fang… His Majesty is watching you.”

Feeling the contemptuous stares all around, Fang Zheng couldn’t help raising his voice, “Thanks Brother Guo!”

“……….”

The scornful gazes instantly shifted onto Guo Tianyang.

Goddamnit! Calling me Brother Guo in front of so many people! You just had to screw me over to feel better, didn’t you!

Guo Tianyang was dumbfounded. His old face turned red as he covered it and returned to Emperor Jing’s side.

The bell soon tolled and the officials began giving their reports.

Fang Zheng just stood there in a daze. The voices by his ears grew more and more muffled, more and more indistinct…

He usually slept for six hours a day. It was a habit Fang Zheng had cultivated for many years. But ever since entering the capital, he only slept four hours each day.

Getting up so early, Fang Zheng felt like he was being forcibly booted up and couldn’t adapt for a while…

However, Emperor Jing was quite accommodating. He ignored Fang Zheng the entire time, which suited Fang Zheng just fine.

………..

After a short while, Fang Zheng seemed to feel someone tugging at him again. He slowly opened his eyes…

He vaguely heard by his ear, “Lord Fang! Wake up, it’s over!”

“Hmm? Class is dismissed?”

Three black lines hung down from Guo Tianyang’s head. He complained, “What class! The court session has ended! Hurry and go check in at the Imperial Clan Court!”

“Hehe… Brother Guo, you’re a real pal! I’m off then.” Fang Zheng grinned. He wiped the drool from his mouth and turned to leave the hall.

“Wait! Do you know the way?” Guo Tianyang looked at Fang Zheng like he was a hopeless case.

“Oh right, I don’t! Still half asleep. Brother Guo, can you take me?”

Guo Tianyang waved his hand in disgust and pulled over a little eunuch beside him. “The palace has arranged someone for you! Mao Quan, lead Lord Fang to the Imperial Clan Court.”

……..

Mao Quan brought Fang Zheng all the way to the Imperial Clan Court.

As soon as he entered, Fang Zheng spotted Li Yuanzhao, escorted by a group of eunuchs, walking towards him.

The crown prince’s face had some bruises, but he still grinned. “Haha, Fang Zheng, you finally came. I waited so anxiously for you!”

Fang Zheng also laughed, “This official was also especially eager to see Your Highness again! When we first met in Taoyuan County, we really hit it off!”

“The moment this official laid eyes on Your Highness, I felt Your Highness had a heroic bearing, unlike ordinary men. I never would have imagined, wow, you were actually the crown prince!”

“It was truly unexpected! Yet it made perfect sense!”

Hearing Fang Zheng’s words, the crowd of eunuchs beside Li Yuanzhao all turned their faces away, unable to watch…

Too shameless! Too brazen! If it weren’t for the fact that this brat was wearing official robes, they would have thought he was a fellow eunuch who snuck in!

Li Yuanzhao was overjoyed to hear this. He stepped forward and grabbed Fang Zheng’s hand, leading him inside. His mouth also never stopped, “Yes, yes, yes! I thought the same! I truly regret we didn’t meet sooner. Not like that Teacher Yan, who won’t say a single nice thing.”

“Come with me. Teacher Yan will be here soon. I don’t want to see him!”