Royal Gold Magistrate

“Really? …Right, right!! Brother Ning is correct! I was so flustered… I actually lost my composure for a moment…”

Zhang Chang suddenly realized, his spirit recovering greatly.

“May I ask what matter caused Young Master Zhang to provoke this Fang Zheng?” Ning Hongyuan asked in puzzlement.

After being enlightened by Ning Hongyuan, Zhang Chang couldn’t help feeling a bit of trust towards him.

So he said in embarrassment, “It wasn’t anything major. This Fang Zheng beat my family’s servant. I also heard my father mention his performance in court. Apparently, this man is a treacherous petty person.”

“I was unconvinced and wanted to test Fang Zheng’s mettle, but ended up falling into his trap instead… I’m ashamed of my foolishness…”

Ning Hongyuan smiled faintly. “Young Master is too modest. The people we usually interact with are all cultured gentlemen. When have we ever encountered such a crude person!”

“Panicking a bit was unavoidable.”

Hearing him say this, Zhang Chang found the man before him more and more pleasing to the eye.

Not only could he provide enlightenment, he even gave him a way to save face… Not bad!

Ning Hongyuan continued eloquently, “If you want to make him lose face, it’s not hard. I observe that this man’s conduct is violent and despicable. His current achievements likely relied more on scheming and trickery. As for literary talent… I’m afraid he doesn’t have much!”

“Why don’t you have him compose a poem on the spot in front of everyone? It’ll surely expose his true colors!”

“This…”

Seeing Zhang Chang hesitate a bit, Ning Hongyuan quickly added, “I’ll go with you, Young Master! Don’t worry, Fang Zheng definitely won’t dare to get violent!”

Upon hearing this, Zhang Chang emotionally grasped Ning Hongyuan’s hand. “Many thanks, Brother Ning! After the poetry gathering ends, you must come to my manor for a get-together!”

Seeing Zhang Chang trust him so easily, Ning Hongyuan inwardly cheered in delight. My mission is complete!

The two then went together to Fang Zheng.

Fang Zheng was currently watching and chuckling at the two young masters before him arguing heatedly over a sour poem.

Suddenly, two hand-holding fools appeared and blocked his view. Fang Zheng froze, then slowly raised his head.

“This… is this your new boyfriend?”

Zhang Chang said coolly, “Indeed! Brother Ning and I hit it off immediately! He greatly admires you, my lord, so I specially brought him to meet Lord Fang.”

Fang Zheng: “………….”

Is this kid brain-damaged from fright? I’m not your dad!

Ning Hongyuan cupped his hands. “Greetings, Lord Fang!”

At the same time, he inwardly sneered. Not only did I use your invitation, but I’m also going to step on your head today!

Fang Zheng nodded. “Alright, alright, I approve of this marriage.”

Zhang Chang: “???”

Ning Hongyuan: “???”

Li Yuanzhao didn’t understand but found it amusing. He kept giggling foolishly on the side, drawing glares from Zhang Chang and Ning Hongyuan.

Zhang Chang said, “Lord Fang, I think such a rare grand occasion deserves a poem from you. It would leave you without regrets from this trip and also satisfy the desire for learning from the many scholars here!”

Fang Zheng said blandly, “Little Zhang… your memory isn’t very good. Did you forget what I just told you so quickly?”

In Fang Zheng’s eyes, this kind of behavior was no different from someone publicly forcing you to perform. The circumstances were extremely detestable! Fang Zheng was very displeased!

Ning Hongyuan immediately chimed in, loudly proclaiming, “Lord Fang! Everyone here greatly admires your talent! Please compose a poem, lest you disappoint the hearts of the students present. Just one poem, Lord Fang!!”

As he shouted this, the crowd’s attention began to be drawn over. Some people who loved to watch excitement and didn’t mind causing more trouble also yelled, “Compose one!”

As more and more people joined in, the shouts began to sound orderly.

“Compose one! Compose one! Compose one!”

In a daze, the more Fang Zheng listened, the more it sounded like “do her, do her, do her!”

At this moment, he was already seriously suspecting if the fool before him came from the same planet. He was considering whether he should just stab him to death when suddenly someone tugged on his sleeve.

He saw Li Yuanzhao lean over and whisper, “Old Fang, they have ill intentions!”

“Hehe, if you weren’t here, they’d already be on the ground.”

“Old Fang, can you compose poetry?”

“About the same as you.”

“Hehe, don’t hold back on my account! Think of a way to thrash them!”

Fang Zheng sighed helplessly. Easy for you to say, but how can I not hold back…

Before Fang Zheng could speak, Zhang Biao got fed up first. He slammed a foot on the table and roared, “Shut up, all of you!”

Instantly, the scene quieted down. Everyone looked at Zhang Biao in surprise.

Seeing Zhang Biao’s overwhelming aura, Zhang Chang felt a bit scared again… This fellow had weapons all over under his clothes…

But Ning Hongyuan showed no fear, smiling as he said, “Lord Fang… could this be your bodyguard? How can he be so crude? Keeping such a coarse man by your side truly damages your scholarly reputation.”

Fang Zheng narrowed his eyes as he looked at Ning Hongyuan.

This troublemaker who popped up halfway was really annoying, but quite bold… Based on his bearing, he seemed to have some background.

However, hearing him insult Zhang Biao, Fang Zheng became unhappy.

He said slowly, “Ever since this official came to the capital, some demons and monsters are always lurking about. I must keep some rough men around to deter them with positive energy. If I kept delicate men like you by my side, I’m afraid I would have already been murdered!”

Hearing this, Zhang Biao immediately held his head high, full of heroic spirit as if he was the roughest man under heaven.

Li Yuanzhao kept hinting at Fang Zheng with his eyes.

Old Fang, am I rough enough?

Hearing the muffled laughter from those around, Ning Hongyuan’s face instantly flushed purple from holding his breath.

Who the fuck is a delicate man! Who are you calling delicate!?

But Ning Hongyuan’s self-restraint was quite deep. Suppressing his displeasure, he said, “Hehe, Lord Fang jests. Please compose a poem…”

“Fine! Since everyone is inviting me so earnestly, this official can’t refuse and lose face. Someone, bring brush and ink!”

Today’s not the time. I’ll find a chance to kill you two bastards later!

Seeing him agree, Zhang Chang and Ning Hongyuan smiled at each other.

He really was a buffoon who only knew how to make empty threats…

Very quickly, brush and ink were prepared. Fang Zheng picked up the brush, recalling poetry in his mind. Fortunately, the topic was not limited today, otherwise he might have been exposed…

Fang Zheng quickly locked onto the content and calmly put brush to paper. Zhang Chang and Ning Hongyuan held their breaths as they looked at the tabletop…

“A cicada’s chill keen broke the first pause in the hard rain. This night, there is only your face. Dismal drinks in the traveller’s tent by the city gate, Boatmen anxious to push off in the lull – still we hold back……”

“……Drunk tonight, where shall I wake? Poplar and willow on the banks, The rise of the dawn breeze As the moon sets. There will be so many years, and so many lovely scenes — all empty;”

The brush abruptly halted here. Fang Zheng’s expression suddenly froze!

Fuck! What were the last two lines again? Back then on the college entrance exam’s fill-in-the-blank, he couldn’t answer it. Now he had forgotten again!

It was too late to change now. What to do? What to do?

Fang Zheng was completely awkward, not realizing that beside him, Zhang Chang and Ning Hongyuan were also covered in cold sweat…

Zhang Chang urgently whispered to Ning Hongyuan, “Brother Ning, he actually has true talent and learning! What do we do? What do we do?!”