Royal Gold Magistrate

Sometimes the Crown Prince was sensible, other times he seemed like a child who never grew up, able to brag endlessly even among a group of little brats.

Fang Zheng didn’t care for hot pot. Without chili oil, beef tallow, and other seasonings, it was just boiled in plain water, and the meat wasn’t particularly fresh either.

As Li Yuanzhao got carried away with his story, he couldn’t help but stand up on his chair.

Seeing the shy commoners hesitant to take food, he called out loudly, “Eat up! Don’t worry about the cost! Mr. Sai is treating us today.”

“You don’t often get to eat this much meat, right? Today, eat your fill!”

Fang Zheng chimed in from the corner, “That’s right! Young Master Li is treating today! You’d better eat more. You won’t get chances like this often!”

“Don’t look so glum. The government will repair your damaged houses and arrange accommodation for you during this period. Don’t worry, just enjoy your meal.”

“Shopkeeper, bring out all the meat dishes you have in the store.”

The shopkeeper approached Fang Zheng, wringing his hands and whispering, “Sir, we have plenty of vegetables and rice, but the meat…”

Fang Zheng rolled his eyes, “What? Afraid of the cost? Don’t worry, you’ll get your money.”

The shopkeeper laughed awkwardly, “No, that’s not it. We’re out of meat.”

Li Yuanzhao, with his sharp ears, overheard this.

He let the meat he was about to pick up fall back into the pot and instead stuffed a vegetable leaf into his mouth.

“You all eat. I’m full. Shopkeeper, bring some more snacks!”

The shopkeeper acknowledged and scurried back to the kitchen to fetch snacks.

Li Yuanzhao turned to leave, but several children tugged at his clothes, asking for more stories.

Li Yuanzhao grinned, “Alright, alright! Let this young master tell you the story of how the Crown Prince battled Thanos.”

Fang Zheng turned his head away, not wanting to listen anymore.

He had originally planned to come out for some fresh air when the rain stopped, but now he was stuck in the tavern.

And he had to listen to the Crown Prince’s bragging, which now extended to stealing his own stories.

“Ah, what a disappointment… what a disappointment…”

At the table, Li Yuanzhao began his vivid storytelling.

Suddenly, the door opened. Fang Zheng, who had been bored until now, immediately looked towards the entrance.

The person entering had their head lowered, closing an umbrella, only half their face visible. Fang Zheng’s pupils contracted, and he immediately stood up, pushing past the shopkeeper behind the counter.

He grabbed a brush and started scribbling in the account book.

Muttering to himself, he said, “Hmm! Shopkeeper, your income this month is not good! Are you not running your business honestly? Have the common folk stopped coming?”

“Doing business is like being a person. You must be honest to achieve long-term success. Look at this…”

The shopkeeper, splashed with ink while trying to grab the brush, stood bewildered, listening to Fang Zheng’s ramblings.

Meanwhile, Li Yuanzhao’s story reached its climax. He excitedly proclaimed, “Just as Thanos had his hand around the Emperor’s throat, about to snap his fingers, the Crown Prince from behind… uh…”

Li Yuanzhao’s eyes widened, staring blankly at the middle-aged man who had entered the tavern.

That man’s face was frosty.

This is bad, this is really bad, Fang Zheng thought. His heart leapt into his throat. Of all times, why did His Majesty have to come now?

Seeing Emperor Jing look his way, Fang Zheng composed himself and said, “Shopkeeper, prepare an upper room.”

He then took the key and went upstairs directly. Li Yuanzhao followed behind like a defeated rooster, head hanging low, occasionally glancing at Emperor Jing.

Emperor Jing and his group also went upstairs.

In the room, the atmosphere was rather awkward.

Emperor Jing kept staring at Li Yuanzhao, while the three Cabinet Elders wore ambiguous smiles.

Finally, Fang Zheng broke the silence, hesitantly saying, “Your Majesty, why have you come? It’s raining heavily today, and the weather is a bit chilly. Would you like to put on another layer?”

A smile appeared on Emperor Jing’s lips as he looked at Fang Zheng, “What’s the matter? Am I not allowed in Banshan District? Or is it that you, Fang Zheng, don’t welcome me?”

Fang Zheng quickly replied, “Not at all! Not at all! I’ve been hoping day and night for your visit. Look, I haven’t even finished writing my memorial to you.”

He pulled out a crumpled piece of paper from his sleeve, taken from the counter, with a few paragraphs written on it.

“Never mind, put it away. I just came for a casual visit. I didn’t expect Banshan District to be managed so well under your care. It’s truly given me a pleasant surprise.”

Fang Zheng humbly said, “I dare not take credit. This is all thanks to the Crown Prince’s efforts!”

Li Yuanzhao immediately raised his head, waiting for praise.

“Hmph! You unfilial son, have you done anything worthwhile?”

Li Yuanzhao’s eyes instantly reddened, his composure shattering.

I finally put in some effort, and you dismiss me so thoroughly!

Seeing this, Fang Zheng stepped forward, his expression serious, and bowed, saying, “Your Majesty misunderstands the Crown Prince!”

“During this period, the Crown Prince has personally handled all matters, big and small, in the district.”

“Take this heavy rain, for instance. The Crown Prince personally arranged all the details.”

“Moreover, he led by example, personally going to measure the water levels in the moat outside the city. Please consider this, Your Majesty!”

The Crown Prince had truly been wronged this time. Not only did the Emperor think this way, but even some people in the sanitation team held this view.

The reason was simple: the Crown Prince was young, and always being with Fang Zheng made it seem like Fang Zheng was the one giving orders.

But ever since the Fuyun Temple incident, Fang Zheng had really done nothing, spending his days just teasing the maids.

Otherwise, he was eating, drinking tea, or sleeping, nothing else.

The Crown Prince had been running around the streets for a long time, understanding the actual situation far better than Fang Zheng.

So during the entire rainy period, almost all the personnel arrangements were made by Li Yuanzhao.

Emperor Jing looked displeased, “Don’t make excuses for him. Do you think I don’t know what he’s like? If he did everything, what were you doing?”

“I was sleeping.”

Emperor Jing: “……..”

The three Cabinet Elders were also amused. How could this kid say such a thing? Unbelievable!

“Stop talking nonsense. I already know.” Emperor Jing waved his hand, seeming a bit impatient.

Li Yuanzhao stood there pitifully, no longer in the mood to explain.

“Your Majesty doesn’t know! Every word I’ve said is true! If you don’t believe me, you can ask anyone on the street!” Fang Zheng spoke forcefully.

Children shouldn’t suffer, and he still had some face to save. If he took this credit, he really wouldn’t be able to face anyone.

“Really?” Emperor Jing wavered a bit.

“Your Majesty knows that I’ve always been frank and outspoken…”

Emperor Jing was immediately disappointed. It seemed he was lying after all.

“I’ve clearly recorded everything the Crown Prince has done. If you don’t believe me, please take a look, Your Majesty!”

As if performing a magic trick, he pulled out a notebook bound with wire, with a piece of charcoal wedged between the spine and the wire rings.

“This clearly records every single thing the Crown Prince has done in Banshan District. Please examine it closely, Your Majesty, and clear the Crown Prince’s name!”

Fang Zheng lowered his head, presenting the notebook, a slight curve appearing at the corner of his mouth.

Heh, of course the things inside are true, but only the good ones are written down. This was originally meant for me to claim credit.

After all, who doesn’t love hearing good things about their child?

I didn’t expect to use this trump card so soon. Looks like I’ll need to prepare a few more tricks.

Li Yuanzhao was moved to tears.

Old Fang, you’re truly my brother!