Royal Gold Magistrate

The next day, Fang Zheng woke up and took a swaying carriage ride to the palace.

Though he no longer had the right to attend morning court, he still wandered into the palace unopposed.

Once inside, Fang Zheng made a beeline for Mingluan Palace.

His sole purpose was to bid farewell to the little princess before embarking on his journey. Better to leave sooner rather than later, lest things spiral out of control in his absence.

Recently, he’d dropped by Mingluan Palace a few times under the guise of follow-up examinations, using the opportunity to chat up the princess.

Fang Zheng would put on a show of taking her pulse, inevitably causing the princess to blush.

Upon his arrival, a palace maid, well-versed in the routine, escorted Fang Zheng to the back garden.

By now, many women in the palace had taken a shine to Fang Zheng.

After all, he was a friend to women, the inventor of sanitary napkins.

He might have enemies all over the court, but who’d have thought he’d be swimming like a fish in water among the ladies?

Li Miaohan was lounging in a pavilion in the back garden. Spotting Fang Zheng, her face lit up with a smile.

Fang Zheng grinned, waving his arm.

The bootlicker vibes were strong.

“Your subject pays respects to Princess.”

Li Miaohan’s smile was sweet as honey. “Lord Fang, no need for such formalities. Please, have a seat.”

As Fang Zheng sat down, he dove right in. “Princess, your subject has come to say goodbye. I’m off to Jianjiang, courtesy of His Majesty’s… reassignment.”

Li Miaohan’s eyes clouded with concern. “I’ve heard whispers. It seems Lord Fang has ruffled quite a few feathers.”

She paused, biting her lip. “That newspaper… I’ve seen it. I can’t wrap my head around why you’d provoke those ministers like that. Are they truly all rotten to the core?”

Fang Zheng shook his head, his face a mask of sorrow. “Does the Princess think your subject is a conniving scoundrel, willing to stoop to any level?”

A little bit!

Li Miaohan hesitated, words failing her.

Fang Zheng heaved a dramatic sigh. “You know, there aren’t really any villains in the court. Once upon a time, they were all bright-eyed scholars, climbing the ladder one rung at a time. Your subject included.”

“But as the years rolled by, many forgot why they started this journey, putting their own interests above all else.”

“I saw this happening and it gnawed at me. For the sake of the common folk, I had to take drastic measures.”

“Sometimes, threatening people’s wallets is tougher than rattling their souls.”

“So, this demotion? I saw it coming from a mile away.”

“I just never imagined… that the Princess would think so poorly of me too.”

As he finished, Fang Zheng let out a long, mournful sigh, as if the weight of the world rested on his shoulders.

I can’t believe I misjudged him so badly!

Li Miaohan felt a wave of shame wash over her. “That’s not true at all! Lord Fang, please don’t misunderstand.”

Then, her voice grew hesitant. “Yesterday, I sent someone to find you. They saw you strolling through the palace with a sword, looking… happy.”

“Does Lord Fang actually… want to leave the capital?”

As she spoke, Li Miaohan’s face fell, a hint of sadness in her eyes.

Fang Zheng’s reply dripped with melancholy. “Happy? How could your subject be happy? I’ve merely seen through life’s cruel joke, yet still find the strength to smile.”

“If I don’t soldier on, who will be the pillar of strength this kingdom needs?”

Li Miaohan lowered her head, feeling small in the face of such noble sentiments.

The surrounding palace maids turned away, some even wishing they could plug their ears.

The second-hand embarrassment was too much to bear!

The princess, having barely interacted with men since childhood, was falling hook, line, and sinker for this smooth-talking rascal.

Oh, for heaven’s sake…

Li Miaohan lifted her gaze, her large, dewy eyes fixed on Fang Zheng. “How long before you can return from Jianjiang? Surely the sword Father Emperor gifted you means you’ll be back soon, right?”

Fang Zheng’s smile was tinged with bitterness. “Well… your subject can’t say for certain. His Majesty’s will is as unpredictable as the weather, and the tides of officialdom are ever-changing. The journey down is a breeze, but the climb back up? That’s another story entirely.”

“Once I leave, it might be eight or ten years before I set foot in the capital again.”

“Who knows? The next time I see the Princess, your subject… might be hobbling in with a gaggle of grandchildren in tow.”

“The thought that I won’t be able to tend to the Princess’s health anymore… it pains me deeply.”

Fang Zheng’s face was the very picture of wistful regret.

Li Miaohan felt her heart clench.

She sprang to her feet, her voice urgent. “How can Father Emperor do this? Talented officials like Lord Fang belong in the capital!”

“I’ll speak to Father Emperor at once!”

“Princess, hold your horses!” Fang Zheng seized the moment – and Li Miaohan’s delicate hand.

Time seemed to screech to a halt!

Li Miaohan’s face bloomed crimson, frozen in place, one hand captive in Fang Zheng’s grasp.

Fang Zheng, his face thicker than the city walls, held on without a hint of shame.

So soft and smooth!

Fang Zheng’s heart raced, though he couldn’t quite put a name to the feeling. His thumb traced small circles on the back of her hand.

This bold move sent Li Miaohan’s blush spreading to the tips of her ears.

In a voice barely above a whisper, she squeaked, “Lord… Lord Fang… might I have my hand back?”

Of course, Fang Zheng wasn’t about to let go. He argued with mock solemnity, “Your subject wishes he could, but I dare not… I’ll be gone for eight or ten years!”

Hearing this, Li Miaohan bit her lip hard, then sank back into her seat.

An awkward silence fell, broken only by the occasional chirp from the garden.

Fang Zheng sat to Li Miaohan’s right, but he was holding her right hand with his right hand.

Li Miaohan, at a loss, could only sit with her body twisted, her head turned away, not daring to meet Fang Zheng’s gaze.

The whole scene was delightfully awkward, the air thick with unspoken tension.

Even Fang Zheng started to feel it was a bit much. He released Li Miaohan’s hand.

Li Miaohan quickly straightened up, but to her surprise, felt a pang of disappointment.

The feeling lasted barely a heartbeat before her left hand was captured once more.

Li Miaohan ducked her head again, while a mischievous grin played on Fang Zheng’s lips.

The silence stretched on, punctuated only by the rustle of leaves in the garden…

After what felt like an eternity, Li Miaohan gathered her courage. She raised her head, worrying her lower lip. “I heard from Imperial Brother that… Lord Fang gifted a diamond necklace to a courtesan…”

“I’m rather curious… what does a diamond necklace look like? And… is it true that diamonds symbolize love?”

What in the world?!

Fang Zheng’s face fell faster than a lead balloon.

How on earth did the conversation take this sharp left turn?!

Why was she asking about this? And what in the name of all that’s holy had the Crown Prince been blabbing about?!

Fang Zheng was so embarrassed he could feel his toes curling inside his boots.

He scrambled to explain, “Oh, those diamonds? All man-made, not worth mentioning at all! They’re as common as the porcelain you see every day.”

“If the Princess fancies some, I’ll have a basketful sent over in no time!”

Li Miaohan opened her mouth to probe further, but Fang Zheng quickly squeezed her hand twice.

She blushed furiously, covering her face with her free hand. “Lord Fang… please… let go.”

Hearing the plea in her voice, Fang Zheng released her hand.

The young girl was clearly flustered; he knew better than to push his luck.

The moment Fang Zheng let go, Li Miaohan bolted from the pavilion, retreating to the safety of the palace.

Fang Zheng sat alone in the pavilion, suddenly unsure of himself.

Did I go too far? Where did I slip up?

To his surprise, Li Miaohan soon returned, her steps light and hesitant. In her hands was an exquisite little box, which she placed on the table.

Fang Zheng eyed the box curiously, then looked up at Li Miaohan.

“Princess, what’s this?”

Li Miaohan’s face was a mask of determination. She opened the box and said, her voice barely above a whisper, “These are my jewels. You’ll need funds for your journey… I have no money to offer, only these. Please, take them with you and sell them along the way.”

Fang Zheng felt his heart skip a beat, deeply moved by the gesture.

His expression grew serious as he plucked a single hairpin from the box before closing it.

“Your subject will keep this hairpin as a token, but the rest… I’m touched by your generosity, Princess, but please, don’t worry about me.”

“Actually… your subject has also brought a gift for the Princess.”

“A gift?” Li Miaohan’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.

Without a word, Fang Zheng reached into his robes and produced two items, placing them on the table with a resounding clang.

Li Miaohan leaned in for a closer look.

There, gleaming in the sunlight, sat a pair of opulent gold bracelets!