Royal Gold Magistrate

Ning Hongyuan retreated several steps in terror, backing into the estate steward. He immediately sprang away.

Begging for mercy, he said, “Young Master Zhang, why are you doing this? Aren’t we on the same side?”

Zhang Chang snorted coldly. “Cough, cough… You miserable cur! Who’s on the same side as you!?”

“If… If not for you, this young master wouldn’t have had to go through this! Beat him!!”

Ning Hongyuan still wanted to explain, but the servants had already swarmed forward, raining down blows with their clubs, drawing out wail after wail.

Zhang Chang looked at Ning Hongyuan’s pitiful cries on the ground, still not feeling his anger abated. He turned to the steward. “Where is Jia Liang!?”

The steward bowed. “He’s waiting for you in the rear courtyard.”

“Drag him out and beat him too!”

Soon Jia Liang was pulled out, terror on his face, and thrown into the gauntlet of clubs.

“Young Master! Young Master! Why are you beating me? Why!?”

Jia Liang howled madly, his heart bleeding, completely unable to understand what he did wrong, why the whole world was targeting him!

Zhang Chang roared, “Shut up! If not for you, this dog of a servant, this young master also wouldn’t have been humiliated by that Fang Zheng! Then today’s disaster wouldn’t have happened! Beat him! Beat him hard!”

Jia Liang was soon covered in lumps, his heart full of grievance. After initially helping Zhang Chang identify Fang Zheng, he had gone to wait at the prow. He left as soon as the boat docked, and the moment he returned to the minister’s estate, he was dragged out and given a thrashing, completely unaware of what had transpired…

Hearing Zhang Chang mention Fang Zheng, he finally realized Zhang Chang must not have come out on top against Fang Zheng!

Fang Zheng! It was Fang Zheng again!! Ever since laying eyes on him, his life had been filled with tragedy!

Why? Was it really just because of that concubine who was driven to death!?

Right… it must be that wench’s vengeful ghost coming back to haunt me after death…

At this thought, Jia Liang’s spirit died… He limply endured the rain of blows without another sound.

Ning Hongyuan saw his fellow victim had stopped struggling and hurriedly scooched over, using Jia Liang’s body to block many of the hits.

Zhang Chang’s eyes bulged at the sight, his voice trembling, “Well then!! Well then!! Ning Hongyuan, no wonder this young master’s injuries are worse than yours!”

“Pull them apart! Beat them separately!!”

Ning Hongyuan’s heart and guts turned to ice at those words, but after another volley of blows, he too gave up struggling, only able to use both hands to desperately protect his face.

He had only one thought: Beat me all you want! Just don’t ruin my looks…

“Pull his hands away! Beat his face!”

The light vanished from Ning Hongyuan’s eyes…….

Zhang Chang was furious to the extreme, wanting only to multiply the damage. Seeing Ning Hongyuan cover his face, he knew that was the part he cared about most.

Hearing the order, the servants immediately wrenched Ning Hongyuan’s arms aside, and clubs rained down on his face like hailstones…

In no time at all, Ning Hongyuan’s handsome face looked like a kaleidoscope…..

Minister Zhang Shi heard a commotion of shouts and cries from the courtyard and strode out from the main hall.

As soon as he emerged, he saw two men in the yard, each surrounded and being beaten by servants.

He couldn’t help furrowing his brow and barked, “Everyone stop!” Then he turned to look at Zhang Chang. “Chang’er! What happened here?”

Seeing his father arrive, Zhang Chang’s belly full of grievances instantly erupted forth like a flood.

Thinking back to tonight’s inhuman experiences, he felt even more wretched.

He threw himself forward and hugged Zhang Shi’s thigh, tears pouring down like rain. “Father!!”

Zhang Shi saw his son’s pathetic state and pulled him up with one motion.

He said sternly, “What’s wrong? Speak properly, what kind of bearing is this, weeping and wailing like a woman!?”

Zhang Chang stood up, still sobbing, his emotions not fully vented. The pain in his chest made him keep gasping where he stood.

Zhang Shi deduced a rough picture. His son had gone to the poetry debate with the goal of provoking Fang Zheng.

Judging by this sorry state, he clearly failed to gain any advantage and even suffered a terrible loss.

After Zhang Chang had fully caught his breath, Zhang Shi continued questioning, “I’m asking you, why did you beat these two, and who is that fat man in white?”

Zhang Chang glanced at Ning Hongyuan who had been beaten into a pig’s head, gritting his teeth hatefully. “It was these two… these two who goaded me into provoking Fang Zheng!”

“They deserve a beating!”

Zhang Shi felt some displeasure and took a deep breath. “Tell me… what happened with Fang Zheng tonight? For you to suffer such humiliation.”

Zhang Chang thought of being stripped naked and stacked on top of Ning Hongyuan and felt sick to his stomach. And he was the one on the bottom!

This matter… absolutely cannot be known by a thirty-third person!!

At this thought, Zhang Chang shuddered and mumbled, “Nothing really… just had a verbal conflict with Fang Zheng…”

*Smack!* A heavy slap suddenly struck Zhang Chang’s face, leaving it swelling high, imprinted with a clear handprint…

Zhang Chang looked at Zhang Shi in a daze. “Father…”

“Shut up! I have no wastrel son like you!” Zhang Shi looked full of disappointment.

He then roared, “Wasn’t provoking Fang Zheng what you wanted to do?! Even if these two incited you, in the end wasn’t it your own idea to go?!”

“You weep and wail after a mere exchange of words! Getting scolded by others and taking it out on the innocent!”

“How did I raise a worthless son like you!? Ah!?”

“I thought you had grown up and changed somewhat, but you’re still rotten wood that can’t be carved!”

“Turns out I’ve spoiled you too much! Not to mention that measly Fang Zheng being more capable than your father, you can’t even handle such a small matter and have the gall to come crying to me. Go piss and look at your reflection, do you have any semblance of a man!?”

“From now on, you’re not to go anywhere! Stay in the estate and study!!”

“Father…” Zhang Chang watched Zhang Shi bellow, feeling some fear, but thinking of the grievance he suffered and being unable to voice it, tears of frustration slid from the corners of his eyes again.

Zhang Shi saw his son crying again and fury overwhelmed him.

A whipping kick sent Zhang Chang sprawling to the ground as he roared, “Hold it in! Like a man!”

“I… I… I…” For a moment, Zhang Chang was on the verge of blurting out the truth, but ultimately endured it…

After all, humiliation was temporary, but face was permanent…..

Zhang Shi sighed deeply and said dejectedly, “Xu Bo, lock the young master in his room. Prepare ink, paper, brushes and books. From today onward, he is not permitted to leave the room half a step except to eat, drink, shit and piss!”

“Also, throw out those two pieces of trash. They are never to set foot in my Zhang family’s gates again!”

“Yes!” The steward Xu Bo replied, then turned to carry out the orders.

“Wait a moment… Send someone to investigate if there are any issues with Fang Zheng. Look into his entire background and report back quickly!”

Steward Xu Bo hesitated. “Master, Fang Zheng only recently entered the capital, I’m afraid there won’t be any problems…”

Zhang Shi laughed coldly. “Hmph, then investigate from the capital all the way to Taoyuan County. I refuse to believe he has no issues.”

“Heh, how many in the imperial court… are truly clean…”

………………………..

Late at night, the moonlight shimmered like water.

The gates of the minister’s estate silently opened, and two figures like broken sacks were hurled far out, landing on the ground.

Unmoving…