Chapter 3

In the main hall, a middle-aged man was raging, "Damn it! Is that little brat dead yet? The sooner he dies, the sooner he can reincarnate, and I won’t have to come here to collect the grain tax."

Standing behind the man, a servant fawned, "Sir, it’s been three years. Even if Fang Xing is a scholar, there’s no precedent for a dead scholar to be exempt from land taxes."

The middle-aged man stroked his beard, satisfied, and said, "Exactly! The court is lenient! We must show understanding. People like him, who occupy the outhouse without defecating, should have their titles revoked!"

According to the laws of the Ming Dynasty, scholars had to pay taxes. However, after the Hongwu era, this changed. Scholars colluded, and everyone turned a blind eye, thus exempting them from taxes.

Of course, this was only if you owned a small amount of land. If you had over a thousand acres, it would be difficult to get away with it.

As he was speaking, footsteps approached. The man immediately sat up straight, putting on a stern demeanor.

After a dry cough, a young man who looked somewhat weak was ushered in. Seeing Zheng Songtao, he gave a slight bow and then frowned as he watched Zheng Songtao sit in the main seat.

As the saying goes, when the master is humiliated, the servant dies. Fang Jielun pointed at Zheng Songtao and shouted, "What audacity! How dare you show such disrespect in my Fang family’s home!"

Zheng Songtao was taken aback, then he carefully looked at Fang Xing, who was looking up at the ceiling. After a long moment, Zheng Songtao stood up and asked, "Is this Fang Xiaolian?"

Fang Xing didn’t lower his head but softly recited, "A tiger in the plains is bullied by dogs, truly despicable! I will write to my fellow students and seek justice!"

"Bang!" Hearing this, Zheng Songtao’s face turned red. He quickly moved to the side but knocked over a chair, looking extremely embarrassed.

Fang Xing looked down, a smile playing on his lips as he watched Zheng Songtao. Pointing to the door, he said coolly, "The door is right there. I’ll give you ten breaths, or I’ll send a letter to the magistrate’s office!"

"Whoosh!" In less than five breaths, the two men were gone from the hall.

"Cough, cough!"

Fang Jielun and Xiao Bai were stunned by the sudden change. It wasn’t until Fang Xing coughed that they snapped out of it.

"How was that? Wasn’t I impressive?" Fang Xing closed his fan triumphantly, rubbed his stomach, and said, "I’m hungry."

"Master, what would you like to eat? I’ll have the kitchen prepare it right away." Fang Xing’s display had intimidated the grain collector, and Fang Jielun immediately regained his composure as a steward.

"Fang Steward, you can go about your business." As a steward, Fang Jielun managed not only the household but also the fields, so Fang Xing wisely dismissed the eager steward.

Fang Xing sat in a chair, crossed his legs, and tapped the table. "Xiao Bai."

"Your servant is here." Xiao Bai was even more respectful, making Fang Xing feel a bit sad about losing a companion.

"Cough, cough. Tell the kitchen to hold off, I’ll be there shortly."

Xiao Bai hesitated for a moment, then ran to the kitchen.

As soon as Xiao Bai left, Fang Xing immediately entered his spatial realm. Looking at the vast amount of supplies, he finally chose a five-pound piece of marbled beef, then came out satisfied.

This land is all mine!

As the birds returned to the forest and the farmers to their homes, the children chattered excitedly, and the smoke from the chimneys rose gently, Fang Xing couldn’t help but be enchanted by the scene.

In the kitchen, there were two people: the head chef, Huaniang, and a helper, Chunsheng.

Huaniang had a face full of wrinkles and looked somewhat fierce, but when she saw Fang Xing, her chubby face broke into a sincere smile. "Master, what would you like to eat?"

"Pfft!" Fang Xing threw the beef on the cutting board and said, "Cut this pork into five pieces. Send two to my room, one to Zhang Xiaoniang, and keep two for you and the steward."

"Wow! This pork is really fatty!" Huaniang picked up the beef, mesmerized by the marbling, and said confidently, "Master, I’ll stew it with some seasonings and prepare some side dishes. Is that okay?"

Chunsheng glanced at the beef, his mouth watering.

In Fang Family Village, all the indenture contracts were in Fang Xing’s hands. If he said it was pork, it had to be pork.

If anyone dared to report it, and the officials found that all the oxen in Fang Family Village were accounted for, the consequences would be dire.

You traitor, just wait for Fang Jielun’s revenge!

"No, I want it pan-fried, medium-rare, uh! Just a bit more cooked, but don’t overdo it."

What a joke! This is beef, not from Japan, but it’s still high-quality. In his previous life, Fang Xing didn’t even have the chance to smell it. If Huaniang stewed it, it would be a waste!

"Alright, alright, I’ll do it right away." Huaniang also wanted to try a new flavor, so she shouted, "Chunsheng, start the fire, make it big. If you ruin the pork, I’ll stew you tonight and serve you to Master!"

Seeing Chunsheng start the fire without hesitation, Fang Xing nodded in satisfaction and said to Xiao Bai, who was being respectful, "Xiao Bai, help me back to my room."

Xiao Bai immediately supported Fang Xing, the scent of the young girl lingering in his nose, and the soft touch made Fang Xing very happy.

Back in the outer room of his bedroom, after waiting for ten minutes, he saw Chunsheng, drenched in sweat, carrying two plates.

Hmm! How can I eat without a knife and fork? Fang Xing remembered this oversight and went to find a knife.

But before he could, he noticed two small knives on the plates.

Ha! I shouldn’t underestimate the ingenuity of the ancient people!

Teenagers have big appetites, and after three years of aimless living, Fang Xing’s stomach was roaring for meat.

The smaller piece was placed on another plate, and Fang Xing said to Xiao Bai, "This one is for you."

Xiao Bai was hesitant. "Master, I don’t dare."

Fang Xing realized it was the evil old society and frowned. "Can’t I command you? Sit down and eat quickly."

After Xiao Bai sat down nervously, Fang Xing pressed the beef with his chopsticks and cut a small piece with the knife, putting it in his mouth. A rich burst of meat juice exploded on his taste buds, truly delicious!

Xiao Bai was also drawn in by the delicious beef, forgetting her place as she clumsily cut the beef and enjoyed it with closed eyes.

After the meal, Xiao Bai’s face was flushed, and she quickly cleared the dishes and brought a cup of tea.

In the evening, after bathing, Fang Xing lay in bed, enjoying Xiao Bai’s service.

Her light breathing was behind him, and the towel rubbed against his hair. Xiao Bai’s movements were a bit rough, and her budding breasts occasionally touched the back of Fang Xing’s head.

This feeling was really nice!

After drying his hair, Fang Xing lay in bed, ready to sleep. But after a while, Xiao Bai blew out the lamp, and the sound of her undressing was heard. A trembling body then approached.

The young girl’s fragrant and soft body made Fang Xing’s heart race, but thinking of Zhang Shuhui, he said, "Xiao Bai, go back to your own bed."

After a long pause, Xiao Bai said in a委屈 (grieved) voice, "Master, I’ve always slept with you. I won’t leave."

Little vixen! Fang Xing remembered a term—bedroom maid!

The evil old society! Such a young girl was already a bedroom maid!

No wonder Fang Xing had two maids, but only Xiao Bai could enter his bedroom. It was like this!

"Then behave yourself!" Fang Xing, feeling a bit restless, shamefully retreated.

"Ha!" Xiao Bai, pressed against Fang Xing, laughed, covering her mouth.

"No laughing!" If it weren’t for Xiao Bai being only thirteen, Fang Xing would have pounced like a hungry wolf.

Xiao Bai stopped laughing and muttered, "Master, are you going to see Zhang Xiaoniang tomorrow?"

Fang Xing was counting sheep and, hearing this, said impatiently, "Of course, she’s my fiancée!"