Chapter 6

Fang Jinglong's naturally stern face suddenly turned blank, as if shrouded in dark clouds. He stammered, "Isn't everything sold... everything sold..."

This muscular and burly soldier, suddenly had tears welling up in the corners of his eyes. In an instant, he fell to his knees with a thud and wailed, "My descendants are unworthy, I have let down our ancestors..."

Fang Jinglong wept bitterly, continuously bowing his head to the ground, lamenting and blaming himself. The steward Yang hurriedly helped the dispirited Fang Jinglong to his feet.

Fang Jinglong sighed deeply and angrily said to Yang, "When the young master wanted to sell the land, why didn't you write to me to discuss it? Why... did you indulge him like this?"

Yang, feeling wronged, replied, "When you went to the south, the young master became the head of the household. I did try to stop him, but I couldn't. Besides, you had always said that as long as the young master was happy, anything was fine. In your last letter, you even said that the most urgent matter was to treat the young master's illness, which is a mental disorder, and that he must not be provoked. Therefore, everything had to be done according to his wishes..."

"Ah..." Fang Jinglong sighed deeply, speechless. He then continued walking into the hall. Fang Jifan, who had been lagging behind like a child who had made a mistake, finally caught up. He wanted to comfort his father but didn't know how to start.

When they entered the hall, Fang Jinglong was about to order, "Bring tea..."

But as he looked around, he noticed that the redwood official hat chair was gone, the tea table and the calligraphy on the wall had vanished, and even the lamp stand had disappeared.

What was left here...

was a willow wood table, clearly old and worn, and... two long benches...

The long benches...

The main hall of the Nanhe Marquis's residence was grand, and these solitary long benches gave an especially jarring feeling.

Fang Jinglong's eyes went wide, but a servant had already brought tea. However, it wasn't in a white porcelain teacup, but... a large bowl, a clay bowl with obvious cracks. Of course, it wasn't old, but due to the poor quality of the clay, it had cracks after firing.

Fang Jinglong felt a bit dizzy and subconsciously said, "The table and chairs... are... are also sold?"

Yang, looking as if he had lost his mother, replied, "Sold... sold..."

Fang Jinglong quickly supported himself, his body swaying. After a moment, he regained his composure, and his anger surged. The veins on his forehead bulged, and he raised his hand to strike Fang Jifan.

The large slap cut through the air, and Fang Jifan instinctively closed his eyes, thinking, "It's over, hit me if you want. Such a good-for-nothing wastrel, to be honest, I wish I could slap myself in the mirror every day."

But just as the hand was about to reach Fang Jifan's face, it suddenly stopped. Fang Jinglong's angry face turned pale, like a defeated rooster, his eyes filled with tears. He sighed, "Jifan, when your mother died, she repeatedly urged me to treat you well. These years, I haven't remarried or taken a concubine, for fear of letting down your deceased mother. You... have become like this... cough, cough..." He coughed hard, covering his chest, and choked, "It's my fault, all my fault. You didn't have a mother from a young age, no more, no more, as long as you are healthy."

He gave a bitter smile, shook his head, and suddenly remembered something. His face turned tense, and he couldn't help but ask, "The treasures... are they still there?"

As he spoke, he darted toward the study like an arrow.

His treasures were the vases and jars stored in the study, as well as some ancestral treasures. He panted as he reached the study, his eyes landing on the direction of the antique shelf.

But to his surprise, not only were the items on the antique shelf gone, but the shelf itself had also disappeared.

Fang Jifan and Yang, along with others, hurriedly followed and saw Fang Jinglong beating his chest and wailing, "Heaven... what kind of sin have I committed..."

"Lord, calm down." Yang was about to step forward.

"Ancestors..." Fang Jinglong raised his hands to the sky, roaring, "My descendants are unworthy!"

Fang Jinglong's vision went black, and he fainted.

Fang Jifan's face turned white with fear. Isn't his father a general? How can he have such poor stress tolerance!

He quickly supported Fang Jinglong, and behind him, cries of "Father, father" echoed, "It's not good, it's not good, the Lord has fainted, quickly call the doctor, call the doctor."

The Fang family was in chaos, a mess.

Fang Jifan took a deep breath, seeing everyone's helpless state. He felt guilty but had to pull himself together and said with a strong voice, "Steward Yang, you go and call the doctor. Deng Jian, get a towel, and make it wet."

Fang Jifan checked Fang Jinglong's breathing. It was still smooth, and his pulse, though weak, was not chaotic. He felt relieved.

This damned wastrel... Fang Jifan didn't know if he was cursing the former him or himself.

Fortunately, everyone in the residence was in chaos and didn't notice anything unusual about the young master.

...

In the warm pavilion of the Forbidden City.

Emperor Hongzhi had been unwell recently, but he was always diligent. Even though he was not feeling well, he did not neglect his duties.

Not long ago, someone reported that the Marquis of Nanhe, Fang Jinglong, had returned from suppressing the rebellion in the southwestern tribes and had entered the capital. He would soon enter the palace to pay his respects.

Emperor Hongzhi's face immediately brightened with joy.

He leaned on a soft cushion, holding a copy of "On the Identification of Villains" by Su Xun, while the Crown Prince Zhu Houzhao stood beside him, his face ashen.

Zhu Houzhao was Emperor Hongzhi's only son, and he was very doted upon. Looking at the young prince, Emperor Hongzhi's eyes were full of affection, "I heard that recently your tutors have been teaching you 'On the Identification of Villains' by Su Xun. Although it is somewhat harsh, it has its merits. Have you read it thoroughly?"

"Thoroughly... thoroughly read it..." Zhu Houzhao lowered his head, not daring to look at Emperor Hongzhi.

What he feared most had come. Emperor Hongzhi smiled and said, "If so, then... recite it for me to hear."

Zhu Houzhao's eyes suddenly turned red, and he quickly focused on his boots, stammering, "Th... things... must... must happen, r... reasons..."

He couldn't continue after a while.

Emperor Hongzhi leaned forward, slightly displeased, "You've been reading for half a month and can only recite five words? The tutors at the Office of Ceremonial Affairs have been teaching you diligently, and you haven't listened to a single word?"

Zhu Houzhao hung his head, "Your son knows he is wrong."

Emperor Hongzhi frowned, looking stern, "You are the Crown Prince, and you will inherit the throne. If you don't study, how can you understand principles? If you don't understand principles, how can you govern the country?"

Zhu Houzhao trembled, "Your son... your son..."

Seeing Zhu Houzhao's frightened look, Emperor Hongzhi's heart softened, and his stern gaze melted. He sighed, "Ah, you have been spoiled by your mother. You must not be like this in the future. You must focus on your studies."

A cunning look flashed in Zhu Houzhao's eyes. In the past, whenever his father scolded him, as long as he showed fear, his father would always soften. Today was no exception. He quickly said, "Your son will remember."

Emperor Hongzhi smiled bitterly and shook his head, "You..."

He wanted to scold him but couldn't bring himself to do it. He then said to the eunuchs around him, "The Marquis of Nanhe has arrived in the capital. Why hasn't he come to pay his respects yet? I have been waiting here. Go to the Office of Ceremonial Affairs and urge him."

"Yes."

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