Chapter 8

Fang Jinglong, though he knew his son was a worm, would occasionally have the thought of hoping his son would become a dragon. Now, he couldn't help but sigh, then shook his head, feeling that his thoughts were indeed too much to ask.

Fang Jifan didn't dare say he wanted to go for the inspection. The former wastrel son would never have gone to take the exams. So he avoided Fang Jinglong's self-mocking gaze, but in his heart, he thought, I really should try this inspection, but my situation is special. How can I go and take the exam without arousing suspicion?

Seeing Fang Jifan remain silent, Fang Jinglong thought his words had upset his son and said, "Alright, alright, Father won't say it, won't say it. Father knows you don't like to handle official duties and don't like to be constrained. I won't mention it again."

He waved his hand, feeling very melancholic, thinking of the sons of other dukes and marquises, who all took pride in the inspection, and then looking at his own son.

Sigh... Ancestors...

But thinking of the ancestors, Fang Jinglong felt a pain in his chest.

Fang Jifan was anxious in his heart. Father, I want to handle official duties, I want to go for the inspection, I don't want to be a waste all my life. Why don't you say it? You torment me, can't you be a bit more resolute, slam the table, put me on the tiger bench, drip candle wax, even tie me up and take me, just give me a chance to handle official duties.

Of course, he didn't dare say these words. The whole world had already decided that he, this wastrel son, would only be a burden to his father for the rest of his life. If he suddenly had ambition, it would be truly suspicious, especially given his 'brain disease'...

Fang Jifan sighed in his heart, feeling even more melancholic than Fang Jinglong.

But the next day, Deng Jian's voice rang out like a copper gong: "Young Master, Young Master, someone from the palace has come, ordering the young master to go for the inspection."

Fang Jifan was still drowsy, but upon hearing this, he rolled over and got up... The palace... What does this mean?

He saw Deng Jian running up to him, out of breath: "A eunuch from the palace has come, saying that the inspection is today. When the emperor heard, he was very pleased and said he wanted to select talented people to join the imperial guards. For some reason, he remembered the young master and said, 'Isn't the son of Nanhe Marquis always dissolute and unruly? This is due to lax family discipline. He should also be inspected. If he doesn't go, he will be charged with great disrespect.'"

Fang Jifan was both surprised and delighted. This emperor is quite interesting.

No, what does he mean by lax family discipline and dissolute and unruly... Could my bad reputation have reached the emperor's ears?

Fang Jifan was heartbroken but didn't show it.

Deng Jian, on the other hand, was anxious: "The imperial envoy is already in the main hall, waiting for the young master. The marquis went to the Five Armies Headquarters early this morning. The young master must hurry, or he will offend the envoy..."

"Alright, alright, you're nagging." Fang Jifan said impatiently, "Where's Xiangxiang? Come to dress me."

Deng Jian looked worried: "Xiangxiang is sick today. I'll go get Lanying."

Fang Jifan felt relieved in his heart. Being forced to act like a wastrel for so long was very difficult for his upright and pure self. So he deliberately showed an impatient look and said, "Then I'll do it myself. Lanying's chest is too small. I'd rather touch myself."

Deng Jian looked relieved, thinking the young master was indeed unchanged, and his illness was getting better.

Fang Jifan quickly dressed, his mind preoccupied with the inspection, full of anticipation. He wanted to make a stunning debut, to soar to the sky. He wanted everyone to know that he was not only smart and handsome but also highly talented.

Rushing to the main hall, he saw a eunuch with a white face standing with his hands behind his back, looking at the Fang family's main hall with disdain.

He had long heard that this wastrel son had sold all the family's land and property. Looking at the few long benches in the hall, the young eunuch even felt he had a new understanding of the phrase 'empty house.'

Seeing the main character arrive, Fang Jifan, seeing that Deng Jian hadn't caught up yet, immediately put on a smile!

Eunuch, a living eunuch. Based on Fang Jifan's understanding of eunuchs, these castrated men who were always by the emperor's side were not simple. Though low in status, they had incredible power.

The young eunuch looked at him with a half-smile, and Fang Jifan hurriedly bowed, politely saying, "Greetings, Sir. Sir has come from afar, and I couldn't welcome you properly. Please forgive me..."

As he spoke, he made a gesture of taking out silver, to give him some tea money. Though he pretended to be a wastrel every day, Fang Jifan still understood the unspoken rules.

The young eunuch, seeing through his intentions, suddenly put on a displeased face and said, "Mr. Fang, no need for that."

"I must, I must, just a small token of my appreciation." Fang Jifan had already taken out a piece of silver.

The young eunuch still kept a cold face, smiling insincerely, "Other people's silver, of course, I would take, but Mr. Fang's silver... Hehe... I really don't have the courage to take it. Mr. Fang, don't you remember last year when I came to announce the imperial decree, and you cursed me for being a eunuch? I haven't grown any new testicles since then, so... I can't accept your gift..."

"..." Fang Jifan never expected that this eunuch had such a grudge with the former wastrel son. Eunuchs hated being cursed for their defect the most. Oh, this damned wastrel son...

At this moment, the young eunuch's smile turned even colder, and he continued, "Back then, I couldn't do anything to you, but now, I'm in the Office of Ceremonial Affairs. I often serve the emperor. In the future, Mr. Fang, you must be careful."

Fang Jifan knew the Ming history well. Upon hearing the Office of Ceremonial Affairs, he understood why the young eunuch was so smug. In terms of power, among the twelve eunuch institutions in the palace, the eunuchs of the Office of Ceremonial Affairs and the Office of the Imperial Stud were the most influential. However, for a young eunuch, the Office of Ceremonial Affairs was also a good place, as its duty was to follow the emperor and guide the way. These people who were always by the emperor's side were the ones everyone inside and outside the palace tried to curry favor with, becoming hot potatoes.

Just then, Deng Jian caught up, but didn't dare enter the main hall, only peeking from outside.

Seeing Deng Jian, Fang Jifan felt a bit regretful. At this moment, as a wastrel son, it was impossible to mend the relationship. And from the looks of it, it would be difficult to mend it.

Though he was the heir of Nanhe Marquis, this eunuch couldn't do much to him, but he was afraid that if something happened at home, he might be taken advantage of.

He forced a laugh, "Sir, what brings you here?"

The young eunuch coldly said, "By the emperor's command, the inspection at the Imperial Guard Headquarters is today. Please go to the Imperial Guard Headquarters."