Chapter 2: The Chancellor's Invisible Hand

Fang Jun was deep in thought, his head bowed. Lu Shi, his mother, looked at her son with joy, relieved that he was fine. As for the amnesia, it didn't matter much to her.

Just as Lu Shi was feeling happy, a man in his forties rushed in, panting and said, "Madam, it's not good. Master and the eldest son are back, and they are heading this way to see the second young master."

Fang Jun looked at the man in confusion. Was it really such a big deal for his father to return home? And it wasn't unusual for his father and elder brother to come and check on the injured second son. Lu Shi, as if reading his thoughts, pointed to the middle-aged man and smiled, "This is Fang De, the steward of our household. He has been with your father since he was young."

Hearing his mother introduce the man so formally, Fang Jun realized that Fang De must hold a significant position in the household. He quickly clasped his hands and said, "Uncle De, I'm sorry, but my head is a bit messed up. If I have offended you in any way, please forgive me."

"Oh, Second Young Master, you can just call me Da De. I can't bear to be called Uncle De; I'm just a servant," Fang De said, though he was secretly pleased. He was surprised that his master would call him uncle. Fang De quickly refused, his face flushed with anxiety, not knowing where to put his hands, both excited and worried.

"Alright, Fang De, Master has always treated you like family. You have been with him for so long, and it's only right for him to call you Uncle De. Just accept it," Lu Shi said, though she felt a bit awkward. However, it was good that her son was now polite and well-mannered. Fang De was an old servant of the Fang household, and though he was a servant, Master had always treated him like a brother. So, it was appropriate for her son to call him Uncle De, even if no one had thought of it before.

Fang De was so moved by Lu Shi's words that tears welled up in his eyes. He liked the second young master more and more. Zhang Haiqiang, sitting on the bed, felt a sense of satisfaction. How easily people can be pleased; just a simple "Uncle De" made him so excited. Perhaps what people need is just a bit of respect. After a moment of excitement, Fang De came to his senses and, holding Fang Jun's shoulder, said urgently, "Second Young Master, lie down quickly. If Master sees you are fine, he will definitely give you a beating. When he comes, don't get up; pretend to be in pain all over. I believe Master won't hit you again."

Seeing Lu Shi nod with a smile, Fang Jun understood. His mother had sent Fang De to keep watch, fearing a sudden attack from his chancellor father. Fang Jun, being sensible, winked at Fang De and started moaning in bed, "Mother, my back hurts so much. I can't move at all."

Fang De wiped away his tears, trying to hold back his laughter, and ran out of the room. Lu Shi gave her son a knowing look and immediately put on a sad face, "Jun, are you still in pain? Should I call the doctor again? My dear, don't scare me."

Fang Jun was deeply impressed by Lu Shi's acting skills; she could have won an Oscar in the future.

Fang Xuanling walked anxiously, almost running. Fang Yizhi, his eldest son, supported him, panting, "Father, please slow down. Second Brother has already had an accident; don't let anything happen to you."

"Jie'er, how can I not be worried? If anything happens to Yiai, it would be the end of me," Fang Xuanling said, his heart racing. During the court session, he had heard that his second son had fallen from the roof and was unconscious. Fang Xuanling almost fainted. If not for Wei Zheng and Du Ruhui supporting him, he would have collapsed in the Xuanzheng Hall. It was only after the emperor learned of the situation that he allowed Fang Xuanling to leave early. Fang Xuanling was usually very strict with his second son, rarely showing him any kindness, but that didn't mean he didn't love him. On the contrary, he did it to make his son improve. But now, hearing that his son had fallen from the roof, Fang Xuanling felt as if he had been struck by lightning. If anything happened to his son, he wouldn't know what to do. The worst tragedy in the world is for a parent to outlive their child.

When Fang Xuanling arrived at Fang Jun's courtyard, he saw Fang De looking around nervously. "Fang De, how is Jun?" Fang Xuanling asked, his voice urgent, getting straight to the point.

"Master, don't worry. Second Young Master has woken up, but his body is in pieces, and he seems to have lost his memory," Fang De replied respectfully.

"What? Second Brother has lost his memory? What are we going to do?" Fang Yizhi was also shocked by Fang De's words. His younger brother was so young, and now he had lost his memory. Could he accept this reality? With his injuries, Fang Yizhi was afraid his brother wouldn't be able to handle the shock. "Father, when you see Second Brother, don't blame him. The incident has already happened, and blaming him won't help. Don't upset him further."

"Jie'er, what are you saying? Do you think I would do that? I'm just glad Jun is alive. Do you think I want anything to happen to him?" Fang Xuanling said, pushing away his son's hand and storming into Fang Yiai's room. As soon as he opened the door, he heard Fang Yiai moaning in pain. Combined with Lu Shi's superb acting, the Chancellor of the Tang Dynasty was moved to tears, rushing to the bed and grabbing Fang Yiai's hand, "Jun, how are you? Don't you dare to have anything happen to you. I will find the best doctor to treat your injuries. Where is the doctor? Fang De, go and bring the best doctor here. If necessary, I will ask the emperor to send the imperial physician."

Seeing Fang Xuanling's tears, Fang Yiai felt how ridiculous his actions were. With such a loving father, why should he deceive him? Fang Yiai grabbed Fang Xuanling's hand and sat up, a smile on his face. Fang Xuanling was shocked; wasn't his son supposed to be in pieces? How could he sit up on his own? Lu Shi blinked and, seeing Fang Xuanling's expression, quickly supported Fang Yiai's shoulder, "Jun, what are you doing? Lie down quickly. Don't you care about your life?"

Fang Yiai smiled bitterly, patting Lu Shi's hand and shaking his head, "Father, I'll tell you the truth. I'm not really injured. I was just pretending because I was afraid you would beat me." Fang Yiai revealed the truth without any hesitation, speaking calmly, but Lu Shi was shocked, slapping his hand and saying urgently, "Jun, what are you talking about? How can you be fine after falling from the roof? Lie down quickly, don't force yourself."

"Mother, please, I know what I'm doing. I don't want to deceive Father anymore. Even if Father beats me, I won't regret it," Fang Yiai said with determination, his eyes fixed on Fang Xuanling. Fang Xuanling's face was calm, but the young man behind him was giving him a thumbs up. Fang Yiai recognized him as his elder brother, Fang Yizhi. Fang Yiai said embarrassedly, "Brother, thank you for your concern. It's my fault."

Fang Yizhi, seeing that his brother was fine, relaxed. The amnesia didn't matter as long as he was still his brother. He smiled calmly. Fang Xuanling, after hearing Fang Yiai's words, didn't react as he usually would with a slap. Instead, he wiped away his tears and asked with relief, "Jun, why did you decide not to deceive me now?"

"Father, I was afraid you would beat me, but seeing you cry so much, I felt bad. I would rather you beat me than see you so upset," Fang Yiai said, revealing his true feelings. He was initially scared and anxious, but when he saw Fang Xuanling's genuine tears, he felt blessed to have such a loving father. How could he bear to deceive him? Telling the truth might mean a beating, but deceiving his father would make him feel guilty for life.

Fang Xuanling was deeply moved by Fang Yiai's words, stroking his gray beard and smiling at Lu Shi, "Madam, look, Jun has grown up. It seems falling from the roof is more effective than my cane. It's a good fall, a good fall!"

"You old fool, what are you saying? How can you say it's a good fall? Would you be happy if your son died? Do you want me to hang you from the roof? You must be senile," Lu Shi was immediately furious at Fang Xuanling's words. Her son had fallen from the roof, and by the grace of heaven, he was fine, just with amnesia. But this old fool was actually smiling and saying it was a good fall. Lu Shi wanted to throw him out onto the street.

Lu Shi's voice scared everyone in the Fang household into silence. Fang Xuanling, stroking his beard, looked awkwardly at his wife, realizing his words were a bit out of line. How could he wish for his son to fall well? But that wasn't his intention. Fang Xuanling was afraid of his wife and didn't know how to explain. Fang Yizhi, holding back his laughter, supported Lu Shi's arm and said, "Mother, why are you so angry? Father didn't mean it that way. He just meant that this incident has changed Second Brother's bad habits. Father isn't cursing Second Brother. Besides, with you here, who would dare to touch him?"

"Mother, don't be angry. Father didn't mean it. Even if Father wanted to do something, you're still here, right?" Fang Yiai, covering his mouth and chuckling, also tried to smooth things over for Fang Xuanling. The Chancellor of the Tang Dynasty was truly pitiful, having so little authority at home.

"Jun, don't be afraid of your father. I'll protect you. If this old fool dares to touch you, I'll never forgive him," Lu Shi, petting Fang Yiai's forehead, decided to protect her youngest son today. She wouldn't let this old fool beat him again. If anything else happened, she would go mad.

"Madam, I didn't say I would beat Jun. Where did you get that idea?" Fang Xuanling's tone was helpless. He had no way to deal with his wife. He couldn't hit her, couldn't scold her, and couldn't even avoid her. How could he dare to provoke this tigress?

"Hmph, old fool, don't think I don't know your thoughts. Are you planning to trick me and then carry out your family law?" Lu Shi pointed at Fang Xuanling, angry.

"Ah, Madam, I really didn't think that. I'm just glad Jun has grown up. Why would I beat him?" Fang Xuanling explained, finally calming Lu Shi down. She sat for a while and then decided to leave. Fang Xuanling wanted to stay and talk, but seeing Lu Shi's warning look, obediently followed her out, pinching Fang Yiai on the bed as he left. After the two elders left, Fang Yiai looked at Fang Yizhi. They looked at each other and couldn't help but burst out laughing. They never imagined that the mighty Chancellor of the Tang Dynasty would be like a mouse in front of his wife.

"Second Brother, think about Father and Mother when you do things. You don't know, but in the Xuanzheng Hall, Father almost fainted. If anything happened to you, Father couldn't bear it," Fang Yizhi, after the two elders left, sat on the bed, crossing his legs and spoke casually.

"Brother, don't worry. I won't do anything foolish," Fang Yiai patted Fang Yizhi's shoulder, feeling his brother's sincerity. His eyes couldn't lie. Later, Fang Yizhi's resentment towards Fang Yiai might have been due to his bad behavior.

"Second Brother, it's good that you're fine. The amnesia is not a big deal; you can slowly recover. Rest well. I have to go back to work; there's a lot to do in the Ministry of Personnel," Fang Yizhi said and hurriedly left. Fang Yiai, seeing Fang Yizhi leave, felt a deep sense of emotion. How could such a righteous man accuse his own brother of rebellion? Many things were probably orchestrated by Princess Gaoyang, but the most hateful was Changsun Wuji. Even if he was dissatisfied with Fang Xuanling, he didn't need to be so ruthless. Because of Fang Yiai, the Fang household was destroyed. Fang Yiai clenched his fists, determined to live a good life. As long as Fang Xuanling was alive, Changsun Wuji wouldn't dare to go too far. But once Li Shimin and Fang Xuanling were gone, the fate of the Fang household would be uncertain. He needed to find a way to grow stronger. The title of Duke of Liang couldn't protect the Fang household.

The sky of history is dark, but as long as one resists, the clouds will scatter, and a bright future will shine.