Parsed with an automated reader. The content accuracy is not guranteed.
T/N: You know how these characters often address themselves in the third person using illeisms to distinguish their status, show respect, humble oneself, etc. When they use the first person (pronoun, âIâ) in a conversation, depending on the context, that means theyâre close, of the same status, being rude, or being sincere. Sometimes they alternate between âIâ and an illeism. Iâm always careful not to casually insert âIâ anywhere. This translator is struggling to directly translate some of these and want to preserve the charactersâ ways of expressing themselves.\n
Anyway, enjoy the chapter!\n
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Fan Jin Chuan choked and his face flushed crimson.\n
âNaturally, I want to. Worthy Brother and I are of similar disposition, and this foolish brother especially admires Worthy Brotherâs resourcefulness. I want Worthy Brotherâs guidance in understanding local affairs. If Worthy Brother is willing to assist, then Zi Jin will have obtained a treasure.â \n
Zi Jin was Fan Jin Chuanâs courtesy name.\n
âAlright, then.â\n
Fan Jin Chuan had not anticipated Fang Feng Shengâs straightforward assent and was instantly stunned.\n
âWas what Brother Fan just said all false?â\n
âNaturally not.â\n
âThen, I hope Brother Fan will take care of me in the future.â Feng Sheng raised her cup of wine.\n
Fan Jin Chuan also lifted his own, and the two tilted their cups toward the other in mid-air, smiled in acknowledgment, and downed their wine in one gulp.\n
âŚâŚ..\n
By the time they finished their drinks, the moon had mounted on the tip of the tree.<sup>1</sup>\n
Fan Jin Chuanâs alcohol tolerance was so poor that he was comatose in intoxication, compelling Feng Sheng to carry him aboard the horse carriage to rush him to the inn.\n
Back at the inn, Uncle Yu didnât leave, but his stance suggested he had something to say. Feng Sheng could only ask Zhi Qiu to make some tea, and the two of them sat at the table.\n
âYoung Sir, why go with Gentleman Fan? Hou Fei was right. If Young Sir wants to reverse the case for Master, that third prince will be a better choice. Although this Gentleman Fan is also a talented man, how can a seventh-rank county magistrate take advantage of a situation to compete with those giants?â\n
âThird prince aside, Fan Jin Chuan is the best choice at the moment.â\n
âWhy set the third prince aside, Young SirâŚâŚâ\n
Feng Sheng interrupted him, âUncle Yu, do you know whose student Fan Jin Chuan is? Do you know the place heâs assigned to?â\n
Uncle Yuâs eyes gleamed with inquiry.\n
âHis teacher is Court Elder Song, and he will assume office at Taizhou.â\n
Uncle Yu was so astonished that he stood up on the spot.\n
âIn the meantime, letâs not mention Court Elder Song. According to âThe Salt Lawâ: salt tax contributes up to half of the tax income, and the salt tax from Liang Huai contributes up to half of the countryâs. The Liang Huai Salt Distribution Commission is divided into three branch offices: Taizhou division, Tongzhou division, and Huaiâan division. Of the three, Taizhou came top; its salt production had once reached five to six parts of the countryâs total. My fatherâs case is closely linked to salt. Letâs first consider that father was jeopardized because Lord Zhou endeavored to expose the salt administrationâs greed for profit by sending a letter to those above. Obviously, this touched the interests of a certain party, so the other side struck him with a muck-rake<sup>2</sup> by setting up a trap and framing him.\n
âThe other partyâs reaction speed was exceedingly fast; itâs palpable that someone had leaked the news days prior. If the case is introduced to the higher authorities, and His Majesty sends someone to investigate, where will the investigation start, and who will be most afraid of it? I think itâs better to start at the root of the matter rather than scour from a high tower, so Taizhou is the better option.â\n
âFeng Sheng, when did you find out that Fan Jin Chuan will take office in Taizhou?â\n
âLast time, after leaving Uncle Houâs place. I unexpectedly stumbled upon him at the government residence, so I made some inquiries.â\n
âIn other words, on that short trip to and from the third prince, you had already cooked up a scheme to latch onto Fan Jin Chuan to get a handle on Taizhou?â\n
Feng Sheng nodded her head.\n
Uncle Yuâs eyes glimmered in wonder, and though he remained taciturn, he felt a sudden surge of confidence that very moment.\n
Although they were already resolute in their decision, before this, they were like headless flies without even half a helping hand, so he was anxious but didnât dare reveal it. Now, in just half a day, Feng Sheng had procured a good prospect. Maybe this time, they would succeed.\n
âFeng Sheng, Iâm sure you can make it.â\n
âThatâs what Iâve always thought.â\n
âŚâŚ..\n
After Uncle Yu left, Feng Sheng freshened up and plunged onto the couch.\n
Remembering Uncle Yuâs previous question, she rolled over.\n
There was actually another reason why Feng Sheng cast the third prince aside, but this reason, she wasnât going to say.\n
*\n
Fan Jin Chuan took office just recently and had already delayed quite a few days, so he planned to bid farewell and leave.\n
When Zong Yue was informed of this, he especially asked Du Ming Liang to host a banquet prior to his departure.\n
âThis is farewell; mountains are high and roads are far. However, this highness believes that we will soon be able to meet Lord Fan in the capital.â\n
âThank you, Your Highness, for your high hopes. In fact, compared to settling in the capital, this lowly official rather feels that this one can expend more for the court in the local area. Journeying from the capital to Yangzhou, this lowly official deliberately abandoned the waterway to take the dry route, as this one desired to stroll and explore. Along the way, this one couldnât help but sigh, finally understanding the true meaning of the ancient saying that reading ten thousand books is not as good as walking ten thousand li.â\n
This was why Fan Jin Chuan was a man who lacked skill in communicating. By stating his hopes of meeting at the capital, the person who spoke implied his expectations for the other to be promoted and appointed an important position; yet, the other countered by shunning the capital and elucidating his preference to immerse in the locality. As a matter of fact, he drove himself to a dead end by stifling the other from answering.\n
Feng Sheng was also present during this exchange and had gained a little more insight about Fan Jin Chuanâs personality and temperament.\n
She was posing as Fan Jin Chuanâs private advisor. She hadnât intended to participate, but Fan Jin Chuan nonetheless dragged her along, saying that when given the opportunity, he could give Zong Yue an explanation so he wouldnât vent his anger on her. It just so happened that Feng Sheng wanted to observe the situation more, so she went with him.\n
After they arrived, Zong Yue remained reticent as usual. Fan Jin Chuan had explained to him how, on the way to Yangzhou, Fang Feng Sheng made an appointment with him and decided to assist him with official matters. Anyway, as to whether he believed that ruse or not, it was impossible to tell from the surface.\n
Since there was a banquet, there was naturally no shortage of song and dance.\n
It was a well-known fact that Jiangnan produced beauties. Unfortunately, the bright beauties were enchanting, but Zong Yue and Fan Jin Chuan showed no interest. Du Ming Liang took heed of this and impelled Hou Fei with him to liven up the awkward atmosphere induced by the other twoâs impassivity. Feng Sheng, on the other hand, eyed the spectacle with fervor.\n
âWorthy Brother?â\n
Feng Sheng raised her eyebrows.\n
Sitting side by side, their whispering eluded othersâ notice.\n
âThe heroâs tomb resided in a villageâs gentle home; King Fuchai of Wu plunged his country into ruin<sup>3</sup>, both falling prey to womenâs allure. Worthy Brother should now attach more importance to literary studies and must not excessively engross oneself in feminine charms.â\n
Eh?\n
Feng Sheng stared listlessly at his dead earnest appearance. Was this person her moral guardian?\n
âBrother Zi Jin, the sage once said that appetite and lust are only natural. Scholars and literati mostly regard this in elegance; how come Brother Zi Jin is so averse to it?â\n
âFoolish brother is saying this for your own good. Youâre still young and donât understand the power of thisâŚâŚâ\n
At this time, Du Ming Liang sought Fan Jin Chuan for a drink, interrupting his lecture.\n
Fang Feng Shengâs eyes remained rooted at the scene and didnât take the matter seriously at all.\n
After half a round of wine, Feng Sheng felt a bit bloated, so she got up to relieve herself.\n
There were maids and manservants attending outside, so she didnât worry about no one leading her. When she came out of the restroom, she noticed the bright moon on the sky. The night breeze was cool, so she stood there to dispel the alcohol from her system.\n
Feeling much more comfortable, she turned and stalked back. As soon as she took a curve, she seemed to have ran into a wall.\n
She fell backwards and was yanked by someone.\n
âThird Highness.â\n
Under the moonlight, Zong Yue was draped in a black embroidered brocade robe, tall and straight as a pine, his eyes dark and deep.\n
Feng Sheng struggled but couldnât break free as her wrists were grasped firmly.\n
âTell me, are you Fang Feng Sheng? Or is it Fang Feng Fu?â\n
âNaturally, itâs Fang Feng Fu. Third Highness must not be mistaken in the future, Feng Sheng is this oneâs sister.â\n
Zong Yue knew that she was lying without batting an eyelid, and he sneered.\n
âThird prince, if thereâs nothing else, this scholar will return to the table first.â\n
âDo you not know? If anything is too coincidental, it will come off deliberate.â \n
The two voices sounded almost simultaneously, and Feng Shengâs mouth stiffened. Of course she knew. She actually had no intention of deceiving Zong Yue any further, but, because she was certain he wouldnât expose her, she hadnât given it much thought.\n
âThis scholar never intended to deceive Your Highness.â\n
âThe foxâs tail<sup>4</sup> is finally revealed?â Zong Yue snorted.\n
âItâs not that this scholar is deceitful; itâs just that the third prince is too aggressive.â\n
âHave you forgotten what youâve done in the Sun family?â These words were spat through gritted teeth, evident that Zong Yue still harbored a grudge over the incident.\n
Feng Sheng took a deep breath and plastered on a smile.\n
She pulled back her own hand, but the otherâs grip only tightened. She made her gaze appear more sincere, softening her tone: âThird Highness, if youâre still holding a grudge for what happened before, Iâm sincerely apologizing to you now. Please forgive a weak woman who was besieged on all sides and desperately wanted a way out. I had no other choice but to take advantage of the opportunity. If I didnât do that, perhaps after a few days, I wouldâve suddenly found myself in your bed. Iâd rather die than let myself be reduced to that state.â\n
âYouâre finally admitting it?â\n
âWasnât Third Highness always doubtful? What good will it do to keep lying? But I believe that Third Highness is tolerant and magnanimous, and will definitely not be bothered with this young lady.â\n
âThis highness is not at all magnanimous and will retaliate against the smallest grievance.â\n
âThen, thereâs nothing I can do. I canât change your mind. But worry not, I wonât appear in front of Your Highnessâs eyes in the future or cause any trouble.â\n
Feng Sheng pulled back again, and this time Zong Yue loosened his grip.\n
âIf youâre aiming to reverse your fatherâs case, instead of following Fan Zi Jin, you should come to this highness.â\n
The step Feng Sheng had just taken paused.\n
âThird Highness knows quite a bit.â\n
âIsnât that why you left the Sun family and reused your other identity? Donât blame this highness for not reminding you. This matter is not something you can touch, so be careful of setting yourself on fire.â\n
âEven if I burn, Iâm still the one immolating my own self. Your Highness need not be concerned.â\n
âWhat do you think Fan Jin Chuan can do for you? He canât protect himself!â\n
Feng Sheng only felt everything in front of her eyes momentarily blur. Her entire person seemed to have struck a wall again, and when she raised her head, she collided with Zong Yueâs ice-cold gaze.\n
âWorthy Brother, Third Highness, what are you doing?â\n
In the corridor, Fan Jin Chuan examined the place from afar with a puzzled face.\n
âItâs nothing. Just had a chance encounter with Third Highness and exchanged a few words about tonightâs touching moonlight.â\n
Feng Sheng took two steps backwards, bowed her head, and arched her hands, âThis scholar will not disturb Your Highnessâ appreciation of the glorious moon.â\n
Zong Yueâs face was frosty, but he didnât speak.\n
When Feng Sheng passed him, she paused her steps and voiced out: âDo you know why I sought Fan Jin Chuan instead of Your Highness? Because you hold women in contempt, ah.â\n
âŚâŚ..\n
Feng Sheng left with Fan Jin Chuan, the two of them laughing and chatting as they plodded away, still vaguely audible.\n
De Wang, who had been shrinking to the side, emerged and whispered, âHis Highness.â\n
Zong Yue snorted and turned to stride away.\n\n
<hr class="wp-block-separator has-text-color has-background has-vivid-red-background-color has-vivid-red-color is-style-wide">\n<sup>1</sup> ćä¸ć 梢: lit. the moon ascends on the tip of the tree. A way of saying what time it is. The moon is basically at a certain position, a certain time depending on the season. Itâs to tell that itâs already late, since the moon has appeared at a certain height.\n
<sup>2</sup> ĺćä¸č: lit. to strike with a muck-rake (idiom); fig. to counter-attack; to make bogus accusations (against oneâs victim)\n
<sup>3</sup> Fuchai was a king who was weak against Xi Shiâs beauty and ended up ignoring his countryâs affairs, killing his advisors, and eventually ending his own life. The country got annexed by Yue. Xi Shi was said to be truly beautiful; in fact, she didnât really do anything, but it was because of her that the country was annexed.\n