Chapter Thirty-Two: A Desperate Gambit?

Fang Jun clutched his head, grimacing in pain—not because his head hurt, but because his backside was agony.

Having just punched Liu Lei at the Zuixian Pavilion earlier that day, the incident had instantly set the whole city abuzz. Everyone who heard the news clicked their tongues in wonder, asking if this second son of the Fang family was cursed to clash with the Imperial family. It had only been a few days since he struck the Prince of Qi, and now he was locking horns with the Prince of Wei. Was the man out of his mind?

The result was that as soon as he returned home, Fang Xuanling, who had been bedridden, heard the news, leapt out of bed, and summoned the servants to bring out the family disciplinary rod. He gave Fang Jun twenty lashes. Although the servants were careful not to break his bones, the skin was inevitably torn and bloody.

The punishment did not end there. With a darkened face, Fang Xuanling ordered the servants to carry the battered Fang Jun to the palace to beg for forgiveness.

The last time he had struck the Prince of Qi, the Emperor had suppressed the matter—an act of immense imperial grace. Could he expect the Emperor to punish his own son, the Prince of Wei, this time? That would be Fang Xuanling failing to know his place, acting spoiled by favor. Having navigated the official world for so long, Fang Xuanling would never leave such a handle for others to gossip about.

Though his heart ached for his son, the boy had caused one catastrophe after another. If not for the Emperor’s benevolence, the charge of striking a prince would have been enough to warrant the confiscation of their entire estate in any other dynasty.

"Your Majesty, I have failed to discipline my son. I am filled with shame and have no face to stand before you. I am old, and recently I have felt my energy waning. I fear I may delay the vital affairs of your state. I humbly beg to retire, return to my hometown, and focus on educating my young son so that he may eventually serve Your Majesty and the Great Tang..."

Fang Xuanling spoke with genuine emotion; he truly wished to retire. Entering the Tiance Mansion in his youth, accompanying the Emperor to unify the realm in his prime, and attaining high nobility in his later years—his life had been magnificent, and his name would be recorded in history. What more could he ask for? Besides, he was indeed aged; he lacked the physical strength, and his eyesight was failing. Often, when looking at memorials, he could only see blurred ink, which was exhausting, forcing him to rely on his subordinates to read them aloud.

He spoke with sincerity, but Emperor Li Er thought otherwise. *Your son just caused trouble, and you immediately ask to retire? It’s not because you are old and weak; it is clearly a tactic of retreat to advance, fearing I will severely punish Fang Jun.*

*Needless to say, this must be a devious scheme cooked up by Fang Jun. Does he think I cannot see through it? First, he uses a ploy of self-inflicted suffering to stop my mouth, then he uses this threat of retirement to force my hand. How could I possibly punish his son in front of an old official? The little rascal is detestable!*

Yes, that was exactly what Li Er thought. Because Fang Xuanling was a man of absolute integrity, he would never dream of such underhanded tricks. It had to be the seemingly honest but actually cunning Fang Jun—not a good bird at all!

Li Er gritted his teeth, itching with frustration. He quickly helped Fang Xuanling up and said, "Xuanling, why say such things? You are in your prime, resilient and experienced. How can you abandon your post and leave all these great affairs to me? Speak of this no more."

Seeing this, Fang Xuanling felt moved but also helpless. It seemed this old frame still had to keep burning for the cause. He sighed and barked at Fang Jun, "Still not begging for His Majesty's forgiveness?"

Under his father’s piercing gaze, which suggested another round of family discipline if he didn't comply, Fang Jun lowered his head and muttered, "This commoner is guilty..." Being without an official rank, he could only call himself a commoner.

Li Er thought, *Though I cannot punish him, it is not bad to see this stubborn mule bow his head. It is easy to punish him, but to make him admit his fault is no easy task.* He had prepared himself to hear a string of remorseful words to soothe his pent-up anger. Who would have thought that after saying "This commoner is guilty," Fang Jun would simply shut his mouth and say nothing more?

Emperor Li Er was stunned. *That's it? You beat one of my sons, humiliated another, and now you think a flippant "This commoner is guilty" is enough? Where is your sincerity? Where is your respect for the Imperial house? Is that really it?*

"Is that all?" Li Er asked with a dark face. *Say a few more words, and for your father's sake, I might just let you off...*

Unexpectedly, Fang Jun lifted his head, looked him straight in the eye with a blank, innocent expression, and said, "Ah, that's all."

Li Er was so angry his nose felt like it was smoking. *This stubborn mule, he is courting death!* He had no idea that Fang Jun was intentionally acting stupid to provoke him. Since he couldn't be beheaded, the more furious the Emperor was, the better. If he could be angered into shouting, "My daughter shall never marry you," that would be perfect.

Li Er was speechless, and Fang Xuanling was furious. *Damn it, how were you raised at home? You thick-skulled idiot, you can't even remember a few lines?* He kicked Fang Jun in the lower back, roaring, "And what else?"

Fang Jun let out a miserable howl, feeling as if a knife had pierced his back and buttocks. He screamed, "I can't remember!"

Li Er’s face turned as black as a pot. *Fine, it’s clear Fang Xuanling taught him well at home, but this brat refuses to say a word of apology. He is truly courting death!*

An Emperor’s wrath is no laughing matter. If a tiger doesn't show its claws, do you think it's a sick cat? Li Er bellowed, "Someone, come here!" He didn't care about Fang Xuanling anymore; he was furious enough to die, so he would deal with the beating first!

Just then, a crisp, sweet voice called out from the palace entrance: "Father, who are you calling?"

A young girl in a crimson palace dress, with bright eyes and white teeth, walked into the hall with a dignified and elegant gait. It was Princess Gaoyang.

Li Er was startled: "Shu'er, why are you here?"

Fang Xuanling hurriedly paid his respects: "This subject greets the Princess..." Even though he held a high position and had a deep bond with the Emperor, he was still a subject and had to follow the rules. The Princess was also a sovereign, even if she was to be his daughter-in-law.

Princess Gaoyang lowered her eyes, performed a gentle curtsy, and said softly, "Gaoyang greets Uncle Fang." Her posture was perfect, her face flushed with a hint of shyness—she looked as ladylike as one could be. Fang Xuanling was delighted; his future daughter-in-law was not only beautiful and noble but also gentle and well-read. He was extremely satisfied. "Princess, please, do not stand on ceremony. You shame this old subject."

Princess Gaoyang fluttered her long eyelashes and said shyly, "It is only right..."

Watching the girl act, Fang Jun almost vomited. *Pretend! Keep pretending! Who was that sharp-tongued shrew who cornered me in the palace the other day and shouted, "I don't fancy a mud-legged peasant like you"? Pfft! Can't be bothered with you...*

Fang Jun curled his lip and turned his face away, refusing to look at her performative display of dignity. Unfortunately, this look of disdain was caught by Fang Xuanling. Fang Xuanling was enraged! *This brat is truly seeking death! Such a fine girl, even if you don't dote on her, you should at least want to marry her, but what is that look on your face?*

Fang Xuanling, fuming, kicked him again. This kick landed squarely, making Fang Jun wail and spring up like a fish gutted on a chopping block, only to fall back down heavily.

Emperor Li Er was suspicious. *Is he still acting? Was it not a ruse of self-inflicted suffering? Did he really get beaten?* He leaned forward to look, and his heart sank. Fang Jun hadn't removed his clothes when he was beaten. After twenty lashes, his trousers were shredded, soaked in blood that had stuck to his flesh, leaving the area a bloody mess.

*He really was beaten!* Li Er felt a twinge of regret for his earlier suspicion. He had thought it was a trick played by father and son, but it seemed he had used the heart of a villain to measure the belly of a gentleman. Of course, the "gentleman" was Fang Xuanling, which had nothing to do with that rascal Fang Jun.

He said, "Xuanling, you are too much. It is right to discipline your son, but why be so heavy-handed? If you beat him to death, how could I live with myself? It was just a petty squabble between children, nothing major. Why do this?"

Though he said this, his anger had completely dissipated. As long as he had been beaten, it didn't really matter who did it.

However, Princess Gaoyang was not satisfied. She stretched her neck, watching Fang Jun's backside with excitement. Seeing the blood, she was delighted! *This mud-legged peasant got beaten, how wonderful! If Father beats him again, will he be crippled? It would be best if he were beaten in front of me. What man, having lost all face in front of a woman, would still want to marry her?*

But hearing the Emperor's words, she felt disappointed; she knew the Emperor no longer intended to punish Fang Jun. She wanted to see the process of the beating, not just the result. Her eyes darted around, and she suddenly said, "Fang Jun, is that girl Lixue from the Zuixian Pavilion prettier than me?"

Fang Jun felt a chill run down his spine. He looked at the innocent-looking Princess Gaoyang with his mouth agape, instantly understanding her malicious intent. He cursed in his heart: *You wretched girl, you are too