Volume One, Chapter 15: You Must Be Prince Su, Right?

“Heh.”

Chu Xiong smiled faintly.

Then he said, “I just helped you today, and this is how you treat me?”

“What? You helped me?”

Fang Yang was momentarily stunned.

“Yes!”

Chu Xiong nodded.

“What did you help me with?” Fang Yang frowned.

“Lord Yongping!”

Chu Xiong said calmly.

“Tch.” Fang Yang sneered with disdain.

Wang Bao: “...”

He was dumbfounded. There really was someone so fearless, daring to speak to the emperor in such a tone.

“What’s the matter? You don’t believe me?” Chu Xiong’s lips curled into a smile.

“No!” Fang Yang replied without hesitation.

“Why not?”

“Because of my father.” Fang Yang lifted his chin slightly, full of arrogance.

“Your father can’t protect you, and he’s not even in the capital. The emperor was ready to punish you, but I temporarily stopped it.” Chu Xiong took a sip of wine, speaking as if to himself.

“Impossible. Just because of my father, the emperor wouldn’t punish me. Hmph, you think I’ll fall for your trick?” Fang Yang said confidently.

Wang Bao’s hand, hidden inside his sleeve, trembled.

Inside, he was screaming, The man in front of you is the very emperor you just insulted!

“Oh? Tell me then. Looks like I played the good guy this time?” Chu Xiong’s eyes flashed briefly, then the light faded.

“Simple. My father took on this miserable post, dangerous and unstable. As long as I don’t commit crimes like murder or arson that provoke public outrage, the emperor won’t trouble me.”

“Besides, that old Lord Yongping must have reported me, painting himself as the victim, bullying the emperor who’s honest but unaware of outside matters. But what he doesn’t know is that I had the truth spread early. Anyone who inquires will know the facts, and Lord Yongping will be the first to fall.”

Hearing this, Chu Xiong glanced at Wang Bao.

Wang Bao shuddered.

He felt like crying.

He realized he had been used by this prodigal son!

Fang Yang continued, “Hmph, my father was assigned this official post only because that old dog Xie was afraid to offend Prince Su. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have fallen to him.”

“My father is working hard for His Majesty. And that old dog, as an elder, belittling a junior like me, puts himself at a disadvantage. When the emperor finds out the truth, that old dog Xie will be stripped of office and rank, and will surely be punished.”

Fang Yang grew more animated as he spoke, even looking gleeful at the thought of Xie being punished.

Chu Xiong felt uneasy hearing this—how could this boy speak so ill of himself?

Wang Bao beside them couldn’t stand it and immediately cupped his hands toward the sky, exclaiming, “Nonsense! The current emperor is wise and discerning, and deeply attentive to affairs outside the court, surrounded by countless loyal ministers and generals. How could you say he’s so easily deceived?”

“Tch, whatever you say.” Fang Yang shrugged, showing no intention of arguing.

“You!”

Wang Bao was nearly furious at Fang Yang’s shamelessness.

“Heh!”

Chu Xiong chuckled, cutting off Wang Bao before he could continue.

Wang Bao quickly shut his mouth and stood silently by.

Chu Xiong went on, “There are rumors outside that you’re a prodigal and good-for-nothing. I think that’s somewhat unfair.”

“Of course! Sir, you truly have sharp eyes. I’m not a prodigal; I’m just pushing my father to improve himself.” Fang Yang wore an expression as if he did everything for his father’s sake.

Wang Bao was utterly speechless at this shameless fellow.

Chu Xiong’s mouth twitched.

I only said it was somewhat biased, not that the rumors were false. Why does he take it so literally?

Taking a deep breath, Chu Xiong continued, “Although you say that, you offended Lord Yongping with one foot, and then the Duke of Qian’s household with the other. To me, that hardly looks like you’re pushing your father to improve.”

“Furthermore, I heard that at the Imperial Academy you made a serious mistake, reported by the Duke of Qian’s heir. That looks a lot like you’re settling personal scores.”

“Lord Yongping shamelessly started it, and I fought back since I was justified. As for the Duke of Qian’s heir, I didn’t lay a hand on him, so I can’t be said to have offended him.” Fang Yang replied nonchalantly.

“Hm, that sounds reasonable.”

Chu Xiong smiled slightly.

He then said, “Lord Yongping has already been punished with a six-month suspension and was reprimanded by His Majesty. For this matter, the emperor intends to issue punishment to both sides. Do you want to know your penalty?”

“What? I’m going to be punished too?” Fang Yang was stunned.

“That’s right. That’s His Majesty’s intention. But since I find you agreeable, if you satisfy me today, I can help you smooth things over and avoid punishment.” Chu Xiong looked at Fang Yang as if to say, “You understand what I mean.”

Fang Yang’s expression changed drastically.

He abruptly stood up, resolute as if ready to die.

“I, Fang Yang, would rather die than betray my own conscience! I am a man! I like women! Apart from that, there is nothing else!”

Wang Bao was stunned.

Chu Xiong was stunned.

The guards nearby struggled to suppress their laughter.

After a long moment, Chu Xiong said, “You’re young, but what are you thinking? I... really, I just want to talk to you. If what you say satisfies me, I’ll help you resolve this matter.”

“I see.”

Fang Yang sat back down with a sigh and continued, “As long as it’s not about ‘Duanshou’ or ‘Longyang,’ you can say anything.”

Chu Xiong’s mouth twitched painfully.

But he composed himself and frowned, “Earlier you said that Lord Yongping bullied the emperor because he was unaware of outside affairs. What do you mean by that? The court has censors who supervise all officials.”

“Tch, those so-called censors are just someone else’s biting dogs. How many of them truly care about the country?” Fang Yang sneered.

Chu Xiong frowned and asked, “So, what do you think should be done to prevent His Majesty from being easily deceived?”

Fang Yang looked at Chu Xiong as if he were an idiot.

Chu Xiong’s expression immediately darkened.

Fang Yang then shifted his gaze elsewhere, calmly saying, “If the censors have become someone else’s dogs, then you raise a dog of your own—one fiercer than the censors.”

Chu Xiong was taken aback for a moment, then his expression showed sudden understanding.

But soon his brow furrowed again.

“Our nation is in turmoil. We’re already stretched thin responding to disasters in Dongshan and Xishan provinces. Where would the money come from to do anything else? Not to mention the Northern Barbarians demanding a princess in marriage and tribute...”

As Chu Xiong spoke of the empire’s lack of funds, Lin Fan scoffed quietly, muttering, “The land’s all eaten up by the noble families. If the empire had money, it’d be a miracle.”

Chu Xiong was startled. He thought he heard Fang Yang mention noble families, but didn’t catch it all, so he asked, “What did you just say?”

Fang Yang was startled and quickly waved his hand to indicate he said nothing.

Chu Xiong looked at Wang Bao.

Wang Bao nodded, “He said it.”

Chu Xiong looked back at Fang Yang.

Fang Yang frowned slightly.

He wasn’t sure who this person really was. If his earlier words were passed to the noble families, he and his recently retired father would be in trouble.

After a pause, he said directly, “If I’m not mistaken, you must be Prince Su?”