Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

"Peng-ge, these books are too expensive. I really can't accept them."

"Cat Egg, these are all old books. Aren't you going to the girls' school? I asked around, and you'll need these books in the future... That's right, just take them! Are we really so distant that a few books matter?"

"By the way, has Fang Chenyu been bothering you lately? I heard he's been frequenting brothels."

"Ah! He's actually that kind of person?"

"What did you think? Maybe he even has kids outside..."

Fang Chenyu gritted his teeth so hard they clicked: "Damn it! What's Zhang Peng up to, being so attentive? And trying to pin that crap on me?"

Zhang Xiaobiao chewed on his sugarcane, saying, "He's always had a good relationship with Cat Egg. You used to drag Cat Egg to the school for tours and even tutored her, but you didn't even understand it yourself, only tutoring half of it before leaving her in the classroom. Zhang Peng finished the rest."

"Damn... How much better is Zhang Peng at studying than me? I just didn't study hard!"

"Isn't your ranking usually near the bottom? Zhang Peng has already passed the county exam; there's a portrait of Zhang Peng on the school's honor roll."

"Look at his shifty eyes, and he's accusing me of going to brothels? He doesn't look like a scholar at all! This kid's really gotten cocky since graduating." Fang Chenyu was full of resentment. "And Cat Egg, why is she accepting his things! No, I can't stand this. Give me your sugarcane..."

Cat Egg and Zhang Peng were still chatting quietly when two masked men suddenly darted out from the darkness.

Before Zhang Peng could react, one of them choked him, while the other stood beside Cat Egg, watching menacingly.

Fang Chenyu, holding a large sugarcane, repeatedly struck Zhang Peng's chest, then pointed at the terrified Cat Egg and sternly shouted.

"Who told you to be dating here!"

Cat Egg screamed. Fang Chenyu quickly said, "Don't scream! If you scream again, I'll kill this dog of a man first! Then I'll deal with you!"

Hearing the word 'kill,' Zhang Xiaobiao panicked and whispered, "Really, Brother Fang, don't mess around."

"You stay out of this. Keep an eye on that girl!"

"Big brother! Big brother, don't kill me! I have money!" Zhang Peng pleaded desperately, fumbling to pull out several silver notes.

Fang Chenyu snatched the silver notes, disdainfully saying, "You dare to date with so little money! It's so late; why aren't you home? Don't you have class tomorrow?!"

"I already graduated..." Zhang Peng mumbled.

"You dare to talk back!" Fang Chenyu angrily said, "Just because you graduated doesn't mean you don't need to study, doesn't mean you don't need to go out and work!"

Fang Chenyu pointed at Cat Egg, saying, "Hey, why is she so ugly! You found such an ugly woman and brought her out in the middle of the night to scare people. Find another one!"

Zhang Peng sobbed incessantly. Feeling the hand on his neck loosen and a heavy blow to his buttocks, he scurried away.

Fang Chenyu scoffed and walked towards Cat Egg, gesturing with the sugarcane in front of her: "I'm telling you, when you're looking for a man, you need to find someone who can protect you. That guy just now, useless!"

"Brother Fang, the constables seem to be coming. Let's go quickly."

"What are we afraid of constables for! If you're scared, you can leave first!"

Fang Chenyu was in the middle of his act when a large hand landed on his shoulder.

The mask on his face was also pulled off.

Looking up, he saw a man like an iron tower staring down at him: "Young Master, the Master wants you to come home."

"Dad."

"Uncle... Uncle Biao."

As the mask fell, Cat Egg saw the person in front of her clearly and shouted with tears in her eyes: "Fang Chenyu, it's you again!"

With that, she covered her face and ran home.

"Cat Egg, let me explain!"

"Let's go home. The Master is already anxious," Zhang Biao said.

Fang Chenyu sighed deeply and turned to go home.

......

Father and son sat facing each other at the desk.

Fang Zhengyi said displeased: "You're never home these days. Do you think you're grown and your wings have hardened?"

"If anything like this happens again, you'll be confined at home for a month!"

"Dad, I..."

"Alright, I don't want to hear your explanation. I called you back because there's something important. Da Jing's ironclad ships have been built and will soon be transported to Jiangling Port for the court to inspect. This is a great opportunity to broaden your horizons. I've decided to take you to see them. There will definitely be many officials from the court there. Prepare yourself well at home, and don't lose your manners in front of people."

"Really, Dad! Then I'll prepare well at home these next few days!"

Fang Zhengyi sighed: "Sit down, sit down! Don't be so jumpy. If you were half as steady as His Highness, I wouldn't have to worry so much. You have so many younger siblings; can't you be a good example?"

"Did you go see Cat Egg again tonight? You're so far apart; what are you always going to see her for? If you want to get married, I'll find you a suitable match."

Fang Chenyu said shamefacedly: "No need, I can find one myself."

"You can find one my ass! I heard the Zheng family has a granddaughter. She's a bit older than you, but she's good-looking. I'll go take a look for you another day."

"I don't want to."

"If you don't want that, that's fine too. Tomorrow, you'll go to the Zhenfu Division's library with me and find someone you like. I've already prepared a list of candidates for you, all daughters of prominent families." Fang Zhengyi smiled smugly.

Using public power for personal gain, this is exactly the right time to use it.

"I don't need it! Dad, can you please stop worrying about my affairs?" Fang Chenyu's face burned.

"Preposterous!" Fang Zhengyi said angrily, "What do you mean 'your affairs'? Don't you understand the orders of parents and the words of matchmakers?"

"You're still young now and don't understand anything. I'll arrange everything for you, and you'll just have to accept it. What's so good about that Cat Egg?"

"I think she's good enough," Fang Chenyu said softly.

Fang Zhengyi sneered: "Good, so you admit it! From today on, you're not allowed to see her again. Every time you see her, I'll confine you once, understand?"

Fang Chenyu suddenly raised his head, his eyes full of anger: "Dad! You're interfering too much! You used to tell me stories about free love when I was little. Have you forgotten them now? These things are my private affairs, and you don't need to interfere."

"You know those are just stories! You're the eldest son of the family. Sooner or later, you'll have to carry this family on your shoulders. If you could do whatever you want, wouldn't the heavens be turned upside down?! Alright, no need to say anymore, go back to sleep! I'll have someone find you when it's time to visit the ironclad ships."

Bang!

Fang Chenyu slammed the table, and the inkstone trembled slightly.

"Old fossil!"

He threw down those three words and left angrily.

Fang Zhengyi was stunned, staring blankly at the door.

Old fossil? Me?

I'm an old fossil?

After a long daze, Fang Zhengyi reached out and rubbed his face hard, covering his face and sighing deeply.

What his son said wasn't without reason.

He had actually started arranging marriages. It seemed he really was getting old and had been assimilated by the times...

But this little bastard was too rebellious! He'd have to teach him a lesson another day!

......