Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

Outside the palace, the two shifty-eyed fellows were still huddled together, counting money.

These two carts of watermelons were more than Fang Zheng Yi had expected; he hadn't thought they'd bring in a small two thousand taels.

However, the deception was too great; it wasn't a sustainable business.

Before the two could rejoice for long, Guo Tianyang scurried over with small steps.

He said with a smile, "Your Highness, Lord Fang, His Majesty invites you."

As expected, what's coming will come!

Fang Zheng Yi took a deep breath and looked at Li Yuan Zhao.

What was he thinking, running here to sell melons? Not only did he not earn much, but he also had to endure a scolding!

What's the point? Wait until you become emperor to stand up to the ministers!

Now he's deceiving people with melons; it's a bit like the spirit of Ah Q.

However, Li Yuan Zhao was in a state of complete fearlessness.

He directly called out to the guards not far away, and several guards quickly ran over.

"Take this silver for me!"

Then he said to Fang Zheng Yi, "Old Fang, just watch! Father is greedy for money; I'll bribe him in a moment!"

"I had my fill today, so I don't want this money! If something goes wrong later, remember to cover for me!"

"I should think of an excuse first..."

That's my melon! Fang Zheng Yi glanced sideways at Li Yuan Zhao.

Hearing the two loudly plotting, Guo Tianyang couldn't help but frown, complaining, "Your Highness, this old servant is still here."

"Shut your mouth!"

"......"

After tidying themselves up, the three, along with the palace guards, went to meet Emperor Jing.

However, as soon as he stepped into the main hall, Li Yuan Zhao's straight back instantly bent a little.

His whole demeanor also seemed much more listless.

Fang Zheng Yi was dumbfounded.

He really is a dog that can't stop eating shit!

How many beatings has he taken? Has this acting skill been integrated into his blood?

Before entering the hall, he looked so impressive, but after crossing the threshold, he's not himself anymore!

In the hall, Emperor Jing faced Fang Zheng Yi and the Crown Prince.

Sitting on the throne, he leaned on a thick, black cane in one hand, displaying his full majesty.

Seeing the cane, Li Yuan Zhao's pupils instantly dilated, and he seemed to hunch over even more.

Fang Zheng Yi lowered his head in shame.

I didn't expect that His Majesty still kept this thing; it seems he finds it very handy.

Guilt... guilt....

"You two have great胆子."

Emperor Jing slowly opened his mouth, "Tell me, why did you set up a stall in the palace?"

Li Yuan Zhao kept his head lowered, not daring to make a sound.

He muttered something under his breath, knowing he was in the wrong, so nervous that he didn't dare to speak loudly, then turned to look at Fang Zheng Yi.

Too inexperienced!

Fang Zheng Yi immediately stepped forward and said loudly, "Your Majesty, do not be angry. The Crown Prince is selling melons for a reason."

"The Crown Prince often travels to Banshan Workshop, wanting to personally experience the lives of the common people, but fearing to disturb them, he came to set up a stall in the palace. This heart of loving the people is truly rare."

"Secondly, the melons sold today are indeed rare. As the saying goes, it is better to share happiness than to enjoy it alone. The officials in the court have worked hard, and the Crown Prince wants to let the ministers taste them. The Crown Prince himself has not even tasted the melon but took it out to share, truly sharing sweetness and reducing scarcity, a noble character."

"Thirdly, the reason for selling is that the Crown Prince sees His Majesty holding court every day, working diligently for the country, and working hard. Therefore, he also wants to do his part to share His Majesty's worries. The silver earned today is intended to be added to the Imperial Treasury."

"Today's earnings total one thousand six hundred and fifty taels, all here. May Your Majesty discern!"

After speaking, Fang Zheng Yi glanced at the palace guard.

The palace guard understood and opened the money box, revealing the silver notes and some loose silver inside.

Guo Tianyang took it and placed it on the imperial desk.

Li Yuan Zhao immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

As expected of Old Fang, he can really make things up! This is stable!

Emperor Jing only glanced at the silver on the table, then lowered his eyes to look at the two in the hall, picking up the cane and slowly walking down.

Seeing that he didn't speak, Fang Zheng Yi couldn't help but move his throat.

It's over, this reaction is not good!

Definitely didn't fool him....

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but turn his eyes to Li Yuan Zhao.

At this time, Li Yuan Zhao was still lowering his head, smiling heartlessly!

Feeling Fang Zheng Yi's gaze, he also turned his head and gave a thumbs up....

The next second!

A black shadow suddenly swung onto Li Yuan Zhao's thigh!

"Ah! !" A wail instantly spread throughout the hall.

Then it was one hit after another... each strike not holding back in the slightest.

The sound of the cane hitting flesh reached Fang Zheng Yi's ears, making him feel cold all over...

However, Li Yuan Zhao was tough enough; although he was screaming, he didn't change his posture!

He had experience from these years; his own father would always choose the fleshy parts when hitting.

If he changed his posture, it would be easy to accidentally injure him, so it was better to maintain the status quo.

Fang Zheng Yi's eyes widened as he watched; this was the first time he had personally witnessed His Majesty hitting his son.

Truly awesome... worthy of royal education, not ambiguous at all.

However, he couldn't just watch Li Yuan Zhao get beaten, so he quickly went up to pull Emperor Jing.

"Your Majesty! ! Enough, enough! Anger hurts the body, please calm down!"

"Get out of the way! Don't stop me. This rebellious son is lawless! Is setting up a stall in the palace something a Crown Prince should do?"

"Setting up a stall is fine, but he even found someone else to cover for him! Look at the lies you two tell, two shameless things!"

"If I don't teach you a good lesson today, I'm afraid you'll forget your identity in the future!"

Emperor Jing waved his arm, causing Fang Zheng Yi to stagger.

Li Yuan Zhao instinctively began to argue, "Your son is doing it for Father's Imperial Treasury! I won't give you that money! I was wrong!"

"Silence! You still have the nerve to argue?" "Ah!"

The enraged emperor was obviously not easy to provoke, and Fang Zheng Yi also shrank back.

He hid by the pillar, trying to make himself seem smaller.

Guo Tianyang, next to him, was already used to it, standing beside him with a calm expression.

Fang Zheng Yi said in horror, "Is this how His Majesty beats the Crown Prince?"

Guo Tianyang nodded, "It wasn't this harsh before. It seems like the beatings have become more and more severe since you entered the palace."

"Brother Guo, don't talk nonsense!"

After another four or five strikes, the anger in Emperor Jing's heart subsided a lot.

He threw down the cane and instructed, "Take the Crown Prince to the East Palace and confine him for three days!"

Li Yuan Zhao didn't say a word, staggering out. Fang Zheng Yi quickly went forward to help him, shouting, "This humble servant takes his leave!"

"Stop! Did I let you go?"

Instantly, the color drained from Fang Zheng Yi's face.

That's not right! The emperor's temper is a bit strange today. He usually wouldn't beat the Crown Prince for this kind of thing; he'd just scold him at most. What's wrong? Am I going to get beaten?

Li Yuan Zhao weakly whispered, "Old Fang, take care. This is my fault today. I'll treat you to dinner another day! I'll go first."

"If Father wants to hit you later, don't move, try to face him with your ass..."

After speaking, he limped away from the scene alone.

It's over, the target ran away, and I became the target?

Hit me? I'm a minister, not a son! He wouldn't really hit me, would he.....

Fang Zheng Yi stared dumbfounded at Li Yuan Zhao's back, then slowly turned his head.

He stood there, not daring to say a word.

Emperor Jing returned to his seat, not saying anything, just looking at Fang Zheng Yi.

After a long silence, Emperor Jing still didn't speak, just looking down at something on the imperial desk. Fang Zheng Yi carefully said, "Your Majesty... have you encountered something troubling?"

Emperor Jing raised his eyes, "I have ordered people to re-examine the Ministry of Revenue's accounts, and the reports just presented have not found any problems."

"I'm already annoyed enough! If you two rascals have nothing to do, go back to the palace for me!"

......