Chapter Sixty-Two: The Fang Estate

Li Junxian ordered his men to drag Fang Jun and the other two outside the hall, where the punishment was immediately carried out.

After a flurry of heavy blows that had the three youngsters wailing miserably, Emperor Taizong finally vented his anger. With a wave of his hand, he humanely had the three fellows sent back to their respective estates in the city for brief medical treatment before being expelled from the capital.

Moreover, he did not specifically pursue Cheng Chubi's liability. Although leaving one's post without authorization while on duty was a major crime, just like with Fang Jun, nothing could be done to the son of Fang Xuanling, but could old man Cheng's son be dealt with at will? That old stubborn mule always shielded his brood; if he kicked up a fuss, it would likely be difficult to tidy up the mess.

Emperor Taizong also felt somewhat depressed, wondering if he had been far too lenient with his meritorious officials and nobility.

The trio parted ways at the Xuanwu Gate. Fang Jun said with an apologetic air, "This time I implicated you two brothers. Little brother will keep your kindness engraved in my heart!"

Cheng Chubi waved his hand carelessly. "Spare me the sentimental drivel; it sounds awkward."

Li Siwen looked at Fang Jun with deep admiration. "Second Fang, you are truly formidable..."

Regarding today's events, his admiration for Fang Jun knew no bounds.

For the sake of his eldest sister, he dared to smash the Prince of Han's estate—proving he valued bonds of affection; he dared to bicker with His Majesty—showing boldness; and while enduring the beating, he quietly told the two of them to scream at the top of their lungs so that His Majesty wouldn't feel satisfied and add to the punishment—demonstrating profound strategy...

Since when had this damned blockhead Second Fang become so impressive?

Brimming with doubts as he was carried home by the elite guards of the "Hundred Riders," Li Siwen continued to ponder...

********

One hour ago.

As the curfew approached, the Fang residence remained brightly lit.

The steward of the farmstead outside the city had sent someone to report that Erlang, angered by the reprimand his sister the Princess consort had received, had led men and stormed into the Prince of Han's estate. This had terrified the family. Could the Prince of Han simply be beaten up like that?

Besides, a few days ago he had first beaten Prince of Qi Li You, then soured his relations with Prince of Wei Li Tai, and now he was going to beat the Prince of Han—wouldn't this provoke the wrath of the Dragon?

Taking advantage of the time before the curfew, the household dispatched several groups of servants toward the Prince of Han's estate to gather news.

In the main hall, Princess of Han, née Fang, had already cried until her eyes were as swollen as peaches, tears streaming down ceaselessly, the handkerchief in her hand drenched through.

She felt a mixed tangle of gratification, worry, and self-reproach.

Her father, Fang Xuanling, was an upright gentleman—consistently honest, self-disciplined, and unskilled in managing wealth. Apart from his official salary and the yields from their farmlands, there were no other sources of income. Although the Emperor frequently bestowed gifts upon him, those were merely imperial rewards; who would dare to actually exchange them for cash? Therefore, ever since Lady Fang married into the Prince of Han's estate, not only did she receive no financial assistance from her maternal family, nor much of a dowry, but she frequently subsidized her own household instead.

Prince of Han Li Yuanjia possessed a heavy scholarly temperament. Although the estate's income was modest, he cared little for material wealth, so this had not affected the affection between husband and wife.

However, things changed entirely after Lady Cao entered the estate.

The Cao family was immensely wealthy and repeatedly sent vast amounts of wealth to the Prince of Han. Lady Cao consequently considered herself superior and harbored the intention of competing with the legitimate wife, Lady Fang, repeatedly finding pretexts to provoke her.

On that particular day, she had flaunted an expensive vase before Lady Fang, and then used deceit to trick Lady Fang into accidentally dropping and shattering it. This enraged Lady Fang, who gave her a sound thrashing, which subsequently sparked numerous subsequent disputes.

Having returned to her maternal home for many days, Lady Fang's inner resentment had not dissipated; instead, it grew even more bitter.

She looked down on Lady Cao, yet she also envied her. At the very least, when Lady Cao suffered grievances or beatings within the estate, her maternal brothers would come knocking on the door to demand an explanation.

But what about herself? She had brothers, yet it was as though she had none...

Fang Yizhi was steady and studious, and had always been close with the Prince of Han Li Yuanjia. Lady Fang had originally hoped her eldest brother could speak to the Prince of Han on her behalf, even if it were just to inquire about the matter. Yet who would have thought that Fang Yizhi would remain utterly indifferent, acting as though she didn't exist at all...

Her father had always maintained his self-respect; how could he possibly go to his own son-in-law to complain?

As for Fang Yize, he was merely a child still wearing split-croup trousers...

Just as she was feeling sorrowful and lost, it was that usually taciturn, stuttering, and dull second brother of hers who silently and abruptly stormed over to settle accounts!

Erlang had been reticent since childhood and somewhat slower-witted than his peers, which made eldest sister Fang care for him all the more. Yet Erlang possessed a rather crude temperament; apart from martial arts, he took no interest in any person or matter, rarely uttering extra words.

Yet this person, whom others labeled a "complete fool," had flatly disregarded imperial decrees, entered the city without authorization, and shouldered immense risks solely to vent a grievance for her, his elder sister...

Warmth filled Lady Fang's heart, comforting her so deeply that the ice within her melted, turning into streams of teardrops...

Yet why did that foolish younger brother dare to defy an imperial decree? What should they do if His Majesty's wrath descended upon him?

While weeping, Lady Fang incessantly reproached herself out loud: "It's all my fault... It's all my fault... If I hadn't acted on impulse and run back, why would Erlang have gone to the Prince of Han's estate? If His Majesty flies into a rage, what is to be done? It's all my fault, why did I have to be so willful... Sob, sob..."

Lady Lu comforted her from the side, saying, "Look at you, child! How old are you, what's the use of crying so hard? Your second brother standing up for you should be a joyous occasion. It wouldn't matter even if His Majesty reproves him; that brat can take a beating... But if no one from your maternal family had stood up for you, how could you maintain your dignity to manage people in the estate from now on? If anyone knew you had a father without a backbone, wouldn't they all bully you..."

Fang Xuanling, who was sitting composedly on the couch sipping tea, let out a helpless sigh upon hearing this and remarked, "How did I get dragged into this?"

Lady Lu glared fiercely. "Why shouldn't you be blamed? Your daughter suffered grievances at her husband's home, yet you, her father, didn't dare utter a single sound and instead let your own son step forward. If I don't blame you, who should I blame?"

Fang Xuanling simply closed his eyes and lowered his head to drink his tea. Decades of life experience told him that the more he spoke, the more fired up Lady Lu would become, guaranteed to have a hundred retorts waiting for him.

Sure enough, Lady Lu's fully prepared arguments lost their target as Fang Xuanling lowered his flags and beat a drum, leaving her to roll her eyes in frustration and angrily ignore him.

Fang Yizhi, who had been sitting to the side with his mind wandering elsewhere, was lost in thought, while his wife, Lady Du, felt awkward and as uncomfortable as if sitting on pins and needles.

Although her mother-in-law's words were ostensibly directed at her father-in-law, who knew if there were other implications? Speaking of standing up for the Princess consort, the very person who should have stepped forward first was not Fang Jun, nor Fang Xuanling, but Fang Yizhi, the eldest legitimate son of the second generation of the Fang family...

Pity that her husband was somewhat pedantic, believing it was merely domestic business within the Prince of Han's household, and was unwilling to meddle.

Lady Du felt a bitter vexation—how could one ignore the affairs of one's own sister?

Right at that moment, a servant trotted all the way into the main hall, panting heavily as he reported, "M-Master... Erlang... Erlang has stormed the Prince of Han's estate!"

Everyone in the room turned uniformly to look at the servant. Lady Lu asked anxiously, "How did it go?"

The servant swallowed hard and said, "Well... Erlang rode his horse and kicked down one of the estate's main gates..."

Lady Lu praised loudly, "Good son! A magnificent kick!"

Fang Xuanling rolled his eyes speechlessly, utterly lost for words...

The Princess of Han hastily asked again, "And then?"

With a face full of adoration, the servant replied, "Erlang galloped his horse straight into the estate, shouting all the way, 'Li... Li... Get your ass out here!' No one in the estate dared to stop him, and he has already headed straight for the estate's main hall." He had almost let slip the taboo, nearly mimicking Fang Jun's exact tone in shouting Li Yuanjia's name. But that was the Fang family's son-in-law and an imperial prince of the court; his given name was definitely not something a mere servant could shout aloud.

Lady Lu slapped her thigh, beaming with joy, "As expected of my son—so domineering!"

Fang Xuanling cold-snorted, "It is simply indulging a son to act wildly! What kind of decorum is this?"

Lady Lu glared. "Then why didn't you go?"

Fang Xuanling was left speechless.

The Princess of Han pressed her lips together and took her mother's hand, feeling deeply gratified. Erlang had truly vented her anger for her—it was simply too satisfying!

Yet her heart immediately tightened again, and she asked anxiously, "What about the Prince? Did he come out?"

While she hoped someone from her maternal family would back her up, given her second brother's fiery temper, wouldn't he start beating the Prince of Han black and blue the moment he laid hands on him? That would be a truly colossal disaster...

Fortunately, the servant said, "The Prince was presumably not in the estate. Erlang shouted and made a huge commotion, but the Prince never showed his face."

Only then did Lady Fang pat her chest in relief, letting out a long breath. "That's good, that's good..."

Fang Yizhi, seated to the side, suddenly sighed and said, "What is so good about this? Over some trivial matter, she runs back to her maternal family—what a narrow-minded woman! Now that the second brother has stirred up trouble, you actually clap and cheer; this is simply unreasonable!"

Lady Du hurriedly pulled Fang Yizhi back, thinking to herself that he was only speaking sarcastic nonsense and deliberately asking for a scolding.

True to form, Lady Lu's fiery temper instantly redirected itself toward Fang Yizhi.