Chapter 500: Deal (1/2)

Chapter 500: Deal

Translator: Sparrow TranslationsEditor: Sparrow Translations

”Mm, let him in after he has stood outside for exactly four hours.” Fang Zhengzhi rubbed his tummy and nodded.

”Okay.” The soldier in golden armor answered and took his leave.

Then, the manager of the residence and the servants took turns to report their respective issues. These weren't issues regarding the residence, they were 'tabloid' news from the capital.

After Ping Yang heard the reports, the orderlies left and the three of them were left in the garden once again.

”Ah!!! I can't take it any longer! Are you going to tell me where you've been over the past year?” Ping Yang couldn't hold it back any longer.

”You really want to know? Sure, but you must beat me first. Only the winner has the right to ask questions. The loser can only answer questions.” Fang Zhengzhi said dismissively.

”Humph! I can definitely defeat you!” Ping Yang pouted.

”Now you can answer my question! Who does King Liqin like the most?” Fang Zhengzhi queried.

”You're asking about King Liqin? He likes me the best and Sister Yan is a close second. He also has a good relationship with Xing Yuanguo and his dad.” Ping Yang blinked.

”Chi Guyan?” Fang Zhengzhi nodded.

He couldn't believe everything that Ping Yang said. She only said that she was his favorite because she was narcissistic. King Liqin probably liked Chi Guyan best.

About that...

That was clearly evident during the incident over a year ago in the throne room.

At that time, he had just come out of the World of the Sage. He held the Traceless Blade which the officials, the Crown Prince, and King Duan fought over. In the end, Chi Guyan had brought in King Liqin to resolve the issue.

However, Fang Zhengzhi didn't have much information on King Liqin at that time. Naturally, he had not interacted with this man before.

”Are you thinking of having Sister Yan plead your case to King Liqin and ask King Liqin to tell the Emperor to acquit you? You can forget about it. King Liqin never interferes with politics! Furthermore, Sister Yan has isolated herself in the Heavenly Dao Pavilion!” Ping Yang said triumphantly!

”How do you know that she has isolated herself?” Fang Zhengzhi queried.

”Of course I know. If Sister Yan wasn't isolating herself, why wouldn't she reply to my mails?” Ping Yang replied definitively.

”Reply to you? Hmm... when was the last time you communicated with her?”

”Three months ago.”

”Oh, what were the contents of that letter?”

”That has nothing to do with you! I'm not telling you anything! However, Sister Yan did mention that she needed some time to cultivate because the deadline for a deal was coming up. She said that the person would not miss the date a second time. When I asked her about it, she didn't reply!”

”A deal?” Fang Zhengzhi nodded.

The Heavenly Dao Pavilion selections should be coming soon. In the last selection, Nangong Hao had successfully made it there.

Fang Zhengzhi did a quick calculation. The Imperial Examinations were about to begin. After that came the court examinations. Then, it would be the Heavenly Dao Pavilion selections!

The Heavenly Dao Pavilion!

When Fang Zhengzhi heard this name a year ago, it was no more than just a name to him. However, it meant more now.

One Pavillion, Four Sages, 13 Constabularies.

This was a common saying in the Great Xia. The Pavillion was placed above the Four Sages in the hierarchy.

”Three months should be sufficient!”

...

Whilst Fang Zhengzhi and Ping Yang discussed the Heavenly Dao Pavillion, Wen Dabao was becoming redder by the moment.

He had stood outside without food or water for almost four hours. This was a nightmare for someone as pampered as him.

Lucky for him, it seemed like his nightmare was about to end.

The guard who had taken his silvers was walking back towards the gate. Then, the guard came to stand beside him.

However...

The guard continued to remain silent for 15 minutes.

Just as Wen Dabao was about to ask the guard if he could enter again, the guard turned around, looked at the sky, and then at the clock at the residence.

”Okay, you may enter now.”

”I can enter?” Wen Dabao nearly jumped out of his skin. He never expected that Fang Zhengzhi would be this busy.

However, he was not too affected by this. After all, he was lucky to be able to meet with Fang Zhengzhi. However, if he knew that Fang Zhengzhi had been suntanning for the past four hours...

His reaction might have been different.

Wen Jiabao was led to the entrance to the garden by the soldier. Then, the soldier went in to announce his arrival.

”Young Master Wen, please.”

”Thank you!” Wen Dabao nodded and thanked the soldier. He licked his dry lips, swallowed his saliva, then walked in.

The moment he entered, he was greeted by the fragrance of the flowers. This caused Wen Dabao to feel slightly intoxicated. His house was one of the more luxurious ones in the city.

However, it was still a far cry from Ping Yang's residence.

”Your Highness, Young... Young Master Fang, Young Master Yan!” Wen Dabao learnt his lesson. He decided to not call Fang Zhengzhi by name.

”Your dad asked you to come?” Fang Zhengzhi asked, skipping the formalities.

”Mm...” Wen Dabao was stumped. His eyes glittered and he smiled at Fang Zhengzhi. At that moment, he felt slightly flustered.

Over a year ago, Fang Zhengzhi, Yan Xiu, and Ping Yang had made him treat them to many meals. However, today...

He had a feeling that Fang Zhengzhi had changed drastically over the past year.

A year ago...

Fang Zhengzhi would have never asked such a question. Yet, merely a year later, that was the first question Fang Zhengzhi had asked him.

”Yes!” Wen Dabao nodded after some hesitation.

”Mm, what about yourself?” Fang Zhengzhi nodded.