CHAPTER 102: CHAPTER 70: THE VILLAIN_1

"Your Highness, this old servant is useless, adding to your burden with my care. But don’t worry too much. I am not seriously hurt. With Master Chen watching over me, your mind can be at ease."

Master Zhang lay on the bed, coughing every few sentences. He appeared as wilted as a frost-bitten eggplant.

Chen Guangting stood by. When Zheng Fan and the Sixth Prince walked in, he held a basin and a towel, apparently about to wipe Master Zhang’s body.

"It’s good to know you’re okay, Master Zhang. You’re familiar with the situation in my household. Talented individuals aren’t exactly lining up to offer their services, so we’re fortunate to have your care. Without it, I wouldn’t even sleep soundly at night."

"You jest, Your Highness. Serving you is a blessing I have earned over several lifetimes."

"Master Chen, we’ll be troubling you to take care of Master Zhang. We will wait until Master Zhang has recovered enough to travel before we return to the capital."

"You’re too kind, Your Highness. This is my duty. Master Zhang was injured protecting both you and me. I bear full responsibility."

"Hmm."

The Sixth Prince didn’t linger. He turned and left the room. Seeing that the Sixth Prince hadn’t introduced him, Zheng Fan said nothing to the two men and followed the Sixth Prince out.

"Sigh, was it that fellow who saved His Highness?" Master Zhang asked.

"Yes, they say he is a captain from the Earl of North Border’s army."

"It’s fortunate he was there. If anything had happened to His Highness at the hands of those barbarians, you and I would have had to answer with our lives. Our families might even have been exiled to the frontier."

"You should talk less. Let me clean you. I know you like to be clean."

"Ha, my ancestors’ graves must be emitting green smoke for me to have a learned man of Yan like you serving me, hehe. This wound... it was truly worth it."

"You’re a eunuch; I’m a rootless wanderer. We’re in the same boat."

"Heh, indeed."

「 」

"Can you still walk?" the Sixth Prince asked Zheng Fan.

"I’m not seriously injured."

The wound on my abdomen naturally isn’t healing that quickly; after all, it’s not like I was bitten by A Ming.

But with the Healing Ointment, combined with his control over his body’s Qi, normal walking wouldn’t be a problem unless he got into a fight.

"Alright, let’s go out for a meal."

"Aren’t there cooks in the residence?" Zheng Fan asked curiously.

"There are, but meals in the Earl of North Border’s household are communal. Everyone eats the same food as the soldiers—brought in by the army cook from the camp—with the exception of the womenfolk and the injured in the household. In public, we eat it to play along and keep up appearances; that’s sufficient. But in private, there’s no need for us to deprive ourselves."

"Alright."

The Earl of North Border’s residence wasn’t encircled by city walls. Aside from the tall buildings within the residence itself, the surrounding area was filled with single-story houses and even tents. It was less like a city and more like a large army encampment. However, the area outside was quite lively, with bustling markets.

This situation was very similar to how, in later eras, a city might evolve around a single state-owned enterprise. Soldiers needed to spend their pay, and their families needed to make a living. Gradually, the rudimentary form of a city would take shape.

"Shouldn’t you bring some guards, Your Highness?"

After leaving the residence, Zheng Fan, seeing that only he was accompanying the Sixth Prince, couldn’t help but ask.

"It’s fine. We’re already within the Earl’s domain. Ever since we passed through the archway, no one has dared to cause trouble here."

It was clear that the Sixth Prince was very confident about the security here.

In that case, I won’t say any more. If danger arises, I can just escape first. If this Sixth Prince dies, well, he dies... it wouldn’t be my responsibility.

The Sixth Prince chose a mutton restaurant and sat down, ordering two bowls of mutton soup and four flatbreads.

The mutton soup was served quickly. As the Sixth Prince tore a piece of flatbread to dip into the soup, he said to Zheng Fan, "Do you know? A few months ago, Father repeatedly sent imperial edicts urging the Earl of North Border to return to the capital. On the very first day after entering the city, the Earl of North Border went straight to Quande Building. He ate five roast ducks all by himself there."

"Was that to deliberately show he still had a good appetite and was still strong and healthy?"

"You’re overthinking it. He was simply fed up with the bland, watery fare at the residence. Once he finally left the Earl’s domain, he could eat and drink freely. The first Earl of North Border established too many rules."

"Without rules, there can be no order."

"Don’t speak so formally. I hear enough of that from Chen Guangting every day. Do I have to listen to you go on as well? Rules or no rules, I couldn’t care less. As for that Quande Building, it wasn’t some famous old establishment in the capital, nor was it well-known. It was chosen purely because it was close to the North City Gate, and the Earl of North Border, upon entering the city, couldn’t wait to eat meat. Now, that roast duck shop is a hit. The price of each duck has increased fivefold, and they still can’t keep up with demand."

"The owner of that shop is quite lucky," Zheng Fan said admiringly.

The celebrity effect is timeless. If a famous person drinks soy milk, eats a fried dough stick, or even urinates against a utility pole, their fans will turn the spot into a pilgrimage site.

"The owner of that roast duck shop is me."

Hearing this, Zheng Fan smiled and said, "Then it’s not just about luck."

"Of course. I had Master Zhang tip the guards at the North City Gate beforehand. So, when the Earl of North Border entered the city, they loudly proclaimed that Quande Building’s ducks were plump but not greasy, the most fragrant and delicious, and unforgettable for a month after eating just one. Heh heh."

"Your Highness is truly talented."

"It’s merely a little merchant’s trick, nothing to boast about."

"A successful merchant can also govern a state."

"Hah, throughout history, I’ve never seen a great merchant successfully establish a country."

Hmm, perhaps not in the past, but that doesn’t mean it won’t happen in later generations.

"I’m going to start eating."

"Please, Your Highness."

Zheng Fan also picked up his large bowl and took a sip of the soup. It was very fragrant; there must have been pepper in it. The sun was gradually setting, and the northern winds were picking up, bringing a chill. These few mouthfuls of mutton soup warmed him considerably.

After drinking half a bowl of soup, Zheng Fan put down his bowl, his gaze sweeping his surroundings.

"Just eat. Don’t be so vigilant and scare yourself. Here, whoever dares to act recklessly, no matter their background, will suffer the consequences."

The Sixth Prince assumed Zheng Fan was warily scanning the surroundings to protect him, and he felt somewhat touched.

Zheng Fan, however, was merely searching for any sign of Siniang.

He couldn’t help but ask, "The soldiers from Hutou City who escorted the birthday tribute, where are they now?"

"They should be camped outside the city. Why, do you miss your subordinates?"

"A little."

"Tsk tsk, feeling uneasy without troops under your command, are we?"

"It’s only natural."

"I truly envy you. You can openly command troops. However, if I were to show even the slightest inclination to meddle with military power, I would immediately find myself in a point of no return!"

"But without troops, one lacks confidence, especially someone in your position."

"Young man, your words are quite dangerous."

"I’m speaking from the heart. Even a lowly captain like me, at my small post in Hutou City, was looked down upon by the city guards because I had no soldiers under my command. Never mind someone in your position."

"Hehe, what exactly are you trying to say? I’m puzzled. Is the lamb soup not to your liking, or is the flatbread not fragrant enough to keep your mouth shut?"

"Since ancient times, political power has come from the blade."

Upon hearing this, the Sixth Prince’s lips moved slightly, as if he were silently repeating the phrase.

He said, "Lucid, incisive, and enlightening. Kid, you certainly have a way with words. However, the Imperial Guard in the capital is controlled by my Second Brother, and the county troops of Tiancheng are held by my Eldest Brother. Among the external fiefdoms, the Earl of North Border’s forces are the most formidable in the world, yet the Li family regards them as their private preserve. I only managed to get out of the capital for a trip this time because I begged for an assignment. Normally, I can’t even leave the capital without permission. So tell me, where am I supposed to get troops? Hmm, don’t tell me you’re suggesting I rely on you?"

"Indeed, on this humble servant."

"I say, old chap, can’t we be a little more subtle? You’ve practically carved the words ’crafty villain’ on your forehead."

"My dear younger brother..."

"Stop, halt! I was wrong. I shouldn’t have given you the chance."

"Your Highness, a soldier who doesn’t want to be a general is not a good soldier. A minister who doesn’t want to be a crafty villain is not a good minister."

"Where do you get all these aphorisms?"

"They come to me in moments of inspiration."

"Alright, proprietor, the bill."

"Er, Your Highness, I didn’t bring any money."

I woke up injured and have been in bed since. The Sixth Prince even got me these clothes; when would I have had a chance to put money in them?

Unexpectedly, the Sixth Prince took out his own coin purse and said, "Don’t worry, I always carry money when I go out."

Watching the Sixth Prince pay so proficiently, Zheng Fan suddenly felt a bit sorry for this kid.

After settling the bill, the Sixth Prince seemed to have no intention of returning to the Earl’s residence. Instead, he continued to stroll along the street with Zheng Fan.

They strolled about, eventually finding themselves at the entrance of a brothel.

On both sides of the entrance, red curtains were hung.

This was a Northern custom, much like those small shops on backstreets in later times that hang a ’hair salon’ sign but don’t have a single pair of scissors inside.

"This... Your Highness."

"What’s wrong? It’s a rare trip to the North, and Chen Guangting is busy looking after Master Zhang and didn’t come out. Can’t I go sow some wild oats?"

"This humble servant believes Your Highness doesn’t lack for female companionship, does he?"

"Women, I don’t lack. But what man isn’t a bit of a philanderer? Besides, these red-curtained places are full of exotic beauties. Some from the Western Region, some from even further west... Tsk tsk, those figures, those bodies!"

"This humble servant is in awe."

"Hmm? What are you in awe of?"

"In awe of Your Highness’s enterprising spirit and courage to take on challenges."

"That flattery came out of nowhere and doesn’t match your usual eloquence."

"Your Highness, not everyone possesses such courage."

"Pfft... HAHAHAHA!"

The Sixth Prince bent over laughing.

"I say, crafty villain..."

Zheng Fan was speechless.

"Oh, no, apologies, Zheng Fan. I enjoy your company; I like talking with you. Why don’t you return to the capital with me? You can stay in my residence, and your only duty will be to chat with me every day."

"Wouldn’t that be inconvenient?"

"Not at all. I could even have Master Zhang take you as his disciple. Many people covet his Qi refining skills."

"Your Highness, such jokes are not to be made."

"Fine. If you don’t want to be castrated, then come inside with me. Let’s us brothers go explore and be enterprising together!"

"Your Highness, this humble servant is still injured."

"No problem. Just let her be on top."

With that, the Sixth Prince pulled Zheng Fan into the brothel.

The layout inside was somewhat cramped. A narrow hallway, barely wide enough for two people to pass, was flanked on both sides by small cubicles hung with red curtains.

You could lift a red curtain to see a woman sitting on a carpet inside. The women would bat their eyelashes at you or feign demureness—anything to entice you to choose them.

This is how ’red curtains’ became a euphemism for this type of establishment.

It’s quite progressive, actually, Zheng Fan thought. People in this era certainly know how to enjoy themselves. It feels a lot like being in a famous red-light district.

"Hey, I’ve made my choice. I’m going in first."

Zheng Fan turned his head and looked at the blonde, blue-eyed woman sitting in the cubicle. This woman’s... assets are certainly not ordinary. She would be considered tall and well-built even among Western women.

Zheng Fan continued walking further in. To be honest, he really didn’t have any such inclinations, especially since Siniang usually ’helped him out.’

I used to think modern people were being pretentious when they described hands as ’delicate,’ but only after truly experiencing it do I realize the ancients weren’t kidding!

Suddenly, a fragrant aroma enveloped Zheng Fan as a voluptuous foreign woman threw her arms around his waist.

This scent! In an instant, Zheng Fan recognized who she was!

"Sir, come play with this humble maiden. I promise to serve you well. Come on, my lord."

But Zheng Fan snorted coldly, pushed the foreign woman away, and said icily, "Get lost. I already have a woman I like."