Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

The morning court session concluded.

It was tentatively decided that in a month, the Ministry of Works and Fang Zheng Yi would each present something for a competition.

Fang Zheng Yi barely participated in the latter half, his mind occupied with how to thoroughly defeat the Ministry of Works.

After yesterday's trip to the county research institute, he knew there were still plenty of good things to be found.

It was just a matter of deciding which one was suitable to present.

But on closer thought, the Ministry of Works was full of experts with unparalleled skills, so he couldn't afford to underestimate them.

Previously, Emperor Jing had gifted him a Qian Kingdom's treasured sword, which hadn't been properly repaired after it broke.

This showed that in traditional craftsmanship, Taoyuan County most likely couldn't compare.

That meant the only thing he could compete with was creativity...

Fang Zheng Yi left the main hall with a heavy heart, lost in thought, when something suddenly occurred to him.

He turned back to look at the hall, a puzzled expression on his face.

That's not right... He had presented potatoes, gunpowder weapons, and shipbuilding technology.

Where were the rewards? Why hadn't anyone mentioned them! Could it be that they were just going to gloss over it?

And where had Li Yuan Zhao, that kid, run off to? He usually listened in, but he was nowhere to be seen today.

Without any clues, he shook his head and went straight to the East Palace.

He couldn't control whether he received rewards or not, and he couldn't very well go begging for them, so he decided to check on Li Yuan Zhao and see what he was up to.

Arriving at the East Palace, he found Liu Jin, who was standing guard at the entrance.

Seeing Fang Zheng Yi, he greeted him with a beaming smile: "Master Fang, it's been a while! Are you here to see His Highness today?"

Fang Zheng Yi nodded slightly: "Where is His Highness? Why haven't I seen him today?"

"Yesterday, His Highness spent the whole night 'hand-gunning,' he's very tired and unwell, so this humble servant has already asked for leave on his behalf."

"Uh..." Fang Zheng Yi was initially shocked, wondering what kind of reward could last all night?

Then he realized what it meant.

He said helplessly: "Alright, I'll wait here, and we'll talk when he wakes up. Is there anything to eat? Get me some snacks."

"Yes! Yes! Master Fang, please wait a moment." With that, Liu Jin hurried away.

Soon, the snacks were served.

Fang Zheng Yi sat in the pavilion, eating leisurely, and said to Liu Jin, who was standing beside him: "Want to eat some?"

Liu Jin chuckled awkwardly: "Thank you, Master Fang, this humble servant wouldn't dare."

"Come on! Sit down and eat together, it's no fun eating alone. Don't worry about causing trouble, I'll talk to His Highness." With that, Fang Zheng Yi forcibly pulled Liu Jin onto the bench and placed a piece of pastry in his hand.

He also poured him a cup of tea.

Liu Jin held the pastry, feeling somewhat touched, but also on the verge of tears.

This wasn't right! What if someone found out and beat him to death?

You're on good terms with the Crown Prince as if you were one person, but I can't be like that.

The Crown Prince is easy to talk to, but what if some gossiping palace maid spread the word? He wouldn't be able to live!

"Eat, not eating means you're not giving me face!" Fang Zheng Yi pointed at the pastry.

"Thank... Thank you, Master Fang." Liu Jin said with a bitter face, taking a small, careful bite.

The two then began to eat in the pavilion.

Liu Jin didn't say anything, and the atmosphere was rather dull.

After a while, feeling bored, Fang Zheng Yi suddenly leaned in with a lewd expression and whispered in Liu Jin's ear: "Tell me, what kind of activities does His Highness the Crown Prince have at night?"

"Activities? 'Hand-gunning.'"

"No! What did he do before 'hand-gunning?' Didn't he do 'that' thing?"

"What thing?" Liu Jin asked, confused.

"That thing!" Fang Zheng Yi crossed his hands and repeatedly patted them, making indescribable sounds.

Liu Jin looked blank, shaking his head.

"Hey! Just, you know, making babies! Why don't you understand anything?" Fang Zheng Yi said disdainfully.

Liu Jin's face fell, almost bursting into tears: "Master Fang, please don't ask! Is this something this humble servant can talk about? It's already a great act of disrespect to be eating with you during duty hours!"

"Nonsense! Aren't I just worried about His Highness? Is this just his own business?" Fang Zheng Yi said righteously: "Besides, I'm often by His Majesty's side, so this is also to share His Majesty's worries, tell me."

Liu Jin's face twitched a few times, and he said with a mournful expression: "What do you want this humble servant to say? It's human nature, how could the Crown Prince not have it?"

"Then why doesn't he have any children yet? Could it be that there's something wrong with the women around His Highness?"

"His Highness isn't in the palace..." Liu Jin said halfway, then quickly covered his mouth.

Fang Zheng Yi quickly pressed him: "Not in the palace? What do you mean! Could it be that he's keeping women outside the palace?"

"No! Master Fang, you absolutely can't say that!"

"You're the one who started it, hurry up and tell me!" Fang Zheng Yi said loudly, "If you don't tell me, I'll go out and shout it!"

He had just been casually gossiping out of boredom, but he didn't expect to dig up such a big secret!

The Crown Prince's identity was different from others, and he was always with him, so he also had a responsibility.

If he really kept women outside, that would be a complete royal scandal!

Liu Jin cried, squeezing out two tears: "Master Fang, please lower your voice... I'll tell you, but you can't tell anyone else."

"Tell me! If you tell me, I'll reward you! This matter of the Crown Prince is extraordinary."

Liu Jin stammered: "His Highness said he doesn't like the women in the palace... He likes to go outside, about... a dozen times a month."

Fang Zheng Yi covered his head, feeling a wave of dizziness.

A dozen times a month, all outside, then he must be prostituting himself! It's not as good as keeping women!

"Where, tell me quickly!" Fang Zheng Yi pressed.

"Taoyuan County... Snow... Snow Moon Tower..." Liu Jin said, as if exhausted, his shoulders slumping, staring at Fang Zheng Yi with some fear.

This time, Fang Zheng Yi cried.

Snow Moon Tower, wasn't that his place?

If people found out about this, he wouldn't be able to stay in the court!

Not only could he not produce a royal grandson, but he had become the root of all evil?

Traveling all the way to Taoyuan County a dozen times a month, no wonder he often couldn't be found.

"What does he see in it? Ah! It's not worth the effort!" Fang Zheng Yi said strangely: "The women in Snow Moon Tower aren't exactly national beauties! Why is he so addicted?"

This topic couldn't continue, Liu Jin clutched his heart, feeling waves of discomfort.

"His Highness said... although the women there are ugly, they know how to have fun and provide good service, the women in the palace are like wood. Master Fang, I beg you, don't ask anymore!"

"His Highness specifically told me not to tell you."

Fang Zheng Yi said with a bitter face, took out his pocket watch from his pocket and slammed it on the table: "I won't ask anymore, here, take this."

Liu Jin's eyes lit up, showing a hint of greed.

A pocket watch! This wasn't something ordinary people could have, it was a symbol of status!

"Master, this isn't appropriate..."

"If I tell you to take it, just take it. If you can't even keep track of time when working for His Highness, what else can you do?"

The relaxed atmosphere from before disappeared, and the two sat in the pavilion, each with their own thoughts.

At this moment, a familiar figure slowly walked up to them.

Fang Zheng Yi looked up and saw Guo Tianyang's eyes filled with anger.

He was staring intently at Liu Jin, and angrily said: "You dog slave! Instead of focusing on your duties, you're eating snacks here! And with Master Fang, do you not want to live anymore?"

Liu Jin's eyes were full of fear, and he immediately knelt on the ground, cowering like a quail.

"Brother Guo, calm down, I was the one who told him to eat."