There is a god in the sky

Chapter 102 Staying at Prince Zheng's Mansion 3

"Hahaha... It really is you, kid! You've grown taller in three years!" A hearty laugh rang out.

Xiao Ji and Fu Qingyan hurriedly bowed, but were stopped by Prince Zheng.

Of course, this courtesy from the King of Zheng was extended to Fu Qingyan.

"Come on, come on! Back in the day you rode on my shoulders picking fruit, let me see..."

Prince Zheng pulled Fu Qingyan up and down, looking him over in amazement. "I've said it before, how wonderful it would be if he were my son. It's a pity that Marquis Pingyang doesn't know how to cherish him."

Fu Qingyan awkwardly dug his toes into the ground.

It seems that the King of Zheng knows about his father's request to change the heir apparent.

"Your Highness, please don't make fun of me. I heard that today is the Princess's birthday. May I go and kowtow to her to wish her a happy birthday?"

"No need, no need, she's a Buddhist, she doesn't see outsiders, it's just the two of us brothers playing."

Despite being old enough to be Fu Qingyan's father, Prince Zheng put his arm around Fu Qingyan's shoulder and acted like a brother.

Fu Qingyan was immature in the past, and he was spoiled by his grandmother, mother and sister. Any one of these three was capable, which fostered his fearless nature.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have done something like eloping.

Now that I have more experience, I feel ashamed when I look back at my past actions.

King Zheng has no good reputation, and if you become sworn brothers with him, you'll probably die even faster.

"Please forgive me, Your Highness, for my youth and ignorance back then, and for the many disrespectful things I did to Your Highness."

"Tsk, it's not fun when you grow up," King Zheng said disdainfully.

Fu Qingyan chuckled and pulled Xiao Ji in front of him, introducing him as, "This is my cousin, Xiao Ji, the Chief Judge of the Capital Region. Your Highness should have heard of his great name."

"That's a name that's been heard of for a long time!" King Zheng patted Xiao Ji's shoulder hard, his eyes disappearing with laughter.

Xiao Ji bowed and said, "Your Highness's name is truly known to every household."

"I know my own reputation, unlike Lord Xiao, who is young and promising and a genius at solving cases."

King Zheng led them into the house.

The house is warm as spring.

At this time of year, it wasn't cold outside, but the floor heating in the palace had been lit long ago, and the dancers were dancing barefoot on the floor.

The guests on both sides hadn't arrived yet, but the room was filled with beauties of all shapes and sizes—it was practically a paradise for men.

"Come, come, young Fu, don't you like beautiful women? I have all kinds of beauties here, you can pick whichever you like, they're all yours!"

King Zheng's generosity made Fu Qingyan even more embarrassed.

That past, which made him wish he were dead, became a laughing stock for the world, making him ashamed to face anyone.

It was at this moment that he realized why Xiao Ji had insisted that he fight for the position of heir apparent.

If he didn't have the status of a prince, he might not even have been able to enter the gates of Prince Zheng's residence.

King Zheng might still have some genuine affection for him; if it were someone else, having lost his position as heir apparent, he might not even have been qualified to enter the palace.

"Thank you, Your Highness. I've changed my ways and no longer like beautiful women."

King Zheng burst into laughter, "So that's why you didn't have any beauties with you. It turns out you were hurt by a beauty."

"Silly boy, let me teach you. One beauty is nothing. There are countless beauties in the world; what kind of beauty can't you have?"

He pulled over a beautiful woman playing the zither, pushed her into Fu Qingyan's arms, and said with a smile, "This one will do. She's elegant and graceful; you can have her."

The beautiful woman looked at Fu Qingyan with a shy and timid expression, while the latter stiffly pushed her away.

Although the women were beautiful, in his eyes they were all beautiful snakes.

"Your Highness's kindness is too much for me to bear."

Xiao Ji spoke up for him, saying, "Your Highness, my cousin is cultivating his character and focusing on his studies. He should not be tempted by beautiful women."

King Zheng asked in confusion, "What? Study? What kind of books does the heir of the Marquis of Pingyang need to study? Do you mean you're going to take the imperial examinations?"

Fu Qingyan desperately tried to signal to Xiao Ji with his eyes; he didn't want this matter to be publicized.

It would be too embarrassing if I failed the exam.

But Xiao Ji said bluntly, "Yes, my cousin wants to take the imperial examination and become an official through his own abilities."

King Zheng suddenly realized the truth when he recalled the Marquis of Pingyang's request to change the heir apparent.

This kid must have realized his father's favoritism and wants to make something of himself.

"That's courageous! But it's not advisable."

"Why?" Fu Qingyan asked.

"Ha, you are the eldest son of the family, the position of heir should be yours, how can you not fight for it? What's so great about that damned imperial examination?"

When Xiao Ji heard King Zheng's words, he felt that they carried a hint of hostility, which was inconsistent with his usual behavior.

However, he was not the eldest son of the late emperor, so it is unlikely that he was alluding to the one on the throne.

Fu Qingyan humbly said, "The sea of ​​knowledge is boundless, and I would like to test my own abilities."

King Zheng nodded reluctantly, "Young man, it's good to take on more challenges. Who knows, you might actually make it big."

He sat down in the main seat, and two beautiful maids knelt at his feet to massage his legs.

He suddenly seemed less happy and didn't drink the wine that was offered to him.

Just then, someone came running in, saying as he ran, "Your Highness... Your Highness... I'm late..."

The man was panting heavily, his official hat wasn't even properly on, and he had a shifty, rat-like face.

Just as Xiao Ji thought this person was an official of Prince Zheng's residence, Prince Zheng spoke up, "Prefect Dou, you are indeed late today."

It turned out that this person was Dou Qiao, the prefect of Tanzhou.

Upon hearing this, Prefect Dou knelt down like a spineless coward, crying and saying, "Your Highness, please forgive me. I was stopped by someone on the way, which is why I am late."

"Oh? Someone stopped your sedan chair? Are you seeking justice or filing a complaint?" King Zheng asked with great interest.

Prefect Dou was stunned for a moment, then wiped away his tears and said, "This... I was in a hurry to see you and didn't hear what he said."

Prince Zheng waved his hand: "Never mind, it's not a big deal anyway. It's good that you're here. This is our dynasty's youngest chief criminal officer, Lord Xiao. You can hand that case over to him to investigate."

Xiao Ji didn't know what case Zheng Wang was referring to, but privately he didn't want to get involved.

He explained, "Your Highness, it is not appropriate for me to interfere in local cases, and I also need to travel."

King Zheng said casually, "The chief judicial officer is responsible for handling major cases in various regions. This was the original intention of our ancestors in establishing the various judicial offices. As for traveling, being a few days late is not a big deal."

He instructed Prefect Dou, "Stop kneeling! Hurry up and take Lord Xiao to the yamen!"

"Yes, yes, I'll go right away." Prefect Dou got up, straightened his crooked official hat, and extended an invitation to Xiao Ji.

Xiao Ji knew he couldn't refuse, so he had no choice but to go along.

If he moves, Fu Qingyan will naturally follow; he doesn't want to be left here alone.

As a result, King Zheng stopped him, saying, "Why are you running away, you young master Fu? Stay and have a drink with me."

Fu Qingyan's heart raced as he looked pitifully at Xiao Ji.

Xiao Ji turned around and said, "Your Highness, my cousin is not feeling well and should not drink alcohol. Besides, he needs to go back to his studies."

Prince Zheng reclined in his chair, closed his eyes, and said, "Does Lord Xiao enjoy contradicting me? Or do you simply disregard me?"

Xiao Ji was a subject, and the Prince of Zheng was a member of the royal family, so naturally they dared not respond to that statement.

"Your Highness has misunderstood. I was merely stating the facts."

King Zheng said directly, "I want him to stay for a few days. You can go about your business. Don't worry, don't let him drink alcohol, and find someone to teach him to read. Is that alright?"

Xiao Ji had nothing to say, and could only give Fu Qingyan a look that said, "Good luck to you."

He realized that today's so-called banquet was indeed a trap, and specifically aimed at him.

I just don't know what kind of tricky case they encountered that would make them want to get involved in this way.