Zhang San, please behave yourself!
Chapter 362 - 345: Zhang San, Do You Think My Dress is Pretty?

Chapter 362: Chapter 345: Zhang San, Do You Think My Dress is Pretty?

"Your Majesty seems in high spirits today, actually grilling... beef here?"

Pharaoh was invited by Kaihuang to play in the suburbs, originally thinking Kaihuang wanted to go hunting, who would have guessed it was a craving.

Pharaoh looked at the beef, his brows deeply furrowed.

At that moment, Mozi, who had prepared the charcoal fire, came over and added charcoal underneath.

Pharaoh asked, "Is it you, this treacherous minister, who killed the plowing ox and then bewitched His Majesty?"

Mozi glanced at Pharaoh, turned his head to Kaihuang and asked, "Your Majesty, what did you say about ’judging others’?"

Kaihuang laughed and waved his hands, signaling both elders to sit down.

"I’m in a good mood today, came out for a walk, and happened to see someone’s old yellow ox dead in the field, so I bought it. It struck me to let both of you have a taste."

Pharaoh and Mozi exchanged glances then silently started eating the beef.

"How is it? Tasty, right?"

Kaihuang’s face was full of anticipation, looking for praise from the two elders to his left and right.

Mozi shook his head and said, "The meat is too tough, not tender enough."

Kaihuang pursed his lips and turned his head toward Pharaoh, his eyes brimming with expectation.

"I have never eaten beef before; I can’t tell if it’s good or not," Pharaoh said, and then he gave Mozi a sideways glance.

Kaihuang was so annoyed.

Can’t you consider my feelings for a moment?

"By the way, I heard something interesting today while out. It seems the Magistrate of Metropolitan prefecture presided over a curious case. Do you know about it?"

Pharaoh nodded and said with a smile, "Yes, I’ve heard about it. The Magistrate adjudged a ghostly case which has now spread throughout the Capital and become quite a tale."

Mozi curled his lip and snorted coldly, "It seems it wasn’t the Shen family’s doing."

"Oh?" Kaihuang asked out of curiosity, "What exactly happened? I just thought this Magistrate was a good choice. Is there someone else assisting him?"

Mozi bowed to Kaihuang and said softly, "I inquired a little, and it turns out to be Zhang San wanting to buy a house, thus uncovering that the previous owners of the property he had his eye on were killed by the subsequent buyer. What does this have to do with Legalism? This affair from beginning to end is all Zhang San of Town Martial Office’s doing; Legalism merely basked in reflected glory."

For a moment, Pharaoh was at a loss for words. After pondering for a while, Pharaoh spoke again.

"Although Zhang San took the lead in this case, Merchant Clan’s Shang Bufa, Shen Family’s Shen Bao, and Shen Family’s Shen Zhongdian also contributed significantly."

Mozi huffed and muttered, "Nothing but errand runners."

Kaihuang immediately stretched out both hands, indicating for the two gentlemen to keep silent.

"Speaking of which, this Zhang San is indeed talented, but where does he get so much money for such a big house? Although Town Martial Office pays well, as Acting Military Chief, how could Zhang San afford such a large estate in the Capital’s Jin City Fang, and even a big tavern? I feel something is off here."

Mozi was taken aback and found himself tongue-tied, unable to respond.

Pharaoh chuckled, then said, "Your Majesty, although this Mo likes to contradict me, I am not like him. I am fair and impartial. I won’t disagree just because Mo thinks highly of Zhang San. I know about this matter; it’s the Han family who put up the money. Even the furniture for Zhang San’s move is being arranged by the Han family."

Upon hearing this, both Mozi and Kaihuang were dumbstruck.

"Zhang San killed Han Yanxia of the Han family, and the Han family still gave Zhang San a mansion and a large tavern, even including the renovation?" Kaihuang pondered whether Zhang San had some leverage over the Han family.

Mozi asked in a low voice, "Could Zhang San be the illegitimate son of the Han family head, Han Mingshi, outside the family?"

Pharaoh scoffed and explained, "It’s because Zhang San helped the Han family to find back their Sixth Master, so they owe Zhang San a big favor. Actually, according to seniority, this little Sixth Master should call me ’uncle’."

Kaihuang was shocked, to be of the same generation as me!

At this time, not only did Kaihuang receive this news, but Horse Washer Yun Shengxu from the Eastern Palace also got wind of it and hurriedly ran to meet the Crown Prince.

"Your Highness, there has been terrible news. We have just received word that the Han family has bought a particularly large and fine residence and a tavern, all gifted to Zhang San!"

The Crown Prince’s eyes widened; he could hardly believe what he had just heard.

Killing for profit, he could understand.

Being thanked for murder, he could not.

At this moment, the Crown Prince felt a bout of dizziness in his brain.

Yun Shengxu promptly came over and supported the Crown Prince.

"Lately, far too many things have occurred that are beyond my comprehension! I can understand why the Han family didn’t side with me initially. Although they don’t hold much sway in court now, as one of the four great families of Legalism, they still have a chance to rise as long as Legalism stands. But how come they have grown so close to Zhang San?"

Yun Shengxu sighed deeply.

"Your Highness, it’s not the time to dwell on the Han family now. Let us consider this Zhang San! You also mentioned before that His Majesty doesn’t really mind you dealing with Zhang San, but as the Crown Prince handling a minister, you must succeed and not fail! Now, Zhang San is your litmus test! If Your Highness cannot outmatch Zhang San, I’m afraid you’ll be seen as less significant in His Majesty’s eyes!"

The Crown Prince’s brows furrowed slightly, as if pondering something.

Yun Shengxu knew that his sister was pregnant, and if she bore a son, the child might become the Imperial Grandson, the future heir to the empire.

This wealth and position, he must safeguard for his nephew!

"Your Highness, I’ve also heard that after King Jin and the Princess Consort of Jin entered the palace a few days ago, the Empress was very pleased and spoke to Kaihuang, proposing that King Jin stay in the Capital until the Lantern Festival, after which he may return to his fief."

Of Kaihuang’s five sons, four had their own fiefs; only the Crown Prince stayed in the Capital.

But now King Jin had come and seemed not ready to leave. Coupled with the Empress’s vocal admiration for the loving couple, King Jin and his wife, the Crown Prince felt his status was in jeopardy.

"Crown Prince, I have encountered someone who is willing to lend you a helping hand. Would you like to meet him?"

The Crown Prince, unsure of how to deal with the current situation, simply nodded.

Yun Shengxu clapped his hands, and a person came in from outside. Upon seeing the Crown Prince, he bowed in salute.

"Han Yanqiu of the Han family, at your service, Crown Prince."

The Crown Prince was taken aback and asked in return, "A member of the Han family?"

Han Yanqiu nodded.

"Isn’t your Han family in league with Zhang San? Why would you come to help me?"

With a smile, Han Yanqiu said, "Smart as you are, Crown Prince, you never expected I would help you against Zhang San. So how would Zhang San ever suspect that a knife is about to stab him fiercely from behind?"

"Brilliant! Brilliant!"

...

Having been out all day, Ximen Jinxing finally picked out a new outfit by evening.

This being his first time wearing a dress, Ximen Jinxing felt somewhat awkward.

As he walked, he felt the need to be cautious, yet also worried that being overly cautious wasn’t graceful enough.

After much effort, he arrived at Zhang San’s door. Seeing the inside had just been lit, Ximen Jinxing took a deep breath and silently reassured himself, "Have confidence, Ximen Jinxing. You are known as one of the Capital’s Twin Jewels. This mere Zhang San will surely fall at the feet of your pomegranate dress!"

Without knocking, Ximen Jinxing pushed the door open and entered.

"Zhang San, do you think my dress is pretty?"

However, as soon as he pushed the door open, he saw Hu Xingxiang in the inner room, with her dress torn in half.

Ximen Jinxing had never felt such an impulse to join the Town Demon Office!