The Fulang's Modern Young Husband Chapter 360 Part 4

Lao Wang's plot was right next to the road. Fang Zichen reined in his horse and leaned down slightly: "Old man—"

Zhao Ger kicked him lightly.

Fang Zichen cleared his throat: "Uncle," he said, pointing toward the village ahead, "is this Ronghe Village?"

Lao Wang's legs were trembling so hard they seemed to blur, and his voice stuttered: "Y-yes, it is."

The Fulang's Modern Young Husband Chapter 360 Part 3

Of the hundred thousand taels in banknotes, only one thousand were for Fang Zichen personally. The rest was allocated as Hezhou's government funds.

Zhao Ger's heart sank too. Before this, not only had Fang Zichen been overjoyed, but Zhao Ger himself had been thrilled. Now it felt like a cooked duck had flown right out of their hands—it was impossible not to feel disappointed.

But they couldn't keep the money.

No matter how much Fang Zichen loved money, he couldn't take this silver, and Zhao Ger certainly wouldn't either.

The Fulang's Modern Young Husband Chapter 360 Part 2

A number of common folk had followed them all the way, watching Fang Zichen's entourage enter the courtyard house before finally murmuring among themselves.

"So this really is the new prefect sent from above."

Someone gave a heavy sigh. "Now our Hezhou is truly doomed."

The others nearby said nothing.

Fang Zichen's procession was far too grand—several carts full of goods, so long that when they passed through the streets, the front could not be seen from the back.

The Fulang's Modern Young Husband Chapter 360 Part 1

Chapter 360

The deputy prefect had known well in advance that the new official coming to take up the post was a young man—the top scholar from the year before last, who had only been in the Hanlin Academy for less than a year and was exceptionally favoured by the Emperor. His abilities, however, were lacking. 

In the beginning, the Emperor had been frantic over the affairs of Hezhou, dispatching one imperial edict after another to the prefecture. The deputy prefect had spent so much time kneeling to receive those decrees that the skin on his knees had peeled off four layers over. But a few months ago, a decree came from the capital ordering him to temporarily fill the position, as Lord Fang—the official the court was dispatching—had a fulang who had not yet finished his confinement after childbirth and would likely be delayed for a while.

The Fulang's Modern Young Husband Chapter 359 Part 4

Zhao Ger had Uncle Tang give out red envelopes to Yu Ger and the others, telling them to go enjoy themselves outside after the meal, since they'd be back on the road tomorrow.

Yu Ger and the others were thrilled—they were still young and loved joining in the festivities.

Feng momo and Uncle Tang chose not to go, staying behind at the inn to watch the little ones. So Fang Zichen took Zhao Ger and the two children out instead. Xiao Feng was led by Zhao Ger's hand, while Guaizai rode as usual on Fang Zichen's shoulders.

The Fulang's Modern Young Husband Chapter 359 Part 3

Zhao Ger handed Gungun to him. "Hold him more often. Back in the village, the women used to say that babies bring good fortune. Hold them enough, and maybe next year you'll be expecting too."

Xie Xiaoyu didn't really believe that, but he knew Zhao Ger meant well. He smiled. "Then I'll hold them plenty. Gungun, you have to bless your godfather so he can have a little brother next year!"

Gungun babbled and waved his little fists as if promising to do just that. Then he kicked his chubby little feet and gave Dandan a nudge. Dandan promptly waved his fists in return.

The Fulang's Modern Young Husband Chapter 359 Part 2

The next day, they went to the Left Chancellor's residence for another meal.

The Left Chancellor's wife held Guaizai the entire time and wept bitterly. If Guaizai hadn't been lying horizontally in her lap, Fang Zichen would have thought his son had passed away, given how hard she was crying. The Left Chancellor and his eldest son stood by, giving Fang Zichen advice, telling him to stay grounded once he reached his post, not to get carried away, and to do his best to guard Hezhou well for the Emperor.

The day after that, colleagues invited him out again. The end of the month was a busy time for farewell dinners.

The Fulang's Modern Young Husband Chapter 359 Part 1

Chapter 359

Zhao Yunfeng and the others took turns giving him advice. Fang Zichen looked at them and said, "I'll be back in five years! The way you're carrying on, you'd think I was leaving forever—that's not good! If you're really that worried, just give me a little spending money. That's the only thing I'm short of these days."

Zhao Yunfeng and the others were left speechless.

Halfway through the meal, a maidservant came in to announce that Zheng Peiyao had arrived.

The Fulang's Modern Young Husband Chapter 358 Part 4

One day, Zhao Yunyue invited Fang Zichen and Li Yisheng out for drinks. Eunuch Huang came to the house and took Zhao Ger to the palace.

Xia Jinghong had originally wanted to send Xiao Dezi along to keep an eye on Fang Zichen. But after thinking it over, he realized the only person who could actually rein Fang Zichen in was Zhao Ger—Fang Zichen wasn't afraid of the emperor himself, and Xiao Dezi loved to nag. Fang Zichen would probably get so annoyed that he'd end up beating Xiao Dezi and sending him back to the capital.

The Fulang's Modern Young Husband Chapter 358 Part 3

Xia Jinghong and Fang Zichen shared the same vision, like kindred spirits. The Right Chancellor understood that feeling well, but he still had one concern: "But this lad is greedy for money, and he's young—his character may not be steady. I fear that once he's in Hezhou, he might turn out worse than his predecessors."

"You worry too much, Right Chancellor. That boy loves money, but he knows which silver is worth taking and which isn't," Xia Jinghong said dismissively.

The Right Chancellor thought it over and realized it was true.

The Fulang's Modern Young Husband Chapter 358 Part 2

The babies stayed in the room, with a small cot set up in the outer area where Uncle Tang slept. Charcoal was burning inside, keeping the place warm and cozy, so there was no fear of the cold.

The babies slept a lot at this stage and didn't cry much. When they wet themselves, they'd just hum with their eyes closed—like tiny kittens mewling.

Zhao Ger had been exhausted at noon, and after that had spent most of his time watching the babies, getting only a short rest.

The Fulang's Modern Young Husband Chapter 358 Part 1

Chapter 358

Uncle Tang was bouncing the baby in his arms, absolutely delighted with him. "Master…" He looked up, only to find Fang Zichen had already darted over to the bedside.

Zhao Ger lay weakly on the bed, drenched in sweat and pale as paper—so fragile he looked like a porcelain doll that might shatter at the slightest touch.

Fang Zichen rushed over, his voice anxious and full of concern: "Zhao Ger, how are you feeling?"

The Fulang's Modern Young Husband Chapter 357 Part 4

Fang Zichen slipped into a hazy dream—he was being swept away by a flood, drowning, barely able to breathe. He tried to swim upward but found his body impossibly heavy.

When he woke up, he realized his lower half was completely soaked.

He'd been through all kinds of storms—there was no way he'd wet the bed from a little nightmare.

He reached over and touched Zhao Ger...

Well, well—did Zhao Ger wet himself?

The Fulang's Modern Young Husband Chapter 357 Part 3

Fang Zichen said nothing. His body trembled.

An indescribable pain made it almost impossible to breathe.

He kissed Zhao Ger, his mouth full of bitterness.

"Husband, it's all in the past," Zhao Ger said. "It's all over."

With the Ma family dead, it was all over.

The Fulang's Modern Young Husband Chapter 357 Part 2

At sixteen, he'd been lonely—desolately, achingly lonely. When he'd gotten pregnant, he hadn't understood what was happening; he was still so naive. His life had been simple: work, work, and more work, day and night.

The villagers feared the Ma family. At first, a few kind-hearted aunties and fulangs had spoken up for him, but after the Ma family threatened them, they kept their distance. The other kids his age looked down on him too, and besides, he was always spinning like a top, working nonstop, isolated from everyone. No one taught him anything—no one told him what pregnancy was like.

The Fulang's Modern Young Husband Chapter 357 Part 1

Chapter 357 

The villagers didn't know what had happened, but Zhou Ger had been doing business in Yuanzhou for nearly two years now, so he had some understanding of things.

Aside from Old Madam Ma and Old Master Ma, plus a few young boys, everyone else in the Ma family had been arrested.

They said the family had committed some offense, but the villagers didn't know the specifics.

The Fulang's Modern Young Husband Chapter 356 Part 2

The grandest place He Xi had ever been was Yuanzhou. If that couldn't compare, what kind of place must the capital be?

The officials wore such fine clothes, and even ordinary people dressed like that. The capital must be an incredible place.

They already thought it was amazing that Fang Zichen had gone so far. But now they learned he was even more impressive—greater than the county magistrate, able to see the emperor every day.

The Fulang's Modern Young Husband Chapter 356 Part 1

Chapter 356 

Even the best fabric cost several dozen copper coins for just one chi (about one-third of a meter). In Xiaohe Village, the wealthiest family was the village head's. Yet back when his little grandson was born, even they couldn't bring themselves to buy such cloth, let alone anyone else. So for everyone to buy that expensive fabric, sew it into clothes, and send them all the way to the capital—they really went all out.

Zhou Ger had clearly noted in the letter who gave what.

The Fulang's Modern Young Husband Chapter 355 Part 2

Guaizai talked to himself, making it seem very real.

"You do? Big brother misses you too. Oh, you ask what big brother ate today? Big brother ate chicken meat today."

"Was the chicken meat tasty? Of course it was! Rich but not greasy, tender and delicious. When you come out, Big brother will personally kill a chicken for you to eat. Is big brother good? Do you love big brother?"

The Fulang's Modern Young Husband Chapter 355 Part 1

Chapter 355

The news that the Prefect of Hezhou had been beheaded quickly reached the capital.

Several officials who had been waiting for Xia Jinghong to cool down before pleading for mercy were left dumbfounded. Well, no need to plead anymore. 

Just as a kingdom cannot be without a ruler, a prefecture cannot be without a leader. After deliberation among the court officials, Xia Jinghong decided to transfer the Deputy Prefect of Shangyang to Hezhou.