I Don't Even Want to Point It Out to You

Seeing the Emperor approve, Paba anxiously looked toward Fang Zheng.

Fighting was a small matter, but trade was important.

They absolutely couldn't offend Fang Zheng over Chilie's personal preferences.

This fellow had connections and background.

Yesterday, fifty thousand taels had just been delivered to his house. What if this young man changed his mind and reversed course?

Thinking of this, Paba couldn't help but worry.

Fang Zheng noticed him looking and immediately understood, nodding slightly with a smile in his eyes.

Paba's suspended heart settled a bit.

It seemed he understood the bigger picture and wouldn't make trouble over something so minor.

"Your Majesty! When I accompanied National Preceptor Paba around the capital the other day, he mentioned that warrior Chilie could eat an entire cow in one sitting."

"National Preceptor! Did I remember correctly?!"

Paba was stunned for a moment, not understanding his meaning, and reluctantly replied, "Yes... that's right."

Fang Zheng continued, "Good! I'm glad I remembered correctly!"

"Though today's banquet is lavish, it's probably insufficient given Chilie's appetite."

"But a whole cow is too large, especially since the warrior has already eaten quite a bit."

"I suggest we roast a sheep for him. If he leaves hungry, the two envoys might think we're poor hosts."

"I'm also quite curious. Eating a whole cow in one sitting... what kind of eating is that?"

Fang Zheng suddenly brought up this irrelevant point.

Paba's face immediately turned red!

I was just boasting! Don't all you Jing people talk like that?

Even Chilie couldn't possibly eat a whole cow!

Are you deliberately messing with me or just dense?

Emperor Jing smiled, "Oh? No wonder he's the first warrior of the grasslands! No wonder his physique is so impressive. Someone who can eat a whole cow in one meal, I've only heard of such things, never imagined I'd see it today."

"Good! Someone bring Chilie a whole roasted sheep!"

Paba stared blankly, then tugged at Chilie's sleeve.

He whispered to Chilie, "Chilie, can you eat a whole sheep?"

The clueless Chilie looked down, "What nonsense are you talking? Who could eat a whole sheep!?"

Paba swallowed and smiled awkwardly, "The Emperor of Jing has roasted a sheep for you. You... try to finish it."

Chilie immediately glared with round eyes, "What nonsense did you tell them! I can't eat a whole sheep!"

"Half... half would be fine."

"I can't even eat half! You eat it if you want!"

"It concerns the Khan's face!"

Though Chilie couldn't understand what others were saying, seeing Paba's reaction, he somewhat figured out what was happening.

He'd probably been tricked, but since it concerned the Khan's face, eat a sheep he would!

Emperor Jing smiled as he watched Chilie and Paba.

The court officials felt a wave of satisfaction.

This was right! This was right! Finally this troublemaker was properly used.

Bullying your own people doesn't show real skill. Take your trouble-making outside!

Half an hour later... the dinner finally ended amid casual conversation.

Chilie lived up to expectations. Under everyone's anticipating gazes, after finishing half a sheep, he simply couldn't eat another bite, feeling stuffed to his throat.

Shortly after leaving the hall, Chilie vomited loudly in the square before the great hall.

This caused the surrounding people to snicker quietly.

Paba patted Chilie's back with a bitter expression.

Why did I have to boast...

Fang Zheng approached, patting Chilie's back pretentiously.

"Are you all right? Are you all right? Are you all right!"

"Master! Didn't you say he could eat a whole cow? How come he's like this after just half a sheep?"

Paba's face changed expressions several times before he reluctantly said, "Chilie ate before he came."

Fang Zheng had a sudden realization, pulling something from his sleeve and handing it over, "I see! I have a plum here, it helps with indigestion!"

"If you can't eat more, don't force it! Why stuff yourself?"

Paba's eye twitched several times, and he changed the subject, "Brother Fang, I hadn't realized Zhang Biao was your man. As for the competition with Chilie..."

Fang Zheng looked regretful, "It's fine! If Chilie wants to compete, let him compete! Zhang Biao is no match for him. Since His Majesty has this intention, I have no choice... Master, this matter doesn't affect our relationship. After all, state affairs are paramount, face is a small matter!"

Paba felt greatly relieved and bowed, "Thank you, Brother Fang."

"Don't be so formal! Don't be so formal! In our Great Jing, bathing together makes us brothers. Why so polite with me?"

Paba wanted to cry. Your other brother's stomach is about to burst!

As the two chatted, Guo Tianyang approached from a distance.

Sharp-eyed Fang Zheng immediately called out loudly, "Brother Guo! Brother Guo!"

Paba's eyes brightened!

Brother Guo? Someone considers a eunuch their brother? These two must be genuinely close! This Fang didn't lie to me.

In the distance, Guo Tianyang heard this and, seeing Paba nearby, frowned.

There are outsiders here, why shout like that!

But since he'd already called out, Guo Tianyang had no choice but to approach.

"Greetings, National Preceptor, Minister Fang. His Majesty summons you."

Fang Zheng nodded, grabbed Guo Tianyang's sleeve in front of Paba, and slipped in two silver notes.

Then he winked at Paba and turned to leave.

Leaving Guo Tianyang and Paba staring awkwardly at each other.

...

In the Imperial Study.

Emperor Jing and Fang Zheng sat opposite each other.

A cup of tea was placed before each of them. Emperor Jing took a light sip and said, "Minister Fang, is the list of return gifts ready?"

"It's ready, five carts of Celestial Immortal Tea, two boxes of... diamonds, one Ocean's Heart blue diamond, and..."

"But I didn't bring the list. I'll deliver it to Your Majesty tomorrow."

A smile appeared at the corner of Emperor Jing's mouth, "How much silver did it cost in total? This money came from the imperial treasury. You saved me tens of thousands of taels. There's no reason for you to pay again."

"Your Majesty's affairs are the affairs of your ministers. Your Majesty is too kind!"

Your family affairs are my family affairs! Although I spent a few hundred more taels to add variety, that's nothing!

Emperor Jing glanced at him and said calmly, "This counts as another great service to me!"

"However... your unauthorized entry into Mingluan Palace makes us even!"

"?!"

At these words, Fang Zheng's mind immediately buzzed.

My date with the Princess was monitored?

The Emperor discovered my affair with the Princess?

That's not right! That day the palace maids all turned away! Damn, who was it!

After composing himself, he said, "I hadn't expected Your Majesty to know about me examining the Princess."

"You needn't worry about medical diagnosis! I've already ordered the Imperial Physicians to examine Miaohan. She's in excellent health."

Emperor Jing stared at him expressionlessly.

You call that a medical examination? I don't even want to point it out to you!

"Enough of this matter. The main reason I've called you here is about the Crown Prince."