Are You Married?

Yet somehow, the thought of becoming an examiner gave him an inexplicable sense of satisfaction.

In his previous life, he had been a poor student...

Passing notes... using cheat sheets... he'd been caught plenty of times.

Now it was time for the oppressed peasant to sing his song of liberation!

But after careful consideration, he abandoned the idea. Ten years of diligent study was no small matter. If someone failed because he graded unfairly, that would be too cruel. Wouldn't people dig up his grave in the future?

Various thoughts swirled in Fang Zheng's mind, causing his face to show signs of struggle.

Seeing his expression, Emperor Jing smiled. "Well? Are you willing to serve as an examiner or not?"

Fang Zheng tugged at the corner of his mouth, hesitating. "Your Majesty, perhaps I shouldn't be the chief examiner..."

"I might mislead people... I can help the six ministries find people for the newspapers, that's no problem."

Hearing this, Emperor Jing was startled, then laughed. "You actually thought you'd be the chief examiner? What a dream!"

"That's not for you to decide! I want you to serve as a proctor, not to grade papers!"

"However... you passed the imperial examination at fifteen, truly a young genius. I've even seen your examination paper from that time—it would still be impressive today. Are you really afraid to serve as a provincial examination proctor now?"

My exam paper!? I don’t even remember what I wrote!

Fang Zheng laughed awkwardly.

Young genius... these words had never applied to him in his previous life...

A poor student parading in the halo of a top student was truly distressing.

"After taking up my local post, I neglected my studies... ahem, I've forgotten quite a bit..."

Emperor Jing chuckled, "How could one forget so easily? You needn't—"

He was about to say "be modest," but suddenly remembered that Fang Zheng's calligraphy had degraded into an ugly scrawl, with characters both large and unsightly! The words that had reached his lips were immediately halted, and he changed course: "Well, if you've forgotten, you've forgotten. You'll only be proctoring, not grading. The grading will be handled by other examiners."

"This time, the chief examiner is Zhang Dongxiang. Pay close attention in the examination hall and prepare a list of names for me."

"If any of them pass the examination, we'll exclude them later."

"Then I have no objections!" Fang Zheng immediately agreed, feeling much relieved.

After all, there would be reporters from his newspaper in the examination hall... he could look after them while he was at it!

Emperor Jing pondered briefly, then continued, "That settles it. I've already instructed the officials below."

"Before that, we need to resolve the Crown Prince's issue."

"Lately, this unfilial son has been causing more trouble, and many have been impeaching you. I've withheld their memorials."

Fang Zheng replied, "This matter... I'm already addressing it."

Emperor Jing sighed, "I have only one son. I cannot let him continue making mistakes."

"I've indulged him too much. If he continues these antics, he might as well return to the Eastern Palace!"

"Alas, he worries me in so many ways... he's already seventeen! Yet he still has no children!"

"When I was his age..."

Remembering that at the same age he had only fathered a daughter, Emperor Jing suddenly fell silent.

Why is he suddenly concerned about this? Fang Zheng sat there blankly, not knowing how to respond.

The generation gap was too wide! This was truly impossible to discuss!

Ancient people had shorter lifespans, living to forty or fifty was normal, and seventy was considered quite elderly. "A rare man lives to seventy," as they said. So people generally had children early.

Though he was worldly and had adapted to his current life, personally, he didn't think it unusual for someone seventeen or eighteen to be childless.

He was in his twenties and wasn't in a hurry either...

"In the past two years, you've spent the most time with the Crown Prince. His physical condition... how is it?" Emperor Jing found it somewhat difficult to broach the subject. He had intended to be more subtle, but once he began speaking, he decided to ask directly.

This concerned the future of the country!

If the Crown Prince still had no children by twenty, it would not only invite gossip but could lead to all sorts of complications.

Moreover, many court officials were already submitting memorials on this matter, inquiring about the Crown Prince's health and why there were still no royal grandchildren.

The court officials seemed even more concerned about the Crown Prince's offspring than the Emperor himself.

State affairs required preemptive planning.

"This... the Crown Prince's physical condition is absolutely fine, I can assure you!" Fang Zheng also found it awkward to discuss.

Such private matters weren't worth discussing, and talking about them made him feel like a gossiping housewife.

However, Li Yuanzhao should have no problems in that department!

He had seen those tadpoles, lively and vigorous...

Besides, the young man had also visited Xueyue Tower!

The main issue was probably that this anime-obsessed otaku had no interest in ordinary people.

Moreover, he had never met the Crown Princess, though Li Yuanzhao had mentioned her a few times.

The Crown Princess was very traditional and proper.

They had little emotional connection, and Li Yuanzhao's unrestrained personality would find it difficult to be attracted to such a rigid woman.

Given these circumstances, it wasn't surprising they had no children yet! It wouldn't be surprising if nothing had happened at all!

"Let it be... if his body is fine, then everything depends on heaven's will."

Emperor Jing seemed resigned, then suddenly turned to ask, "Speaking of this, Minister Fang, you remain unmarried, correct?"

Fang Zheng was taken aback. How did the conversation suddenly turn to me?

I'd like to marry, but would you agree to give me your daughter?

"Heh... yes, I'm still young..." Fang Zheng stammered.

"At twenty-something, commoners would already be fathers. You have rendered great service repeatedly. If there's a woman you fancy, I could arrange a marriage for you!" Emperor Jing said earnestly.

This unexpected concern left Fang Zheng bewildered.

Being pressured to marry as a single person in his previous life was one thing! But now, as an orphan, to be urged to marry by the Emperor!?

What did His Majesty mean by this?

Did the Emperor know about his relationship with the Princess or not?

If not, wouldn't rashly proposing to marry the Princess be seen as having secret meetings with her, committing the crime of deceiving the Emperor?

What if the Emperor became furious and had him beaten?

Fang Zheng hesitated for a long time, unable to say what was in his heart. The timing didn't seem right; it wasn't prudent enough.

"Thank you, Your Majesty! As for marriage and having children... I'm not in a hurry, I'm still young!"

"Of the three unfilial acts, having no posterity is the worst. How can you not be in a hurry?" Emperor Jing shook his head and sighed.

Then he looked at Fang Zheng as if looking at garbage.

Such an unambitious man... truly rare!

No desire for promotion, no desire to strive, no desire to marry, no desire for children.

Did you take the imperial examination in the first place? What purpose does your life serve? Just to produce waste?

"Um... I... if I have someone I fancy, I will certainly ask Your Majesty to arrange the marriage!"

"Fine! If there's nothing else, you may leave." Seeing his hesitation, Emperor Jing waved his hand, dismissing him!

Fang Zheng bowed and turned to leave.

Quick, get out of here! This conversation couldn't continue anyway.

Watching Fang Zheng's hastily retreating figure, Emperor Jing's lips curled with disdain.

"Hmph, a gutless rat!"