Royal Gold Magistrate

This banquet truly surprised Fang Zheng.

It wasn’t that he hadn’t seen talented individuals like King Wu before.

There were several such people in Taoyuan County’s Research Institute, all of them top talents carefully selected and filtered over several years.

However, the situation was slightly different from King Wu’s. Those people had been taught by him personally from a young age.

Their thought patterns hadn’t been fixed yet, and with little cultural background, they were essentially blank slates.

In the early stages after his transmigration, when he had just found his footing, his primary task was to ensure safety.

Another was to pass on the knowledge he hadn’t yet returned to his teacher, as it would surely be useful later.

The scant knowledge remaining in his mind had indeed been recorded on paper.

But it was clearly not enough; it needed further research to realize its full potential.

So he cultivated this batch of new people and set up the Research Institute.

In the early days when money was tight, he had them do math problems for fun.

By the time Taoyuan County rose to prominence, the Research Institute was receiving unlimited funding.

Of course, the returns were also enormous… Under Fang Zheng’s guidance, Taoyuan County had produced many great things.

Fang Zheng often felt grateful for establishing the Research Institute.

By now, his science knowledge, especially mathematics, had severely deteriorated. He could barely solve quadratic equations…

For someone like King Wu, who grew up in the royal family and received traditional education, to awaken scientific thinking,

And to have strong hands-on ability and a keen interest in practice was truly rare.

Fang Zheng was willing to call him the Great Jing version of Newton.

This King Wu seemed alright, giving a good impression! He wasn’t the sneaky, shifty person Fang Zheng had imagined.

He even gifted him a girl.

However, although he had been flirting with this girl for quite some time, she was still an outsider.

While Fang Zheng didn’t have any unspeakable secrets, he still needed to be extremely cautious.

Luo Ningxin had already been brought to the house.

All the important people in the Fang household gathered in the hall, curiously looking at Luo Ningxin.

Xiao Tao frowned slightly and whispered to Fang Zheng, “Young Master, you’ve brought another woman home?”

Fang Zheng tilted his head: “What do you mean ‘another’!? When have I ever brought a woman home?”

“Xiao Bai.”

“Wasn’t Xiao Bai brought back by Zhang Biao? She came on her own, and this one’s the same, sent over by King Wu.”

“And four years ago, you brought a widow to the back courtyard…”

“What widow! Stop talking nonsense! From now on, she’s in your charge. Educate her well!”

“Alright, I got it!”

Seeing everyone had arrived, Fang Zheng walked to the center of the hall and smiled, “Alright! Everyone’s here. Today our household has a new member. Let me introduce her to you all.”

Luo Ningxin’s face flushed slightly.

It seemed these people were the servants of the house.

Was he going to announce her status as soon as she arrived home? As long as he treated her well, being a concubine wasn’t so bad.

Lord Fang didn’t seem to have a principal wife, so I…

Luo Ningxin’s mind was in chaos, with various thoughts flooding her head.

Her delicate hands nervously fidgeted with the hem of her clothes.

Fang Zheng pointed at her: “This is Miss Luo Ningxin. From now on, we’re all one family.”

“Ningxin, let me introduce you. This is Xiao Tao, my maid. This is Zhang Biao…”

Luo Ningxin smiled and nodded to each one, already showing some of the demeanor of a mistress of the house!

After the brief introductions, Fang Zheng called out, “Xiao Bai, come here!”

Bai Yi walked over to Fang Zheng’s side coyly. Fang Zheng habitually rubbed her head a couple of times: “Ningxin, to be honest, our family’s situation is quite difficult.”

“By rights, we should give you a monthly allowance, but we really can’t afford it now! I’m sorry to put you out.”

“But don’t worry, there’s plenty to eat and drink!”

“From now on, you’ll be Xiao Bai’s maid. Work hard!”

*Crack!*

A bolt of lightning seemed to strike Luo Ningxin’s brain.

Maid… Shouldn’t I be a concubine? You kept saying you loved me, you bastard!!

Why are you making me a maid? And not even giving me a penny!

Luo Ningxin felt as if her heart had been stabbed with a huge hole. Grievance and bitterness welled up together, and she looked at Fang Zheng with tears in her eyes.

She saw that Fang Zheng wasn’t even looking at her, still rubbing the head of the one called Xiao Bai.

With an affectionate face, he was saying: “Xiao Bai, you’re always so clumsy, can’t do anything right. Your Young Master worries about you!”

“Today I’m assigning you a maid. Get along well, you two! Say, isn’t your Young Master good to you?”

Bai Yi was on the verge of tears: “Young Master, you’re so good to me.”

“But why is she called Ningxin? Shouldn’t she be called Xiao Xin?”

“Because her name has three characters.”

“…….”

My name has three characters too! Bai Yi nearly bit through her silver teeth in anger.

After that, Fang Zheng turned to Luo Ningxin: “Ningxin, Xiao Bai is Xiao Tao’s maid, but don’t think she’s just a maid! She has a special status in our household!”

*Crack!*

It was as if another bolt of lightning had struck.

Luo Ningxin’s heart was nearly shattered.

A maid’s maid’s maid? I, a top courtesan… have fallen to this level?!

Luo Ningxin looked at Xiao Bai pitifully.

She was stunned for a moment, then suddenly understood.

So with my looks, I can only be a maid…

Tears unconsciously flowed down her cheeks…

Fang Zheng looked at Luo Ningxin and asked, “Ningxin, why are you crying? Do you feel it’s too unfair?”

“If you’re unhappy, I can tell King Wu and let you go back to the Hidden Fragrance Pavilion.”

Luo Ningxin’s heart was full of bitterness. Go back? There was no going back!

Being given away and then sent back, who knew what fate awaited her.

In such situations, there was usually no good outcome. The more she thought about it, the deeper her fear grew.

Luo Ningxin shook her head vigorously and wiped away her tears.

“No… I… I’m happy.”

“Oh, tears of joy! Our Fang household is indeed a good place. No need to be so moved. From now on, you’re part of the Fang household!”

Many people in the room laughed out loud, clapping to welcome her. The hall was suddenly filled with a joyful atmosphere.

Only Xiao Bai bit her lower lip in grievance, afraid she might cry out loud.

She could never forget… she would never forget the fear of being controlled by Fang Zheng that day.

………..

King Wu’s Mansion.

King Wu was bent over, observing through the telescope.

Manager Chen was attending by his side. Seeing King Wu straighten up, he smiled and said, “Your Highness seems to be in a good mood today?”

King Wu nodded with a smile: “Not bad. Meeting Fang Zheng today was about what I expected.”

“I could see that he understood what I was saying. It’s rare to find a kindred spirit.”

Manager Chen asked, “Then… why did Your Highness change your mind and give away Miss Ningxin?”

King Wu’s face showed disdain: “A stupid woman, it doesn’t matter if she’s given away. Utterly useless.”

“As for the Hidden Fragrance Pavilion, with a little effort, it can be traced back to me. Fang Zheng must know this.”

“Rather than investigating in secret, it’s better to be open and honest, to avoid damaging impressions.”

Manager Chen asked puzzled, “Your Highness, I see that Lord Fang and the Crown Prince are inseparable, with an extremely good relationship. Is it alright for the Crown Prince to know about this deal?”

“Moreover, this deal you made with him clearly doesn’t make money. Are you trying to buy off Fang Zheng? I remember you once said that Fang Zheng doesn’t love money?”

King Wu sneered: “The Crown Prince? Summer insects can’t discuss ice. If I were Fang Zheng, I absolutely wouldn’t mix with the Crown Prince!”

“He does so only because it’s his duty.”

“I only guessed that he doesn’t love money, but the road between Taoyuan County and the capital is now connected. Many of Taoyuan County’s industries might move to the outskirts of the capital.”

“If he needs money, this batch of silver from me could be of great help.”

“As for buying him off, of course it would be best if I could do so directly. There’s no one in this world who can’t be bought, it’s just a matter of price.”

“Fang Zheng might be more expensive… but I have money and time.”

“Sooner or later, I will truly cooperate with him once.”

“Your Highness is wise!”