Chapter 47 Your Majesty, I am wronged!

As a refined gentleman who had long since transcended base vulgarities, Chen Kan believed that providing nourishment to art was a responsibility he ought to shoulder and an obligation he was bound to fulfill.

However, it was painfully obvious that Fang Xu had not yet transcended such base vulgarities.

Upon hearing Chen Kan remark that this was simply paying for art, Fang Xu shook his head in objection, saying, "This subordinate still feels it was not worth it. Three taels of silver would be enough to sustain a family of three for three months."

With a look of yearning, he added, "The half-open doors in the Eighteenth Ward are much more cost-effective. An entire night only costs twenty copper coins."

"Indeed! Exactly!"

Fang Xu's words immediately drew a chorus of agreement from the embroidered-uniform guards under his command.

Chen Kan: "..."

"A bunch of philistines! This official is ashamed to be associated with the likes of you!"

With this harsh parting shot, Chen Kan, wearing an expression of utter disgust, distanced himself from Fang Xu and the others.

Passing by the marketplace, Chen Kan came to a halt.

That senior predecessor seemed to buy a bag of green tangerines every time he finished listening to a ballad; how could he let that predecessor hog all the elegance?

He strolled around once, but saw no green tangerines.

He strolled around again, still none!

Never mind, it did not matter; the effect of other fruits would be just the same.

Casually, he bought a bag of summer peaches and carried them home.

Hardly had he stepped through the threshold when a shrill voice echoed from outside the door.

Chen Kan turned back to look. The young eunuch who had brought him pastries yesterday was standing at the entrance, a ingratiating smile plastered across his face as he looked at him.

"Young Master Chen—oh, no, Lord Chen—His Majesty has issued an imperial edict commanding you to enter the palace early tomorrow morning along with Lord Fang."

The moment he finished speaking, the eunuch turned and scurried away like a wisp of smoke, as if Chen Kan were some terrifying flood dragon or ferocious beast.

Chen Kan watched the retreating figure of the young eunuch, deep in thought.

That Zhu Di would summon him to the palace was well within his expectations.

Yet, what was the meaning of the ingratiating look on the young eunuch's face and his demeanor of facing a primordial monster?

Naturally, Chen Kan was unaware that his reputation as a ruthless figure had already firmly taken root among the various officials and hereditary nobles.

After all, the Prince of Jin's secondary residence being burned down was no small matter, especially since Chen Kan had made no attempt whatsoever to conceal his actions.

Consequently, within the span of a single day, nearly everyone of any standing in the capital had heard the name Chen Kan.

They also knew of his penchant for burning down people's residences at the slightest disagreement.

Just imagine, facing someone who would burn down a prince's estate on a whim, who wouldn't panic?

Shaking his head, Chen Kan cast the young eunuch from his mind.

Returning home, he learned from Madame Zheng, his master's wife, that Fang Xu—wait, Fang Xiaoru—had not yet returned. After a brief wash, Chen Kan collapsed onto his bed and fell into a deep sleep.

...

In the midst of his dreams, Chen Kan felt as though someone had launched a sneak attack on him.

"You little rascal, aren't you going to wake up?"

Fang Xiaoru's voice drifted in faintly, and Chen Kan blinked his drowsy eyes.

"Is it time for court?"

"Scoundrel! His Majesty is speaking to you!"

Fang Xiaoru's angry roar rang out. Chen Kan snapped wide awake, and upon taking in the scene before him, he gave a violent start of fright.

Within the Fengtian Hall, Zhu Di, clad in a bright yellow dragon robe, was casting an unkind glare in his direction.

Below Zhu Di, Zhu Jixi, the Prince of Jin, appeared to have just finished speaking. His face was dark, and the look he shot Chen Kan was filled with killing intent.

Several imperial censors attired in green robes stood in the center of the grand hall, their beards and hair bristling with rage. They were so thoroughly incensed by Chen Kan's attitude that, judging by their expressions, they looked ready to tear him apart alive and swallow him whole.

Chen Kan finally realized that he was standing in the imperial court and hurriedly straightened his posture.

After a brief pause, he could not help but suppress a yawn.

He was simply too exhausted.

He had been dragged out of bed by Fang Xiaoru at the third watch of the night, and after entering the palace, he had been subjected to an endless drone of court officials memorializing the throne.

The crucial part was that the ministers spoke with such dramatic cadences that it bore a striking resemblance to a lullaby.

Thus, finding himself utterly bored, Chen Kan had leaned against a pillar and quickly drifted off to dreamland.

And now, presumably, the court officials had finally gotten around to discussing him.

Chen Kan parted his lips, looking somewhat dazed as he asked Fang Xiaoru, who wore an expression of intense disappointment in him, "What did His Majesty say?"

"Hahahaha..."

As soon as these words left Chen Kan's mouth, they immediately provoked a burst of laughter among the ministers.

"Scoundrel!"

Zhu Di was furious. Pointing at Chen Kan, his lips trembled with rage.

Fang Xiaoru felt as though all his old face had been utterly disgraced. He let out a long sigh toward the heavens, then cupped his hands in salutation to Zhu Di and said, "This old official has failed to instruct his disciple properly. I beseech Your Majesty to forgive this crime."

"Your Majesty, this fellow is utterly devoid of respect, holds the imperial house in contempt, and sleeps soundly right in the middle of the court hall, treating the laws of our Great Ming as if they were child's play. How can the dignified Great Ming tolerate such unrighteous behavior? Furthermore, this fellow burned down a prince's secondary residence and committed outrages against a prince—he is utterly lawless! His actions are no different from treason. This minister requests that Your Majesty execute this fellow to set an example and rectify public perception."

Before Zhu Di could utter a word, one of the green-robed officials standing in the grand hall spoke up.

Chen Kan traced the voice and, seeing an official he did not recognize, flew into a sudden rage.

How on earth did I offend you, dammit?

Would you believe that I could lead the embroidered-uniform guards to ransack your entire clan?

Yet, before Chen Kan could voice his thoughts, another official immediately stepped forward to refute the statement:

"Your Majesty, this minister has a memorial to present. Being a youth, a certain fondness for sleep is entirely normal. Besides, didn't several of the great generals also appear drowsy? As for the matter of burning down the Prince of Jin's secondary residence, up to this moment, it is merely the biased account of His Highness the Prince of Jin. I beseech Your Majesty to grant him an opportunity to defend himself."

Chen Kan shifted his gaze to the official who was speaking on his behalf.

Ah, now this was a good official!

Without a doubt, this person must be an official from Fang Xiaoru's faction.

Hearing this, the official who had spoken first flew into a rage and retorted, "In broad daylight and before a multitude of eyes, how can such sophistry be permitted?"

The one defending Chen Kan showed not the slightest bit of fear and countered, "Before a multitude of eyes? Lord Wang, may I ask if you witnessed Chen Kan burn down the Prince of Jin's secondary residence with your own eyes?"

Inside the grand hall, the atmosphere grew increasingly thick with gunpowder.

Seeing that the two factions were once again on the verge of engaging in a verbal brawl, the court eunuch standing in attendance beside Zhu Di hurriedly stepped forward and rebuked them: "Silence!"

At the eunuch's command, the two factions instantly lowered their banners and fell quiet.

Yet as they glared at each other, their eyes remained filled with unconcealed defiance.

Observing Chen Kan, Zhu Di let out a long, heavy sigh.

He truly had not expected this young rascal to be so audacious as to burn down a prince's estate on a whim.

And as if burning it down weren't enough, he hadn't bothered to conceal it in the slightest, even though he clearly knew how to leave no evidence when assassins were sent after him.

Now, things had come to this: even if he, the emperor, wanted to cover for him, it was simply impossible.

Zhu Di massaged the bridge of his nose. He was certainly quite satisfied that Chen Kan had grasped his underlying intentions so quickly.

However, Chen Kan's remarkable talent for stirring up trouble also gave him quite a headache.

For now, all he could do was hope that Fang Xiaoru's faction could twist black into white and push back against the pressure exerted by Zhu Jixi.

As for Chen Kan, having caused such a massive disturbance, it would be best to toss him into the grand prison to let him sit out the storm.

Having made his decision internally, Zhu Di spoke: "Chen Kan, four censors have impeached you for arson in the burning of the Prince of Jin's secondary residence. What do you have to say for yourself?"

"Huh?"

"Your Majesty, this minister is wronged!"

Hearing this, Chen Kan sprang forward in a single bound to the center of the grand hall and suddenly let out a plaintive howl.