Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

Another day of court assembly, Emperor Jing sat high upon the dragon throne.

Looking down, the assembled officials orderly presented various issues.

Emperor Jing listened quietly, his gaze calmly sweeping across the scene below.

Something about today's assembly felt off....

After a closer look, he noticed something amiss. Emperor Jing interrupted the minister who was speaking and asked, "Where is Fang Zheng Yi? Why is Fang Zheng Yi not here today?"

A slight commotion rippled through the ranks of officials, with those in the back craning their necks to try and find Fang Zheng Yi.

Only then did those in the front row realize that Fang Zheng Yi's position was conspicuously empty.

He's not here!

Guo Tianyang whispered, "Your Majesty, is Lord Fang not present?"

"Not present?" Emperor Jing was taken aback. "Why didn't anyone inform me that Fang Zheng Yi was absent?"

In recent months, Fang Zheng Yi had been mostly silent during court assemblies, shrinking back and pretending to be invisible. His absence hadn't been noticed by many.

A voice arose from the assembled officials: "Your Majesty, didn't Lord Fang request leave?"

"Request leave? I haven't heard anything about that." Emperor Jing's expression gradually turned serious.

His absence from the court assembly... Could something unexpected have happened to his health?

"Guo Banban, send someone to the Princess's residence to inquire. See if anything has happened to Zheng Yi. If he is unwell, send two imperial physicians over."

Guo Tianyang responded softly and was about to step aside when suddenly, a figure rushed in from outside the hall, crying and wailing: "Your Majesty! This humble servant has something to report! This humble servant has a grave matter to report!!"

Emperor Jing was alarmed and said, "Who is it? Let him in!"

The next moment, Liu Jin's figure appeared in the court, immediately kneeling in the center, trembling all over.

Emperor Jing's dragon eyes narrowed.

Liu Jin, isn't he the太子's (Crown Prince) attendant?

"What has happened? Report it quickly."

"Yes... yes." Liu Jin was utterly distraught, completely panicked, and cried with tears streaming down his face, "Your Majesty, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is dying!! He is currently at the East Suburb University."

The assembled officials were struck as if by lightning. Emperor Jing stood up abruptly, his eyes wide, and almost roared, "What did you say? Say it again!"

"This humble servant... this humble servant..." Liu Jin's tears flowed uncontrollably as he struggled to speak, his breathing labored. "The Crown Prince is at the East Suburb University. He has suddenly fallen seriously ill and is near death... This humble servant just heard it from someone at the East Suburb University. Please quickly send imperial physicians to His Highness..."

At this point, Liu Jin choked up, his heart aching.

He had watched the Crown Prince grow up since childhood and felt a deep affection for him. He had seen him just yesterday, perfectly fine, but he never expected that today, he would suddenly be...

Moreover, the person from the East Suburb University said that he was already near death.

He didn't even dare to tell the truth, only speaking lightly.

His Highness died before even ascending the throne... What will he do in the future...

The color drained from Emperor Jing's face, his mind went blank, and he collapsed back onto the dragon throne.

Dead... his son is dead?

How could this be? He had met him a few days ago, and he was clearly full of life. How could he be...

Time seemed to freeze before his eyes as memories of the Crown Prince flooded his mind.

Faced with this shocking news, the assembled officials were completely panicked, all looking as if they had lost their parents.

All of this happened in a flash. Emperor Jing regained his senses and immediately roared, "Summon the imperial physicians! Prepare the carriage! We will go to the East Suburb University!"

......

East Suburb University train station, inside the train.

Fang Zheng Yi and Li Yuan Zhao, the two instigators, transformed into train attendants and were meticulously checking various equipment details.

After confirming that everything was in order, the two arrived at the VIP carriage that had been prepared for Emperor Jing.

They simultaneously slumped onto the luxurious leather sofa. Li Yuan Zhao said smugly, "Old Fang, just watch, Father and the officials will definitely arrive soon. How is my plan?"

"Your Highness's plan is brilliant. First, you used a move of 'deceiving the heavens to cross the sea' to force me onto this pirate ship, and then you used a 'bitter flesh strategy' to lure the officials into the trap. It is truly amazing," Fang Zheng Yi praised, clapping his hands.

"Deceiving the heavens to cross the sea? When did I ever deceive you? So all of these things are being pinned on me.... Wait, what do you mean by 'bitter flesh strategy'?" Li Yuan Zhao's expression suddenly changed, realizing something was wrong.

"Literal meaning." Fang Zheng Yi's expression gradually became meaningful, and then he took out a small cushion-like object from behind him.

"This hip protector was custom-made for you yesterday. It'll have to do."

Li Yuan Zhao's legs trembled, and he said in horror, "It can't be, Father hasn't hit me in years. I'm so old now. He still wants to hit me?"

"You haven't done something so outrageous in the past few years either. Your Highness, take care. This matter will definitely be a beautiful story passed down through the ages," Fang Zheng Yi said nonchalantly.

Li Yuan Zhao was stunned, and his buttocks began to ache faintly.

Then, with a great leap, he jumped high from the sofa, grabbed Fang Zheng Yi's collar, and roared, "Why didn't you remind me earlier? You're an accomplice. Now you're trying to wash your hands clean? If something happens, neither of us can escape!"

Beast... truly inhumane. He's going to drag me down with him even if he dies.

Fang Zheng Yi patted his hand helplessly and said, "Listen to my arrangements today. Follow the procedures. If you satisfy His Majesty, you won't get beaten. Think about it, your efforts will be part of the train's success. I'll help you take credit."

Li Yuan Zhao reluctantly let go: "I guess you're decent enough."

The two rested for a while when suddenly, a person rushed into the VIP carriage, panting, "Your Highness, Lord Fang, His Majesty is coming with people."

Fang Zheng Yi perked up and pressed on Li Yuan Zhao's shoulder: "Don't wander around here. Wait for me to trick everyone else onto the train before we talk."

With that, he got up and walked out of the carriage.

The entrance to the East Suburb University was already in chaos. Emperor Jing stood in front of the school gate with bloodshot eyes, looking around: "Where is the Crown Prince? Where is the Crown Prince?"

Just then, Fang Zheng Yi squeezed out of the crowd and shouted, "Your Majesty! I know where the Crown Prince is. Follow me."

Fang Zheng Yi, how did he suddenly appear here?

Everyone was puzzled.

"Fang Zheng Yi, how is the Crown Prince?"

"The Crown Prince is resting! Follow me!"

Emperor Jing and the officials, who were extremely anxious, didn't have time to think and followed Fang Zheng Yi towards the East Suburb University train station.

The train station was next to the East Suburb University, and they arrived in just a few minutes.

Upon entering the station, Emperor Jing almost staggered and fainted.

What he saw were two wide and long black cloths forming a passage, winding straight into the depths of the train.

Guo Tianyang's tears had already begun to fall, but he was still diligently supporting Emperor Jing.

It's over, the black cloth has been hung up. His Highness is already gone....

A low wail sounded, making the scene even more chaotic.

Fang Zheng Yi's scalp went numb instantly.

Damn it, it seems like I played too big!

At the time, considering that some officials might be afraid of new things and unwilling to ride the train, he planned to use cloth to create a passage leading directly to the train door to trick people onto the train first, and then explain after they had experienced it.

He wanted to use red cloth, but the Crown Prince insisted on using black cloth, saying that the color should match the train.

If I had known, it would have been better to use red cloth... It seems that everyone misunderstood that the Crown Prince had died....

Immediately, Fang Zheng Yi shouted: "Don't worry everyone! Don't worry, the Crown Prince is fine inside! Follow me first!"

Not dead?

Everyone suddenly regained hope and began to squeeze in frantically, ready to find out.

Emperor Jing was still being supported by Guo Tianyang and hadn't moved.

Seeing this, Fang Zheng Yi shouted: "Don't squeeze! Don't squeeze! Let His Majesty go first!!!!!"