A cowardly man?

Me?

Fang Zheng felt strangely deflated. In the past, his subordinates would always try to hold him back from doing things.

This was the first time someone had called him a coward.

If I were a coward, would I be breaking the law every day?!

But Emperor Jing was clearly giving him a hint.

Based on his understanding of Emperor Jing, refusing this task wouldn’t really matter.

But with the Emperor saying it like this, if he backed down, wouldn’t he leave a bad impression on his future father-in-law?

To do it or not?

“Well? Are you willing or not? If not, get out of here. You’re an eyesore to me!” Emperor Jing said.

Fang Zheng sighed helplessly.

Forcing me into a corner. I’ll give it a shot for the Princess’s sake.

“I’m willing… but I can’t guarantee success!” he said.

As soon as he finished speaking, Emperor Jing’s face showed satisfaction.

“Now you’re talking like a proper official. Officials should be brave enough to take responsibility!”

“It’s fine if you fail. This is no ordinary matter. I won’t blame you if it doesn’t work out, so rest assured.”

“If necessary, you can borrow men from Eunuch Guo. I’ll inform him in advance.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty. I’ll take my leave now.”

Emperor Jing waved his hand, then seemed to remember something and spoke again: “Wait.”

“Miaohan has been unwell lately. I suspect her old illness has returned. Go take a look at her.”

Huh?!

The Princess is sick again? That shouldn’t be possible! Does she have some other illness?

Fang Zheng’s expression grew serious.

“Go on… check thoroughly!” Emperor Jing said.

Fang Zheng then took his leave and left Yangxin Hall.

As he was about to hurry out, he saw Guo Tianyang walking toward him with a pleased look on his face.

Guo Tianyang was in quite a good mood at the moment.

He had just been chatting outside the Cabinet and heard that the glasses also had kidney-strengthening effects!

He immediately lined up and ordered a pair.

Just three hundred taels! Worth every coin. He’d even wear them to bed!

Two pairs of glasses. Even if one broke accidentally, he’d still have a spare.

“Brother Guo!” Fang Zheng unhesitatingly blocked Guo Tianyang’s path and pulled him to a pillar of the great hall.

In a low voice, he asked: “Brother Guo, I heard from His Majesty that the Princess’s old illness has returned? What illness does she have?”

Guo Tianyang gave him a strange look: “His Majesty mentioned the Princess to you?”

“Yes, he even asked me to check on her!”

Hearing this, Guo Tianyang let out a long sigh.

This sigh made Fang Zheng’s heart tighten.

“The Princess… she’s not eating! She’s lost weight!” Guo Tianyang said.

“What? That’s it? Just not eating?” Fang Zheng didn’t immediately understand.

Guo Tianyang scolded angrily: “What do you mean ‘just not eating’! How can the Princess, a golden branch and jade leaf, be compared to ordinary women? What if she starves herself sick!”

Hearing this, Fang Zheng finally relaxed.

Not eating? What’s the big deal! Damn, you scared me.

Weren’t those girls in the future often not eating for days? Some would even throw up after eating!

But why isn’t she eating? Could she be thinking about me?

Thinking of this, Fang Zheng smiled lewdly, but then grew nervous again.

Wait! I haven’t seen her since I kissed her that time.

Isn’t that totally playboy behavior?

And I’ve come empty-handed today. I need to find a way to smooth things over!

At this point, Fang Zheng bowed slightly to Guo Tianyang: “Thank you, Brother Guo. I must hurry to check on the Princess!”

With that, he quickly left.

Guo Tianyang watched his retreating figure and called out loudly: “That’s not the way to Mingluan Hall! You’re going the wrong way!”

Fang Zheng didn’t look back, just waved his hand.

At this moment, he naturally couldn’t go to Mingluan Hall.

Though the Princess had a good temper and a gentle personality, what if she was angry? Every young girl would have her moments of temper.

If she really wasn’t eating because of him, going straight to Mingluan Hall to see her would be suicide!

He needed to prepare something!

Fang Zheng pondered what to prepare as he jogged to the imperial kitchen.

The moment he appeared in the imperial kitchen, everyone inside stopped what they were doing and stared at him.

Everyone wondered, apart from eunuchs and cooks, this place hardly ever had officials in uniform visiting!

And today a guest had arrived! Judging by his uniform, a high-ranking official!

A man who seemed to be in charge walked up to Fang Zheng, bowed first, then said ingratiatingly: “Sir, what brings you to the imperial kitchen?”

“I am Fang Zheng. I wish to use the imperial kitchen,” Fang Zheng said.

The manager stepped back in surprise: “Lord Fang? Greetings! Forgive me, but without orders from the higher eunuchs, I can’t lend you the kitchen.”

“And… are you planning to cook something yourself?”

Fang Zheng looked him up and down, then smiled: “Are you in charge of the imperial kitchen? I want to borrow the kitchen to make something. The Princess is unwell, and His Majesty specially commanded me to treat her. I specialize in food therapy. If you don’t believe me, you can ask Eunuch Guo.”

The manager unconsciously nodded.

Everyone in the imperial kitchen knew the Princess wasn’t eating much.

But… it was unprecedented for an official to cook with his own hands.

So he stammered: “Lord Fang… are you sure you want to cook?”

Fang Zheng strode into the kitchen and began looking around. All kinds of cooking utensils were available in abundance.

The ingredients were also diverse and neatly arranged.

Such a pleasing kitchen was indeed rare.

“Stop wasting time. Of course I’m going to cook! How could I disobey the imperial command? You all carry on with your work. Just make some space for me!” Fang Zheng said.

Seeing Fang Zheng’s determination, the manager stopped insisting. After all, such a bizarre situation was a first, and he ordered someone to find a spot for him.

None of the imperial cooks had the heart to work anymore. No one wanted to miss this rare sight.

Many put down their tools and quietly looked toward Fang Zheng.

Fang Zheng remained unfazed by everyone’s gaze. After circling the kitchen once more, he had a plan.

“Someone come! Get me flour, starter dough, eggs, milk, honey……”

When he finished speaking, no one in the imperial kitchen dared move. They all continued staring at him curiously.

Seeing this, the manager hurriedly said: “Hurry up! Quickly prepare everything for Lord Fang!”

As soon as he spoke, three to five people stepped forward to prepare the ingredients for Fang Zheng.

After all the materials were ready, Fang Zheng pointed to a clay oven nearby: “Can that be used? Heat it up later, but keep the fire low.”

The manager nodded repeatedly and excitedly ran to light the fire himself.

This is interesting! By the looks of it, Lord Fang is really going to cook himself!

Amazing!

With everything ready, Fang Zheng began to focus fully on pouring flour onto the board, adding milk…

The imperial cooks began excitedly whispering and pointing.

“Look… he even knows how to mix dough!”

“He’s kneading it! He’s kneading it!”

“Lower your voices, you two have a death wish?!”