Chapter 43: The Master Has Been Possessed!

"Do you have a problem with that?" Fang Ning retorted.

You An muttered, "With the young master doting on you, would I dare have an opinion?"

Si Yuheng cast a faint glance at him. "Do you want to go wash the dishes?"

You An immediately shut his mouth.

"Young masters, do come again when you have the time!" the innkeeper said with a beaming smile.

"Certainly," Fang Ning replied with a bright smile. "No need to see us out."

Seeing this, You An curled his lip.

After leaving the city, Fang Ning climbed out of the carriage and sat next to You An.

You An was displeased. "Young Master Fang, why aren't you sitting inside? Don't fall off the carriage from all the bumping!"

"If you don't want to drive, then get down," came Si Yuheng’s cold voice from behind.

You An fell silent instantly.

"I can sit steadily, don't you worry," Fang Ning said crossly.

She hadn't looked closely at the roadside on the way here, and she wasn't sure if there was any wild rice like the kind she had accidentally discovered yesterday.

Fang Ning was in luck; there was plenty of the wild rice she needed in the drainage ditches along the road.

"Young Master Si, in a little while, we can come back to harvest the seeds. There is so much wild rice along the road." Fang Ning had You An stop the carriage and ran straight to the ditch.

Hearing this, Si Yuheng also stepped out of the carriage.

Fang Ning squatted there, turned her head, and beamed. "I didn't notice it when we came, but look, there's so much!"

Seeing Fang Ning’s smile, Si Yuheng felt his mood lift significantly, though he didn't know why.

"Get back on. If we delay any longer, we won't make it back before dark." Si Yuheng did not step down from the carriage.

Fang Ning let out an "oh," scrambled up from the ditch, and was covered in mud.

You An looked at her with disdain. "Look at you, Young Master, you’ve become a mud monkey."

Fang Ning brushed the dirt off her clothes and jumped onto the carriage. "You’d better drive more steadily; my backside felt like it was going to split in two yesterday from all the jolting."

"Nonsense! My driving technique is excellent. If you don't believe me, ask our young master. Young Master, isn't that right?"

Si Yuheng was resting with his eyes closed and ignored him completely.

You An felt a bit awkward.

Fang Ning chuckled. "Even the young master doesn't want to lie for you."

You An snorted and ignored Fang Ning.

Fang Ning ducked into the carriage.

Si Yuheng opened his eyes slightly, glanced at her, and closed them again.

"Young Master, it's time for the lesson." Fang Ning took out a book and handed it to Si Yuheng.

Si Yuheng looked surprised. "Are you that interested in the imperial examinations?"

Fang Ning said proudly, "Of course. I love reading, and I am someone with grand ambitions!"

"Then tell me about your ambitions."

"To be well-fed and warmly clothed."

Si Yuheng sat up straight. "That's it?"

"Young Master Fang, what kind of ambition is being well-fed and warmly clothed?" You An felt he had found a point to mock her. "Other people’s ambitions are to make the country a better place."

Fang Ning smiled and countered, "The common people are the foundation of the country. If everyone is starving, how can there be a prosperous age? The prerequisite for a country to become better is for its people to be well-fed and warmly clothed."

You An was suddenly at a loss for words to refute her.

"There is truth in your words. You An, your perspective is too narrow. If Fang Ning can truly ensure the people are well-fed and warmly clothed, he would be a god in their hearts. Providing food and clothing is harder than fighting a war!"

"Young Master Si, we can work together to ensure the people are fed and clothed, to make the Great Liang Dynasty stronger and create a true golden age. If you can do it, I can do it!"

If someone else were emperor, they would surely be wary of her. But if Si Yuheng was indeed the crown prince, as she grew alongside him, she would eventually gain his trust. Only then would the ambition of feeding and clothing the people be easier to realize. The support of those in power is the strongest backing for reform. Of course, this assumes the person in power has total control!

Fang Ning believed Si Yuheng had that capability.

Si Yuheng looked at Fang Ning, and for a moment, a long-lost passion ignited in his heart. This had been his own ambition in his previous life!

Fang Ning suddenly took his hand. "Young Master Si, we can definitely do it. I won't give up, so please, you must hold on as well."

"Very well." The words slipped out.

"I will help you," Fang Ning whispered. "But I have one request."

"Speak."

"I'll tell you when the time comes. I promise it won't be anything unconscionable."

If Si Yuheng actually became emperor and discovered she was a woman, he might have her executed for deceiving the monarch, and then her life would have been lived in vain. Fang Ning wanted a promise from him first. She was confident in her judgment; though Si Yuheng was ruthless, he was also a man who kept his word.

"Fang Ning, my promises are not so easily obtained."

However, Si Yuheng did not agree to her request.

"Use your talents to earn a promise from me."

Fang Ning rolled her eyes. "Stingy."

Fang Ning’s childish reaction made Si Yuheng wonder: was this truly the soul of a twenty-seven-year-old? Seventeen would be more like it!

Fang Ning looked thoroughly unhappy.

Si Yuheng tapped the small table. "Listen to the lesson carefully!"

Fang Ning sat up straight. "Yes, teacher."

A flash of amusement crossed Si Yuheng’s eyes. However, he quickly composed himself and began the lesson.

Outside, You An kept checking the sky: the sun hadn't risen in the west, so why had his master changed so much and become so patient with Fang Ning?

Si Yuheng continued teaching until they reached Shichuan Town. By then, it was already evening.

"Young Master, will you be staying at the Quanwei Restaurant tonight? I can take Young Master Fang back."

"No need. Go straight to Futian Village."

You An’s mouth twitched. His master really was bewitched! How terrifying. Fang Ning must be poisonous to have charmed his master like this! If his master really liked men, wasn't he in constant danger of having to sacrifice himself?

You An was frightened by his own imagination and instinctively crossed his arms over his chest. He liked delicate, soft girls!

Si Yuheng saw You An’s distorted expression and narrowed his eyes. "Are you sick? If so, go to Futian Village and let Dr. Fang give you some acupuncture!"

"I am fine, I am fine! I will take you and the young master back to Futian Village right now!" You An dared not say another word, terrified of being targeted by Si Yuheng, and quickly lowered the curtain to drive the carriage.

"Young Master Si, I think there is something wrong with his head," Fang Ning said, pointing to her own temple.

Si Yuheng curved his lips slightly. "That is probably because he saw you."

Fang Ning: "..."

What did that have to do with her? She wasn't a homosexual!

As they neared the village entrance, Fang Ning lifted the curtain and saw Grandmother Fang and Fang Hong waiting anxiously. Her heart warmed; it felt like returning to her grandmother's house as a child, where her grandmother would be waiting at the entrance of the alley for her.

"Grandma!" Fang Ning climbed out and waved from beside You An.

"It's Ningning, he's back!" Fang Yu jumped up and ran over.

"Third Brother, don't run, be careful not to fall!" Fang Ning shouted.

Si Yuheng was a bit puzzled. Since Fang Ning was no longer the original Fang Ning, why was she so good to the Fang family?

"You child, you're finally back! You promised to come home every night, but you didn't return yesterday. Are you trying to scare us to death?" As soon as Fang Ning got off the carriage at the village entrance, Grandmother Fang gave her a stern scolding.

Fang Ning shamelessly hugged the old woman’s arm and acted spoiled. "Grandma, it's the young master's fault. You should scold him. I'm so small, and if the young master didn't come, I wouldn't dare come back by myself from so far away, right?"

Si Yuheng, who was just about to step down from the carriage: "..."

This kid was using him to the absolute limit!