Chapter 26: Chapter 26

Chapter 26

At dusk, Fang Zhihe wandered dejectedly along the riverside path, clutching a few clay figurines. The medicine bottle tucked inside his robe was nearly empty; he had taken most of it to calm his churning stomach.

Yunzheng, accompanying the Prefect of Fuzhou along the riverbank to survey the land, caught sight of a familiar figure in the distance. He observed the man's unsteady gait and paused, then turned to say a few words to the prefect and the local officials, asking them to return to the yamen first, and to discuss what they'd found that evening.

The two men, glad to stop walking, quickly nodded in agreement, bowed, and departed.

Fang Zhihe was wondering what Qi Guan might be doing—whether he was being bullied by Xiaoyuan. Though his son appeared well-behaved, he knew full well how mischievous the boy could be, just not in front of others.

Yunzheng stood in the middle of the path, waiting for Fang Zhihe to bump into him. A gentle breeze blew from the river. Yunzheng, dressed in light blue robes with a jade hairpin, stood poised and elegant. When Fang Zhihe collided with him, he let out a soft laugh.

"You seem to be in a fine mood, young master," Yunzheng said with a light chuckle.

Fang Zhihe was dazed for a moment before looking up at him.

"What's the matter? I've been surveying the terrain and water currents all day, but I haven't been as sad as you." Seeing Fang Zhihe's pale face, as if he were seriously ill, Yunzheng's heart jumped. He remembered that two days earlier, though Fang Zhihe's face was pale, he had at least been spirited.

Fang Zhihe turned to look at the river, then shifted his gaze back to Yunzheng, giving a weak smile. "Song Ya, I still remember the first time I met you. You truly were concerned for the world's problems..."

Yunzheng raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Young master flatters me. In this whole world, who cares about the world's problems more than you do?"

Fang Zhihe lowered his eyes and snorted. He was truly a scoundrel. He wondered how someone like him had ended up on the throne.

Yunzheng was startled by his reaction. He pursed his lips a little and said, "Lord Quan often tells us... in this world, it is the sovereign who first worries for the people. The peace and prosperity of the nation are due to your tireless efforts. Why belittle yourself? All the ministers are worried about you, especially Lord Quan and Lord Wu. They sent memorials urging you to rest, but you scolded them... They practically put Lord Qi on a pedestal, scared something might happen to you..." He smiled at the end.

Fang Zhihe remained silent, the clay figurines in his hand shedding some white powder.

After a long pause, Yunzheng heard him say, "The Crown Prince has been well taught by you. If anything happens to me one day, just support the Crown Prince."

Yunzheng was taken aback, not understanding where such thoughts came from, why Fang Zhihe thought so little of himself.

He was about to speak again, but Fang Zhihe waved a hand lightly. "Song Ya, I've seen the farmland and dikes around here today. The farmland is low-lying, and the dikes are barely waist-high above the ground."

Yunzheng set aside his thoughts and bowed slightly. "Yes, I also inspected this area today. I recall Lord Gu of the Water Management Bureau is here, isn't he?"

Fang Zhihe sneered coldly. "Deceiving superiors and subordinates alike. They probably think I'm easy to push around." His anger flared, and he unconsciously started using the royal "we". While traveling incognito, he never allowed himself to be addressed as "Your Majesty", and he often omitted formal titles in conversation. Qi Guan had even complained before that he didn't act like an emperor, but like a willful young master.

Well, willful it is. Besides his parents, no one could tell him otherwise.

Fang Zhihe frowned, paced a couple of steps, exhaled lightly, and looked up at Yunzheng. "You stay here and handle things. When you see Gu Zhining, pretend you don't know anything. Even better, make him think you're clueless."

Yunzheng said "Ah", unable to suppress a smile. He murmured quietly, "I'm indeed a fool."

Fang Zhihe shot him a glare. "Nonsense."

That glance was too coquettish, and it struck Yunzheng, making him pause. He quickly composed himself and replied, "Yes."

Fang Zhihe, his mood dulled by this exchange, didn't know what to feel. He maintained a straight face. "And don't let anyone know I'm here, or I'll have to act the fool too."

Yunzheng let out a "pfft" laugh. "I wouldn't dare."

Fang Zhihe nodded, clicked his tongue, and thought for a moment. "Have you checked the other waterways?"

Yunzheng straightened his expression and shook his head. "I drew some maps today and made some proposals. Perhaps we won't need to come again next year."

At this, Fang Zhihe's heart pounded. He blinked and said softly, "Is it the water conservancy project you proposed last time?"

Yunzheng nodded, pulled a parchment scroll from inside his robe, and handed it to Fang Zhihe. "Fuzhou is surrounded by water on three sides. The only land is a stretch of steep mountains, unsuitable for habitation... So we must work with the water. If we build a reservoir to store excess water and set up sluice gates, we can channel water to the small towns in neighboring prefectures that suffer droughts in July and August. That way we’d make the best use of the resources."

Fang Zhihe stuffed the clay figurines into his pocket, unrolled the parchment, and examined the water conservancy map. He frowned slightly. "Where would be a good place to store water?"

Yunzheng pondered. "Perhaps we could use one or two low-lying farmlands."

"Hmm." Fang Zhihe frowned in deep thought. "First, conduct a survey. If it's feasible, start preparations... As for other channels, Lord Lu has also mentioned some ideas to me. I'll write them down tonight, and tomorrow you can find me at the chestnut cake shop on Tonghua Lane."

Yunzheng looked down at Fang Zhihe's contemplative expression, his heart stirring slightly.

Fang Zhihe was an emperor, but he was the most un-emperor-like emperor.

This man cared nothing for others, did whatever he pleased, and was willful. Yet he was also enviable. Perhaps it was because no other ruler had dared to act like him; they thought he was strange because he stood out.

He remembered Fang Zhihe once said, "If I flout the law, that's my fault. This realm has nothing to worry about; it's prosperous and peaceful. Whom I like, whom I favor—that's my business. Even if you write it into history, you must describe me clearly."

Clearly.

Yunzheng's mind wandered. When he came back to himself, Fang Zhihe was looking at him, his hair tousled by the wind, as if about to say something. After a long pause, he pursed his lips and asked, "How do you comb your hair?"

Yunzheng was taken aback, thinking Fang Zhihe was joking. But after looking at him for a moment, he seemed serious. Suppressing a smile, he replied, "Grab the hair, rub it together, and tie it up."

Fang Zhihe hesitated and glanced at Yunzheng's hair several times. "Really?"

Yunzheng nodded. "Really."

Fang Zhihe frowned and nodded. "Then I'll try that when I get back."

With that, he handed the parchment back, turned, and started to leave.

Yunzheng stood watching his retreating figure. The breeze was gentle, rustling his robes. In the blink of an eye, he saw the man as a flash of light—quiet, solitary, white.

That white was like snow.

As if he were about to vanish without a trace, silently.