Chapter 35: The Weight of Responsibility

  After returning to the Fang Mansion, Fang Yiai hadn't even had time to return to her own courtyard when Fang De hastily said: "Second Young Master, you've finally returned, hurry and go see Old Master, he's been waiting for you for a long time!"

  "Uncle De, what's going on? Why the rush?" Fang Yi'ai was puzzled. What could be so urgent for the old man at this hour? Although she didn't understand, she obediently handed the horse over to Fang De and walked towards the study. As soon as she entered the study, she saw Fang Xuanling sitting at his desk, frowning in thought.

  "Father, I've come. What's the urgent matter you wanted to see me about?" House Yuai saw that House Xuanying had a worried and troubled look on his face, so he knew things were probably not simple.

  "Jun Er, sit down, actually you should have expected this." Fang Xuanling said slowly, tapping the table.

  "Father, could it be related to the Monkey Spirit?" Fang Yiai thought for a moment and felt that only the Monkey Spirit was a big deal, and it also had something to do with him.

  "Not bad, you know, Changsun Wuji suggested to His Majesty that you take charge of investigating the Huiling case." Fang Xuanling nodded slightly, and Fang Yuyi furrowed her brow in thought before saying, "Father, I'm afraid Changsun Wuji isn't so kind-hearted. If I agree, this old man will definitely make me sign a military order."

  "Not bad, Zhangsun Wuji is thinking of this, so tomorrow when His Majesty summons you, don't answer at all!" Fang Xuanling instructed, he didn't want his son to get trapped in this muddy pit. The organization Huiling was too mysterious, nobody knew anything about it, how could they even start the investigation? Even Fang Xuanling didn't have confidence, let alone Fang Yilai.

  "Father, I disagree with your view. If Your Majesty really intends to have me take responsibility for this matter, I will accept it!" Fang Yiai said seriously.

  "Jun Er, why? You should know it's extremely dangerous. Once you can't crack the Monkey Spirit case, Long Sunu will definitely take the opportunity to suppress you. At that time, you won't be able to show your head again." Fang Xuanling's tone was full of worry, he couldn't understand why Fang Yiai knew there was danger but still agreed to take it on.

  "Father, I understand what you said, but the death of over 700 people in Niujiacun Village is because of me. Since I have the opportunity to avenge them, I cannot avoid it. Moreover, I think this is also an opportunity. Once I crack the Monkey Spirit case, not only will Long Sunu be unable to suppress me, but he will also bring me further into the Emperor's line of sight. The Emperor will also reuse me in the future." Fang Yiai explained slowly, Fang Yiai believed that he would definitely dig out the Monkey Spirit, and he didn't believe that with his wisdom, he couldn't defeat this group of depraved beasts.

  "Jun Er, since you've thought it through, your father won't say more. Tomorrow, follow me into the palace!" House Xuanling felt that his son had indeed grown up and understood a lot more. In this world, danger and opportunity always coexisted; the greater the risk, the greater the reward.

  After returning to her own small courtyard, Linglong was listlessly poking at the dim candle flame. At this time, Linglong was bored and teasing the wick like a child who had not grown up.

  "Fool, didn't I tell you earlier? When you're tired, go to sleep. You've been running for so many days, aren't you tired?" Linglong heard this sudden voice, turned her head and smiled slightly with a reddened face, "Second Young Master, if you don't come back, I won't be able to sleep!"

  "How silly, at my age, what can happen to me? Besides, in this Chang'an city, with the House of Fang and the House of Qin protecting me, who dares to touch me?" Fang Yuai stroked Linglong's hair, and sighed bitterly in her heart. Why was Linglong a maid? If she wasn't a maid, why would he have to worry about marriage? Thinking of that mysterious Lier, Fang Yuai shook his head, it's really not easy to find a satisfactory wife in this Tang Dynasty.

  "Second Master, shall we go to Plum Blossom Valley tomorrow? I haven't been there in a long time and don't even know what the peaches look like now!" Linglong said slowly with her hands under her chin. Fang Yiai sat beside Linglong nodding, "Of course, but tomorrow I have to accompany Father to see the Emperor, after I return we can go to Plum Blossom Valley, though I reckon the peaches aren't ripe yet!"

  "Second Master, the Emperor is looking for you, nothing bad will happen, right?" Linglong was now a little afraid of Fang Yilai going to see the Emperor, last time they met, he was directly detained by the Emperor for several days, it's strange if Linglong wasn't worried.

  "Fool, His Majesty isn't unreasonable, don't worry, this time he's looking for me just to ask about the Wind Pass Valley, nothing will happen!"

  "That's good, now I can rest assured. It's getting late, Second Master, you should get some rest!"

  "Linglong, sweet dreams!" When Linglong reached the door, Fang Yiai said with a smile. Linglong turned her head and smiled, suddenly flowers bloomed, and the whole room was filled with fragrance!

  The next morning, Fang Yi'ai followed Fang Xuanling to the Taiji Palace. Li Shimin had been staying in the Baifu Hall with Empress Zhangsun for some time. Therefore, Li Shimin did not go anywhere else and received the father and son directly in the main hall of the Baifu Hall. Of course, there were also Changsun Wuji, Du Ruhui, and Wei Zheng sitting in the house.

  "Fang Jun, I believe your father has already told you the reason why you were called here," said Li Shimin after Fang Xuanling and his son had exchanged greetings.

  "Your Majesty, I already understand the situation. I'd like to ask what Your Majesty means by this. As long as you trust me, I will definitely not decline." Fang Yiai said with a serious face.

  "You little rascal, you're quite slick. Let me tell you the truth, I did mean for you to be in charge of this case, so now you can agree, right?"

  "Your Majesty, I'll obey your orders. I accept this task, but I have a request - you must grant me the power to act freely and make decisions on my own, otherwise I dare not take on this case!" Fang Yiai was no fool either, he understood that Houleng was not easy to deal with, and who knows who the traitor in the court is? Without the power to act freely, even if Fang Yiai had supernatural abilities, he wouldn't be able to accomplish this task.

  "On this point, you can rest assured. Do you still remember the token I gave you? If necessary, you only need to take out that token and it will be fine!" Li Shimin nodded in agreement with Fang Yiai's request. Li Shimin was very clear about the power of the Monkey Spirit, an organization capable of quietly transporting hundreds of thousands of wolf-toothed arrows without making a sound - how could it be easily dealt with?

  The house has finally put down its guard, and unexpectedly, the token given by Li Shimin back then still had such power. I thought that having that token would only allow me to move freely within the palace.

  Chang Sun Wujin stroked his beard and smiled slightly: "Your Majesty, I have something to say!"

  "Assistant, just speak directly, after all, there are no outsiders present!" Li Shimin smiled, thinking that Changsun Wuji had some good method to quickly dig out the Monkey Spirit.

  "Your Majesty, Fang Jun is definitely too young to be given such great power. It's not a good thing, so I think it's necessary to set a time limit for him. If Fang Jun can't defeat the Monkey Spirit Party in ten years, will Your Majesty let him have the privilege of acting arbitrarily for ten years?" As soon as Changsun Wujie finished speaking, Li Shimin furrowed his brow, "Fang Jun, how long do you think is suitable?"

  "Your Majesty, I think five years is the most suitable!" As soon as Changsun Wuji's voice fell, Du Ruhui stood up to argue: "Your Majesty, it's not possible, Monkey Spirit hides so deeply and acts so cautiously, can it be solved in just five years?"

  Wei Zheng also stood up and cupped his hands, saying: "Your Majesty, Ke Ming's words are very reasonable. Even we veterans of many battles dare not guarantee that the Monkey Spirit can be dealt with within five years. How much less so for a young man like Fang Jun? Five years is too short!"

  House Xuanling stood by and said nothing, but looking at his eyes, he knew how worried he was in his heart. Li Shimin thought for a moment and patted House Yi'ai's shoulder and smiled: "House Jun, what do you think?"

  "Your Majesty, I think what Longsun said makes sense. It must be that I'm too young, and if there's no restriction, it's hard to guarantee that things won't get out of hand?" Fang Yiai said this with his own thoughts in mind. He believed that Li Shimin had already seen through the suspicious intentions of Zhangsun Wuji, but was hesitant to speak clearly due to the face of Empress Zhangsun. And if he himself pretended to be pitiful and agreed, Li Shimin would feel a sense of guilt towards him. In the future, even if he couldn't solve the Monkey Spirit case on time, Li Shimin wouldn't punish him too severely.

  "All right, Fang Jun, you can go ahead boldly. If anything happens, I'll take responsibility for it." Li Shimin said with a smile after glancing at Changsun Wuji and then at Fang Yu'er.

  "Your Majesty, please be at ease, I, Yu Ai, will not disappoint you." Yu Ai knelt down to the ground and said seriously. This kneel of Yu Ai was not only for Li Shimin, but also for the more than 700 people who died unjustly in Niu Jia Village.

  "Jun Er, get up, I believe you can do it!" Li Shimin was now looking at Fang Yu Ai, and the more he looked, the more he liked him. He was so young yet so responsible. Now he simply treated Fang Yu Ai as his own son or younger brother, calling out "Jun Er" in front of Zhangsun Wuji. Zhangsun Wuji didn't get angry at all when he saw this situation. Later on, when Fang Yu Ai messed things up, Li Shimin wouldn't be so good to him. Having followed Li Shimin for so long, Zhangsun Wuji had already thoroughly understood his temperament. What Li Shimin loved was talent, if you were untalented, no matter how good your words were, Li Shimin wouldn't use you.

  After leaving Baifu Hall, Wei Zheng glanced at the smiling Changsun Wuji and said bluntly: "Lord Changsun, what a wonderful plan!"

  "Xuan Cheng, what do you mean by this?" Zhangsun Wuji pretended to be confused.

  "Hum, do you think others are fools? You know what it means!" After saying this, Wei Zheng patted Fang Yu Ai's shoulder, "Fang Jun, if someone gives you trouble in the future, just come find me, Uncle will definitely help you!"

  After hearing this, Fang Yiai was speechless. Wei Zheng was indeed straightforward and dared to say anything. He said this in front of Longsun Wuji, wasn't that equivalent to scolding Longsun Wuji as a treacherous and cunning person?!

  Changsun Wuji stroked his beard and ignored the huffing and puffing Wei Zheng, knowing that arguing with this stubborn donkey was looking for trouble. Changsun Wuji left the Taiji Palace with a flourish. Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui also sighed, patted Fang Yuyao's shoulder, and went to the Central Secretariat with Wei Zheng.

  Fang Yu Ai stood in the Tai Chi Palace, her face full of worry and anxiety, the weight of responsibility was indeed unbearable.