Spring Garden

The moment Fang Yun heard it, he understood. His uncle, Fang Shouye, was clearly recommending Fang Yingwu.

Fang Yingwu was the son of Fang Shouye's elder brother, yet he had always lived in Fang Shouye's home. The two were as close as father and son.

Fang Yingwu was over twenty and currently a Provincial Graduate, with quite a reputation for talent. He was also exceedingly shrewd. Years ago, someone had offended him, and he had used every means to torment that person until they begged for life yet could not live, begged for death yet could not die. He was extraordinarily crafty. Still, he was not some domineering young wastrel, and his reputation was half praise, half condemnation.

Fang Yingwu had a habit: he had no interest in respectable women, preferring to spend his nights in brothels and painted pleasure boats. Debauchery had become second nature to him.

Fang Yun asked Fang Shouye further about Fang Yingwu, then recalled the rumors he had heard before. Aside from lingering in brothels and taking ruthless revenge, the man had no other stains on his record. Besides, Fang Yingwu was his cousin and a member of the same clan, far more trustworthy than an outsider. Given Fang Shouye's temperament, if Fang Yingwu's character had truly been problematic, he would never have swallowed his pride to send such a letter.

"When Cousin arrives in the capital, I'll hold a cleansing feast for him."

That morning, Fang Yun attended the Spring Hunt Course and Palace Examination Course as usual. After class, he used his Official Seal to check his letters, only to find that many people, familiar and unfamiliar alike, had recommended themselves or others, all hoping to become Fang Yun's private soldiers or aides.

On his way home, Fang Yun pondered as he walked.