Seeing the sincere expressions on the faces of the three men before him, Fang Er couldn't help but sigh.
Since opening the passage to the main world, his time with them had become increasingly scarce.
Although it was due to his missions, he genuinely felt them growing distant from each other.
And this was not the outcome he desired.
He casually took out three bottles of Mai Budong and distributed them to them.
Then, he let out a long sigh and said, "My three elder brothers, it's not that I'm moving too fast!"
"It's just that reality doesn't allow me to stand still!"
He looked up at the sky, trying to locate Kepler 425b, but had no idea in which direction it lay.
Cheng Yaojin and the other two exchanged glances. Fang Er's deep melancholy left them somewhat bewildered.
What was weighing on this brother's mind that he hadn't shared with them?
Could it be that the bond they had forged along the way was not enough for him to trust them?
But this thought was quickly dismissed, replaced by another, far more realistic and stark realization.
They truly couldn't keep up with his pace anymore!
If, at first, they had devised this plan to trick Fang Er into signing, driven by Li Shimin's request, they had now changed their minds!
They would keep this signature for themselves!
Perhaps, one day, when they were gone, their descendants could have this signature as a form of backing!
After all, in the current Great Tang, who would dare to refuse Fang Er any favor?
Li Chengqian?
Heh!
Li Tai alone could beat the sense out of him!
As for the court officials?
Who would dare!
Though the Fang brother before them held the title of Duke, who truly took this dukedom seriously?
Li Xiaogong handed Fang Er a cigarette, shielding it with one hand while lighting it.
"Brother, don't think too much."
"I don't know what burdens you carry, but remember, no matter what, if you just say the word, this old Jiuye will go through fire and water without a second thought!"
"That's right, count me in too!"
Cheng Yaojin and Yuchi Jingde chimed in their agreement.
Fang Er took the cigarette, glanced at the three of them, and nodded with a smile.
He had to admit, the camaraderie built over the years was not for naught.
In the final moments, perhaps, they were the only ones he could truly rely on!
Taking a deep breath, he placed the cigarette between his lips, picked up the wolf-hair brush from the table, and dipped it into cinnabar ink.
"Come, write!"
With a shout, he swiftly penned one signature after another, his calligraphy like dragons and phoenixes in flight, and laid them aside to dry.
He didn't overthink it, driven purely by emotion, and quickly produced three signatures.
Cheng Yaojin and the other two were deeply moved!
They understood the weight of the name Fang Anzhi in the Great Tang, to the point where it could be considered a protective charm.
While it was unlikely they themselves would ever need to use it, as the saying went, what about their descendants?
In terms of accumulated influence, even three generations of the royal family couldn't match what Fang Anzhi had amassed in these few years!
Otherwise, why would the Emperor rack his brains to have them trick him into signing?
Don't think they were unaware; the engagement written in Li Shimin's blood on the shores of Wa country was known to all the high-ranking officials of the Great Tang!
The three carefully collected the signatures once the ink had dried, tucking them securely into their pockets.
Li Xiaogong pointed meaningfully at the five carriers still hovering in the air and said, "Brother, these are all valuable items!"
"Keep them hidden well, lest some ill-intentioned person try to swindle you!"
Cheng Yaojin chimed in with cooperation, "Indeed, although this old Cheng doesn't know where you got them, I presume they came at a great cost!"
"Judging by their size alone, I suspect even emptying the Great Tang's treasury wouldn't be enough to afford one, so be careful, don't be too reckless..."
Yuchi Jingde nodded silently, "The Duke of Hejian and the Duke of Lu speak wisely!"
Fang Er grinned, "It matters not, these things cannot be easily swindled away by just anyone!"
The corners of their mouths twitched unnaturally.
Yes, ordinary people couldn't swindle them, but was that damned Li Er ordinary?
He was a rogue!
In the main world's terms, he was a cunning trickster!
Half an hour later...
The three bade farewell to Fang Er and found Li Shimin.
Upon meeting, Cheng Yaojin was the first to feign tears.
"Your Imperial Majesty, Fang Anzhi is no man!"
"I asked him for a signature, and not only did he refuse, he beat me black and blue!"
"Look at my eyes, are they symmetrical?"
Li Shimin looked up in surprise. Indeed, both of Cheng Yaojin's eyes were completely bruised.
At that moment, Yuchi Jingde also stepped forward, pulling open his upper garment to reveal a chest similarly covered in bruises.
"Your Imperial Majesty, it is not that this old subject is incapable, but rather that Anzhi is too cunning!"
"The three of us played on his emotions, but he simply wouldn't budge!"
"Not only did he beat Old Cheng, look at how he kicked me!"
"Even then, he only agreed to write one signature, and that signature is with the Duke of Hejian..."
As soon as he spoke, Li Xiaogong was instantly stunned!
Damn it!
When did these two get beaten?
We were all together the entire time!
No!
These two went to relieve themselves together just now!
Damn it, they must have conspired in the latrine...
"Your Imperial Majesty, this subject is wronged, the injuries on these two are definitely not from Anzhi!"
"They must have been fighting each other in the restroom!"
Cheng Yaojin: ...
Yuchi Jingde: ...
"Li Lao Jiu, do not speak such slander!"
The two pointed at Li Xiaogong in unison, shouting.
Li Shimin also frowned and extended his hand towards Li Xiaogong.
"Hand it over!"
"Anzhi's signature is useless in your hands; only in mine can its value be fully utilized!"
Li Xiaogong felt incredibly aggrieved at this moment, truly wishing he could kill these two!
Damn it, are they bullying me because they think I'm easy to deal with?
Just you wait!
Just you wait, Ninth Uncle!
He glared at Cheng Yaojin and Yuchi Jingde, gritting his teeth, and reluctantly took out the signature and handed it to Li Shimin.
"Your Imperial Majesty, these two also..."
Cheng Yaojin's expression changed instantly, and he quickly interrupted him, "Also what!"
"It's just that they stole two of your qui zi, is that worth reporting to Your Majesty?"
Li Xiaogong: ???
Damn it, no wonder my cigarettes were fewer, turns out they stole them?
No, I was talking about the signature, who the hell mentioned qui zi?
"Your Imperial Majesty, these two also..."
This time it was Yuchi Jingde's turn. He grabbed Li Xiaogong by the collar and shouted with spittle flying.
"Li Lao Jiu, do not push your luck, didn't we agree that I wouldn't mention the matter of me sleeping with your concubine again?"
Li Xiaogong wanted to cry!
Damn it, this is bullying!
But looking back at Li Shimin, that damned second one was watching the show with a casual expression!
Screw you!
I won't say anything, alright...