I'm a useless prince, so what if I know a little bit of chemistry?

Emperor Liang couldn't believe it. Lin Fan only had such a simple request?

Is there any deeper meaning?

"Fan'er, are you sure?"

Lin Fan nodded and said, "Father, I only want two barren mountains."

Everyone couldn't help but scratch their ears, still unable to believe it.

With such a great opportunity, if he were to ask for an official position and enter the court, and with the presence of a noble man, how could Emperor Liang not give him face?

Even if he is a minor official, he can enter the court, and when Nian Gui succeeds in the Northern Expedition, he can be promoted and gradually move into the center.

But Lin Fan just wanted two barren mountains?

The total area is only a thousand miles, and there is no population. Can it still be considered a fiefdom?

Could it be that Lin Fan has no intention of sitting on the dragon throne?

Is this a sign of weakness?

The ministers were talking about it.

The ministers of Lin Rui's lineage all felt that it was a blessing from heaven.

"They are just two barren mountains. Since you want them, they are yours! In addition, I will reward you with a thousand taels of gold and grant you the title of county marquis."

Emperor Liang thought about it and gave the reward.

The two barren mountains were useless places to begin with. Although a thousand taels of gold seemed like a lot, to Emperor Liang, it was just a drop in the bucket.

Later, although Emperor Liang awarded Lin Fan the title of Marquis of County, it was only a title without power, and only gave him an extra salary.

It doesn't matter to anyone.

"Thank you, father, for the reward." Lin Fan was also very satisfied with this and immediately accepted the order to express his gratitude.

Emperor Liang turned to look at Lin Rui and said, "Rui'er, from today on, you will go to the Wucheng Bingma Division to take up your post."

"Thank you, Father."

Lin Rui quickly accepted the order.

Although it was only the Five Cities Military Department, it was a place with real power. Coupled with Prince Lin Rui's identity, entering the Five Cities Military Department was like a fish entering the sea.

Lin Rui was naturally excited.

Especially since Lin Fan, as the eldest son, was only a county marquis, with no power but a title.

But I hold the power, can't I just deal with Lin Fan easily?

The ministers also heard a different flavor in it.

Emperor Liang is a check on Lin Fan, and is particularly partial to Lin Rui.

With Lin Fan's merits, it would not be a problem for him to be promoted to the fifth rank.

But now, it is just a short position, and the implication of suppression is extremely obvious.

“This…” Nian Gui was extremely dissatisfied with this. Why was his nephew only a county marquis, while Lin Rui had no merit at all, yet was given such an important position?

Nian Gui was about to lose his temper when he felt someone pulling his sleeve. He turned around and saw Lin Fan shaking his head slightly, signaling him not to act rashly.

Although Nian Gui was full of doubts, he finally listened to the advice and did not take any action.

Afterwards, Emperor Liang brought a group of ministers to discuss whether it was feasible to use military force outside the Great Wall.

The prince could not participate in such important military affairs. Lin Fan was too lazy to make things difficult for himself and left the palace directly.

When he returned to the mansion, Lin Fan saw that his plaque had been changed: Anhou Mansion.

Lin Fan didn't care too much.

After all, Emperor Liang still has a firm grasp on state affairs. If he were bent on taking away the power in Emperor Liang's hands, it would definitely backfire.

It would be better to focus on developing one's own power first, like boiling a frog in warm water. By the time Emperor Liang realizes it, it will be too late.

"Your Highness, you're back?" Seeing Lin Fan, Chun Fang ran over like a little sparrow.

"Well, I'm back. When was the plaque at the door changed?" Lin Fan asked as he walked.

"Just changed, but when did His Highness become the Marquis?" Chun Fang asked puzzledly. She didn't know what happened in the palace.

"During the morning court session." Lin Fan answered casually.

"Your Highness, why did you become a marquis instead of being a prince?" Chun Fang whispered, his tone full of resentment and worry.

"Haha, it doesn't matter. It's mine, and it will always be mine! No one can take it away from me." Lin Fan's face was calm.

And there is a half sentence that Lin Fan did not say directly: Even Emperor Liang will not do it.

Lin Fan didn't have much affection for Emperor Liang.

In Lin Fan's memory, his relationship with Emperor Liang was mostly that of a monarch and his subject, with no relationship between them as father and son at all.

"Okay, okay, Your Highness is the best. Let's eat first?" Chun Fang said in a tone of coaxing a child.

"Chun Fang, you should call me Marquis from now on."

"Yes, Lord." Chun Fang smiled, revealing two charming little fangs.

Walking into the room, Lin Fan sat down, feeling extremely tired.

Lin Fan was already hungry and tired because he had to get up early to practice martial arts and there was no possibility for him to sit down and rest during the morning court session.

"Chun Fang, get me something to eat." Lin Fan said with his eyes closed.

"Chun Fang just made some pastries. They are the osmanthus cakes that the Marquis likes. I'll get them right away." Chun Fang said softly, and then left quickly.

Osmanthus cake?

Lin Fan's mind was full of memories, whether they were memories of his past life or memories of the present, Lin Fan particularly liked osmanthus cake.

But in his previous life, Lin Fan was busy with work and study and didn’t have many opportunities.

In this life, Lin Fan has never tasted osmanthus cake since his mother passed away.

Chun Fang brought over the prepared osmanthus cake.

Lin Fan put a small piece into his mouth, savored it carefully, and couldn't help but nod.

"My Lord, is it delicious?" Chun Fang was like a child waiting for praise from his teacher, and was extremely looking forward to Lin Fan's answer.

"Well, it tastes pretty good."

Lin Fan ate a few more pieces, suppressed the hunger in his stomach, and asked, "Chun Fang, is my mother's memorial day coming soon?"

"My lord, it's today." Chun Fang replied.

The little girl was very surprised because Lin Fan had never asked these questions before.

"Let's go sweep the graves and visit my mother so that she won't worry about her." Lin Fan spoke calmly, with a hint of sadness in his tone.

Every time Lin Fan thought of Nian Jiao, he felt extremely distressed.

"Well, Chunfang will get ready now." Chunfang responded.

Lin Fan stared at the osmanthus cake in a daze.

After a while, Chun Fang brought candles and a lot of paper money and said, "My Lord, everything is ready. Shall we go now?"

"go!"

Lin Fan nodded, followed Chun Fang out of the imperial city, and headed straight for the outskirts of the capital.

Looking at the direction he was heading, Lin Fan realized that these were the two barren mountains he had obtained.

Why was my mother buried alone in the deserted mountains after her death?

Lin Fan was full of doubts and asked, "Is my mother buried here?"

Harukata nodded, but didn't seem to want to explain.

Lin Fan knew that even if he forced Chun Fang to answer, he would probably not want to say more.

So Lin Fan didn't ask. He had to find the truth behind everything.

Because Lin Fan didn't hire a car, the two had to walk.

Fortunately, there is a Taoist temple on the mountain, and there is a small path leading up the mountain, so it is not too tiring.

The path leads all the way to the entrance of the Taoist temple.

Chun Fang walked forward and knocked on the door of the Taoist temple.

Lin Fan was full of doubts, but before he could ask any questions, the door of the Taoist temple slowly opened and a one-armed Taoist walked out.

"You're here?" The one-armed Taoist didn't seem surprised by Chun Fang's arrival.

"Well, the Marquis and I have come to pay homage to the Queen." Chun Fang said.

"Master Hou?"

The one-armed Taoist priest then noticed Lin Fan, his eyes filled with a very complicated expression.