Ever since returning from the hot springs that day, Xie Jue had remained in the carriage, avoiding interaction and conversation with others. Fang Chuning truly dared not linger around him; when Xie Jue got angry, while he wouldn’t humiliate soone directly before their face, he would deal with them in private—just as he had dealt with Xie Xun back in the day.
He wasn’t like Xie Xun. He understood Xie Jue’s boundaries—avoiding constant provocation. Once he approached the limit Xie Jue could tolerate, Fang Chuning would stop and wait for his temper to cool before resuming.
Fang Chuning steered away from Xie Jue’s presence and also avoided the Grand Marshal’s tent. Lin Xiao and Zhang Boxin, ever since that day, had actively distanced themselves from Fang Chuning and Xie Jue. Xie Jue didn’t mind, as he was never one to mix with them in the first place. Fang Chuning, however, enjoyed seeking them out. Fang Chuning’s temperant mirrored Xie Xun’s—he relished mingling with the soldiers and joking around. Bright and humorous, his popularity among others was undeniable, and Zhang Boxin and Lin Xiao, like many others, greatly enjoyed his company.
But this ti was an exception—Fang Chuning could sense that the two were deliberately avoiding him.
One afternoon during a casual nap, Lin Xiao and Zhang Boxin rested beneath a tree when Fang Chuning ca over. Zhang Boxin, for so reason, felt the urge to flee the mont he saw Fang Chuning. Before he could get up, Lin Xiao pressed him back down. Fang Chuning approached, smiling, and before Lin Xiao and Zhang Boxin could offer ceremonial salutations, Fang Chuning waved them off, "No need to be so formal. Sit, sit."
With an air of familiarity, he naturally sat beside Lin Xiao, grabbing a piece of baked flatbread to snack on just like them. However, his gaze held a playful glint as he targeted the guilty-looking Zhang Boxin. Nervous, are we?
The young lad’s every thought lay written plainly across his face.
Fang Chuning asked, "Three days ago, you two went to soak in a wild spring, only to be intercepted by the Prince’s Shadow Guard?"
Awkwardly scratching at his head, Zhang Boxin dreaded Fang Chuning bringing up this matter—it felt all the more uncomfortable. Why bring it up now? Did Fang Chuning not feel any embarrassnt himself? As he stared at Fang Chuning’s mischievous yet handso face, he couldn’t help but see him as a sly fox, leaving Zhang Boxin too rattled to respond.
Lin Xiao replied, "It was our fault for being thoughtless. Disturbing the Prince—it’s only natural we faced consequences."
Fang Chuning wasn’t aware they’d hidden in the trees to spy. Of course, Lin Xiao thought it wasn’t intentional—rely curiosity killing the cat. He deeply regretted listening to Zhang Boxin’s suggestion to stake out. If only they hadn’t hidden in the treetops, there wouldn’t have been anything to see. They wouldn’t now associate Fang Chuning with that suggestive scene, nor would they feel this overwhelming guilt whenever they faced him.
Fang Chuning nodded, "It was indeed a bit impolite. The Prince values cleanliness and would prefer not to bathe with others."
Zhang Boxin muttered inwardly, Then why were you there?
Fang Chuning followed up, "But why did it escalate into a fight?"
"It was entirely our fault. We insisted on barging in," Lin Xiao answered seamlessly, while Zhang Boxin felt his piece of flatbread lose its flavor.
"Did you see anything?"
"Not a thing!" Zhang Boxin answered hastily before Lin Xiao could respond, his guilt apparent to anyone. Lin Xiao almost wanted to smack him out of frustration.
"I heard you returned quite late that night." Fang Chuning raised his eyebrows, deliberately teasing them.
Unsure whether Fang Chuning had truly seen them, Lin Xiao stiffened but played along, "Yes, we went deeper into the mountains searching for another spring. Spent the whole night looking but found nothing."
Fang Chuning had expected Lin Xiao to be able to calmly navigate through the exchange and was sowhat impressed by his composure. A person brought up by Xie Xun showed a different kind of perceptiveness—more deserving of so admiration, in Fang Chuning’s eyes.
In truth, Lin Xiao and Zhang Boxin’s late return didn’t escape notice—the Shadow Guards had reported it in advance to both Xie Jue and Fang Chuning. This left Xie Jue and Fang Chuning convinced that the two had likely spotted—or suspected—sothing unusual. Their subsequent efforts to avoid the duo only further confird their suspicions.
Xie Jue paid no mind to the matter. After all, the two weren’t under the Grand Marshal’s command but foreign generals from the delegation—loyal to Xie Xun. Their dedication to Xie Xun ensured their loyalty remained firm towards Xie Jue as well. They wouldn’t gossip irresponsibly; thus, Xie Jue felt there was no need to concern himself.
Fang Chuning, however, had grown idle and decided to tease them instead. He hadn’t anticipated Lin Xiao’s unexpectedly steady resolve. Zhang Boxin, on the other hand, lacked Lin Xiao’s stability—with a mind full of scatterbrained curiosities and a guilty conscience filled with fear—it was undeniably amusing.
"All right. Recognizing mistakes and correcting them is good. Next ti, steer clear from similar situations—don’t unnecessarily involve yourself."
"Rest assured, General. We’ll keep this firmly in mind," Lin Xiao declared with unwavering conviction, "The night was pitch-black and the wind chilling—we didn’t see a thing."
"Excellent!" Fang Chuning stood, finally deciding to let them off the hook. He turned back and gave a mischievous wink, adding slyly, "Even if you did see sothing, it doesn’t matter."
Lin Xiao, "..."
Zhang Boxin, "..."
Once Fang Chuning had walked away whistling, Zhang Boxin blankly asked, "What did he an?"
"How should I know?"
"You’re so clever—how can you not know?"
Fed up, Lin Xiao tore off a piece of flatbread and shoved it into Zhang Boxin’s mouth. "Just eat, will you!"
After that quarrel with Fang Chuning the other night, the Grand Marshal had been hoping to reconcile. He couldn’t bear to let his son leave resentfully for Sannan. Yet, despite sending people to search for him, Fang Chuning had been avoiding him at every turn. Initially, the Grand Marshal believed Fang Chuning would be bitter and sorrowful. But when he sought him out, he unexpectedly found him laughing and chatting beneath the tree with Lin Xiao and Zhang Boxin. The cheerful atmosphere left the Grand Marshal feeling deeply conflicted.
Out of his sight, Fang Chuning wasn’t at all as despondent as he’d imagined. Did this an that, in Fang Chuning’s heart, his father’s importance wasn’t as significant as he’d wished?
Once, Fang Chuning had worked tirelessly to earn even the faintest praise from him, enduring wounds and exhaustion. Yet, his approval had always been so miserly—despite seeing the eager light in his son’s eyes, he had chosen only to educate harshly. Over ti, this caused Fang Chuning to grow distant, rebellious, and made them seem like strangers.
If not for Xiaoqi, Mrs. Fang, and Fang Lingjun, even sharing a al together would’ve been unbearable—silent and strained. On this journey to Jiangnan, the Grand Marshal had tried every thod he could think of to nd their relationship. But his efforts proved fruitless. That night, despite his intentions to avoid another argunt, sohow, words escalated, and they quarreled again. Apart from purely professional exchanges, father and son struggled to have any peaceful conversation.
The Grand Marshal reflected, twenty-so years had passed. Choosing to groom a qualified heir had co at the cost of becoming a loving father.
He had gotten what he wanted. Now his son was an independent general, capable of leading the Jiangnan Army. With Fang Chuning at the helm, he had no cause for concern. Since that was so, perhaps he shouldn’t ask for more.
Unexpectedly, although Fang Chuning hadn’t sought him out, it was Xie Jue who ca to him himself.
The army was just two days away from Yangzhou—where routes would diverge. The Grand Marshal would return to the barracks, while they would head southward to cross the river toward Sannan.
They could have traveled by land, but Xie Jue insisted on taking the river route to save ti—arriving at the Sannan Border three days ahead of schedule. It surprised the Grand Marshal when Xie Jue willingly ca to et him.
"Has the Prince co for so official business?" As they drew nearer to Jiangnan, the weather grew warr, with radiant spring scenery spreading all around—a pleasant breeze everywhere.
"Indeed, Senior. I ca to request a favor from you."
Reviews
All reviews (0)