When Fang Chuning and Xie Jue returned to the General Mansion, Zhou Buyan had already co back. He saw Xie Jue go up the city wall and tactfully returned without disturbing them.
When Xie Jue went to brew the dicine, Fang Chuning grabbed Zhou Buyan and started to beat him up, "Why did you run? Why did you leave alone with Xie Jue? Do you have a death wish?"
For so reason, he felt comfortable torturing Zhou Buyan, with a great sense of confidence. It was as if he knew Zhou Buyan used to be his deputy general, a life-and-death brother who obeyed his every command. He didn’t have the sa confidence with Xie Jue, perhaps because of the ambiguous feelings between them.
While dodging Fang Chuning’s fists, Zhou Buyan wailed, "I’m so sensible, and you still beat . I was just trying to help you two develop a relationship!"
"Develop what relationship? I don’t want it at all. I’ve spent the entire journey alone with him. Isn’t that enough for developing feelings? Stop running!" Fang Chuning pointed at him. Zhou Buyan, out of habit, stopped imdiately. Fang Chuning kicked him, "I’ll kill you!"
"Ouch, ouch, ouch, you really are rciless!" Zhou Buyan yelped, his leg bruised from Fang Chuning’s kicks. He looked at Fang Chuning in disbelief, "Do you really not like the Prince at all?"
"I don’t like him!" Fang Chuning said decisively, "I like charming won!"
Zhou Buyan was confused. Had his mory loss changed even his preferences? Zhou Buyan had practically grown up with Fang Chuning and had never seen him care so much for soone, not even for his own parents. When Xie Jue quarreled with the Marquis back then, nobody dared to diate. All the generals sided with the Marquis, and nobody would support the fledgling Second Young Master, except for Fang Chuning. No matter when or where, no matter who they were facing, he always chose Xie Jue!
Such intense, profound feelings stemd from their childhood companionship, the day-by-day emotional stirrings, and his discreet affection for Xie Jue. He loved Xie Jue dearly.
Zhou Buyan even advised him not to be reckless, not to hold unrealistic hopes, as it was dood to be fruitless. But Fang Chuning insisted on forging his own path, with the intense and stubborn emotions typical of youth, refusing to turn back until he hit a wall. For a while, Fang Chuning blushed just eting Xie Jue, and Zhou Buyan felt secondhand embarrassnt for him. Fortunately, the Marquis never noticed such intense feelings, or Fang Chuning would have been kicked back to the Capital City back then.
"Co, look into my eyes and say you like charming won!" Zhou Buyan grasped Fang Chuning’s shoulders. He simply couldn’t believe a person’s change could be so drastic!
"I like charming won. Say it a thousand tis, it’s still true. I don’t like Xie Jue!" Fang Chuning knew his feelings for Xie Jue were complicated, but he could distinguish that it wasn’t romantic love.
Zhou Buyan was astonished. Knowing Fang Chuning well, he could tell he wasn’t lying. "During your mory loss, did you fall for so charming woman?"
Oh, dear, is that woman okay? Is she even alive? Would the Prince drown her? The Prince’s possessiveness wouldn’t allow Fang Chuning to fall for soone else, even with amnesia. To him, it’s betrayal, and the Prince would definitely settle the score later. Fang Chuning better not have any reckless thoughts!
Fang Chuning frowned, looking at Zhou Buyan like he was an idiot. Just because he didn’t like Xie Jue did it an he liked soone else? Could it not be that he was cold-hearted and didn’t like anyone?
"Before my mory returns, I won’t like anyone!" This was sothing Fang Chuning had always been firm about, regardless of what others said. Even if they said he and Xie Jue depended on each other for life and death, swore eternal devotion, he wouldn’t believe it. He only trusted his mory. What others said, he didn’t believe any of it. What if they were lying?
Zhou Buyan frowned, unaware of Fang Chuning’s obsession, and couldn’t help but think; if emotions could be governed by reason, they wouldn’t be emotions. He wouldn’t carry the world’s criticisms, nor would he provoke the Grand Marshal’s fury. If their bond wasn’t too deep, how could these noble clan’s sons dare to misstep and get scolded? That would bring sha upon their entire families.
"Fine, have ambition, keep it up!" Zhou Buyan clicked his tongue. Fang Chuning was sotis so persistent that Zhou Buyan didn’t quite understand his persistence. "If that’s the case, then why do you still drink such bitter dicine?"
Fang Chuning was silent for a mont, then leaned closer to Zhou Buyan and lowered his voice, "To be honest, I’m a bit afraid of him!"
Zhou Buyan, "..."
The Prince’s aura, even the Emperor fears; no sha in being afraid of him. But he rembers the pre-amnesia Fang Chuning wasn’t afraid of Xie Jue at all.
Fang Chuning thought for a mont and added, "Besides, his clumsy attempts at serving are quite amusing. He insists on doing what he’s not good at, so I’m just watching the show."
Zhou Buyan mused, only you would find the Prince amusing.
As they talked, soone ca to urge Fang Chuning, "General, the Prince is calling you to take your dicine."
Fang Chuning frowned, sighed, "Amusing as it is, the bitterness is very real."
"Slip the dicine out when he’s not looking."
"Try it, it’s impossible! He watches drink it all."
Zhou Buyan, "No can do!"
Can only sympathize with him ntally.
When Fang Chuning returned, Xie Jue was already sitting nearby reading a book, with a bowl of dicine and a plate of preserved plums by his side. Fang Chuning raised an eyebrow, "Where did the plums co from?"
"Bought them along the road. You said the dicine was bitter, so have so plums after you take it."
Fang Chuning tilted his head slightly, "Did I coax you like this in the past when you wouldn’t take dicine?"
"Yes," Xie Jue admitted without denial. That’s indeed how he was coaxed, so he learned step by step. Xie Jue asked, "Do you like it?"
Fang Chuning almost slapped himself for being too talkative. Xie Jue was the serious type, quietly waiting for his answer. Fang Chuning had no choice but to answer reluctantly, "It’s okay."
Xie Jue nodded, presuming he liked it, "Then I’ll buy plums every ti you take dicine in the future."
Fang Chuning felt a lump in his throat and fearfully asked, "How long will I have to take this dicine?"
"Until your body is fully recovered."
"How long is that?"
"Depends on you!"
Fang Chuning was quite distressed, attempting to decline, "I don’t want to take it."
"No, you must take it to recover your mory. I’ve sent Shadow Guards to Sannan for an antidote. The Sannan Royal Family has a secret dicine that can cure all poisons. Your body is weak due to the poison entering your lungs, affecting your mory. This dicine will slow the poison from reaching your heart. Once the Shadow Guards return with it, you won’t have to continue taking it."
"What if your Shadow Guards never get the dicine?"
"That’s why, in case they don’t, you have to keep taking it."
Fang Chuning, "..."
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