Fang Chuning couldn’t understand why Xie Jue cared so much about Chen Gui. His impression was that the sarcastic exchanges had happened several tis, all because of Chen Gui. If Zhou Buyan hadn’t ntioned what happened to him in Zhongzhou, he might have misunderstood whether he had a sowhat unclear relationship with Chen Gui, causing Xie Jue’s displeasure.
Upon seeing Chen Gui today, he didn’t think Chen Gui could asure up to Xie Jue in any way. If Chen Gui was the reason for Xie Jue’s displeasure, then perhaps his sense of aesthetics was malfunctioning. In every aspect, Chen Gui paled in comparison to Xie Jue; they were like heaven and earth. His eyes were not blind; with perfection in sight, how would he choose the flawed?
"Chen Gui said so irrelevant things, and to hear him speak, I’m just an ungrateful bastard. He deeply resents my betrayal of Zhongzhou. Zhou Buyan said that my relationship with him is just average, and my true friends are in the Capital City. Yet, he acts as if he’s my closest friend, claiming I shouldn’t betray him, leaving utterly puzzled. Xie Tingfeng, what is my relationship with Chen Gui?" Fang Chuning cleverly shifted the responsibility to Xie Jue, appearing both obedient and clever, as if whatever Xie Jue says, he will believe it.
Xie Jue replied indifferently, "Zhou Buyan is right. The relationship is ordinary, rely drinking buddies. You don’t need to take his words to heart."
Fang Chuning raised an eyebrow, suppressing a laugh. He actually enjoyed seeing Xie Jue looking displeased yet restrained. From Zhou Buyan and other generals’ remarks, Fang Chuning knew Xie Jue was not the type to suffer in silence. Yet, faced with an amnesiac him, Xie Jue clumsily tried to please him, seemingly afraid of his anger, being a bit cautious. But even within this caution, there was a natural arrogance, showing he was not a person with a good temper. Fang Chuning secretly found delight in this.
"He’s sowhat oblivious; you gave him a way out, yet he didn’t take it. A happy ending for everyone if he stops entangling himself. The outco won’t change much anyway. Wouldn’t it be better to have negotiated with you earlier for better terms?" Fang Chuning took a deep breath, lightly chuckling as he said, "Let’s not talk about such a disappointing person; let’s go fishing. Zhongzhou’s carp is a tribute item; let’s try our luck."
Fishing was a hobby Fang Chuning maintained even after losing his mory. He enjoyed fishing when he was in Yangzhou, spending every day fishing by the river. Even if the fish enthusiastically took the bait, he found great joy in fishing, able to sit for an entire day. Before Xie Jue ca to Yangzhou, Fang Chuning used to fish every day.
Xie Jue agreed, "Alright!"
Apart from the Chen Family’s matters, he had no major concerns and was naturally willing to accompany a gentleman.
Xie Jue and Fang Chuning took their fishing gear. The sunlight in Zhongzhou was scorching, so both wore straw hats for shade, thus no one recognized them while heading to the riverside. Zhongzhou’s carp was well-known for its delicious at, considered a rare delicacy, once a designated tribute during the Yuwen Dynasty. Fresh carp was caught and sent to the Capital City, and given the distance between Zhongzhou and the Capital City, the carp needed daily water changes and feeding of small fish and shrimp. Even so, half of the carp would die en route. All manpower and resources were spent for the enjoynt of the nobility. After Xie Xun ascended the throne, he abolished many tribute systems, including the carp from Zhongzhou. No longer needing daily expenditure in resources to be sent to the Capital City, Zhongzhou lifted the ban on fishing, allowing its people to freely catch carp. Since the ban was lifted, local fishern and residents have been fishing along the Bei River’s Zhongzhou segnt, causing carp prices to gradually decrease, no longer as expensive as before.
The two fished from the riverbank, choosing an area suitable for fishing. The best spots were occupied by locals, and when Fang Chuning and Xie Jue arrived, the bank was already crowded. They preferred not to squeeze in with others, so they went a bit further to find a quieter spot to fish. Xie Jue often accompanied Fang Chuning fishing and was skilled at it. Fishing was calming and nurturing, sothing he enjoyed in his leisure.
Both quietly fished from the riverbank without speaking. In this area, carp were scarce, and after an incense stick’s ti, they had nothing to show for their efforts. Fang Chuning began to wonder if overfishing had depleted the river’s carp.
Both were extrely patient. Xie Jue even closed his eyes to rest. Their patience indeed paid off when Fang Chuning caught a palm-sized carp. Though not plump, it was their first haul. Fang Chuning laughed heartily, saying, "If I’m not a general, I’d certainly be a master fisherman."
Xie Jue’s lips curved slightly, and just then, they heard two young n nearby engaging in conversation, having caught no carp. They started with family chit-chat, which Fang Chuning and Xie Jue could overhear but didn’t mind. They lanted Zhongzhou’s current desolation, lacking opportunities. Fang Chuning couldn’t help but glance at Xie Jue, but Xie Jue remained unfazed. Initially, it seed the talk would remain on Zhongzhou and familial matters, but unexpectedly, the older gentleman ntioned, "Have you heard? Many people have seen General Fang in town."
The rugged man, with coarse features and dark skin, appearing no older than twenty, lowered his voice to say, "I heard rumors ages ago and didn’t believe them. The Capital City had news of the Fang Family holding a funeral, and I thought the Great General had passed on long ago. But then, hearing he might have feigned death. Initially, I refused to believe he showed up in Zhongzhou, but I recently spotted him on the street...he indeed was with Prince Yan, and neither attempted to conceal themselves, browsing through Zhongzhou openly."
"You witnessed it firsthand?"
"A decisive man like General Fang, to prefer n, it must be under duress. They’ve long rumored Prince Yan is indifferent to won since youth, always following General Fang like a shadow—most likely blurring love and kinship. When the Xie family rebelled years back, it was General Fang who led troops to chase them, nearly preventing them from escaping the Capital City."
The older gentleman comnted, "But I heard General Fang and the Prince share mutual affection, childhood sweethearts, deeply bonded."
The rugged man snorted derisively, "If the General truly reciprocated, why would he lead troops against him or choose to station in Zhongzhou?"
"Makes sense, Brother Liu served under General Fang back then, knowing his affairs inside out. Such a pity, he should’ve been a legendary general. Is the Fang Family allowing the Xie to act recklessly like this?"
"With the new emperor on the throne, Prince Yan stands second to none, desiring whatever he wants, who can stop him—all forcing the General to fake his death. The Fang Family moved entirely to Jiangnan, distancing themselves from the Capital City. What could they do? The Ningzhou Iron Cavalry is under the emperor’s control. If the commander dares rebel, who knows what might transpire."
The older gentleman nodded, "Xie Jue takes forcefully what belongs to others. Fancying n is odd, but choosing to ruin the Great General, a loyalist’s descendant, is disgraceful!"
"It’s true, isn’t it? Back in Zhongzhou, everyone served under General Fang, never hearing of his fancy for n. He joined us in revelry at Qinghua Building, drinking and enjoying music, clearly favoring alluring won. Now he’s forced by that absurd Prince Yan to feign death, it would be bearable if that’s all, but being persistently harassed—it’s like relentless entanglent."
Fang Chuning’s expression darkened, a fla of anger igniting within him. He abruptly got up, rembering Xie Jue’s toughness back then, and kicked the rugged man into the lake. With a loud splash, he instantly fell into the river, subrged.
The other gentleman was startled, hastily got up to use his fishing rod to rescue his companion, turning to scold Fang Chuning, "We were here fishing properly without bothering you. Why did you kick him into the water?"
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