Rejected Beauty Practices the Villain Play-Chapter 914 - 889: Shut Up
Xie Jue and Fang Chuning lived in the main courtyard when they were at the General Mansion. This courtyard has always been empty. Even when rumors spread that Fang Chuning had died, none of these generals moved into the main courtyard. Zhou Buyan saw Prince Yan naturally following Fang Chuning to live in the main courtyard and said nothing. The rumors about Fang Chuning and him had spread not only in Jiangnan but also in Zhongzhou. Although Jiangnan and Ningzhou spread the most rumors, they also prohibited them the most. In Ningzhou, however, not many people would insult Xie Jue and Fang Chuning. Xie Jue’s achievements in Ningzhou were well recognized by the people. At the Marquis Zhenbei Mansion in the north, as long as one didn’t commit murder, arson, indiscriminate killing, or treason, the people would be forgiving. Therefore, north of Zhongzhou, there were fewer people criticizing Xie Jue and Fang Chuning. They mostly avoided talking about it, unlike in Jiangnan where rumors flew everywhere.
Xie Jue and Fang Chuning did not have much of a foundation in Jiangnan, where there were many literati and scholars, plenty of whom were critical. Among the nobles, such rebellious disregard for ethics would certainly be pointed out, turned into plays, and widely publicized. Such scandals arising in a family renowned for loyalty and heroism was unheard of.
Zhou Buyan was used to such things in Zhongzhou and would also control the rumors. Fang Chuning, having been stationed in Zhongzhou for many years, had a stable foundation. Zhou Buyan being sent to guard Zhongzhou was Xie Xun’s intention, hoping to prevent the rumors about Xie Jue and Fang Chuning from spreading further. Therefore, Zhongzhou was well controlled, but no matter how well it was managed, it was known to all.
Several generals saw Xie Jue going straight to the main courtyard, feeling awkward about it, they glanced at each other and then at the sky. Fang Chuning explained, as if trying to cover up, "I’ve lost my memory; I’m not familiar with him."
The generals: "..."
Zhou Buyan said, "Alright, alright, alright, not familiar, we understand. Let’s go, let’s drink!"
He hooked an arm around Fang Chuning’s neck and took him off to drink. Several generals quickly followed, all appearing excited. Xie Jue suddenly turned around and said, "He’s recovering, drink less."
The group paused for a moment, Fang Chuning was about to retort when Zhou Buyan raised his hand, "Don’t worry, Your Highness; I know my limits, I won’t let him get drunk."
Fang Chuning nudged Zhou Buyan with his elbow, "Why do you listen to him?"
"Brother, he’s Prince Yan, of high rank and authority!" Zhou Buyan patted Fang Chuning’s shoulder, "And anyway, it’s well-known throughout the army that you’re afraid of him; don’t feel embarrassed, we’re all afraid!"
"Thanks a lot!" Fang Chuning pushed him away as the generals laughed, teasing him without any malice.
"Mr. Fang, you’ve hidden it too well, all these years I’ve seen nothing of it. Considering Prince Yan’s temperament, we dared not think down that path. We really thought it was a deep brotherly bond, didn’t expect your brotherly bond to be different from what I imagined."
"We’re afraid of Prince Yan because of his great influence; you’re afraid of Prince Yan because... you’re henpecked!"
Everyone burst into laughter with a hint of ambiguity. Though it was hard to accept at first, over time they actually managed to joke about it freely. Fang Chuning wore a numb expression, letting them tease him; since he didn’t remember, it wasn’t him feeling awkward.
"If it wasn’t for that incident in Sannan, I really wouldn’t have known, and found it hard to accept at first."
"It’s not just hard to accept; Mr. Fang, I have to say... when the rumors first spread and we hadn’t received the news of your death yet, Liujiang cursed you for being infatuated. After you returned to the capital, he insisted on taking you to Mudan Building to meet some beautiful girls to change your ways, saying he’d cut ties with you if you didn’t change to avoid being implicated when you were scorned. But at your funeral, he cried and wailed, saying what’s wrong with liking Prince Yan, who wouldn’t like him as he’s so handsome!"
The crowd: "..."
Liujiang, having his embarrassing secret revealed, turned red and chased after the general who exposed him, "Shut your mouth, I didn’t cry!"
"Look, here we go, or else you’ll cry again!" 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶
Everyone laughed heartily. Fang Chuning felt a sense of relief and assurance, a lightness he hadn’t experienced even while recuperating for months at Lu Liu Villa. It felt like he originally belonged here, with these people whom he was most familiar with. The people at Lu Liu Villa, no matter how close to him, never gave him such a relaxed and familiar feeling.
So, I truly am Fang Chuning!
Fang Chuning had hidden a lot of wine in the courtyard, well known to Zhou Buyan. Having returned alive, it was certainly cause for celebration. Zhou Buyan discovered the three jars of wine hidden under the pomegranate tree, intending to drink with Fang Chuning until they were drunken.
"Prince Yan just instructed not to let him drink too much."
Zhou Buyan raised an eyebrow, "I said he won’t get drunk, given his drink capacity he won’t!"
"Never mind him, I’m not familiar with him." Fang Chuning forgot about Xie Jue as soon as he smelled the wine. He truly loved drinking, and while recuperating at Lu Liu Villa, he didn’t touch a drop but would sneak out to drink, never quite satisfying his cravings. Now being able to drink freely with his comrades, he naturally wanted to drink without restraint. Besides, men are prideful; even with memory loss, he wasn’t about to appear timid in front of others regarding Xie Jue!
Absolutely not!
Who was he ever afraid of?
He didn’t fear his stern father, how could he possibly fear Xie Jue!
"Are you sure?" Zhou Buyan asked, "Even the emperor fears Prince Yan, like a mouse sees a cat, don’t push yourself; we won’t laugh at you."
"Indeed, indeed, won’t laugh at you." The group echoed along.
"Come, fill my cup!" Fang Chuning heartily patted his own wine bowl, his cravings being stirred.
Liujiang asked, "Your injury, is it healed?"
"Long healed." Fang Chuning said, "Climbing mountains to capture a tiger is no problem; look at my complexion, does it seem like I’m recovering?"
"If you want to be stubborn, then let’s fill it up." Zhou Buyan filled his cup. Fang Chuning eagerly toasted with them, drinking it down in one gulp, finding even this much too paltry.
The atmosphere instantly heated up.
Zhou Buyan’s deputy general asked, "Mr. Fang, where have you been all this time? We were worried sick, we truly believed you were dead, shocked when told by those who returned from Sannan you died, body never found. The Marshal didn’t even allow us to attend your funeral; we had to secretly visit your grave."
"..." Fang Chuning thought, turns out there’s even a grave, well then! His father truly hoped he had died, yet he didn’t feel sad at all. His father’s attitude was clear, dead or alive, just don’t disgrace the family name, "I was recuperating in Jiangnan, and my dad lied to me, saying I’ve been weak since childhood, always recuperating at Lu Liu Villa."
"The Marshal is truly ruthless!"
"Indeed, quite ruthless!"
"Ah, surviving such a setback, serving the country... isn’t it just... isn’t it just Prince Yan’s gender isn’t right, why go through this!"
"What if your three-year-old son likes a man one day?"
"I’d break his legs!" Liujiang said with great spirit, tossing his wine bowl, "He wouldn’t dare!"
The crowd, "..."
Fang Chuning, "..."
Liujiang, after two bowls of wine, feeling the effects, raised his hand to Fang Chuning and said, "Mr. Fang, just take my words as nonsense. Given the way my son looks, no young gentleman would be interested in him!"
Fang Chuning took a deep breath, "Just shut up!"
