Rejected Beauty Practices the Villain Play-Chapter 920 - 895: Familiarity

After Fang Chuning woke up, Zhou Buyan, who was resting at home, planned to take him to explore Zhongzhou City to familiarize himself with the local customs and culture. After washing and eating, Fang Chuning asked, "Where is Xie Jue?"

"The Prince had official duties to attend to and left early in the morning."

"Did he go out without any attendants, given his delicate scholarly demeanor?"

"The Prince always has Shadow Guards by his side; it’s not a problem."

"Shadow Guards? Where does he have Shadow Guards? It was just him and me all the way."

Fang Chuning had never seen a Shadow Guard. Xie Jue’s Shadow Guards were mysterious and rarely seen by others, but they couldn’t be completely invisible. They often had to follow Xie Jue closely, so it was normal for Fang Chuning not to see them. Zhou Buyan said, "The Prince usually has Shadow Guards by his side. You’re suffering from amnesia, don’t worry so much, brother!"

"I’m not worried at all, just asking casually!"

Zhou Buyan did not expose him.

Zhou Buyan took Fang Chuning for a stroll in Zhongzhou. The local customs and architecture in Zhongzhou were completely different from those in Yangzhou. The buildings were rugged and tall, lacking the delicacy of Jiangnan. Zhou Buyan took Fang Chuning to a place they often visited to drink, a private room with the best view in the highest inn in Zhongzhou City. Zhou Buyan ordered two pots of wine and filled a cup for him. Fang Chuning was already accustomed to drinking and became somewhat addicted.

"Are you familiar with this place?"

"No impression." Fang Chuning glanced downstairs, watching the few pedestrians on the road. It wasn’t as lively as Yangzhou City. Looking at the quiet streets, he felt somewhat unfamiliar, "How many years have I lived here?"

"Indeed, we often drank here; you have no recollection whatsoever? You loved coming here for drinks, never leaving until drunk."

Fang Chuning thought to himself, he truly had no recollection.

He didn’t feel as deeply connected to this city as he did to Yangzhou. He liked Yangzhou, enjoyed its misty rains, and the romantic melodies from pleasure boats. But he didn’t like Zhongzhou; for some reason, this city made him feel very melancholic.

"I don’t like Zhongzhou."

"How could that be!" Zhou Buyan said, "Before you lost your memory, you wanted to guard Zhongzhou for life."

"Maybe I’m crazy."

"Yes, you’re crazy, amnesia is also madness."

Fang Chuning did not argue with him. The inn had a storytelling platform, and there was a storyteller downstairs. Fang Chuning felt uneasy about the widespread tales from Yangzhou. Zhou Buyan noticed he kept glancing at the storytelling platform, seemed to realize something, and patted his chest saying, "Do you know what kind of place Zhongzhou is? Who would dare spread false rumors at will and convert them into books here? Do they desire prison food or find jail warm as spring? This place is under military control. Our Zhongzhou troops are not to be taken lightly. Initially, someone dared to spread rumors recklessly, but they were quickly suppressed. Heading north, in Ningzhou, nobody dared to spread rumors at all. Even discussing privately was risky due to potential eavesdropping and the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry might intervene. Yangzhou witnessed rampant rumors because it’s a hub for wealthy merchants, influential figures, and lack of suppression. A General could have suppressed them firmly, but surprisingly didn’t. To suppress such, as ones involving a Prince and the Fang Family’s sole heir, listening to others’ slander daily, how could one feel comfortable? Rest assured, such occurrences wouldn’t happen in Zhongzhou."

Fang Chuning was indeed uneasy but hadn’t considered enforcing suppression. "I tell you, blocking is worse than easing. The more they are pressed, the more people talk. If there’s freedom of speech, perhaps they’ll lose interest after a few days of discussion."

"Really? Should I let go and not bother?"

Fang Chuning suddenly asked, "By the way, do many people here in Zhongzhou know me?"

"Can your face go unnoticed in Zhongzhou? Every prominent family in the city wants to marry their daughter to you. In the military, your looks are exceptional, and with your habit of drinking in Zhongzhou’s towers, indeed many people know you."

"Forget it then, suppress it. I’m troubled!" Fang Chuning, though indifferent, didn’t like being criticized. If so many knew him, then forget it. He didn’t want to be pointed at while walking, "If word of my death spread to Zhongzhou, wouldn’t people think they’ve seen a ghost upon seeing me?"

"I thought I saw a ghost, so what do you think?"

Fang Chuning, "..."

This person, who has been dead for some time, suddenly coming back to life, is indeed unsettling.

Fang Chuning and Zhou Buyan drank in the city tower and then walked around the square-shaped city for a while, growing weary of Zhongzhou’s square constructions, and wanted to see the city tower, so Zhou Buyan led him there.

The soldiers at the city tower were startled upon seeing Fang Chuning; many were his former subordinates during his time in Zhongzhou, "Gen... General..."

Zhou Buyan waved his hand, "Incorrect news from the capital; our General is alive and well. Keep watch, don’t bother him. I’ll take him for a casual stroll."

"Yes!"

The soldiers guarding the city dared not ask more. Since Fang Chuning did not greet them proactively, they pretended to be mute themselves. Upon reaching the city wall, Fang Chuning suddenly felt a sense of familiarity.

His hand brushed against the bricks of the Zhongzhou City Wall, feeling the coarse texture, his expression complex. Zhou Buyan excitedly asked, "Are you recalling something? Is it familiar?"

Fang Chuning pointed north, asking, "What’s over there?"

Zhou Buyan, worthy of being his long-time Deputy General, responded, "Ningzhou!"

Fang Chuning softly said, "Did I often play tunes here?"