Rejected Beauty Practices the Villain Play-Chapter 923 - 898: Taking Medicine

When Fang Chuning and Xie Jue returned to the General Mansion, Zhou Buyan had already come back. He saw Xie Jue go up the city wall and tactfully returned without disturbing them.

When Xie Jue went to brew the medicine, Fang Chuning grabbed Zhou Buyan and started to beat him up, "Why did you run? Why did you leave me alone with Xie Jue? Do you have a death wish?"

For some 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 same 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 me. 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 immediately. Fang Chuning kicked him, "I’ll kill you!"

"Ouch, ouch, ouch, you really are merciless!" 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 women!"

Zhou Buyan was confused. Had his memory loss changed even his preferences? Zhou Buyan had practically grown up with Fang Chuning and had never seen him care so much for someone, not even for his own parents. When Xie Jue quarreled with the Marquis back then, nobody dared to mediate. 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 stemmed 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 doomed 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 meeting Xie Jue, and Zhou Buyan felt secondhand embarrassment for him. Fortunately, the Marquis never noticed such intense feelings, or Fang Chuning would have been kicked back to the Capital City back then.

"Come, look into my eyes and say you like charming women!" Zhou Buyan grasped Fang Chuning’s shoulders. He simply couldn’t believe a person’s change could be so drastic!

"I like charming women. Say it a thousand times, 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 memory loss, did you fall for some 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 someone 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 mean he liked someone else? Could it not be that he was cold-hearted and didn’t like anyone?

"Before my memory returns, I won’t like anyone!" This was something 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 memory. 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 shame upon their entire families.

"Fine, have ambition, keep it up!" Zhou Buyan clicked his tongue. Fang Chuning was sometimes so persistent that Zhou Buyan didn’t quite understand his persistence. "If that’s the case, then why do you still drink such bitter medicine?"

Fang Chuning was silent for a moment, 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 shame in being afraid of him. But he remembers the pre-amnesia Fang Chuning wasn’t afraid of Xie Jue at all.

Fang Chuning thought for a moment 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, someone came to urge Fang Chuning, "General, the Prince is calling you to take your medicine."

Fang Chuning frowned, sighed, "Amusing as it is, the bitterness is very real."

"Slip the medicine out when he’s not looking."

"Try it, it’s impossible! He watches me drink it all."

Zhou Buyan, "No can do!"

Can only sympathize with him mentally.

When Fang Chuning returned, Xie Jue was already sitting nearby reading a book, with a bowl of medicine and a plate of preserved plums by his side. Fang Chuning raised an eyebrow, "Where did the plums come from?"

"Bought them along the road. You said the medicine was bitter, so have some 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 medicine?"

"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 time you take medicine in the future."

Fang Chuning felt a lump in his throat and fearfully asked, "How long will I have to take this medicine?"

"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 memory. I’ve sent Shadow Guards to Sannan for an antidote. The Sannan Royal Family has a secret medicine that can cure all poisons. Your body is weak due to the poison entering your lungs, affecting your memory. This medicine 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 medicine?"

"That’s why, in case they don’t, you have to keep taking it."

Fang Chuning, "..."