Chapter 445: Chapter 429: Bizarre Behavior
After Fang Chuning and Fang Lingjun entered the city gate, it wasn’t long before Fengyu received the news. Less than a stick of incense later, the Fang siblings’ carriage arrived at the City Lord Mansion. Fang Lingjun curiously lifted the curtain to look at the sights in the city; it was different from the Capital City and Zhongzhou.
The city gate was over ten meters high, majestic and imposing, surrounded on three sides by water. Houses were mainly made of stone and wood, unlike the refined and delicate style of Jiangnan and the Capital City; they were rough, heavy, and gave off an ancient and grand vibe.
The shops on the street focused mostly on daily needs of the people. There were many traveling merchants, some even retained the traditional barter trade, which amazed Fang Lingjun. Fang Chuning and Xie Jue passed by this city during their campaign against bandits, and it had changed tremendously compared to a few years ago. In a few more years, it might return to its peak and become the most central economic region among the twelve states.
"Ayu..." From a distance, Fang Lingjun saw Fengyu, excitedly waved, and jumped down before the carriage even stopped, rushing to Fengyu who embraced her tightly with joy.
Xie Xun, who stood nearby, stared coldly at Fang Chuning with a hostile gaze, but Fang Chuning was indifferent.
The reunion of the two sisters was of course filled with warmth and affection.
"Brother Fang, a rare guest indeed." Xie Xun greeted him with a bland tone. In those years at the Ningzhou Military Camp, they were frequent sparring partners on the training ground and knew each other well.
Xie Xun had always been proud and ambitious; few were considered his rivals, and Fang Chuning was one of them. But ever since noticing some things, Xie Xun felt Fang Chuning was like a male fox spirit.
"Where’s your brother?" Fang Chuning asked.
"Taking his son for a stroll!" Xie Xun replied with malice.
"Oh, almost two years old now, I suppose."
"You know?"
"Can’t I know?"
After Fengyu and Fang Lingjun’s warm embrace, seeing them talking cryptically, Fengyu couldn’t help but laugh and said, "Brother Fang, Junjun, let’s head inside first; the wind and snow outside are quite harsh, and you must be weary from the long journey."
As Fang Chuning and Junjun were guests, Fengyu didn’t plan for them to stay in an inn. She had already prepared guest rooms. Fang Lingjun and Fang Chuning decided to come to West State in a hurry, so they bought gifts along the way, filling a carriage. Fengyu had Qiuxiang take them down, then welcomed everyone inside. Although the City Lord Mansion was in the northern architectural style, Fengyu had transformed it, giving it the charm and gentleness of a Jiangnan Water Town, with everything neatly arranged. Fang Chuning quietly withdrew his gaze.
Since Fengyu wasn’t familiar with Fang Chuning and with Xie Xun and Xie Jue present in the mansion, she didn’t entertain him but took Fang Lingjun to the back courtyard, leaving Xie Xun to host Fang Chuning.
"Zhixu, have I offended you?" Fang Chuning sensitively noticed Xie Xun’s very hostile and slightly provocative look, unlike the kind of provocations when they were in Ningzhou.
Younger Xie Xun was aloof, proud, and competitive. His provocations were purely to prove he was the strongest general in the army, always filled with enthusiasm and excitement.
Now... his challenging gaze was as if... he’d committed some heinous crime.
"Different paths, no plans to conspire together. Why are you here in West State?" Xie Xun got straight to the point. "I wasn’t surprised that Fang Lingjun wanted to see Ayu, but now you’re in charge in Zhongzhou, and without a decree, you can’t leave. Why are you blatantly appearing here, what good could it be?"
"I wasn’t at ease with Junjun, escorting her here, and happened to discuss some matters with Han Ziqi. The news of West State’s Salt and Iron Department selling iron ore to Sannan has spread everywhere. I’m here to see just how big Han Ziqi’s appetite is to handle so much war preparation." Fang Chuning lowered his eyes and drank tea, his tone casual. This was an open declaration, and Xie Xun didn’t expect him to reveal it so openly.
"Sannan is rich, we lack money, it’s just a business, I didn’t expect it to alarm you."
"This isn’t just a business, you and I both know. Sannan buying so much war equipment is in preparation for war," Fang Chuning replied. "The Southern battlefield is about to be turbulent. My father sent me to talk to Ting Feng about whether this business must be done. So, where’s your brother?"
"Han Ziqi is at the West Wind Inn; if you want to find him, go to the West Wind Inn."
"Your way of hosting isn’t very good." Fang Chuning smiled, and those charming eyes seemed to hold a spring breeze, quite captivating, "Where’s your brother?"
"Taking his son for a stroll, can’t you understand?" Xie Xun was quite annoyed, why keep asking and asking, he just didn’t want Fang Chuning to meet Second Brother, yet he knew he couldn’t stop him.
"Perfect, I’ll go see Ting Feng’s son."
"You... you..." Xie Xun came to his senses, "Wait, Second Brother has a son, you’re not angry?"
"Why would I be angry?" Fang Chuning said with a smile, "Isn’t this a good thing?"
Xie Xun, "?"
He was bewildered, his heart pounding, could it be Fang Chuning knew Ruyi’s identity? This matter was absolutely secret, even Yuwen Jing was unaware. Back then, they bypassed Zhongzhou, Fang Chuning couldn’t possibly know.
Xie Xun’s face suddenly turned grim, could it be Second Brother was having an unrequited love?
Fang Chuning’s feeling toward Second Brother was purely brotherhood? Xie Xun looked at Fang Chuning with a malicious gaze. The Eldest Young Master of the Fang Family had like-minded friends all over the Capital City: Zhang Lingzheng, Zhang Boju, Gu Jiaming, etc. Among the close friends, there were five or six, all friends who would risk their lives for each other.
Back in the Imperial College, he was adored like a star surrounded by stars. When Zhang Boju once made a mistake, it was Fang Chuning who took the blame to avoid Zhang Boju being punished by Grandmaster Zhang. He always treated friends with utter sincerity and loyalty.
Xie Xun slammed his fist heavily on the table, "How is this reasonable, based on what..."
Fang Chuning, "?"