Chapter 444: Chapter 428: Wind and Snow
West State, City Lord Mansion.
Xie Jue was in the study, copying a landscape painting. Snow and ice covered the ground, and all the states and counties were developing steadily. He wasn’t in a hurry to return to Jiaozhou. Xie Xun planned to return to Ningzhou after the Lunar New Year, so Xie Jue decided he’d wait until Xie Xun left before taking Ruyi back to Jiaozhou.
Halfway through the painting, a messenger pigeon landed at the open window. Xie Jue put down the brush, walked over, and removed the note tied to the pigeon. After reading it, he muttered to himself, "Are they insane?"
He tossed the note into the fire to burn it, his expression dark and unreadable. What was Anning coming to West State for at this time?
"Ying Qi, Fang Chuning is almost here in West State. Keep an eye on Han Ziqi."
"If I leave, there’ll be no one by your side, Young Master."
"It’s fine."
"Understood!"
Xie Jue appeared thoughtful. Recently, within West State City, besides Han Ziqi coming to discuss business, nothing else seemed to warrant attention. West State was Fengyu’s domain. Xie Jue went to find Fengyu and saw that she was pruning plum blossoms in the Plum Garden, arranging them into vases with Ruyi.
Fengyu was a bit surprised after hearing his intent, but also somewhat delighted. "Second Brother, my relationship with Junjun is rather unique. To avoid any overlap in information, it’s better for me not to get involved in this matter. I’ll lend you all my men—you can deploy them however you see fit. I don’t need to know the details. What do you think?"
"Very well!" That was precisely what Xie Jue had intended. Since Fengyu brought it up, it suited him perfectly.
Xie Jue came in haste and left just as hurriedly. Ruyi turned his head, unable to catch sight of his father, looking somewhat bewildered. Fengyu lowered her head to kiss him, saying, "Little Ruyi is such a clingy boy."
Just as she finished speaking, Xie Jue returned. "Ruyi is my son. Don’t tell Fang Lingjun about his identity."
"...Alright!" Fengyu was a bit stunned but nodded in agreement. Xie Jue seemed reassured and turned to leave. Fengyu remained puzzled—why did Second Brother specifically emphasize this matter?
Even if Junjun found out, she would keep it a secret. Back in the day, when Fengyu had given Junjun gold and silver as dowry, Junjun had returned the fortune to her untouched.
They had once faced life-and-death situations together in Yangzhou. To ensure Fengyu and Xie Xun could escape, Junjun had protected them with her life. Even if she knew Ruyi was her sister’s child, Junjun wouldn’t utter a single word.
"Oh... I understand now."
Fang Chuning is coming too!
"Oh, my little Ruyi..." Fengyu nervously rubbed his cheeks. "This is going to get interesting."
When Xie Xun came to the Plum Garden to find Fengyu and Ruyi, he casually asked, "Second Brother left in a rush with a group of people. Did something happen?"
"A message from a spy pigeon. Apparently, Fang Chuning and Junjun are arriving in West State soon."
Xie Xun froze, visibly shocked. "What could Han Ziqi possibly have that could entice Fang Chuning to come to West State?"
Fengyu shrugged. "I have no idea."
"Ayu, what do you think... what if I set up a trap to get rid of him? How about that?" Xie Xun said with a cold laugh. "He acts like West State belongs to him, coming and going as he pleases without bothering to conceal his identity."
Fang Chuning must know that Second Brother would station spies in that area—that’s just his habit. By not hiding his identity, he’s intentionally letting them know.
Arrogant because of favoritism!
Hah!
Second Brother might let Fang Chuning get away with this, but I won’t!
"That’s your call. I’m not getting involved," Fengyu said with a tone of neutrality. "But I’d advise you... don’t provoke Second Brother."
"But I really want him dead."
"This is just jealousy," Fengyu said in a soft, teasing voice. "If you two end up fighting, I doubt Second Brother will back you up."
"If I fight Fang Chuning, Second Brother can just stand there and watch. That’s fine," Xie Xun scoffed, then added, "Do you also think I can’t beat him?"
"Not at all. To me, you’re the strongest in the world," Fengyu praised him half-heartedly, before handing Ruyi to him. "Take good care of Ruyi. Junjun’s arriving soon, and I’ll take some people out to buy things she likes."