Chapter 448: Chapter 432 Fight
Fengyu held Fang Lingjun gently and comforted her in a soft voice. This old, sorrowful story was heartbreakingly tragic—for the General, the Princess, and Miss Li, all of them alike.
The most pitiful was Fang Chuning!
Fang Lingjun had not known true happiness since she learned of it. She would rather have never gone to Yangzhou, never known this matter, and been deceived inside a bubble, living as a happy fool.
"Who told you about this?" Fengyu tenderly wiped Fang Lingjun’s tears. "Could it be a lie?"
Fang Lingjun shook her head. "After Miss Li’s death, her nursemaid returned to Yangzhou. Father had even assisted her son. That day, I was in a bad mood, and the nursemaid harbored resentment toward me, so she talked back to me. I ordered her to be punished, and in her madness, she revealed everything about the past to me."
"Did you ask the General about it?"
"How could I dare ask? I’m afraid that once the question is raised, the façade maintained for over twenty years will collapse. I’m also afraid my brother will find out." Fang Lingjun’s grief was overwhelming. "After learning of it, I fled back to the capital as if escaping, unwilling to marry into Yangzhou. Once back in the capital, I sought information about the Li Family. It turns out Miss Li indeed passed away on the night of Father and Mother’s wedding, claiming illness. Father’s nursemaid also told me that Father had been on the verge of formalizing an engagement with Miss Li back then."
Fengyu’s heart grew heavy; she didn’t know how to console her. All she could do was hold Fang Lingjun as the latter continued, "I just feel so sorry for my brother. When I was born, he was already five years old. By the time I became aware of things, he was nearly grown. I’ve heard the older servants in the residence say Father treated my brother poorly. No... terribly."
"But the General is so doting on you."
"The more he dotes on me, the more it pains me for my brother." Fang Lingjun’s eyes reddened. "I don’t know how to face this."
"Then bury it deep in your heart," Fengyu said while stroking her face. "I won’t tell anyone. Rest assured, not even Xie Xun."
"I know." Fang Lingjun wiped her tears. "I just needed to tell someone. It’s been too difficult to bear."
"Do you want to go out for a walk? I’ll take you to explore West State City."
"Alright!"
Fengyu sent someone to inform Xie Xun before taking Fang Lingjun out. Xie Xun initially wanted to join them but, realizing it might be inappropriate for him to accompany them, decided against it.
"Where’s Xiaoqi?" Xie Xun asked Feiying. "He usually sticks to Fengyu like glue. Why hasn’t he shown up in days?"
"He’s feeling a bit unwell and is resting in the courtyard."
"Has the doctor seen him?"
"Yes, the doctor said it’s just a cold. A few doses of medicine should do the trick."
Xie Xun nodded and went off in search of Xie Jue and Ruyi.
Meanwhile, Fengyu wandered around West State City with Fang Lingjun, introducing her to the city she had painstakingly built over time. Fengyu was exceedingly proud and couldn’t wait to share her joy with Fang Lingjun. Fang Lingjun could feel the uncontrollable delight in Fengyu’s words, a joy and pride that radiated from her.
"You’re amazing!" Fang Lingjun said with a soft laugh. "You know how to make money and can even govern an entire city. I’m envious of Xie Xun."
"What’s there to envy about him? We’re the best of friends for life." Fengyu took her hand. "Let me take you to a tavern to taste the wine here."
"Alright!" Fang Lingjun agreed readily. The two had just arrived at the tavern when a sudden loud crash came from upstairs. Han Ziqi was kicked down directly from above, landing in the snow.
Fengyu reacted quickly, pulling Fang Lingjun aside to avoid the commotion. Both of them looked up to see Fang Chuning standing on the second floor, expressionless as he stared coldly at Han Ziqi sprawled in the snow.
"Brother?"