Chapter 454: Chapter 438: The Fox Spirit
Xie Xun and Fang Chuning recuperated for three days before they could truly get out of bed and move around. During these three days, Xie Xun was so angry at Fang Chuning that it seemed detrimental to his recovery, especially after hearing that Fang Chuning had been staying in Xie Jue’s room. Although Fengyu had renovated the City Lord Mansion, the internal layout of the rooms had remained largely unchanged. Moreover, since she and Xie Jue rarely stayed at the mansion, she hadn’t found it necessary to alter the house’s structure.
Aside from Fengyu’s courtyard, which adhered to the architectural style of the Capital City and included a master bedroom, a side bedroom, and a reception room outfitted with a large luohan bed for the maids on night duty, the layout of West State houses was much simpler. Typically, there was just a bedroom and an adjoining living room—Xie Jue had converted the living room into a study. Beside the shelves in the study was a warm couch with a small tea table on it—suitable for taking a brief rest, but certainly inconvenient for sleeping. So, where exactly was Fang Chuning resting in Second Brother’s room?
At this thought, Xie Xun couldn’t help but feel a sharp pang of discomfort. If Fengyu hadn’t held him back, he would have stormed over to have another fight. Ever since Fang Chuning arrived, even Second Brother had stopped dining with them.
After nursing his injuries for three days, the doctor finally allowed Xie Xun to go out. Draped in a thick cloak, he braved the wind and snow to find Xie Jue and Fang Chuning. As he entered the courtyard, the faint sound of coughing reached his ears. Xie Xun couldn’t help but scoff inwardly—such a feeble constitution. The courtyard within Xie Jue’s estate was quiet. A servant was about to bow to him when Xie Xun raised a hand and gestured for silence.
The servant hesitated, seeming torn over whether it was appropriate for Xie Xun to enter unannounced. But before the servant could make up his mind, Xie Xun had already strode into the room and taken a turn toward the study.
In the study, bookshelves lined both sides of the warm couch, filled with all sorts of books, while spare shelves held Xie Jue’s commonly used items. The warm couch was by the window, which was slightly ajar, allowing a clear view of the plum blossoms in the courtyard. Fengyu had transplanted two plum trees here. Though less densely flowered than a full plum garden, they nonetheless bloomed vibrantly, their fragrance faintly sweet in the cold air.
On the stove beside the warm couch, no water was boiling; instead, an iron rack held a couple of sweet potatoes roasting over the fire.
Xie Xun, "..."
This was definitely uncharacteristic of his brother. His Second Brother had never liked sweet potatoes, let alone roasted them in his study. Xie Xun gritted his teeth, glaring at Fang Chuning, who was lounging on the warm couch.
When Fang Chuning had arrived in West State, his luggage had been placed in the guest room prepared by Fengyu. Xie Jue had not fetched it, given their similar physiques, and so Fang Chuning was now clad in Xie Jue’s pale winter garments, wrapped in the thick cloak Fengyu had specially made for Xie Jue this year, playing chess with him. What left Xie Xun utterly speechless was Fang Chuning’s disheveled state.
Raised under Lin Ge’s strict tutelage as a child, Xie Jue had adhered rigorously to etiquette. Even during the scorching summers at the Ningzhou Military Camp, when most soldiers trained shirtless with their hair casually tied back, Xie Jue remained impeccably attired, always meticulous. On the other hand, mud-streaked and sweat-drenched, Xie Xun was routinely barred from entering Xie Jue’s tent until he had bathed and changed.
Their father, Marquis Zhenbei, had once joked that he’d raised a little princess.
After a bath post-training, Xie Xun often draped himself in a light summer robe, loosely tied his belt, and let his hair hang freely—only to be chastised by Xie Jue, who would firmly remind him to dress and groom properly.
Now, Fang Chuning was draped in winter clothes as casually as if they were summer robes. He hadn’t properly fastened them, his hair hung uncombed, and the worst offense? He was barefoot, lounging as though utterly unconcerned. Upon noticing Xie Xun’s arrival, Fang Chuning casually pulled up his robe to cover his exposed legs and feet.
Xie Xun, "..."
That smug gesture was more infuriating than anything else.
The atmosphere betrayed the distinct impression that *he*—Xie Xun—was the outsider here.
Xie Jue’s gaze was lowered as he placed a chess piece on the board without a word. Fang Chuning, however, grinned and said, "Zhixu, have your injuries healed? What’s this now, coming for another round?"
"Exactly!" Xie Xun snapped, suppressing his temper as he seated himself on the tall stool nearby, glaring daggers at him. "We can settle things properly on the battlefield soon enough. When are you leaving?"
Holding his chest, Fang Chuning coughed lightly, looking particularly frail. Adding his still-bruised face to the image, it was indeed quite convincing. "I’m seriously injured and can’t travel far. I’ll need to stay for at least ten more days."
"I’ve already gotten back to practicing with my spear! What nonsense about serious injuries—you’re clearly just pretending to be weak!" Xie Xun jeered. "Second Brother, don’t believe him."
Fang Chuning coughed a few more times, his reddened eyes making him look even more pitiful. "I couldn’t possibly strike as hard as you do. Look at you—hopping around after just three days. I, on the other hand, need at least ten days before I’ll be up and about."
The outrageous accusation left Xie Xun so furious he could hardly breathe.
Fox spirit, truly cunning!
He schemes without hesitation.
Fang Chuning smiled faintly, glancing briefly at the chessboard before placing another piece. He then brazenly pointed at the stove. "Zhixu, flip the sweet potatoes for me—they’re about to burn."
"Whoever wants to can do it! I’m not—" Xie Xun had been retorting when Xie Jue turned slightly, calmly picking up the tongs to flip the sweet potatoes. Xie Xun clenched his jaw.
This fox spirit even has Second Brother waiting on him!
Unbelievable!
"Do you want one?" Xie Jue asked casually.
"Yes!" Xie Xun blurted out heatedly.
Beside the bed was a sack of sweet potatoes, already cleaned. Xie Jue placed another on the fire. Watching him expertly handle the task, Xie Xun couldn’t help but ask, "Second Brother, you know how to roast sweet potatoes?"
Fang Chuning burst out laughing. Realizing the foolishness of his own question, Xie Xun glared at him ferociously, feeling both wronged and stubborn. It seemed... that Fang Chuning understood Second Brother in ways that he did not.
After all, Xie Jue had never roasted sweet potatoes for him.
Xie Xun’s lips twisted into a bitter smile. "The Commander of Zhongzhou is truly idle. Aren’t you afraid Zhongzhou’s generals will criticize you?"
"Such fiery words on such a cold, snowy day," Fang Chuning replied nonchalantly.
"Who even knows why you’ve come to West State? Hurry up and leave so everyone can have peace," Xie Xun muttered darkly.
Fang Chuning smirked and said, with double meaning, "I’m here to discuss matters with Han Ziqi. Ting Feng’s eyes are glued to me day and night—what could I possibly do?"
Xie Jue glanced at him calmly but said nothing.
Xie Xun’s voice turned icy. "If you hadn’t provoked me in the first place, would I have hit you? And would you have the opportunity to lounge in Second Brother’s bed? Don’t act innocent now, fox spirit!"
Xie Jue, holding a chess piece, paused slightly before placing it down as though nothing had happened.
For a moment, Fang Chuning wasn’t sure whether to object to the "provoking" part or the "fox spirit" label. A strange, inexplicable feeling welled up inside him. "How exactly did I become a fox spirit?"