novelraw Chapter 738 - 718: Frankness
Chapter 738 - 718: Frankness
Marshal Fang originally planned to return to Jiangnan before the Beiman people headed to Shangjing. However, as the Jiangnan border stabilized and Sannan remained inactive, Xie Jue also needed to embark on a diplomatic mission to Jiangnan. After discussing with Xie Xun, they decided to postpone the date. Once the Beiman people were settled, Xie Jue would head to Sannan, and they would travel south together.
Marshal Fang intended to bring his family with him this time, and Xie Xun didn’t object. However, when he brought it up to Mrs. Fang, she refused. Marshal Fang’s mood grew heavy. In truth, years ago, he had already suggested to the Yuwen Royal Family that he bring his family to the frontier with him. But at that time, Mrs. Fang was a Princess, and he was a regional commander, holding significant military power. The Yuwen Royal Family distrusted him and strictly forbade the Princess and her husband from jointly going to the frontier, fearing that any rebellion would be unstoppable.
For generals stationed at the borders, it was customary for their families to remain in the capital. After numerous rejections, the Marshal gradually stopped making such requests, leaving the couple with infrequent reunions and misunderstandings that were hard to dispel. Xie Xun, however, was different from the Yuwen Royal Family. Coming from the Marquis Mansion, he understood the pain of marital separation. Moreover, the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry was under the Xie Family’s command, so Xie Xun had no fear of the Marshal bringing Mrs. Fang to the frontier.
This was the first time the Marshal’s request to bring his family south to Jiangnan was granted, but sadly, Mrs. Fang still disagreed, citing that she was accustomed to her current lifestyle and disliked Jiangnan.
How could Mrs. Fang not like Jiangnan? Her mother still resided there.
Fang Lingjun came to find Fang Chuning, who was practicing with his spear in the backyard. The long spear, forged from red sandstone ore, was finally seeing the light of day—solid, sharp, and unstoppable, carrying a chilling aura of killing intent. Fang Chuning moved as one with his weapon, his posture nimble, his movements fluid and powerful like a tiger’s. Fang Lingjun was mesmerized as she watched her elder brother, whose stunningly enchanting features made her marvel aloud, "Which young lady in the world could possibly deserve him!"
Having finished his spear routine, Fang Chuning shot her a playful glance as Fang Lingjun whistled, "Wow, the Great General is truly unparalleled, like a Heavenly God descending to earth!"
"Flatterer!"
Fang Lingjun grabbed a towel from the nearby rack and ran over to help him wipe his sweat. "Brother, you’re truly too handsome. Do you know why I can’t get married? Because I can’t find a husband as perfect as you."
Fang Chuning chuckled, pinching her adorable cheek before casually wiping his face with the towel. He then carefully polished his spear with it.
Fang Lingjun asked, "Is this your new spear? I’ve never seen it before."
"Yes." Fang Chuning smiled faintly, a smugness so radiant it nearly blinded Fang Lingjun. "This was someone’s betrothal gift to your brother."
"Betrothal gift?" Fang Lingjun, initially captivated, suddenly puzzled, "Wasn’t it supposed to be your gift to someone else?"
"Not important!" Fang Chuning finished cleaning the spear and placed it back on the weapons rack. "Why are you looking for me?"
Fang Lingjun pulled him over to sit beside her, poured him tea, and rested her chin on her hands wearily, saying, "Mother asked me to inquire about which young lady you like. Why are you keeping it hidden? She’s been so anxious about your marriage that she hasn’t been able to sleep well for days. Brother, I’m curious too—just tell me."
"Even you’re worrying about my marriage?" Fang Chuning sneered, annoyed at how persistent everyone was. Why did he have to marry?
"I’m not actually worried. I’m just asking on Mother’s behalf. She asked you directly, but since you didn’t answer, she thought we’re close, so she sent me as her messenger. From what I understand, as long as it’s not too outrageous, she’s willing to agree."
"Do you really believe that?"
Fang Lingjun felt guilty. Mrs. Fang had very different standards when it came to their marriages. Fang Lingjun could marry someone of her own choosing, but Fang Chuning had to meet numerous requirements. Marrying wrongly could harm three generations, and an unscrupulous wife would fail to raise proper children. Thus, Mrs. Fang was extremely cautious in selecting a daughter-in-law and would never allow a casual choice.
Fang Chuning understood all of this, feeling both empathetic toward his mother and helpless about the situation.
"Brother, you really do have someone in your heart. Who is it? I promise to keep it a secret." Fang Lingjun became gossipy. "Growing up, you’ve never been close to any young lady. After these years in the army, could it be one of the female generals?"
"Just worry about your own affairs and stop meddling in mine," Fang Chuning replied, though his tone remained gentle despite his growing frustration. He tapped her lightly on the head. "You haven’t even discussed marriage yourself."
"I’m not in a hurry." Fang Lingjun looked at her brother leisurely drinking tea and couldn’t help but remark, "You and the Prince grew up together. He now has a wife and daughter, yet you’re still single."
Fang Chuning, "..."
Truly, she hit a sore spot.
Those days in Beiman were delightful—though far from home, no one knew him. All the taboos and emotions could be freely unleashed. Now, everything was shackled.
"Brother, might you suddenly spring a wife on us and catch everyone off guard?"
"..." Fang Chuning said nothing. Fang Lingjun gasped in shock, "Could it be... could it be..."
She lowered her voice and whispered, "Did you secretly take a mistress? If Mother finds out, she’ll break your legs for sure. This kind of thing is absolutely forbidden in our family."
Fang Chuning sneered coldly, "Much more scandalous than keeping a mistress—dare you hear it?"
Fang Lingjun shook her head like a drum and suddenly lost interest. For these aristocratic youths, keeping a mistress was already enough to be gossiped about, like how Li Si was disdained. Something even more scandalous? Fang Lingjun didn’t dare to imagine.
"Then stop bothering me."
Even without keen insight, Fang Lingjun sensed her brother’s bad mood. The household tension was palpable to her, but she and Xiaoqi couldn’t get involved in their elders’ affairs. Not knowing how to comfort Fang Chuning made her anxious. All they wished for was a harmonious family.
Fang Lingjun felt sorry for her brother, especially after learning of Marshal Fang’s past in Jiangnan; it only deepened her compassion for Fang Chuning. She held his hand and said, "Brother, regardless of whom you care for, I’ll stand by your side and fight with you. I won’t pressure you. Even if the world stands against you, I’ll always support you."
"Will you really?" Fang Chuning raised an eyebrow with a faint smile, gazing at his sister’s firm grip on his hand. His gaze carried an unreadable depth to it beneath the surface.
Fang Lingjun nodded resolutely, "Yes, I will always support you in pursuing your happiness no matter whom you like. As long as it’s your choice, I’ll stand with you."
Fang Chuning’s heart softened. His sister was such a comfort, like a small sun warming him. When everyone else abandoned him, only these warm hands gave him solace.
She said she would always stand by his side, no matter whom he loved, and she would support him?
Really?
Fang Chuning thought bitterly. His parents and lover had abandoned him. If his sister knew, would she also forsake him? Would he be left alone to battle the weight of societal norms and taboos?
"What if, Brother, the one you love is a man? Would you still support me?"
Fang Lingjun, "..."