Rejected Beauty Practices the Villain Play

Chapter 742 - 722: Elder Brother

Fengyu pondered, it seemed like Junjun knew the truth, or perhaps only half of it. How could it be just unrequited love? Given his second brother’s aloof and unfriendly demeanor, apart from Fang Chuning, when had he ever been that gentle with anyone else?

Over all these years, only Fang Chuning could share a bed and drink a pot of wine with him. He wouldn’t even allow Xie Xun to get on his bed or drink from his cup.

How could it be unrequited love?

"What did your brother say?"

Could it be that Junjun was misled? In fact, Fang Chuning didn’t name names, but the implication was too strong for Fang Lingjun to think otherwise. It couldn’t be that her brother meant Zhang Lingzheng or Zhang Boju, could it?

It could only be Xie Jue. But Xie Jue had a wife and daughter. If her brother’s feelings weren’t unrequited, then what were they?

Fengyu was unsure whether to be frank with Fang Lingjun. Under normal circumstances, she shouldn’t meddle, but she couldn’t bear to see Fang Lingjun suffer. So she said, "It should be mutual affection, not your brother’s unrequited love."

"What!" Fang Lingjun was shocked, even forgot to wipe her face, rubbing the damp handkerchief in her palm. This was too... even more scandalous. Yet, she vaguely felt it was as it should be, in line with emotions and reason. Why should her brother be the only one in unrequited love? Such a good person, why wouldn’t he be liked? Why would he be let down?

"That heartbreaker, why did he marry and have children in Beiman if he liked my brother? His daughter is so grown up, it’s infuriating!" Fang Lingjun stormed off the warm couch, pacing angrily, full of righteous indignation, "Back then, during the hunt, my brother risked his life to protect him, exchanging life for life many times, how deep and significant that was. If he liked my brother, why did he let him down? Why should my brother bear such pain alone, when in the future he has to bow and greet that woman from Beiman, calling her Princess Consort Yan? It’s too pitiful for my brother."

Fengyu rubbed her forehead in distress. Fang Lingjun had stopped crying, but all her anxiety and sadness turned into anger, as if she were a cat whose tail had been stepped on, being excessively irritable.

She and Xie Xun probably had a lot in common, they could probably even fight!

To defend each other’s brothers, they would stop at nothing.

"Second Brother went to Beiman for two years. During that time, the Beiman King arranged a marriage. He needed to establish himself in Fox City; marrying might have been out of necessity. Back then, he was isolated and helpless in Fox City. If the Beiman King decreed a marriage, refusal might have been difficult. Moreover, we do not know the situation inside Fox City; only those involved would know. You should calm down a bit; don’t get upset. They will handle their matters themselves. You shouldn’t interfere, or it might backfire. Stop spinning around; it’s making me dizzy." Fengyu, feeling disoriented, pulled Fang Lingjun to sit down, "Your emotions shouldn’t be visible. Such overt hostility towards Lan Ningzhen could invite trouble if others pick up on it. Both Second Brother and your brother don’t want this matter known; it’s not accepted by worldly norms."

Fang Lingjun gradually calmed down. She had always listened to Fengyu’s advice, though she felt wronged. Fengyu’s sharp questioning got to the point, "Do you wish for the world to know about their mutual affection?"

Fang Lingjun thought of that possibility and felt utterly terrified!

No matter how many heroic deeds Xie Jue and Fang Chuning had performed for Beining, no matter how often they risked their lives for Beining’s people, willingly venturing into Beiman alone—should this matter be exposed, all their accolades and honors would be utterly destroyed. The rumors and gossip of others would shatter their pride and reputation and could even result in malicious ridicule, who knows how much slander and attack they might face. Fang Lingjun was completely unwilling, and it was this that made her feel so anxious and pressured.

Seeing her calm down, Fengyu knew that Fang Lingjun had taken her advice. It was for this very reason that she hadn’t spoken to Xie Xun in detail about what the future held, leaving it to chance.

"This isn’t Lan Ningzhen’s fault, is it?" Fengyu said softly. She knew her Second Brother well, and the daughter was definitely not his. Even if he acknowledged it, it might not necessarily mean it would be true; recognizing her might be out of gratitude. If it weren’t for the Lan Family’s help back then, Second Brother and Fang Chuning would have died in Beiman. Giving Lan Ningzhen an identity, allowing her daughter to be a Commandery Princess or Princess didn’t matter.

How to properly handle this complex relationship depended on how Second Brother planned it.

Under Fengyu’s comforting, Fang Lingjun’s emotions slowly calmed down. Little Ruyi and Lan Mingzhu were also tired from playing and were brought back to Changshou Palace by Dongxue and Xia Zhu.

Lan Mingzhu was lively and intelligent, and her temperament matched well with Ruyi’s. They played well together. Little Ruyi even took Lan Mingzhu to ride a little pony, playing for two hours, calling her "sister" very affectionately.

Lan Mingzhu also liked her brother very much. Dongxue told Fengyu that throughout the journey, little Miss Mingzhu was very protective of her brother, clever, kind, graceful, and quite beautiful. Such a girl was very endearing.

Fang Lingjun looked at those eyes and thought, if her brother had a daughter, she would have such beautiful eyes too!

Did Xie Jue marry Lan Ningzhen back then because she looked somewhat similar to her brother?

Fengyu liked this little girl quite a bit and prepared a special gift for her. This was different from the kind given at a banquet. Knowing that Xie Jue would acknowledge Mingzhu, and she would become the little Commandery Princess of the Prince Yan Mansion, Fengyu naturally would offer special treatment.

Lan Mingzhu expressed her gratitude and was led by the Palace Attendant to rest.

"Ruyi, do you like having an older sister?"

"Like, like!" Ruyi was very excited. He no longer needed to envy others, "I have a sister too. Will I be able to play with her in the future?"

"Maybe so." Fengyu patted Ruyi’s hair, damp with sweat, "You played so happily, your hair is all sweaty. Go wash up and change your clothes, so you don’t catch a chill."

Dongxue also took Ruyi away to freshen up. Fang Lingjun said with a hint of sarcasm, "Prince Yan is quite fortunate, having both a son and a daughter."

Fengyu, "..."

She also thought it was quite fortunate!

In the side chamber of the Changqiu Palace, a palace maid came to invite Lan Ningzhen, saying that Prince Yan wanted to see her. Lan Ningzhen, filled with anxiety, followed the palace maid to the pavilion in the imperial garden.

She originally thought Xie Jue would be alone, but unexpectedly, Fang Chuning was there too. Seeing Fang Chuning, Lan Ningzhen felt somewhat at ease. She hadn’t interacted much with Xie Jue before, but had heard about his cold, inaccessible demeanor. Now that Fang Chuning was also in the imperial garden, she couldn’t help but feel relaxed. With a calm disposition, she stepped forward and bowed, "Greetings, Brother, greetings, Prince."

Fang Chuning stood up, gently supported her arm, and looked at her with a warm smile, "It’s been a long time. How have you been?"

"Thank you for your concern, Brother Xie. Lan Zhen has been well in every way and has kept you in mind!" Lan Ningzhen replied softly, cautiously watching Xie Jue, unable to suppress her amazement. As her father had said, he was indeed an extraordinarily talented man. But his gaze was too cold, scrutinizing her, resting thoughtfully on Fang Chuning’s hand supporting her. That look sent chills through Lan Ningzhen.

Xie Jue asked, "Why does she call you Brother?"