novelraw Chapter 777 - 756 Father and Son
Chapter 777 - 756 Father and Son
Xie Jue saw his arrogance and couldn’t help wanting to retort, but after a moment’s thought, he held back. He felt that Fang Chuning’s current behavior was somewhat unusual. Marshal Fang was still in the camp, yet Fang Chuning dared to provoke him. If Marshal Fang noticed anything amiss, it would be disastrous. It would be better to address the matter after the two teams parted ways. At that time, the delegation would be entirely composed of his own people, and he wouldn’t need to have any scruples.
"It’s been a long time since we watched the setting sun together like this."
It truly had been some time!
Since their return from Ningzhou, they hadn’t had a chance to truly spend time together.
"Now you seem to have entirely given up. Are you no longer afraid of others finding out?"
"I’ve never been afraid of others finding out. It’s you who had concerns." Fang Chuning scoffed coldly. "No, I misspoke. It’s that our times of concern never aligned!"
There was a time when Xie Jue was reckless and brazen, forcing Fang Chuning to acknowledge their relationship. Back then, the old Marquis was still alive, and Xie Zhang was still around. Whatever Xie Jue did wouldn’t have affected the future of the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry. He could act like an invisible man, be his elder brother’s best think tank, hide under the wings of his father and brother, and act with abandon. At that time, Xie Jue was the indulged Second Young Master—his family tolerated him, which is why Xie Jue wasn’t afraid of anyone discovering his little secret. On more than one occasion, he deliberately teased Fang Chuning, forcing him to take a step forward.
But Fang Chuning, on the other hand, had his reservations. He feared that their youthful relationship would be defeated by gossip and rumors. He worried over what the Marshal, who was far away in Jiangnan, would think if he found out. And he feared that, if their relationship was accidentally exposed, the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry would disapprove of him. Back then, they were both young—one shielded by family and reckless, while the other enjoyed the intimacy but dared not truly reveal his selfish desires.
When the Marquis Mansion fell and Fang Chuning no longer had any scruples, even contemplating leaving everything behind, the tables turned. Xie Jue now hesitated. His father and brother were gone, and as Xie Xun’s elder brother, he prioritized Xie Xun’s interests in every decision he made. He could no longer be as daring and reckless as he had been years ago when he still had the support of his family. Without his father and brother, there was no one to clean up his messes. If matters between him and Fang Chuning sparked political upheaval or caused the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry to fracture, there was no one to shoulder the consequences for him. Every word and decision he made now required caution.
"In our youth, our feelings aligned, yet the kind of emotions and stability we sought never matched up; it has always been out of sync. Anning, don’t you think this is fate?" Xie Jue said softly. "When I wanted to tell everyone, you hesitated. And when you grew fearless, I faltered. Perhaps this is heaven’s arrangement."
"To cut off my hope, even heavenly arrangements—such nonsense—you bring up." Fang Chuning sneered. "Save it. Along this journey, let’s see who lasts longer, who outlasts whom!"
Fang Chuning turned and left. Since Xie Jue didn’t want Marshal Fang to see through him, he understood and wouldn’t go against his wishes. Just then, Xiaoqi came looking for him. "Brother, the Marshal is asking for you."
"What is it?"
Xiaoqi shrugged. Fang Chuning nodded and headed to the central command tent to meet Marshal Fang. The Marshal had already lit a lamp inside the tent. It was springtime, and there were many mosquitoes by the river, so a special incense to repel insects was also burning.
"Marshal, you called for me?"
"Yes. Have you seen Ting Feng recently?"
"I have. Just earlier, we enjoyed the scenery by the river together." Fang Chuning replied calmly.
The Marshal wore a black long robe, sleek and neat. He sat in the interplay of shadow and light, exuding an imposing dignity, though his gaze toward Fang Chuning carried a sliver of warmth.
Unknowingly, his eldest son had matured into the image he’d always wished for—a valiant warrior, a master strategist, capable of holding his own.
"Come sit. I have matters to discuss with you in detail." Marshal Fang tapped a simple chair beside him.
In the midst of active campaigns, everything was kept simple. The tent only had two humble chairs. Fang Chuning moved over to sit beside him. The Marshal brewed tea and poured him a cup. "Have you had a falling-out with Ting Feng?"
"There are some differences of opinion."
"About what?"
Fang Chuning hesitated, his gaze falling on his father’s stern face. "Marshal, it’s better if you don’t know."
Marshal Fang understood that young men often kept secrets, so he didn’t press further. "When Ting Feng went to Beiman, you went with him. Did he truly marry Lan Ningzhen while there?"
"Yes. I... attended the wedding ceremony." Fang Chuning still felt somewhat uneasy facing his father. The matter was indeed deeply complicated, and Lan Family was prudent enough not to let others know.
Marshal Fang pondered. Perhaps Xie Jue’s marriage and children in Beiman were what had caused tension among them. After years of conflict between the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry and Beiman, many soldiers could not accept Xie Jue’s actions. Yet, as the Prince of Yan, the troops had to suppress their resentment, and given the circumstances, the arrangement had been unavoidable.
Marshal Fang said, "Ting Feng’s solo mission into Beiman was akin to that of a lone hero, a gamble. Even I deeply admire his resolve. His marriage and children there must have been out of necessity. Now that the situation has settled, Beiman has surrendered, and everyone must come to terms with reality."
"Indeed, I have no objections to Ting Feng marrying in Beiman."
The Marshal could tell Fang Chuning wasn’t pretending, so he didn’t push further. After all, this was ultimately Xie Jue’s private matter. The Marshal continued, "I know you and Ting Feng have had a deep bond since childhood. This time accompanying his mission delegated authority to him, yes. But nevertheless, he is of the Sannan Royal Family. I believe Ting Feng has no aspirations for the throne, yet the Sannan Royal Family sees it differently. You must vigilantly observe Ting Feng’s interactions with the royal family and beware of Sannan’s attempts to sow discord. They might use the Grand Princess to stir unrest. The Sannan Priest Academy and the royal family aren’t united; they likely hope for the return of a royal heir. If Ting Feng were to ascend, Beining and Sannan would become one, putting the Emperor in a difficult position. So, tread cautiously around their traps."
Fang Chuning knew these things well.
"Marshal, Ting Feng is firm in his convictions; he won’t be swayed by the King of Sannan. He has no interest in the throne. Otherwise, the one on the throne today wouldn’t be Xie Zhixu."
"The Emperor is the Marquis Mansion’s rightful heir, pure in bloodline and worthy. Whether it’s leading the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry or ascending the throne, it is all as it should be. The crown isn’t merely about desire; lineage, bloodline, and capability all matter. Zhixu, in terms of both heritage and temperament, is far more suited to be Emperor than Ting Feng." Marshal Fang, though a military general, clearly understood who was fit to rule.
"When you sent me to Ningzhou back then, was it truly to keep an eye on Ting Feng?" Fang Chuning asked.
"What do you think?"
"Marshal, you are strategic and far-sighted. Your son cannot fathom your thoughts," Fang Chuning said coldly, refusing to delve deeper into the matter.
Marshal Fang snorted, "The Marquis spoke honestly. How could I harbor ulterior motives? Sending you to Ningzhou was merely because Jiangnan was a defensive post with limited opportunities for growth. The Ningzhou Battlefield is the quickest place for a general to sharpen their skills."