novelraw Chapter 781 - 760 Provocation
Chapter 781 - 760 Provocation
The Commander-in-Chief recalled the moment before departure when Mrs. Fang asked him a question: was it truly impossible to have Fang Chuning withdraw from the envoy? After all, with Lin Xiao and Zhang Boxin serving as guards, there was no need for Fang Chuning to accompany the envoy to Sannan. The urgency and anxiety revealed by Mrs. Fang were unusual, prompting the Commander-in-Chief to overthink.
Xie Jue truly suspected Fang Chuning of doing it on purpose. He wanted to draw a clear line between himself and Fang Chuning, but unfortunately, this scoundrel didn’t care. He ignored Xie Jue’s opinions entirely, leaving Xie Jue genuinely afraid that, once again, Fang Chuning would impulsively rush up to the Commander-in-Chief and say something irrevocable. Fang Chuning, however, unapologetically reasoned, "This is how we interacted in the Ningzhou Military Camp. Is there a problem?"
Xie Jue, "..."
"Back then, when we were inseparable, you didn’t have any objections. So why now? Are you feeling guilty?" Fang Chuning deliberately provoked him.
"Are you planning to make things difficult for me all the way to Sannan?"
"No, I just want to maintain the status quo."
"Can’t you act your age? Your father is still around."
"So if my father weren’t around, I could behave recklessly?"
"I never said that!"
"Then what do you mean?"
Xie Jue was livid, feeling as frustrated as when Xie Xun was being stubborn. No matter how much reasoning and persuasion, it was futile. If he raised his voice, Xie Xun would feel terribly wronged and be completely unaware of any wrongdoing.
Xie Jue wasn’t being paranoid. He could sense that even the Commander-in-Chief’s gaze toward him was hesitant, and Xiaoqi seemed to have noticed something. Occasionally, his gaze carried a layer of ambiguity as well. Fang Chuning, of course, had to add, "You’re being unnecessarily suspicious. If you were upright and forthright, why would you care about others’ stares unless you’re not at peace with yourself?"
How could Xie Jue be at peace? Who could be, while traveling with someone they once wed in a ceremonial exchange of vows—in front of his father, no less?
"Fine, you’re impressive!" He couldn’t provoke him, but he could avoid him. Xie Jue withdrew, hoping that once they reached Jiangnan, they could part ways. Heaven forbid any accidents happening along the journey. "If you don’t rein yourself in, and the Commander-in-Chief detects something along the way, he’ll drag you to the training camp, and you won’t be able to follow me to Sannan. Think it through, Fang Chuning. Are you sure you want to keep challenging me like this?"
Fang Chuning fell silent, his expression unfriendly.
"If you can’t follow me to Sannan, you won’t be the first to receive news about me. You won’t know the moves of the King of Sannan. You won’t know if I’ve fallen into their trap. If I’m captured in Sannan, you won’t be able to rescue me. Fang Chuning, do you still want to continue this way?" Xie Jue’s voice was calm and flat. He didn’t believe he couldn’t get through to him. He knew he was Fang Chuning’s weakness, and knowing Fang Chuning’s protective feelings allowed him to go this far in provoking him. Still, Xie Jue couldn’t condone him.
While the two were arguing, Xiaoqi arrived. "Big Brother, Father is looking for you!"
"Got it!" Fang Chuning went off to meet the Commander-in-Chief, his face cold.
As soon as he left, Lin Xiao and Zhang Boxin approached, visibly shaken. "Your Highness, the Commander-in-Chief just asked us about something. We’re not sure what he means, but we thought it best to report to you."
"What is it?" Xie Jue’s heart sank with unease, fearing worse outcomes.
Zhang Boxin asked in a perplexed tone, "He asked us how you and Brother Fang interacted in Ningzhou. Was it the same—eating and sleeping together? We didn’t know what to say, so we just told him the truth."
"What truth?" Xie Jue was stunned.
"We said that you used to eat and sleep together in the camp!"
Xie Jue’s voice raised significantly. "At that time, you and Lin Xiao hadn’t yet sworn allegiance to Xie Xun. You’d never witnessed it with your own eyes, so what nonsense are you spouting?"
Lin Xiao replied, confused, "But the brothers all said so. What they saw with their eyes is what we saw with ours."
Xie Jue, "..."
"Your Highness, did we say something wrong?"
Xie Jue’s expression darkened, his breathing heavier.
Zhang Boxin was even more bewildered. "But we told the truth!"
Xie Jue, "..."
Precisely because it was true, Xie Jue couldn’t help but feel guilty. He hoped the Commander-in-Chief hadn’t caught onto anything and that Fang Chuning could handle it smoothly. The camaraderie of brothers who had shared the battlefield was strong, and he hoped the Commander-in-Chief wouldn’t find it suspicious.