Rejected Beauty Practices the Villain Play-Chapter 974 - 949: Family Members

The next day during the morning court session, Xie Jue and Fang Chuning attended together, not avoiding the gazes of the civil and military officials. Zhang Boju secretly gave Fang Chuning a thumbs up. Fang Chuning maintained his amnesia persona, smiled at him without saying much. Just as Xie Xun had predicted, the officials began to accuse Fang Chuning of deceiving the emperor. When the General held the funeral, it was known throughout the capital, and now that Fang Chuning has returned alive, the Fang Family is guilty of deceiving the emperor.

The officials of the Li Family spearheaded the impeachment, demanding Xie Xun to punish the Fang Family.

The crime of deceiving the emperor calls for extermination of the entire family.

Xie Xun chuckled, "Minister Li, are you sure you want to convict the Fang Family of deceiving the emperor?"

"Of course, a prince committing a crime is punished the same as a commoner."

"The crime of deceiving the emperor requires extermination of nine clans, including your Li Family."

Minister Li’s face turned reddish-purple and then ashen. Xie Xun sneered, "Enough with the chatter, it’s irritating. Let’s hear General Fang’s plea."

"Yes!" Fang Chuning stepped forward, knelt, and bowed, ready with his excuse, attributing everything to amnesia. He wandered in Sannan for a long time, not knowing his identity due to amnesia, unable to find his family until he reunited with Xie Jue. The excuse was full of holes, which couldn’t withstand scrutiny. A thorough investigation would definitely reveal loopholes.

Xie Xun had no intention of delving into it, "General Fang, please rise."

"Yes!" Fang Chuning rose respectfully.

Xie Xun said, "General Fang escorted Prince Yan to negotiate in Sannan. When the Sannan High Priest plotted against him, he valiantly protected Prince Yan, worthy of merit. After falling into a coma, he was taken away by the High Priest’s people without intention. Companions assumed General Fang perished in a sea of fire; the General held a funeral unknowingly, nothing improper about it. Fang Chuning’s safe return is a great joy for our court, what crime is there? Now I decree Fang Chuning reinstated to his original position and reward him with a hundred taels of gold for his meritorious service in protecting the master."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your great kindness!" Fang Chuning once again knelt to thank for the royal grace.

The officials were unwilling to accept Xie Xun’s lenient attitude, clearly Fang Family was guilty, yet not only were they not punished, but rewarded. The officials strongly opposed, questioning whether Fang Chuning’s amnesia was another form of deceiving the emperor.

Xie Jue said calmly, "Mr. Li, I reunited with Fang Chuning in Jiangnan and escorted him north. Whether he had amnesia, I know better than you do. Are you questioning me?"

"I dare not, but since Fang Chuning claimed amnesia, how did he know he was a Beining person, and how did he reunite with the Prince in Jiangnan, such doubts can’t be ignored by merely his words."

"According to your statement, what should be done?" Zhang Boju spoke for Fang Chuning, "Should we have the Imperial Physician examine Fang Chuning’s injuries to verify the truth? Or must we charge him with deceiving the emperor, what deep-seated hatred does Mr. Li harbor against the Fang Family?"

Mr. Li was a collateral descendant of the Li Family and the head of the officials. He received instructions from the elders to impeach Fang Chuning before the morning court, and naturally wouldn’t let the matter rest.

Ningzhou’s Generals all stepped forward to speak for Fang Chuning, almost unanimously in support. Seeing the overwhelming support, Mr. Li had no choice but to retreat.

Xie Xun knew the outcome well and was not surprised.

Amnesia?

Genuine or not?

Though the court session was tumultuous, it did not stir much of a storm. After the session ended, Zhang Boju grabbed Fang Chuning to leave, while Xie Xun summoned Xie Jue to meet at Changshou Palace.

Both asked simultaneously.

"Really amnesiac?"

Fang Chuning saw Zhang Boju’s sincere eyes and nodded earnestly. Zhang Boju slapped his shoulder, "I don’t believe you. Let’s go drink!"

"I’m really not up for drinking, I’m injured, my family is strict, don’t get me in trouble."

"Strict at home? With the General and Aunt visiting Jiangnan, who at home can manage you?" Zhang Boju criticized his lack of loyalty, complaining incessantly that he didn’t send word earlier, grumbling for a while before realizing, looking peculiar, wanting to speak but holding back.

"Speak!" Fang Chuning’s eyes encouraged him!

"You..." Zhang Boju lowered his voice, asked with a face flushed purple, "When you say strict at home, you don’t mean... the Prince, right?"

"Oh, your reaction is truly slow."

Zhang Boju nearly fainted in rage, "You... you’re truly confused, blinded by beauty, I’ve seen through your ugly nature since childhood, no wonder you treat me and the Prince differently, huh!"

"Isn’t that phrase ’blinded by beauty’ rumored to be used on Ting Feng?" Fang Chuning pointed at his face, "They say about me, that I’m a homewrecker."

"What are you proud of, is that even a compliment?"

"It’s okay!"

"You’re really claiming amnesia, that’s nonsense." Zhang Boju cursed, "Again deceiving the Prince, be careful I expose you in front of him."

"After months of not seeing each other, don’t be so furious, I’ll buy you a drink."

"Don’t think a bottle can erase my pain!"

"My father’s daughter red buried in the backyard."

Zhang Boju hesitated for a long time, raised three fingers, "...three jars."

"Alright!"

"If you dig out that wine, won’t the General get furious?"

"He’ll be enraged!" 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Zhang Boju, "... You take full responsibility for this, don’t harm the innocent?"

"Will you drink or not?"

"I’ll drink!"

In Changshou Palace, after greeting Fengyu and Xie Jue, she tactfully left, giving the brothers private space. After inquiring about Fang Chuning, Xie Xun eagerly picked up Xing Xing to show off to Xie Jue.

Xie Jue was full of joy, "He looks like Ayu."

"Isn’t he handsome? My son is definitely the most handsome in the world."

Xie Jue held Xing Xing, long accustomed to holding children, "What use is there for a boy to be good-looking."

"Pleasant to the eye." Xie Xun laughed, after playing with the child for a while, Xie Xun had the wet nurse take him away, only then did they begin discussing serious matters.

Xie Xun got straight to the point, "How should Fang Chuning’s position be arranged?"