Chapter 976: Chapter 951: A Family of Four

Fang Chuning indeed did not see Ying Yi, but Ying Er was seen after returning to the capital. They were not by Xie Jue’s side, and this time traveling north was so risky.

Knowing Xie Jue’s eyes would go blind, Fang Chuning was worried, "From today onward, I’ll stay at the Prince Manor, keeping an eye on you every day as you rest, to prevent any false compliance."

He even forgot his own amnesia persona.

Xie Jue raised an eyebrow, looking at him blandly, "You want to stay at the Prince Manor?"

"Why not? I barely know anyone in the Fang Family anyway; staying by your side seems more comfortable," Fang Chuning said confidently, "I recently recalled memories from our school days together. Perhaps by spending more time with you, I can recover all my memories."

Xie Jue replied softly, "You want to stay at the Prince Manor, are you sure that’s appropriate?"

"Why wouldn’t it be?"

"You also saw in court today; the Fang Family has made quite a few enemies in the capital. Aren’t you afraid of gossip while staying at the Prince Manor? They won’t dare criticize me, but they can defame you without restraint." Xie Jue didn’t want Fang Chuning to endure such things. He remembered how Fang Chuning rejected these rumors when they reunited in Yangzhou; hearing them now would surely be painful.

"Xie Tingfeng, are you planning to ignore our relationship and go our separate ways in the future?"

"No!"

"Since not, am I indulging in the fantasy that we will grow old together? In that case, people will talk about us sooner or later; whether early or late, it makes no difference," Fang Chuning was no longer afraid, openly admitting their relationship.

Xie Jue smirked and said, "You’re not certain, are you, given that you haven’t recovered all your memories?"

"I remember memories from the time with the Beiman; I understand my feelings from those days. Finding someone like Xie Jue for a life-long companion is a blessing earned over multiple lifetimes."

"As long as you don’t mind." Xie Jue thought for a moment, "If you really want to keep an eye on me, then stay in my courtyard."

Fang Chuning, "..." 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Fang Chuning especially liked Xie Jue’s courtyard; it was simple and tranquil. The Prince Manor was expanded from the Marquis Zhenbei Mansion, and Xie Jue didn’t move to the main courtyard, which remained empty. Ruyi lived in Xie Zhang’s former courtyard, and Mingzhu in Consort Xie’s pre-marriage courtyard. Although the manor was expanded and converted from the Marquis Mansion to the Prince Manor, the interior layout remained unchanged, with just additional gardens and pavilion towers. Before they went to Ningzhou, he often visited Xie Jue, spending nights at the Prince Manor freely and unrestrained—a very pleasant time.

Everyone in the manor knew about Xie Jue and Fang Chuning’s relationship. They couldn’t block out external rumors, but no one dared to discuss it—not even behind closed doors. Xie Jue enforced strict rules; Mingzhu inherited them and wouldn’t allow gossip about their owners in the manor. Once, a maid spoke about them and was sold by Mingzhu without any plea being effective. Thus, Fang Chuning wouldn’t hear a single word of disparagement within the manor.

Mingzhu and Ruyi returned together from the Imperial College. Ruyi was quite unfamiliar with Fang Chuning, being too young to grasp adult matters. Considering him only a friend of his father, he greeted him and went off to wash his hands. Mingzhu couldn’t help but glance at Fang Chuning a few more times, harboring subtle animosity.

Xie Jue noticed and comforted, "Don’t take it out on the child."

"Do I seem like someone who would pick on a little girl?" Fang Chuning clicked his tongue, "Standing in Mingzhu’s place, not speaking ill of me is already considered quite cultured."

Mingzhu was informed early on that she was the child of her mother and a Beining person. In the Beiman, at Fox City, Mingzhu’s identity was awkward, subjected to discrimination, and faced many unfair treatments. After the Beiman surrendered, her mother brought her to the capital, where she was titled Princess, and they sought her father, believing they could reunite as a family. But unexpectedly, the Prince Manor accepted only her, not her mother. Mingzhu matured early, aware that her father’s family perished at the hands of the Beiman people, holding a deep-seated hatred. Her parents’ marriage was a necessity at the time, but now there’s no way they’d take her mother in.

She thought that was the reality, but upon hearing about Xie Jue and Fang Chuning, she realized her father didn’t marry her mother because of Fang Chuning.

The person he loves is Fang Chuning. To Mingzhu, Fang Chuning is the obstacle to their family reunion—a sentiment that’s unavoidable even for an early-matured child.

Moreover, what displeases Mingzhu most is that Fang Chuning and her mother bear some resemblance in facial features. Their temperaments differ greatly, yet their appearances share some similarities, making her uncomfortable and she tries not to look at Fang Chuning’s face.

At dinner, Mingzhu brought Ruyi to the dining hall, slightly surprised to see Fang Chuning there.

Xie Jue said, "Mingzhu, Ruyi, your Uncle Fang will be staying at home for a while."

"Yes!" Mingzhu and Ruyi responded.

Ruyi’s clear eyes curiously fixed on Fang Chuning, and Fang Chuning, aware of her identity, laughed lightly, "Doesn’t the Eldest Imperial Son resemble Ruyi?"

The Eldest Imperial Son is still young, and he’s been seen by very few people in court.

"Xing Xing resembles Ayu, not Ruyi."

Fang Chuning thought all of Xie’s children shared the same face. Despite being Xie Zhang’s son, and raised by Xie Jue, Ruyi resembled Xie Xun more in both appearance and temperament, which was quite intriguing.

He expected Ruyi to be more like Xie Jue, having been raised by him.

"Uncle, are you Dad’s friend?" Ruyi asked.

"Yes."

"You’re Dad’s first friend; I haven’t seen Dad’s friends before."

Fang Chuning almost burst into laughter, "Your dad hasn’t any friends."

"Why not? Both Dad and Ruyi have friends."

Xie Jue offered him a rib, "Dad doesn’t like friends."

"Then why is Uncle staying with us?" Ruyi asked innocently, "Doesn’t Uncle have a home?"

Fang Chuning chuckled, "Indeed, Uncle doesn’t have a home. Would Ruyi like to keep Uncle company?"

Ruyi thought it over; he liked pretty people, "Alright then."

Ruyi generously gave him a rib as well, assuming Uncle was pitiful without food, sharing without hesitation.

Xie Jue, "..."

Mingzhu kept silent.

Xie Jue didn’t intervene in the relationship between Fang Chuning and Mingzhu. With Fang Chuning’s ability, he was confident Fang Chuning could win over everyone’s favor.