Fang Chuning stayed in the Prince Manor for seven days, and Xie Jue also did not attend court for these seven days. Fang Chuning was a martial officer and had survived a great danger. Xie Xun permitted him to rest, so he shamelessly lingered in the manor. Both civil and military officials had some discussions, wondering if Fang Chuning and Xie Jue were too blatant, staying together like this. With the great general and Mrs. Fang not in the capital, was there truly no one who could control Fang Chuning? The elders of the Fang Family had no ability to manage Fang Chuning, and when they sent someone to summon him, Fang Chuning simply replied that he had lost his memory and didn’t remember. The elders of the clan were so furious they were practically spewing smoke from their seven orifices, and they sent people to Jiangnan to fetch the great general, as they could not stand by while such a rebellious and unfilial, morally defying descendant went unchecked.

The most crucial point was that Fang Chuning was the most promising descendant of this generation in the Fang Family. His achievements and military merits were unrivaled, and from a young age, he had been a model among the aristocratic offspring. Now, while many of his peers from noble families had married, had children, and upheld their family names, he was mingling with Xie Jue. What about the family? What about heirs? Xie Jue had both sons and daughters; what did he have? He couldn’t possibly live in the Prince Manor forever. As the son of a noble military marquis, shouldn’t he assert himself rather than live under someone else’s roof as a princess? Wouldn’t that be enough to make others laugh at their teeth? The clan was definitely not going to let this go. Recently, many rumors in the capital attacked Xie Jue and Fang Chuning, most of which were stirred up by the Fang Family, hoping Fang Chuning would have a change of heart. Xie Xun, looking at the Jinyi Guard’s report, felt extremely speechless, thinking they were using all the wrong methods. Fengyu hoped he would treat this matter as a family affair, so Xie Xun didn’t interfere.

Fine, he would also like to see how it all would come to an end!

Zhang Boju visited the Prince Manor to find Fang Chuning during his rest, and found him practicing archery with pearls. Zhang Boju looked at him with a face full of grievance and indignation, saying, "You’ve been living comfortably in the Prince Manor without stepping out and truly don’t consider other people’s fates. Elder Fang is about to kneel to beg me to persuade you to turn back."

Elder Fang was an elder of the Fang Family, which was a centennial great clan, but the direct bloodline had become thin in the great general’s line, while the collateral branches were vast and populous. Elder Fang was the younger brother of Fang Chuning’s grandfather, with many flourishing offspring in the collateral branches, but none could compare to Fang Chuning.

The family naturally hoped Fang Chuning would turn back.

Fang Chuning said, "Don’t bother with them. Wait for my father to return to the capital."

"Is the great general returning to the capital?"

"How could he sit still in Jiangnan?" Fang Chuning’s smile was slightly cold. "This matter needs to be concluded."

"Brother, don’t do anything foolish. Our parents gave us life, and the family gave us honor; the favor is as heavy as a mountain. Without the family’s protection, even if your feelings with the Prince change, you would not be able to move an inch." Zhang Boju genuinely meant well for Fang Chuning. "I used to work at the Ministry of Criminal Justice, and I’ve seen it often. Affection is the least reliable thing in the world. To bet one’s life on another’s genuine heart. When affection is strong, it all seems well and good. If the feelings change, jade and pearls turn to stones. You cannot abandon everything to bet on the Prince loving you as he did at the start. Betting on this is less favorable than betting on the power given to you by your parents and family. As long as you’re Fang Chuning, the heir of the great general, even if the Prince’s heart changes, he wouldn’t dare to wrong you."

Zhang Boju also knew the relationship between the great general and Fang Chuning was extremely poor and understood this incident must have been orchestrated by the great general. He also sensed Fang Chuning’s resentment toward the great general and his desire to sever ties with the family. He needed to remind Fang Chuning as his best friend, hoping his brother’s future would be bright and trouble-free. He couldn’t bear to see him isolated from his kin, even if the Prince was wholehearted for a lifetime. It would still be regrettable because breaking away from family is a true, deep-seated pain.

Even if in defiance, this is the worst strategy.

"At this point, it’s headed towards a deadlock. This is not what I wish for. If my father decides to expel me from the family, I can only comply with his command. Rest assured, even without the halo of the Fang Family heir, I will establish my own foundation. At worst, I’ll just occupy a single page in the family register. What does it matter if it’s just me?"

Zhang Boju raised his hand to hit him, "You fool, what kind of nonsense are you saying?"

Fang Chuning’s playful demeanor held a trace of bitterness. If not absolutely necessary, who would want to walk down that path? 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

Zhang Boju tentatively asked, "What does the Prince think?"