Ying Yi quietly returned and then silently went to rest at the manor, not disturbing anyone. Xie Jue pondered over how to administer the antidote to Fang Chuning. Such a precious antidote, with only one dose, must be administered without fail. Fang Chuning, having a good relationship with Zhang Lingzheng, must have asked him about his eye condition. If he knew that Ying Yi brought back the antidote from Sannan and there was only one, he might not take it and would definitely worry about his eyes.

Fang Chuning would surely use the antidote on himself, which was not what Xie Jue hoped for. He could only deceive Fang Chuning into taking it without showing any signs. When Ying Yi returned, Fang Chuning and Mingzhu were at the martial arts training ground and did not notice. Xie Jue wanted to prevent him from finding out, so he had Ying Yi leave for a while. He had told Fang Chuning that Ying Yi went to Sannan to get medicine. Even if he hadn’t mentioned it, Fang Chuning would suspect something important if he noticed the Shadow Guard wasn’t around him.

Recently, Fang Chuning had been teaching Mingzhu swordsmanship. Mingzhu had learned a Xie Family swordsmanship style well, with seven or eight parts complete. Now, it was up to her to understand it fully on her own.

Xie Jue was in the courtyard, burning incense and playing the zither. As Fang Chuning entered the courtyard, he heard the serene sound of the zither. He hadn’t seen Xie Jue so relaxed in a long time, and just listening to the zither music, he could tell Xie Jue was in a joyful mood. Fang Chuning’s steps also became light and cheerful. What could be making him so happy? He leaned lazily in the pavilion, enjoying the sight of a beauty playing the zither. Beside him, a warm incense burner was lit, and there were two cups of tea on the tea table with a few plates of fruits and nuts. Fang Chuning sat down and brewed tea again. Xie Xun knew his brother loved tea, and almost all of this year’s tribute tea was brought over. Fresh fruits were sent daily from the palace, as Mingzhu and Ruyi could not frequently visit the palace, so things were tirelessly sent over.

The sound of flowing water and zither music created a feeling of meeting a kindred spirit in the mountains and waters. After playing a piece, Xie Jue sat down to enjoy tea with him. "What joyful event? Your mood is so good?"

Xie Jue was not surprised that Fang Chuning could understand his emotions from the music. Ying Yi had brought back the medicine from Sannan, which made him very happy, relieving the worry knot in his heart.

"Zhang Lingzheng says my eye condition has improved greatly and in a few more days, I can stop the medication," Xie Jue said. "Later, I can slowly use acupuncture to expel the remaining toxins."

"Really?" Fang Chuning was delighted. "That’s certainly good news."

"Since you returned, have you asked him to check on you?"

"The first day I returned, he came uninvited to feel my pulse and diagnose me. Even though I had amnesia and didn’t remember who he was, I was startled. Later, I saw he meant no harm and had a long talk with him. He said the toxins in my body had long integrated with my bones and blood, so as not to harm my body, it should be fine. He also prescribed some nourishing soups, which I’m too lazy to drink.

"You never take your medicine!" Xie Jue frowned.

"The medicine is for strengthening the body. I can make it myself, so it’s not an immortality elixir. Why bother myself?" Fang Chuning said indifferently, looking straight into Xie Jue’s eyes. "Speaking of which... your eyes have rested for a few days, not overworked, and do appear much clearer."

The black and white clarity is much better than when they were always bloodshot in Pingnan County, and they’re also very beautiful. He loves Xie Jue’s eyes the most, slightly slanted, distinctly black and white, like the clearest water in a mountain stream.

After a round of tea, Xie Jue brewed a new pot. The outdoor sunlight was just right. While brewing, Xie Jue casually said, "Can you go to the innermost shelf in the study and get Su Mingzi’s travel notes for me? The sunshine is so nice today, and I haven’t read them again in a long time."

"Alright!"

In his spare time, Xie Jue loves reading travel notes and especially enjoys Su Mingzi’s writings. Su Mingzi was a renowned writer from the previous dynasty and wrote three travel journals. Two of them were written after he traveled all over Beining, recording the local customs and unusual stories. Although there might be some fictional elements, most were consistent with the actual local situations. Xie Jue often perused them, repeatedly reading and making numerous notes.

Fang Chuning took out both travel journals, thinking they could read them together since they used to dream of traveling the world but had no time, so reading travel journals was the next best thing.

When he came out, Xie Jue had brewed another pot of new tea and poured a cup for Fang Chuning. Fang Chuning handed the travel journals to him and simply sat beside him. Xie Jue raised his eyebrows, pointed to the tea cup across from him, "This year some aged black tea arrived first, Xie Xun liked it and sent some. Try it. If you like it, you can drink it often."

Fang Chuning took the cup over. Aged black tea was hard to come by. The tea soup was a bright red and clear, evidently aged black tea. Fang Chuning took a sniff and noted the unique aroma, "Very fragrant."

Xie Jue nodded, lowered his head to flip through the travel notes, but sensed Fang Chuning’s gaze on him. Xie Jue turned to look at him, "What’s wrong?"

"Xie Tingfeng, your eyes are really beautiful," Fang Chuning couldn’t help but say. The sun was scorching, the early autumn temperature was cool, the big tree nearby shading most of the sunlight. Xie Jue’s eyes had rested for days and now seemed like a pool of spring water. Though they were cold and clear, to Fang Chuning, they felt different from others.

Xie Jue’s ears turned slightly red. Fang Chuning was too close. Xie Jue’s gaze moved down, landing on his lips, recalling the fleeting kiss in Pingnan County. Just as he was about to look away, Fang Chuning had already wrapped his arm around his neck, turning him, the searing kiss falling upon his lips. Fang Chuning wasn’t truly amnesiac. Such intimacy also stirred countless memories between them. Breathing became heavy. Xie Jue’s body slightly leaned back, supporting himself with one hand. Fang Chuning nearly blocked all his view, disrupting his calm heart like a stone thrown into still water, a kiss filled with intense desire.

Suddenly, a burst of footsteps approached, followed by the playful laughter of Ruyi and Mingzhu. The siblings were heading toward their courtyard. Xie Jue hurriedly pushed him away, warmth already climbing up his cheeks, his lips turning a vibrant red. Just as he pushed Fang Chuning away, Mingzhu and Ruyi came in. Ruyi trotted over, but then noticed the strange atmosphere between his father and Uncle Fang, blinking in confusion, "Dad, your face is so red."

His son’s innocent words made Xie Jue both embarrassed and annoyed. He gave Fang Chuning a glare and hastily picked up the tea cup to cover up, "The weather’s too hot."

Fang Chuning watched him drink the tea in one go, finally feeling relieved, and smiled, "Yes, it’s so hot. Ruyi, you’re all red-faced from running over. Come have some tea and taste your dad’s skills."