Mingzhu could drink tea, but Ruyi was too young to drink black tea, so Xie Jue made him fruit tea. Mingzhu came to invite Fang Chuning to the martial arts training ground to continue teaching her swordsmanship, but upon seeing the ambiguous atmosphere between her father and Fang Chuning, she thoughtfully decided not to interrupt.

Recently, Ruyi learned a song, which he sang cutely for Xie Jue and Fang Chuning, making both laugh heartily. Children are indeed very healing, even someone as aloof as Xie Jue would feel warm at heart.

Ruyi’s song received applause from everyone. Xie Jue asked Mingzhu how her sword practice had been going recently. Mingzhu performed a set of swordsmanship in front of everyone, and Xie Jue nodded in approval. Her moves were already skillful, but the transitions weren’t smooth yet. More practice would solve this.

Xie Jue also gave some advice, "If you are interested, practice more with the Shadow Guards in the manor. Everyone’s reactions are different, which will help you integrate your swordsmanship."

"Father, will you practice with me?"

"Of course!" Xie Jue had never practiced swordsmanship with Mingzhu before. "Starting tomorrow, I’ll practice with you."

In truth, in terms of teaching, Fang Chuning was more suitable than him. Since Mingzhu wanted him to accompany her, he wouldn’t refuse his daughter. As the family was enjoying their time together, the steward came rushing in, "Prince, Mr. Fang, someone from the Fang Family is here to request Mr. Fang to return to the manor."

Fang Chuning, having come to the Prince Manor as a long-term resident, had no intention of returning home. His home was cold and lifeless, lacking any warmth. Even with Uncle Fang there, he still felt somewhat uncomfortable, preferring the ease of staying with Xie Jue.

Fang Chuning glanced at Xie Jue, "Ting Feng, I’ll go home for a look."

"Go ahead!"

Fang Chuning got up and left. Xie Jue glanced at his teacup and felt assured. He had secretly dissolved the antidote into the water just now when Fang Chuning went to get the travel journals. Fang Chuning had taken the medicine, which set Xie Jue’s mind at ease.

Ruyi naively asked, "Doesn’t Uncle Fang not have a home?"

Xie Jue patiently explained, "Uncle Fang does have a home, and the Prince Manor is also Uncle Fang’s home."

Upon hearing this, Mingzhu’s gaze dimmed slightly, but her initial hostility had disappeared. If it wasn’t for the relationship between Fang Chuning and Xie Jue, she thought she might have gotten along well with Fang Chuning.

Uncle Fang had come to fetch Fang Chuning, and from the Prince Manor to the Fang Family, it only took a short incense stick’s time by carriage. Uncle Fang and Fang Chuning sat together in the carriage, their brows furrowed with concern.

The Marshal and Madam had returned to the capital.

The elders of the Fang Family wrote to Jiangnan, but by then, the Marshal had already set out to return to the capital. After Fang Chuning and Xie Jue returned to the capital, the Marshal had arranged matters in Jiangnan, temporarily leaving military affairs to the Deputy Marshal while he and Mrs. Fang returned to the capital. As soon as they returned, they heard that Fang Chuning had moved into the Prince Manor, and had been living there since returning to the capital. The Marshal was furious. Uncle Fang said, "Young master, you know the Marshal’s temper well. Just soften up and admit your fault. Don’t fall out with the Marshal too much. Your affair with the Prince still requires the Marshal’s approval. It’s best if you can gain the consent of the Marshal and Madam so everything will be harmonious."

"He would agree? When the sun rises in the west."

"How will you know if you don’t try? Parents love their children and will compromise continuously."

"But he...doesn’t love me."

Uncle Fang was silent, forced to remain silent, his expression somewhat pained.

"Let’s not talk about it anymore. How is Junjun in Sannan?"

At the mention of the eldest young lady, Uncle Fang was all smiles, speaking of Fang Lingjun’s matters.

Fang Chuning learned that Fang Lingjun had given birth to twins and couldn’t help but exclaim in his heart at the beauty of it. Dugu Jing was truly remarkable. Their family had produced twins before, but only in the collateral branches; no direct descendants had borne twins before. Dugu Jing and the Sixth Princess were dragon-phoenix twins, and he hadn’t expected his descendants to also produce twins. Junjun had suffered once to bear two children; it was a cause for celebration. Fang Chuning wished he could grow wings and fly to Mudan City to see Junjun and the children. But he still had his own matters to settle; going to Sannan could wait until things were more stable.

Mrs. Fang was already waiting at the door for Fang Chuning. She had visited him while he was recuperating at Lu Liu Villa. It was only after she went to Jiangnan that she discovered Fang Chuning was alive, and also learned that it was the Marshal who brought him back. However, she was unaware of the specifics, only knowing that her son had amnesia at the time. Fang Chuning was also cold towards her, with little recollection of anything. Mrs. Fang was heartbroken, and coupled with discovering that the Marshal was maintaining the family of Miss Li’s wet nurse, she became so agitated that she fell ill and remained bedridden. Before Fang Chuning left, they hadn’t even had the chance to spend much time together.

If it weren’t for Fang Chuning, she would never have traveled with the Marshal back home.

"Tunan..." Mrs. Fang’s eyes reddened at the sight of him. Fang Chuning instinctively wanted to embrace his mother but held back, opting for a formal greeting, "Greetings, mother."

They probably didn’t know yet that his memory had returned.

"Tunan looks much healthier than he did in Yangzhou," Mrs. Fang said, feeling both joyful and sad as she looked at her son. "Mother doesn’t have many desires nowadays. I only wish for your safety. No matter what happens, you have your mother. Don’t be afraid."