Fang Chuning began his education at three, practiced martial arts at four, all taught by the Grand Marshal himself, with a heavy workload. Besides studying at the Imperial College, he had to follow the Grand Marshal’s academic arrangements when he returned home. Fang Chuning had to study and practice until midnight every day, getting up before dawn to review. Under such harsh conditions, he matured earlier than other children and could sensitively perceive his father’s excessive strictness. Others said strict teachers produce outstanding disciples; his uncles told him they were trained similarly by their grandfather when young. Fang Chuning let it go, yet no matter how well he performed, he never received praise from his father. Fang Chuning vaguely felt his father disliked him, but why? Was he not trying hard enough? He ranked first in his studies at the Imperial College and in martial arts. He fulfilled all his father’s demands. He didn’t understand why he couldn’t win his father’s favor.

Adults’ grievances naturally affect their children. Mrs. Fang and the Li Family had irreconcilable disputes, which the children also witnessed. Clan rules were very strict, rarely discussing adults’ rights and wrongs in front of children; thus, Fang Chuning heard no gossip at the Imperial College until he fell into conflict with the brothers of the main branch of the Li Family.

The Fang Family and the Li Family were related by marriage but did not interact; naturally, the children were curious. Mrs. Fang didn’t even want to let Fang Chuning associate with the children from the second branch, preventing any chance of interaction with the Li Family, and advised Fang Chuning to avoid conflict with the adults from the main branch of the Li Family at the Imperial College, just avoiding them from afar, as she feared he would suffer due to the Li Family’s power.

Though raised strictly since childhood, Fang Chuning was cheerful and lively, forming good relationships, and almost all peers from the clan enjoyed his company. He was popular at the Imperial College; those he disliked were naturally isolated. The Eldest Son of the Li Family had an unpleasant encounter with Fang Chuning. After losing to him in archery and horseback riding, he cursed, including Mrs. Fang in his insults, enraging Fang Chuning. Fang Chuning would not allow anyone to insult his mother and responded with his fists.

During that conflict, the Eldest Son of the Li Family told him Mrs. Fang had taken someone else’s husband by force, causing his aunt’s death, claiming it was the greatest shame to his parents, among other things.

Fang Chuning was struck by lightning. In a moment of carelessness, he almost blinded Li Si, resulting in a whipping by the Grand Marshal. When asked about the cause, Fang Chuning only glared fiercely, like a savage little beast, silently enduring the punishment. The Grand Marshal wanted to take Fang Chuning to apologize while bearing branches as a sign of acknowledgment, but Fang Chuning refused. Mrs. Fang also intervened to stop this. Eventually, the Grand Marshal apologized to the Li Family on behalf of his son, resolving the situation to their satisfaction. Fang Chuning was too young to delve into the details.

After the incident, Fang Chuning directed someone to investigate his parents’ and Miss Li’s past affairs, gradually uncovering the truth. Upon discovering the truth, Fang Chuning became despondent for a while. He had thought his father was merely strict, but found it was hatred. If not for him, perhaps none of the tragedies would have happened. There had been such a tragic story between his parents, which greatly affected Fang Chuning, leaving him in self-imposed exile for a long time. It was Xie Jue’s silent company that brought him back. It was then that Xie Jue proposed that they would go to Ningzhou together after they grew up.

Fang Chuning regained his fighting spirit, practiced martial arts diligently, thinking of leaving for Ningzhou and never coming back. From then on, he even more stringently demanded of himself, yearning for the Grand Marshal to recognize that he wouldn’t disgrace the identity as the first son of the Fang Family, fulfilling all his father’s requirements, hoping one day his father would truly acknowledge him.

He also felt for his mother, powerless under the machinations of royal authority. All the tragedies were beyond human control; he, as her son, could only silently process his inner turmoil.

If his mother didn’t want him to associate with the Li Family, he wouldn’t. He witnessed how his mother suffered oppression from the Li Family, and with his father, as her husband not assisting her, as her son, he couldn’t possibly betray his mother. Therefore, throughout the years, he never interacted with the Li Family. Ironically, Miss Li from the main branch once privately admired him. If he genuinely sought revenge against the Li Family, he could have long ago ruined her with methods, but he didn’t. Fang Chuning remembered his parents’ lessons, frankly expressing he didn’t like her, hoping she would find a suitable husband.

This matter was a thorn in Fang Chuning’s heart; he never even told Xie Jue.

"Mother, whatever decision you make, don’t regret it; I’ll always support you," Fang Chuning said softly. "Father... did you ever ask him why he did not stand by you back then?" 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

Mrs. Fang sneered, "He’s deeply attached to Miss Li. He’s always carried the burden of her death on his shoulders, feeling he owes the Li Family. The fact that he doesn’t help them stab me in the back is already good enough, impossible for him to assist me; I won’t disgrace myself."

Fang Chuning held Mrs. Fang’s hand, realizing this was her view, "Mother, actually... it isn’t like that. I’m not defending Father, but I understand somewhat his viewpoint. His lack of assistance is actually to your benefit. The imperial power was weak, the clan held supremacy, and the Li Family nearly monopolized the grain transport. If Father couldn’t appease the Li Family, the entire northern war situation would be jeopardized. At the palace gate, the late Emperor intervened for you, and hit two young lords from the Li Family. If I were Father, I would ensure this scene did not occur, as it would have aggravated conflicts between the Fang Family and the Li Family, endangering the northern battlefield. Father pleaded for you, surely criticized your disregard for the big picture and causing troubles. With his temperament, probably didn’t explain it, and argued with you. The more he urged less conflict with the Li Family, the more aggrieved you felt, seeking issues with them. The early war situation in the north was terrible, with one uncle after another from the Marquis Zhenbei Mansion dying on the battlefield, but the capital was affected due to disputes over children. As the chief commander first son, Father would inevitably blame you all. He likely harbored equal dislike, disliking the Li Family too, but he had no choice but to appease them. Later, with the change in royal authority, when the Marquis wielded full control, he reopened a grain route through Sannan, weakening the Li Family’s grain monopoly, alleviating the supplies issue. Otherwise, the tens of thousands of troops in Ningzhou were always led by the clan’s nose. Father began to distance himself from the Li Family. Mother, I’m not speaking on his behalf, having been in Ningzhou for many years, I’m accustomed to viewing this from his perspective. His deliberate neglect was wrong, but the reason may not be as you think."

Fang Chuning wasn’t inclined to speak for Father; but he’s always rational. Mrs. Fang’s recounting of the matter made him pained, but he also considered the predicament within and beyond the court at that time.

The entire realm relied on Marquis Zhenbei Mansion and the Fang Family to support bitterly; the clan’s power was exceedingly strong, transcending military authority, all forced to accommodate the Ningzhou war situation.

"Tunan, didn’t you lose your memory?"

Fang Chuning, "..."