"Have you...really thought it through?" Zhang Boju asked with a hint of bitterness. Fang Chuning was still so young and full of spirit, all his achievements and honors erased just like that.

"I’ve thought it through long ago." Fang Chuning replied with a carefree smile, "No need to worry about me. It’s my own choice, so of course, I’ll bear the consequences myself. Father has his own principles to uphold, and with peace in the world, I’m not worried about food or drink. Being a carefree person is really quite nice."

Seeing Fang Chuning’s smile, Zhang Boju could only lightly laugh and say, "It’s good that you can see it that way. You should persuade the Prince not to fight for you; otherwise, it will put the Emperor in a difficult position."

"He won’t. In Ting Feng’s heart, my matter is not as important as the Emperor. You can rest assured." Fang Chuning was puzzled by how these people thought. Did they really believe Ting Feng was blinded by love? They hadn’t even discussed the matter in detail since returning to the Capital City, and everyone had probably already made up their minds. The longer they stayed in the Capital City, the more they could discern the clans’ intentions. Ting Feng would also become a leisurely prince, and they could travel the mountains and lakes together, managing Beining’s administrative affairs along the way. It was not a bad prospect, and Fang Chuning was content to be Ting Feng’s guardian.

Zhang Boju also realized the outcome was settled and didn’t offer much consolation.

Three days later, Fang Chuning submitted a formal resignation from his official post, shocking both the court and the country. Xie Jue was also somewhat surprised; they hadn’t communicated in the past few days, and Fang Chuning hadn’t stepped outside. This matter wasn’t discussed with him. Unlike other emperors who might put up a pretense, Xie Xun straightforwardly and decisively approved, awarding many gold and jewels simultaneously.

The General remained very calm; he was powerless to stop it. Since the Emperor turned a blind eye, what could he do?

"Father, I’ve resigned from my post. Now that I’m a wealthy and idle person, can I leave the residence?" Fang Chuning asked, observing that, although his parents didn’t accept his decision, they were no longer as resistant as initially.

"As you wish!" The General brushed off his sleeve and left.

Is it a pity?

Of course, it’s a pity. The son he meticulously groomed, hoping to hand over Jiangnan to him upon his resignation, but in the end, it all came to nothing. If he continued to oppose, it would truly turn a married couple into enemies, father and son against each other. The General was exhausted. He knew the son he had raised; growing up under such harsh conditions, he had a firm resolve. What he refused to do, no one could sway.

Take your losses with good grace!

He was a General, and since he had made a bet, he would keep his promise.

But the Fang Family could never relinquish military power.

Fang Chuning left the residence to see Xie Jue. Xie Jue was also writing memorials. When he saw Fang Chuning, he smiled and casually covered a book with another, as if complaining, yet soothingly, "You could have consulted with me before resigning."

"I didn’t want to trouble you, so this is fine; in the future, I’ll rely on the Prince to support me."

"Okay!" Xie Jue thought for a moment and said, "The Prince’s family wealth is enough to support you."

Fang Chuning laughed heartily, placing his hands on the table and asking, "No need to cover it; I already saw it."

Xie Jue glanced at the memorial and said calmly, "We will have to stay in the Capital City for a while longer."

The medicine had been given to Fang Chuning, and he had been recuperating at home for nearly ten days. Whenever Xie Jue looked at Fang Chuning, he still seemed just as he used to, showing no signs of improvement. The medicine was supposed to restore his memory, yet he never mentioned anything about recalling his past.

"How much of your memory... has returned?" Xie Jue probed.

"Recently, I recalled our youthful days when we studied together. I think in a little while, I should remember everything." Fang Chuning maintained his facade, slowly informing Ting Feng without him noticing the deception, and it was for the best this way.

He stared into Ting Feng’s eyes. The medicine indeed had miraculous effects. After Xie Jue’s eyes were injured back then, they hadn’t had the clarity they had before the poisoning. They not only developed bloodshot veins easily but also appeared murky. It was only during that snow-covered period in Beiman, when he had nothing to do and rested well, that they regained clarity. Most of the time, his eyes were bloodshot, but after not seeing him for a few days, his eyes were clear, indicating that the toxins that had plagued him for years were probably resolved.

Xie Jue was thoughtfully considering matters. After taking the medicine, why did he only remember half? Could he be deceiving him? But given the situation, having regained half his memory, there was no reason to continue deceiving him.

"Have you been taking your medicine properly at home?"

"Of course!"

Not once had he taken it!

"I’ve been taking it every day."

"Alright, I’ll have Zhang Lingzheng come over to see if the prescription needs to be changed." He wanted to know if the residual toxins in Fang Chuning’s system had been cleared.

Fang Chuning, "..."