The hot spring in Xie Jue’s courtyard was built beneath a bamboo grove, surrounded by wild vines that formed a natural barrier. The hot spring was hidden among the vines, and mist lingered in the air, creating a dreamlike illusion.

Fang Chuning couldn’t help but recall the outdoor hot spring bath he took on the way to Sannan. He was filled with excitement. When he glanced at Xie Jue, he found Xie Jue staring intently at him. Fang Chuning felt self-conscious and blurted out, "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Do you like hot springs?"

"...Yes, I do."

"You never used to like them before, thinking it was an extravagant waste."

"I was really... quite ignorant."

Xie Jue glanced at the sky. "If you like it, let’s go after dinner."

Following him out, Fang Chuning said with a playful smile, "Together then."

"Alright!"

Fang Chuning was overjoyed. Such good fortune! Even though he was still perceived as having amnesia by those around him, he could still appreciate beauty with his eyes.

He dared not be too audacious, fearing Xie Jue would discover something. Xie Jue couldn’t tolerate deceit, and if he found out, Fang Chuning would face days of cold shoulders.

The days in the mountains were very leisurely. Arriving early with nothing much to do, Fang Chuning led Xie Jue on a hunting and foraging trip in the mountains. They picked a whole basket of wild fruits, which were sweet and large in this bountiful season. Xie Jue sent some to the mansion for Mingzhu and Ruyi to enjoy, and another portion to the palace.

After Xie Xun ascended the throne, though Fengyu could still leave the palace, she wasn’t as free as she was during her maiden days. Such mountain delicacies were rare for her. Following suit, Fang Chuning also sent some home for his parents to taste.

This lifestyle was what they had always dreamed of—peaceful and serene. While hunting, Fang Chuning also caught four little rabbits to raise. Xie Jue thought that Ruyi and Mingzhu would be delighted to see the rabbits when they visited the manor. Fang Chuning, on the other hand, thought of fattening them up to roast later, which left Xie Jue in a mix of tears and laughter.

Xie Jue hadn’t visited the manor for a few years. Fang Chuning’s mountain adventures with him were also to prevent him from getting emotional. Marquis Zhenbei Mansion didn’t only have this manor. However, this manor was a favorite retreat for the madams and Xie brothers, especially during spring and autumn. They loved to come here for spring outings and hot spring baths in comfort. The manor still kept the madams’ and brothers’ yards along with some old items, which Fang Chuning feared might trigger Xie Jue’s memories and immerse him in sadness.

Xie Jue indeed remembered many old things. In his youth, he was frail and often brought to the manor by the madams. During less busy academic times, he could stay for short vacations. Apart from the Prince Manor, this was his favorite place. The manor was kept meticulously as if his family had never left. He could still feel their presence here.

He couldn’t bear to disrupt the manor’s arrangements, just like when Marquis Mansion was expanded. He wished to preserve every plant and tree. The only consolation was having Xie Xun and Ruyi by his side; otherwise, he might not have endured these years.

Without needing to speak, Fang Chuning understood his feelings. Hence, Fang Chuning encouraged him to enjoy the mountain scenery heartily. After sending the wild fruits to the capital, the cooks prepared their dinner. Fang Chuning and Xie Jue usually had simple and light meals, mainly seasonal vegetables and river delicacies. The small mountain river shrimp, stir-fried, was aromatic and crispy, paired with bamboo shoot soup, making it extremely tasty.

After dinner, with time left before sunset, the two strolled through the fields to aid digestion. Xie Jue couldn’t help asking Fang Chuning, "Where do you want to settle in the future?"

They could travel around to improve governance but couldn’t wander forever; they needed a place to call home. Both grew up in the Capital City, their families were there, making it the best choice. Secondly, there was Ningzhou and Jiangnan.

However, Xie Jue wasn’t keen on Ningzhou unless it was Fang Chuning’s wish, as it would unnecessarily trouble Xie Xun.

"A prince like you, apart from the Capital City, where else could you want to go?" Fang Chuning chuckled. He had never considered settling elsewhere. They could hide in the mountains and enjoy brief escapism, but couldn’t live there forever. No place was as familiar and comfortable as the Capital City, their place of upbringing.

"Though there are homes and relatives in the Capital, there are also foes whose words, while not lethal, are immensely annoying, ruining one’s mood. Your mother endured slanderous tongues and pressure from the Li Family women, and the gossip never ceases to this day." He didn’t want Fang Chuning to suffer the same.

"My mother’s grievances stem from my father’s mistakes and those people’s faults. I don’t mind them. Let them be. If I left the Capital City in disgrace, it would satisfy them. Life in the Capital City only gets better with the Emperor and Prince backing me, giving me such joy." Fang Chuning didn’t want to trouble Xie Jue either.

The sole prince cannot easily leave the capital, or official remonstrations could drown him. He didn’t wish for Xie Jue to face this backlash. The Capital City was excellent; they could return for a rest after adventures and retreat into the mountains when fed up with city life.

"Alright, it’s decided then. Just wait until you regain your memories."

Fang Chuning, "..."

Fang Chuning was constantly uneasy, suspecting Xie Jue had seen through him. In fact, Xie Jue had tested him back in Pingnan County. Back then, Xie Jue was eager, wanting a confession and deliberately leaving flaws for Fang Chuning to realize that he knew of the façade and was offering a chance for honesty.

However, Fang Chuning preferred that way of interaction, initially intending to have Xie Jue treat him tenderly. But Xie Jue wouldn’t take the bait, and Fang Chuning dared not be too blatant.

Yet after returning from Pingnan County, Xie Jue stopped testing him and accepted his partial memory loss, treating him as before. Fang Chuning hadn’t figured out how to confess, but suddenly hearing Xie Jue mention memory recovery stirred his emotions. By the time they reached the hot spring, he quickly forgot his apprehension of facing consequences.

Xie Jue removed his headpiece and hairpins, soaking in the hot spring wearing only light inner garments. His long ink-black hair was half-submerged, resembling ink spreading in water. He leaned back comfortably on the jade steps, water beads forming on his nose from the steam. The vivid red of his lips was the sole color in the mist, stirring one’s heart.

Fang Chuning took a deep breath, with half of his face submerged in water, irritatedly thinking that he shouldn’t have encouraged Xie Jue to bathe together, as it was self-sabotaging. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

"This is a hot spring, not a cold spring. Are you not uncomfortable?" Xie Jue opened his eyes at some point, noticing Fang Chuning with his nose almost underwater. This hot spring’s temperature was hotter than normal ones, creating more mist in autumn. Being too close to the water surface could cause breathing difficulty. Fang Chuning seemed to be acting strange, nearly drowning himself in the hot spring.

"I’m totally fine!" Fang Chuning forced a smile through gritted teeth.

Xie Jue raised an eyebrow and patted the jade steps beside him, "Don’t crouch there, come sit here."

Fang Chuning, "..."

Xie Jue’s long hair floated on the water surface, some strands soaked and clinging to his face; his skin flushed from the hot water. To Fang Chuning, he looked like one of those seductive banshees in outlandish tales, appearing at midnight on a scholar’s examination road, intent on capturing his soul, which they usually succeeded at.

Indeed, he was the kind of scholar who couldn’t resist temptation.

Fang Chuning shuffled over in small steps through the water, the sound of rippling waves insufficient to mask his pounding heart.