"You must be Prince Xian."
The young man's voice was clear and carried a hint of sweetness, and his expression was as pure as a child's.
In fact, he wasn't that young, already fifteen or sixteen. Thinking back, when he was fifteen or sixteen, he had already stopped fooling around and started attending court meetings.
Prince Xian looked at the young man in front of him, who took a step forward and bowed deeply.
"I heard from Sister Jiuling that you took great care of her back then," he said, then looked up with shining eyes, "Thank you, Your Highness."
There were no exaggerated words of gratitude, just that simple thank you, filled with sincerity, which made Prince Xian's heart blossom with joy.
"It's only natural," he said with a smile, "Your sister often praises you."
Fang Chengyu's face immediately brightened with even more brilliance.
He did not question further or show false modesty.
"It's Jiuling who is better," he said with some shyness.
Prince Xian's eyes also brightened, and he could only click his tongue in his heart.
Miss Jun approached with a smile.
"Your Highness, we'll take our leave now," she said.
Prince Xian nodded with a smile.
"Go ahead. I should have held a banquet to welcome you, but after the tiring journey, sitting with me would only tire you more. We'll meet again when you and your sister visit the Prince Mansion."
Fang Chengyu shook his head with a smile.
"Not at all," he said earnestly, "I find Your Highness approachable and not at all imposing."
Zhu Zan rolled his eyes behind him.
Prince Xian laughed heartily.
"I can see that," he said, "However, family comes first. Go and have a family reunion. They're all waiting."
Fang Chengyu was about to say something, but Zhu Zan waved his hand.
"That's enough," he said with a frown, "Quickly, head back."
Fang Chengyu nodded with a smile to him.
"Yes, brother," he said.
Prince Xian couldn't help but chuckle.
Fang Chengyu immediately felt a bit uneasy.
"I, I've always called him brother," he said, "Should I call him brother-in-law?"
"Always called him brother," nonsense.
Zhu Zan snorted and waved him off.
"No need, no need, just go," he said.
Fang Chengyu fell silent and obediently stepped back to Miss Jun's side. Miss Jun bowed again to Prince Xian before leading him out.
The room returned to silence, while downstairs bustled with activity. Prince Xian stood by the window watching Miss Jun board the carriage, and Fang Chengyu no longer rode his horse but got on the carriage as well. A lively group headed towards the city.
He clicked his tongue.
"What a soft and cute young man," he said, then turned to look at Zhu Zan with a frown of disdain, "Look at you, such a rough guy! Totally overshadowed."
Zhu Zan was furious.
"Are you blind? He's nowhere near as good-looking as me!" he said, "I have natural beauty and extraordinary looks, unlike that kid who relies on flashy clothes like a butterfly."
Prince Xian made a gagging motion.
"Try me," Zhu Zan glared at him, "You think since I call you Your Highness now, I'm afraid to hit you?"
Prince Xian cleared his throat.
"I'm doing this for your own good," he said seriously, putting his arm around Zhu Zan's shoulder and gesturing up and down, "You may be naturally handsome, but women aren't only drawn to looks. You need to be eloquent, too. Look at that young man, his words make people so happy. No wonder Miss Jun says he's the most important person to her. At this rate..."
He looked at Zhu Zan with a hint of pity.
"At your age, you're about to be dumped by someone."
Zhu Zan grabbed his shoulder in return.
"Ouch, ouch," Prince Xian exclaimed.
Zhu Zan didn't let go.
"Thanks for Your Highness's blessing," he said with a smile, "I'd welcome it."
......…
...….
As night fell, the excitement at Jiuling Hall subsided. Manager Liu and managers from the capital's money business took their leave, and Seventh Chen, who had drunk too much, was helped back to his room by the maids.
Fang Jinxiu also bid farewell and left.
"She's not fond of talking now," Miss Jun said.
Since entering, Fang Jinxiu had spoken no more than three sentences to Fang Chengyu, and they were all formal pleasantries without any sibling intimacy or joy at a reunion.
"Your lodgings were arranged by her personally, with four layers of bedding," Miss Jun said with a smile.
Fang Chengyu also smiled.
"She never liked talking at home," he said, "It's quite normal now. I don't feel uncomfortable at all. If she spoke to me intimately, I'd feel awkward."
Miss Jun raised her hand, wanting to pat Fang Chengyu's head, only to find she couldn't quite reach.
"You're growing so fast," she laughed.
Fang Chengyu quickly crouched to one knee, looking at her while blinking.
Miss Jun laughed, reaching out to pat his head.
"Go rest. You came so quickly; the journey must have been tiring," she said.
Fang Chengyu shook his head.
"I'm not tired. When one's happy, one doesn't feel tired," he smiled, "Jiuling, the events you wrote about at Zhangqing Mountain, tell me more about them. You didn't go into detail back then."
Miss Jun was about to speak when a heavy cough came from outside the door.
"Brother's here," Fang Chengyu said, turning happily.
Zhu Zan entered with an 'Oh',
"Who would have thought I could still call him brother now," Fang Chengyu laughed, picking up a glass of wine, "I thought it was a one-time meeting, but who knew we'd meet again."
"Kids shouldn't drink," Zhu Zan said, taking the glass from him and downing the drink, "Go to bed."
Fang Chengyu replied with an 'Oh'.
"Yes, I listen to brother," he said, glancing at Miss Jun.
"Why are you being so fierce?" Miss Jun said.
Zhu Zan clicked his tongue.
"How was I fierce? Isn't this how I always talk?" he said.
Fang Chengyu quickly tugged at Miss Jun's sleeve.
"Brother means well," he said, "I shouldn't drink. I always remember your advice to just drink water, but I got a bit excited seeing brother."
Miss Jun smiled.
"Alright, go rest," she said.
"Tomorrow, my father and mother have invited you to the mansion," Zhu Zan added.
Fang Chengyu quickly nodded.
"Jiuling also told me to go tomorrow," he said.
Zhu Zan acknowledged with a soft hum.
"We should rest too," he said, looking at Miss Jun.
Miss Jun looked at him with an odd expression.
Fang Chengyu was also slightly surprised.
"Although the engagement is fake, since I'm staying here, I must put on a show," Zhu Zan said seriously, then turned to leave.
To guard against Lu Yunqi, Zhu Zan had been staying at Jiuling Hall these days, but of course not in the same room as her.
Or something needed to be said, Miss Jun nodded to Fang Chengyu.
"Go on," she said.
Fang Chengyu nodded with a smile, then went out. Standing under the corridor and watching Zhu Zan sway into Miss Jun's room, the young man in the lantern's light raised an eyebrow.
"This brother is much thicker-skinned than the other one," he muttered to himself.
........
..........
(See you tomorrow, darlings)