Chapter 617: Chapter 617

Fengyu and her companions were originally enjoying their autumn outing, but unexpectedly encountered Li Si, Zhou Xuejia, and their two children also out for an autumn outing. As they disembarked from their boat at the pier, they saw the family of four.

What a narrow path fate leads enemies to!

Zhou Xuejia and Princess Xue Lan had long-standing animosities—the true and false daughters, the pain of being switched at birth. If not for Xue Lan’s cleverness, she might have spent her entire life in the countryside, unable to reunite with her real parents. Even after reuniting, her relationships with her brothers were strained. Had she grown up in the family from the start, her brothers wouldn’t treat her this way now.

Xue Lan undoubtedly harbored grievances, but her soft and weak nature led her to endure Zhou Xuejia’s bullying without resistance. After the Marchioness’ birthday banquet, Zhou Xuejia even attempted to visit Marquis Mansion but was stopped by the Marchioness. The Princely Heir and Second Young Master both pleaded on Zhou Xuejia’s behalf, yet they angered the Marchioness so much she had them chastised under family law. It was baffling what kind of misunderstanding they had that made them blame Xue Lan for her close friendship with Fengyu, which caused Marquis Mansion to fear this bond and distance themselves from Zhou Xuejia. Princess Xue Lan cried at home because of this incident for two whole days.

As for Fang Lingjun, Li Si, and Zhou Xuejia, their entanglement was an even messier affair.

Upon seeing them, Zhang Boxin couldn’t help but mock, "Well, well, who do we have here? Brother Li, I’ve long heard that you’ve kept a beautiful mistress and even have a pair of children with her. I haven’t had the chance to congratulate you yet. Among us brothers, you’re the most accomplished. Already have kids, huh? Unlike us—we’re all still bachelors, no marriage prospects in sight."

Though Zhang Boxin sounded cheerful, his words were steeped in sarcasm. Back in the day, they were all notorious playboys of the Capital City. Li Si was considered the "model son" of others—ambitious, studious, and despite a bit of a spoiled young master’s disposition, he carried far more prestige than the rest. Being the eldest legitimate son, he had even passed the provincial exams. They had drunk and fraternized together, calling each other brothers. However, Li Si had gossiped behind Zhang Boxin and Lin Xiao’s backs, and once publicly embarrassed them during an equestrian banquet.

Lin Xiao and Zhang Boxin refrained from retaliating due to their statuses, even having to endure and smile afterwards.

Li Si was the favored eldest grandson of his family, while they were mere side figures—castaways from their families’ inner circles. Yet now, the three had achieved rank as third-grade military generals, serving as key aides to the new emperor, shining as prominent figures of the new court. In contrast, Li Si had been dismissed from office; how the tables had turned.

Li Si’s face alternated between red and pale shades. Scholars cared deeply about their reputations, and being publicly called out for keeping a mistress and having children had made his humiliation spread like wildfire.

Yet he dared not let his anger show. With Fengyu present, he responded, "Brothers, please don’t tease me. I’ll treat you to drinks another day—I’ll surely need to rely on your guidance in the future."

"Oh, no, no, how could we possibly dare? We’re mere dust on the ground while Brother Li shines as the moon in the heavens. It would sully you to associate with us," Zhang Boxin quipped with veiled barbs.

Back in the day, Li Si had said those exact words, and now they were being hurled back at him. Zhou Liyu felt immensely satisfied.

Truthfully, Zhang Boxin, Lin Xiao, and Zhou Liyu weren’t petty people and were quite magnanimous, but hearing Fang Lingjun mention her failed engagement and Li Si’s mistress on their journey back to the Capital, they couldn’t resist stepping in to give Fang Lingjun a chance to vent her frustrations upon encountering him.

"I was young and foolish back then, speaking out of turn. Please don’t hold it against me. As your elder brother, I offer my sincerest apologies." Li Si gritted his teeth, suppressing his anger.

If it were three years ago, these three wouldn’t have dared act so brazenly before him—they wouldn’t even be fit to carry his shoes.

Seeing her beloved insulted, Zhou Xuejia felt indignant and defended him, "Zhang Boxin, you’re climbing high and flourishing lately, and of course, we congratulate you. But there’s no need for this sarcasm. The wheel of fortune turns—since we’re all serving in the same court now, why make things difficult for my husband?"

"I’m speaking to your husband—why is a mistress like you interrupting? Have you no manners?" Zhang Boxin snapped, his disdain evident, not sparing even the children. "I heard you caused a scene at the Duchess Marquis An Yuan’s birthday banquet. Such gall!"

"You..." Zhou Xuejia gasped in outrage, pointing at Princess Xue Lan. "Zhou Xuelan, was it you who told them?"

How else could they know the gossip of the Capital after being away for so long?

"I..." Princess Xue Lan bit her lip. "It wasn’t me..."

"I told them!" Fang Lingjun coldly retorted. "Why, do you have the nerve to act but not the nerve to be confronted about it?"

Zhou Xuejia had been close to Lin Yunong, Lin Yu Yan, and others since childhood, but was always at odds with Fang Lingjun. Even before her identity was revealed, she and Fang Lingjun had been like fire and water.

"Fang Lingjun, I know you resent me for ruining your betrothal, but my husband and I are deeply in love. Long ago, we vowed to grow old together. It’s your family that insisted on marrying into the Li family. My husband didn’t want me to be wronged, so he brought me into the household. It’s you who’s jealous and intolerant—not our fault." Zhou Xuejia declared defiantly. "My husband is still willing to marry you, and my children would regard you as their legitimate mother. If you still harbor resentment..."

"Wait a moment, didn’t you set out on your own with your children, leaving the Li family behind? Why are you still tangled up with them?" Fengyu’s sharp gaze pierced through Zhou Xuejia’s confidence. "Besides, there was no matchmaker’s arrangement nor a blessing from both families between the Li and Fang families. Don’t talk about legitimate mothers, marriage, or anything of the sort. We are children of respectable families who wouldn’t commit to such illicit arrangements. Don’t tarnish Junjun’s reputation."

Zhou Xuejia was left speechless by Fengyu’s rebuttal, turning nervously to Li Si for help.

Li Si’s face had turned crimson. From the moment he saw them, he knew there would be no escaping this wave of humiliation.

Zhang Boxin voiced his disdain directly, "Zhou Xuejia, are you deranged? Fang Lingjun has nothing to do with your drama—don’t drag her into it. Who wants to pick up trash men from the gutter? The Capital City is vast, filled with fine gentlemen. Who would want Li Si anyway?"

Zhou Liyu added with a cold laugh, "Keeping a mistress and bearing children before marriage—you’ve disgraced the name of noblemen everywhere! Thank goodness Junjun evaded your clutches just in time."

While they had once been carefree playboys, they had never committed such scandalous deeds as having mistresses and children before marriage. Had they done so, their families wouldn’t hesitate to break their legs.

"Zhou Liyu, Zhang Boxin, I admit I’ve wronged Fang Lingjun, but Xuejia and I are truly in love. This involves the three of us—it’s your fault Fang Lingjun fled her engagement, bringing shame to my family. What wrong have we committed?" Li Si defended Zhou Xuejia, his face darkening, "You may be soaring high now, but don’t forget—I am still the future head of the Li family!"

Just as Zhang Boxin was about to unleash another insult, Fang Lingjun stopped him, saying drily, "You say you’re in love—then why haven’t you married her? Is it not what you want? When we were negotiating marriage, why didn’t you mention keeping a mistress and having children? Is there some unspeakable secret behind this?"

"Hahaha—is the secret that you deceived us into marriage!" Zhang Boxin laughed carefreely.

"Exactly—it’s deceit!" Zhou Liyu chimed in, "Claiming true love yet refusing marriage, pretending to be some romantic hero—then marry her if you can! If not, stop pretending to be noble."

Humiliated, eyes reddened, Li Si couldn’t argue further. He tugged on Zhou Xuejia and their frightened children, intending to leave.

But Zhang Boxin wasn’t about to let them off easily. "Li Si, Zhou Xuejia, better wise up. If you cross paths with Junjun in the Capital, keep as far away as possible. Each time I see you, I’ll air your dirty laundry until it’s known throughout the Capital City!"

"You..." Li Si, being a scholar, couldn’t match Zhang Boxin and Zhou Liyu’s verbal blows. Furious and indignant, he pulled along the resentful Zhou Xuejia and their children, finally retreating.

They should’ve known better than to go on this outing—who could have predicted such a run-in!

Zhang Boxin and Zhou Liyu high-fived, triumphant and pleased. Zhang Boxin remarked, "Junjun, don’t worry—next time, I’ll grab a sack and beat him up. A man like him deserves to be taught a lesson."

"Forget it, it doesn’t matter—I don’t care," Fang Lingjun dismissed, indifferent. She had no fondness for Li Si, nor did she care who he loved. After fleeing her engagement, the Li family had become a mess anyway, and she didn’t expect them to fare any better now.

Lin Xiao stayed out of the drama. He disliked quarreling over romantic matters, and with Zhang Boxin and Zhou Liyu present, there was no need for him to step in. Although Li Si wasn’t skilled at hurling insults, the scandalous acts he committed were enough to disgust him.

"Junjun is right—don’t stoop to his level. His difficult days are just beginning!" Lin Xiao commented lightly.

Princess Xue Lan observed, "Lin Xiao is right. He can’t even secure a decent marriage now. First Mrs. Li even shamelessly approached Lin Yunong to discuss marriage, but was rejected by Mr. Lin. They’ve proposed marriage to several noble daughters, but everyone knows Li Si keeps a mistress and has children—no one is willing to join their family. Even First Mrs. Li’s maiden family refused to let a legitimate daughter marry him and only offered a concubine-born daughter instead. Li Si’s marriage prospects have caused headaches for the Li family." The latest_epɪ_sodes are on_the noⅴelfire.net

Fang Lingjun smiled with satisfaction, "Let’s wait and see how their soap opera plays out. ’Deeply in love,’ huh? Let’s see how much of that love remains after it corrodes his career and family standing."

"They’ll end up bitter enemies!" Fengyu chuckled. "This isn’t some land where love can conquer all. This is the Capital City—marriages are about matching families in status and mutual support. When Li Si fails to find a good match and the Li family starts to decline, he’ll soon realize that love isn’t everything!"

"Let’s leave them be and enjoy ourselves!" Fang Lingjun waved off the drama and reassured Princess Xue Lan, "Xue Lan, she’ll definitely exaggerate and complain when she goes back. If your brothers bully you, don’t just endure it."

"I know!" Princess Xue Lan replied softly. "Don’t worry—after a little while, I’ll be married. Once I’m married, everything will be fine."