Chapter 620: Chapter 620

Fengyu didn’t dare say a word. Though that may be the case, it was ultimately Second Brother’s private matter. Fengyu dared not comment. She didn’t know what attitudes Second Brother or Fang Chuning held toward this matter—whether they wanted to keep it hidden or inform the family. Xie Xun was still unaware, so Fengyu refrained from saying more. Both Su Yuejiao and the Marchioness felt it was a good match. Su Yuejiao naturally had her personal reasons, hoping for Ruyi’s future mother to be pure-hearted and gentle, while the Marchioness genuinely believed the marriage alliance was beneficial.

Mrs. Fang was still inclined to respect her child’s wishes. Fang Lingjun hadn’t yet developed a sense of romantic understanding; she was naive and clueless. If someone spoke to her about love, she wouldn’t comprehend it. Back when her engagement with Li Si was arranged, she merely followed her parents’ decision and the matchmaker’s arrangements, without forming her own opinions. Mrs. Fang wished Fang Lingjun would gain insight and find someone she truly liked. A marriage alliance wasn’t necessary; as long as Fang Lingjun genuinely liked the person, came from a decent family background, and remained in the Capital City, Mrs. Fang would approve.

On the field, the team of Fang Lingjun and Zhang Boxin was unstoppable, firmly holding the first place. Zhang Boxi and Princess Xue Lan were near the bottom, largely due to the Commandery Princess dragging him down. Though their ranking was embarrassing, the two were enjoying themselves nonetheless.

When Fang Lingjun stepped off the field, she initially wanted to go find Fengyu. Upon seeing Fengyu at her own viewing stand, she cheerfully headed over. This time, Mrs. Fang had prepared a prize—an Akhal-Teke horse. The young men were all thrilled with it. Fang Lingjun gave the horse to Zhang Boxin instead. Mrs. Fang, noticing her daughter drenched in sweat, poured her a cup of tea.

"Have some tea to moisten your throat."

"Mother, what were you talking to Ayu about?" Fang Lingjun asked while sipping tea. Ayu wasn’t fond of socializing with elders, and she hadn’t joined them in riding or archery this time, which Fang Lingjun found quite regrettable. She planned to drag Ayu to play polo soon.

"Your marriage," Mrs. Fang replied without hesitation. Her daughter might be romantically ignorant, but having been engaged once and nearly married, there was no need to shy away from the topic.

Fang Lingjun pouted and glanced at Fengyu. "Who did you fancy now? Why involve Ayu in this?"

The Marchioness, known for her straightforwardness, was about to speak up when Mrs. Fang hurriedly stopped her, believing the notion too uncertain. "No one in particular. We were just asking Ayu if she knew of anyone you might like."

Fengyu felt guilty and forced a smile, shaking her head at Fang Lingjun, who, catching on, replied, "Then ask me, not Ayu. Why bother her? We never talk about these things, anyway."

She didn’t like any man.

Su Yuejiao asked, "There are so many fine young men in the Capital. You don’t like any of them?"

"Not a single one!" Fang Lingjun gulped down her tea in one go. "They’re all like brothers."

Fang Lingjun was already eighteen. Most noble girls began discussing marriage at fifteen and married by eighteen, with twenty being the latest. From engagement to marriage took a year or two, allowing time to cultivate affection between newlyweds. At eighteen, it was considered late to not have an engagement arranged—a situation that applied not only to Fang Lingjun but also to Feng Ling.

Fang Lingjun pulled Fengyu aside to the area beneath the viewing stand and whispered, "Who has my mother fancied now?"

"My Second Brother..."

"She’s lost her mind..." Fang Lingjun’s eyes widened in disbelief. "She really dares to think that. Am I even her real daughter?"

Fengyu wasn’t at all surprised by Fang Lingjun’s reaction. Fang Lingjun had always been afraid of Second Brother; she’d actively avoid him whenever possible, though no one understood why.

"Second Brother’s status is quite exceptional nowadays. Many eligible young women in the Capital wish to marry him. Those noblewomen constantly try to invite me over, but their real purpose is to inquire about his marriage prospects. Why do you avoid him so much?"

"I’m not my brother, who treats him like a treasure. With his silent and reserved personality, if I really married him, wouldn’t I suffocate? Spare me!" Fang Lingjun unleashed a torrent of complaints. "But it’s strange... My mother mentioned a few potential young gentlemen to me a few days ago, but none included Xie Er." Tʜe sourcᴇ of thɪs content ɪs novelFɪre.net

"I guess she doesn’t think highly of him. What about you? Who do you want to marry?" Fengyu asked.

Given Fang Lingjun’s status and family standing, whoever she wished to marry, she could!

"Do I have to marry someone?" Fang Lingjun sighed heavily. "I’m afraid of marriage—afraid of encountering another two-faced man like Li Si. If I don’t marry, I can always turn back. But once I’m married, if it becomes a living hell, there’s no way out. I’m scared."

"Whether you wish to marry or not, I support you. But, just remember—not all men are like Li Si," Fengyu encouraged, recalling her own encounter with people like Jiang Yang, who was ungrateful and ambitious in the wrong way. However, the men she later came across were all decent—whether in West State or the Capital, they were all fine young men. "What do you think about Zhang Boxin? You always seem delighted when you’re with him."

"What are you joking about? He’s my brother, of course!" Fang Lingjun replied. "How could I marry my brother?"

"He’s not your blood brother!"

Fang Lingjun, "...If there were someone like my brother, then I might consider marrying him."