Ever since the riding and archery incident, Fan Chongqing had been wanting to find Gu Fengjian to talk. He wasn’t the kind of person who would hold a grudge over a single win or loss, he was simply curious about Fifth Son Gu’s difference from the rumors and wanted to spar with him again.
Of course, he found Fifth Son Gu interesting. It wouldn’t hurt to make a friend.
Most of his friends were bold and reckless, prone to making mistakes when they acted impulsively. His father was always scolding them. If he could befriend Fifth Son Gu and invite him home to play, his father would surely be pleased.
Gu Fengwei himself wouldn’t dare provoke his fifth brother, so how could he agree to Fan Chongqing’s request? He came up with excuses one after another, blocking him outside.
Besides, Song Chuzhao had been going out frequently lately. Fan Chongqing always arrived at an inconvenient time and missed her, so it wasn’t entirely a lie.
Fan Chongqing couldn’t see her, and he thought Fourth Son Gu was putting him off. He was itching with annoyance.
That’s how people are. Fan Chongqing hadn’t thought much of it before, but now he was particularly curious about who Gu Fengjian usually befriended.
Later, he heard about the engagement between the He and Gu families, and he became curious about what kind of person Fifth Son Gu’s fiancée was. He started asking around.
Although Song Chuzhao had only been back for a short time, there were already many rumors about her.
Fan Chongqing knew that street rumors were unreliable. They might be nine parts false and one part true, or even the one part that was true might be half-truths. But after hearing many different versions of the rumors, he found that the content was surprisingly similar. The emphasis was on how bad she was, the difference being how bad.
He couldn’t imagine how a woman with such a personality, as described in the rumors, could be connected to Gu Fengjian. He also didn’t believe that Madam Gu would remain indifferent after knowing these things and still let Fifth Son Gu marry Third Miss Song. After all, Madam Gu was known for being protective of her family and not easily fooled.
Therefore, the rumors must be false. by carpreads.pages.dev
Absolutely!
Fan Chongqing thought to himself.
Who was spreading these rumors about Third Miss Song? Was it to ruin the Song family’s reputation, or the Gu family’s? Whichever it was, it was intriguing.
So, a truth that had been tested by thousands of years was once again confirmed—gossip was addictive.
Fan Chongqing became more cautious and continued to have his servants inquire about Song Chuzhao.
Unfortunately, fewer people were talking about it lately. He waited for a few days, but didn’t hear anything new. Just when he thought it was nothing, his servant came running to tell him that he had found out about someone incredible.
Fan Chongqing truly believed it was someone incredible.
This person was sitting opposite him, about thirty years old, wearing coarse brown clothes. He was carrying a bundle in his arms, his back hunched over, not daring to show his face openly. He looked very sneaky.
In front of Fan Chongqing was a cup of rice wine and a few small dishes.
The rice wine didn’t have much of an alcoholic taste, it was just for show. He took a small sip and looked at the man in front of him with suspicion, saying, “You say you… know a lot of inside information? This young master is not an ordinary person. If you deceive me, you know what the consequences will be?”
“I really do know!” The man said, cautiously glancing around, covering his face with his hand, “My father worked for the Song family for twenty years, he’s an old man, trusted by the head of the family. I heard it from him. I won’t say anything else, but this matter is absolutely true.”
Fan Chongqing said, “Third Miss Song has only been back for a short time, how old your father is doesn’t matter.”
The man said in a low voice, “Yes. Third Miss Song has only been back for a short time, it’s not interesting to talk about, and you’d be confused listening to it. Don’t you want to know about the Song family?”
Fan Chongqing said, “Which Song? I’m not interested in the affairs of General Song’s younger brothers.”
The man smiled, “It’s General Song’s Song. It’s not really a secret, many people knew about it years ago, but now no one dares to talk about it. And I know more, and it’s more real.”
Fan Chongqing became interested, “Tell me.”
The man was very wary of others hearing their conversation, but Fan Chongqing had chosen a tavern facing the street. He leaned closer and said in a voice only they could hear, “I can tell you, but you have to promise not to mention me.”
Fan Chongqing said, “You have a lot of demands?”
“I can’t help it, you’ll understand why I’m so careful after you hear it.” The man laughed ingratiatingly, “I didn’t want to talk about this, my father didn’t want me to go out and talk nonsense. But I’m short of money lately, and you’re a generous person, so I’m telling you alone. If it gets out later, it’s none of my business.”
He didn’t know how many other people he had said the same words to. Fan Chongqing pretended not to know, and said cheerfully, “Go ahead. Let’s see if I can be satisfied.”
As Song Chuzhao walked to the street near the Song Mansion, the sky, which had been gloomy for a long time, finally began to rain.
The autumn rain was not heavy, but the wind was strong, driving the falling rain directly into the faces of passersby.
Song Chuzhao’s good mood was undiminished, but she was afraid that the mud splattering all over the street would dirty her clothes, so she temporarily took shelter under the eaves of a nearby shop.
There were many people walking around, and many of them, like her, were unprepared for the autumn rain and were caught in the middle of the road. Those who were not in a hurry stood at the doors of various shops, chatting idly.
Song Chuzhao walked along a dry path, and as she passed a half-closed window, she vaguely heard someone calling her name.
There was a lot of noise and commotion inside. A singing girl was performing, so there was a burst of applause from time to time. Before Song Chuzhao could react, a pair of hands reached out from the window and grabbed her sleeve.
Song Chuzhao turned around and saw a familiar face: “Young Master Fan?”
“Fifth Brother?” Fan Chongqing was quite surprised, “You’re here too?”
Song Chuzhao pointed to the sky: “Passing by, didn’t expect it to rain.”
Fan Chongqing enthusiastically invited her in: “Then come inside and take shelter from the rain, I have a seat here anyway.”
He finished speaking, then smiled, and said mysteriously, “Just so happens, there’s something I want you to hear too!”
Song Chuzhao hesitated for a moment.
Although she wasn’t familiar with Fan Chongqing, sitting inside was better than standing outside in the wind. So she readily agreed, walked around to the entrance, and met up with him.
Fan Chongqing smiled at her, tapped the table with his finger, and said to the person opposite him, “You can continue.”
The man continued, “It’s complicated, but also simple. Young Master, do you know why Old Madam Song dislikes Third Miss Song?”
Song Chuzhao was surprised. She didn’t expect them to be talking about her family. She perked up and listened intently, without revealing her emotions.
Fan Chongqing was confused, “Old Madam Song dislikes Third Miss Song?”
The man said, “Well, she really dislikes her! Young Master, you don’t even know this inside story?”
Fan Chongqing pondered for a moment, and said nonchalantly, “It’s normal, after all, Third Miss grew up on the border, and she’s not close to the Old Madam. Second Miss was raised by the Old Madam herself, so naturally, the closeness cannot be compared.”
“That’s not quite right.” The man waved his hand, “It’s not that simple. There’s definitely another inside story.”
Fan Chongqing: “Whose inside story?”
The man smiled, “You know, Madam Song is the only daughter of General He. And General Song was once just a subordinate of General He. The two of them were of different social standings, and they didn’t have any mutual affection, so they were originally an impossible match.”
Fan Chongqing narrowed his eyes.
“Are you so sure they didn’t have any mutual affection? It’s as if you saw it with your own eyes.”
The man leaned closer to his ear and said in a lower voice, “Young Master, you don’t know. Madam Song… was still Miss He back then. Miss He had a childhood playmate, and they were very close, inseparable, and the betrothal gifts had already been sent to her family, just waiting for the wedding date. You should know this person, he’s now a famous powerful official in the capital, the General of the Imperial Insignia Guards, Fu Changjun.”
Fan Chongqing: “……What?”
He certainly knew Fu Changjun, and not only knew him but also admired him.
General Fu was a man of exceptional talent and skill, a master of martial arts. His long spear swept across the battlefield, making him a renowned expert in the capital. Fan Chongqing felt that those scholars with their books were no match for Fu Changjun’s bearing, and it was under his influence that Fan Chongqing became so fond of martial arts.
Fan Chongqing used to love going to see him when he was a child. Unfortunately, after Fu Changjun was transferred to the Imperial Insignia Guards, the two of them rarely saw each other.
Fan Chongqing’s face darkened as he said, “What are you talking about! Aren’t they sworn siblings?”
“That was only after he was adopted as a sworn brother. It wasn’t always like that,” the man said. “The Fu family is also a prominent clan, they’ve had their ups and downs many times, almost being completely wiped out. It was only after they were exonerated that they enjoyed their current prosperity. At that time, General Fu’s life was hanging by a thread, and the He family was in danger of being implicated. They quickly severed ties with him to ensure their own safety.”
Fan Chongqing frowned, “What are you trying to say?”
The man said, “Madam Song married General Song in a hurry at that time. Such haste seemed to be trying to cover something up. As soon as Madam Song married into the Song family, they were immediately transferred to the border. They stayed there for over ten years and never returned. Whether it was to avoid suspicion or out of resentment, no one knows for sure. No one can testify to when Third Miss Song was born. It’s unclear what outsiders think, but Old Madam Song doesn’t believe it.”
He whispered, “Third Girl Song came back once when she was young, and Old Madam Song said she didn’t resemble her son at all. Madam Song is not pure, so over the years, many officials’ wives have used this to mock the Song family. Do you think Old Madam Song could possibly like Third Girl Song?”
Fan Chongqing was shocked by what he heard. He licked his lips, just about to say, “You’re making this up! You’re going too far!” when the man was kicked away.
Fan Chongqing was stunned. He saw Song Chuzhao, who had been sitting to his left, had already jumped in front of him.
“Fifth Son Gu?”
Song Chuzhao, with red eyes, grabbed the man who had spoken, her hands forcefully gripping his collar and pulling him up. She questioned, “Who are you calling impure? I think your mouth is the most impure! Who told you to say that? Where did you hear it? Who told you to slander Madam Song’s reputation here? Speak!”
“I didn’t!” The man trembled, shaking his head. “I didn’t say anything!”
Song Chuzhao freed one hand and clamped it onto his jaw, almost crushing his bones. “Speak or not! Who sent you here! Do you think I don’t know? You’re digging up old grievances from years ago and talking about them with such confidence. Do you think I’ll believe you without someone telling you to?”
The man, with his chest pressed down by her knee, his face flushed red, struggling to breathe, insisted, “I don’t know what you’re talking about!”
Song Chuzhao said, “You won’t have another chance to speak after this! Spreading rumors and defaming a court official. Do you know that the last person who did this was personally sentenced to death by the Emperor? What do you think I should do to you?”
The man immediately panicked and cried out, “Help! Help!”
Fan Chongqing had never seen Gu Fengjian so out of control. In rumors and his imagination, Gu Fengjian was always a gentle and refined scholar, someone who wouldn’t get angry with others. Let alone hitting someone, even swearing a curse would probably make him blush.
He watched as the Fifth Young master lifted the man up and then slammed him onto the nearby table. The plates shattered all over the floor, and the surrounding diners had already fled in panic.
Fan Chongqing heard the sound of steady footsteps amidst the dripping rain and quickly stuck his head out the window. He saw that it was indeed the Imperial Insignia Guards.
These men were wearing neat military uniforms, walking in the middle of the road, braving the wind and rain. Their imposing presence clearly indicated that they weren’t ordinary street patrols, but soldiers who had just finished training and were returning. If they saw this street brawl, it would be disastrous.
Fan Chongqing rushed forward to stop Song Chuzhao, warning, “The Imperial Insignia Guards are here, stop fighting!”
Song Chuzhao, pulled back by him, loosened her grip. The man, seizing the opportunity, pushed her away and slipped through the crowd from the side.
He fled in a panic, but he was fast. In the blink of an eye, he disappeared into the crowd, bending down and blending in.
Song Chuzhao urged, “Stop! Don’t think you can get away without explaining yourself!”
Seeing that she was still going to chase after him, Fan Chongqing wrapped his arms around her from behind, locking his hands around her waist to prevent her from moving.
“The Imperial Insignia Guards are here! Fighting in the street will get you whipped and publicly humiliated! Are you crazy for a gossiping nobody?”
Song Chuzhao, held in his embrace, felt her entire body enveloped in the strong masculine aura, her head buzzing, making her even more disoriented.
“Let go!”
Fan Chongqing refused, “No! Have you calmed down yet?”
Song Chuzhao hadn’t calmed down, she was even angrier.
She raised her right foot and stomped down, and when Fan Chongqing let go in pain, she followed up with an elbow strike, then spun around and kicked out.
Fan Chongqing let out a pained cry of grievance.
“What are you hitting me for! You’re hitting my face!” He covered his face and climbed up from the ground. “You didn’t hit that other person this hard!”
Song Chuzhao was furious: “Who told you to touch me! You deserve it!”
Fan Chongqing shouted: “What do you mean!”
“Who dares to cause trouble here?”
The unfamiliar voice suddenly rang out, and the tavern became unusually quiet.
Fan Chongqing looked up and saw that the shop’s exit was indeed blocked by this group of Imperial Insignia Guards. They wore long swords at their waists, standing in two rows, staring at them.
The leading soldier recognized their identities and said with a smile: “General, it’s the second young master of Minister Fan’s family and the fifth young master of Duke Gu’s family. They were fighting in the tavern.”
The crowd automatically parted to form a wide path, from which a handsome man walked out. He was dressed in black, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist, making it impossible to tell his age. His eyebrows and eyes did not have a fierce look, but they carried an inexplicable sense of authority.
“Oh…” His upturned phoenix eyes swept over the two of them, then settled on Fan Chongqing’s face, and he said with a teasing tone, “What a refined taste.”
Fan Chongqing, ignoring the bruised and swollen injury from the kick, hurriedly said: “Uncle Fu, you’ve misunderstood… I just tripped and fell.”
“Tripped and fell.” Fu Changjun nodded and looked at Song Chuzhao, “Fifth young master pushed you? What great strength, you were pushed all over the place.”
Song Chuzhao did not expect to see the rumored Fu Changjun so soon, and her mind was in a state of disarray. She heard the mocking tone in his words and, upholding her years of excellent “never admit fault” virtue, stood straight like a young bull: “Humph!”
Fan Chongqing: “…” Fifth Young Master Gu! You’re going to get me killed!
“Fifth Young Master Gu.”
Fu Changjun was surprised by her. He didn’t expect the Imperial Insignia Guards to ever greet Gu Fengjian one day, and that she was even more arrogant than the habitual offender Fan Chongqing.
Song Chuzhao stared straight at him, comparing his face to her own. Her heart pounded wildly. No matter how she looked at it, she didn’t seem to look like him.
She didn’t believe it, and she blurted out: “You’re lying!”
Fu Changjun was taken aback and asked: “Me? What am I lying about?”
Fan Chongqing was so scared that his heart almost jumped out of his chest. He wanted to cover Song Chuzhao’s mouth, but he dared not touch her again. He could only whisper in her ear, begging: “Ancestor, just listen to those nonsense words, but don’t say them out loud! I beg you!”
Song Chuzhao glared at him: “You’re in cahoots with that guy!”
Fan Chongqing was wronged and stomped his foot: “I’m not!”
Song Chuzhao: “Then why are you snooping around other people’s business! What does the Song family have to do with you!”
“I regret it too! I was just a little curious!” Fan Chongqing covered his face, heartbroken and distressed, almost crying. “This is the retribution coming!”
Seeing the two of them whispering together, their relationship not good but not completely hostile, the soldier had no choice but to ask in a low voice: “General, how should we deal with the two young masters?”
Fu Changjun sighed helplessly, shook his head and said: “The two young masters are of noble status. Send someone to inform the Gu Mansion and the Fan Mansion to come and collect them. Staying here will disrupt the shop’s business. Go to the backyard and open a few rooms, then find a doctor to see if they are injured. You can appease the guests in the shop.”
The man replied: “Yes.”
Song Chuzhao was still glaring at Fan Chongqing when she felt a tug on the back of her collar. She was grabbed. The person pushed her, then dragged them both inside like chicks.
“Come, come, this way, two young masters.”
Fan Chongqing turned around, his eyes filled with tears: “Uncle Fu… even if you don’t believe me, this is truly the most wronged I’ve ever been. This has nothing to do with me!”
Song Chuzhao clicked her tongue: “Pathetic!”
Brother Fan said, ‘You’re being stubborn!’
Song Chuzhao, at this moment, was unable to control her body. She couldn’t be any more stubborn: “I’m better than you!”
Fan Chongqing complained, “Your mother doesn’t beat you, but my father will whip me!”
Fu Changjun directly threw them into separate rooms, preventing them from continuing to argue. Then, he took a whip from his subordinate and entered Fan Chongqing’s room, swinging it.
Author’s Note:
Brother Fan: sniffle