Chapter 732

The couple went back to rest, and Duan Huaichuan left the Prince's Mansion and went directly to Fang Muning's courtyard.

At that time, the tea on the stove was ready.

“You’ve come at the perfect time,” Fang Muning said. “Sit down.”

The two sat facing each other. Duan Huaichuan glanced at the little snow left in the courtyard and said, "Didn't you have someone tidy up your courtyard?"

Fang Muning shook his head: "We had someone clear a path. Snow is so rare, so we should do our best to preserve it."

Duan Huaichuan glanced into the courtyard again.

The yard was planted with many evergreen plants, which looked especially lush and translucent now that they were soaked with snowmelt.

When he turned his head again, Fang Muning had already poured him tea: "Have you seen her?"

Duan Huaichuan nodded slightly: "She's even better than before."

The two remained silent for a long time.

Finally, Fang Muning's sigh broke the silence.

After a while, Duan Huaichuan suddenly realized: "Why are you reacting like that?"

Why did Duan Huaichuan see a bit of his past self in Fang Muning?

But logically, this shouldn't be the case, right?

Fang Muning glanced at him: "What's wrong with my reaction?"

Duan Huaichuan's face immediately showed a look of utter disbelief: "...Why...?"

Fang Muning looked away.

Why?

He couldn't explain why.

When he was young, he was indeed terrified of Huo Zhao after seeing him, but in the long years that followed, he couldn't help but start to miss him.

The person in front of him was from ancient times, so Fang Muning was not wary of him and honestly spoke his mind. At the end, he said, "Brother Huaichuan, you know so much. What's wrong with me?"

He also felt that something was wrong with him.

But I can't quite put my finger on what's wrong.

Duan Huaichuan smirked: "You haven't been beaten enough."

That's just his personality. If it were someone else here, they'd probably point their finger at Fang Muning and say that his naivety was just plain cheap.

How can someone fall in love with the person who hits them just because they were hit?

Duan Huaichuan truly didn't understand.

Although it was indeed cute how Huo Zhao used to punch others when he was a child, Duan Huaichuan would have to think twice if that punch landed on him.

Fang Muning: ......

He looked away and gave a wry smile.

Anyway, that's how he is.

"I heard your dad called you here for a blind date. What are you going to do now?"

Fang Muning ignored him: "Brother Huaichuan, you're older than me, what are you going to do?"

“I’m all alone, and no one is pressuring me,” Duan Huaichuan said. “When I came back this time, I saw that she was doing well, so I have nothing to worry about.”

Before stepping into the Yunnan Prince's Palace, Duan Huaichuan still harbored some fantasies.

But after entering the Yunnan Prince's Palace, he lost all his illusions.

His status was now worlds apart from Huo Zhao's. Rather than clinging to her out of past affection and causing her unnecessary trouble, he should let go and stay by her side as her elder brother.

Duan Huaichuan looked at Fang Muning and suddenly laughed: "You don't think so, do you?"

Fang Muning scoffed: "Brother Huaichuan, I've known since I was a child that if I want someone or something, I have to fight for it no matter how many difficulties lie ahead."

“But she’s already married, and still newlywed,” Duan Huaichuan said. “You should know that given her current status, she wouldn’t have married Prince Shen unless she truly loved him.”

“So what?” Fang Muning said, “Liking someone is only temporary.”

Aren't there enough stories of unfaithful people in this world?

Seeing Fang Muning's stubborn attitude, Duan Huaichuan had no choice but to kindly remind her, "You should be careful not to hurt yourself."

"I know what I'm doing."

Duan Huaichuan nodded, then suddenly asked curiously, "Why didn't you try to win Zhaozhao over before she got married?"

Fang Muning: ......

For a moment, he was reminded of the fear of being controlled by the matchmaker.