Chapter 523 How can a man's words be trusted?
Fang Chengxian, who claimed he was going to see the restaurant's signature dishes for the day, was actually sitting in the main hall with Duoshou, sipping tea with two small plates of snacks.
Fang Chengxian sat by the window, watching from afar as Li Sanniang and the other two came down from the second floor. Li Sanniang nodded to Fang Chengxian before leaving.
Fang Chengxian gazed at the street scene, seemingly asking no one, "What is love in this world?"
Sigh, I have to go up and comfort him.
After instructing Duoshou to order two pots of pear blossom wine, Fang Chengxian returned to the private room on the second floor. Looking at Xu Jingzhen standing by the window looking out, he smiled and asked, "I was going to come up and comfort you, but you still have the mind to look at the scenery."
Xu Jingzhen didn't speak. After watching Li Sanniang, Qiu Xiang, and Lao Shi walk away from the carriage shop, he withdrew his gaze.
Duoshou carried a tray with two pots of pear blossom white wine into the house, and then the dishes they ordered were served one after another.
Fang Chengxian picked up the pear blossom wine. Even though he had never been hurt in love, he already understood that a woman like Li Sanniang would never accept Xu Jingzhen's kindness.
Because of his poor health, Fang Chengxian did not have any deep relationships with any women.
Therefore, Fang Chengxian really didn't know what to say to comfort Xu Jingzhen about being rejected by Li Sanniang again.
Therefore, he picked up a glass of pear blossom liquor and filled it for Xu Jingzhen, saying, "Today we're not leaving until we're drunk. After today, you can let go of everything."
Xu Jingzhen picked up the wine cup that Fang Chengxian had filled and drank it all in one gulp, still without saying a word.
Fang Chengxian couldn't handle anything as stimulating as alcohol; he preferred clear tea.
However, whenever Fang Cheng saw Xu Jingzhen drink a glass of wine, he would accompany her with a cup of tea.
Seeing that Xu Jingzhen didn't speak, Fang Chengxian didn't say anything either, but just poured wine for Xu Jingzhen one cup after another.
After Xu Jingzhen had finished both pots of Pear Blossom White wine, it was already evening outside the window.
A waiter had already come in with a tinderbox to light the lamps. The dishes on the table had only been touched a few times, and Xu Jingzhen's cheeks were already flushed.
Actually, being skilled in martial arts, he could have used his internal energy to dispel the effects of the alcohol. However, today Xu Jing really wanted to get drunk, so he didn't use his internal energy and let the alcohol from the Pear Blossom White wine work in his body.
During that half afternoon, Fang Chengxian changed his clothes three or four times and drank two full pots of tea with Xu Jingzhen.
Xu Jingzhen picked up the empty wine pot and poured it out. Seeing that there wasn't a drop of wine left, he picked up the wine cup in front of him, which was half full of wine, and said, whether to himself or to Fang Chengxian, "I was wrong. It was my fault."
I foolishly tried to trap her with myself. I knew the world was demanding of women, yet I still selfishly wanted to bind her to me.
Chengxian, I was wrong, it was all my fault.
Fang Cheng first shook his head, then took a teacup and poured Xu Jingzhen a cup of cold tea.
"We've known each other for many years. Although I'm older than you, I've generally had more contact with women than you have."
You've been practicing Taoism outside for many years, so you don't understand the mind of a female immortal.
I know you sensed that Li San Niangzi was different from other women; her abilities were stronger than those of men. If the Emperor were to allow women to become officials, Li San Niangzi would probably be the first female physician to enter the Imperial Medical Bureau as a physician.
Jingzhen, I'm telling you the truth.
Xu Jingzhen was surprised that Fang Chengxian could say such a thing. She shook her head, drank the tea, and turned to stare at Fang Chengxian, wanting to see what he would say next.
"Leaving aside your family background and your status as a young master from the Duke of Ying's mansion, let's just talk about you as a person."
Yes, you are beautiful; you are among the top three on the list of beauties in Chang'an.
You even went so far as to say that you would only have one wife in your life.
"With just these two points, the number of women in Chang'an who take a liking to you could circle the city three times over."
Fang Chengxian shifted his gaze from the lanterns outside the window to Xu Jingzhen's face, looking into Xu Jingzhen's eyes and saying, word by word, "But, how could the Li San Niangzi you have your eye on be compared to an ordinary woman?"
I know you don't mind if Li San Niangzi continues practicing medicine. Even if you hold a high position and power, and can shield Li San Niangzi from pressure from your brother and mother, how can you shield her from the words of everyone else?
Fang Chengxian mimicked the gossipy people and said a few words.
"Ah, is that the divorced woman that Xu Sanlang married?"
"Heh, she's not that good-looking, all plain and bland, she's just got the title of female doctor."
"Hmph, who knows, once she becomes a female doctor, Xu Sanlang will come to her aid?"
Xu Jingzhen was stunned by Fang Chengxian's expected words. He had only thought about his family's dissatisfaction with Li Sanniang and had not yet considered the gossip about his wife from the outside world.
"Yes, yes, Li San Niangzi is no ordinary woman, she won't be affected by these words."
But we both know that before a person has power, how can they really not care about these words?
Even if Li San Niangzi can withstand all of this, how do you know she won't have worries in her heart?
Wouldn't those high-society girls who are interested in you really resort to some underhanded tactics?
Yes, do you think you can protect her?
But can you really protect her every single moment?
If Li San Niangzi could hold on, what about her family?
You've seen Dewdrop; she's only just turned three. That's Li San Niang's fate. How can you be sure no one will be so shameless as to turn their anger on a child?
Xu Jingzhen was stunned by these words. He had not considered these things. He only considered his feelings for Li Sanniang and the fact that Li Sanniang would be tormented if she were with him. This torment would only come from the elders of the Duke of Ying's mansion who were using filial piety as an excuse.
As if he thought Xu Jingzhen's understanding wasn't deep enough, Fang Chengxian continued to lay the facts out in front of Xu Jingzhen.
"Yes, yes, you are already a senior official in the Ministry of War. From now on, as you serve the Emperor, you will become more and more capable, eventually rising to a high position and becoming a powerful minister."
Jingzhen, I believe you have a skill.
But, if Li San Niangzi is with you, can she really share your power?
Jingzhen, we all understand that what is not ours will eventually be taken away.
You are a young master of the Duke of England's mansion. If you don't want to be controlled, you still have to find a sage to rely on.
How can you be sure that one day in the future you won't take back the identity you once gave to Li San Niangzi?
"I won't!"
Fang Chengxian laughed, and laughed out loud.
“We are both men. Have you forgotten what your father and your elder brother said to your mother and your sister-in-law?”
Have you forgotten what you said to me back then?
Do you believe the promises a man makes to a woman?
Do you believe that?
Xu Jingzhen was stunned. He remembered that he had met Fang Chengxian when he saw his mother crying and went to argue with his father. After being scolded and kicked out of the mansion, he met Fang Chengxian in the bookstore.
Xu Jingzhen said blankly, "Yes, Chengxian, you're right. How can you trust a man's words?"
"Jingzhen, do you really want to confine Li San Niangzi to the backyard and make her your only wife?"
You want to clip Li San Niangzi's wings, make her your only wife, and have her rely on you for survival in the future. You want her to become just another ordinary person, like those women you look down on today.
The power you speak of, the promise of a lifetime of monogamy you speak of, are all sweet laced with arsenic. You're nothing but a selfish person who wants to possess Li San Niangzi.
Fang Chengxian walked to the window and looked at the street lights. He let out a long sigh. "Haha, but Li San Niangzi is indeed a woman of extraordinary character. She was not bewitched by you at all. She has always known what she wants."
"Jingzhen, just you wait and see, Li San Niangzi's future will be even brighter."
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