Fang Qing said that her plan to go to the prefectural city early in the morning ultimately did not come to fruition.
She was woken up by Zhao that morning because she was told that guests had come to visit.
Fang Qing became drowsy.
What kind of guests might come to our house?
Business matters are usually discussed in the county town, and Zhao would not usually wake her up like this when guests come to her home.
Fang Qing finished tidying up and came out, and then she saw the person sitting in the living room.
"Brother Fangzhu?"
Fang Qing was somewhat different.
It had been several months since she last saw Fang Zhu, and she thought Fang Zhu had already returned to the Northwest.
"Don't be rude, this is the mighty General," Fang Daniu quickly corrected her.
Before Fang Qing could even open her mouth, Fang Zhu quickly stood up.
"No, you can still call me whatever you used to call me."
His gaze remained fixed on Fang Qing after she came out, with a smile in his eyes.
Fang Qing, still a little groggy from just waking up, invited Fang Zhu to sit down next to her.
"Why are you back? Didn't you say you didn't have time?"
"Time is short. I've been stuck in the capital for a while because of some minor issues, otherwise I would have come back to see you long ago."
As he spoke, Fang Zhu looked Fang Qing up and down.
"How have you been lately? Have those people stopped bothering you?"
Fang Qing knew that Fang Zhu was referring to the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
"What could be wrong with me?"
She gave Fang Zhu a meaningful look.
She had never told Fang Daniu or the others about the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
Fortunately, Fang Zhu understood her meaning and quickly changed the subject.
"What about Zhao Shi'an? I heard about him in the capital. Now many people in the capital are paying attention to him and are waiting to recruit him as their student after the provincial examination."
Mentioning Zhao Shi'an gave them a lot to talk about, and Fang Daniu talked at length, while Fang Qing sat quietly to the side.
Noticing that Fang Qing was not in a good mood, Fang Zhu suggested that they go for a walk together. Fangjia Village had changed a lot in the years since he had returned.
Fang Qing led Fang Zhu out of the house.
As they walked, many people in the village greeted them.
Every time Fang Qing meets someone, she introduces Fang Zhu.
Everyone's expressions were quite interesting when Fangzhu was mentioned.
Several soldiers from the Northwest had previously visited Fang Zhu's parents' graves, but they only regarded them as comrades-in-arms.
But now that Fang Zhu is dressed like this, they have to take a good look at him.
From their conversation, everyone learned that Fang Zhu had been granted the title of Grand General by the Emperor and had received many rewards during his trip to the capital. Their eyes were shining as they looked at Fang Zhu.
Fang Qing has taken Fang Zhu to the foot of the mountain and is currently visiting her land.
“When I left, I remember this plot of land was only two acres, but now it’s such a large area.”
“This doesn’t belong to me alone; it was developed by everyone together. I’m just temporarily renting it out.”
As they talked, they walked to the graves of Fang Zhu's parents and younger brother.
Fang Zhu didn't bring any sacrificial items this time; she just stood close by for a while.
Fang Qing stood not far away watching and saw Fang Zhu's lips move as if he was saying something. He even glanced at Fang Qing during that time, but Fang Qing couldn't hear what he was saying.
Fang Zhu was very relaxed and came over in no time.
"Let's go."
As the two of them walked back, they suddenly saw someone running towards them.
Fang Qing recognized the couple first.
It was Fang Xiaoshuan and his wife, with their two children behind them.
"Fangzhu!"
"My dear nephew, I'm so glad to finally meet you."
“You’ve been away from home for so many years, and your aunt and I have always missed you. You really are something, not writing a single letter home all these years.”
The couple talked back and forth, and it took Fang Zhu a beat to realize who they were.
After so many years, these two have aged a lot, having toiled in the fields all day long.
Fang Zhu, who had been quite relaxed, suddenly turned cold as her gaze fell on the two of them.
"Let's go."
He said this to Fang Qing in a deep voice and then strode forward.
Fang Qing hurriedly followed.
Fang Xiaoshuan and his wife were not angry at all despite being rebuffed, and continued to stick to the wall.
"Fang Zhu, I'm your second uncle. What, don't you recognize me?"
"These are the Shi brothers. Quickly greet your older brother."
Fang Xiaoshuan pushed the Fang brothers, Fang Shigen and Fang Xiaoshuan.
Shi Gen and the others looked at Fang Zhu warmly and called out "Brother".
Fang Zhu's face turned grim after they blocked her way.
What do you want to do?
He looked at Fang Xiaoshuan and the other three with icy eyes, making no attempt to hide the disgust in them.
Shi Gen was the first to realize what was happening, and his face darkened.
"Fang Zhu, what do you mean? You're powerful now, but you can't forget us. Who took you in back then? Who gave you food and water? Have you forgotten all of that?"
"Now that you've made it big, you don't even want to visit us. You're actually going to someone else's house. You're such an ingrate."
Fang Xiaoshuan quickly pulled Shigen away.
"How dare you speak to your brother like that? He's a great general now."
"Is the general so great? He used to eat our food too. It's time for him to repay that favor."
They were perfectly justified with each other.
Fang Zhu let out a cold laugh.
"Make me pay it back?"
He glanced at Fang Xiaoshuan and his wife.
"Eat your food? Live in your house? You really dare to say that. Ask your parents, whose house did you live in before? Whose land did you farm? And what about Xiao Shizi? How did you treat him before?"
Fang Xiaoshuan's face paled slightly at the mention of persimmons.
He could never forget the day Fang Zhu broke down the door with an axe and nearly killed them.
He dared to do that when he was just a child; now that he's a general, wouldn't he be able to take their lives with a flick of his finger?
A chill instantly enveloped the couple's hearts.
They were blinded by greed; upon hearing that Fang Zhu had become a great general, they rushed over to curry favor with him.
Shi Gen was young at the time and didn't understand some things, so he felt no guilt at all when he heard Fang Zhu say that.
“The past is the past. You are a member of our family. Now that you have brought honor to our ancestors, you should let us enjoy the good life.”
Fang Qing was so embarrassed by his shameless words.
The once weak Shi Gen, under the influence of Fang Xiaoshuan and his wife, eventually grew crooked.
Fang Xiaoshuan was terrified that Fang Zhu would drag them out and chop off their heads right now, so he quickly pulled Shi Gen back to hide.
"Stop talking."
Fang Zhu smiled, but the smile was unsettling no matter how you looked at it.
He could never forget how this family mistreated Xiao Shizi, nor could he forget how the two brothers bullied Xiao Shizi.
They used to endure it silently because Xiaoshizi still needed their care.
But things are different now.
His parents and Xiao Shizi were all watching from behind.
He has no reason to be a coward anymore.
He disregarded Fang Qing's presence, grabbed Shi Gen, and kicked him.
He was tall and strong, and having trained in the military camp, he could easily deal with Shi Gen.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
