The next morning, Ma Tong and three servants were sitting in a carriage at the door of Lee Dachin and Fang Yaoting's house, waiting patiently for Fang Yaoting.
"The school is closed for summer vacation," Lee Dachin said to Zhiqiang and the juniors. "We will be back before school starts."
"Zhiqiang, even if I am not here," Fang Yaoting said, addressing his disciple, "it does not mean that you will slack on your sword practice."
"I won't let you down," Guozhao Zhiqiang vowed, his eyes determined.
"Don't worry," Zhao Renshu chuckled, "Baiyu will not let him slack."
"Be safe," Ping'an said to the departing lovers.
Guo Baiyu handed Fang Yaoting a small medicine box. "Just in case," he murmured, a gesture of care.
Lee Dachin and Fang Yaoting walked into the carriage, and the lovers bid farewell to their friends, their journey back to the Fang Residence beginning.
Two days later, the horse-drawn carriage stopped in front of the formidable Fang Residence. The mansion was huge, its towering walls and sprawling grounds a testament to immense wealth. Five stern-faced guards stood sentinel, guarding the front door. This was not Lee Dachin's first time visiting Capital City, but this was his first time visiting the Fang Residence. He had been to the Guo Residence, which was smaller than the Fang's. According to what Guo Baiyu had told him, the Wu and the Fang families were equally wealthy and powerful.
Fang Yaoting first got out of the carriage, and then he helped Lee Dachin down, a tender gesture. The two men walked up the stairs to the front door, and the four guards bowed respectfully to Fang Yaoting, acknowledging his return. A teenager, younger than Fang Yaoting, smiled brightly and ran to Fang Yaoting's side, hugging him tightly.
"Brother," Fang Chongling chirped, poking his finger playfully at Fang Yaoting's chest. He laughed. "Big brother!"
A maid ran to the two young masters, her voice apologetic. "Young master, I'm sorry." She gently took Fang Chongling's hand. "Second Young Master, let's go to the backyard to play. How about we go catch fish?"
"Catch the fish! I catch the fish! We catch the fish! Brother catches the fish!" Fang Chongling clapped his hands, his words a joyful jumble, clearly delighted by the idea. He continued to laugh, a pure, innocent sound.
Fang Yaoting rubbed Fang Chongling's head affectionately. He smiled and said, "Big brother will go fishing with you in the future. Okay? You are a good boy, go with her. If you are a good boy, I will take you to the market."
Fang Chongling put one of his fingers on his lips, giggling. "Shhh.....I, good boy!" He turned to the maid, repeating proudly, "Good boy... I, Fang Chongling, am a good boy!"
The young maid held Fang Chongling's hand, and the two disappeared towards the backyard, his laughter fading.
Lee Dachin looked at Fang Yaoting, a question in his eyes. "He is..."
"He is my younger brother," Fang Yaoting explained, a soft sadness in his voice. "He is intellectually disabled. He's going to be fourteen years old this year, but still acts like a three-year-old. My parents had him when they were older." He turned to Lee Dachin, a hint of vulnerability in his gaze. "Will you look down on me because of this?"
"Nonsense," Lee Dachin said, gently shaking his head. "I love you for who you are, not your family history or circumstances."
"You make me want to kiss you now," Fang Yaoting whispered, a playful glint in his eye.
"Behave yourself," Lee Dachin chuckled, trying to be stern. "We are in the open."
"I can do whatever I want in my own home," Fang Yaoting retorted, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.
"Yaoting," a clear, authoritative voice interrupted. Madam Fang, a woman of elegant bearing, cleared her throat, standing just inside the large front doors.
"Mother, you look well," Fang Yaoting said, his tone shifting to formal respect. He held Lee Dachin's wrist, a subtle but firm gesture, and they approached Madam Fang. "This is Lee Dachin."
"Madam Fang, it's nice to meet you," Lee Dachin said, bowing politely.
"Beautiful manners and very handsome," Madam Fang observed, her eyes sharp. "You are the first friend Yaoting has brought to visit our home. Childe Lee, are you married?"
"No," Lee Dachin replied simply.
"I have two daughters," Madam Fang continued, a subtle hint in her tone.
"Mother, he is taken," Fang Yaoting interjected, cutting off her matchmaking attempts.
"Really?" Madam Fang asked, her eyebrows arching in surprise.
"Mother, he is my partner," Fang Yaoting stated, his voice firm and clear, leaving no room for misunderstanding.
Madam Fang almost fainted, her mouth open in a silent gasp. "What?" Her breathing became heavy, her eyes wide with disbelief. "Your partner? Did I hear it right? Don't joke around with me, Yaoting."
"I am not joking. You heard me right the first time," Fang Yaoting confirmed, his gaze unwavering. "I love him very much."
Madam Fang cried, tears suddenly springing to her eyes. "I thought the years when you chased Childe Guo, you were joking!" She wiped her tears away with her sleeve. "How dare you?" Then, she quickly pulled Lee Dachin closer to her and whispered conspiratorially, "Did he hire you to prank his father?"
"No, he didn't," Lee Dachin replied, taken aback by her unusual reaction.
"My son has a bad temper," Madam Fang whispered, ignoring his answer. "I don't think he is suitable for you. You are so handsome. How about you marry a daughter of mine?"
"I..." Lee Dachin began, stunned by the direct bribe.
Madam Fang cut in, her voice lowering further. "How about twenty thousand gold ingots? If you like men, you will get a lot of men, won't you?" She smiled at Lee Dachin, a calculating look in her eyes.
"I'm sorry. I can't accept it," Lee Dachin said, firmly but politely.
Madam Fang's facial expression suddenly changed from persuasive to furious, and she shouted, "Yaoting!" She walked to Fang Yaoting and stood beside him, pointing a finger at him. "How do you seduce this handsome and faithful man?"
Fang Yaoting smiled, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Just like how you taught me, Mother. Be as clingy as possible."
Madam Fang giggled, a surprising burst of amusement. "Hah, the apple never falls far from the tree!" She turned back to Lee Dachin and smiled warmly at him. "Please don't mind me. I'm just testing to see how much you love my son."
"Madam Fang, you are not clinically ill?" Lee Dachin asked, genuinely bewildered by her erratic behavior.
Madam Fang smiled, a genuinely affectionate smile this time. "No. I knew Yaoting liked men a long time ago. Don't call me Madam Fang, it sounds like we are strangers. If you want, you can call me aunt or mother." She winked at Yaoting, a clear sign of approval.
Madam Fang, the only daughter of General Tang and the only sister of the six Tang Captains, had a very childish attitude despite her age and status. She was a spoiled child since birth because being the youngest and the only girl, her six older brothers always pampered her.
There was a harsh, booming voice coming from behind them. Master Fang, Fang Yaoting's father, a formidable figure, stood behind Madam Fang. He said, "Dear, behave yourself." He then looked at Fang Yaoting, his gaze stern. "If I didn't write a letter stating that your mother was very ill, you wouldn't come home."
Madam Fang gave Master Fang a disgusted expression, pouting.
"Let's talk inside," Master Fang commanded, indicating the guest hall. He turned to Ma Tong. "Bring all the paintings inside as well."
"Yes," Ma Tong replied, bowing.
Master Fang and Madam Fang walked into the guest hall together. Lee Dachin felt his heart trembling, a mix of fear and apprehension, but Fang Yaoting held his hand tightly, offering silent reassurance.
Fang Yaoting smiled and said, his voice low and determined, "Dachin, no matter how big the obstacle we encounter, I will destroy it." He kissed Lee Dachin's hands. "Therefore, you don't have to be afraid."