Don't Ask Where People Go After Time Travel

Chapter 1673 Relieving Worries
Fang Zilan looked at Xiahou Zhang, who was standing behind a pillar, his figure half in the light and half in the shadows. Since Li Shengxuan sent him here, he must have already guessed that things would get out of control one day.

However, Xiahou Zhang showed no intention of stepping forward, so the only ones who could keep him in check right now were Xiahou Yunzhao and Zhou Lang.

Xiahou Yunzhao defied the imperial decree to enter the pass and was in dire straits himself; Zhou Lang seemed to be the more reliable option. Fang Zilan's gaze swept back and forth between the two men, but neither of them made a move.

Just as the crowd reached a fever pitch, a clear and melodious voice rang out from the crowd and reached the hall: "Xie Chen of Yancheng Manor, by order of His Majesty, is in charge of the case in the southeast."

The white-robed prime minister was unforgettable at first sight. Everyone watched as Xie Chen, holding the emperor's token, stepped into the courtroom and walked straight to Li Qiyou, saying calmly, "Your Highness, from this moment on, I will take over this case."

Fang Zilan was stunned. She originally thought that Xiahou Zhang was the person who was ordered by the emperor to supervise the trial of this case, but she never expected that it was Xie Chen. What a clever plan.

Not only was Fang Zilan surprised, but Xiahou Zhang was also dumbfounded. He thought Xie Chen had come here to pursue Xiahou Yunzhao, but he never expected that he was here to preside over the trial on the emperor's orders.

Xiahou Yunzhao was also caught off guard, but what she didn't expect was the phrase "Xie Chen of Yancheng Manor".

"Master Xie..."

"Mr. Xie..."

Li Qiyou and Zhuge Yu spoke at the same time, but used two completely different titles. Only then did people realize that Xie Chen held no official position or title; in the eyes of the world, his only identity was that of Xiahou Yunzhao's husband.

To have someone like that handle such a major case—if Li Shengxuan had no other options, he must be insane.
Only Xiahou Yunzhao crossed her arms, raised an eyebrow, and suppressed the murmurs in the room. "The former famous prime minister of Baiyue, now the manager of Yancheng, I'd like to see how you intend to interrogate him."

It was a statement that was neither too harsh nor too mild, neither biased nor sarcastic, but simply stating a fact.

Even without an official position, the man before me is a renowned teacher from Yancheng Manor, whose students are found all over the world. Nowadays, most of the young masters from prominent families in the capital, whether they hold official positions or not, respectfully address me as "Mr. Xie."

Not to mention those who are older and have experienced the turmoil in the Southern Territory, they all know very well that Xie Chen was never a weak scholar, but a capable minister who once changed the course of a dynasty.

Over the years, he has always stood silently behind Xiahou Yunzhao, not because he lacked ability, but simply because he was willing to do so.

Li Qiyou pursed his lips and finally relinquished the presiding judge's position. He bowed solemnly and said, "I entrust everything to Lord Xie."

"Please rest assured, Your Highness." Xie Chen returned the greeting, but before he could sit in the main seat, an official from another government office who had come to listen in spoke up: "If Mr. Xie is to handle the case in the southeast, he must be impartial to avoid giving others cause for criticism."

"Since I have been entrusted by His Majesty, I will not fail him." Xie Chen nodded slightly, but the official pressed on, "In that case, to ensure fairness, Mr. Xie might as well deal with General Xiahou first, and then proceed with the trial."

Upon hearing this, everyone in the room was shocked, but Xiahou Yunzhao herself remained nonchalant and said, "May I ask this sir, what have I done that requires me to be punished first?"

"His Majesty once decreed that General Xiahou should remain to guard the former Baiyue territory and not leave without orders," the official said righteously. "Whether General Xiahou's solo entry into the pass violates His Majesty's orders is self-evident..."

“If what you are saying is true, then there is no need to say more.” Xie Chen interrupted the official almost rudely. “If it weren’t for General Xiahou, I would not be here to hear this case.”

His implication was clear; anyone present who wasn't stupid could understand his meaning.

This was a deal. Xie Chen agreed to help Li Qiyou with the trial, risking his life in the process. In return, Li Shengxuan agreed not to pursue Xiahou Yunzhao's disobedience in entering the pass. Those who understood the implication tacitly agreed, as everyone present knew the relationship between Xie Chen and Xiahou Yunzhao, and everyone knew that Xiahou Yunzhao, as a fierce general, had survived to this day thanks in no small part to Xie Chen's strategic planning.

However, just as everyone was trying to convince themselves, Xiahou Yunzhao chuckled and said, "My lord, you said it yourself, His Majesty ordered me not to go out unless there was a reason, but he didn't say that I couldn't go out even if there was a reason."

“Lord Fang is a man of war and conquest, skilled in strategizing and tactics, making him most suitable for a heart-to-heart talk through chess.” Master Liaoyuan bowed and said, “Lord Fang, would you be willing to play a game of chess with me?”

“It’s not that I’m unwilling,” Fang Zilan said with a troubled expression, “it’s just that I don’t know how to play chess, and I don’t even know the rules very well.”

"It's alright. Playing chess is like two armies going to war. Master Fang, just do what you want." Master Liaoyuan stood up and took the chessboard and chess box.

Fang Zilan hesitated. After Master Liaoyuan set up the chessboard, he smiled and said, "Master Fang's attitude of being on high alert makes this humble monk seem reckless."

"Master, you flatter me." Fang Zilan took a chess box and placed it beside her, then reached out and took out a chess piece, clutching it tightly in her hand.

"Very well, this humble monk will not make things difficult for Lord Fang." Master Liaoyuan looked at Mo Han and said, "If Lord Fang is truly unwilling, he may ask this young master Mo beside him for assistance."

"Help?" Fang Zilan was taken aback, then blurted out, "Master, are you going to fight two against one?"

Master Liaoyuan nodded slightly, "It's not impossible."

Fang Zilan chuckled, "The master may not know, but my cousin has been playing chess since elementary school. I wouldn't dare say he's an expert, but..."

She stopped abruptly halfway through her sentence, then changed the subject, "It's too rigid of me to talk about winning or losing. Since the master has spoken, then Mo Han, you can join me."

After she finished speaking, she placed the chess box between the two of them. Mo Han responded with a "okay," and Master Liaoyuan said, "Please, both of you."

Fang Zilan placed her first piece without hesitation, and Master Liaoyuan immediately placed his piece as well. Mo Han picked up a piece and placed it next to her.

Of the three, Fang Zilan was the fastest at placing her pieces, almost always without hesitation. Mo Han, on the other hand, filled in any gaps in her skills after Fang Zilan and Master Liaoyuan, making him the slowest to place his pieces.

As for Master Liaoyuan, although he was a little slow in the first few moves, he maintained his own rhythm and was quite relaxed in the later moves.

In less than an hour, the chessboard was filled with pieces from the three players. Fang Zilan took a deep breath and was about to remove the losing pieces when Master Liaoyuan stopped her.

Fang Zilan withdrew her hand, looked up and asked, "Does Master feel that the situation is too stalemate and there is no need to continue the fight?"

"Firstly, the situation is indeed tense. Secondly..." Master Liaoyuan paused, "I already know the intentions of Lord Fang and Young Master Mo, and I have no intention of fighting again."

"Oh?" A hint of curiosity flashed in Fang Zilan's eyes. "Please enlighten me, Master."

"Lord Fang has a broad vision and a good grasp of the overall situation. Young Master Mo is meticulous and pays attention to details." Master Liaoyuan sighed, "The two of you work together so well that I am ashamed to admit my inferiority."