Don't Ask Where People Go After Time Travel

Chapter 1681 By Himself
Xiao Xuan'er hesitated for a long time before saying, "Recently, a theatrical troupe came to the capital, saying that they were invited to celebrate the wedding of Prince Yuning and Princess Wuqing."

Fang Zilan's expression turned serious. "Who invited me?"

“That’s the strange thing.” Xiao Xuan’er frowned slightly. “The troupe leader won’t say, and Qianjinfang can’t find out either.”

If even the resources of Qianjinfang cannot be found, then the person is very likely just a decoy.

Xiao Xuan'er had obviously thought of that as well. She said quietly, "This opera troupe is called Qingchao. It is quite famous in the capital. The troupe leader is a female performer with an exceptionally beautiful appearance. It is said that she started her own troupe after ten years in the industry and then went behind the scenes, vowing never to perform on stage again in her life."

Upon hearing this, Fang Zilan frowned slightly. "From what you're saying, the troupe leader will personally take the stage to perform a celebratory opera this time?"

“Yes.” Xiao Xuan’er nodded and said, “The troupe leader said that Prince Yu Ning and Princess Wu Qing are of noble status, and only her personal appearance on stage would make it a perfect performance.”

“Perfect?” Fang Zilan repeated the word, feeling a strange sense of incongruity. She asked thoughtfully, “What was Ji Ningtian’s reaction?”

"At first, they didn't agree, saying that the Qing Dynasty Opera Troupe was so famous that it wouldn't be good to trouble the troupe leader." Before Xiao Xuan'er could finish speaking, she saw a hint of disdain flash in Fang Zilan's eyes. "The troupe leader of an opera troupe can't even enter the Prince's mansion unless he's invited. That reason is too far-fetched."

"Therefore, later the troupe leader led the entire Qingchao troupe to pay their respects outside the Prince of Yuning's residence, and the Prince of Yuning had no choice but to accept." Xiao Xuan'er's voice trailed off, and Fang Zilan composed herself and said leisurely, "So, the Qingchao troupe came uninvited?"

Xiao Xuan'er shook her head. "I don't think so. If the troupe leader had colluded with Prince Yu Ning beforehand, it's possible they were putting on an act in front of the people in the capital."

"It's not impossible," Fang Zilan said, then, as if remembering something, asked, "What's the name of the troupe leader of the Qingchao Troupe?"

"Huanyan." Before Xiao Xuan'er could finish speaking, Fang Zilan subconsciously raised her hand to cover her head. Fragmented images flashed through her mind: a little girl calling "Sister Yan"—it was her.

"It wasn't me who came looking for you, it was Young Master Fang who wanted to see you." Fang Zilan finished speaking and pursed her lips. "I didn't ask you before having Miss Xiao invite you over, you..."

She didn't continue, but A-Shi smiled and waved his hand, saying, "It's alright. Since Young Master Fang wants to see me, then let's meet." As he spoke, his eyes shone brightly as he looked at Fang Zilan, his focus and seriousness unwavering.

Fang Lihui looked at the young man in front of him thoughtfully, then glanced at Fang Zilan. He made up his mind, stood up and bowed, saying, "Lord Fang, I have a favor to ask."

Fang Zilan remained silent, while Fang Lihui continued speaking to himself, "I would like to invite Young Master Ashi to stay at the Fang residence for three days. After three days, he can decide for himself whether he wants to stay at the Fang family. I wonder if Lord Fang would agree?"

"Ah Shi is free to come and go as he pleases; I won't make decisions for him," Fang Zilan said casually. Ah Shi opened his mouth, as if to say something, but then hesitated, "Lord Fang, I..."

"It's okay, you can decide for yourself." Fang Zilan softened her tone, her eyes showing clear encouragement and comfort.

Upon hearing this, Ah Shi seemed relieved, but before he could speak, Fang Lihui said, "Young Master Ah Shi, don't be in such a hurry to refuse me."

Ah Shi paused for a moment, which gave Fang Lihui the opportunity to persuade him gently, "Young Master Ah Shi, my Fang family has been in business for generations, and we have our own set of skills in reading and managing accounts. If you come, you will definitely learn a lot. Even if you don't stay after three days, it won't be a loss, right?"

Seeing that A-Shi was wavering, Fang Lihui put away his folding fan and continued, "With your abilities, the more you learn, the more you can help Lord Fang. Don't you want to?"

"I do," A blurted out, then realized what she had said and quickly covered her mouth.

Fang Lihui smiled charmingly, his eyebrows raised. Seeing this, A Shi slowly lowered his hand and said with his eyes down, "I am willing to do anything as long as it can help Lord Fang."

It was a soft sentence, yet it carried an unspoken determination. When the boy looked up at Fang Zilan again, his eyes held a sharp, determined glint. Fang Zilan was momentarily stunned, thinking it was her imagination. Just as she was about to examine it more closely, the boy had already concealed his sharpness and returned to his usual obedient demeanor.

Fang Lihui took in the whole scene, his smile widening. He unfolded his folding fan to cover his face slightly, "Since Young Master A-shi has agreed, if Lord Fang has no objections, I will take him away today."

Li Shengxuan was speechless for a moment, and after a while he finally stammered, "I just..."

He opened his mouth, but swallowed back the words of concern he was about to say.

Worrying about being powerless is nothing but hypocrisy.

Fang Zilan waited for a long time, but seeing that he didn't say anything more, she couldn't help but ask, "Just what?"

She laughed at herself as soon as she said it. What was she expecting?

Li Shengxuan remained silent, then continued, "Does Your Majesty still remember Xiahou Yan? Back in Fenghe Valley, when Your Majesty's former subordinates died with their eyes wide open in disbelief, I understood that Your Majesty was not in control of your own destiny. If you treated the Xiahou family this way, how much more so would you treat me?"

Li Shengxuan's expression was gloomy. He opened his mouth as if he wanted to refute, but in the end, no sound came out.

He let Fang Zilan continue, listening to her speak in a self-deprecating tone, "In truth, who in this world is without their own troubles? It's just that I'm unwilling to accept it. Your Majesty need not concern yourself..."

Before she could finish speaking, there was a loud bang.

Upon hearing the sound, the two simultaneously looked up at the window and saw that dazzling fireworks had filled the entire sky, dominating their entire field of vision.

Fireworks, burning and falling, continued to illuminate the night sky, one after another, in a dazzling display of colors, leaving the viewer breathless.

Fang Zilan stared at him for a while before lowering her eyes and saying softly, "The New Year's Eve palace banquet is about to begin. Your Majesty is busy and doesn't need to pay any more attention to me. I'll leave the palace now."

Li Shengxuan did not try to stop her, but simply watched her departing figure. Suddenly, he felt that the fireworks display was so bland and tasteless, not even as dazzling as the one she had set off in Wind River Valley.

Fang Zilan left the palace and stood on Zhuque Street watching the fireworks for a long time. Her hands and feet were numb from the cold, but she still stood there.

Amidst the bustling and vibrant scene of traffic, she remained so quiet that she seemed out of place with everything around her.

At first, she felt that the world was cold and indifferent, so she vowed to be her own light after the fireworks display in Wind River Valley.

She watched fireworks many more times afterward.

However, under that overwhelming light, she felt as if she were in an ice cave, growing colder and colder.

Ultimately, it's a matter of being unable to control one's own destiny.

(End of this chapter)