Don't Ask Where People Go After Time Travel

Chapter 1688 Waves
Xiao Xuan'er said seriously, "The banquet is held in the first month of the lunar calendar. According to custom, the first two days are for the imperial family and relatives to hold the banquet. Therefore, even though the fifth day of the first month is placed among the nine great ministers, it is still one of the earliest days."

Li Shengxuan sat down beside the bed and saw Fang Zilan staring at him without saying a word. He couldn't help but chuckle and ask, "Why are you staring at me like that?"

Upon hearing this, Fang Zilan realized her rudeness and was about to get up to greet him when he pressed her shoulder and pulled her back down. "You are injured, there's no need for such formalities."

Fang Zilan looked at the person so close to her, her expression complicated, and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty. I have caused you a lot of trouble recently..."

Li Shengxuan interrupted her, saying, "Since you know you've caused me a lot of trouble, you should recover your health as soon as possible and take responsibility."

"Okay," Fang Zilan murmured in agreement, her expression still full of hesitation.

Seeing this, Li Shengxuan took the initiative to ask, "Are you asking me why I protected the people of the Northern Border?"

Fang Zilan nodded without hesitation, "Yes."

Li Shengxuan smiled slightly and said, "Answer one question to me first, and I will tell you why."

Seeing that Fang Zilan didn't react, Li Shengxuan took it as her tacit agreement.

He asked calmly, "I know everything that happened in Yuzhang Palace that day. You could have gotten away unscathed, so why did you have to kneel in the snow and humiliate yourself, begging the Empress Dowager to calm down?"

There was a hint of anger in his tone, which he managed to control well, but Fang Zilan still noticed it.

While wondering why he was angry, she couldn't help but say, "Is this how His Majesty sees me—despising myself to appease the Empress Dowager?"

Li Shengxuan did not answer, and Fang Zilan continued speaking to herself, "I know I caused His Majesty trouble that day, but I never asked His Majesty to stand up for me or to fall out with the Empress Dowager. Why is His Majesty taking his anger out on me? I..."

Before she could finish her complaint, he interrupted her again, "Let me ask you, when you shouted in front of the Jade Palace that day, was it to provoke the Empress Dowager so that she would punish you without distinguishing right from wrong?"

Upon hearing this, Fang Zilan's eyes widened suddenly. She opened her mouth, but couldn't utter a single word in rebuttal.

Seeing her reaction, Li Shengxuan knew he had guessed correctly, so he continued, "If the Empress Dowager punishes you, this case will no longer be as simple as a corruption case, but will involve the authority and reputation of noble families."

Fang Zilan, her secret exposed, remained silent as she listened to him say, "Even if you are a nobody, you are still the Duke of Yue, personally appointed by me. If the Empress Dowager punishes you, it will be an open act of defiance against the nine great ministers. Under the pressure of powerful figures, she will not dare to investigate further and will have no choice but to let it go. Is this the kind of protection you claim to offer at the cost of your own death and disgrace to protect the people of the Northern Border?"

Finally, Fang Zilan lowered her head and said softly, "Your Majesty already knows, so why ask such a question?"

"Fang Zilan." Li Shengxuan held her shoulder, meeting her gaze. "You don't believe I will protect the people of the Northern Border?"

She stared intently into his eyes and said coldly, "Yes, I don't believe it. Those in high positions are all adept at manipulating power and weighing pros and cons, and His Majesty is no exception. How can I believe him?"

Li Shengxuan released his grip and said leisurely, "If all those in high positions are like this, then why do you risk your life and reputation to protect the people of the Northern Territory?"

A scrutinizing look appeared in his eyes. "Or do you think you're the most unique one?"

"Is it different?" She chuckled softly upon hearing this word, and instead of answering, she asked, "I have already answered one of Your Majesty's questions. Now, it is Your Majesty's turn." He paused for a moment, but did not press further, only saying calmly, "Those who carry firewood for the masses should not be left to freeze to death in the wind and snow. The people of the Northern Border have held out for many years, and their hard work and contributions are immense. I will not let the hearts of the soldiers of the four borders be chilled."

She paused for a moment, then blurted out, "But what if..."

“If such a possibility were to arise, it would have happened long ago. Why wait until today?” He interrupted her abruptly, his confidence bordering on arrogance. “I once guarded the northern border myself. Have you forgotten?”

Fang Zilan didn't speak, but felt inexplicably calmer.

In fact, ever since Li Shengxuan said in front of Yuzhang Palace that he was willing to share the burden with her, the scales of trust and suspicion in her heart had uncontrollably tipped towards the side called trust.

The fact that they are now so aggressive and relentless in their pursuit confirms it.

Regardless, she believed him. Whether it was a fraction or a whole lot, she believed him nonetheless.

"Fang Zilan, I know that people in this world are treacherous and suspicious, and that suspicion is the inevitable fate of those in high positions." Li Shengxuan said slowly, "But Zhuge Yu told me that trust should be directed at the matter at hand, not at the person. I think he is right. As for the matter of being conscientious in performing one's duties, I trust you, and you can trust me."

She heard his voice and said, word by word, "You're not the only one who's different."

His tone was calm and even, his words sounding like casual, unimportant conversation. But for some reason, the last thread of defense in her heart completely loosened.

After a long while, just when Fang Zilan thought Li Shengxuan had finished speaking and was about to leave, she heard him say again, "I have another question for you. According to the customs of the capital, the officials of each household take turns hosting banquets in the first month of the lunar calendar. I asked the Ministry of Rites, and your household's turn is the sixth day, but you stayed at home on the sixth day. Why is that?"

Upon hearing this, Fang Zilan stared at him intently, coughed lightly, and said seriously, "Your Majesty, I have no money."

Her words were soft and gentle, revealing a hint of coquetry, a stark contrast to her usual cold, aloof, and guarded demeanor.

Upon hearing this, Li Shengxuan felt a shiver run down his spine, and a tingling, indescribable itch spread through his heart.

He composed himself and said with amusement, "You've already been granted the title of Duke of Yue, yet you tell me you have no money?"

"Does His Majesty not know whether I have money or not?" Fang Zilan raised an eyebrow. Seeing his doubt, she couldn't help but purse her lips and said, "It seems that the people from the Ministry of Rites did not tell His Majesty that they did not send the corresponding rewards to my residence because they were busy at the end of the year."

There was a hint of reproach in her tone, and Li Shengxuan chuckled, "Is that so?"

Fang Zilan nodded heavily. "If Your Majesty does not believe me, you may send someone from the Ministry of Rites to confront me. I am willing, but I am afraid they will not dare."

Li Shengxuan had made up his mind and said gently, "I know about this matter and will give you an explanation. Just rest and recuperate, and I will come to see you again when I have time."

"Okay." Fang Zilan nodded obediently, looking like a docile cat.

As if possessed, Li Shengxuan reached out and placed his hand on her head, gently stroking her hair. But in an instant, he realized his mistake and quickly withdrew his hand.

"Your Majesty?" Fang Zilan tilted her head slightly to look at him, her eyes clear and innocent, which made Li Shengxuan feel flustered. He hurriedly avoided her gaze, gave her a few instructions, and then got up and left.