Don't Ask Where People Go After Time Travel

Chapter 1690 Worrying
"Master Huanyan..." Wen Ya began to speak, but Huanyan interrupted him, "The nine-petaled flower was originally a method used by the former royal family to control the Huan family women, no different from those low-class tricks used in brothels. Mr. Wen, am I right?"

Wen Ya remained silent, his smile fading, and said, word by word, "The so-called soul-separating effect of the nine-petaled flower is all thanks to the Su family and Mr. Wen. I just don't know if the descendants of the Su family still know this, and whether Mr. Wen dares to admit it?"

Among those present was a descendant of the Su family, who immediately jumped up and said, "Stop talking nonsense and ruining the reputation of my Su family!"

"Whether it's true or not, Lord Su Bo will know once he gets back." Before Huan Yan could finish speaking, the person who had spoken earlier panicked, "How do you recognize me..."

"Guards! Huan Yan, the leader of the Qingchao Troupe, has been using the forbidden Nine-Petal Flower to confuse people and plot wicked schemes. Arrest her!" Ji Ningtian finally spoke, and the guards standing outside the hall rushed forward.

A flash of silver light appeared, and Huan Yan drew a soft sword from her waist to protect herself. "Now that I'm here, I have no intention of going back. Ji Ningtian, if it weren't for the former Consort Shu's deception, how could you have survived to this day?"

"Your Highness, there's no need for that." Murong Xun poured himself a cup of tea, held it in his hand without moving, and said leisurely, "You forced Fang Zilan to open the city gates, wasn't that to test her skills and find her weaknesses?"

Mu Chuji's expression froze for a moment, then he immediately bowed respectfully and said, "This student knows his mistake, please forgive me, sir." Just now he seemed frank, but in reality he had been cunning and hadn't told the truth. But how could he hide it from Murong Xun? He didn't say it on the surface, but now his question clearly indicated that he had already known that Fang Zilan would open the city gate.

Murong Xun took a sip of tea, ignoring his words, and simply asked, "Did you find it?"

"Fang Zilan's skills are the best I've ever seen. Every move is clean and swift, almost instinctive, without any flaws." Mu Chuji changed the subject as she spoke, "However, even though she is extremely skilled, she is still just one person. If we keep her occupied for too long, she will run out of energy and die."

"How long did you hold her off?" Murong Xun asked expressionlessly. Mu Chuji replied honestly, "An hour and a half was her limit."

"That's rare." Murong Xun asked thoughtfully, "What do you think?"

“Indeed rare.” Mu Chuji said earnestly, “I remember the master once told me that the brave and skilled warriors are generals, the strategists are commanders, and the vigilant ministers are prime ministers. I can see some of these qualities in Fang Zilan. The most important point is that she is completely fearless of death. That day, she had clearly reached her limit, but she did not retreat even half a step.”

“Such a person’s very existence is the greatest obstacle.” Murong Xun withdrew his gaze. “Your Highness, what are your intentions in this situation?”

After a long pause, Mu Chuji said, word by word, "Attack the city, the sooner the better."

Murong Xun did not answer. Mu Chuji felt an invisible pressure enveloping him, making him sweat profusely, but he dared not make a sound.

Only when a bead of sweat fell to the ground did he hear Murong Xun's voice, "Those who follow the righteous path receive much help, while those who stray from it receive little. If we cannot fight to the bitter end before Dajing recovers its strength, we will be defeated. Li Shengxuan knows this, which is why he sent Fang Zilan, such a tough nut to crack, to defend Qiluo City. In that case, this thorn must be removed."

"Does the master think we can't win?" Mu Chuji couldn't help but ask. Murong Xun said quietly, "Human greed is like a snake trying to swallow an elephant. Dajing is like an elephant; it can't be swallowed whole in the Miluo River, and it's easy for it to choke. Your Highness, how do you think we should consider this battle a victory?"

"Your Majesty's intention is to move the border line northward, expanding our territory in Miluo," Mu Chuji replied. "Therefore, as long as we can pose a threat to Dajing, forcing Dajing to negotiate with us and cede territory and pay tribute, this battle will be considered a victory." "Simply posing a threat is not enough; we need a sufficient threat to achieve our objective," Murong Xun's expression sharpened slightly. "Slay the flags and kill the commanders, advance unimpeded, and do not let your guard down."

"Yes, sir," Mu Chuji replied. "I will personally lead the attack on the city and vow to take Fang Zilan's head."

"Leave the siege to Jiang Hanze. You stay here." Murong Xun's tone was unquestionable. Mu Chuji was stunned for a moment, "Why..."

"Your Highness, do you know what to do when one is caught in a dilemma?" After asking, Murong said without waiting for Mu Chuji's reply, "If someone is as brave as Fang Zilan, they will risk everything and fight to the death to kill the tiger and survive. Therefore, Jiang Hanze can do this tiger, I can do this tiger, but Your Highness cannot do this tiger."

Mu Chuji understood immediately and said in a low voice, "Sir, are you afraid of my royal brother..." He didn't finish his sentence. A look of worry flashed in Murong Xun's eyes, but he didn't say anything.

Mu Chuji blurted out instinctively, "Don't worry, sir. With me here, Jiang Hanze wouldn't dare to complain to the Emperor, much less do anything to you."

“Jiang Hanze was trained by me. Even if his heart is no longer with me, I have ways to deal with him. Your Highness need not worry.” Murong Xun said calmly. Mu Chuji realized that she had spoken out of turn, opened her mouth, and finally only said “I’ll take my leave.”

"Your Highness, please wait." Murong Xun paused for a long while before asking, "How are your injuries, Your Highness?"

"Mr. Lao, you are no longer in any serious condition." Mu Chuji smiled slightly and bowed to Murong Xun again. He sighed softly and said, "I hope Your Highness will take care of yourself in the future and not worry about this old man."

"Sir, you jest." Mu Chuji's smile widened as he joked, "If you are all old bones, then wouldn't all those idle, good-for-nothing people in the court have turned to dust?"

After saying that, he turned and left. Murong Xun watched his retreating figure and suddenly felt a pang of sadness.

No matter how absurd and cruel Mu Chuji was, he treated everyone in the Zhongzheng Prince's Mansion very well. Few people knew that Mu Chuji's so-called unruly behavior and his willingness to relinquish the throne were only to protect his Qing'er, and even this expedition was to fight for his survival.

Unable to refuse, Mu Churui sent Jiang Hanze to keep an eye on him, so Mu Chuji volunteered and came with the army without hesitation. How could he not know about all of this?

Who would have thought that his busy life would end up like this, where he is at the mercy of others and can be manipulated by them?
If only he had used his military power to intimidate others and ensure Mu Chuji's ascension to the throne...

Murong Xun shook his head violently, banishing the thought from his mind. To him, even just thinking about it was a sin of disloyalty.

Now that things have come to this, the die is cast, and there's no turning back. All he can do is obey orders and do his utmost. Even if it's an unjust war, he will win.

(End of this chapter)