Don't Ask Where People Go After Time Travel

Chapter 1697 Exploitation
Fang Liren looked at Fang Lihui with a good temper. He gripped his folding fan tightly and finally managed to utter a sentence after a long while: "Yancheng is rainy."

"I know." Fang Liren smiled with a hint of indulgence. "Is Lihui worried that my old injury will flare up again?"

"No." Fang Lihui turned his head away, looking like a child throwing a tantrum. "In a remote little town like Yancheng, would you and Miss Sassan, with your delicate and pampered lifestyles, be able to get used to living there?"

"Li Hui." Fang Liren called Fang Li Hui's name softly, but he turned his head even more sharply. "The journey ahead is long and arduous. Please take care, cousin and Miss Sassan."

After he finished speaking, he turned to leave, but Fang Liren's voice rang out behind him, "Lihui, I told you I'm fine. From now on, you'll be all alone in the Fang family. No one will protect you, so you must be extra careful and never act recklessly or fight."

Fang Lihui stopped in his tracks, his voice trembling slightly, "Why are you saying all this nonsense when you're about to leave?"

He had barely finished speaking when he heard a soft laugh. Looking up, he saw Fang Zilan leaning against the railing, her expression one of utter mockery.

Before Fang Lihui could react, Fang Zilan walked up to him, patted him on the shoulder, and said to Fang Liren, "What do you mean no one is protecting you? Young Master Fang, have you forgotten that all my money is invested in the Fang family? I have to take good care of all my assets."

In the night sky, colorful and dazzling fireworks rose and fell, fluttering in.

Flames burst forth in the dark sky, their petals scattering and falling in graceful arcs before turning into tiny fragments that drifted to earth, like the bright embers of starlight.

A truly dazzling spectacle that never sleeps.

Fang Zilan stood at the courtyard gate, watching, feeling a warm sensation wash over her, making her feel incredibly comfortable.

If I could spend my whole life like this in the North, that wouldn't be so bad.

Deputy General Cao lifted the curtain and came out of the front hall. He was about to call Awan and Shangguan Min back to the house to eat dumplings when he turned around and spotted Fang Zilan standing in the snow outside the courtyard.

"Boss!" He ran up to Fang Zilan in three steps. "You're finally back! Old Li is back too. Everyone's been waiting for you to come back and eat dumplings."

"It's dark and the ground is slippery, Lao Cao, be careful." Fang Zilan said, shaking the snow off her cloak, and called out loudly, "Awan, Shangguan Min, let's go home and have dumplings."

Awan and Shangguan Min, who were setting off fireworks in the courtyard, were both startled when Fang Zilan called out to them. The words "go home" were like the warm spring sun, gently knocking away the ice in their hearts and turning their pent-up feelings into a pool of spring water, flowing gently and peacefully.

"That's wonderful." Shangguan Min's eyes involuntarily welled up with tears.

Fang Zilan walked up to him and tapped him on the head lightly. "What are you thinking about, young man? Your eyes are all red."

"I didn't," Shangguan Min quickly retorted, only to see Fang Zilan take out a brocade box from her sleeve and stuff it into his hand. "This is a gift from Lord Zhong to you. Happy New Year, Shangguan Min."

Shangguan Min held the brocade box in her hands, treasuring it dearly, and said happily, "Happy New Year, Lord Fang."

Awan stomped her foot in dissatisfaction, "Lord Zhong is so good to you."

"Why do I smell something sour?" Fang Zilan shook her head with a smile. "Our Awan's gift has been prepared long ago."

"That's more like it." Awan smiled and took Fang Zilan's hand. "Come on, let's go back inside and eat dumplings."

"Alright." Fang Zilan looked at the two children with affection, and led them into the house, one in each hand. Xiahou Yunzhao abruptly sheathed her sword, her expression as cold as ice. "If Lord Fang disdains to fight me, she might as well say so. Such indifference is rather disrespectful."

Fang Zilan's expression softened slightly as she steadied herself on the sidelines.

She looked closely at the almost arrogant Xiahou Yunzhao in front of her, but what came to mind was the night she went to steal the imperial edict, and Li Shengxuan's hesitant words in the carriage.

Could he truly bear the weight of that position? At that time, she said that his ascension to the throne meant that from then on, every word and action of the Xiahou family would be watched, and perhaps one careless move could lead to utter ruin.

Now, Xiahou Yunzhao is right in front of us. If she wins and takes her place, she will be the one who is watched and may face eternal damnation.

She gripped the sword tightly in her hand, and Xiahou Yunzhao's clear, cold voice came through, "Lord Fang, are you afraid?"

Her silence was an obvious admission.

"If you're afraid, then so be it." Xiahou Yunzhao twirled her sword and sheathed it behind her back. "With a powerful enemy before you, you don't even have the courage to fight. Such a person is not worthy to be my opponent, much less worthy to take over the position of the Xiahou family."

"I..." Fang Zilan bit her lip tightly, her face paling slightly. "In that case, I'm sorry to offend you."

As soon as she finished speaking, the tip of her sword pointed directly at Xiahou Yunzhao.

Xiahou Yunzhao did not dodge, but swung her sword straight at the opponent. When the two swords clashed, she felt the power from the blades and slightly curled the corners of her lips. "That's more like it."

She immediately stopped holding back and attacked Fang Zilan with every move.

After a few back-and-forths, the two returned to the center of the training ground. Fang Zilan's expression was solemn, while Xiahou Yunzhao's eyes were resolute, making it difficult to determine the winner.

Xiahou Mingxun, watching the two on the field intently from the sidelines, sighed softly, "It's been a long time since I've seen my sister like this."

"Lord Fang is a worthy opponent." Xie Chen nodded slightly and smiled faintly. "His Majesty's judgment is indeed excellent."

Their words reached Li Shengxuan's ears without missing a single one. He said nothing, his gaze remaining fixed on the people in the room.

Fang Zilan wore a purple dress, its long sleeves fluttering lightly, making her look like a graceful butterfly dancing among flowers. She lacked the air of a warrior on the battlefield, but possessed a touch of feminine charm.

Compared to her initial bewildered yet decisive demeanor, she has changed a lot. Her every move is now composed and dignified, on par with Xiahou Yunzhao.

Even if she loses, she can still sit in Xiahou Yunzhao's position.

The idea suddenly popped into Li Shengxuan's mind, initially shocking him, but then delighted. He didn't want to delve into it, but he knew very well that he couldn't take his eyes off her.

He watched helplessly as the tip of her sword was precisely aimed at Xiahou Yunzhao's throat, and Xiahou Yunzhao's sword was placed against her neck. The two of them stopped at the same time.

"It's a draw?" Zhuge Yu looked blankly at the two people in the arena, but then he saw Xiahou Yunzhao stick his sword into the ground and laugh loudly, "Lord Fang is more skilled, I have lost."

“General Xiahou…” A hint of panic flashed in Fang Zilan’s eyes. She was about to say something when Xiahou Yunzhao interrupted her, “Lord Fang is willing to give me face and not want me to lose badly. I appreciate this sentiment. However, when it comes to a life-or-death struggle, no one will show mercy.”