Don't Ask Where People Go After Time Travel

Chapter 1702 Recognition
"Miss Huo." Fang Zilan knocked on Huo Chun'er's door, but there was no response. She waited for a while, and was about to leave, when Mr. Liu's voice suddenly rang out, "Miss Zhen, do you need Chun'er's help?"

Fang Zilan looked at the person in front of her and said thoughtfully, "It's not a big deal. I think it would be the same to ask Mr. Liu for advice."

Mr. Liu's expression hardened, and he raised his hand and bowed in a gesture of invitation, "Miss Zhen, please."

Fang Zilan nodded slightly and went to the private room upstairs with Mr. Liu. Mingxiang and Awan exchanged glances as they followed. Mingxiang went after them, while Awan wandered around the building as if she had nothing to do.

"These two young ladies accompanying Miss Zhen are not simple either." Mr. Liu pondered for a moment, then shifted his gaze from Awan downstairs to Mingxiang upstairs, and finally settled on Fang Zilan.

"Mr. Liu, you flatter me." Fang Zilan poured herself a cup of tea. "She's just a little more clever than the average maid."

“Miss Zhen, there’s no need for you to be so modest.” Mr. Liu took the teapot from Fang Zilan and poured himself a cup of tea. “May I ask what Miss Zhen would like to ask?”

"Mr. Liu, have you ever heard of the 'Bai Shan Tou'?" Fang Zilan asked directly, and Mr. Liu's hand holding the teacup trembled involuntarily. "Miss Zhen, are you referring to the 'Bai Shan Tou' that was passed down among bandits and outlaws?"

“That’s right.” Fang Zilan said casually, “I thought about what Lady Huo said that night for a long time, and I vaguely guessed where her father, Sect Leader Huo, found out about the news.”

"I don't understand what Miss Zhen is saying." Mr. Liu put his teacup back on the table. Fang Zilan raised an eyebrow. "Mr. Liu, are you saying this but not admitting it?"

“I didn’t say anything.” Mr. Liu’s eyes showed a hint of wariness. “People never ask where the news from Qianjinfang comes from; that’s the rule. I thought Miss Zhen was someone who understood the rules.”

“There are always exceptions.” Fang Zilan took a sip of tea, then casually tossed the teacup onto the table. With a clatter, her almost arrogant voice rang out, “Rules are meant to be broken.”

As soon as she finished speaking, cracks appeared on the teacup, as if it would fall apart at any moment, yet it still maintained its shape. Only the water stains on the edge revealed the fact that it was broken.

Seeing this, Mr. Liu composed himself. "Miss Zhen, are you truly from Qianjinfang?"

"What do you think, Mr. Liu?" Fang Zilan asked instead of answering. Mr. Liu said calmly, "Paying respects requires sincerity. If Miss Zhen is unwilling to tell the truth, then there's nothing more to say."

“It’s good that Mr. Liu has a solution.” Fang Zilan smiled. “However, my identity is special and can only be revealed when we pay our respects at the mountain. I’m afraid it would frighten Mr. Liu if I told you now.”

“Miss Zhen, paying respects to the mountain stronghold is not as easy as you think.” Mr. Liu’s expression became more serious. “The specific circumstances vary from person to person. You might even lose your life with a nine-out-of-ten chance.”

“I know, but it doesn’t matter.” Fang Zilan said without hesitation, “There are people I absolutely must find, like Lady Huo…”

“You are different from Chun’er.” Mr. Liu rarely interrupted, and Fang Zilan understood. “Of course we are different. Miss Huo is of extraordinary significance to Mr. Liu. How can I compare?”

Mr. Liu's expression froze for a moment, and Fang Zilan chuckled, "What, am I wrong?"

“My relationship with Chun’er is that of gentlemen, so please, Miss Zhen, do not make any unfounded assumptions,” Mr. Liu said in a deep voice, “lest it damage Chun’er’s reputation.”

“As long as Mr. Liu is willing to give me directions, I won’t say anything more.” Fang Zilan calmly straightened her sleeves. “Otherwise, I might accidentally say something…”

“Miss Zhen, please watch your words.” Mr. Liu said through gritted teeth, each word distinct. Fang Zilan shrugged innocently. “I was just saying. Did Mr. Liu take it seriously?” Mr. Liu’s hand, hidden in his sleeve, clenched into a fist. “I can give you directions. In return, I need to know about Zixiu.”

“It’s you…” Fang Zitong blurted out, but then suddenly fell silent.

“It’s me.” Pei Jinqing nodded slightly and said, “I invited Miss Fang here under my cousin’s name because I have a business deal to discuss with her.”

Fang Zitong's expression turned cold. "I am but a sheltered young woman, I have nothing to say to the Duke of Jin."

“Miss Fang, why are you in such a hurry to refuse? Why not listen to what business I want to discuss first, and then make a decision?” Pei Jinqing said while pouring tea, “Even if the business doesn’t go through, we shouldn’t waste this fine tea.”

He pushed the teacup toward Fang Zitong, as if he was certain she would sit down and discuss the business with him.

Fang Zitong hesitated for a moment before finally sitting down opposite Pei Jinqing. "What business does Duke Jinqing want to discuss with me?"

Compared to Fang Zitong's unease, Pei Jinqing appeared remarkably calm and composed. He didn't speak, but simply gestured for her to enjoy her tea first.

Seeing this, Fang Zitong picked up the teacup, took only a small sip, and then calmly put the teacup back in its place.

"What does Miss Fang think of this tea?" Pei Jinqing asked casually. Fang Zitong replied without any politeness, "This is the Spring Welcoming Tea from Xiguan City, which is considered a fine product in border areas. But if it were placed in the capital, it would be nothing special."

"As expected of Miss Fang, one look is enough to know her." Pei Jinqing smiled and said, "Beyond the Western Border, in the land of Persia, Vanuas, the only daughter of the Sassanid patriarch, did not hesitate to give up her Sassanid name in order to marry Miss Fang's cousin..."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "If Miss Fang were to relinquish the Fang family name, would she be willing?"

Fang Zitong's face was ashen. "What exactly does Duke Jin want to say?"

“Miss Fang has answered my question, and I will tell you my purpose.” Pei Jinqing picked up the teapot unhurriedly, about to add tea, when he saw Fang Zitong move the teacup. “I am unwilling.”

"As expected." Pei Jinqing chuckled, while Fang Zitong said coldly, "I have already answered Duke Jin's question. Now it is your turn to answer my doubts."

"What I want to tell Miss Fang is that if you want to enter the Pei family, it's impossible for you to marry my cousin," Pei Jinqing said, his smile fading and his expression turning serious. "However, you can consider finding someone else, such as me."

Fang Zitong's face was full of astonishment. She had considered many possibilities, but she had never imagined it would be this one.

For a moment, she even thought she had misheard. What did Pei Jinqing say? He wanted her to marry him as his second wife?

She laughed angrily, "The Pei family may be good, but in the capital where powerful families abound, they are not the most prestigious. What makes you think that even if I were to become a second wife, I would have to marry into the Pei family?"

"Since Miss Fang doesn't necessarily need the Pei family, why is she still entangled with my cousin?" Pei Jinqing feigned curiosity and said, "Forgive my poor eyesight, but I really can't see why my cousin is worth Miss Fang giving up everything, including the Fang family name."