Don't Ask Where People Go After Time Travel

Chapter 1713 Begging
"Ah Shi, why did you come along too?" Fang Zilan frowned. Ah Shi was taken aback when he saw her, then lowered his head and obediently called out "Lord Fang".

“It was my own idea to bring A-Shi here,” Xiao Xuan’er explained. “A-Shi is better at looking at the account books than I am.”

Upon hearing this, Fang Zilan stopped pursuing the matter and composed herself, saying, "Let's get down to business."

Ah Shi mustered his courage and said, "Just as Lord Fang predicted, the elders of the Yang family have already secretly transferred all of Lord Yang's land and houses to his cousin..."

He didn't continue, but Fang Zilan understood. "Just tell me how bad Madam Yang's situation is."

“Madam Yang’s dowry wasn’t much to begin with, and a lot of it was taken by the Yang family a few days ago because of the matter of erecting a memorial arch. Now, if she doesn’t obey the Yang family’s demands to erect a memorial arch and remain chaste, she’ll probably have to leave with nothing.” A-Shi’s voice grew softer and softer as she spoke. “Moreover, according to Sister Xiao, as a widow, once Madam Yang leaves the Yang family, it will be against the law…”

"That's enough." Fang Zilan interrupted him. "It's okay for a child to see some of the ways of the world, but don't be too pessimistic."

A-Shi nodded listlessly. Fang Zilan looked at Xiao Xuan'er and asked, "How did it go with the question I asked you about Fang Lihui?"

"Young Master Fang said it wouldn't be difficult to help Madam Yang and her son leave the city, nor would it be difficult to find them a place to settle down and make a living in the future..." Before Xiao Xuan'er could finish speaking, Fang Zilan bluntly asked, "What does Fang Lihui want? Can the promised money be extended for another year?"

"No." Xiao Xuan'er waved her hand. "Young Master Fang wants Ah-ye."

"What?" Fang Zilan glanced at Ashi, who was also shocked. "Lord Fang, I..."

"Don't be afraid, I won't just hand you over to anyone," Fang Zilan reassured A-Shi, then asked Xiao Xuan'er, "What does Fang Lihui want A-Shi for?"

“Previously, the Pei family exposed the Fang family for smuggling, and Young Master Fang lost his left and right arms. He has been looking for a replacement.” Xiao Xuan’er pursed her lips. “Young Master Fang somehow learned about A-Shi and wanted to find an opportunity to take him away.”

“It seems this isn’t the first time.” Fang Zilan stared at Xiao Xuan’er, then nodded slightly. “Yes, I saw that Lord Fang was busy with his affairs, and I thought it wasn’t a big deal, so I didn’t report it.”

Fang Zilan pondered for a moment. Letting Ashi follow Fang Lihui wouldn't be a bad thing. However, she didn't know Ashi's thoughts, and if she easily agreed to Fang Lihui's request, she would probably be constantly asked for people and things in the future. After all, she couldn't get any benefits from Fang Lihui in business.

“Lord Fang…” A-Shi’s voice suddenly rang out, filled with indescribable pitifulness, “I don’t want to follow Young Master Fang, I only want to follow you.”

“You can’t follow me forever.” Fang Zilan sighed. “But since you’re unwilling, I won’t hand you over to Fang Lihui. Miss Xiao, please pass on a message to Fang Lihui for me: I need to send Madam Yang and her son away within three days. If he doesn’t help me, don’t blame me for being ruthless and coming to collect the debt.”

"Okay." Xie Chen nodded slightly, which surprised Fang Zilan. She originally thought he would question her, wondering if that would clear her name from the Fang family. But he didn't ask that.

"It has nothing to do with the Crown Prince's wife, but it has something to do with the late Duke of Yue, and with Zixiu?" Xie Chen said each word clearly, and Fang Zilan felt a tremor in her heart.

Some identities cannot be easily shaken off. Some things cannot be easily let go of.

“I understand what Mr. Xie means.” Fang Zilan took a deep breath. “I will settle the Zhongling Temple case after I have verified it.”

“If the Crown Prince’s wife can resolve the Zhongling Temple case, the Fang family…” Xie Chen paused, “will have redeemed themselves.” Fang Zilan remained noncommittal, “The power of life and death, Mr. Xie, is your word reliable?”

"His Majesty's treatment of the Fang family is something the Crown Prince's wife should know better than I do," Xie Chen said vaguely. Fang Zilan curled her lips and said, "People say that those involved are often blinded by their own interests, and I am no exception."

She leaned close to Xie Chen's ear and whispered, "If Mr. Xie goes back on his word, I will drag the Xiahou family down with me and die alongside the Fang family."

Xie Chen chuckled and said, "I never thought the Crown Prince's wife would resort to threats."

“I never threaten anyone.” Fang Zilan straightened up and said with a composed smile, “I always keep my word.”

"Then I await good news from the Crown Prince's wife." Xie Chen bowed, which Fang Zilan accepted without returning the bow. "Mr. Xie should at least show some sincerity. Tonight, I want to see Awan."

After she finished speaking, she left without looking back. She walked straight to the outside of the courtroom and saw Hong Tai leaning against the corner of the wall, looking bored.

"What are you doing here?" Fang Zilan frowned slightly. Hong Tai said succinctly, "Two things. First, Wan Jun is in Murong Qing's hands."

Fang Zilan was not surprised to hear this, but just chuckled and said, "When did the chief become the mouthpiece of the loyal prince?"

“I just think you should know,” Hong Tai said seriously, “After all, this isn’t a good thing.”

"Whether it's good or bad, I'll judge for myself." Fang Zilan said thoughtfully, "There's one more thing."

"The Dugu family is making a move." Hong Tai's voice lowered, and Fang Zilan subconsciously asked, "What move?"

"The son of the patriarch Dugu Xin—General Dugu Ming—is escorting his cousin and is already on his way to the capital." Hong Tai's words struck Fang Zilan like a bolt from the blue. She blurted out, "What do you mean?"

"With the Fang family withdrawing from the capital, the harem will naturally change hands." Hong Tai sneered. "You don't necessarily think that the concubine surnamed Fang in the palace can escape unscathed, do you?"

“But…” Fang Zilan pursed her lips, swallowing back all her words of rebuttal, “Whose idea is this, the Empress Dowager, the Empress Dowager, or…”

“Does whose opinion matters?” Hong Tai interrupted Fang Zilan. “What matters is the wind direction. With Yu Cheng Wang around, Li Shengxuan will definitely protect the Dugu family, and the Fang family will only be a pawn to be discarded.”

“Abandoned pawn?” Fang Zilan repeated the word, gritting her teeth as she said, “Throughout history, no deposed empress has ever had a good ending. Does he have absolutely no mercy for her?”

"Fang Zilan, now that things have come to this, do you still believe in any sentimentality?" Hong Tai sneered. Fang Zilan clenched her fists. "Since that's the case, then I don't need to care about anyone's feelings."

Hong Tai was stunned for a moment. Before he could think about the meaning of Fang Zilan's words, he heard her say again: "You stay here and pick up Awan. Then we will go to Zhongling Temple."

“As a key witness, how could Xie Chen possibly release Miss Wan?” Hong Tai asked solemnly. Fang Zilan did not answer him and went back on her own.