Don't Ask Where People Go After Time Travel

Chapter 1715 Accepting Punishment
Cheng Zhiming was stunned, unable to guess correctly. "Lord Fang, what exactly do you want to do?"

Fang Zilan looked down at Cheng Zhiming and said, "Although I don't have much wealth, I do own a few estates. Judging from Mr. Cheng's appearance, he should be more than capable of working as a laborer."

"What did you say..." Cheng Ziming stared at Fang Zilan in disbelief, seeing that she was still smiling. "What, Mr. Cheng is not satisfied?"

“You are humiliating me.” Cheng Zimo clenched his fists and stood up. “A scholar can be killed but not humiliated. You might as well kill me.”

Fang Zilan asked with great interest, "Mr. Cheng, has anyone ever told you that you resemble someone?"

Cheng Ziming knew he shouldn't be led by the nose by Fang Zilan at this moment, but he still couldn't help but ask, "Who?"

“Mr. Zuo from Miluo,” Fang Zilan said quietly, “is indeed ambitious, but he is also a complete clown.”

"You..." Cheng Zhiming began to speak, but Fang Zilan interrupted him, "The best way to deal with people like you is not to eliminate them, but to ignore them. To live a life of frustration and unfulfilled ambitions is far more painful than taking your lives."

Cheng Zhiming lowered his head. "You know everything I did?"

"I don't know," Fang Zilan said frankly. "Even before entering this door today, I knew nothing about you. I was just curious why Dugu Linxiu thought you were important."

As she spoke, she glanced at Cheng Zhiming, who was secretly watching her, and said, "It's just that I'm better than you; I can judge people more accurately and guess more precisely."

Cheng Ziming met Fang Zilan's gaze head-on, his expression sinister. "I lost to you once, but I will never lose to you a second time."

"Lose to me?" Fang Zilan chuckled. "I've only been involved in this mess in the Southeast for a few months. When have you ever lost to me?"

"Lord Fang, you truly have a short memory," Cheng Zhiming gritted his teeth. "Back then, I was just a step away from the capital, yet I never imagined that a single remonstrance from you would plunge me into an abyss of no return..."

"Cheng Zhiming, before the Dark Arena gambling den, I didn't even know you existed." Fang Zilan frowned slightly. "Why would I mention you in my advice?"

Cheng Zhiming sneered, "When Lord Fang was the Duke of Yue and in charge of the Southeast Prefecture, how many people's futures did he ruin? I'm afraid he can't even remember them all."

Fang Zilan found it amusing. "Cheng Zhiming, I have always been responsible for my actions. I will never admit to something I didn't do."

"Lord Fang, do you dare say that it wasn't you who advised His Majesty to investigate the officials under Prince Rong'an back then?" Cheng Zhiming stepped forward, pressing him aggressively, "Or are you going to try to deny it?"

"You mean that?" Fang Zilan nodded indifferently. "That's right, it was my advice."

Cheng Zhiming seemed surprised that Fang Zilan would admit it so directly. He was speechless for a moment before saying, "Because of your advice, the entire Cheng family was thoroughly investigated. I was standing at the forefront of the storm, and inevitably fell into the abyss."

"Is that so?" Fang Zilan said in a cool voice, "I don't think your younger brother, Lord Cheng Zhiyan, seems to be implicated."

As if his sore spot had been touched, Cheng Zhiming glared angrily, "Lord Fang, my Cheng family has no grudge against you, why do you insist on destroying my entire family?"

Fang Zilan's expression was cold and indifferent. "What I mean is, if you do something wrong, you should always accept the punishment."

Fang Zilan smiled slightly and said, "When did you become such a good liar?"

"If I couldn't lie, I would have been dead last night." Awan glared fiercely at Fang Zilan. "What did my master do to offend you that you insist on punishing him?"

Fang Zilan was not surprised at all, and said jokingly, "Oh, did the young master punish him? Little Awan felt sorry for him?" "Fang Zilan!" Awan stomped her feet in anger, but Fang Zilan laughed heartlessly, "It's so good to have a disciple. When will I take one in too, so I can experience what it feels like to be cared for?"

Awan sighed helplessly, "Fang Zilan, do you even have a stern face?"

Fang Zilan put her arm around Awan's shoulder and said nonchalantly, "Alright, aren't you hungry? Let's go have dinner first, and we can talk about anything else after we've filled our stomachs."

The two entered the front hall, where Mo Han and Deputy General Cao were talking, while Cong Rong and Xiao Xuan'er were brewing tea.

Seeing this, Fang Zilan looked at Awan and whispered, "You're not the only one who didn't have dinner, are you?"

A-Wan looked like her thoughts had been exposed, and Fang Zilan immediately understood. It was probably because Mo Han was too concerned and didn't know her limits, pressing her too hard, which made A-Wan unhappy, so she simply threw a tantrum and refused to eat.

"Sister Lan, you're back..." Mo Han hesitated, but Fang Zilan said directly, "I'm hungry."

Upon hearing this, Cong Rong stood up and said, "Lord Fang, your dinner is ready. I will have someone bring it in right away."

"Thank you for your trouble." Fang Zilan nodded slightly. "Have someone prepare an extra copy for Awan."

Cong Rong smiled and looked at Awan, saying, "Don't worry, Lord Fang, Awan will definitely get her share."

After Cong Rong left, Fang Zilan asked A Wan without any hesitation, "What was the crime your master was punished for last night?"

Deputy General Cao was completely bewildered, while Mo Han quickly searched his mind for the Master Awan that Fang Zilan had mentioned to him before—Wen Ya, and Xiao Xuan'er calmly put down the teapot in her hand.

Awan pursed her lips and said softly, "Master said that when you were in Jiangnan, you learned about his past and had something on him. He did it to protect himself..."

She didn't continue. Fang Zilan frowned slightly and repeated, "Was your master's past in Jiangnan?"

"You don't actually believe my master is telling the truth, do you?" Awan's eyes widened. "This whole thing is a lie, so why would he use the truth to cover it up?"

"Who said only lies can cover up lies?" Fang Zilan composed herself, seemingly unwilling to delve deeper into the matter.

The deputy general, Cao, who was standing nearby, was completely confused and couldn't help but interject, "Boss, you and Miss Awan didn't return home all night. Did you go to see Miss Awan's master?"

Fang Zilan nodded, "I have some connection with Awan's master, so I naturally have to go and see him since he's being punished."

Awan was furious. "How dare you say that? Why was my master punished? You..."

"What do you mean, 'what do you mean, 'what do you mean'?" Fang Zilan interrupted Awan rudely, her gaze darkening. "Whether it was his own will or he was following orders, he should be punished for doing something wrong, shouldn't he?"

Awan deflated like a punctured balloon, hanging her head dejectedly. Fang Zilan reached out and ruffled her hair. "Alright, don't be sad, let's eat."

Not long after she finished speaking, Cong Rong and her servant came in carrying a food box.

Awan sat down silently, eating absentmindedly throughout the meal. After finishing the rice in her bowl, she said she was done eating and turned to leave.

Fang Zilan said to Deputy General Cao, "I'm worried about Awan, Lao Cao, go and check on her."