Don't Ask Where People Go After Time Travel

Chapter 1736 Driving
Just as Awan, who had been brought to Xie Chen's side, was about to speak, Wen Ran said to her, "Zixiu, I originally intended to spare your life because of our friendship, but since you don't want me to live, don't blame me for cutting off your path."

The next moment, just as Wen Ran was about to reveal that Zi Xiu was the wife of the Prince Zhongzheng, Fang Zilan spoke first: "Wen Ran, how many poisonous insects and herbs did the Wen family handle for you? Do you need me to list them all out?"

She paused, then forcefully snapped the newcomer's weapon. "My commotion has nothing to do with the Crown Prince's wife. It was you who broke your promise first, then lured me to the ceremony and set a trap. I've come today to settle things with you."

Wen Ran's expression froze. Fang Zilan ignored his reaction, walked up to Xie Chen, bowed, and said, "Mr. Xie, I can't count how many members of the Xiahou family have died at my hands, nor do I want to. You can take my words as my excuses or my heartfelt confession; please judge for yourself."

"Zi Xiu!" Wen Ran knew something was wrong when he heard the words "Xiahou family". However, Fang Zilan did not give him a chance to speak again. She used a needle to seal his acupoints, leaving him with his mouth open but unable to make a sound.

“When the Xiahou family repelled the pirates in the early years, they had already discovered a sea route used by the five families of Lingnan to trade with the outside world.” Fang Zilan loosened her grip on the plum sword. “However, this route has never been invaded by the pirates.”

Xie Chen's expression changed almost imperceptibly, but he did not stop Fang Zilan from continuing, listening to her say: "Later, when the world was at peace, the southeastern lands became the fiefdom of Prince Rong'an. The Xiahou family tried every means to let Prince Rong'an know about this matter, thinking that they would take this opportunity to make the five families in Lingnan behave themselves, but unexpectedly they bribed Prince Rong'an and colluded with the Ghost Gate established by the former Consort Shu."

As she spoke, she lowered her eyes, "With the Trial Hall as a cautionary tale, the Xiahou family had no choice but to make a decision that went against their ancestors' wishes—to enter the martial world. They sent out all their elite troops to pursue the Ghost Gate, but unexpectedly, they were all wiped out by Zi Xiu."

Xie Chen pursed his lips, "Zi Xiu..."

"Let me finish," Fang Zilan interrupted Xie Chen. "The Xiahou family fought desperately, hoping to at least eliminate Zixiu, this scourge of the martial world, but they never expected that Zhen Mingxuan, the master of Cangjian Manor, would appear halfway and risk his life to save Zixiu."

Her voice lowered, "The Xiahou family has been severely weakened by this ordeal. The Prince of Rong'an and the five families of Lingnan have also become much more subdued. But the murder of Lord Su Che's family has made the Xiahou family realize that some things never truly end."

"Zixiu, what exactly do you want to say?" Wen Ran had somehow forced the needles out of her body and stumbled to Fang Zilan's back. She didn't turn around. "How I treated the Xiahou family back then is how I will treat the five families of Lingnan today."

Before she finished speaking, she turned around and placed her sword against Wen Ran's neck, saying, "Consider it paying off a debt."

"Wait a minute." Xie Chen stopped Fang Zilan, shook his head, and said, "The deceased is gone. A life debt should not be repaid with a life."

Fang Zilan glanced at him sideways, "Then how does Mr. Xie want me to repay him?"

"Since the Xiahou family head is here today, I dare to speak on behalf of the Xiahou family. I wonder if the family head agrees?" Xie Chen raised his voice, and Xiahou Mingxun stepped out from the crowd. "Brother-in-law, whatever you want to say is fine."

Xie Chen nodded slightly and said to Fang Zilan, "I heard that Zixiu is available for hire. I would like to ask Zixiu to do something for the Xiahou family in exchange for this life. I wonder if Zixiu would agree?"

Fang Zilan remained silent for a while, then turned around, held the plum sword horizontally, and presented it to Xie Chen with both hands, saying, "I will obey Mr. Xie's orders."

"Zi Xiu, are you crazy?" Wen Ran couldn't help but shout. "Who knows what the Xiahou family wants you to do?"

"My affairs are none of your concern." Fang Zilan's voice was as cold as ice. Wen Ran was about to say something more when Xie Chen said, "Judging from what Zixiu just said, she must have put in a lot of effort behind the scenes. Since you've found out so much, why not help me solve the case in the Southeast? How about that?" Fang Zilan's expression turned cold. "Mr. Xie, what makes you think I would tell you everything I know?"

"If someone in the Wei family has secretly orchestrated and arranged everything," Fang Zilan probed, "Does Lord Wei think that's possible?"

"Lord Fang, are you referring to Ouyang Wei?" Wei Mao curled his lips into a half-smile. "Even if she had the guts, she wouldn't act like this. Even the most mad members of the Wei family know what's important. Besides, Ouyang Zirou is her own daughter."

Fang Zilan snorted coldly and glanced at Wei Mao with an almost provocative look. "According to what you're saying, Lord Wei, Ouyang Zongrui can actually command the soldiers in the camp outside the capital? It seems that your methods of control are nothing special."

Wei Mao's face was ashen. Fang Zilan added fuel to the fire, "Lord Wei, it's not the light in the front yard that's worrisome, it's the fire in the backyard. Too much of a good thing can backfire. Be careful of the consequences. You'll only deal with the Ouyang family when they've surpassed the Wei family..."

“Lord Fang,” Wei Mao interrupted her coldly, “with your energy for sowing discord, you might as well think about what Ouyang Zongrui is really up to.”

"No need for Lord Wei to trouble himself with that." Fang Zilan glanced down at Wei Xing'er, her face full of the fear of surviving a disaster, but there was no sign of retreat in her eyes.

“Lord Fang, this is a one-time exception,” Wei Mao’s voice suddenly rang out. “This is not a place for you to stay.”

Isn't this the place where it should stay? Fang Zilan smiled bitterly to herself. Coming from the Ghost Gate, she saw mostly discord and such scenes were nothing new to her.

She didn't say anything more, strode to the door, and said to Ashi who was standing by the door, "Let's go."

Ashi bowed to Wei Mao and then chased after Fang Zilan, saying, "Lord Fang, I'll escort you back to your residence."

"No need." Fang Zilan walked into the courtyard, let out a long sigh, as if she wanted to expel everything she had seen and heard underground with that breath.

Seeing this, Ah Shi chuckled and said, "Lord Fang, you have truly impressed me today."

"What do you think I'm going to do?" Fang Zilan didn't look at him, but instead looked up at the bright moon in the sky. It was freezing cold, and her breath blurred her vision, making even the moon seem like a blur.

“After all, it’s a human life.” Ashi turned her head and carefully traced her outline. “I thought Lord Fang would react on the spot.”

“If I were to lose my temper on the spot, I would gain nothing but a falling out with Lord Wei,” Fang Zilan said in a low voice. “I cannot seek justice for her, nor do I wish to drag you down with me.”

“I’ve handled more than just one or two lives,” Ashi said casually. “For me, this is not a burden.”

“Ah, if you treat human lives like ants for too long, you’ll become numb.” Fang Zilan’s voice was soft, but Ah Shi heard it clearly. “Lord Fang, have you become numb?”