Don't Ask Where People Go After Time Travel

Chapter 1737 Revealed
"Are you saying all this to protect me, or to protect the Fang family?" Fang Zilan stared intently at Fang Chongzheng. "If it's the former, there's no need for it. If it's the latter, my name has never been on the Fang family's genealogy. No matter who I am—the former Duke of Yue, Zixiu, or the wife of the heir apparent—it has nothing to do with the Fang family. I believe you have a thousand ways to completely sever ties with me."

Fang Chongzheng ignored Fang Zilan's reaction and continued speaking to himself, "The first part of the proposal is to exchange prisoners for death. The second part is to ask Mr. Su Heng to return to the capital, and for the Fang family to leave the capital and never return."

"So you wanted to leave the capital back then." Fang Zilan clenched her fist, her hand hidden in her sleeve. "Who would have thought that the old man's death would prevent you from fulfilling your wish?"

Fang Chongzheng remained silent for a long while before saying, "Switching prisoners for each other is fraught with risks, and then there was the sudden death of Mr. Su Heng. All of these things are related to the Ghost Gate. Even so, His Majesty still protected you. Why do you think that is?"

Fang Zilan's lips moved, but no sound came out.

"You know perfectly well what's going on, but you refuse to admit it?" Fang Chongzheng sighed. "The fire at Zuiyue Tower and the Hong Clan of Feiling Mountain—His Majesty didn't pursue any of it. It's not that he didn't care; it's just that he chose you."

"The substitution of prisoners for death was His Majesty's intention from beginning to end. I was the one who should have died, but you all wanted me to live." Fang Zilan remained unmoved. "After the old man passed away, I killed the Ten Kings of Hell to avenge him, which can be considered as fulfilling the bond between master and disciple."

She paused, "Furthermore, regarding the fire at Zuiyue Tower and the Hong family of Feiling Mountain, His Majesty did not pursue the matter not because of me, but because he dared not. He dared not investigate thoroughly, so he used me as a pretext."

Fang Chongzheng hesitated, but Fang Zilan continued, "His Majesty's so-called choice of me is nothing but a smokescreen. It may fool the world, but can it fool you?"

"Since you know this, why do you still linger in the southeast?" Fang Chongzheng frowned slightly, while Fang Zilan curled her lips. "You advised me before, and I know that even if I fight to the death and make a scene in front of His Majesty, I can't cause any major upheaval."

"Not only that," Fang Chongzheng interjected, "but there's an even greater possibility that you've completely angered His Majesty, and then, let alone saying it's the truth, you..."

He didn't finish his sentence, and Fang Zilan's smile widened. "I will die, that's inevitable. Everyone in the world will die, and every day we live is a journey towards death."

Fang Chongzheng wanted to say something more, but Fang Zilan interrupted him, saying, "If it can bring the truth to light and bring justice to all the deceased, then my death is nothing."

“But what if you don’t make it to that day…” Fang Chongzheng slammed his hand on the table, his chest heaving.

Fang Zilan was stunned. In her limited memory, she seemed to have never seen Fang Chongzheng so out of control.

So she composed herself and said, word by word, "You once told me—the night is long, I can take my time. If I really can't make it and collapse in the long night, then please walk to dawn for me."

"Fang Zilan." From childhood to adulthood, Fang Chongzheng rarely called Fang Zilan by her full name. He suppressed his emotions and watched her stand up and then kneel in front of him. "I can never repay the kindness of raising me in this life. If there is an afterlife, I hope you will never meet me again."

After Fang Zilan finished speaking, she respectfully kowtowed and then stood up, supporting herself on the table.

"I promise you." Fang Chongzheng stood up, bowed respectfully to Fang Zilan, and said solemnly, "The Fang family can only accompany you this far, but if you cannot go any further, I will go in your place."

“Your Highness is of the highest rank and honor, General Fu dares not be negligent.” Zhuge Yu ignored Fang Zilan’s words. “Today I must know what exactly happened in the Northern Border back then.” He repeated himself, his tone leaving no room for argument and revealing an indescribable determination, which made Fu Congnan clap his hands and say, “The Zhuge family is known for its stubbornness, and seeing it today, it is indeed true.”

"Fu Congnan!" Fang Zilan's eyes hardened. "If you reveal even half a word, you will be the one who doesn't leave this door today."

Fu Congnan narrowed his eyes. "I've spent my life on the battlefield; I can't be intimidated by a few words. Miss Fang, what do you think..."

"Intimidate?" Fang Zilan disregarded those present, a short knife flashing from her sleeve, pressed against Fu Congnan's neck. "I can take your life with ease. The only reason you're still standing here speaking is because you're useful to me. Otherwise, they would be seeing your corpse right now."

She paused, then used the short knife in her hand to cut the skin on Fu Congnan's neck, leaving a bloody mark. "I'll say it one last time: hand over Fang Lihui and Yu Chengwang, and I can pretend that nothing happened today."

Most of those present were stunned, taken aback by this unexpected turn of events. Even Fu Congnan himself hadn't expected Fang Zilan to suddenly attack, and with such speed that he had no time to react.

At this moment, Fu Congnan finally understood that Fang Zilan was not bluffing or making empty threats; she was fully capable of taking his life at any time.

They didn't do that, simply because they were concerned about Fang Lihui's life or death.

Zhuge Yu's expression was tense. Fang Zilan's display of skill in front of everyone was bound to cause a huge uproar...

"General Fu, my Lan'er has a bad temper and has offended you. Please forgive her." Fang Zitong spoke politely, but she did not stop Fang Zilan.

Fu Congnan said in a sinister tone, "Miss Fang, if things really come to a head, what good do you think your Fang family will do? I might give some face to the officials present, but your Fang family is nothing but a defeated dog that has fled the capital..."

Before he could finish speaking, Fang Zilan kicked him hard, and with a muffled groan, he was forced to kneel down in front of Fang Zitong.

"Even if the Fang family has fallen, not just anyone can trample on them." Fang Zitong looked down at Fu Congnan. "General Fu, will you tell me Fang Lihui's whereabouts or not?"

Fu Congnan spat, "If you have the guts, kill me, and you'll never find Fang Lihui again in your lifetime!"

“General Fu’s mouth is really hard.” Fang Zilan sneered. Zhuge Yu felt a chill run down his spine. However, before he could say anything, a voice interrupted, “If General Fu doesn’t want to talk, I will.”

Hong Tai emerged step by step from the shadows behind the tree and walked up to Fu Congnan. Seeing the disbelief on his face, he exclaimed, "How could this be? You're not dead? You..."

“General Fu, if you utter that name, I guarantee you will die even faster than you are now.” Hong Tai leaned down and whispered in Fu Congnan’s ear, a casual remark that was enough to silence him.