Don't Ask Where People Go After Time Travel

Chapter 1747 Roots
"What are the Mo family doing here at Mushan Pass?" Murong Qing asked bluntly. Fang Zilan remained silent, so he continued, "Could it really be as those two from the Liu family said, that it's related to the Fang family?"

"It's related to the late Duke of Yue." Fang Zilan sighed. Murong Qing's expression turned serious. "Is there anything I can do for you?"

"I want to know, are you an ally of the Ghost Gate?" Fang Zilan asked instead of answering, causing Murong Qing to pause for a moment. "What if you are, and what if you aren't?"

“If so, then you are the second Prince Rong’an.” Fang Zilan stared at Murong Qing, and he met her gaze, saying each word clearly, “I am not Prince Rong’an, and you are not Xiahou Yunzhao.”

Fang Zilan said quietly, "Even if this case is concluded, Xiahou Yunzhao will not die and be forgotten like the late Duke of Yue. Do you understand?"

“I understand, but do you understand?” Murong Qing grabbed Fang Zilan’s arm. “You know that this case will inevitably be brought before Li Shengxuan. Not to mention that the emperor’s heart is unpredictable, even if he weighs the pros and cons, he cannot be fair and just.”

Fang Zilan remained silent, while Murong Qing continued speaking to himself, "So what if I am an ally of the Ghost Gate? So what if the Fang family are old members of the previous dynasty? The fire at Zhongling Temple was big enough. What Li Shengxuan wants is not a thorough investigation."

“What he wants is to appease the people; he may not care about the truth.” Fang Zilan turned her head away, but did not break free from Murong Qing’s grasp. “But the fire I set at Zhongling Temple wasn’t to bury the truth…”

"Do you even believe that yourself?" Murong Qing interrupted Fang Zilan. "From the moment you made up your mind to protect the Fang family, it meant you were also someone who covered up the truth. Otherwise, why would you burn all the evidence in Zhongling Temple?"

Fang Zilan withdrew her hand, and Murong Qing's expression turned cold. "We've lingered in the Southeast for too long. Besides, Mo Yang knows who you are. Once he reveals it to the public, we won't be able to leave."

"The only one who can't leave is me." Fang Zilan pursed her lips, and Murong Qing's face darkened completely. "You want to sever ties with me? Do you even know..."

“I know,” Fang Zilan interrupted Murong Qing. “I am the Crown Prince’s wife, but the Crown Prince’s wife may not be me. I had Awan impersonate her before…”

"I can't live without you." Murong Qing gripped Fang Zilan's wrist. "Why do you insist on staying?"

“Because I am not innocent.” Fang Zilan felt a slight pain in her wrist, but remained unmoved. “If Xiahou Yunzhao’s crime is to condone, then my crime is to be an accomplice, or even the root cause.”

She spoke her last sentence so softly it was almost inaudible, but Murong Qing still heard it. His expression hardened. "What do you mean? Even if it's related to the Ghost Gate, you were merely following orders. How can you be considered the root cause?"

"I..." Fang Zilan's lips moved, but apart from Fang Chongzheng, she could not tell anyone the real reason for her actions.

From Chu Bin to the Hong family, from Wen Ran to the Mo family, she was the one who was supported by the former dynasty's loyalists. How could she not be the root cause, and how could she stand aside?
Fang Zilan remained noncommittal, so Zhuge Yu continued, "After Fu Congnan said those things, her emotional reaction was too agitated."

"The important thing is that, even in her emotional turmoil, she was able to stop Dugu Ming from harming Fu Congnan." Fang Zilan's expression was indifferent, but Zhuge Yu's expression changed. "Fu Congnan deliberately mentioned your Qianjinfang Zhen family's identity in front of Dugu Ming..."

He didn't continue, but Fang Zilan chuckled, "It's just a fake identity, it's no big deal if it gets exposed."

“But…” Zhuge Yu hesitated, and Fang Zilan patiently looked at him, waiting for him to continue.

After a long while, Fang Zilan heard Zhuge Yu speak again: "You just said that Madam Fu gave you some pointers?"

"Yes," Fang Zilan replied. Zhuge Yu's voice lowered a few decibels. "Have you ever thought about whose side Fu Congnan is on?" "What?" Fang Zilan was stunned for a moment. It was as if a thread had been drawn out of the doubts in her mind, and she just had to follow this thread to unravel them completely.

"The official document confirming Fu Congnan's transfer to the position of commander of the Jiangnan Grand Camp." Fang Zilan and Zhuge Yu said in unison, then exchanged a knowing smile.

"I'll go back and investigate right away." Zhuge Yu left these words behind and departed without looking back.

Fang Zilan held the account book in her hand and went to see Fu Congnan in prison again after nightfall.

Fu Congnan had been struck by Fang Zilan's palm during the day and was somewhat injured. He was currently tossing and turning on his straw mat.

"General Fu." Fang Zilan stood at the door and called out in a low voice. She saw the person on the straw mat move, but did not turn around to look at her.

"Lady of the Heir Apparent, what else do you want to do?" Fu Congnan's voice came through gritted teeth. Fang Zilan bent down and stretched out her hand as if beckoning a cat or teasing a dog. "General Fu, I am willing to give you a chance."

Fu Congnan remained unmoved, and Fang Zilan did not retract her outstretched hand. "An opportunity to completely get rid of the Dugu family."

As if he had heard the biggest joke in the world, Fu Congnan burst into laughter, only stopping after a long while. He sat up and stared intently at Fang Zilan, "Princess Consort, do you know what you're saying?"

"I know," Fang Zilan said, waving the account book in front of Fu Congnan with her other hand. "General Fu, do you think I'm joking?"

A look of astonishment flashed across Fu Congnan's eyes, but only for a moment before he shook his head and said, "So be it, it's fate."

Fang Zilan watched helplessly as Fu Congnan moved closer step by step, then grabbed her outstretched hand tightly. "I'll write the divorce papers, so you can stop investigating."

"It seems that Dugu Linxiu isn't the only one with feelings." Fang Zilan abruptly pulled her hand away, straightened up, and looked down at Fu Congnan. "So, you've always been a member of the Dugu family, haven't you?"

Fu Congnan looked anxious, but before he could speak, Fang Zilan said, "Is the so-called recommendation from your aunt who comes from the Wei family just a pretext?"

Upon hearing this, Fu Congnan completely lost his temper and roared, "What have you found out? Or is there something wrong with Lin Xiu?"

"Right now, Dugu Linxiu is doing very well," Fang Zilan said coldly. "She's just a liar who dared to deceive me; she won't be doing well for long."

"Fang Zilan!" Fu Congnan reached out through the fence, trying to grab Fang Zilan, but she stepped back to avoid him. "If you insist on investigating, it will only end in mutual destruction! Wouldn't it be better to stop here?"

"Good?" Fang Zilan repeated the word, then grabbed Fu Congnan by the collar and lifted him up. "Tell me, do those people who are buried here for this think it's good?"

“They’re dead…” Fu Congnan’s face turned pale, and Fang Zilan’s hand tightened suddenly. “But I’m still alive. As long as I live, I will never let them die in vain.”