Don't Ask Where People Go After Time Travel

Chapter 1794 Surrender
Zuiyue Tower is built on the water, with pavilions and towers scattered in a well-organized manner. The waterside pavilions and painted boats are breathtaking, and the long corridors are winding and secluded. It can be said that there is a beautiful view at every step, which is dazzling.

The main hall was resplendent with gold and jade, with carved beams and painted pillars, and brocade curtains hanging high. The tables for the seated guests were set with delicacies on jade platters and fine wine in golden cups, creating a dazzling and opulent atmosphere.

Fang Zilan remained aloof throughout, silently choosing a corner seat and casually ordering a few dishes and a pot of tea.

By this time, most of the guests in the hall had changed, and not many people paid attention to her, so she was happy to have some peace and quiet until someone quietly sat down opposite her.

Mingxiang immediately became wary and tried to move her sleeve, but Fang Zilan calmly stopped her, saying, "Sir, I have never liked sitting at the same table with strangers. Please find another seat."

"Don't you recognize me, young lady?" The man raised an eyebrow, but Fang Zilan didn't even lift her eyelids. "Could it be that you've mistaken me for someone else?"

“Even if you’ve changed your appearance, I still recognize your sword.” The man’s gaze fell on the sword Fang Zilan had placed aside. “That’s the Plum Sword, Zixiu’s Plum Sword.”

Fang Zilan glanced down at the plum blossom sword. To avoid attracting attention, she had wrapped the plum blossom shape on the hilt with cloth, making it look no different from an ordinary sword.

"Since you don't speak, does that mean you agree?" The man's expression grew cold, but his eyes revealed a determined look.

"I consider myself half a江湖人 (jianghu person, a person who has been involved in the martial arts world), so I've naturally heard of Zi Xiu's name." Fang Zilan said calmly, "I've heard that everyone who has seen her and the plum blossom sword in her hand is dead."

The man paused for a moment, and Fang Zilan then glanced at him. "I bought this sword on a whim on my way to Zuiyue Tower, purely out of whim. As for its origins, I'm too lazy to investigate. If you like it, feel free to name a price."

"What did you say?" A look of surprise flashed across the man's face, but Fang Zilan said calmly, "What, does Your Excellency not have any money?"

"I..." The man was speechless for a moment. Fang Zilan frowned and said, "I hate dealing with poor people the most. If you don't have money, you'd better stay away from me as soon as possible, so as not to bring me bad luck by being poor."

As she spoke, she brushed off her sleeves, her face full of disgust, as if she were afraid of being tainted by the man's poverty.

"You've gone too far!" The man slammed his fist on the table and stood up. "I am Geng Nan, the twenty-seventh generation descendant of Xiaojing Lake. How dare you say I have no money..."

"So you're a hero from Little Mirror Lake, what a pleasure to meet you. But does the Little Mirror Lake sect still exist?" Fang Zilan said sarcastically. "Isn't Qi Liu, the 26th generation leader of Little Mirror Lake, your master? He lost all the houses and land of Little Mirror Lake to the Huo family of the Knife Sect at the gambling table. Shouldn't you change your tune now, Hero Geng?"

“Now that the categories are clear, I’ll start by checking the land, population, taxes, and corvée labor records in the southeast over the past few years.” Fang Zilan smiled faintly. “Where are these records?”

"I'll send someone to fetch it right away." Pei Xiaozhe said, then turned and walked out of the main hall.

After he had walked away, Zhuge Yu slowly spoke up: "Speaking of which, why isn't Sister Lan wearing her official robes today?"

He scrutinized Fang Zilan, who was dressed in riding attire and casual clothes under the cloak, his gaze filled with a hint of inquiry.

Fang Zilan shrugged helplessly. "Lord Pei personally came to apologize yesterday, saying that his official robes weren't ready yet." Zhuge Yu frowned slightly. "Sister Lan, you saw Lord Pei yesterday?"

"Yes." Fang Zilan nodded, and Zhuge Yu relaxed his brows with a calm expression. "The official robes are solemn. Does Sister Lan believe Lord Pei's explanation?"

"I believe you," Fang Zilan answered without hesitation, but Zhuge Yu's eyes clearly showed his disapproval.

Seeing this, she asked curiously, "Does Ayu not trust Lord Pei?"

Zhuge Yu waved his hand and said softly, "Gossiping behind someone's back is not the behavior of a gentleman, so I cannot say much. However, there are many powerful and influential people in the capital, and many of them rely on their family background to flatter and fawn, which is just for show. Sister Lan, you should be careful."

Upon hearing this, Fang Zilan suddenly smiled and said gently, "Has Ayu ever heard the saying, 'One who does things without ceasing becomes a gentleman'?"

Zhuge Yu was slightly taken aback. "I would like to hear the details."

"Everyone says that so-and-so is two-faced, that his actions are all for show, and that he is not a righteous gentleman. But I insist that since everyone in the world is forced to do certain things, why be so critical of others?" Fang Zilan's smile deepened. "Moreover, regardless of whether this person is sincere or not, if he can keep doing it without stopping, it will become a habit, and how can he not be called a gentleman?"

"This is the first time I've heard Sister Lan say this; it's quite novel." Zhuge Yu pondered for a moment and said, "Although it makes sense, why does Sister Lan trust Lord Pei so much after just meeting him? And what else did Lord Pei say?"

“Lord Pei did indeed say that.” Fang Zilan’s expression suddenly turned somewhat wistful. “Actually, Lord Pei saw me yesterday to ask me for advice.”

"What idea?" Zhuge Yu asked, but he already had a guess in his mind. Sure enough, he heard Fang Zilan say, "The official robes have already been made, but following the old practice, they are all made in men's sizes. I'm afraid they won't fit me. Lord Pei asked me to decide whether to make new clothes or just wear the ones I have."

“Sister Lan will definitely need to have her clothes remade,” Zhuge Yu replied, but Fang Zilan smiled and shook her head, saying, “Lord Pei has already made the decision for me.”

She paused, then continued, “Lord Pei is meticulous. He knows that if I don’t wear official robes, I will lose face on my first day in office. But he also knows that if I, as a woman, wear ill-fitting men’s official robes, I will likely be ridiculed and attract much criticism. Yesterday, since he apologized to me, he had already made arrangements for me. When you and I entered just now, the whole courtyard was respectful, which must be thanks to him. A man in the world who can think so thoughtfully about women deserves to be called a gentleman.”

Zhuge Yu nodded slightly, "Sister Lan is right, I was just repeating what others said."

"The affairs of the people in the capital are complicated. It's not wrong to follow the crowd or to think for yourself." Fang Zilan calmly straightened her sleeves. Hearing footsteps approaching from outside the door, she stood up and said, "Lord Pei is here."

Pei Xiaozhe walked into the main hall, followed by two officials carrying a stack of documents. He said to Fang Zilan, "I'm sorry to have kept you waiting, Lord Fang. The affairs of the Southeast over the past five years have all been discussed here."

As he spoke, he picked up one of the books and explained it to Fang Zilan. She listened patiently and was impressed by his patience and meticulousness. He had categorized and organized all the affairs, big and small, in Southeast China in an orderly manner.

In less than half a day, Fang Zilan and Pei Xiaozhe naturally became acquainted. He checked all the matters with her one by one before handing them over to her, so she was able to take over quickly, and couldn't help but feel more admiration for him.

(End of this chapter)