Don't Ask Where People Go After Time Travel

Chapter 1795 Dependence
"Whether I'm trying to mislead or telling the truth, shouldn't the Crown Prince's wife know better than anyone else?" Liu Neng said, word by word, "The Dugu family in the Western Border takes advantage of the location of Xiguan City to charge tolls to merchants. The Fang family should know this better than anyone else."

Fang Zilan clenched her hands tightly in her sleeves, her nails leaving red marks on her palms, but she didn't make a sound.

She should have realized that what Fu Congnan knew, his accomplices must also know perfectly well, and that in court, they could use it as leverage to save their own lives.

Liu Neng continued, “So much silver has flowed into the Dugu family’s pockets, yet outside Xiguan City, bandits still roam freely, and passing merchants live in constant fear, their lives in danger at any moment. May I ask, General Dugu, do you dare say that your Dugu family has not colluded with them?”

Dugu Ming's expression was inscrutable. Liu Yong, standing beside him, added fuel to the fire, making it burn even brighter. "No wonder the mastermind behind the assassination attempt on Master Ranzhu in court that day could not be caught. General Dugu pretended to be innocent, but who would have thought that he was the one crying 'stop thief'?"

Fang Zilan looked at Dugu Ming and met his gaze. Both of them saw the helplessness of having brought trouble upon themselves in each other's eyes.

"The fight against bandits is not over as long as there is even one bandit in the world." Fang Zilan heard her own voice, as calm and restrained as it had been that day at Fu Congnan's residence. "It is not over. In the eyes of outsiders, it is no different from starting from scratch. After all, outsiders cannot see the twists and turns and hardships involved. Even so, the efforts behind it cannot be erased."

She paused for a moment, then said, "Lord Liu, not everyone is like you, giving up on things they can't do, then going with the flow, or even going along with the crowd, all while calling it being pragmatic."

Liu Neng laughed out loud as if he had heard something ridiculous. "Princess's wife, the Fang family has suffered a lot from bandits while doing business. You actually want to use these words to exonerate the protectors behind the bandits. What a fine example of repaying evil with good."

Repay evil with kindness? Fang Zilan chuckled inwardly. Her so-called fairness and justice were truly like a sandcastle, easily blown away by the wind.

Fang Chongzheng was right. From the moment she decided to show favoritism and wanted to protect one side, she also became someone who covered up the truth.

Those who stand on the edge of an abyss will eventually be swallowed by it.

She once thought she was different, but in the end, she couldn't escape the common crowd.

“The Crown Prince’s wife is not one to repay evil with kindness.” Xiahou Yunzhao’s voice suddenly rang out, neither loud nor soft but enough to attract everyone’s attention. “Given her position, there is limited what she can say.”

Just like the Liu family's trip to Mangshan back then, the Xiahou family found themselves in a precarious position, with little they could do.

Liu Yong narrowed his eyes. "General Xiahou, are you saying you're speaking up for the Crown Prince's wife?"

"The Crown Prince's wife is intelligent and capable, and she also bears the responsibility of maintaining good relations between our Great Capital and Miluo. I truly cannot bear to see her perish so young in the southeast." After saying this, Xiahou Yunzhao turned around and solemnly bowed in the direction of Mangshan. "I'm sorry, I have to break my promise to you."

“Now that everyone has heard clearly…” Awan turned her head slightly to look at Fang Zilan, as if she wanted her to take over the conversation, but unexpectedly she saw Fang Zilan take out a tinderbox.

She lit it, and without hesitation, threw it into the box. In an instant, all the documents were reduced to ashes, only the towering flames illuminating Fang Zilan's eyes.

Zhou Lang opened his mouth, wanting to question Fang Zilan: was it acceptable to disregard everything for the sake of the Fang family? But having acted without authorization today, he couldn't bring himself to ask.

The soldiers in the southeast camp behind him were all waiting for Zhou Lang to speak, but all they got was a message to withdraw the troops.

Fang Zilan watched Zhou Lang lead his troops away and couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. However, before she could let out her breath, she heard the people living in the temple talking amongst themselves, their voices directed at her.

"What crime has Zhongling Temple committed by protecting us?" "Yes, we voluntarily gave up those lands. Even the Empress has no right to interfere!"

Public opinion, like the wind, fuels the raging fire, pushing it ever higher.

Fang Zilan steadied herself and raised her voice, "All those whose land has been seized by Zhongling Temple can come down the mountain now to reclaim their land. Otherwise, if they get involved in other disputes, I'm afraid today..."

She paused, coughed lightly, and said, "My life is in danger."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Lang stopped in his tracks. He turned around, his gaze passing over the firelight and landing on Fang Zilan. She was clearly at her limit, yet she still stood upright, each word carrying immense weight.

As expected, as soon as Fang Zilan finished speaking, the people began to whisper among themselves. Then, someone mustered up the courage to ask, "Is what the Crown Prince's wife said true? Your Majesty the Empress..."

"My word is my bond." As if out of control, Awan interrupted the man, saying in a deep voice, "With Her Majesty the Empress as guarantor and the Fang family's wealth as proof, what other questions do you have?"

Upon hearing this, Fang Zilan felt a pang of sorrow in her heart. Yes, the Empress was her guarantor, and the Fang family's wealth was proof. But what if the Fang family lost the Empress, and their property was confiscated and their clan exterminated?
At least, with her around, the Fang family would never have come to that point.

As if sensing her unease, A-Wan leaned closer to her, shielding her from most of the scrutinizing gazes. "How about it? I don't have much patience. I agreed to what my elder sister said, but if you don't appreciate it, it's fine to just let it go..."

"Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you, Lady Heir!"

"Her Majesty the Empress is a Bodhisattva reborn to save us..."

Seeing this, Awan chuckled. These people really changed their minds quickly. She immediately waved her hand, signaling them to go down the mountain.

So Zhou Lang gave an order for his soldiers to escort the people down the mountain first, and then withdraw the troops.

Only Fang Zilan remained standing in the same spot, watching Awan chuckle softly, and asked knowingly, "I wonder who you learned all this from?"

"What, doesn't it look a lot like it?" Awan turned around and looked over. Fang Zilan smiled and shook her head. "It's still far from it."

After saying that, she ignored Awan's resentment and walked straight to Hongtai in the corner, reaching out her hand and saying, "My sword should be returned to me."

Awan then noticed that Hongtai was leaning against the corner of the wall, his whole body trembling, gritting his teeth and saying, "I won't return it."

"Why be stubborn at a time like this?" Fang Zilan said helplessly, "With the Plum Sword in my hands, you still have a sliver of hope."

"And what about you?" Hong Tai frowned, but Fang Zilan didn't answer. Instead, she turned and called out to Zhou Lang, "General Zhou, please escort the Crown Prince's wife and her servants down the mountain..."

"Zixiu!" Hongtai coldly interrupted Fang Zilan, and Awan also suddenly realized what was happening. "I'm not leaving!"

Fang Zilan's face remained expressionless as she stared intently at Zhou Lang. "General Zhou."