Don't Ask Where People Go After Time Travel

Chapter 1809 Brewing
"You..." Wen Ran's hand, hidden in her sleeve, clenched into a fist. "Princess Consort, have you made enough of a scene?"

Fang Zilan chuckled softly—as expected, she couldn't resist anymore.
Awan, who had been brought to Xie Chen's side, was as pale as paper. Just as she was about to speak, Wen Ran said to her, "Zixiu, I originally intended to leave you a way out because of our friendship, but since you don't want me to live, then 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."

“Lord Xiahou, I’ve tolerated you long enough for the sake of the Xiahou family.” Fang Zilan interrupted Xiahou Zhang without any politeness, drawing her plum-sword and placing it against his neck. “Lady of the Heir Apparent, have you gone mad?” Xiahou Zhang’s expression was dark and unreadable, but Fang Zilan remained unmoved. “Get out, or I will kill you and all the people you brought.”

Xiahou Zhang stood frozen in place. Fang Zilan, seemingly losing patience, sheathed her sword and threw a hidden weapon, killing the person hiding in the shadows of the tree. "Lord Xiahou, do you think I'm joking with you?"

"Fang Zilan, do you know what you're doing?" Xiahou Zhang roared in fury, "You want to protect the Fang family, and His Majesty has given his permission, but you can't be so blind as to protect bandits and outlaws..."

"I've killed more members of the Xiahou family than he has," Fang Zilan said, her expression frosty, almost defiantly. "Xiahou Zhang, do you want to kill me first?"

Xiahou Zhang placed his hand on the hilt of his sword, but before he could move, Murong Qing spoke up: "Lord Xiahou, you just said that the lady is a member of my Zhongzheng Prince's Mansion."

He paused deliberately as he spoke, "Are you really going to do it?"

"Your Highness..." Xiahou Zhang gasped, while Murong Qing casually straightened his sleeves. "Lord Xiahou has betrayed the Xiahou family, which is understandable, but my wife is unwilling to betray the Fang family..."

"I have not betrayed the Xiahou family!" Xiahou Zhang gritted his teeth. Murong Qing chuckled. "If you haven't betrayed them, then what are you doing now, Lord Xiahou? Xiahou Yunzhao defied the imperial decree to enter the pass, which is a death sentence for her. Instead of worrying about her, you are making things difficult for my wife. What kind of logic is that?"

Perhaps Murong Qing's sickly image was too deeply ingrained in people's minds, so much so that Xiahou Zhang was speechless when confronted by him like this for the first time. In the end, he took two steps back and left unwillingly.

"Sister, I've come to take you home." Murong Qing seemed completely oblivious to Hong Tai, her eyes fixed on Fang Zilan as if she were afraid that she would disappear in the blink of an eye.

"The person is gone, Your Highness, there's no need to pretend anymore." Fang Zilan said irritably, but Murong Qing didn't care at all, and said with a smile, "Sister, even if the Fang family doesn't want you anymore, you don't have to take your anger out on me, do you?"

Fang Zilan glanced at Murong Qing, and after a while whispered, "It's not that the Fang family doesn't want me anymore."

"Alright." Murong Qing nodded slightly. "In that case, everything will be as you wish."

"What did you say?" Fang Zilan was stunned for a moment, then reacted. "Murong Qing, what did you do?"

"It's nothing." Murong Qing's smile widened, her eyes clear and innocent. "I just fulfilled my promise to my sister."

Fang Zilan stared intently at Murong Qing, who met her gaze without flinching. "Sister, if you want to see the Fang family's fate, I'll watch it with you."

As he spoke, he took a step toward Fang Zilan, closing the distance between them. "No matter what the fate of the Fang family may be, you will always be the wife of the heir of the Prince Zhongzheng's Mansion."