Don't Ask Where People Go After Time Travel

"It's true that I live a secluded life, but I may not be as frail as I seem." Fang Zilan didn't need to guess what Fu Congnan was thinking; in his mind, the Third Miss Fang and the Zhen family of Qianjinfang could not be the same person.

Whether it's true or false doesn't matter. What she needs to do right now is stall for time. Once Awan has gathered everyone and made a big scene, the chances of her taking Fang Lihui away will be much greater.

So she simply said, "If I were truly so delicate, why would Li Shengxuan insist on marrying me? He is a man destined to rule the world, and he cannot afford to make a single mistake, let alone something as important as marriage?"

A hint of doubt appeared in Fu Congnan's eyes. Fang Zilan saw it clearly and added fuel to the fire, saying, "General Fu, have you heard too many rumors and think that Li Shengxuan is just a young playboy?"

Rumors about Li Shengxuan are as numerous as rivers. As long as the water flows, the rumors will never cease.

After all, from being exiled to the remote frontier to becoming the ruler of the capital, Li Shengxuan's mysterious aura only increased, and his past, which is worth exploring, is not limited to just one or two romantic affairs.

But as long as the word "love" is involved, the rumors about Li Shengxuan cannot escape the phrase "deep affection".

Rumor has it that when Li Shengxuan was young, he proposed to the third daughter of the Fang family of the Prime Minister's mansion. After being rejected, there was no going back. Under pressure from various forces, he married the eldest daughter of the Fang family. After that, he left the backyard empty, with only her by his side.

Some say Fang Ziqin is skilled at managing her husband, others say Fang Chongzheng is shrewd and has made some kind of deal with Li Shengxuan in private, while still others say Li Shengxuan treats Fang Ziqin with courtesy because of his brotherhood with Zhuge Jun...

Therefore, in the rumors, besides the Fang family, the Zhuge family—Zhuge Jun—is unavoidable.

Those who share life and death in the military develop a certain bond, so even Fang Zilan once thought that the third rumor was the closest to the truth.

But she forgot that rumors are rumors precisely because they are false. If the Fang family hadn't retreated from the capital, if she hadn't obtained that list, if she hadn't gathered evidence of corruption…

Unfortunately, there is no such thing as "what if" in this world.

"What do you mean?" Fu Congnan heard his own voice tremble noticeably. He was afraid of what truth he would hear from Fang Zilan.

"General Fu, have you ever considered this?" Fang Zilan curled her lips, her voice utterly indifferent, "Is the Third Miss of the Fang family the same person as Madam Zhen of Qianjinfang?"

A hint of inquiry appeared in Fang Zilan's eyes, while Xiahou Yunzhao smiled slyly, "His Majesty finds it difficult to make a decision, so I can only help him make up his mind. After all, the Xiahou family has been sitting in the position of one of the nine great ministers for too long, and it's time for them to step down."

Fang Zilan smiled slightly and said, "The Great Capital has only been established for a few decades, let alone the Xiahou family. How can General Xiahou talk about 'long-standing'?" "The Xiahou family's original surname is Xia. They are former subjects of Baiyue. I'm sure Lord Fang has heard about these old stories, so I have nothing more to say." Xiahou Yunzhao's smile faded, and her expression became more indifferent. "It's just that we outsiders, even if we submit to the Great Capital, are always the subject of controversy. Even though Ayu married into the palace, I don't leave the old Baiyue territory unless necessary, and I can't stop the gossip."

Fang Zilan offered words of comfort, "General Xiahou is as pure as a gentle breeze and a bright moon; why should you care about what others say?"

Xiahou Yunzhao shook her head. "I may not care, but others may. Although Ayu is favored in the palace, she is always melancholy. She passed away when His Majesty was young. His Majesty has lived through years of gossip and slander, and has been exiled to the battlefield amidst the clash of swords. It has been very difficult for him. There are many different opinions about Emperor Tai'an's will. Everyone says that I, Xiahou Yunzhao, coerced Xie Chen into making it. But that's not true. He still has a sincere heart for Ayu and her son."

She paused for a moment, then sighed softly, saying, "It is rare for the Emperor to have such intentions, and my Xiahou family is unwilling to let him down. Over the years, no matter what outsiders say, as long as I, Xiahou Yunzhao, am alive, I will stand guard by His Majesty's side and never let anyone shake his position. But now that His Majesty holds the reins of the empire, the Xiahou family has done right by him, and it is time for us to retire gracefully. I also promised Xie Chen that once His Majesty has found someone he can rely on, I can return with him with peace of mind, free from worldly affairs and the pain of bloodshed."

Fang Zilan listened quietly, and after a long while, she slowly spoke: "I have heard about what happened back then. If Lord Xie had not defected to General Xiahou and submitted to Dajing, Baiyue would not have been so easily destroyed, and Consort Yu and His Majesty would not have fallen into Dajing's chess game. May I ask if General Xiahou has any regrets?"

"The destruction of Baiyue was inevitable. The world is a game of chess, and we are all just pawns. No matter where I am, I can't remain unaffected." Xiahou Yunzhao smiled with relief. "Doesn't Lord Fang understand this in his heart? In fact, we are all people who struggle against fate, nothing more."

Fang Zilan was stunned for a moment, then blurted out, "General Xiahou, have you ever hated Lord Xie?"

She immediately realized her words were inappropriate, but since the question had been so direct, there was no room for maneuver.

"Hate? It seems Lord Fang has misunderstood something." Xiahou Yunzhao smiled slightly. "But it's alright to tell Lord Fang. Xie Chen is far-sighted; he saw more clearly than anyone else that Baiyue had no future at that time. Although turning against his own side is certainly not the act of a gentleman, he bore all the infamy just to find a way out for the Xia family and me. I have known him for many years, and through thick and thin, he has never harmed me in the slightest. How could I bear to hate him?"

Looking at the upright and honest person in front of her, Fang Zilan couldn't help but feel a surge of admiration.

Xiahou Yunzhao's magnanimity and composure are the foundation of her confidence. Perhaps she too is a pawn in the game, unable to control her own destiny, yet she fearlessly faces any storm, handling it with ease. She possesses both the responsibility to bear the condemnation of thousands and the grace to gracefully retire after achieving success. Such a person rightfully lives on in the legendary tales of the streets and alleys, passed down through generations and praised by word of mouth.

"Lord Fang?" Xiahou Yunzhao called softly, pulling Fang Zilan back to her senses. "If you have no questions, would you like to come back with me?"

"Alright." Fang Zilan nodded, following silently behind Xiahou Yunzhao. She then chuckled softly, "Lord Fang, there's no need to worry about the uncertain future. I trust His Majesty's judgment, and you should trust yourself too. After all, you defeated me, so taking over the Xiahou family should be a piece of cake, right?"

Fang Zilan waved her hand and said, "General Xiahou did not use his full strength just now, so my victory was by chance and it doesn't amount to much."

"You don't need to be modest. Although I lost, I still put in my best effort." Xiahou Yunzhao had a slight smile on her lips, and a strange emotion flashed in her eyes, as if she was reminiscing and feeling sentimental, or perhaps she was also longing and yearning. "If it were twenty or thirty years earlier, when I was your age, I was used to being fierce and ruthless. It would be hard to say who would win or lose."