Don't Ask Where People Go After Time Travel

Chapter 1912 Cooperation
"The new emperor of Miluo has sent someone with new peace terms." Zhuge Yu's expression was inscrutable. "The general terms haven't changed, but one condition has been added."

"What?" Fang Zilan asked subconsciously. Zhuge Yu lowered his eyes and said, "Send the Crown Prince Murong Qing to Dajing as a hostage."

Fang Zilan was stunned for a moment, then belatedly realized, "Isn't this condition too much of a target for Murong Xun? Will he agree to it?"

“Murong Xun claimed to be ill, and I did not see him at the banquet just now.” Zhuge Yu sighed softly. “If this condition is added, the sincerity will be enough, and we cannot ask for too much from other conditions.”

Fang Zilan frowned slightly. "This new emperor of Miluo is really ruthless. Isn't he afraid that Murong Xun will be forced to rebel?"

"Leaving aside Murong Xun, this condition itself is a hot potato." Zhuge Yu pursed his thin lips. "Once Murong Qing enters our Great Capital, what will happen in the future..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but Fang Zilan's heart tightened. If something were to happen to Murong Qing in the future within the territory of Dajing, it would not only solve Mu Churui's biggest worry, but also give Miluo an excuse to send troops.

"It seems Sister Lan has also thought of this." Zhuge Yu's expression darkened, and Fang Zilan nodded. "But the current peace negotiation terms..."

“This is the best we can get right now.” Zhuge Yu composed himself and said, “I have already sent a letter back; everything is up to His Majesty to decide.”

"We've done our best, no matter what." Fang Zilan breathed a sigh of relief. "Well, let's leave it to fate."

"Sister Lan, do you believe in fate?" Zhuge Yu suddenly curled up the corners of his lips, and Fang Zilan also smiled, "Of course not, I believe that my fate is in my own hands, not in the hands of heaven."

"If it were truly up to you, why every Mid-Autumn Festival..." Zhuge Yu was interrupted impatiently by Fang Zilan before he could finish his sentence, "Ayu, you really know how to bring up the sore spot."

"If nothing unexpected happens, this peace talks will at least ensure the stability of Dajing for ten years." Zhuge Yu's smile widened. "I imagine that Sister Lan will be able to spend every festival in peace from now on."

"Thank you for your kind words." Fang Zilan said, then seemed to remember something and asked, "Ayu, you said that Baiye Temple is very popular. Is it really that effective? If it is, why hasn't your wish for peace and tranquility been fulfilled yet?"

"A wish originates from the heart and is hoped to become king in the dead of night. If it is not accumulated over many years, how can it be called a wish?" Zhuge Yu raised his eyebrows and smiled broadly. "I can wait. In my lifetime, I will surely see the seas clear, the rivers calm, and the world at peace."

"That's true. If it could be achieved so easily, what kind of wish would it be?" Fang Zilan muttered softly. Zhuge Yu, overhearing this, couldn't help but ask, "Sister Lan, what is your wish?"

"Mo Han is dead." Ignoring Li Qiyou's shock, Fang Zilan said sharply, word by word, "Li Qiyou, the one you shot was not Xu Yi, but Mo Han."

“I…” Li Qiyou lowered his head like a child who had done something wrong, not daring to look directly at the person in front of him.

The moment the arrow was released, he was completely stunned, his mind blank. When he finally came to his senses, all he could think about was that he had actually killed Xu Yi.

For him, killing was not a first-time occurrence; he had personally slain enemies on the battlefield, inflicting heavy losses on the barbarians. But now, in the capital, on the stage of the New Year's opera, he had accidentally killed an innocent court official… Later, in the chaos, he saw A-Wan approaching quickly, only then realizing that the person behind the mask was not Xu Yi, but Mo Han.

With just a fleeting glance, he was taken away amidst the chaos, and the constant torment of doubt and guilt nearly drove him to the brink of collapse.

On one hand, he doubted whether he was seeing things; how could Mo Han possibly be on the stage for the New Year's opera? However, the impression he had from that first glance was too deep, and since A-Wan was the first to rush over, he could no longer deceive himself.

On the other hand, his ambiguous feelings for Fang Zilan extended to Mo Han as well. When the Yue State Duke's mansion was raided, he specifically inquired about the whereabouts of everyone there, and was finally relieved to learn that Mo Han had gone to the Xu family. After all, the Xu family had a prestigious reputation and would surely treat her well…

“Li Qiyou, I have never treated you improperly. I even saved your life in the Northern Territory,” Fang Zilan said angrily. “But I have never taken advantage of your kindness, nor have I ever asked you to do anything for me. How have you treated me?”

As she spoke with emotion, she coughed a few times to catch her breath before continuing, "Back then, you invited me to perform in the New Year's opera. I endured countless attacks, both open and covert, yet I never uttered a single complaint against you. If there's any grudge between us, it's that I rejected your marriage proposal. But if you hold a grudge because of that, you can come at me directly. Why did you have to kill Mo Han?"

"I didn't!" Li Qiyou panicked, grabbing Fang Zilan's shoulders with both hands. "I had no idea he was Mo Han. I thought he was Xu Yi, and someone lunged at me..."

"You don't know?" Fang Zilan disgustedly brushed Li Qiyou's hand away. "You were in charge of preparing for the New Year's opera. Except for the props, which were handled by the Ministry of Rites, you can wash your hands of it all. How could you not know anything about everything else?"

Li Qiyou opened his mouth, but before he could utter a rebuttal, Fang Zilan said, "Moreover, Mo Han is not a martial arts practitioner, yet every move he made in the New Year's opera was the result of years of practice. If it wasn't premeditated, why would he have replaced Xu Yi on stage?"

“Xu Yi was the one who performed during rehearsals, I really don’t know why he is here today…” Li Qiyou was stunned on the spot before he could finish speaking, as if struck by lightning.

Come to think of it, something strange had been going on for a while, but he was only realizing it now…

"What are you remembering?" Fang Zilan grabbed Li Qiyou's collar, and he stammered, "Xu Yi was sick a few days ago and couldn't come to rehearse the New Year's opera. He only showed up the day after the costumes and masks were finished and sent to the various households. But he wore the costume and mask and wouldn't take them off no matter what others said. I didn't think much of it at the time, but then he fell ill again after going back. I was worried that he wouldn't be able to perform on stage..."

"Enough." Fang Zilan interrupted Li Qiyou, her voice trembling violently. "You realize it's wrong now? It's too late. Mo Han is already dead."

Li Qiyou grasped Fang Zilan's wrist. "I killed Mo Han, and I will take full responsibility."

"What will you offer to take responsibility for?" Fang Zilan gritted her teeth and said, "Even if I asked you to pay with your life, would you be willing?"

Upon hearing this, Li Qiyou slowly released his hand and said in a deep voice, "If it can relieve the hatred in your heart, I am willing."

"Fine, that's what you said." Before Fang Zilan finished speaking, she had already drawn the dagger from her sleeve and aimed it straight at Li Qiyou's chest.