Don't Ask Where People Go After Time Travel

Chapter 1960 Decline
"It's a draw?" Zhuge Yu looked blankly at the two people in the arena, but then he saw Xiahou Yunzhao stick his sword into the ground and laugh loudly, "Lord Fang is more skilled, I have lost."

“General Xiahou…” A hint of panic flashed in Fang Zilan’s eyes. She was about to say something when Xiahou Yunzhao interrupted her, “Lord Fang is willing to give me face and not want me to lose badly. I appreciate this sentiment. However, when it comes to a life-or-death struggle, no one will show mercy.”

Xiahou Yunzhao turned around and knelt on one knee to greet Li Shengxuan. "Xiahou Yunzhao of the Southeast Xiahou Clan here formally resigns from the position of General Zhennan. Xiahou Mingxun, the head of the Xiahou Clan, relinquishes all power of control over the Southeast. From now on, the Xiahou Clan will remain in the old Baiyue territory and will never set foot in the capital again. I hope Your Majesty will grant my request."

Her words were clear and distinct, reaching the ears of everyone present. Xiahou Mingxun took out half of a white jade tiger tally from his pocket, knelt on one knee, and presented it to Li Shengxuan.

Xie Chen watched this scene quietly, sighing inwardly that whether it was the Xia family or the Xiahou family, their lives of military exploits and glory would eventually come to an end.

He was not unaware that a tree that is too strong will break and that prosperity will inevitably lead to decline; on the contrary, having weathered many storms, he understood this better than anyone else.

Even after all these years, Xiahou Yunzhao, whom he cherishes and loves, remains as beautiful as when they first met, like a graceful rose, a peerless beauty standing proudly.

"Your Majesty..." Xie Chen began slowly, but was interrupted by Li Shengxuan, "What does Minister Xie want to say?"

He withdrew his gaze and turned to Xie Chen, who was a few steps away. "A ruler's word is law. Since Xiahou Yunzhao has lost, then the Xiahou family may leave if they wish."

Xie Chen remained silent, seemingly surprised that Li Shengxuan would let the Xiahou family off so easily. Before coming to the capital, he had told Xiahou Yunzhao that the emperor's heart was unpredictable, and they might not be able to escape unscathed.

Li Shengxuan casually took the white jade tiger tally from Xiahou Mingxun's hands. "I'm a little tired today. You may all leave."

Fang Zilan stood in the center of the training ground, but she still clearly saw the desolation in Li Shengxuan's eyes. She watched him turn and leave from afar, with Xiahou Zhang following behind him. The word "lonely" seemed to suit him even more.

The child asked curiously, "And isn't Daddy cold sleeping here?"

Fang Zilan was speechless for a moment, and just as she was trying to find the right words, she heard Li Qiyou's voice from behind her, "Child, your father has worked hard for many years, so he must sleep a lot."

"When will Daddy wake up?" The child frowned. "I want him to play ball with me, and I also want him to catch butterflies for me. Xiao Qiu's dad next door often catches butterflies for him, and I want some too."

Simple words express simple wishes, yet all of this will never be realized.

Fang Zilan lowered her eyes slightly, not daring to look at the child. Li Qiyou walked over and gently ruffled the child's hair, "Shall I help you catch butterflies?"

"Okay!" The child smiled broadly. "Brother, help me catch the butterfly and we'll give it to Father together."

"Your father won't wake up." Fang Zilan suddenly spoke up. Li Qiyou was stunned and before he could say anything, he heard the child ask, "Why won't he wake up?"

“Because the dream was so beautiful and wonderful, your father didn’t want to wake up.” Fang Zilan spoke with a heavy heart and restraint. The child asked, seemingly understanding, “Then can I go to my dream to find my father?”

“No,” Li Qiyou quickly interjected, “You’re too young. Dreams aren’t suitable for you.” He pursed his lips, his expression somewhat unnatural, as if he had never imagined such a clumsy lie would come out of his own mouth. “Then when can I go to my dreams to find my father?” the child pressed. Li Qiyou paused, then heard Fang Zilan slowly say, “When you’ve seen all the butterflies in the world, and found the most beautiful one, and caught it, then you can go to find your father.”

"I understand!" The child exclaimed in sudden realization, excitedly tugging at Fang Zilan's sleeve. "Sister, my father taught me that if you want to eat sweet cakes, you have to get the money yourself. I think it's the same with butterflies; you have to go and catch them yourself!"

After saying that, he skipped and hopped out of the mourning hall, shouting as he ran, "When I catch the most beautiful butterfly, I can go to find my father in my dreams!"

Li Qiyou chuckled. Although he didn't quite understand the logic in the child's words, he had managed to fool him.

When the word "deceive" flashed through Li Qiyou's mind, he was suddenly stunned. He used to despise the word "deceive," but when he later discovered that his grandmother and mother also deceived him, and that he also deceived others, he subconsciously hid the word away.

It was as if as long as he didn't say it aloud, he could pretend nothing had happened. Looking back now, it was truly a terrible self-deception.

Fang Zilan stood up and inadvertently caught a glimpse of a bitter smile on Li Qiyou's lips. She said helplessly, "Your Highness, there's no need for your smile to look more like a grimace. I know Your Highness has never liked lying, especially to children. Even if you were coerced by me this time, does Your Highness feel any better?"

“Lord Fang, there’s no need for that.” Li Qiyou stopped smiling and shook his head, saying, “I’m not the same as before. I don’t want to do such self-deception anymore, and I won’t do it anymore.”

"Is that so?" Fang Zilan turned her head to look at him. "Actually, Your Highness wasn't bad before. After all, not everyone can have that kind of sincere heart. It's very rare."

"I'll take it as a compliment from Lord Fang." Li Qiyou relaxed, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "Lord Fang, I..."

Fang Zilan frowned slightly, noticing his hesitation. After a while, she realized what he meant and said calmly, "Speaking of which, I haven't yet personally congratulated Your Highness on your wedding..."

She stopped abruptly halfway through her sentence, her gaze sweeping over the room full of white silk ribbons and flowers. She coughed lightly and said, "It's too unlucky to talk about these things now. I'd better find a suitable time to personally go to the Prince's residence to offer my congratulations."

Li Qiyou breathed a sigh of relief. "So, Lord Fang's absence that day wasn't to avoid suspicion?"

“No.” Fang Zilan said decisively, “Your Highness, you’ve known me for a while now, don’t you know what kind of person I am?”

Li Qiyou stared intently at her and said, word by word, "In Lord Fang's heart, what exactly is my reputation?"

“Your Highness, in the midst of the crisis in the Northern Border, I risked my life to save you, and it was only out of my heart.” Fang Zilan said earnestly, “Even if it happened again, I would do the same.”

"Is it because I am the Jade Emperor?" Li Qiyou's voice lowered slightly, "If I..."

"No," Fang Zilan interrupted him calmly. "I saved you not because you are the Jade Emperor, but because you are Li Qiyou. In the future, as long as it does not harm the world or others, I will save you without hesitation, even if it happens a thousand or ten thousand times."