Don't ask where people go

Chapter 1308 Downfall

"When noble families marry, they always pay attention to the matching of family backgrounds, and the nine great families always look at each other. The Huangfu family doesn't even look down on ordinary official families." Xiao Xuan'er said while thinking: "Now in the capital, the noble families with daughters to marry are only the Pei family, the Wei family and the Su family, but..."

"The Pei family has few descendants, so they will definitely not be willing to let their daughter marry far away to the northern border." Fang Zilan added, "Then only the Wei family and the Su family are left. The Wei family and the Huangfu family are both military commanders, and Huangfu Xin will not be able to get much help if he marries the Wei family's daughter. I think it is more likely that he will marry into the Su family."

"But the Su family has declined over the years..." Xiao Xuan'er suddenly stopped talking. Fang Zilan looked at her and asked, "What's wrong?"

"I suddenly remembered that the Ouyang family also has a daughter who is about to get married, Miss Ouyang Zirou." Xiao Xuan'er smiled self-deprecatingly, "This Miss Ouyang often goes in and out of the workshop. She doesn't behave like a daughter of a noble family at all. Over time, people almost forget that she is the legitimate daughter of the Ouyang family."

Fang Zilan was stunned for a moment, "Zirou is the legitimate daughter of the Ouyang family?"

"Yes." Xiao Xuan'er smiled and said, "The Ouyang family only has one legitimate son and one legitimate daughter, who are regarded as the jade and pearls of the Ouyang family. That's why Miss Ouyang is so unrestrained."

"Zirou has a lot of insights into weapon forging. If she gets married, I'm afraid she will be buried." Fang Zilan sighed softly, and Xiao Xuan'er said softly: "I'm afraid it's not up to Miss Ouyang herself. The reason why I suddenly thought of her is because His Majesty wanted to set up a special position for her in the Ministry of Industry a few days ago."

Fang Zilan's eyes flashed with astonishment, "Does Your Majesty really mean this?"

"Yes." Xiao Xuan'er looked quite regretful, "But before anyone else could say anything, the Ouyang family rejected His Majesty outright, citing the inconvenience of having many women in the boudoir."

Fang Zilan's face turned colder. "If the Ouyang family has this attitude, it's not impossible for them to marry Zirou off to the northern border."

Xiao Xuan'er shook her head. "But Madam Ouyang dotes on Miss Ouyang very much. She rejected His Majesty not only for her daughter's reputation, but also to keep her by her side. If she really married her far away to the Northern Territory, I'm afraid she would not be willing to let her go."

"A good reputation in the boudoir?" Fang Zilan smiled indifferently. Xiao Xuan'er pursed her lips and said, "I think Lord Fang never cares about it, but not all women can be like Lord Fang. It's not easy for a woman to establish herself. If she is not careful, she will be ruined. It's even worse for a daughter of a noble family. She may have to die to prove her innocence. How dare she make a mistake?"

Fang Zilan was silent for a moment before she said, "How is the investigation going on for the person I asked you to investigate?"

"Most of the officials in the government office have clean family backgrounds, but there are three who were seconded from the Ministry of Revenue by Lord Pei Xiaoze. They have some connection with the Pei family. Here are the details." Xiao Xuan'er took out a document from her sleeve and handed it over, "There is one more thing..."

Fang Zilan took the document and said, "If you have anything to say, just tell me."

"It's related to Deputy General Cao." Xiao Xuan'er waved her hand and said, "There is nothing wrong with Deputy General Cao's background. It's just that after the Battle of Miluo, His Majesty rewarded him. Although he is still called a deputy general, he is actually a general who can lead his own army. Now he is still staying in Lord Fang's mansion..."

Fang Zilan understood, "Although all the nobles have registered retainers and soldiers, if Lao Cao is called a retainer, his title is too high."

"That's right." Xiao Xuan'er agreed, "After the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Rites confirmed it a few days ago, they sent people to the camp outside the capital to inquire about the relevant matters. They also asked Vice General Cao himself. He said he would follow your arrangements, Lord Fang. But he is a general after all. If such words were to get to the ears of someone with ulterior motives, disturbances would be inevitable."

"Isn't that Zheng Yan?"

"Oh, it's true. I heard that he got close to the Duke of Yue?"

"I don't know why Lord Fang likes him. He is obviously a waste and was detained by Lord Wei just now..." Hearing the voice, Fang Zilan stopped and glanced back at the person who spoke. Her eyes were like a cold blade, which stabbed the man into silence.

"Master Fang..." Zheng Yan was about to say something when Fang Zilan said, "All of you who are talking about Zheng Yan, stand up."

A few people were stunned at first, then walked over, stood in front of them and saluted.

"I am here to bear witness today." Fang Zilan said word by word; "Zheng Yan will compete with you. If he loses, he will leave my Yueguo Mansion, and the strongest one among you will take his place. But if you lose, you must apologize to him and never speak rudely to him in your life."

"Isn't this bullying him?" One of them muttered in a low voice. Fang Zilan heard it and said with a slight curl of her lips: "Whether you are bullying me or not is up to me. Come on together."

Before Zheng Yan could speak, everyone looked surprised. "Master Fang, are you kidding?"

"If you don't believe it, let Lord Wei come as a witness." Fang Zilan raised her voice, attracting Wei Mao who was walking out of the big tent. He understood the situation at a glance, nodded in agreement, and added, "If someone helps, Zheng Yan will lose."

After hearing this, the few people who were originally relaxed became more alert, with murderous intent. Zheng Yan also took a step forward and drew his sword.

Fang Zilan took a few steps back and stood side by side with Wei Mao. He said playfully, "Master Fang, aren't you afraid that Zheng Yan will lose?"

Fang Zilan raised her hand and frowned slightly, "The government office I'm in charge of is short of a military commander to lead the whole staff. Although the position is not very high, it won't be unfair to Lao Cao."

Xiao Xuan'er said casually: "But if this is the case, Deputy General Cao can no longer be considered a member of Lord Fang's residence."

"What's the good of living in my house?" Fang Zilan added tea and changed the subject, "Speaking of which, Cong Rong, have you checked it?"

"We checked, and it's exactly as Miss Cong said, there's nothing wrong." Xiao Xuan'er hesitated for a moment and said, "But the sisters who went to Qingshui Manor to check discovered something strange."

Fang Zilan's expression became more serious. "What's the matter?"

Xiao Xuan'er frowned slightly, "Everyone in Qingshui Manor remembers Miss Cong, but they can't explain it clearly."

"What do you mean by unclear?" Fang Zilan was puzzled. Xiao Xuan'er said, "I find it strange too. The sister who checked it was not very clear. I want to check it again just in case."

"You can check, but you must not show up." Fang Zilan thought, "Have someone take the portraits of Cong Rong and the other women and let the people of Qingshui Manor identify them. If they can't identify them, it's not just Cong Rong, Qingshui Manor is also problematic."

Xiao Xuan'er cupped her hands and said, "I'll arrange it right away and will definitely live up to Master Fang's trust."

"Tell the sisters in the workshop to be careful about their safety." Fang Zilan was worried. Xiao Xuan'er whispered, "The sisters in the workshop know their limits. Please rest assured, Master Fang."