Don't ask where people go

Chapter 1353 Drowning

At first, Awan didn't understand what was going on. It was not until she left the palace and followed her master through twists and turns and entered Hong'an Pavilion that she had a rough idea in her mind. She thought that Ji Ningtian must have had a health problem and her master had to come.

However, she did not expect to meet Huangfu Lin in Hong'an Pavilion.

When she and her master arrived, Ji Ningtian was meeting a guest, and Wu Qing asked them to wait outside Hong'an Pavilion for a while. She stood outside the door and couldn't help but get closer, and then she heard a familiar voice coming from the pavilion.

Huangfu Lin stood in front of Ji Ningtian, looking terrified, "Sir, I really didn't know Fang Zilan was Zixiu. If I knew, I wouldn't dare to embarrass her even if I had ten times the courage, let alone frame her..."

Ji Ningtian interrupted Huangfu Lin's chattering with a cold expression and an impatient tone, "I didn't intend to let you know Zixiu's identity. After all, she is the target of public criticism, and you are my secret plan. People in the same camp have a conflict of interest..."

He suddenly paused, snorted, and then said: "But now that you know how to do it, you don't need me to teach you, right?"

"I know." Huangfu Lin nodded hurriedly, and then couldn't help but hesitate and said: "But Zixiu's current style of doing things, the same camp..."

He didn't say anything else. Ji Ningtian's expression became even colder. "What do you want to say?"

"Zixiu is the best sword in the world in your hand, I shouldn't have said anything more." Huangfu Lin said carefully, "But, she is willing to die for the people of the Northern Territory..."

“Death with honor?” Ji Ningtian laughed as if he had heard something funny. “Her life can only be mine. Even if she wants to die with honor, she has to ask me if I agree.”

"But..." Huangfu Lin wanted to say something else, but he saw Ji Ningtian's eyes were gloomy, and he said in a cold voice: "Huangfu Lin, when you signed a contract with my Ghost Gate and asked the Ghost Gate people to disguise as Jin people's death warriors to assassinate Emperor Ning Shun in the northern border, and made a desperate attempt to replace the Shangguan family, were you so indecisive?"

"I..." Huangfu Lin was speechless for a moment, as if there was something stuck in his throat and he couldn't say anything.

Ji Ningtian's expression was cold. "When Shangguan Jing was still alive, Guimen helped you to make Emperor Ning Shun suspicious of him, so you couldn't replace him. Now Zixiu helped you get rid of Shangguan Jing, but you can't even deal with Wang Quanzhi. Are you trying to join forces with Wang Quanzhi to deal with Zixiu?"

"If you are incompetent, I can replace you with other hidden chess pieces. But Zixiu..." Ji Ningtian's eyes flashed with tenderness, "As long as I am here, I will not allow anyone to touch her. Do you understand?"

"Understood." Huangfu Lin responded while keenly catching the change in Ji Ningtian's expression. This change suddenly reminded him of the rumored affair between the Lord of Ghost Gate and Zixiu.

In order to protect Fang Zilan, Ji Ningtian risked his life to meet him in Hong'an Pavilion. If he was discovered, regardless of what would happen to him, Ji Ningtian, the former prince, would be doomed to die.

Judging from Ji Ningtian’s reaction to the Northern Border case, the rumors are most likely true.

Once the contract between him and Guimen was signed, there was no turning back. However, if he could get some leverage over Ji Ningtian, they might still have a way out if they could restrain each other.

Huangfu Lin's eyes flashed with a fierce look, but he still said goodbye and left without a change of expression. As soon as he walked to the door, he bumped into Wen Ya and A Wan who had been waiting outside the door.

Fang Zilan took the letter with both hands, scanned it quickly, and then took a breath, "If this is true, Mo Bin is a general under the command of King Rong'an. Could it be that King Rong'an wants to rebel?" Li Shengxuan sighed lightly and called out helplessly, "Fang Zilan."

She suddenly realized that she had said something wrong, and quickly waved her hands and said, "Your Majesty, I..."

She hesitated as soon as she spoke. She was about to deny it outright, but she suppressed her words and said, "I don't doubt what General Xiahou said in the letter, and I dare not doubt King Rong'an casually. It's just that no one except General Xiahou reported Mo Bin's rebellion to the capital. I think someone suppressed it secretly. King Rong'an is the only one who can control the officials of all ranks in the southeast."

Li Shengxuan raised his eyebrows and asked, "If only Prince Rong'an can control the officials in the southeast, then what use do I have to you? What use do I have to you?"

"A powerful dragon cannot defeat a local snake." Fang Zilan said quietly, "Prince Rong'an is the younger brother of Emperor Tai'an after all. He has a respected status and a special position. Not to mention the officials of all ranks in the southeast, even the dignitaries in the capital mostly give him face."

Li Shengxuan's expression suddenly turned cold, "Fang Zilan, are you looking for an excuse?"

Fang Zilan hurriedly shook her head and said, "I was just analyzing the situation. Your Majesty is right. It was me who was useless and failed to notice Mo Bin's rebellion."

"I've said before that I didn't invite you here to call for punishment." Li Shengxuan relaxed his expression and said, "You have only been the Duke of Yue for a few days. I know how the officials in the southeast treat you. If this matter was really suppressed by King Rong'an, they really dare not report it, let alone report it to you to let you know."

Fang Zilan listened carefully, but there was a hint of doubt in her expression.

Seeing this, Li Shengxuan couldn't help but ask: "What do you think about this matter?"

Fang Zilan bit her lip unnaturally, and a smile appeared in Li Shengxuan's eyes, "You can say whatever you want, I won't blame you."

"Since your majesty said so, then I will say it." Fang Zilan took a deep breath, "Just now I spoke without restraint and said such nonsense as Prince Rong'an wanted to rebel. Thinking about it carefully, it was indeed my fault. After all, Prince Rong'an has been a king since the founding of Dajing. He can get whatever he wants. If he really wanted to rebel, there is no need to wait until now."

"The Xiahou family stayed in the old land of Baiyue, and you are the new official with no foundation." Li Shengxuan reminded, "Do you think it is necessary for him to wait until now?"

"Even if Prince Rong'an thinks I'm weak and easy to bully, he still has no need to rebel." Fang Zilan was unmoved and continued, "Your Majesty is in charge of the court, the Empress Dowager and the princes are watching, and the nine noble families are guarding. If he rebels, he won't get any benefits. And let's take a step back. Even if Prince Rong'an succeeds in his rebellion, as far as I know, he is old and has only one daughter - Princess Rong'an. So what is he trying to do?"

"To seek the glory of the Lord of the World?" Li Shengxuan replied casually, as if it was a casual chat, "I am the Emperor's uncle, which is very prestigious."

Fang Zilan chuckled, "If Prince Rong'an is really vain and has set his sights on Your Majesty's position, then he must be sure of success. Otherwise, if he fails, he will be cursed for eternity. Not only will he lose face, but he will also lose his dignity."

(End of this chapter)