Don't ask where people go

Chapter 1670 Acceptance
Li Shengxuan remained silent for a moment, stared intently at Master Liaoyuan, and said in a deep voice, "Ajun, your mind is in turmoil."

Since becoming a monk, Master Liaoyuan not only abandoned the name Zhuge Jun, but also never misused any common title, always addressing people as "Master" or "Benefactor" with proper etiquette and courtesy.

But just now, he clearly wanted to say "Aunt Zhao," but suddenly realized his mistake and changed his words.

Master Liaoyuan's hand trembled almost imperceptibly, and a drop of tea spilled from the cup onto the back of his hand, but he was completely unaware of it.

Li Shengxuan reached out and grasped Master Yuan's wrist. "Aunt Zhao has already lost too much for me, not to mention the Southeast region..."

He didn't continue, but Master Liaoyuan understood. "It seems that I am not the only one whose mind is in turmoil."

Such a frank admission surprised Li Shengxuan. "A-Jun, you..."

"This humble monk has heard that Miss Fang has entered the palace." Master Liaoyuan calmly brushed Li Shengxuan's hand away, then abruptly changed the subject, asking, "Is she... alright?"

The "she" he spoke of was naturally not Fang Zilan. Li Shengxuan was shocked. So many years had passed, yet he still cared for her so much, even though she was now the Empress and no longer the eldest daughter of the Fang family of the Prime Minister's residence.

“Ah Jun, I once swore that whether I am the Prince of Xiang or the Lord of Dajing, my wife will only be Fang Ziqin.” Li Shengxuan said firmly, but Master Liaoyuan rarely pressed for an answer: “What if it were Li Shengxuan?”

Li Shengxuan took a deep breath and suddenly smiled, "Ah Jun, that sounds like something you would ask."

Unrestrained and unconventional, this is the true Zhuge Jun, not the revered Master Liaoyuan.

Master Liaoyuan casually put the teacup back, but didn't say anything more, as if waiting for Li Shengxuan's answer.

“If it were Li Shengxuan…” Li Shengxuan paused, as if he had made up his mind, “he would naturally marry Fang Zilan as his wife, for all eternity, this will never change.”

"As expected." Master Liaoyuan slowly closed his eyes, and Li Shengxuan composed himself. "Now, is Ajun at ease?"

"How can we be at ease?" Master Liaoyuan opened his eyes, his expression sharp. "After Princess Erya's death, the Di Rong tribe was in constant turmoil. Last month, Hatumu was assassinated by his subordinates, and this month the new leader broke the alliance with Dajing. In addition, Prince Rong'an passed away, and the three major camps were separated. I'm afraid the banditry will be difficult to quell."

Upon hearing the words "banditry," Li Shengxuan involuntarily clenched his fists. Master Liaoyuan remained calm, saying, "This humble monk is willing to personally write a letter requesting General Xiahou to come out of seclusion."

“No need.” Li Shengxuan picked up the teacup beside him and drank it all in one gulp. “The commanders of the three major camps are already in place, and the deputy commanders are being re-selected. They will be finalized soon, so there is no need to trouble Aunt Zhao.”

Master Liaoyuan said no more; he knew that the banditry was a thorn in Li Shengxuan's side.

Li Shengxuan's first military expedition was to quell a bandit rebellion, but due to his lack of experience, he lost a key general by Xiahou Yunzhao's side, and even Xu Ge, who grew up with her, was killed in the process.

At that time, Master Liaoyuan was still Zhuge Jun, who was studying military strategy and martial arts in the Xia family army. When he arrived with the army overnight, he saw several coffins that had not yet been buried, Xiahou Yunzhao's lonely figure, and Li Shengxuan standing behind Xie Chen with his head down.

The south is plagued by bandits, a problem that has persisted from the former General Zhenbei and Prince Pingnan to the current Xiahou Yunzhao's southeastern camp. The reason is simple: once someone establishes a mountain stronghold, they can use their geographical advantage to maintain a long-term standoff with the imperial court. If outlaws from the martial arts world join in, the situation becomes even more troublesome. "Sister Lan?" Zhuge Yu looked at her with amusement. She had been preoccupied with worries and sighed constantly throughout the journey, and even after entering the Zhuge family's gates, her mood hadn't improved. If her grandfather saw her like this, he would be heartbroken. How could a high-ranking official in the capital be so dejected?

"What did you say, A-Yu?" Fang Zilan asked absentmindedly. Zhuge Yu, wanting to tease her, deliberately said in a serious tone, "I said, Sister Lan, although my grandfather is still asleep and can't see you, you don't have to be so disappointed, do you? We're both in the capital, there will always be a chance."

"It's alright." Fang Zilan waved her hand. "In that case, I'll come to visit another day."

After she finished speaking, the tension from visiting an elder dissipated, and she relaxed. However, just as she stood up, she thought of Pei Poming's wife and sat back down. "Ayu, you don't mind if I have a cup of tea here before I leave, do you?"

Zhuge Yu coughed lightly to cover her laughter, "Sister Lan, are you perhaps worried about Madam Pei?"

Fang Zilan, having her thoughts laid bare by his words, decided not to hide anything anymore and said plaintively, "I'm afraid of her. She's an official's wife, and I can't very well embarrass her too much, but..."

Her next words were replaced by a sigh. Zhuge Yu smiled and said, "Sister Lan, it's rare to see you so troubled."

“I know these things weren’t Madam Pei’s idea. Even if she had a thousand times the courage, she wouldn’t dare to set up Young Master Pei.” Fang Zilan said in one breath, “However, I can’t touch the person behind her, and I certainly can’t take my anger out on a weak woman like her, I…”

Zhuge Yu couldn't help but chuckle, while Fang Zilan frowned. "Ayu, please stop making fun of me."

"Alright." Zhuge Yu restrained himself a little, but the corners of his lips still curved into a beautiful smile. "If Sister Lan feels better, then come with me to see Grandfather."

"What?" Fang Zilan's eyes widened as she suddenly realized, "Ayu, you actually tricked me!"

Zhuge Yu looked completely innocent. Fang Zilan had no choice but to pretend to hit him, but he dodged it, still smiling broadly.

"Ayu, you..." Fang Zilan was interrupted by a stern voice before she could finish speaking, "Where did this girl come from, so rude?"

Zhuge Yu's heart tightened, and he quickly bowed and said, "Grandfather, this is the Duke of Yue, whom I mentioned to you."

Fang Zilan turned around, and before she could even see Zhuge Yu's grandfather's face clearly, she bowed and said, "Junior Fang Zilan greets Lord Zhuge."

"You..." Zhuge Yu's grandfather's tone was full of restraint, "Raise your head and let me see clearly."

Fang Zilan felt very strange, but she still raised her head and met the gaze of Zhuge Yu's grandfather. She saw the shock and astonishment in his eyes without missing a beat. "Lord Zhuge..."

"I've heard that Lord Fang and A-Yu are on very good terms," ​​Zhuge Yu's grandfather interrupted her without any politeness. "However, Lord Fang is of noble birth and his behavior is unconventional, which I'm afraid A-Yu is not worthy of him. Do you understand what I mean, Lord Fang?"

Fang Zilan took a deep breath. Although she didn't know why Zhuge Yu's grandfather was hostile towards her, she still nodded and said, "I understand. Thank you for your guidance, Lord Zhuge. I'll take my leave now."