Don't ask where people go

Chapter 1843 Lead the way
"What do you know?" Mo Yang's voice trembled slightly, almost imperceptibly. Fang Zilan curled her lips into a smile. "That's a question I should be asking Lord Mo. What does your Mo family know that makes you so afraid?"

Mo Yang's expression grew increasingly grim. "You're bluffing me?"

"Lingnan and Guimen are secretly communicating, while Guimen is secretly spying." Fang Zilan's fingers traced the rim of the teacup. "Lord Mo, you actually think I'm bluffing you?"

Mo Yang clenched his fist into a fist hidden in his sleeve, while Fang Zilan's smile widened. "I was able to protect the Fang family not only because of my own ability, but also because the Fang family has lived up to its reputation."

After she finished speaking, she stood up and said, "I have said everything I need to say. If Lord Mo still thinks he is qualified to join forces with me and the Fang family, he might as well show some sincerity. Otherwise, your Mo family will only be able to sacrifice yourselves to the flag."

"You..." Mo Yang opened his mouth, but Fang Zilan interrupted him, "However, the premise is that you can live to the time of the flag sacrifice. If someone can't hold back and makes a move, your Mo family won't even be able to perform the flag sacrifice."

Mo Yang's face turned from green to white, and in the end, he could only say through gritted teeth, "Thank you for your advice, Madam Heir."

After he left, A-Wan pouted, "He just left like that?"

"What can he do if he doesn't leave?" Fang Zilan's lips curled into a half-smile. "It's all in vain."

Awan frowned. "Are you really not afraid that the Mo family will be destroyed?"

"Total destruction?" Fang Zilan pondered the phrase carefully and said calmly, "That would require both to be solid rocks. The Mo family and the Fang family cannot be said to be destroyed together; it would be like throwing an egg against a rock."

"How come I never noticed before that you had such a mean face?" A-Wan clicked her tongue, and Fang Zilan chuckled, "Perhaps I hid it too well before."

"I don't think so." A-Wan shook her head. Fang Zilan looked at her and asked, "Then what does little A-Wan think?"

“Before, when you were in a high position, people would think twice before speaking to you. Regardless of whether they were sincere or not, at least they showed respect,” Awan said matter-of-factly. “But it’s different now. One or two people come up to you and try to take advantage of you. If you don’t say a few harsh words to them, they’ll probably start riding on your head.”

Fang Zilan's smile faded. "But now I am in a high position."

“It’s different.” Awan said seriously, “You are the Crown Prince’s wife. First you were the Crown Prince, then you were the wife. To put it bluntly, how others treat you is always due to the Crown Prince’s protection. But how others treated you before was entirely because you are Fang Zilan.”

Fang Zilan, a nobleman unparalleled in the entire capital.

“Awan, I’m still Fang Zilan.” Fang Zilan’s voice was muffled. Awan nodded gently. “I know, you’re still the Fang Zilan who can turn the world upside down with a flick of your wrist. I just…”

She paused, then whispered, "I feel stifled."

“Awan, listen to me.” Fang Zilan grasped Awan’s hand, slightly bent her knees, and looked her straight in the eye. “You are the only one who knows what I’m going to do, and the only one who knows I don’t have long to live…”

“I…” Awan interrupted Fang Zilan, but Fang Zilan took her words back, “I don’t have much time left, so rather than feeling resentful, I want to focus my energy on achieving my goals. Whether it’s harshness or respect, I can do whatever it takes.”

“But they won’t understand…” Awan started to say, but Fang Zilan interrupted her, “Isn’t there you? I never care what others say. As long as you’re here, I’m not misunderstood.”

“I don’t understand either.” A-Wan turned her head away, avoiding Fang Zilan’s gaze. “I thought you didn’t want the Xiahou family to get involved, but General Xiahou is in prison. I thought you and Lord Zhuge were friends, but I didn’t expect him to suddenly be suspected of poisoning the young master. Fang Zilan, if this continues, no one is innocent, and no one can remain unscathed.” Murong Qing couldn’t even stand up, so Fang Zilan simply pulled him closer and whispered in his ear, “Young Master, do you really want to stop here?”

Her words were like a feather, touching Murong Qing's heartstrings. He gritted his teeth and stood up with all his might.

The two supported each other and stumbled to the edge of the pit. With the help of Li Qiyou and Zhuge Yu, they finally emerged from the deep pit.

“Miss Fang…” Li Qiyou’s voice was filled with relief at surviving the ordeal, and the last syllable rose in pitch, but he was trembling violently.

"I..." Fang Zilan opened her mouth, but her legs went weak, and she collapsed straight down as if all her strength had left her.

Li Qiyou quickly caught Fang Zilan, preventing her from falling to the ground. Zhuge Yu, who was standing nearby, pulled Murong Qing over and, after confirming that the loyal prince only had external injuries, breathed a sigh of relief.

The two exchanged glances, resigned themselves to their fate, and each helped one of them out of the palace.

Marquis Meng Tingyang paced anxiously back and forth at the palace gate. When he saw Li Qiyou and Zhuge Yu bringing out the Crown Prince and his wife, his heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally calmed down a bit.

But upon seeing the bloodstains on the two individuals, Meng Tingyang couldn't help but gasp, "This is..."

"Now is not the time to talk." Zhuge Yu's expression was inscrutable. He handed Murong Qing to Meng Tingyang, "Please, General Meng, take the young master and his wife back to the manor for treatment as soon as possible."

"Yes." Meng Tingyang nodded, then instructed his men to help Murong Qing into the carriage. He then bowed respectfully to Li Qiyou and Zhuge Yu, saying, "Thank you both, esteemed guests."

After he finished speaking, he straightened up and looked at Fang Zilan in Li Qiyou's arms, "Your Highness Prince Yucheng, please hand over the Crown Prince's wife to me."

Li Qiyou ignored him, but Zhuge Yu frowned slightly and reminded him, "Your Highness Prince Yucheng, Miss Fang is now the wife of the Crown Prince Zhongzheng, you..."

“I know.” Li Qiyou interrupted Zhuge Yu’s next words, repeating it softly, “I know.”

Meng Tingyang glanced at Li Qiyou, then at Zhuge Yu, and said with difficulty, "Your Highness Prince Yucheng, Lord Zhuge, the Crown Prince and his wife are both seriously injured. If we delay, what if..."

“She’ll be fine.” Li Qiyou interrupted Meng Tingyang in a deep voice and finally handed Fang Zilan over.

Meng Tingyang gave an awkward reply, but before he could take Fang Zilan from him, a dark figure grabbed Fang Zilan's arm first.

"General Meng, being a man, has many inconveniences. Why not entrust the care of the Crown Prince's wife to me?"

The woman was dressed in a dark sacrificial robe, her face covered by a black veil, obscuring her features. Only her clear, melodious voice resonated with those who heard it; she was none other than the high priestess from the platform just moments before.

As expected, Meng Tingyang's expression changed, and he bowed his head, saying, "I dare not trouble the High Priest..."

The high priest ignored Meng Tingyang's words and said directly, "General Meng, please lead the way."