Don't ask where people go

Chapter 1849 Capture
The argument escalated and inevitably reached Awan's ears. She jumped off the carriage, frowned, and asked, "What's wrong with you?"

Fang Zilan did not respond to Awan's words, but said to herself, "If I can fight for justice, it will be the best tribute to Mo Han."

Upon hearing this, Awan suddenly realized what was happening, as if her suspicions had been confirmed, and she breathed a sigh of relief.

When she first heard that they were going to Mushan Pass, she had a vague guess in her mind, and now it was finally confirmed. Sure enough, their trip to Mushan Pass was to pay tribute to Mo Han.

However, after Mo Han died, he was mistaken for Xu You's son, Xu Yi, and buried in the Xu family's ancestral tomb, not the Mo family's ancestral tomb in Mushan Pass. Will we really be able to see it on this trip?

"Sister, are you truly fighting for justice for Mo Han, or are you using this as an excuse to avoid seeing Mo Han?" Murong Qing's voice came from the carriage, still resounding even through the curtain, leaving Fang Zilan speechless for a long time.

"Who says I don't dare to see Mo Han?" After a long while, Fang Zilan finally heard her own voice, which was so heavy that it made it hard for her to breathe.

The tactic of provocation always works. Thinking this, Murong Qing also got off the carriage. "If you dare, why haven't you gone to see him even once in the past few months?"

"Whether I see him or not is my business, what's it to you?" Fang Zilan gritted her teeth and said, "Murong Qing, you..."

“It has nothing to do with me.” Murong Qing interrupted Fang Zilan’s next words, and said seriously, “But I know that if you can’t say goodbye properly, you will never let go.”

Fang Zilan stared blankly at Murong Qing, listening as he continued, "If you hadn't fought for me that day, and I hadn't returned to the Prince's Mansion to see my mother one last time, I'm afraid I wouldn't be alive now."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "And before that, if you hadn't let me see Mr. Zuo one last time... I wouldn't have hated him so fiercely."

The last half of his sentence seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth, revealing an indescribable ruthlessness, making even his pale and delicate face appear much more ferocious.

"Do I hate her?" Fang Zilan murmured to herself. If she had to say what she hated most, it would probably be herself, the one who couldn't protect Mo Han and get her away unscathed.

No matter what happened to the Duke of Yue, or Zi Xiu, she ultimately couldn't even protect her only remaining family member.

“Sister, if you are unwilling, I will go in your place…” Murong Qing was interrupted by Fang Zilan’s sharp voice before she could finish speaking, “You are not qualified.”

Her face was ashen, her lips pressed tightly together. "If I want to go, I'll go myself." With that, she took a horse from a servant and rode alone towards Mushan Pass.

Awan stomped her foot in frustration, but Murong Qing laughed, "Finally, I can repay her once."

"Your Highness, do you even know who Mo Han is?" A-Wan looked at Murong Qing and said angrily, "To put it bluntly, Your Highness, as an outsider, you shouldn't be interfering in this matter..."

“I know.” Murong Qing watched the figure disappear from sight. “I understand even more why they are so determined to kill Mo Han. Just like why they are so determined to force my mother to her death.”

"What do you mean?" Awan was completely bewildered. Murong Qing snorted coldly, "Since they've forced us to this point, then don't blame us for being impolite." "You?" Awan felt a chill run down her spine. Could it be that Fang Zilan had really joined forces with Murong Qing? But Murong Qing was, after all, the loyal heir of Miluo...

"Let's go." Murong Qing returned to the carriage and ordered Meng Tingyang to speed up the horse. Finally, they caught up with Fang Zilan the following evening.

"Cheng Zhiyan, the evidence is conclusive. Do you admit it or not?" Li Qiyou's hand holding the letter tightened suddenly, the pages becoming more wrinkled, but nothing could sway his heart anymore.

Cheng Zhiyan suddenly burst into laughter, "May I ask, Madam, where did you obtain this letter? Madam, do you know that your husband, the Loyal and Upright Heir of Miluo, is actually Mr. Zuo's..."

“I know.” Fang Zilan interrupted Cheng Zhiyan expressionlessly. “My husband, Murong Qing, is Mr. Zuo’s student.”

Her words immediately aroused public outrage. For a time, it became unclear who was the traitor.

Murong Qing, who was listening in, clenched his fists tightly. He was not unaware that Fang Zilan would push him out. On the contrary, when he saw Mr. Zuo's letter, he knew that this moment would come.

He wasn't entirely clear on what Mr. Zuo was planning, but he didn't dare say he was completely uninvolved either.

Since she wasn't entirely innocent, it was only a matter of time before she was dragged into this. Fang Zilan's actions, seemingly a noble act of sacrificing family ties, raise the question: can she truly absolve herself of all responsibility?
Is she only satisfied when everyone else is dragged down and trampled to death?

Li Qiyou gestured for everyone to be quiet, then raised the letter in his hand and waved it, "This letter does not mention Murong Qing, the loyal heir of Miluo. Cheng Zhiyan, don't make baseless accusations."

"Does the absence of mention equate to innocence?" Cheng Zhiyan, as if determined to fight to the death, straightened his knees and shouted, "Mr. Zuo mentioned in his letter that if Dajing sues for peace and pays tribute, it must give an extra 20% to the Prince Zhongzheng's Mansion..."

"Lord Cheng, does this mean you've confessed?" Fang Zilan interrupted Cheng Zhiyan, but Li Qiyou frowned. Although he had only skimmed through it, he was certain that not a single word mentioned the Prince Zhongzheng's Mansion, let alone any deal involving an extra 20%.

But now that things have come to this, faced with overwhelming evidence, Cheng Zhiyan has no reason to lie. Besides, what benefit would he gain from dragging Murong Qing into this?
Murong Qing, who was listening in, was lost in thought and had already guessed the general idea from their reactions. Fang Zilan had not only secretly switched Mr. Zuo's letters, but also taken away the parts related to the Zhongzheng Prince's Mansion.

Therefore, in Li Qiyou's eyes, Cheng Zhiyan's words were nothing but slander. But why would Fang Zilan do such a thing?

"Lady of the Crown Prince, did you tamper with the letter? Could it be for the sake of the Crown Prince's loyalty..." Cheng Zhiyan suddenly realized, "Oh, so you're the one who's colluding with the enemy."

Li Qiyou pursed his lips. He knew it was not the right time to delve into the matter. It was best to control Cheng Zhiyan for now. However, before he could say anything, Qian Wenxiang questioned, "May I ask, Your Highness's wife, where did this letter come from?"

Fang Zilan glanced at Qian Wenxiang kneeling beside Cheng Zhiyan, looking at him as if it were none of her business. But Qian Wenxiang continued to press her, saying, "If the source is illegitimate, it's hard not to doubt its authenticity."

"Lord Qian, are you suspicious of the letters, or of me?" Fang Zilan asked indifferently. Qian Wenxiang hesitated for a moment, then said awkwardly, "Of course, it's the letters..."

“If it is a letter, then Lord Qian need not doubt it.” Awan stepped forward and said neither humbly nor arrogantly, “This letter was entrusted to the Crown Prince’s wife for safekeeping.”