Don't ask where people go

Chapter 1868 Guarding
"Miss Awan, did you already know?" Zheng Yan's voice trembled slightly. Awan feigned ignorance and said, "Know what? Let me go!"

"If you don't know, why did you insist on coming along?" Zheng Yan asked urgently. A-Wan glared at him unhappily. "What do I know? If my master hadn't sent me here, do you think I would have wanted to come to this wretched place? What a desolate and treacherous place..."

Zheng Yan was speechless after being choked by A Wan's words, so he let go of her hand and awkwardly said, "Sorry."

Awan, seemingly too lazy to argue with him, ran towards Fang Zilan with a beaming smile and said, "This beautiful and kind-hearted sister, I see you don't look too well. May I take your pulse?"

Fang Zilan coughed lightly, thinking to herself, "She's still wearing a veil. How did Awan figure out that she's beautiful and kind-hearted, and that she looks unwell? This little girl, I wonder who she learned that from, she can actually lie through her teeth."

However, before she could say anything, Awan had already eagerly grabbed her hand and began to concentrate on taking her pulse.

"Good sister, your body is so weak!" Awan pouted, dissatisfied. "How many days has it been since you've slept?"

Hearing this, Zheng Yan, who had come over to listen, became a little anxious. Seeing this, Fang Zilan tried to cover it up by explaining, "The village has been quite unsettled lately, and I just can't sleep."

"Really?" Awan's face was full of disbelief. Zheng Yan opened his mouth, but after a long while, he managed to squeeze out a sentence, "Miss, you must take care of yourself."

"Thank you, General." Fang Zilan bowed subtly, and Zheng Yan waved his hand and returned the bow.

The sight of the two bowing at the same time amused Awan, who laughed and said, "Alright, with me here, I guarantee you'll stay healthy and sleep soundly."

Zhuge Yu, watching the three of them enjoying themselves nearby, had an inscrutable expression. Sure enough, Fang Zilan was not dead.

Not only did Li Shengxuan and Fang Ziqin know about this, but Wen Ya and A Wan also knew. On the contrary, he and Zheng Yan only found out now.

A surge of resentment welled up within me, but vanished in an instant. As long as a person is alive, what does it matter whether he knows or not?
Only now did he truly realize the faint sense of relief in his heart. Now, seeing that relief come true, his heart felt incredibly comforted.

Seeing that Zhuge Yu's expression gradually softened and his eyes held a warmth he had never seen before, the attendant beside him couldn't help but ask curiously, "Does Your Excellency know that Miss Zixiu?"

"I don't recognize him." Zhuge Yu composed himself, and the attendant asked doubtfully, "But I saw that you, sir..."

"I just suddenly remembered an old friend." Zhuge Yu interrupted the attendant, who pursed his lips, and asked cautiously, "May I ask who this old friend of yours is?"

Zhuge Yu glanced at the attendant indifferently. He knew that the attendant was just following orders and was arranged by his grandfather to stay by his side. So he had to be aware of everything. Therefore, he did not hide anything and said frankly, "She once fought bravely and bloodily in front of me, while I strategized and guided her from behind. She and I are sworn brothers."

The attendant paused, having served Zhuge Yu for some time. He had heard from the elders of the household that their second young master was extremely aloof and always maintained a measured distance in his interactions with others. To hear the words "sworn brothers" uttered by this second young master was truly a novel experience.

Fang Zilan had excellent hearing and heard every word Zhuge Yu said. She looked over and their eyes met. Although they didn't say a word, it was as if a thousand words were spoken. "General, with this young lady treating me, I will be fine," Fang Zilan reminded him. "But the Imperial Envoy is different; he still needs your protection."

Zheng Yan nodded in agreement, leaving behind a look of earnest hope, before following Zhuge Yu away.

"They're all gone," A-Wan said irritably. "Now can you tell me the truth?"

Fang Zilan teased, "Young lady, you are beautiful, kind-hearted, and have superb medical skills. Can't you see that?"

Zhong Yao coughed twice, and Fang Zilan frowned almost imperceptibly. Was he really sick?
"Although the eighteen cities of Yanzhou appear peaceful on the surface, they are, after all, border regions. A slight mishap could lead to trouble. I dare not shirk my duties." Zhong Yao's voice was somewhat hoarse, while Huangfu Lin's tone was tinged with amusement. "Lord Zhong's dedication is truly admirable."

Huangfu Lin then changed the subject, "But if this continues, it's not a good idea to keep Lord Zhong's illness going. My nephew Huangfu Chen is intelligent and capable, so why not let him stay by Lord Zhong's side and be at his beck and call?"

Fang Zilan pursed her lips and shook her head. She knew that old fox Huangfu Lin wouldn't come unless there was a reason. Sure enough, he came to plant spies.

She straightened her sleeves, preparing to go inside, when she suddenly heard Zhong Yao's voice, tinged with suppressed anger, "General Huangfu, what are you doing? Don't you trust your humble servant?"

"Lord Zhong, what are you saying?" Huangfu Lin quickly denied. "It's just that the Shangguan family has only recently fallen from power, and Lord Fang has just taken office. It's inevitable that she'll make things difficult for the old Shangguan family members. Lord Zhong comes from humble origins, making her a perfect target for her to manipulate. That's why I'm worried..."

"What a scoundrel Huangfu Lin!" Fang Zilan clenched her fists in anger. He actually went to Zhong Yao to sow discord.

She had said long ago that if Shangguan Jiuren behaved himself, she would naturally follow suit. But now, with Huangfu Lin's meddling, the conflict between her and Shangguan Jiuren will only intensify.

Although she was furious inside, she remained calm on the surface and patiently listened to how Zhong Yao would respond.

“Lord Huangfu, you are mistaken.” Zhong Yao coughed a few more times. “The Shangguan family has shown me great kindness, and I will repay that kindness even if it means my own death.”

"Why risk your life and fortune just to repay a debt of gratitude?" Huangfu Lin sighed. "It's better to stay alive than to risk everything, Lord Zhong."

"As the prefect of Yanzhou, how can I be afraid of death? No matter what Fang Zilan does, I will not be afraid of a woman like her." Zhong Yao said the last half of his sentence with righteous indignation, but with a hint of disdain.

Fang Zilan felt an inexplicable fire burning brighter and brighter in her chest. She rushed into the front hall almost uncontrollably. Huangfu Lin and Zhong Yao in the hall did not expect her to rush in suddenly. They were stunned and stood there without even having time to bow.

"Lord Zhong, you are indeed grateful and ungrateful. Then do you know how the Shangguan family's kindness should be repaid?" Fang Zilan's lips curled up, revealing an indescribable sarcasm. Zhong Yao was taken aback by her question and subconsciously asked, "Lord Fang, what do you think this humble official should do to repay this kindness?"

(End of this chapter)