Don't ask where people go

Chapter 1870 Feelings

"A tall tree catches the wind. Do you think anyone would believe me if I said that?" Fang Zilan opened her eyes helplessly and looked at Awan, saying, "Only you would believe such a thing."

Awan pouted and shook her arm. "Fang Zilan, you actually came up with this method yourself, didn't you?"

"Whether it's what I think or not, what does it have to do with you?" Fang Zilan looked at her with amusement. "Anyway, you're going to cut ties with me as soon as you return to the capital, so why should I tell you?"

Awan angrily shook off her arm. "You're repaying kindness with enmity! If I hadn't discovered that the woman in Linjia Village was using a Su family formula, you probably wouldn't be sitting here talking like this. And if it weren't for me, would you have regained some of your memories so quickly?"

"I repay kindness with enmity?" Fang Zilan's lips curled slightly. "Fine, then I'll be kind this once. Awan, if you want to return to the Ghost Gate, inform Wen Ya in advance and see his reaction. Remember not to tell the young master directly."

"What do you mean?" Awan asked, puzzled. Fang Zilan just smiled and said, "If you want to live, do as I say."

Awan gasped. "You mean, if the young master finds out I returned to the Ghost Gate, he'll kill me?"

"Otherwise what?" Fang Zilan lightly tapped her forehead with her finger. "I thought you'd learned your lesson these past two years, but why are you so clueless about your own affairs? You've gambled your life on mine, so you're now bound to me. With your character, do you think you can escape unscathed after breaking your promise?"

"You're doing just fine, I haven't gone back on my word." Awan turned her head away and retorted stubbornly, but she knew in her heart that her words were very true. If she insisted on going back, regardless of whether her master agreed or not, the young master would be the first to not let her off.

“Little Awan, I know you were just saying that out of anger that day…” Fang Zilan was interrupted before she could finish speaking. “I wasn’t just saying that out of anger. I was really scared. There are wolves in front and tigers behind. No matter what I choose, I have no way to survive.”

"What's the use of being afraid? Survival isn't something given to us by others." Fang Zilan composed herself, her voice turning colder. "Since all four directions are filled with tigers and wolves, we must either slay the tigers or kill the wolves. We can always carve out a way to survive."

Awan laughed self-deprecatingly, "Slaying tigers and killing wolves, do you think I could do that?"

"Why not?" Fang Zilan retorted, her tone almost matter-of-fact, revealing an unspeakable ambition.

“Ah Wan, from the moment we stepped out of the Gate of Hell and stood under the sun, we were destined to fight.” She sat up straight and said solemnly, “Fighting with enemies, fighting with our own kind, open and covert struggles, white bones and blood, only then can mountains and rivers be built.”

Awan seemed to understand but not quite, "It's all fighting, how is it any different from what we did in the Gate of Hell?"

“With the sun shining, one can be more upright and honorable,” Fang Zilan said, half-jokingly and half-seriously. “Fighting in the Gates of Hell is for self-preservation. Fighting here is for gaining power. Isn’t that how I acquired my absolute authority?”

"Do we have to fight for the right to speak?" Awan rested her chin on her hand and said thoughtfully, "Living under the sun is too tiring, it's better to go back to the underworld."

Fang Zilan leaned closer to her and asked, "Little Awan, would you rather live a life of fear and trembling in the shadows, living in the gates of hell, than risk your life to stand in the sunlight and see the world?"

Awan was stunned, and without thinking, blurted out, "Didn't I gamble my life on you?"

“That’s true.” Fang Zilan suddenly laughed. “Since that’s the case, then you have no choice but to follow my lead.”

Awan glared at her, annoyed, and said, "How did I end up with you?" "Nothing in this world is set in stone. Even Emperor Tai'an is not perfect, let alone what is just a play?" Fang Zilan said, stepping forward to stand shoulder to shoulder with Zhuge Yu. "Change is the key to progress. I think Your Highness understands this principle."

"Lord Fang, how can you be so insolent?" Someone nearby couldn't stand it any longer and angrily rebuked, "Offending the late emperor is an unforgivable crime."

Li Qiyou glanced at the crowd, signaling them to keep quiet. Then he said coldly, "Lord Fang, the rehearsal of the opera is of great importance; we cannot allow you to act recklessly."

"Acting recklessly?" Fang Zilan suddenly laughed. "Your Highness, you were the one who invited me here in the first place. How come you think I'm acting recklessly now? Since that's the case, I'll prove the words 'acting recklessly' to be true today."

She stopped smiling, her expression turning grim, and said, "If the play isn't changed, I will stop performing."

"Lord Fang, do you know the consequences of boycotting the performance?" Li Qiyou clenched his fists, his expression indignant, but Fang Zilan smiled calmly, "Consequences? As the Duke of Yue, I only obey His Majesty's orders within the capital. If Your Highness has any grievances, you may go to His Majesty to request permission, and I will do as I please."

“Otherwise,” she paused, her eyes sparkling, “I would appreciate it if Your Highness would seek a more capable advisor and take heed of this.”

Fang Zilan dragged out the last sentence, "Take care of yourself," and Li Qiyou's expression changed, but he dared not lash out. Just as he was about to say something, she casually tossed the wooden sword in her hand and stuck it into the ground between the two of them.

It was clearly a prop for a traditional opera without any blades, yet it cleaved a crack in the ground, serving as an obvious warning and an undeniable pressure.

In the northern border, Li Qiyou had witnessed Fang Zilan's ruthlessness. She was not only ruthless to others, but even more ruthless to herself. Her word was law, and even his status as the Prince of Dajing could not sway her in the slightest.

Fang Zilan clasped her hands in front of her, glanced at everyone in the hall, and said casually, her imposing manner dissipating, "Since there's nothing for me here, I'll take my leave. Farewell, everyone."

After she finished speaking, she straightened her sleeves and walked out with graceful poise.

However, just as she reached the entrance of the Lotus Palace, she saw Xiahou Zhang stride in.

Xiahou Zhang walked straight up to Fang Zilan and blocked her way, saying solemnly, "Lord Fang, His Majesty requests your presence."

Fang Zilan nodded slightly and gestured to Xiahou Zhang, saying, "Lead the way." Then the two left Lianhua Palace.

The remaining people looked at each other in bewilderment, and one of the bolder ones tentatively asked, "Your Highness, will our village opera still be performed?"

Li Qiyou looked gloomy as he placed his hand on the hilt of the wooden sword. However, with a little force, the wooden sword broke under the weight.

With a crisp sound, his voice deepened, yet carried an unspeakable resolve: "Line up."

Fang Zilan followed Xiahou Zhang to the Imperial Study. The Imperial Study was quiet and she walked very quietly. So when she got close to Li Shengxuan, he was still engrossed in his official duties and did not even look up. But as if he sensed something, he said, "I know it's you."

(End of this chapter)