Don't ask where people go

Chapter 1879 Release
Murong Qing remained unmoved and said, "If you want to know, sister, you might as well ask General Meng."

“The Xiahou family left no survivors.” Fang Zilan raised her hand and grasped the teacup. Murong Qing echoed noncommittally, “I didn’t expect the Xiahou family to be so ruthless.”

“Two possibilities.” Fang Zilan exerted a little force, causing the tea in the teacup to sway, reflecting her cold expression.

"I'd like to hear the details." Murong Qing took a sip of tea, and Fang Zilan said calmly, "Either the Xiahou family knew their identities, and leaving them alive would leave them with leverage, hence this ruthless act."

She paused, and Murong Qing smiled slightly, "If that's the case, General Meng is indeed quite capable, managing to get involved with the Xiahou family."

He pretended not to know, and Fang Zilan did not expose him, only saying, "Or there is another possibility: they are mountain bandits who have a long-standing grudge against the Xiahou family, and neither side has any reason to show mercy."

"Does Sister suspect General Meng of colluding with the bandits?" Murong Qing said meaningfully, then put down her teacup and looked at Fang Zilan, saying, "Sister, which possibility do you think it is?"

“Rather than secretly colluding with the Xiahou family, I'd much rather be in league with the bandits.” Fang Zilan picked up her teacup and drank it all in one gulp. Murong Qing lowered his eyes. “Why?”

"Your Highness, do you really not know?" Fang Zilan's brows were frosty, and Murong Qing said quietly, "The Xiahou family has always been loyal to the emperor and caring for the people, and is the most impregnable barrier in the southeast of the Great Capital. If even such a Xiahou family is secretly colluding with foreign tribes, then the Great Capital is in danger."

He met Fang Zilan's gaze and said, word by word, "Sister, have you ever thought about this? If you're not mistaken, the army of Miluo is colluding with the bandits of Dajing Mountain, working together from the inside and outside. Can the Xiahou family still hold on? Once the Xiahou family falls, what will happen to the southeast, and what will happen to Dajing? You should know better than I do."

“I believe in the Xiahou family.” Fang Zilan gripped her teacup tightly. Murong Qing curled her lips. “Now that General Xiahou is in prison, Mr. Xie is stuck in the position of presiding judge and can’t back down. The Xiahou family head is entangled with the Wu family and may not be as convincing as before. The Xiahou family is on the verge of falling apart. What makes you think you can believe them, sister?”

He put down his teacup and reached out to touch Fang Zilan's fingers. "Sister, you should trust me rather than the Xiahou family. At least I am behaving myself now and will not harm the Great Capital that you cherish."

Fang Zilan did not let go, and Murong Qing did not force her, but simply covered her hand with his. "When will you truly believe that I am of one mind with you, sister?"

"I will believe when you believe." Fang Zilan withdrew her hand without saying a word. Murong Qing glanced at the empty teacup left in her hand. "I offered my heart to the bright moon, but the bright moon does not shine on me."

Fang Zilan remained silent, so Murong Qing continued, "The person who colluded with the bandits is Shang Zhongyi, the young master of Yancheng Manor."

"Why is the young master so certain?" Fang Zilan asked with some doubt. Murong Qing poured her another cup of tea. "The news about Miss Awan was all sent by Xiahou Qi. The idea of ​​disguising themselves as bandits to besiege the Shang family's villa was also his."

Fang Zilan was stunned. "Why would Xiahou Qi do this?"

"To put it bluntly, Xiahou Qi is still surnamed Xiahou, and he is not of the same mind as Shang Zhongyi." Murong Qing explained, "Xiahou Qi is being cunning, thinking that this way he can avoid offending the Zhongzheng Prince's Mansion and the Fang family, and at the same time use the name of mountain bandits to put pressure on the court to release General Xiahou."

“However, Xiahou Qi underestimated the Crown Prince.” Fang Zilan glanced at the refilled teacup but did not move. “A Wan is not enough for you to appreciate his favor.”

“It has nothing to do with gratitude; I merely leaked a few pieces of information to Shang Zhongyi.” Murong Qing tapped the table lightly with her fingers. “He suspects my wife is Zixiu, so of course I must clear my name.” “Whose suspicion?” Fang Zilan sneered. “A mere veil can't fool anyone.”

“A veil is enough.” Murong Qing stared straight at Fang Zilan. “As long as Zixiu wears a veil, the Crown Prince’s wife will never be the same person as her.”

"What..." Awan was interrupted by Murong Qing as soon as she opened her mouth, "I want you to testify for Fang Zilan in order to save her life, as well as the life of your master Wen Ya."

Awan was stunned for a moment, and Murong Qing continued, "You don't need to refuse so quickly. One for two is not a loss."

Awan's hands, hidden in her sleeves, clenched into fists. She had too many questions in her mind, such as how Murong Qing could save Fang Zilan's life given her stubbornness, and what it meant to save Wen Ya's life...

Seeing that Awan remained silent, Murong Qing did not speak again, but simply poured himself a cup of tea, showing rare patience.

"What testimony do you want me to give?" Awan finally couldn't help but ask when she heard her own voice.

"Can I assume that..." Murong Qing put down his teacup, his expression calm, "Miss Awan has agreed?"

"Whether I agree or not depends on what the young master says..." Before Awan could finish speaking, Murong Qing interrupted her, "I will only explain in detail after you agree."

He paused for a moment, then said, "This is for your own good. If you don't want to testify, it's better not to know too much."

However, Awan seemed not to understand Murong Qing's words and asked directly, "Is it related to Lin Family Village?"

Murong Qing raised an eyebrow, signaling Awan to continue, and then she said, "I know Lin Jian is here. His only connection with Fang Zilan is Lin Family Village."

“Miss Awan, you are very clever.” Murong Qing’s eyes showed a hint of approval. “In that case, you should know how to do it.”

"Unfortunately, there are things about Linjia Village that I don't know." Awan bit her lip tightly. "Back then in the village, I was recuperating from illness and wasn't always by Fang Zilan's side. It was Lin Jian..."

“Miss Awan, it’s not difficult to get a nobody like Lin Jian to testify.” Murong Qing’s expression turned cold as she said, word by word, “The difficult part is getting the whole world to believe him.”

He picked up the teacup again, casually toying with it. "A small-time镖头 (bodyguard/escort) who travels all over the country, even if he's not a cunning fellow, is certainly a smooth operator. His words have little credibility in the eyes of the world. What's more, he's speaking for the late Duke of Yue."

"Then will the world believe what I say?" Awan's expression was stern. "I am a physician from the former Duke of Yue's mansion. The world will not believe me, even if I am a loyal servant protecting my master."

“I know.” Murong Qing nodded. “However, Miss Awan, which do you think is more likely to cause a huge uproar and be seized upon, the testimony of the late Duke Yue who came back from the dead, or your testimony, thus turning the tide?”