Don't ask where people go

Chapter 1997 Worries
"Yes." Mu Chuji nodded. "Fang Zilan's order to seize the grain supplies shows that Dajing is indeed powerless to resist, otherwise it would not have lost so many cities in succession and would not have retaliated."

Murong Xun nodded slightly. "Even so, she still opened the city gates and rescued the people into Qiluo City. Was this within your expectations?"

“No.” Mu Chuji said without hesitation, “Fang Zilan became famous in one battle, slaughtering the entire Liujin City and killing everyone in Sanyuan Village. I didn’t think she was a soft-hearted person.”

“Her ruthlessness is always directed at her enemies.” Murong Xun slowly poured a cup of tea and handed it to Mu Chuji. “You should have heard about her venturing into the southeastern epidemic area alone. She has a strong sense of righteousness and is always willing to go to great lengths. Moreover, if she doesn’t open the city gates, it will chill the hearts of the people and lead to defeat without a fight.”

"Sir, you are right. I was not thoughtful enough." Mu Chuji lowered her eyes and said, "I feel very guilty that you have caused the massacre of the city for me and committed such a heinous crime."

"Your Highness, there's no need for that." Murong Xun poured himself a cup of tea, held it in his hand without moving, and said leisurely, "You forced Fang Zilan to open the city gates, wasn't that to test her skills and find her weaknesses?"

Mu Chuji's expression froze for a moment, then he immediately bowed respectfully and said, "This student knows his mistake, please forgive me, sir." Just now he seemed frank, but in reality he had been cunning and hadn't told the truth. But how could he hide it from Murong Xun? He didn't say it on the surface, but now his question clearly indicated that he had already known that Fang Zilan would open the city gate.

Murong Xun took a sip of tea, ignoring his words, and simply asked, "Did you find it?"

"Fang Zilan's skills are the best I've ever seen. Every move is clean and swift, almost instinctive, without any flaws." Mu Chuji changed the subject as she spoke, "However, even though she is extremely skilled, she is still just one person. If we keep her occupied for too long, she will run out of energy and die."

"How long did you hold her off?" Murong Xun asked expressionlessly. Mu Chuji replied honestly, "An hour and a half was her limit."

"That's rare." Murong Xun looked at Mu Chuji thoughtfully. "What do you think?"

“Indeed rare.” Mu Chuji said earnestly, “I remember the master once told me that the brave and skilled warriors are generals, the strategists are commanders, and the vigilant ministers are prime ministers. I can see some of these qualities in Fang Zilan. The most important point is that she is completely fearless of death. That day, she had clearly reached her limit, but she did not retreat even half a step.”

“Such a person’s very existence is the greatest obstacle.” Murong Xun withdrew his gaze. “Your Highness, what are your intentions in this situation?”

After a long pause, Mu Chuji said, word by word, "Attack the city, the faster the better."

Murong Xun did not answer. Mu Chuji felt an invisible pressure enveloping him, making him sweat profusely, but he dared not make a sound.

Only when a bead of sweat fell to the ground did he hear Murong Xun's voice, "Those who follow the righteous path receive much help, while those who stray from it receive little. If we cannot fight to the bitter end before Dajing recovers its strength, we will be defeated. Li Shengxuan knows this, which is why he sent Fang Zilan, such a tough nut to crack, to defend Qiluo City. In that case, this thorn must be removed."

"Does the master think we can't win?" Mu Chuji couldn't help but ask. Murong Xun said quietly, "Human greed is like a snake trying to swallow an elephant. Dajing is like an elephant; it can't be swallowed whole in the Miluo River, and it's easy for it to choke. Your Highness, how do you think we should consider this battle a victory?"

"Your Majesty's idea is to move the border line northward and expand our territory in Miluo," Mu Chuji replied. "Therefore, as long as we can pose a threat to Dajing and force Dajing to negotiate with us, cede territory and pay tribute, we will have won this battle."

“Simply creating a threat is not enough; a sufficient threat is needed to achieve our objective.” Murong Xun’s expression sharpened slightly. “Slay the flag and kill the commander, advance unimpeded, and do not let your guard down.” “Yes, sir.” Mu Chuji replied, “I will personally lead the attack on the city and vow to take Fang Zilan’s head.”

"Leave the siege to Jiang Hanze. You stay here." Murong Xun's tone was unquestionable. Mu Chuji was stunned for a moment, "Why..."

"Your Highness, do you know what to do when one is caught in a dilemma?" After asking, Murong said without waiting for Mu Chuji's reply, "If someone is as brave as Fang Zilan, they will risk everything and fight to the death to kill the tiger and survive. Therefore, Jiang Hanze can do this tiger, I can do this tiger, but Your Highness cannot do this tiger."

Mu Chuji understood immediately and said in a low voice, "Sir, are you afraid of my royal brother..." He didn't finish his sentence. A look of worry flashed in Murong Xun's eyes, but he didn't say anything.

Mu Chuji blurted out instinctively, "Don't worry, sir. With me here, Jiang Hanze wouldn't dare to complain to the Emperor, much less do anything to you."

“Jiang Hanze was trained by me. Even if his heart is no longer with me, I have ways to deal with him. Your Highness need not worry.” Murong Xun said calmly. Mu Chuji realized that she had spoken out of turn, opened her mouth, and finally only said “I’ll take my leave.”

"Your Highness, please wait." Murong Xun paused for a long while before asking, "How are your injuries, Your Highness?"

"Mr. Lao, you are no longer in any serious condition." Mu Chuji smiled slightly and bowed to Murong Xun again. He sighed softly and said, "I hope Your Highness will take care of yourself in the future and not worry about this old man."

"Sir, you jest." Mu Chuji's smile widened as he joked, "If you are all old bones, then wouldn't all those idle, good-for-nothing people in the court have turned to dust?"

"Does it really matter who you are?" Fang Zilan still had a faint smile on her face and said casually, "Young Master Zhuge, to be fair, have I ever done anything to harm the capital?"

"Fang Zilan, do you have to deceive yourself like this?" Zhuge Yu sneered. "Just because you don't do it today doesn't mean you won't do it in the future. Once the people behind you stand against Dajing, will you still have a choice?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Fang Zilan felt as if something in her heart had shattered and scattered all over the ground.

Zhuge Yu is right; she is deceiving herself.

She always thought that once she had carved out her own place, she could live a peaceful and stable life, but she knew very well that this was just an illusion.

Why did Ji Ningtian want her to become someone Li Shengxuan could rely on? It was so that one day she would turn against him and deliver a fatal blow to Li Shengxuan.

The higher she climbs, the more ruthless she will be in harming Li Shengxuan and damaging Dajing in the future.

However, if she gave up, she would be the one to die. If she wanted to live, she could only selfishly anticipate the outcome and climb upwards by any means necessary, suffering yet remaining clear-headed.