Don't ask where people go

Chapter 2014 Reincarnation
The head of the Wu family had a "what's the use" attitude. "The culprit in the Southeast case is Prince Rong'an, or at the very least, the Xiahou family. What does it have to do with me? What does it have to do with the Wu family?"

"Lord Wen is dead." Fang Zilan looked at the Wu family head with disappointment, and before she could say anything, she heard him say, "Wen Ran is also dead."

“Lord Wu is in prison, yet his information network is better than most people’s,” Fang Zilan said coldly. “Since you already knew they would die, you should know who was behind it.”

The head of the Wu family avoided Fang Zilan's gaze, saying, "The Ghost Gate is all-powerful; why ask me for answers?"

"Lord Wu, do you think I won't dare to touch you just because you're a wanted criminal?" Fang Zilan raised her hand and grabbed the iron bars, moving even closer. "Even if you're in prison, I have plenty of ways to make you wish you were dead."

"Is that so?" The Wu family patriarch remained noncommittal, while Fang Zilan curled her lips. "Besides, it's not even my place to make a move."

After she finished speaking, she released her grip, straightened her sleeves, and the head of the Wu family looked at her warily, "What do you mean?"

Fang Zilan did not answer, but changed the subject and said, "I have heard that Yancheng Manor is famous, and many young men from prominent families in Lingnan study there. I wonder if there are any members of the Wu family among them?"

"You mean... people from Yancheng Manor have come?" The Wu family patriarch's face turned pale, while Fang Zilan's smile widened, though there was no hint of amusement in her eyes. "Lord Wu, you have not yet answered my question."

The Wu family patriarch remained silent, seemingly acquiescing. Fang Zilan then continued, "A few days ago, a villa belonging to the Shang family was suddenly attacked by bandits, resulting in many deaths. It is said that they were students from Yancheng Manor. I wonder if any members of the Wu family were among them..."

"What?" The Wu family patriarch was struck dumb, and asked in a daze, "Are you telling the truth?"

“Of course it’s true.” Fang Zilan’s smile faded. “General Xiahou Ze personally led his men to our door to rescue Shang Zhongyi, the young master of Yancheng Manor, and Xiahou Qi of the Xiahou family. As for the others…”

She deliberately dragged out her words, and the Wu family patriarch stood up impatiently, "What about the others?"

"We're waiting to identify the body and notify the family to collect it," Fang Zilan said coldly. The Wu family head shook his head violently. "I don't believe you. You must be lying to me!"

Fang Zilan's expression was cold and stern. "Why would I lie to you?"

“I understand what Mr. Xie means, please rest assured.” Fang Chongzheng returned the bow. “Once Lord Xiahou returns, I will make sure they come to the capital no matter what.”

"Lord Fang always keeps his word." Xie Chen maintained his bowing posture. "In this situation in the Southeast, I urge Lord Fang not to interfere any further."

“The Fang family has already been dragged into this.” Fang Chongzheng straightened up and looked at Xie Chen in front of him. “I’m sorry I can’t grant Mr. Xie’s request.”

Xie Chen straightened up, meeting Shang Chongzheng's gaze directly. "Since that's the case..."

“Mr. Xie, investigate however you wish.” Fang Chongzheng interrupted Xie Chen without any politeness. “Lan’er wants the truth, and the world should also have the truth.”

Xie Chen clenched his fist, which was hidden in his sleeve. "Lord Fang, whose truth is this so-called truth you speak of?"

Fang Chongzheng didn't speak. He suddenly looked at where Fang Zilan was hiding. She felt inexplicably guilty—had they been discovered?
That shouldn't be the case. With her skills, even a martial arts master wouldn't necessarily notice her, let alone Fang Chongzheng or Xie Chen...

“If Mr. Xie wants to know, then find out for yourself.” Fang Chongzheng withdrew his gaze. Fang Zilan was confused, but she vaguely felt that he knew something, or that he knew more than she thought.

Xie Chen said nothing more, simply said "Farewell," and turned to leave. Seeing this, Fang Zilan also planned to leave quietly, but as soon as she stood up, everything went blurry. She instinctively grabbed a nearby tree for support; the trunk swayed, and the branches rustled, attracting Fang Chongzheng's attention.

"Why didn't you use the door?" Fang Chongzheng's voice came from near and far. Fang Zilan shook her head, trying to clear her mind, but her legs felt as weak as if she were stepping on cotton. The next moment, she knelt down on the ground with a thud.

"Lan'er?" Fang Chongzheng rushed over and helped Fang Zilan up. "What happened to you? Are you injured?"

"I was poisoned by snake venom." Fang Zilan's breathing was unsteady, and her voice trembled slightly.

Fang Chongzheng was taken aback. "Where did you go?"

"The Du family pawnshop," Fang Zilan said, not intending to hide anything from Fang Chongzheng, "that coffin shop, you know it?"

Fang Chongzheng's expression changed almost imperceptibly. "Hold on, I'll go find Miss Awan to treat you right away."

"No need." Fang Zilan shook off Fang Chongzheng's hand and leaned against the tree. "There is no poison in the world that can harm me. I will only feel uncomfortable for a while."

Fang Chongzheng was silent for a moment, "Lan'er, just consider it as putting my mind at ease..."

"Whatever." Fang Zilan interrupted Fang Chongzheng, her lips tightly pressed together as if she were in great pain.

Fang Chongzheng summoned a servant and instructed him, "Go and invite Miss Awan over," before sitting down next to Fang Zilan.

"What are you doing at the Du family pawnshop?" Fang Chongzheng's voice was soft, but Fang Zilan could still hear him clearly. "To get the account books and find evidence."

"You've got Dugu Linxiu's account book, and you also have Qianjinfang's account book..." Before Fang Chongzheng could finish speaking, Fang Zilan sat up straight. "How do you know everything?"

Fang Chongzheng did not answer, but said quietly, "You can't get your hands on the Du family pawnshop's ledger."

"Did the Fang family... also do business with the Du family's pawnshop?" Fang Zilan gritted her teeth. Fang Chongzheng stared at her intently. "Lan'er, what kind of answer do you want to hear from me?"

Fang Zilan leaned back and sat down again. "What if I absolutely need the Du family pawnshop's account books?"

Fang Chongzheng didn't react to this, as if it were expected. "The Du family pawnshop would never hand over the account books, but someone can make them do so."

"Who?" Fang Zilan stared intently at Fang Chongzheng as he said, "You've been to the underground gambling dens, so you should know that you can gamble anything there."

“I’ve caused trouble before, and the underground gambling dens might not welcome me.” Fang Zilan closed her eyes briefly, and Fang Chongzheng smiled. “It’s just a branch; even if it’s destroyed, it’s no big deal.”

Before he could finish speaking, Fang Zilan looked at him with an almost scrutinizing gaze. "Are you... really helping me?"

"Helping you is also helping myself." Fang Chongzheng didn't look at Fang Zilan, but looked up at the tall tree canopy, its branches and leaves providing shade.

Fang Zilan remained noncommittal, then changed the subject, "You said the underground gambling den I went to was just a branch, so where is the real underground gambling den?"