Don't ask where people go

Chapter 2017 Omens
"In that case, thank you very much, Miss Zixiu." Xiahou Zhang maintained his bowing posture, and Fang Zilan supported his arm. "Since I have agreed to join the game, I will not easily go back on my word. Before the bandits have set their sights on you and Awan, you should quickly go down the mountain and find Mingxiang."

Before she could finish speaking, Awan said firmly, "I'm not leaving."

"Listen to me." Fang Zilan reached out and ruffled Awan's hair. "Mountain bandits and outlaws are not to be underestimated. Fang Lihui may not be able to protect you."

"Is it enough to just follow Miss Mingxiang?" Awan pouted. Fang Zilan lowered her eyes and said, "Putting everything else aside, at least Mingxiang can ensure your safety, so I can rest assured."

“But…” Awan wanted to say something more, but Fang Zilan stopped her, “Awan, don’t distract me.”

A simple sentence was enough to silence Awan. Having worked in the Ghost Gate for many years, she knew that people like Fang Zilan, who lived on the edge of a knife, were most vulnerable to distraction.

Once the mind is distracted, death is not far away.

“Okay, I’m going.” Awan didn’t hesitate. Fang Zilan nodded slightly and looked at Xiahou Zhang, saying, “Awan is in your care. If she loses even a single hair, I won’t forgive you.”

Xiahou Zhang solemnly agreed, "I will certainly not fail you."

"Go ahead." Fang Zilan watched Xiahou Zhang leave with Awan. Not long after, Fang Lihui knocked on the door and came in. "Don't worry. I'll help send them down the mountain. Getting them back to Zuiyue Tower safely won't be a problem."

“I’m not worried about them.” Fang Zilan’s expression was ambiguous. “I’m worried about him.”

Fang Lihui immediately understood; the "he" Fang Zilan was referring to was undoubtedly Li Shengxuan. He couldn't help but ask, "I heard he disappeared, how could that be..."

“I told you, he’s taking action. I’m not the only one trying to find out the truth.” Fang Zilan interrupted Fang Lihui, who was stunned for a moment before he reacted and murmured, “Isn’t he afraid of losing his life?”

"Since the Empress has no children, those two ladies have made a fuss about it quite a bit. However, the Empress is intelligent, quick-witted, and quite shrewd; she is not someone those two ladies can easily manipulate." After saying this, Xiao Xuan'er looked at Fang Zilan's ambiguous expression, coughed lightly, and changed the subject, "Lord Fang, have you seen the list of the Di Rong delegation?"

“I’ve seen it, and it’s exactly as you described.” Fang Zilan said quietly, “Miagu is among them.”

“Mi'agu is the general leading the Di Rong army, known as the Di Rong's greatest warrior. He has entered the capital with the delegation, so the stalemate between the Di Rong and Persia can only be managed by the Dugu family.” Xiao Xuan'er pursed her lips. “I’m worried…”

She didn't continue, and Fang Zilan composed herself. "Worrying is useless. Now that Miagu has entered the capital, he will either plead guilty or threaten us. But he has no right to run wild in the capital. The Dugu family has guarded the western border for many years, and General Dugu Xin can keep them in check. The Persians and the Di Rong dare not act rashly."

Xiao Xuan'er looked hesitant, and Fang Zilan pressed, "Is there anything else?"

"That servant of the Yun family of Xiwu City—Mr. Zuo—has also come to the capital." Xiao Xuan'er's words had barely finished when Fang Zilan froze. "What did you say?"

“The sisters of Qianjinfang accidentally discovered that Mr. Zuo had entered the territory of Dajing and chased him all the way to the capital, but he disappeared without a trace.” Xiao Xuan’er looked worried. “Both delegations are already in the capital. Mr. Zuo’s entry into the capital at this time must be for some purpose.”

"Has the Prince Zhongzheng's residence been investigated?" Fang Zilan asked gravely. Xiao Xuan'er nodded and said, "Yes, it has. Mr. Zuo is not hiding there. Everything else is normal." "Send people to continue searching for Mr. Zuo's whereabouts," Fang Zilan said in a low voice. "Also, keep a close eye on Murong Qing. He can't have been completely inactive since Mr. Zuo entered the capital."

Xiao Xuan'er accepted the order and left. Fang Zilan was restless. She had been paying close attention to the Di Rong delegation ever since they arrived in the capital. However, the Di Rong delegation's attitude was unexpectedly good. They readily apologized and accepted punishment, which made the Persian delegation seem aggressive.

The Persian envoy deliberately provoked the Di Rong delegation several times, but the delegation remained neither humble nor arrogant. In the end, the Persian envoy was somewhat embarrassed and decided to stop causing trouble and accepted the Di Rong's apology.

Seeing that the two sides had reached a friendly agreement with the help of Dajing, Fang Zilan felt a little more at ease. Little did she know that as the delegation was about to leave the capital, she would be dragged into the mess.

"My lord, that slippery envoy from the Di Rong tribe said that Miagu came with the delegation this time firstly to express his sincerity, and secondly because he has long admired your demeanor and wants to have a match with you." Cao Hong repeated the eunuch's words. Fang Zilan put down the medicine bowl in her hand. "What did His Majesty say?"

"His Majesty said this matter is entirely voluntary and he will not force you, sir. He told you to act according to your ability." Cao Hong hesitated and asked, "Sir, how will you respond to that official from the palace?"

Fang Zilan leaned back in her seat, silent. She had caught a cold a couple of days ago and had taken leave yesterday. Coincidentally, the Di Rong delegation brought up the matter of a sparring match with His Majesty, which seemed to be taking advantage of her vulnerability. They were so determined to win, as if they had already anticipated that she would be defeated due to her illness.

Although it was just a friendly exchange and nothing serious, Miagu was representing the Di Rong tribe, and the Persian delegation was watching from the sidelines. If she stayed put, wouldn't they mock the Great Capital for having no one to rely on?

Moreover, Dajing urgently needs to recuperate and rebuild in the next few years. It is not advisable to launch military campaigns that could cause serious damage. It would be better to take this opportunity to intimidate the surrounding neighbors and avoid a lot of trouble.

Thinking of this, before she could speak, she heard Awan say helplessly, "What else can we say? Of course, we should accept the challenge. How can we sit still when we see our Lord Fang looking like this?"

Cao Hong scratched the back of his head, "But boss, your health..."

"It's alright." Fang Zilan interrupted him calmly. "Go and tell that official from the palace that I have accepted Miagu's challenge. I will definitely attend the farewell banquet."

"Okay," Cao Hong replied, then turned and left.

Awan watched his departing figure, seemingly worried, "Fang Zilan, you absolutely must win this battle. If you lose..."

"No," Fang Zilan said decisively. "My title of being the best in the world is not something I earned for nothing."

“I heard that Miagu is very powerful.” Awan said, shaking her head. “But the Di Rong people are just strong. As long as you don’t fight them head-on, you’ll be fine.”

Fang Zilan smiled, looking at Awan as if talking to herself, "But that's before the Emperor, after all. You can't use any tricks. You can only have a fair and square competition, you..."

“Then let’s win fair and square.” Fang Zilan interrupted Awan, her smile widening. “Little Awan, don’t worry, no one in the world has been born yet who can beat me.”