After Fang Zilan sent Yang Zhiqing and Wu Sheng away, she returned to the house under Awan's supervision.
Along the way, the maids and servants put up window grilles and hung red lights, which looked very lively. Only then did Fang Zilan truly feel that New Year's Eve was approaching and the year was coming to an end.
Vice General Cao stood in the corridor, instructing the servants to hang the lanterns. When he saw the two of them, he greeted them, "Boss, Miss Awan, are these two adults sent away?"
"Send it off." Awan said and looked up at the lantern, "Why do I see that the lantern next to me is crooked?"
"It's crooked." As soon as Fang Zilan finished speaking, she jumped up and straightened the lantern, "Are you okay now?"
"Fang Zilan!" Awan was furious, "You really don't regard yourself as a patient."
Fang Zilan shrugged innocently, "It's just a stretch, it doesn't matter, right?"
Awan took a deep breath, and Deputy General Cao retracted half of his outstretched hand, "That..."
Fang Zilan turned around and noticed Deputy General Cao's movements, "Old Cao, what is that in your hand?"
"It's a floral note sent by the Ministry of Rites." Vice General Cao handed the floral note to Fang Zilan and touched the back of his head, "The floral note was delivered the day before yesterday. The visitor said that in the first month of the year, all the governments have banquets. It is our turn. The fifth day of the lunar new year..."
Awan glared at Vice Admiral Cao, and he immediately fell silent.
Fang Zilan glanced at the two people and understood in her heart, "Awan and Mr. Wen didn't want you to tell me? Are you making this arrangement for the banquet on the fifth day of the lunar month?"
Vice Admiral Cao nodded, then shook his head violently, "Not entirely. It will be New Year's Eve in a few days, and our house cannot be too deserted."
Awan echoed: "Yes, there are only a few people in our house, and I don't know if Mr. Mo will rush back to Beijing to celebrate the New Year, or go back to Mushan Pass to be with his parents?"
Fang Zilan was silent for a while, and then said: "Even if Mo Han doesn't come back, there are not many people in our house. This year, there are not only us, but also Miss Xiao, Miss Cong, and Mr. Wen, which is enough to celebrate the New Year. .”
"You want to stay as a teacher...Mr. Wen will celebrate the New Year at our house?" Awan looked excited, and Fang Zilan smiled slightly, "Otherwise? My illness is not cured yet, how do you want Mr. Wen to return to His Majesty?"
"Then I'll go talk to Mr. Wen." A Wan jumped away and ran away. Fang Zilan looked at her back and couldn't help but chuckle.
"Boss, it's cold outside. You should go back to the house and rest." Vice General Cao stood closer to Fang Zilan and shielded her from the wind. "Otherwise, Miss Awan and Mr. Wen will nag you again."
Fang Zilan wrapped herself in her cloak, "I know, I..." Before she could say anything, she was interrupted by the housekeeper who came in a hurry, "Master Fang, there is a young general outside the house who said he came from the north. I’m clamoring to see you.”
"Come from the north?" Fang Zilan raised an eyebrow, "What day is it today? Why are they all gathered together?"
The housekeeper hesitated and said, "Master Fang, do you want to see me?"
"See you. You are from the north, how could I not see you?" Fang Zilan nodded slightly, "Old Cao, come with me to see who is so interested in coming all the way to see us."
"Okay." Vice General Cao nodded in agreement, and the two of them went to the front hall together. Shangguan Min was sitting uneasy, like an ant being roasted on a hot pot.
Seeing this, Fang Zilan's lips curled up slightly, "Shangguan Min, why are you here?"
"Master Fang!" Shangguan Min walked over eagerly and looked Fang Zilan up and down, "How are you? I heard on the way that you were sick. What happened?"
"It's okay, it's just a recurrence of the old injury. It's the same old problem." Fang Zilan waved her hand, "It's you, why did you suddenly come to the capital?"
"General Huangfulin came to the capital according to the imperial edict, and General Huangfuxin accompanied him, so I asked him to take me with him." Shangguan Min relaxed his expression and lowered his eyes and said: "After we say goodbye to Qiluo City, I am really worried about you and Cao, Mr. Fang. Lieutenant General..."
Fang Zilan frowned, "Do Lao Li and Vice General Qin know about your coming to Beijing?"
Shangguan Min remained silent, and Fang Zilan's face darkened, "Where is Huangfu Xin now? I'll go find him."
"Master Fang..." Shangguan Min grabbed Fang Zilan's sleeve, "I insisted on following, and my name is on the accompanying list, so there will be no problem..."
"I don't care how you entered the capital, let alone why your name is on the list of entourage." Fang Zilan said coldly: "I just ask you, what is Huangfuxin's intention in bringing you to the capital? If someone with intentions takes advantage of it to make a big fuss, How should you deal with yourself? Do you think that the capital is a place in the north, and there will be someone to protect you in everything?"
She spoke more hastily, her breath surged, and she coughed violently.
"Boss, don't be anxious. If you have something to say, speak slowly." Vice General Cao quickly poured a cup of tea and handed it over.
Fang Zilan waved her hand but did not take it. She shook off Shangguan Min's hand and sat directly on the main seat, obviously waiting for an explanation.
"Master Fang, although I initiated this trip to Beijing, he helped with all the procedures so that I could accompany him smoothly." Shangguan Min carefully considered each word and said: "General Huangfu Xin and I have a very good personal relationship. I believe he won’t harm me.”
Fang Zilan relaxed, "I met Huangfu Xin when I was in Qiluo City. He is the son of General Huangfulin, right?"
"Yes." Shangguan Min nodded, Fang Zilan raised her hand and frowned slightly, "Huangfu Xin doesn't look like a scheming person, and judging from his performance on the battlefield, he is a rare and calm young general. His praises are steady and prudent. It’s not an exaggeration.”
Shangguan Min took the tea cup from Deputy General Cao and brought it to Fang Zilan respectfully, "Master Fang, you have praised me so much, there will definitely be no problem."
"I want to say that even if there is a problem with the process Huangfu Xin went through for you, it would be difficult for you to see it." Fang Zilan gave Shangguan Min an annoyed look, "Don't blame me for not reminding you, no matter what Huangfu Xin is like, Regardless of his relationship with you, just because his surname is Huangfu, you cannot completely trust him."
"Why?" Shangguan Min watched Fang Zilan take the cup of tea, took a sip, and then said: "One's background always determines one's position, especially the family of Gongqing. It's all involuntarily. You are too close to me, aren't you? What a good thing."
Shangguan Min remained silent, and Fang Zilan sighed, "Forget it, don't think too much. Now that you are in my house, the Huangfu family can't do anything to you. But..."
"What?" Shangguan Min asked, but Fang Zilan did not answer him. Instead, he looked at Deputy General Cao and said, "Old Cao, there should be some old acquaintances of yours among the soldiers patrolling the capital. Please help me find out what happened when the Huangfu family entered the city. Is there anything unusual about the accompanying roster and the corresponding ultimatum?"
"Okay, I'll go right away." After Deputy General Cao agreed, he turned and left.
Shangguan Min looked at Vice General Cao's back and lowered his voice a little, "Master Fang, have I caused trouble for you?"
Fang Zilan sat back on the main seat and said softly: "As long as you know, go get me a pen and paper."
"What to do?" Shangguan Min looked confused, and Fang Zilan said impatiently: "Write to Lao Li and ask him what he has taught you. You seem to have grown older in vain, and you don't have half a mind. Sooner or later you will have to Killed."
