"Jiangnan secret investigation, will you go?" Fang Ziqin's voice sounded from behind Fang Zilan. She sat up straight again and looked up, "Do you know everything?"
"There is news from Jiangnan's family that a secret envoy will go to Jiangnan for an unannounced visit in the next year." Fang Ziqin folded his sleeves, "For me, it is not difficult to speculate on this matter."
"I forgot, the Fang family's main family is in Jiangnan." Fang Zilan's eyes were heavy, "Do you want me to go?"
"Whether I hope it or not, I can't stop you." Fang Ziqin smiled self-deprecatingly, and Fang Zilan looked away, "Sorry."
"It doesn't matter." Fang Ziqin shook his head, "As long as you remember, the Fang family will always be here, and as long as you open your mouth, they will do their best."
"Okay, I'll remember it." Fang Zilan nodded. Fang Ziqin didn't say anything more. Just as he was about to leave, he heard her voice again, "Sister, it turns out that I always want to have a place of my own. I thought that I can live for myself, but now I feel that it is just a luxury."
Fang Ziqin looked at the person in front of him steadily, and then said for a long time: "At least you have fought for it and lived for yourself, which is already good. In life, there are many things that you can't help yourself. A daughter of a noble family must bear the honor of the family. , but so what? If you don’t want to, no one can force it.”
"The world is changing like running water." Fang Zilan said softly: "How can we not force it?"
"Lan'er, if you just run away, I and even the Fang family can keep you safe." Fang Ziqin reached out and held Fang Zilan's shoulder, "I am willing to leave a way out for you."
A way out? Fang Zilan looked up at Fang Ziqin, with mixed feelings in her heart. Being honored as a queen also means that all escape routes are cut off, like a canary with broken wings and locked in a cage. As long as the feathers are beautiful, blood and pain are not important.
However, Fang Ziqin was just like this, but he was willing to leave a way out for her. Compared to the way out that Li Shengxuan told her before, for some reason she was more willing to believe Fang Ziqin.
Maybe it’s because they are all women walking on thin ice in such a large dynasty, or maybe it’s because they have struggled hard but could not escape their so-called fate, but even so, they still dare to fight against it...
No matter what the reason was, Fang Zilan suddenly felt relieved at this moment. She heard her own voice and said firmly word by word: "Sister, if I can come back safely this time, I will be yours and the Fang family's from now on." Way back.”
"What are you talking about? The Empress Dowager is going back to the palace?" Fang Zilan was so shocked that she almost couldn't hold the medicine bowl. Fortunately, Awan had quick eyesight and quick hands, and held it up in time, so that the medicine bowl would not fall to the ground.
"This medicine is expensive, be careful!" A Wan shook her red fingers, "It's absolutely true. The palace people are all in a rage, and there are also some rumors outside, saying..."
She lowered her voice as she spoke, and leaned into Fang Zilan's ear, "Your Majesty has gone to Jiangnan for a kiss, and I'm afraid he won't come back."
Fang Zilan suddenly turned cold, "If His Majesty doesn't come back, will he give up the throne to King Yucheng?"
The three of them soon arrived at the Zhizhou Mansion. After the announcement, a man who looked like a steward came out and invited the three of them in, "Master Fang, it's a coincidence that you are here today."
"Oh, how do you say this?" Fang Zilan raised her eyebrows with a look of great interest. The steward replied while leading the way, "It just so happened that General Huangfu also came to visit my lord, and he is talking to my lord in the front hall at the moment."
"What a coincidence." Fang Zilan chuckled. She was just thinking about meeting Huangfulin after seeing Zhong Yao, but she didn't expect that they all bumped into each other.
Before Fang Zilan reached the front hall, she heard Huang Fulin's voice, "Master Zhong is in ill health. You might as well take a good rest for a while. The Eighteen Cities of Yanzhou have been peaceful recently, so I won't delay anything."
Just as the steward was about to invite Fang Zilan into the front hall, she pulled her aside and made a gesture of silence. Vice General Cao and Awan who were following her understood this and stood silently under the window outside the hall.
"General Huangfu's words are wrong." Zhong Yao coughed twice as he spoke, and Fang Zilan frowned imperceptibly. Was he really sick?
"Although the eighteen cities of Yanzhou are peaceful on the surface, after all, it is a border area. Things can go wrong if you are not careful. I really dare not not think about it with all my heart." Zhong Yao's voice was a bit hoarse, and Huang Fulin's tone With a smile, "Master Zhong dedicated his whole life, which is really admirable."
Huangfulin changed the subject as he spoke, "But if things continue like this, it is not possible to delay Mr. Zhong's illness. My nephew Huangfuchen is smart and capable, so why not let him stay with Mr. Zhong and listen to Mr. Zhong's orders."
Fang Zilan curled her lips and shook her head, knowing that Huangfulin, an old fox, would not come if nothing happened. As expected, he was here to set up ears and eyes.
She straightened her sleeves and was about to go in when she suddenly heard Zhong Yao's voice, with a hint of suppressed anger, "What is General Huangfu doing? Is it possible that you don't trust me?"
"What are you talking about, Mr. Zhong?" Huangfulin quickly denied, "It's just that the Shangguan family has just collapsed, and Mr. Fang's new official appointment will inevitably not embarrass the old Shangguan. Mr. Zhong's commoner background is exactly what she is suitable to handle. Object, I am also worried..."
What a Huangfulin, Fang Zilan was so angry that she clenched her fists and actually ran to Zhong Yao to sow discord.
She had long said that if the old man Shangguan stayed on his own, she would be the follower of Xiao Gui and Cao Sui. Now that Huang Fulin has disturbed her, the conflict between her and the old man Shangguan will only become more intense.
Although she felt anxious, her face remained calm and she patiently listened to how Zhong Yao would respond.
"Lord Huangfu, what you said is wrong." Zhong Yao coughed violently a few more times, "The Shangguan family has been kind to the lower officials, and Zhong Yao will not hesitate to repay the favor even if it means breaking his body into pieces."
"Just to repay a favor, why would you risk your life and fortune?" Huangfulin sighed, "As long as you don't have to worry about running out of firewood to keep the green hills, Lord Zhong would be wise to protect yourself."
"As the magistrate of Yanzhou, how can I be greedy for life and afraid of death? No matter what Fang Zilan does, I will not be afraid of her as a woman." The second half of Zhong Yao's words was righteous, but also with a bit of disdain.
Fang Zilan only felt that an unknown fire in her chest was getting stronger and stronger. She broke into the front hall almost uncontrollably. Huangfulin and Zhong Yao in the hall did not expect that she would rush in suddenly, and they both had no time to salute. , froze in place.
"Master Zhong is a man who never forgets to repay a debt of gratitude. Then do you know how to repay the Shangguan family's kindness?" Fang Zilan's lips raised with unspeakable sarcasm. Zhong Yao was startled again by her question and asked subconsciously. He said, "Master Fang, how do you think this official should repay you?"
