novelraw Chapter 1929 Taboo
Chapter 1929 Taboo
Chapter 1929 Taboo
"Lan'er." Wan Jun called out casually. Fang Zilan pursed her lips. "It really was my guess. A few days ago, the Xiahou family head was poisoned, and the Xiahou family invited A-Wan over. I thought I could help out as much as I could so that A-Wan could come back as soon as possible..."
Her voice trailed off as she spoke, and Wan Jun said helplessly, "Your so-called help is just sending your own blood?"
“Ah Wan accepted it, which means it’s useful.” Fang Zilan argued softly, “Brother Wan, I’m beyond saving, but at least I can save others.”
Upon hearing this, Wan Jun felt a lump in his throat, and after a long while, he managed to squeeze out a sentence, "Who said you're beyond saving?"
"Don't I know myself?" Fang Zilan's voice was soft, but Wan Jun still heard it. He felt a mix of emotions. "Lan'er, you just said that there could be any immortals in the southeast..."
Fang Zilan was taken aback, and subconsciously asked, "What did you say?"
“I said, there was once a deity in the southeastern region,” Wan Jun said earnestly. “His surname was Fang, and he was originally the Duke of Yue in Dajing.”
Fang Zilan turned her head away, and Wan Jun continued, "She went deep into the epidemic area to save lives, fight against the Miluo River, and protect the country and its people. Such a person should be a living deity who enjoys the incense offerings of the people and is revered by generations."
Fang Zilan's eyes reddened, and after a long while she heard her own voice, "She is dead."
She died amidst the treacherous winds of the capital, buried in a nameless, desolate grave in the wilderness, without a tombstone or a spirit tablet. Those around her either vanished into darkness, their lives and names forgotten, or sank into the mire, entangled in filth.
Upon closer examination, none of them met a good end.
Wan Jun's lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but Fang Zilan spoke first: "Miss Dugu is coming."
"Then I'll go first." Wan Jun turned to leave, but Fang Zilan called out to him, "Wait for me for a moment, I'll take you back later."
Wan Jun was speechless. Fang Zilan composed herself. "If anything happens to you, how will I explain it to Sister Mi'er? Brother-in-law."
She deliberately emphasized the word "brother-in-law," and Wan Jun couldn't help but cough lightly. "Alright, I'll wait for you."
As soon as he finished speaking, Dugu Linxiu approached and immediately walked towards Dugu Ming. The two looked at each other in silence, but neither intended to leave. Finally, their gazes both fell on Fang Zilan and Dugu Linxiu.
"Thank you for keeping Miss Zhen waiting." Dugu Linxiu bowed, and Fang Zilan accepted the bow with a slight smile, saying, "There is no one else here, and I am not Miss Zhen."
“Then, Lady of the Heir Apparent,” Dugu Linxiu said, still bowing, “thank you for your help tonight.”
“I never help others for nothing.” Fang Zilan extended her hand. “Miss Dugu, when will you give me the reward you promised?”
"Princess Consort, I didn't expect you to be in such a hurry." Dugu Linxiu straightened up and glanced at Wan Jun and Dugu Ming not far away. "However, are you sure you want to ask me for payment in front of them?"
"Why not?" Fang Zilan still had a smile on her face. Dugu Linxiu sighed softly, "The young master's wife really has no taboos."
"General Meng." Awan called out, and Meng Tingyang quickly stepped forward. Before she could give any instructions, Fang Zilan said, "General Meng, keep an eye on Miss Fu and protect them."
After she finished speaking, she drew her sword and rushed out. A voice came from not far away, "Leave them alive."
“If Mr. Xie wants to spare any lives, then he should do it himself.” Fang Zilan killed one person with each sword strike, showing no mercy. Seeing this, Xiahou Mingxun and Ye Yun, who were beside Xie Chen, also joined the fight. Both of them tried to leave room for maneuver in order to spare lives, and soon they were both wounded.
Fang Zilan retreated to Awan's side and looked at the dying Wen Ran, "It's just a ghost marriage, but it's quite a big deal."
"You said it yourself, this is a ghost marriage..." Wen Ran said weakly, "How can there be a living person in a ghost marriage?"
Fang Zilan's expression changed. "You mean there's more than just this group?"
Wen Ran closed her eyes briefly and remained silent. Fang Zilan then looked at Fu Mingyue, who was trembling and being held captive by Meng Tingyang, and asked, "Miss Fu, what do you think?"
"I don't know, I don't know anything!" Fu Mingyue shook her head like a rattle drum. Fang Zilan was about to lash out when Wen Ran tugged at her sleeve. "I don't blame Mingyue."
"I really... didn't need to save you." Fang Zilan gritted her teeth, but Wen Ran suddenly smiled, "Thank you, Zixiu, who is skilled in martial arts and kind-hearted."
He gasped for breath several times while speaking, but it stirred up Fang Zilan's long-faded memories, making her feel as if she had returned to many years ago.
Zi Xiu, acting on the orders of the Ghost Gate Prince, rescued Wen Ran, who was traveling in place of his brother, and his Wen family's goods. "The prince asked me to ensure the safe delivery of these goods. What do I care about your life or death?"
Wen Ran pleaded and begged, even risking his own life to protect her, until Zi Xiu finally softened and sighed, "If I had known this would happen, I should have kept the goods and not the people."
At that time, Wen Ran was just like that, her breath was weak but her smile was bright, and she said the exact same sentence.
Afterwards, Zi Xiu, who was besieged by martial arts practitioners after leaving Cangjian Manor, met Wen Ran who came to her rescue. He said that he had no choice but to send a message from the Ghost Gate and that he could not afford to offend the Xiahou family. However, he still accompanied her all the way, despite the loss of his business and serious injuries, until someone from the Ghost Gate came to meet him.
When you think about it carefully, it's a friendship that's been through thick and thin.
Thinking of this, Fang Zilan looked up at the sky—it was getting dark, the perfect time to set off fireworks.
"Wen Ran, since you invited me to the ceremony, I should at least give a gift." Fang Zilan heard her own voice and it sounded like she had made up her mind.
“You…” Wen Ran looked up at Fang Zilan, but before she could utter a sound, a loud “bang” was heard, and brilliant fireworks bloomed in the sky. Purple branches stretched across the clouds, ending in a beautiful plum blossom.
Upon hearing the sound, everyone looked up in unison. "That's... Zi Xiu's symbol?"
"How is it? Does it look good?" Fang Zilan tilted her head, her face calm, while Wen Ran's face was full of shock. "Why..."
“I only have three of these fireworks, and I used to treasure them terribly.” Fang Zilan said, laughing self-deprecatingly. “Later I realized that it wasn’t that I treasured them, but that there are very few people in the world worth setting off these fireworks for.”
She paused, then lowered her voice, "The first one was for King Yama, this one is for you."
"Is it worth it?" Wen Ran's expression was inscrutable. Fang Zilan tightened her grip on the plum sword. "Leaving aside the past, just consider this: you have not revealed my identity today. For this reason, I am willing to temporarily refrain from pursuing the truth."
“Once things settle down…” Wen Ran couldn’t help but interject, and Fang Zilan continued, “I will still pursue the matter. But right now, survival is more important.”