novelraw Chapter 1943 Heart-to-Heart Talk
Chapter 1943 Heart-to-Heart Talk
Chapter 1943 Heart-to-Heart Talk
Li Shengxuan walked to the table, poured a cup of tea, and handed it to Fang Zilan. “After the Xiahou family was left to guard the old Baiyue territory, the Southeast Camp could not control the Prince of Rong’an. They were also constrained by the various officials with connections. Fortunately, after you took office, you handled several important matters in succession, won the hearts and minds of the people, and not only were you able to stand on equal footing with the Prince of Rong’an, but the officials, big and small, dared not act recklessly. It was still considered stable. But now the situation is different.”
Fang Zilan took a sip of tea and said thoughtfully, "It seems that Lord Su Heng is not a vengeful person, he just feels that it is not the right time to come out of seclusion."
“When I was young, I was fortunate enough to hear a few words of teaching from the old master Su Heng. He never held grudges and was even less willing to compete for credit.” Li Shengxuan picked up another cup of tea and sat down in the main seat. “He was unwilling to come out of seclusion, probably because he felt that there were always talented people emerging in the new generation and the situation was stable, so there was no need for his old bones to support it. But if one day the country is in turmoil, he will do his best to turn the tide even if he has to hold on until his last breath.”
"Is it in turmoil?" Fang Zilan repeated the word, a vague unease creeping into her heart. "Then...should I personally go and escort Lord Su Heng back to the capital?"
"No need, I have already ordered Xiahou Zhang to send the imperial guards." Li Shengxuan looked at the person sitting opposite him with a worried expression and comforted him, "You can stay in the palace and focus on recovering from your injuries. Don't make me... your elder sister worry anymore."
Fang Zilan thought for a moment, then finally relented, "Alright, I'll stay in the palace. But Mo Han..."
She didn't continue, but Li Shengxuan understood. "Although Xu Yi is a bit of a playboy, his father, Xu Youtong, knows his limits. Mo Han will be fine in the Xu family, so you can rest assured."
“Since Your Majesty says so, then Mo Han can remain at the Xu residence for the time being.” Fang Zilan’s voice lowered slightly. Li Shengxuan raised an eyebrow. “If you are so worried, I will grant Xu Yi a palace post, allowing him to bring Mo Han to the palace to see you frequently…”
"What does Your Majesty take me for?" Fang Zilan's expression suddenly turned cold. "As long as Mo Han is safe and sound, it doesn't matter whether I see him or not."
"If you really think that way, why not send Mo Han back to Mushan Pass?" Li Shengxuan asked involuntarily. Fang Zilan didn't answer but asked in return, "If someone is important to Your Majesty, would Your Majesty rather abandon them far away or keep them in sight?"
"Keep it in front of you." Li Shengxuan stared intently at Fang Zilan and said, word by word, "Just like now, right before your eyes."
Fang Zilan took a large gulp of tea rather awkwardly, choking and coughing several times. "Speaking of which, whose idea was it for me to enter the palace?"
"It was your elder sister's idea, but I was happy to see it happen, so I just went along with it." Li Shengxuan said with a half-smile, "What, do you think it was my idea?"
Fang Zilan replied with feigned composure, "It's not impossible that I heard the Empress Dowager's words in the Jade Palace just now."
"You've said long ago that you don't want to be a member of the harem, so how could I force you?" Li Shengxuan helplessly poured tea for Fang Zilan. "In your heart, am I a tyrannical ruler who abuses his power?"
"He's not exactly a tyrant, but..." Fang Zilan pursed her lips and stopped speaking.
She knew there was no true equality in this world, but she had always felt nothing but disgust for the monarchical power under the feudal system. Perhaps Li Shengxuan was an exception, but he was merely a wise ruler, not someone she could confide in.
"What's there to say between us?" Fang Zilan scoffed, raising an eyebrow. "You're not worthy to speak to me. Invite your general over here..."
"Young lady, don't push your luck!" Yao Wu angrily interrupted Fang Zilan, only to see her curl her lips into a mocking smile. "Push your luck? When you were spewing filth and insulting us, that was pushing your luck. I was just giving you a taste of your own medicine." "You..." Yao Wu began, but Fang Zilan cut him off. "Of course, it's far from enough."
Yao Wu was completely enraged. Before he could make a move, he heard his commander's voice coming from outside the tent, "Yao Wu, I ordered you to invite that woman out to speak with me. What are you doing?"
Yao Wu's expression froze for a moment. Fang Zilan stood up, straightened her clothes, and walked straight past him without even bothering to glance at him.
"General, I've kept you waiting." Fang Zilan composed herself, her gaze sweeping over the stack of letters in the general's hand. Her heart sank, but her face remained impassive. "Since you, General, have kept your word, I naturally won't go back on mine either. If you want evidence, I'll get it now..."
"No need for that." The commander's expression turned cold, and he said with an air of authority, "I have already found the evidence."
After he finished speaking, he held up the letter in his hand and spread it in front of Fang Zilan. "Madam Zhen, you have the audacity to come to the Jiangnan camp and act so arrogantly after holding His Majesty hostage. You have quite the nerve."
Fang Zilan frowned slightly and quickly realized that either this commander was a crony of Yao Wu and his group, or he had been deceived and found false evidence to frame her.
I just didn't expect Yao Wu and his team to act so quickly...
Thinking of this, Fang Zilan turned her head slightly and glanced at Yao Wu behind her out of the corner of her eye. Sure enough, she saw a look of triumphant satisfaction on his face.
"Men, seize her!" the commander shouted. Fang Zilan held her plum blossom sword horizontally in front of her. "If you have the guts, then come forward and try."
The commander was stunned for a moment, seemingly not expecting Fang Zilan to dare to resist. Taking advantage of this moment, she said loudly, "General, if I were to take His Majesty hostage, why would I go alone into the Jiangnan camp to deliver the imperial decree? Wouldn't that be courting death?"
"Who knows what you mountain bandits and outlaws are thinking?" Yao Wu suddenly retorted, and Fang Zilan scoffed, "Mountain bandits and outlaws? I wouldn't stoop to associating with them."
"If you hadn't colluded with her, how would you have known about Madam Yin's affairs?" another deputy general standing beside the commander questioned, the same one who had turned pale with guilt earlier.
Fang Zilan was too lazy to waste words with them and looked directly at the commander-in-chief, saying, "General, let me ask you one question: where did you get this so-called evidence? Or, who gave you this so-called evidence?"
"It's none of your business." The general said indifferently, "Tell me where His Majesty is right now, and I'll spare your life."
"As I just said, His Majesty is currently in the Drunken Moon Pavilion, listening to Lord Yin recount the truth." Before Fang Zilan could finish speaking, the commander said, "Yao Wu, go and muster the troops..."
"General, wait a moment." A flash of silver light, and Fang Zilan's plum blossom sword was already at the commander's neck. "Unauthorized movement is a major taboo in the army. Moreover, I have already conveyed His Majesty's decree that everyone in the Jiangnan camp must remain in the camp and not leave even a step. Do you intend to disobey orders?"