novelraw Chapter 1989 Fear
Chapter 1989 Fear
Chapter 1989 Fear
Once the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet began, there was singing, dancing, and laughter. Fang Zilan watched the dancers in their flowing red robes and felt a sense of disorientation. What end is there in the changing of dynasties? The previous dynasty was long gone, and Ji Ningtian's schemes were nothing but illusions, unlikely to become reality.
Rise and fall are both painful; what people seek is a peaceful and prosperous life. They care not about the past or the present.
Thinking of this, Fang Zilan finally made up her mind. She picked up the wine pot on the table, poured a full cup of wine, and drank it all in one gulp. Then she stood up and walked to the center of the hall.
"Today's Mid-Autumn Festival is a magnificent sight, with the full moon shining brightly—a rare treat indeed. Your subject, Duke Fang Zilan of Yue, wishes to perform a sword dance to add to the festivities."
As soon as she finished speaking, Ji Ningtian glanced over without making a sound. He had considered many possibilities regarding the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet being a trap, such as deliberate obstruction, poisoning the food and drink, or even assassination under the guise of singing and dancing.
But he never expected that the one wielding the sword would be his Lan'er. Was this Li Shengxuan's request, or Lan'er's own wish?
Li Shengxuan readily agreed, Fang Ziqin hesitated to speak, and the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager exchanged glances, both seeing a solemn expression of impending doom in each other's eyes.
However, no one expected that at this critical moment, it was Li Qiyou who spoke up: "Lord Fang, there are still women present today, so it may be inappropriate to perform a sword dance."
“Your Highness, the ladies present are not ordinary or timid people.” The speaker was a young girl next to Wei Mao. She stood up gracefully and said, “Wei Xing’er has long admired Lord Fang’s demeanor. If I could see Lord Fang’s sword dance today, I would have no regrets in this life.”
Ouyang Zirou also stood up and bowed, saying, "Ouyang Zirou also wishes to see."
Madam Ouyang clenched her fists, hidden in her sleeves. The palace banquet was filled with high-ranking officials and nobles; Fang Zilan wouldn't have suggested sword dancing without a reason, she must have some ulterior motive. Swords have no eyes, they are all weapons of death, and these young ladies are now joining in the fun, what if something happens... But before she could signal Ouyang Zirou, other ladies and young misses from other families chimed in.
Seeing the situation had come to this, Li Qiyou said no more and watched as Fang Zilan took her plum blossom sword from the guard, drew it from its sheath, and deftly twirled it.
The gleaming sword reflected Fang Zilan's eyes, calm and undisturbed, devoid of any killing intent, only exuding an indescribable certainty.
Once a decision is made, it must be made anyway, so why overthink it? As for the consequences, let's wait and see what happens after she does it.
Amidst the crowd's admiration, Fang Zilan rose and fell several times, completing three moves in the blink of an eye. She silently counted the moves in her mind, her eyes fixed straight ahead, yet she was calculating her positioning. She couldn't be too deliberate, lest others anticipate her moves.
But with everyone watching, once she makes a move, she'll have nowhere to escape.
Thinking of this, Fang Zilan took a deep breath, leaped up and suddenly changed direction, her plum blossom sword pointing straight at Ji Ningtian.
For a moment, everyone else in the hall was stunned, only Li Shengxuan watched calmly—Ji Ningtian did not make the slightest move, letting Fang Zilan's plum blossom sword approach him, just one step away from touching his neck.
Fang Zilan didn't hesitate for a moment. She knew Ji Ningtian wouldn't dodge, but would she really kill him?
Fang Zilan continued, "The people from the Southeast Camp who came to Mushan Pass to investigate the situation were also detained without interrogation. Given this, it's not like Mo Bin was unaware of anything."
“It’s more like they know something…” A-Wan continued, then shook her head sharply, “No, it’s more like they’re hiding something.”
Fang Zilan said noncommittally, "It seems the waters in the southeast are deeper than I thought."
Awan remained silent, only looking up at a narrow window on the top of the cell wall.
As dusk fell and the light grew dimmer, she felt a growing unease in her heart. That dim and unclear place seemed to mirror her and Fang Zilan's predicament. "Dinner's ready!" After what seemed like an eternity, the jailer's voice interrupted Awan's thoughts. She then realized she had been standing for too long, her legs were numb, and as she tried to move, she felt unsteady and cried out in surprise.
The next moment, Fang Zilan, who had been leaning against the wall with her eyes closed, suddenly appeared beside Awan and firmly supported her waist. She instinctively tightened her grip on Awan's arm, meeting her half-smiling eyes. "Our little Awan has been watching for so long, what have you figured out?"
“No…” Awan moved slightly, but then heard Fang Zilan chuckle, “Then take this opportunity to look up.”
"What?" Awan looked at Fang Zilan in confusion, only to see her raise her chin, indicating that she should look at the small window.
The jailer who came to deliver the food happened to overhear their conversation and, unable to resist his curiosity, looked through the bars at the small window in their cell.
A few specks of starlight streamed in through the small window, casting a faint glow despite their dimness.
“I remember someone once said that no matter how low the eaves are, you can still see a patch of sky.” Fang Zilan’s voice was firm and clear as she said, word by word, “Even the dimmest star can always illuminate a window.”
So don't be afraid of an uncertain future.
She didn't say the last sentence, but Awan suddenly smiled and said, "I saw it."
As long as you hold firm to your beliefs, even if you can't see it now, you will eventually see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Only the jailer remained stunned for a while before sighing softly, "This young lady is quite open-minded." After saying this, he squatted down, placed the food outside the bars, and turned to leave.
After the jailer left, Fang Zilan went to the fence and brought in the food. Awan also came over, tested the food with a silver needle, and after confirming that there was no problem with the food, the two ate a simple meal and waited for the night to fall.
That night, all was quiet. A crisp "click" sounded particularly abrupt in the tranquil cell.
Fang Zilan held a hairpin in one hand and a lock in the other. She gave Awan a wink, and Awan understood. She gently pushed the cell door and went out first.
After Fang Zilan fastened the lock again, she followed and took Awan's hand, standing in front of her, saying, "Follow behind me."
Awan nodded, and the two headed straight for the cell where Vice-Cao was being held. To their surprise, the journey was smooth and they didn't see a single jailer.
Seeing this, Awan deliberately slowed her pace, frowned and said softly, "Fang Zilan, don't you think something's wrong?"
“Something’s not right.” Fang Zilan continued walking. “But things have come to this point, we can only move forward, not backward.”
As she spoke, she arrived at the door of the cell where Vice General Cao was located. She saw Vice General Cao sitting against the wall, while the pirates imprisoned with him were lying sprawled on the ground.
Upon seeing the two women arrive, Deputy General Cao stood up, about to say something, when Fang Zilan effortlessly unlocked the door and walked in, saying calmly, "Have you knocked everyone out?"