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Chapter 101: Chapter 101 You’re my dad!
Qiuyue bid farewell to Zhan Lan and limped back to the courtyard.
She was particularly afraid of spending time with Zhan Xuerou, but she also knew that tomorrow would be Zhan Xuerou’s birthday, and the other party could not make a move at this time.
"Qiuyue, where is your young miss?" Zhan Beicang’s voice suddenly sounded behind Qiuyue.
Qiuyue jumped with fright, turned around, and curtsied, saying: "Replying to the General, the miss is inside the house."
Zhan Beicang looked at the white bandage on Qiuyue’s head, his brow furrowed as he asked, "What happened to your head?"
Just as Qiuyue was about to answer, Zhan Xuerou pushed open the door from inside and walked out, leaning on the door.
"Daddy, you’re here!"
Zhan Beicang instantly forgot about Qiuyue and tenderly helped Zhan Xuerou sit down.
"Rou’er, tomorrow is your birthday. It’s been many years since dad has celebrated your birthday with you. Tell dad what you want!"
Zhan Xuerou’s eyes lit up, and she said with a smile: "I don’t want anything, I just want the family to accompany me."
"Well, that’s no problem, daddy promises to give you your favorite gift!" Zhan Beicang casually pulled over a chair and sat down as well.
Zhan Xuerou acted coquettishly and said: "Daddy, I want to dine at Wangjiang Building, to listen to music, is that alright?"
Zhan Beicang was surprised for a moment, then smiled and said: "Of course, tonight the whole family will go to Wangjiang Building for dinner, to listen to music!"
Zhan Xuerou’s smile was radiant. She tugged at Zhan Beicang’s sleeve and said: "I just want to have a family feast with dad, mom, elder brother, and younger siblings."
Every year on her birthday, her grandparents would not attend due to their seniority.
She had always celebrated with Qin Shuang, Zhan Heng, and Zhan Rui.
This year she wanted to celebrate with Zhan Beicang.
Zhan Beicang nodded and said: "Then let Zhan Lan join as well, it’s rare for sisters to be born on the same day!"
Zhan Xuerou’s expression suddenly turned cold. With a grievance, she looked towards Zhan Beicang and said: "Daddy, I just want to celebrate my birthday by myself, I don’t want to share fatherly love with someone else. Every time dad treats me and Zhan Lan the same, it hurts my heart, you’re my dad!"
Upon seeing the tears in Zhan Xuerou’s eyes, Zhan Beicang quickly consoled her: "Rou’er, don’t cry, it’s dad’s fault for not staying by your side, for not considering your feelings."
Zhan Xuerou coughed a few times, coughing up a mouthful of blood, and Zhan Beicang immediately panicked.
"Qiuyue, hurry and fetch the doctor!" Zhan Beicang bellowed.
Zhan Xuerou grabbed Zhan Beicang’s sleeve and said: "Qiuyue is injured, there is no one else reliable in my courtyard except for two old nannies!"
Zhan Beicang patted Zhan Xuerou’s shoulder and said: "Rou’er, in a couple of days pick a few maids from the household that you like for your courtyard, it’s too quiet here!"
Zhan Xuerou bit her lip and said: "It’s always dad who treats his daughter the best!"
Zhan Beicang looked at Zhan Xuerou’s pitiable appearance and felt even more guilty.
He firmed his resolve and said: "Alright, alright, Rou’er, don’t cry, daddy won’t let Zhan Lan come, is that okay?"
Zhan Xuerou nodded fiercely, feeling immensely pleased in her heart.
She wiped away her tears and said: "Thank you, daddy!"
Zhan Beicang saw how upset Zhan Xuerou was, it was the first time he realized that what he thought was nothing had actually upset his own daughter!
After all, a daughter’s heart is too delicate.
Zhan Beicang felt guilt in his heart; all these years, he hadn’t considered Zhan Xuerou’s feelings. 𝔫𝖔𝖛𝖕𝔲𝔟.𝔠𝖔𝖒
He should show more concern for his daughter.
It seems that in the future, he could only be kind to Zhan Lan behind his daughter’s back.
After Zhan Beicang left, Zhan Xuerou wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth – it was just blood from biting the flesh inside her mouth.
The look in her eyes was triumphant; what was Zhan Lan considered to be!
How could she even qualify to share a birthday with her.
The Zhan Family providing shelter for her and her mother, Zhan Lan should be grateful!
Yet she even thought to compare with her!
Such wishful thinking!
Zhan Xuerou, having received her father’s promise, suddenly felt like her legs weren’t hurting anymore.
Thus, she said to Qiuyue outside the door, "Go, have someone bring over the lounge chair. I want to visit the back courtyard!"
Limping along with two servants, Qiuyue helped carry Zhan Xuerou to the Zhan Family’s back courtyard.
Zhan Lan was basking in the sun within the courtyard. Seeing Zhan Xuerou, she knew this person was here to create trouble again!
Before Zhan Lan could speak, Zhan Xuerou insinuated, "Miss Zhan Lan, I originally wanted to celebrate my birthday with you, but father said the whole family should be together. It’s truly a pity!"
With a faint smile, Zhan Lan remained silent.
Sitting in her sedan, Zhan Xuerou haughtily said, "Don’t feel sad, after all, it’s been a long time since father has seen me."
Indifferent, Zhan Lan looked at Zhan Xuerou and responded, "As long as Miss Zhan Xuerou is happy!"
Zhan Xuerou burst into a hearty laugh, "Of course I am, tomorrow I will have someone bring some delicacies from the Wangjiang Building for Miss Zhan Lan!"
"Let’s go!" Zhan Xuerou said to the servant boys.
Unperturbed, Zhan Lan watched Zhan Xuerou’s departing figure, her gaze slowly falling on Qiuyue, who was at the very back.
Indeed, Qiuyue turned to glance at Zhan Lan, who gave her a nod that was both smiling and not.
Qiuyue respectfully nodded and left.
Back inside, Liu Xi asked, "Miss, Miss Zhan Xuerou said that deliberately for you to hear. Don’t take it to heart."
Zhan Lan curved her lips into a smile and said, "It doesn’t matter; ill-gotten gains always come at a price, one that must be paid back in full, with interest!"
Liu Xi’s eyes sparkled. She thought she understood what her mistress meant, but she wondered if her guess was too bold!
Could it be, Zhan Xuerou and her mistress have switched their life paths!
What a serious matter this would be!
If the truth were to be revealed one day, what kind of scene would the General Mansion become!
...
The following day, the news of Zhan Xuerou celebrating her birthday at the Wangjiang Building became the talk of the whole city.
It wasn’t because Zhan Beicang was being ostentatious, but because Emperor Xuanwu had actually sent Eunuch Li personally to the General Mansion.
Eunuch Li’s visit was very high-profile, with chests of jewelry and silver coins lined up at the main entrance of the General Mansion, protected by the Imperial Army, looking exceedingly impressive.
Eunuch Li held the bright yellow imperial edict, with a procession of palace maids and eunuchs entering in succession. Everyone knelt down to receive the orders.
"By the Mandate of Heaven, hereby the Emperor decrees: I am grateful for the Zhan Family Army’s contribution to repelling the enemies. As a special award, I bestow upon the Zhan Family 10,000 taels of gold, two jade Ruyis, two chests of gold and silver treasures, and an extra 500,000 taels of silver to reward the troops. Today coincides with the birthday of the legitimate daughter of the Zhan Family. A special permit to enter the palace is granted, and the Empress herself bestows a peony hairpin. Let it be known!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
The Zhan Family members bowed their heads in gratitude.
Zhan Lan knelt on the ground, listening to the content of the edict with an expression that remained totally composed.
This reward and the rectification of disorder were outcomes she had fought for, as well as the righteousness sought by the common people.
It was what the Zhan Family Army deserved, so there was nothing to be proud of.
Zhan Xinzhang and Zhan Beicang of course knew that Emperor Xuanwu’s change of heart was due to public outrage.
Thus, they also had opinions about the current Emperor.
Zhan Xuerou quietly raised her eyes to the tray held by the eunuch, on which lay a glittering hairpin, looking extremely luxurious.
She was thrilled inside.
This was a reward from the Empress. After wearing the peony hairpin, who would dare to provoke her!
And the Emperor had also awarded her a pass into the palace, allowing her to forge closer ties with the Princess in the future.
Eunuch Li’s gaze swept over the faces of the Zhan Family members, and after seeing Zhan Xuerou’s expression, shifted his view away.
Finally, his eyes fell on Zhan Lan, who was in the last row.
He squinted at Zhan Lan; having served by the Emperor’s side and encountered countless individuals, he recognized the dignity of this woman.
Even standing among everyone else, she could not conceal her elegance and authority.
In fact, the longer he watched, the softer Eunuch Li’s legs felt.
This was a bizarre feeling. How could such a young woman give him such an impression!
