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Chapter 124: Chapter 124 Vermilion Bird: Ah, Master has become successful, so domineering in protecting his wife!
Mu Yan, with one hand behind his back, stood freely and pointed his slender finger towards Zhan Lan, saying, "This Miss Zhan single-handedly defended the rear gate of Fengyu Pass. When thousands of Western Rong troops arrived, she thrust her battle spear into the ground, lifted a jar of wine, and drank it elegantly. Even Tuoba Hong and his soldiers were scared off by her empty city strategy."
"This Miss Zhan, when Young General Zhan Hui was surrounded by enemy forces five times their size, managed to create a gap in the Western Rong army with her intelligence."
"This Miss Zhan, in collaboration with Main General Zhan Beicang, fought valiantly and even chopped off the arm of the Western Rong Main General. General Zhan Beicang then took advantage of the victory to drive the Western Rong people back to their homeland, but Asi Han struck her on the shoulder blade, wounding her—she never mentioned this injury to anyone, and despite numerous close calls beneath enemy swords, who has seen!"
"This Miss Zhan, dedicated to loyal and honorable families, valiantly speaks out for them. Such a heroic woman, why should she only kneel outside the grand hall? She is truly a paragon among Nanjin’s women!"
"I ask, whose daughter among you can achieve all this for Nanjin!"
Mu Yan’s words were forceful and resounding, striking deep at the hearts of his audience.
Even Emperor Xuanwu was stunned, not knowing that Zhan Lan had done all these things.
However, he was also unaware of the severity of the days at Fengyu Pass.
Zhan Lan’s scalp tingled from Mu Yan’s words; she had never dwelt on these actions, all merely done for revenge and for the safety of the Zhan Family.
Mu Yan had been silently observing her all along.
He had even noticed her injuries.
Vermilion Bird stood at the very back of the Taiji Palace, his stern face unable to suppress a smile, thinking: Ah, the Master has excelled, so domineering in protecting his wife!
Zhan Beicang was stunned by Mu Yan’s words—he hadn’t noticed Zhan Lan’s injury. He thought about celebrating Xuerou’s birthday alone after returning to the General Mansion, filled with regret.
A sourness surged through Zhan Beicang’s heart, realizing that he should have cared more for Zhan Lan, who risked her life for the Zhan Family, rather than Xuerou, who was always sensitive and cautious.
Zhan Xinzhang looked at Zhan Lan, his heart aching for her.
This child had been resilient since childhood, and today she risked her life to advise on behalf of the Zhan Family; he remembered her every word.
If this girl needed him to face death, he was willing to take her place.
The four elderly generals couldn’t help but shed tears.
Zhang Zhao, limping, stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I have a matter to report!"
Emperor Xuanwu, seated on the dragon throne, looked down at him, softening his voice, "Zhang, please sit and speak."
Zhang Zhao did not sit but bowed and said, "Your Majesty, this old official is here today to commend Zhan Lan. It is for the loyal and honorable generals of the General Mansion. Please trust the Zhan Family and our old officials’ loyalty!"
"Old official supports this!"
The other three elderly officials, Wang Chen, Li Qiang, and Zhao Feng, also stepped forward.
Even the fence-sitter Lu Zhong, was moved by Zhan Lan and Mu Yan’s words, and he bowed deeply, saying, "Old official supports this!"
Emperor Xuanwu was deeply embarrassed by Mu Yan’s words; he, the Emperor, had forgotten to recognize Zhan Lan’s contributions.
Moreover, Zhan Lan’s contribution in this battle was the greatest; her rewards must be known to all under heaven, making it clear that he was just in his rewards and punishments.
Just as Zhan Lan said, he cannot disappoint loyal officials. If he makes it hard for the Zhan Family, who else would dare to fight and bleed for Nanjin!
The words of Zhan Lan and Mu Yan touched his merciful heart.
Emperor Xuanwu suddenly had a brilliant idea.
He smoothed his furrowed brow and declared, "Good, Zhan Lan indeed is the role model for Nanjin women. Today, I personally bestow upon Zhan Lan the title of Princess Ping Rong, and grant her the Princess Ping Rong Mansion!"
Everyone was startled by Emperor Xuanwu’s decision.
Only Mu Yan looked not so pleased; if Zhan Lan became a princess, wouldn’t she be officially recognized as the daughter of the prince’s family, and hence his future niece?
This generational relation is all wrong!
Zhan Beicang and Zhan Xinzhang were both happy for Zhan Lan but also had a faint worry, fearing that Emperor Xuanwu elevated Zhan Lan to such a high position with some ulterior motives in mind.
Zhan Lan bowed deeply, tears welling up in her eyes as she choked up and said: "Your Majesty is kind-hearted, a blessing for the people of Nanjin and a blessing for me as a servant’s daughter, but Zhan Lan does not seek any rewards, only wishing the loyal and patriotic Zhan Family that raised and taught me to not suffer because of Zhan Feng alone."
As her words fell, the Grand Scholar Lu Zhong looked towards Zhan Lan and then at Mu Yan, one righteous and one cunning, both exceptionally strategic.
Both were articulate, subtly praising Emperor Xuanwu while steering the situation towards their intended goals.
If these two were to collaborate, what could they not accomplish!
Lu Zhong secretly rejoiced that these two were not allies, otherwise, they could potentially overturn the whole court! 𝘯𝘰𝑣𝘱𝑢𝘣.𝑐𝑜𝑚
Emperor Xuanwu had never seen a woman like Zhan Lan before; for an unwed lady, apart from the position of a princess, the highest rank was that of a Commandery Princess.
Yet Zhan Lan decisively rejected the chance to become a Commandery Princess, solely to protect the Zhan Family.
Emperor Xuanwu suddenly became interested; Zhan Lan so reciprocated the Zhan Family’s upbringing like returning the favor with a peach for a plum, if he could treat her better than the Zhan Family did.
Would Zhan Lan swear loyalty to him unto death?
Emperor Xuanwu thought of the words exchanged between Mu Yan and Zhan Lan today, him being a wise ruler, a celestial being above.
Many things should not be taken so seriously.
While Prince Yu’s rebellion remains unclear concerning the Empress’s maternal family’s stance, it’s still necessary to keep the Zhan Family as a balance.
Therefore, the Zhan Family remains untouched today.
Emperor Xuanwu made up his mind and said to everyone, "I think the courtiers are logical. I admire Zhan Lan’s straightforward advice. If Si Jun had given such frank advice from the start, there would not have been so many subsequent issues. Nanjin needs such spirited subjects to advocate for the Emperor and the people. Since Zhan Lan does not wish for the title of Princess Ping Rong, let’s record first-class merit for her this time and discuss her conferment later."
"All hail His Majesty for his wisdom!" everyone exclaimed.
At fifteen, Zhan Lan became the first woman in Nanjin to receive first-class merit.
Emperor Xuanwu enjoyed this feeling of being surrounded by stars; he continued: "However, you currently hold no military position, so wait for this year’s Martial Arts Examination. If you can secure one of the top three positions, I will personally grant you a military troop!"
Zhan Lan looked up at Emperor Xuanwu; he was trying to recruit her.
The military troop Emperor Xuanwu intended for her was a brand-new one, probably to be a counterbalance to the Zhan Family.
Emperor Xuanwu’s plan was to separate her from the Zhan Family.
Zhan Beicang and Zhan Xinzhang’s expressions also turned somber; they understood what the Emperor was thinking.
Mu Yan showed no emotional fluctuation, merely staring at the Eight Diagrams on the ground, ready to leave now that matters were settled.
Emperor Xuanwu shifted his gaze from Zhan Lan and addressed Si Jun, "After receiving thirty strokes of the cane, you must immediately depart for Lingnan. You may not enter the capital without a decree. This case is closed; no further investigation is needed."
Si Jun sharply raised his eyes; the suffocation in his chest felt like a demon dragging him into hell.
He wasn’t only exiled to Lingnan but also had to endure an additional thirty strokes.
Especially the decree of not entering the capital meant he was drifting further away from royal power.
However, this outcome displeased only Si Jun; whether it was the Zhan Family, the old generals, or even Prince Yu’s teacher Lu Zhong, all were quite satisfied.
Although Emperor Xuanwu obviously favored Prince Yu, nobody cared about Si Jun’s fate!
Zhan Feng watched Zhan Lan, terrified in his heart. This foster daughter had completely stolen the limelight in front of the Emperor today and almost became a princess. Her tactics were too frightening; Zhan Feng now suspected that Zhan Lan was responsible for his current plight!
But were their conflicts worth such meticulous plotting and scheming by Zhan Lan?
