NOVPUB
Chapter 128: Chapter 128: Severing Father-Son Relationship
Zhan Feng saw Madam Wang being helped down from the carriage by Nanny Liu.
"Grandmother! Grandmother, save me!" Zhan Feng cried out.
Madam Wang saw the tragic state of Zhan Feng, his back and legs covered in bloodstains, his body bearing whip marks.
"My grandson!" Madam Wang stepped forward, snatched the whip from the government officer’s hand, and angrily demanded, "Who allowed you to beat my grandson? Unchain him now!"
"He’s already injured, and yet you still treat him this way. Use my carriage, let Feng’er sit in it; how can he endure such suffering..."
Madam Wang was heartbroken to the core.
Zhan Feng was her only direct grandson, and upon learning of this matter, she had gotten angry with Zhan Xinzhang and had come chasing after Zhan Feng.
The head government officer, noticing it was a carriage of the Zhan Family, immediately pushed away the officer who was beating Zhan Feng and said with a forced smile, "Old Madam, why have you come personally? Zhan Feng is accused of treason; there’s nothing anyone can do. There are orders from above, please don’t make this difficult for us!"
Madam Wang furiously retorted, "I am an Imperial Decree Madam personally appointed by His Majesty. Do I not even have this bit of authority?"
The government officer was at a loss for words with this unreasonable old lady.
Soon after, another carriage kicked up dust as it approached.
A middle-aged man with a cane and eyes red with anger looked at Zhan Feng, who was being supported by the officers. He felt a darkness before his eyes and almost fainted.
But Zhan Xincheng was a ruthless man; he wouldn’t let his emotions show.
"Father! Father, help me appeal to His Majesty, Father!" Seeing Zhan Xincheng, Zhan Feng was as desperate as if he had found a straw to clutch at, crying out to him for help.
Madam Wang was stunned; how had her son come here?
She had specifically instructed that Zhan Xincheng not be informed of this incident.
Such a big incident, with Zhan Feng being paraded through the streets, spat upon by the people, and shouted at by everyone; how could Zhan Xincheng not know!
Zhan Xincheng was helped forward, raised his hand, and slapped Zhan Feng across the face with a smack.
"Zhan Feng, have you lost your mind?" said Zhan Xincheng, his eyes filled with sorrow.
Stunned by Zhan Xincheng’s slap, Zhan Feng, Madam Wang, and the officers were all taken aback.
"What are you doing!" Madam Wang rushed to pull Zhan Xincheng away.
Zhan Xincheng knelt down with a thud and said, "Mother, our Zhan Family has always been loyal and dedicated. I never expected such a rebellious child to emerge. It’s my fault for failing to educate him properly!"
He then began slapping his own face violently.
Madam Wang, tears streaming down her face, reached out to grab Zhan Xincheng’s hand, her heart aching as if it had been gouged out.
But in that moment, she understood Zhan Xincheng’s intention; he was distancing himself from Zhan Feng!
Only by doing so could they avoid being implicated by this incident.
If they protected Zhan Feng and were reported to Emperor Xuanwu, they probably wouldn’t be able to clear their names.
"No, don’t blame yourself, it’s not your fault, it’s Zhan Feng who’s been foolish!" Madam Wang was pale as her strength drained from her face.
"All you care about is yourselves... I hate you!" Zhan Feng’s cheeks swelled with the slap, blood spitting from his mouth as he looked coldly at his father and grandmother, his heart desolate.
Moments later, Zhan Feng’s mocking laughter echoed on the official road; his laugh was eerie and full of sorrow, "Haha, well done! I won’t drag you down! Not at all! Go and enjoy your wealth and glory!"
He sneered at Zhan Xincheng and Madam Wang with eyes like those of a venomous snake.
Zhan Xincheng shivered inwardly, while Madam Wang felt as if her heart was being sliced to pieces.
Zhan Xincheng cursed furiously, "Fine! Today, I disown you as my son!"
Hearing Zhan Xincheng’s words, all that remained in Zhan Feng’s eyes was hatred.
It turns out that in this world, even familial love cannot be trusted.
Filled with despair, Zhan Feng said to the government officer, "Let’s go!"
The government officer bowed respectfully towards Zhan Xincheng and said, "Then, I must take my leave due to official duties."
After all, Zhan Xincheng was still present; they could not mistreat Zhan Feng too much. The two officers supported the limping Zhan Feng as they continued their journey.
Madame Wang choked back sobs as she wiped away her tears, while Zhan Xincheng’s eyes were red with rage, yet he dared not show too much emotion.
Zhan Lan watched this farce unfold, her eyes brimming with hatred. She would make every member of the second branch suffer immensely.
Make them wish they were dead!
Zhan Feng’s journey to Ningguta was undoubtedly a march towards death.
But as for how to die—
That was for her to decide!
Xiao Chen had quietly arrived to meet with Zhan Lan. He looked towards the departing carriages of the Zhan Family and said, "Miss, all is set up; we will ensure Zhan Feng endures extreme torture."
"Moreover, Zhan Xuerou personally went to see Si Jun off today."
Zhan Lan nodded and said, "Good. It seems Meng Ling is truly Si Jun’s person."
"Why doesn’t Miss directly kill Si Jun?" Xiao Chen asked.
Zhan Lan sneered, "Do you know about the Death Guard called Hei Yu that belongs to Si Jun?"
Xiao Chen’s expression changed, "You mean the Heavenly Slaughter Sect’s top Disciple, Hei Yu?"
Within a hundred years, the Heavenly Slaughter Sect produced a genius, and that was Hei Yu. He was Si Jun’s Death Guard, never seen in public, and an ace up Si Jun’s sleeve.
Thus, Si Jun wanted a publicly recognized Death Guard leader, to let his enemies believe his most powerful trump card was someone on the level of Qin Ming.
Once the enemy made a move, Hei Yu would strike from the shadows!
Zhan Lan untied and mounted the horse tied to the tree trunk, saying, "Correct. With our current strength, we are no match for Hei Yu, and now is not the best time to kill Si Jun. If Si Jun dies, Emperor Xuanwu would surely doubt the decisions he’s made, thinking that Si Jun was wrongly accused and silenced by murder. Therefore, this matter requires long-term planning!"
"Yes, Miss!" Xiao Chen nodded.
Zhan Lan wanted Si Jun and Zhan Xuerou to enjoy their lovey-dovey relationship for now, until the day Zhan Xuerou’s true identity and vile nature were exposed.
She was curious to see how Si Jun would treat Zhan Xuerou for the rest of his life!
Zhan Lan still remembered in her previous life, when she became Martial Arts Champion, Si Jun purposefully got close to her.
At that time, Si Jun even talked to her about the tale of Ehuang and Nuying. She had been foolish in her past life, not to see through Si Jun’s vile nature.
He wanted both—her guard over the country and Zhan Xuerou’s affection!
Si Jun and Zhan Xuerou, the perfect pair of despicable lovers, let them torment each other!
Zhan Lan was not only unafraid of their union, but she even hoped that they would get together quickly.
The best would be if they loved each other profoundly, recklessly—until they turned against each other, and that’s when Zhan Lan would begin her hunt!
Upon returning to the mansion, Zhan Lan went to the front courtyard, which was quite the hive of activity.
Madame Wang’s wails were miserable and piteous, while Zhan Xincheng knelt in the family shrine pretending to atone for his sins.
And there was Zhan Beicang, furiously scolding Zhan Xuerou.
"Kneel down! Have you lost your mind... You actually went to bid farewell to Si Jun; do you have a death wish?!"
Zhan Xuerou knelt on the ground, crying pitifully.
Zhan Beicang shook with anger; he was too indulgent towards Zhan Xuerou, which is why she was so clueless.
What kind of timing was this? Si Jun had committed the crime of treason. Others would steer clear of him, yet the legitimate daughter of the Zhan Family was so eager to get close to Si Jun.
In the imperial court, Zhan Lan fought desperately to protect the Zhan Family, and then look at Zhan Xuerou—what had she done!
