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Chapter 149: Chapter 149 Li Awoke
Liu Jinxiu stood up and glanced at her collapsed son on the ground, his mouth stuffed with a rag, terrified.
If she didn’t tell the truth today, she feared that neither she nor her son would have a way to live.
She only blamed herself for being blinded by money at that moment, which led her to do such a thing.
Unfortunately, there’s no medicine for regret now.
Zhan Lan pressed Liu Jinxiu out of the dilapidated house.
"Miss!"
Zhan Lan suddenly heard someone calling her from behind. She turned back to see a breathless Liu Xi, who hurriedly approached Zhan Lan and said, "Miss, Madam Li has awakened!"
Zhan Lan was taken aback. She had instructed Liu Xi to notify her immediately if Madam Li woke up.
What a coincidence that it was today – the woman could not have awoken at a more opportune moment!
She was just worried that Liu Jinxiu alone was not enough as a witness!
While they were talking, there was a whooshing sound.
An arrow shot straight towards Liu Jinxiu.
Upon hearing the sound of the arrow piercing the air, Zhan Lan immediately pushed the dazed Liu Jinxiu.
But the arrow still pierced into Liu Jinxiu’s body.
Xiao Chen came out of the house and quickly chased after the archer.
Zhan Lan supported the groaning Liu Jinxiu, who had fallen to the ground. 𝓃𝓸𝓋𝓅𝓊𝒷.𝓬𝓸𝓂
"Hurry and find a doctor!" Zhan Lan looked at the location of Liu Jinxiu’s wound. Fortunately, her push had caused the arrow to deviate a bit from the chest; Liu Jinxiu might hold on until the doctor arrived.
Who exactly wanted to harm Liu Jinxiu?
Could it be Madam Li’s people?
Zhan Lan didn’t think Madam Li had any confidants with such good archery skills.
Moreover, Madam Li had just woken up, so how could she possibly react so quickly.
"Miss... am I... am I going to die..." Liu Jinxiu said with suffering groans.
Liu Jinxiu’s son peered through the window, watching his mother get injured and fall to the ground. He was terrified; while worried about his mother, he was more afraid of bringing trouble upon himself.
So, he retracted his head back inside.
Zhan Lan stopped Liu Xi who was leaving to call a doctor because Liu Jinxiu spit out a large mouthful of blood – it seemed she might not make it.
Zhan Lan wanted to bring her directly to Zhan Xinzhang, but Liu Jinxiu desperately clutched Zhan Lan’s hand and used all her strength to say: "I’m not going to make it... I am sorry for you. That year, besides the two wet nurses, another doctor who was treating Madam Li and looking after her pregnancy... was also present. He saw us exchange the children... used this to threaten Madam Li. Yu Jinchan took Madam Li’s husband’s pension for the fallen and left Ding’an City, also promising never to return."
Zhan Lan urgently inquired, "What’s his name?"
Liu Jinxiu’s eyes widened, "His name is Yu Jinchan, you go find him..."
Afterwards, Liu Jinxiu’s gaze faded as she pleaded, "Miss... please spare my son..."
"Alright." Zhan Lan nodded. She had no grudge against Liu Jinxiu’s son and no need to kill the innocent.
Zhan Lan believed what Liu Jinxiu claimed today. She trusted the words of a mother trying to secure a way out for her son before dying.
Because Liu Jinxiu understood, if this clue was false, Zhan Lan would definitely not spare her son.
Liu Jinxiu’s grip on Zhan Lan’s hand grew weaker and weaker until finally, she whispered, "I’m sorry..."
In the end, she closed her eyes.
Zhan Lan looked at the dead Liu Jinxiu, her gaze sorrowful and heart heavy with frustration; her journey to claim her kin was truly difficult!
She had not dared to delay, bringing the person back nonstop without rest, and now that she had arrived at the General Mansion, she hadn’t even had a sip of water.
Only to end up with such a hollow joyous ending.
Zhan Lan’s eyes darkened.
It seemed that not just Madam Li was trying to stop her quest for family.
Soon after, Xiao Chen came back, panting, "Our men didn’t catch him; his Qinggong is extremely good, we..."
Zhan Lan stood up and said, "Find a place to bury Liu Jinxiu, take good care of her son, I have use for him."
Xiao Chen said guiltily, "I’m sorry, Master."
Zhan Lan helplessly waved her hand, "It’s not your fault, I was the one who oversimplified things."
She underestimated the path that the Li family had laid out for their daughter, and she also underestimated the strength of her opponent.
Fortunately, finding Liu Jinxiu this time was not without gains, as she confirmed her own identity and also found a witness.
"Xiao Chen, also check on a doctor named Yu Jinchan for me. He was at the General Mansion when I was born," Zhan Lan instructed, "If you find him, act quickly and bring him directly to Old General Zhan Xinzhang."
"Yes, I will start investigating immediately," Xiao Chen replied, recognizing the seriousness of the issue.
Xiao Chen thought of something and reminded Zhan Lan, who was eager to establish her family ties, "Master, I’ve been meaning to say that this might be the will of heaven. The time to acknowledge your kin may not have come yet. If you claim your identity as the legitimate daughter of the Zhan Family now, with your strength and military achievements, that person will probably become even more wary of the Zhan Family."
Zhan Lan looked at Xiao Chen and suddenly became clear-headed. Indeed!
It’s easy for a decision-maker to get lost in details, while an observer has a clearer view. She was only focused on acknowledging her kin, neglecting the bigger picture.
Zhan Lan calmed down and realized that the biggest crisis at the moment was Emperor Xuanwu’s intention to weaken the Zhan Family.
Her identity being exposed now might not actually be a good thing.
Originally, Emperor Xuanwu wanted to give her an independent army to win her over and balance out the power of the Zhan Family.
If she acknowledged her kin now and reclaimed the identity of the legitimate daughter of the Zhan Family, her military achievements and capabilities would only make Emperor Xuanwu more determined to eliminate the Zhan Family.
Zhan Lan suddenly felt a chill of fear—perhaps everything was predestined, and now was not the best time!
Zhan Lan looked at Xiao Chen, "You’re right, I will go find Lady Li first!"
Zhan Lan returned to the back yard and walked with heavy steps to the door of Lady Li’s room.
Xiao Tao’s voice came first, "Madam, you need to take your medicine properly to recover quickly."
"Alright," Lady Li’s weak voice followed.
Zhan Lan’s eyes darkened; the woman she despised the most had actually woken up.
Zhan Lan’s scalp tingled as she entered Lady Li’s room. When Lady Li saw Zhan Lan at the door, she paused for a moment, a flicker of guilt in her eyes, followed by a cough and said, "Lan’er, these recent days have been hard on you."
Zhan Lan looked at her tiredly; indeed, she had indeed worked hard.
But all her efforts were not enough to save Liu Jinxiu’s life.
Now another witness was gone, and Zhan Lan felt that Lady Li and Zhan Xuerou were indeed mother and daughter. Both, for the sake of what they wanted, would go to any lengths and prepare thoroughly.
Even though Lady Li was now bedridden, she still had people helping her to protect her daughter.
Zhan Lan forced a weary smile, "It’s not hard work. Liu Xi has gone to fetch the doctor. She will be back soon to check on you."
Lady Li nodded contentedly, "You were injured on the mountain the other day. Have your injuries healed?"
Zhan Lan nodded, "They’re healed, don’t worry."
Lady Li turned over in bed, her back to Zhan Lan and said, "That’s good. I want to take a nap."
Zhan Lan looked towards Xiao Tao, "Alright, then we’ll leave and let you rest well."
Xiao Tao followed Zhan Lan into her room.
Zhan Lan held Xiao Tao’s hand and asked, "When did she wake up? Has she been out of bed?"
Xiao Tao shook her head, "This morning when I got up, the Madam had already woken up, but because she has been ill for so long, she failed in her attempt to get out of bed."
Zhan Lan continued to ask, "Did she ask you anything about Zhan Xuerou after she woke up?"
Xiao Tao thought for a moment and said, "No, she didn’t ask about Miss Zhan Xuerou."
Zhan Lan’s lips slightly curled up; a person like Lady Li who cherished Zhan Xuerou so much.
Having woken up from illness, her memory would still linger on the assassination attempt, and upon awakening, she would definitely be concerned about her daughter Zhan Xuerou’s wellbeing.
But she didn’t ask Xiao Tao, which means she woke up earlier and already knew Zhan Xuerou was okay.
It must have been her close confidants who told her about the situation with Zhan Xuerou.
The person who shot Liu Jinxiu knew martial arts and was more skillful than Xiao Chen.
Just now, Liu Xi came looking for her, also at Lady Li’s insistence.
Such coincidences are too eerie.
Xiao Chen had said earlier that the person in black was highly skilled. Who could that person be?
