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Chapter 153: Chapter 153: She Must Marry
In the living room of the Zhan Family, everyone looked at Lady Li.
Lady Li spoke in a calm and measured tone, "After serious consideration, Lan’er is now grown up, and I wish to see her married. Once Lan’er is wed, I plan to move out and live elsewhere."
No one had expected Lady Li to say such things, including Zhan Lan.
Zhan Lan’s eyes darkened briefly. Lady Li wanted her to marry?
Marry whom?
Lady Li always assumed she could dictate her life.
Grandmother Wang spoke gently, "What’s the matter? Why do you suddenly speak of moving out? Have you found a good match for our fourth daughter?"
Zhan Xinzhang frowned, Zhan Beicang was puzzled, Qin Shuang was surprised.
Zhan Xuerou curled her lips into a light smile. Good, Zhan Lan was finally getting married!
Zhan Liluo looked at Zhan Lan with pride, wondering what kind of family Lady Li had found for her daughter!
Lady Li nodded and replied, "To the Old Madam, I have recently heard news from my long-lost sister, who is in Phoenix City. We had agreed that if I bore a daughter, she would be betrothed to her son."
Zhan Lan’s eyes grew utterly cold. Lady Li intended for her to marry far away, far from Ding’an City.
Before Zhan Lan could speak, Grandmother Wang asked affectionately, smiling, "How is your nephew’s family situation? Don’t let our fourth daughter suffer any hardships there."
With respect, Lady Li said, "Rest assured, Zhan Lan’s cousin Li Changlong is a model of talent, the legitimate son of his family. His father is the County Magistrate of Phoenix City, and they have some property and quite a reputation locally."
Grandmother Wang nodded, satisfied, "That’s good!"
Zhan Lan watched the two of them, as if they had arranged this in advance.
But she understood the situation, after all, she had provided evidence of Zhan Feng’s rebellion.
It was certain Grandmother Wang held a grudge against her.
Based on what Zhan Lan knew of Grandmother Wang, the old lady wouldn’t act against her openly. Once married off to a distant land, they might find a way to eliminate her.
Now, since Zhan Feng had been sent to Ningguta, he had been living in a state worse than death for the past few months.
It was said that he had become skeletal, starving to the point that even spoiled rice seemed normal; he had recently contracted tuberculosis and was barely clinging to life.
Zhan Beicang, frowning, asked, "Fourth daughter, is this also what you want?"
Zhan Xinzhang and Qin Shuang also turned their attention to Zhan Lan.
Before Zhan Lan could speak, the lady of the second branch, Madame Zhang, interjected with sarcastic tones, "Since ancient times, marriage has been arranged by parents, the matchmaker’s words. Lucky for you, Lan, to be marrying the County Magistrate’s legitimate son, who is also your cousin. Surely, you will have a life free from worries and filled with happiness."
Lady Li gave Madame Zhang a slight smile. Wasn’t it so?
In marrying her off, Lady Li thought she was doing Zhan Lan a favor.
Zhan Lan stated resolutely, "I had no prior knowledge of this matter, and I have no desire to marry some cousin I’ve never met. I simply wish to focus on preparing for the Martial Arts Examination, to serve the country. With our Nanjin surrounded by enemies, protecting millions of citizens is my duty, where is there room for romantic concerns?"
Her statement made it clear to everyone that the idea of Zhan Lan getting married was entirely Lady Li’s own wishful thinking.
Zhan Lan did not want it.
Zhan Xinzhang’s expression was complex. On one hand, he admired Zhan Lan’s martial skills and strategies; she was an exceptional military talent.
On the other hand, he also wished for Zhan Lan, a young lady, to have a good fate and live a peaceful life.
Unexpectedly, Zhan Lan’s heart was set on protecting the people of Nanjin.
Upon hearing Zhan Lan’s words, Zhan Beicang breathed a sigh of relief; he was not against the marriage, but he felt that marrying the son of a minor County Magistrate was beneath Zhan Lan.
He had selected several candidates, all of whom held official positions in the imperial city, at least at the rank of fourth grade or above, children from official families, only then would he feel reassured about Zhan Lan.
In this way, even if Zhan Lan married, she would still be around him. If her husband’s family treated her poorly, Zhan Beicang naturally had ways to deal with them.
But now that the Li Family wanted to marry Zhan Lan off to such a remote place, he could not bear it.
Qin Shuang shared the same mentality as Zhan Beicang. For some reason, when she learned that Zhan Lan was getting married, Qin Shuang felt very upset.
Zhan Lan was a child she watched grow up; although not her biological daughter, in her eyes, she was like a daughter nonetheless.
Now that Zhan Lan was about to get married, Qin Shuang couldn’t bear it and said to Li’s Family with a smile, "Since Lan doesn’t wish to, I think it’s better to respect the child’s wishes."
Madam Li was displeased, but dared not confront Qin Shuang, only saying with a smile, "Lan is my daughter, a filial child. I am not in good health, just hoping to hold my grandchildren soon, but who knows if I will live to see that day..."
As she spoke, tears started rolling down Madam Li’s cheeks.
Zhan Lan looked expressionless at Madam Li’s sobbing, feeling nauseated.
In Zhan Lan’s eyes was a hint of defiance, as she said to Madam Li, "I never intended to marry!"
Madam Li, angered, pointed at Zhan Lan’s nose; "What did you say..."
Zhan Lan enunciated clearly, "I will not marry in this lifetime, and my answer will be the same if asked again!"
Zhan Lan openly defied Madam Li; this was the first time, and Madam Li’s chest heaved violently with anger at her words.
Zhan Liluo said with a smile, "Sister Lan, you should not say things in anger, what woman doesn’t marry!"
Zhan Lan fixed her gaze on Zhan Liluo and with a slight smirk said, "Yes, elder sister will be eighteen soon and should consider it as well, I’m still young, no rush."
"You!" Zhan Liluo’s face flushed with anger from Zhan Lan’s retort. Madam Zhang glared at Zhan Lan, but ultimately, for the sake of her father-in-law, did not lash out.
Zhan Xuerou held her handkerchief to her mouth, snickering, then put it down and said righteously, "Lan, how can you say such things, upsetting your mother and elder sister, you and your cousin are well matched in social status, knowing each other well, and marrying into Phoenix City is not bad either!"
On the surface, Zhan Xuerou appeared concerned, but inside, she was ecstatic; someone as proud and arrogant as Zhan Lan would still have to marry off to that godforsaken place in the end.
Zhan Lan looked at Zhan Xuerou, the corners of her lips curled up, "Do you really think it’s good?"
Born on the same day, but in terms of seniority, Zhan Lan still had to address her as sister in public with feigned politeness.
Zhan Xuerou nodded gently, "Of course, it’s good."
"Then you marry for me!" Zhan Lan retorted, leaving Zhan Xuerou’s face ashen. Holding back her anger, she said, "Lan, why drag me into this, I’m just kindly advising you..."
Qin Shuang lightly patted Zhan Xuerou’s arm, speaking in a lowered voice, "Alright, say no more."
Zhan Hui watched with a headache as Zhan Xuerou spoke out of turn; clearly, Zhan Lan did not want to marry, yet she was only adding fuel to the fire.
Zhan Xuerou, feeling snubbed, glared at Zhan Lan. The latter had indeed become bold, daring to talk back to her.
Upon hearing Zhan Lan’s retort against her own daughter Zhan Xuerou, Madam Li said with a cold face, "I apologize, today’s family affairs have caused a scene for everyone..."
With the last bit of patience, she softly asked Zhan Lan, "Lan, tell me, will you marry or not?"
