NOVPUB
Chapter 154: Chapter 154 The One I Admire is Mu Yan
Zhan Lan stood there, declaring resolutely, "I will not marry."
Mrs. Li pointed at Zhan Lan’s nose and said, "Fine, if you won’t marry, you also shouldn’t participate in this year’s Martial Arts Examination. Come back to Phoenix City with me!"
Zhan Lan looked at Mrs. Li numbly; this woman really did everything in her power to protect Zhan Xuerou’s identity.
"I will not leave Ding’an City. I will participate in the Martial Arts Examination!" Zhan Lan didn’t even glance at Mrs. Li.
Mrs. Li, trembling with anger from Zhan Lan’s defiant retort, cried, "Whenever I ask you to do something, you always have to go against me. Well, fine, I never expected you to be filial to me. From now on, I no longer consider you my daughter!"
Hearing Mrs. Li’s words, Zhan Lan felt neither shock nor sadness.
This woman is causing a scene here, convinced that she would surely defy her.
Mrs. Li was putting on a show for the Zhan Family, making them think that she was an unfilial child.
In the midst of Mrs. Li’s crying, Zhan Xinzhang came with an authoritative voice, "Enough, the Martial Arts Examination is a direct decree from the Emperor; the fourth daughter must participate. As for the marriage, it needs further discussion."
After all, he isn’t biologically related to Zhan Lan. With her biological mother present, it wasn’t easy for him to intervene too much in Zhan Lan’s affairs.
He could only suppress Mrs. Li using the decree from Emperor Xuanwu.
Who knows what the future holds?
"Yes!" Mrs. Li, observing the entire Zhan Family room, felt intimidated, especially by Zhan Xinzhang.
Now that the old man had spoken, she had to relent.
But, ensuring that Zhan Lan leaves the Zhan Family, she would do her utmost to achieve that.
...
Everyone left in displeasure.
Once Zhan Xincheng and his family of three returned home, Mrs. Zhang remarked angrily, "Look, that Zhan Lan is becoming more arrogant by the day. Just because she has some achievements, she doesn’t even respect her own mother now."
Zhan Xincheng’s eyes were deep, and suddenly his chest began to ache again. Mrs. Zhang quickly supported him, "Master, you need to take good care of your injury."
As she spoke, Mrs. Zhang’s tears began to fall heavily.
"I don’t know how Feng is doing in Ningguta? It’s all because of Zhan Lan and the main house!" she gritted her back teeth.
Zhan Liluo chimed in from beside, "Yes, my poor brother!"
Zhan Xincheng motioned for them to stop, "Enough, both of you say less!"
He hated his father and elder brother for turning in Zhan Feng directly to Emperor Xuanwu, choosing righteousness over familial bonds and completely disregarding his feelings. This act undoubtedly cut off his lineage!
What would he do if his only son suffered any mishap in Ningguta!
He had sent people to inquire in Ningguta; Zhan Feng was living a hellish life, but he couldn’t share these details with Mrs. Zhang, fearing she might impulsively leverage her family’s power.
Now that Mrs. Zhang was older and could no longer bear children, her domineering nature made it impossible for him to take another concubine to have another son.
"Daddy, look at Zhan Lan, what was her attitude today? When your daughter kindly advised her, she dared to retort!" Zhan Liluo clung to Zhan Xincheng’s arm.
Zhan Xincheng looked at his daughter indulgently but admonished, "You, in the future, should stir less trouble with Zhan Lan. She’s not a simple woman!"
"Hmph!" Zhan Liluo pursed her lips, unconvinced.
Zhan Xincheng spoke again, "However, as Zhan Lan mentioned, you will be eighteen after the new year. Other families’ daughters are mostly married by sixteen. Father has found so many good marriage proposals for you, and you haven’t liked any. Who do you actually want to marry?"
Zhan Liluo blushed when asked this question by her father, her affection was for Mu Yan, but would her father agree?
Madam Zhang intervened, saying, "What kind of father asks his daughter such questions?"
Zhan Xincheng furrowed his brow and asked, "What do you think about Prince Qi and Prince Xian?"
Zhan Liluo sighed and said, "I have seen them at the palace banquet, and I do not like them."
Zhan Xincheng felt he had indeed spoiled his daughter too much, to the point where she didn’t even fancy a prince. Could it be that she fancies the Emperor himself!
Furthermore, to make a prince fall in love with his daughter was not possible without great effort, not to mention needing the Emperor’s permission for marriage. And yet, she was still not satisfied!
Zhan Xincheng’s eyes turned cold as he said, "Speak out the person you like, and let father think of a solution!"
Zhan Liluo’s cheeks turned red. She had fallen in love with Mu Yan at first sight in a painting at Cui Ying’s home, and after meeting him in person at the Flowers Banquet, he was even more handsome than in the painting.
His demeanor was unmatched, and the evil and rebellious air he carried, unlike that of ordinary men, deeply attracted her.
Zhan Liluo pondered for a moment, thinking her father had many ideas, perhaps he really could help her?
Under the expectant gazes of Madam Zhang and Zhan Xincheng, she spoke, "The person I have in mind is Mu... Yan."
After speaking, she shyly covered her face with a handkerchief.
Upon hearing the name Mu Yan, Zhan Xincheng trembled, his expression instantly turned cold and he decisively said, "You want to marry him? You cannot!"
"Why!" exclaimed Zhan Liluo, shocked.
"Why? Because he is someone you should not get involved with!" Zhan Xincheng’s face was filled with anger.
Madam Zhang had certainly heard of Mu Yan, the Seal Keeper of Xingtian Department; after all, how many others bore that name?
Seeing her daughter’s hopeful expression turn to one of disappointment, she looked at Zhan Xincheng and said, "Why are you getting angry at your daughter?"
Affected by Zhan Feng’s issues, Zhan Xincheng was already without military power, and he now relied on the influence of Madam Zhang’s family to stabilize his position in the court.
Thus, he did not dare to argue strongly with the domineering Madam Zhang, and murmured, "Anyway, anyone but Mu Yan is acceptable!"
Who actually was Mu Yan, a man completely inscrutable, an individual whose background was a mystery.
Such a person easily earned the trust of Emperor Xuanwu, and with cunning methods, maneuvered court politics.
What mattered most was, whether he really was a womanizer or just pretended; no one knew for sure.
Some said he was a libertine, yet no women ever seemed to be by his side; others claimed he had many affairs.
How could Zhan Xincheng, knowing this, feel at ease letting Zhan Liluo marry him?
Especially since Mu Yan was elusive, inherently rebellious, and acted unpredictably, involving him was sure to lead to lifelong regrets.
Claiming to be unwell and needing rest, Zhan Xincheng dismissed the mother and daughter.
Madam Zhang walked with Zhan Liluo to the garden, consoling her daughter who was crying beautifully like a pear blossom bathed in rain, "My dear, look, Ding’an City has so many distinguished young men, and some decent ones from your maternal family’s side too..."
Zhan Liluo’s eyes were red as she looked up at her mother, "Mother, I only like him. No one has ever made me so emotionally attached, I cannot live without him..."
Madam Zhang, pained to see her daughter like this, spoke comfortingly, "Liluo, don’t cry, mother will definitely find a way for you!"
