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Chapter 178: Chapter 178 Ah! It hurts!
Zhan Xuerou watched with glee as a few dandies picked a fight with Zhan Lan; she felt utterly satisfied.
It seemed that Zhan Lan was naturally a troublemaker!
It would be perfect if these dandies could give her a good thrashing; even if they couldn’t beat Zhan Lan, causing her some trouble would be like taking revenge for her.
The burning pain on Meng Ling’s cheeks was intense, and with a profound look in her eyes, she felt avenged at last; it would be best if Zhan Lan was beaten to death.
Seeing the situation take a turn for the worse, the shopkeeper, realizing that these people were either rich or noble, knew it wouldn’t do to have them fighting here, and immediately went upstairs.
By the time he had gone upstairs, those few had already started fighting with Zhan Lan, but before the crowd could gather around, the fight was already over.
Zhan Lan flexed her wrists, stepping on Mr. Wang’s hand and grinding it fiercely, causing him to shriek and climb up from his unconscious state.
"Ah..."
The other few were beaten so hard by Zhan Lan’s fists within a few breaths that they couldn’t get up and were wailing on the ground.
Zhan Xuerou clung to Meng Ling’s hand in fear, while Meng Ling felt the same tension, only now realizing how strong Zhan Lan actually was.
The dandies on the ground looked at Zhan Lan furiously, still spewing threats, "You just wait for us!"
"Who dares to keep our Martial Arts Champion waiting!" A shrill voice came from the entrance.
An old eunuch, followed by two rows of soldiers from the Imperial Army, entered with a gleaming royal decree in his hand.
In an instant, everyone’s gaze turned towards them.
Immediately, everyone in the hall kneeled down.
Seeing the royal decree was as if seeing His Majesty himself.
The dandies were dumbfounded because the gaze of the grizzled-haired eunuch was directed at Zhan Lan, "Miss Zhan, you have been quite the person to find!"
Zhan Xuerou also kneeled down upon seeing the royal decree.
She exchanged a glance with Meng Ling; it was really unexpected that people from the palace would come here.
However, it was just at the right time that Eunuch Li witnessed Zhan Lan beating those people.
Without humility or arrogance, Zhan Lan nodded and said, "I apologize for troubling Eunuch Li to make the trip. I was just looking for a place to dine, and before I could even eat, someone insisted on treating me – they simply wouldn’t take no for an answer, crying and begging..."
Her gaze fell on the couple of dandies lying swollen and bruised on the ground.
Only now did the dandies realize who the woman in front of them was – Zhan Lan!
The Martial Arts Champion of this year’s Martial Arts Examination!
They looked at each other with regret. They had just witnessed the Martial Arts Examination a few days ago, but Zhan Lan had not been wearing makeup at the time and was dressed in practice clothes, looking like a man, and they were too far away to see her face clearly.
They were fortunate that Zhan Lan had been merciful; otherwise, they might have been killed by her!
Eunuch Li smiled slightly, "Miss Zhan is joking. It looks like you have run into some thugs!"
He only glanced at the few kneeling down before he turned serious, "Martial Arts Champion Zhan Lan, please receive the decree!"
Zhan Lan knelt on one knee, with Xiao Tao and Liu Xi also kneeling behind her.
Eunuch Li’s voice rang out, "By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Military commanders and generals are the pillars of the state, guarding the nation. You, Martial Arts Champion Zhan Lan, have both literary and martial prowess. You are hereby appointed as Deputy General; one month from now you will set out to take your post at Heifeng Pass. This is the decree!"
"This humble girl thanks His Majesty!" Zhan Lan received the royal decree with both hands.
Throughout the hall full of kneeling people, not one person dared to look up.
Not until Eunuch Li called out, "General Zhan, I must rush back to report, I will take my leave now!"
Zhan Lan thanked him and watched as Eunuch Li left.
With the royal decree in her hand, it was impossible to dine here anymore.
She didn’t bother arguing with Zhan Xuerou over a spot; just as she was about to leave, she was surrounded by a crowd, each with a flattering expression on their face.
"General Zhan, I have finished my meal; would it be acceptable for you to sit at my table?"
"General Zhan, this meal will be my treat!"
"General Zhan, congratulations! I’ve just reserved an elegant private room on the second floor; may I have the honor of your company for a meal?"
Zhan Xuerou was pushed aside, her jealousy nearly consuming her.
Still, she smiled and congratulated Zhan Lan, "Sister Lan’er, congratulations!"
...
Zhan Lan truly couldn’t be bothered with these hypocrites.
The profligate sons kneeling on the ground were also afraid that Zhan Lan would retaliate against them. Mr. Wang knelt before Zhan Lan and said, "General Zhan, I was wrong before. I hope you can forgive my ignorance!"
"Yes, General Zhan, we were wrong!"
"We won’t dare to do it again!"
The remaining few also knelt, not daring to stand up.
If the person they were teasing and bullying just now was merely a beautiful girl, now it was different; the person before their eyes was Zhan Lan.
She was the Martial Arts Champion and also General Zhan.
If anyone were serious about this, they would be punished.
"Is it so simple to just apologize for provoking a prominent general of the court?" A heavy voice pressed over.
Following the voice, Zhan Lan saw Mu Yan walking down from the upstairs, followed by a man with delicate features.
It turned out, he was also dining here.
Zhan Lan nodded with a slight smile, as if to greet him.
When Mr. Wang saw Mu Yan’s features, all the hair on his body stood on end—his maternal uncle Cui Hao had shown him a portrait of Mu Yan.
He had also told him, never to offend Lord Mu, the Seal Keeper of the Xingtian Department.
The person before him looked a lot like Mu Yan, and behind him, there was someone dressed in the uniform of the Xingtian Department—the man must certainly be Mu Yan.
Zhan Xuerou was startled in her heart; how could Mu Yan be here?
Looking at Mu Yan’s handsome face up close was like seeing a celestial being exiled from heaven, so awe-inspiring that one dares not look directly at him.
Mr. Wang knelt and crawled to the feet of Mu Yan, crying and saying, "I’m sorry, Lord Mu, I was wrong. I won’t dare to do it again. I’ve apologized to General Zhan!"
Mu Yan looked cold and indifferent, not even glancing at him, but said in a deep voice, "Apologies should come with the right attitude. For attacking a military officer, your life is spared because of Miss Zhan’s kindness in holding back."
Mr. Wang knelt on the ground, with a nosebleed and missing two front teeth. Zhan Lan’s punch had ruined his features. How could Lord Mu audaciously say that Miss Zhan was kind and merciful?
"Miss Zhan saved this Seal Keeper’s life, and I am not so magnanimous. Each of you will still receive fifty cane strokes!"
As his words fell, the Vermilion Bird signaled the men gathered at the door, "Drag these men out and give them fifty cane strokes in the street, to serve as an example to others!"
The men wailed for help, "Ah, General Zhan, please beg for mercy on our behalf, we truly realize our mistake!"
"Ah!"
The muffled sounds of caning echoed through the entire street.
Zhan Xuerou felt a chill run down her spine as she listened. As the instigator, she lowered her gaze, ready to leave.
Unexpectedly, Mu Yan began walking toward her.
Zhan Xuerou’s heart pounded, wondering if Lord Mu noticed her beauty. Excited, she raised her head, only to meet Mu Yan’s icy demeanor.
He took step by step towards her, then stopped.
For the first time, Zhan Xuerou felt Mu Yan’s imposing aura at such close quarters.
Up close, Mu Yan was not only incomparably handsome but also carried a regal presence that made people dare not breathe.
Her heart raced with excitement; indeed, there are men in the world with such allure.
No wonder both Zhan Liluo and Cui Ying were madly infatuated with him!
Who could withstand such charm?
