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Chapter 197: Chapter 197: Rejecting Zhan Xuerou
Zhan Lan nodded slightly, "Congratulations, Mr. Wang."
"Thank you!" Wang Qingchen pursed his lips and smiled. He did not speak again; he wanted to maintain a sense of mystery in front of Zhan Lan.
Together, they walked through the long street, Mu Yan’s gaze following Zhan Lan to the end of the road.
The look that Wang Qingchen gave Zhan Lan—what kind of look was that? Why was he so cautious when speaking with her?
Mu Yan’s right arm rested on the table; his index finger lightly swept across his brow. Could it be that he also fancies Zhan Lan?
He frowned. There were perhaps too many men hovering around this little lady.
Mu Yan felt a bit of irritation in his heart.
Bai Chen had gone to watch a play, but Mu Yan found it too noisy and unpleasant, so he stayed back alone in the private room to drink tea.
Vermilion Bird stood respectfully behind him.
Mu Yan looked towards Vermilion Bird and said, "That Wang Qingchen, find the best matchmaker, and have a few girls introduced to him every month to keep him busy."
"Yes, Master," Vermilion Bird received such a jolly task for the first time.
Mu Yan thought it over, then stood up, "Come with me to a place."
Vermilion Bird promptly followed, and together with Mu Yan, they arrived at the dog market.
The barking noise was causing Vermilion Bird’s ears to ache. He saw his master walking past the dog cages with a calm demeanor.
Among all the dogs, big and small, Mu Yan did not take a fancy to any.
It was not until Mu Yan stopped in front of a puppy cage that he paused. The dog in front was a pure white, medium-sized one, with a shining coat. It had beautiful jet-black eyes, bright white teeth, and a pink little tongue—it looked noble and beautiful.
Seeing the spark in his master’s eyes, Vermilion Bird immediately said, "My master will take this dog."
Seeing the distinguished aura of the visitor, the dog peddler quickly put on a smile, "This dog comes from a precious lineage, so the price is higher—a hundred silver pieces."
Mu Yan asked, "Is it female?"
The peddler nodded, "Yes, yes, yes."
Mu Yan glanced at Vermilion Bird, who immediately took out a silver note from his bosom and handed it to the peddler.
It was the first time the peddler had seen a customer buying a dog without haggling, and he excitedly said, "I’ll deliver it to your mansion."
...
After Zhan Feng’s seventh-day memorial, Zhan Lan, upon receiving an invitation from the Wang family, brought Divine Doctor Qi to the second branch of Zhan Family.
Zhan Xincheng had been able to eat some simple rice porridge and his complexion seemed better, but he could only lay in bed for eating and relieving himself, leading a life akin to a living dead.
Even on the day of Zhan Feng’s burial, he did not attend.
He now harbored a glimmer of hope in his heart—that the two concubines kept in the courtyard would bear him a son.
Madam Zhang’s face was still not pleased upon seeing Zhan Lan because Zhan Lan didn’t pay any attention to her and never glanced at her from beginning to end.
After Zhan Lan and Pharmacist Qi had seen Zhan Xincheng for his illness, she went to see her grandfather.
Zhan Xinzhang was reading inside when he saw Zhan Lan, put down his book, and smiled warmly, "Lan, have lunch at home today!"
As Zhan Lan stepped aside, Zhan Xinzhang saw Pharmacist Qi behind her.
"Grandfather, this is Pharmacist Qi Lin. I would like him to take your pulse," Zhan Lan introduced the identity of Pharmacist Qi.
Zhan Xinzhang’s eyes brightened, and he stood up, saying, "So this is the renowned Pharmacist Qi Lin. Thank you for treating my son."
Pharmacist Qi, feeling an instant connection with Zhan Lan’s grandfather, chatted and examined his health.
Pharmacist Qi Lin turned to Zhan Xinzhang and said, "The Old General is in good health, it’s just that due to his age, the duration of exercise should not exceed half an hour."
Zhan Xinzhang chuckled and shook his head, "This old man remembers, one must accept aging when they’re old!"
Zhan Lan remarked with a laugh, "Grandfather is not old at all, as steadfast as a green pine!"
Zhan Xinzhang smiled and said, "You girl, always so sweet-tongued!"
The three of them chatted joyfully, and Zhan Xinzhang had the kitchen make Zhan Lan’s favorite dishes. After the meal.
Zhan Lan was preparing to leave the General Mansion in the company of Alchemist Qi.
"Alchemist Qi, thank you very much." Zhan Lan reached over Alchemist Qi’s shoulder to take the medicine chest.
Alchemist Qi did not stop her, and Zhan Lan carried his medicine chest, looking just like he was with his granddaughter coming for a consultation.
Alchemist Qi truly liked Zhan Lan in his heart, and smilingly said, "It’s just a small favor, and besides, this old man has taken so much silver from the second branch, so I’m not at a loss."
As the two of them were chatting and nearly out the door, Zhan Lan suddenly heard someone call her from behind, "Fourth sister!"
Zhan Lan turned around and saw Zhan Xuerou, she was holding a hand-warmer with a friendly smile and stepped forward.
"Fourth sister, could you ask Pharmacist Qi Lin to see me for my illness?" Zhan Xuerou looked at Alchemist Qi with hopeful eyes, "Divine Doctor Qi, I’m the legitimate daughter of the General Mansion, Zhan Xuerou, would it be convenient for you to see me?"
Ever since her last injury, Zhan Xuerou had not fully recovered, often suffering from abdominal pain, and hearing that Divine Doctor had arrived at their home, she believed Zhan Lan would not snub her.
Zhan Lan stayed silent as she looked at Zhan Xuerou, but her aloof expression was caught by Alchemist Qi’s eyes.
He knew that Zhan Lan had first looked for the midwife present at her birth and was now looking for Yu Jinchan. Everything Zhan Lan was doing aimed to prove her identity.
Alchemist Qi guessed that this legitimate daughter in front of him might be a fraud.
Before Zhan Lan could speak up, Alchemist Qi firmly refused, "This old man only treats male patients."
With Alchemist Qi’s words, Zhan Xuerou was instantly deflated, having heard that it was this Divine Doctor who had treated Zhan Lan’s shoulder injury.
It was clear that Divine Doctor Qi did not wish to see her for treatment.
Zhan Xuerou covered her mouth with a handkerchief and said softly, "It’s okay, I disturbed Divine Doctor Qi."
After saying that, she turned around, her eyes quickly filling with jealousy and hatred.
Why do so many people stand by Zhan Lan’s side, and why can Zhan Lan easily obtain the things she dreams of?
Meng Ling was still bedridden from the beating she received at Baoxiang House last time, half-dead.
First, it was Mu Yan who spoke on behalf of Zhan Lan, followed by Divine Doctor Qi deliberately targeting her.
After returning to her room, Zhan Xuerou saw that lunch was ready, and the aroma was enticing, but she had lost her appetite.
Because she learned that her grandfather had lunch with Zhan Lan, she flipped the table over in anger, startling Qiuyue to quickly step back.
Zhan Xuerou went to the side room, where she saw the bedridden Meng Ling. If it wasn’t for her pleading, Meng Ling would have been driven away by her grandfather.
Meng Ling was propped on the bed, unable to lie down, "Miss, you have come, this servant cannot greet you properly!"
Zhan Xuerou lowered her stance and said to Meng Ling, "You rest and heal well. As for the young marquis, I do not know how things stand."
Meng Ling clenched her teeth and nodded, "Miss, don’t worry, once the young marquis returns from Lingnan, he will definitely teach Zhan Lan, that wretch, a lesson for you!"
Zhan Xuerou’s eyes looked towards the distance, "I’m waiting for him."
But in her heart, she didn’t know if Si Jun would truly return; right now, she had to find a new backer.
She thought of someone who might be able to help her deal with Zhan Lan; she would seek them out in a day or two.
...
Zhan Lan walked out to the front gate of the General Mansion; her vigilance was high. When she was about to get into the carriage, Zhan Lan heard some rustling noises inside.
Zhan Lan’s expression turned cold as she took out a dagger named Blood Drop from her sleeve and quickly lifted the carriage curtain.
