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Chapter 201: Chapter 201 Zhan Xuerou Instigates
Zhan Xuerou, guided by a young eunuch, visited the imperial palace, accompanied by Qiuyue.
She arrived at Princess Si Yao’s residence. Conventionally, princes and princesses are expected to move out of the palace upon reaching adulthood. However, Emperor Xuanwu doted on Princess Si Yao extensively.
Thus, she did not have her own Princess Mansion and continued residing within the palace.
In the luxuriously decorated palace, Princess Si Yao was inserting red plum blossoms into a vase. Upon seeing Zhan Xuerou, she put down the flower branches.
Zhan Xuerou smelled the pleasant fragrance in the room, then felt a warmth in her hands as Princess Si Yao grasped them, saying affectionately, "Xuerou, it’s been a long time since you’ve visited me."
Zhan Xuerou bowed slightly, smiling softly, "My health has not been well, and it’s been too cold to go out. But today the weather is very nice, so I came to see Your Highness."
Seeing the gifts Zhan Xuerou brought, Si Yao deliberately said, "You didn’t need to bring anything. There’s nothing I lack here."
Zhan Xuerou nodded, "It is said among the commonfolk that Princess is proficient in poetry and prose, a true talented woman. Knowing that Your Highness does not care for mundane items, I specifically sought a few ancient books and a collection of poems for you."
Princess Si Yao, who was fond of vanity, found that Zhan Xuerou’s words struck right in her heart.
She preferred being acknowledged as a talented woman over her noble status.
Moreover, such praise coming from Zhan Xuerou, the legitimate daughter of the General Mansion known for her literary and martial prowess, felt even more significant.
Si Yao gestured to a palace maid, "Open it and let me see."
The maid opened the box made of nanmu wood which neatly contained several books.
After flipping through them briefly, Si Yao said joyfully, "Nobody understands me as well as you, Xuerou."
Zhan Xuerou smiled shyly. She lowered her gaze, her eyes flickering, her expression becoming solemn as she whispered to the princess, "Your Highness, I have something important to report."
Noticing Zhan Xuerou’s serious demeanor, Princess Si Yao dismissed her attendants, "What’s the matter?"
Zhan Xuerou summoned her courage, "I’ve come to know something that concerns Your Highness."
Princess Si Yao, touching the armor on her hand, became serious too.
Zhan Xuerou continued, "The foolish act done by Zhan Peng in the palace was actually a trap set by Zhan Lan!"
Upon hearing this, Princess Si Yao’s expression turned grim immediately. It was a thorn in her heart, a blemish in her life that she wished no one would ever mention.
Zhan Xuerou tentatively added, "Princess, please don’t be angry. I only wish to let you know the truth."
"Speak!" Princess Si Yao suppressed her anger, curious as to why Zhan Lan would want to harm her.
Zhan Xuerou spoke clearly, "Initially, Zhan Peng wanted to introduce my brother Zhan Hui to you, as he is truly handsome and capable. However, our adopted sister Zhan Lan has been infatuated with my brother since childhood. That night, she deliberately drugged Zhan Peng, leading to the ensuing events..."
Si Yao slammed the table, exclaiming, "Are you speaking the truth?"
Zhan Xuerou looked sincerely at Si Yao, "If there is a single lie in what I say, may I be condemned to the eighteenth level of hell after I die."
Seeing the murderous intent in Si Yao’s eyes, she coldly questioned, "Are you saying that this year’s Martial Arts Champion, Zhan Lan, is responsible?"
Zhan Xuerou nodded, "Yes, she now holds the title of Martial Arts Champion and has become even more arrogant. She has gotten her own residence, separated from the General Mansion, and frequently bullies and provokes me in secret. My parents refuse to believe that she is capable of such actions. Even my grandfather supports her for her military achievements. For the harmony of our family, I have no choice but to suffer in silence."
As Zhan Xuerou recounted her sorrow, tears fell unchecked from her cheeks.
She lifted her sleeve, revealing a scar left from a previous injury, and pitifully said to Princess Si Yao, "These injuries were also caused by Zhan Lan. She bribed bandits to ambush and attack me. I had to spend the last six months in bed and have only just regained the ability to walk. Unfortunately, I am powerless to resist her, but I could not allow Your Highness to remain deceived, so I had to reveal everything!"
Seeing Zhan Xuerou’s resolute expression and the alarming scars on her arm, Si Yao clenched the kerchief in her hand, her complexion darkened, "What a scheming and malicious woman Zhan Lan is, how can she earn the Emperor’s favor and the people’s trust like this!"
She had heard of Zhan Lan’s good reputation among the people and that she was highly valued by the Emperor.
Are they all blind? To see only the face and not the heart!
Si Yao looked at Zhan Xuerou, "Rest assured, I will certainly help you deal with that vile person. I heard she’s soon to be stationed at Heifeng Pass, far from Ding’an City, away from the Zhan Family. Once there, I have many ways to deal with her!"
Zhan Xuerou expressed her gratitude, "Thank you, Your Highness."
However, Zhan Xuerou knew well that Princess Si Yao’s promise to deal with Zhan Lan, was merely a favor sold to her.
Being superior and more prominent than others was despised at the core by Princess Si Yao who considered herself the most outstanding woman in Nanjin.
Thus, her move against Zhan Lan wasn’t much about avenging her but rather an opportunity, a pretext to strike at Zhan Lan.
After leaving the imperial palace, Zhan Xuerou’s expression lightened up in the carriage.
It would be best if Zhan Lan silently perished at Heifeng Pass.
As for the truth of her words to the princess, Si Yao would not bother to verify them.
Regarding the lies she told and the oaths she swore, Zhan Xuerou chuckled to herself—she didn’t believe in any such superstitions.
Otherwise, why would so many impoverished people who pray daily still succumb to starvation and sickness? Such was their fate!
...
Early in the morning, Zhan Lan went to bid farewell to Qingfeng Scholar at the academy. The Qingfeng Scholar felt uneasy for a while.
But for his student excelling in both letters and martial arts, Qingfeng Scholar was proud. Before leaving, he told Zhan Lan she could take some books from the Book Collection Pavilion.
Zhan Lan arrived at the Book Collection Pavilion and picked some of her favorite books. Just as she descended the stairs, she saw Wang Qingchen, dressed in white and with an exceptionally ethereal appearance.
Wang Qingchen nodded at Zhan Lan, and she returned the gesture.
Now being the Emperor’s scholar, Wang Qingchen naturally had free access to the academy’s Book Collection Pavilion.
As they were about to pass by each other, Wang Qingchen stopped in his tracks.
