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Chapter 214: Chapter 214: This matter has already touched upon this Seal Keeper’s bottom line!
Zhan Lan followed the crowd’s parted path and looked in the direction they made way for; his grandfather Zhan Xinzhang stepped down from the carriage.
"Good health to the Old General!"
"May the Old General be well!"
The common people all held great affection for Zhan Xinzhang; every time he returned from battle, they would greet him inside and outside the city.
Thus, many commoners recognized him.
Old Madam and Mrs. Zhang exchanged glances, both sighing with relief.
Upon seeing her grandfather, Zhan Liluo’s shaking body finally stopped trembling. A surge of relieved joy filled her heart; surely Mu Yan would give face to her grandfather!
With a straight back, Zhan Xinzhang walked up to Mu Yan, "Lord Mu, I caught wind of the matter just now. Shall this old man resolve his own family affairs?"
Mu Yan nodded slightly upon seeing Zhan Xinzhang, but his attitude did not yield an inch!
With a heavy voice, he said, "Old General Zhan, I respect you, but this matter has crossed my bottom line as the Seal Keeper, and I cannot tolerate it. Your granddaughter has used the Love Flower Poisonous Insect on me, which gives me reason to suspect she wants to control me, or rather, the second branch of the Zhan Family wishes to control me."
Zhan Xinzhang let out a sigh, the blame lay on Zhan Liluo and Mrs. Zhang.
Had they not harbored improper thoughts toward Mu Yan, this incident would not have happened today!
Zhan Xinzhang spoke gravely, "Indeed, it is Zhan Liluo’s fault, and this old man is willing to take his granddaughter’s punishment on my behalf."
Zhan Xinzhang had watched Zhan Liluo grow up since she was a child. If Zhan Liluo was unwilling to marry, she would not be pressured into it—the General Mansion could support her. After all, with her current condition, her life would not be easy.
Mu Yan’s gaze was icy-cold, "Old General, do you really need to go to such lengths for a granddaughter with malicious intentions? Is it worth it?"
Zhan Xinzhang looked at the terribly scared Zhan Liluo, then at Li Changlong seated in his wheelchair.
The deeds they had done brought disgrace to the family banner.
Mu Yan glanced sideways at Zhan Lan, "Old General Zhan, just now Zhan Liluo insulted your other granddaughter using vile language and attacked a military official and an envoy of the court. What should the crime be?"
"Two charges, enough to make her spend her next life in prison!"
Remembering the words of insult Zhan Liluo hurled at Zhan Lan, Mrs. Li felt awkward. However, she was curious why Zhan Lan was so unusually quiet today.
Vermilion Bird whispered to the old master, "Old General, Zhan Liluo said that General Zhan Lan is a little bastard born with a mother but no father to raise her."
Zhan Xinzhang’s eyes turned red with rage as he glared at Zhan Liluo, chastising, "What nonsense are you spouting!"
Zhan Liluo shrank back behind Mrs. Zhang, startled by her grandfather’s sudden change of attitude.
"Housekeeper Zeng, by the family law, administer thirty lashes!"
"No, Grandfather, I was wrong, I won’t dare again!" Zhan Liluo trembled with fear.
Tears fell from Mrs. Zhang as she rushed to the Old General’s side, saying in a voice only two people could hear, "Father, Liluo is already pregnant. Thirty lashes and she will not survive."
Mrs. Wang also stepped forward to plead, "My lord, Liluo’s body cannot withstand the lashing anymore. Please forgive her just this once!"
Zhan Xinzhang felt as if struck by lightning, his entire body numb. His grandson and granddaughter from the second branch of the Zhan Family had deeply wounded his heart.
Household affairs are hard to adjudicate!
Mu Yan made the decision for Zhan Xinzhang, "Zhan Liluo, control your own mouth. Now apologize to General Zhan Lan!"
Something warm stirred in Zhan Lan’s heart; never had someone like Mu Yan protected her in this manner.
Mu Yan had said he didn’t like her? She didn’t believe it!
Zhan Lan’s gaze fixed steadily on Mu Yan, no longer evasive.
Zhan Xinzhang also stopped protecting Zhan Liluo, instead looking at her, his voice cold, "You should apologize!"
Zhan Liluo looked at Zhan Lan and reluctantly said, "I’m sorry, I spoke without restraint, I was wrong!"
"And the slap? You said something, now take it back the same way!" Mu Yan’s gaze bore down.
Not a single person dared to intervene!
With trembling hands, Zhan Liluo slapped her own face again and again, crying, "I am the little bastard who had a mother but no father to raise me!"
Zhan Lan’s expression was dark; she wondered why she had allowed Zhan Liluo to act so crazily. Her intention was to shape public opinion before the second branch’s true face was exposed.
How she treated the second branch and how they treated her; if one day, she personally dealt with them, even if she said nothing, public opinion would take her side.
She had already done enough in secret against the second branch, and out of respect for her grandfather’s face, she wasn’t ready to tear off the mask.
Now Mu Yan was directly avenging her, but was it really appropriate to rely on him so assuredly and justifiably?
Mu Yan continued, "Old General, my stance remains unchanged. Either Madam Zhang and Zhan Liluo come back with me to the Xingtian Department now for public handling of this matter, or within two days, Zhan Liluo will marry Li Changlong. Choose one of the two options!"
For the first time, Zhan Xinzhang had his face blatantly challenged, but he had no grounds to help Madam Zhang and Zhan Liluo get out of this predicament.
Mu Yan looked at Zhan Xinzhang, "If it weren’t for the respect to the Old General’s hard work for the country, today’s matter would have led to Zhan Liluo and Madam Zhang being taken back to the Xingtian Department to elicit the truth, and be executed on the spot with canes! What the Seal Keeper says, he does!"
Zhan Liluo could distinctly feel her mother’s nervousness, her hand as cold as ice, still trembling incessantly.
This Seal Keeper Mu was notoriously ruthless and heartless. To think, he had made a concession for the sake of Old General Zhan’s face!
"Within two days, get the wedding done as soon as possible, otherwise, the Seal Keeper will come to take someone away!"
Having said that, Mu Yan turned around and left.
The guards of the Xingtian Department, stationed on both sides, promptly followed.
Vermilion Bird, walking behind Mu Yan, unconsciously curled the corners of his lips. Within two days, the marriage must take place. The Master probably wanted Miss Zhan to witness this "joyous occasion" before she went to Heifeng Pass!
Zhan Lan gazed at Mu Yan’s retreating figure, as if she had returned to her previous life. If it wasn’t for the Zhan Family’s military achievements and reputation in Nanjin, today he would have certainly carried out the execution of Madam Zhang and Zhan Liluo.
This was doubtlessly his way of handling things.
A chill wind poured down Zhan Lan’s neck, and she coughed twice. Alchemist Qi spoke, "Let’s go, Miss Zhan, I sense you might have caught a chill."
Zhan Lan nodded, "It’s nothing serious."
Mu Yan, hearing their conversation, paused for a moment but continued walking without stopping.
Zhan Liluo watched Mu Yan’s lonely figure, and her tears finally broke free, falling down in large drops.
All these years of affection, she had only seen Mu Yan rise to power, seen his handsome appearance, but forgotten that he was a cold and indifferent God of Death who didn’t blink at murder.
Zhan Xinzhang spoke to the onlooking crowd, "Everyone, please go back. Apologies for making you witness such a spectacle, I will properly discipline my granddaughter!"
He had traversed the battlefield for many years and never felt such a difficulty to resolve.
He finally understood why they say that an upright official finds it hard to settle household affairs, because emotions can blind your eyes, it’s affection that moves you, and kinship that gets hurt.
Often when one is involved, it is impossible to tell right from wrong. Even if one sees clearly, due to various ties, one can only compromise.
The onlookers saw the weariness in the Old General’s eyes and felt deep sympathy.
The crowd dispersed one after another, with their discussions becoming less cautious and louder along the way.
"The Old General is of advanced age, yet he still has to clean up the mess for the people of the second branch of Zhan Family."
"Indeed, this year has been quite tumultuous for the second branch of Zhan Family; they never seemed that way before, but now it’s clear that there’s nothing good in their bones!"
"Alas, it’s a complete waste of the prestige of the General Mansion!"
...
Zhan Lan returned to the residence, and Liu Xi, knowing she had contracted a chill, had prepared medicine.
"Miss, this is the medicine sent by Alchemist Qi. You need to take three doses a day, make sure to drink it on time."
Zhan Lan picked up the medicine bowl, squeezing her eyebrows while enduring the bitter taste and downed it in one gulp.
Liu Xi took the empty porcelain bowl and handed over a clean handkerchief while looking at Zhan Lan.
Zhan Lan took the handkerchief and wiped her lips, "Liu Xi, this time when I go to Heifeng Pass, I won’t take you and Xiao Tao with me. Not to mention the journey is long, both of you are not skilled in martial arts, and it would be inconvenient to act."
Liu Xi put down the porcelain bowl and nodded, "Yes, Miss, I will follow your orders."
Zhan Lan looked at Little Black who was lying by the stove wagging its tail and said, "Little Black, I won’t take you either." 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘱𝘶𝑏.𝑐𝘰𝑚
Little Black’s shiny black eyes looked at Zhan Lan, as if understanding its master’s words, it got up and approached Zhan Lan.
Zhan Lan petted its head, "You must guard the house well, Little Black!"
Little Black made a comfortable grunt and laid down at Zhan Lan’s feet.
"Liu Xi, help me find that set of red winter clothes and hang them up."
"Miss, are you going out?"
Zhan Lan’s eyes darkened slightly, "I am entering the palace tonight. The Emperor is holding a farewell banquet in the palace."
