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Chapter 90: Chapter 90: Zhan Lan’s Arrogance Mostly Comes from Mu Yan’s Protection
On the other side, Zhan Feng returned to his father’s tent, fuming with anger.
Learning about what had happened today at the Martial Arts Arena, Zhan Xincheng lay on the bed, pounding on the wooden board.
"Zhan Feng, you, you are the epitome of stupidity!"
He was convinced that the incident was deliberately provoked by Zhan Feng, who also lacked the capability to manage the aftermath!
"Apart from your uncle and your elder brother, who else was there today?"
Zhan Feng replied shakily, "There were also those four veteran generals."
Zhan Xincheng closed his eyes in disappointment; this time, Zhan Feng had left such a terrible impression on those four senior generals that it was unlikely they would speak well of him in court hereafter!
Because of Zhan Feng’s impetuousness and overestimation of himself, he had become the butt of jokes in the army.
From now on, gaining the respect of others would probably be even harder!
"You, in the future, don’t provoke Zhan Lan for no reason; that girl is not simple!" Zhan Xincheng opened his eyes wide in anger, glaring at his disappointing son.
Having been snubbed outside, Zhan Feng felt even more aggrieved being scolded by his own father upon returning, harboring resentment in his heart.
Therefore, he defended himself, "Father, Zhan Lan was just lucky. She merely wanted to put me in my place today! Just watch how I’ll handle her properly in the future!"
Zhan Xincheng looked at his foolish son, furious at his ineptitude!
He advised fervently, "Even if Zhan Lan is powerful, there is nothing to fear. As a daughter from a family, she cannot stir up too much trouble. Your real rival is the legitimate eldest son of the Zhan Family!"
When mentioning ’the legitimate eldest son,’ Zhan Xincheng lowered his voice and continued, "Zhan Lan’s arrogance is mostly due to Mu Yan’s protection. Once Lord Mu gets hold of her and tires of her, you can just find a place to dispose of her!"
"She is not a member of the Zhan Family, and poses no threat to you. Your current priority is to change everyone’s perception of you. Train hard!"
Zhan Xincheng instructed while staring at the canopy of the tent.
Zhan Feng was brought to his senses by his father’s words; his father had a longer-term vision than he did.
After his father’s enlightenment, he sorted out his thoughts. No wonder Mu Yan was so protective of Zhan Lan; it turned out that this charismatic nobleman had his eyes on Zhan Lan.
No surprise, because indeed, Zhan Lan was beautiful! Even dressed in men’s clothing, her radiant beauty could not be concealed.
If she were to wear women’s clothing, wouldn’t she be even more gorgeous?
Thinking about this, Zhan Feng sneered sinisterly. One day, he too would humiliate Zhan Lan to see what arrogance she would have left!
...
Three days later, the contingent of the Zhan Family Army set off for Ding’an City.
Zhan Lan and Chu Yin sat together in a carriage, with Chu Yin looking back at the soldiers waving at them.
However, she could not spot the figure of Zhan Hui amongst them.
She lowered the carriage curtain with a touch of disappointment.
Seeing Chu Yin with her thoughts written all over her face, Zhan Lan deliberately asked, "What’s wrong? Our Miss Chu of the Chu Family has everything she could wish for, what’s there to be troubled about?"
Chu Yin awkwardly replied, "What troubles could I possibly have? There are none!"
In the last few days, Chu Yin felt that Zhan Hui’s treatment of her had cooled down compared to the enthusiastic days before.
She felt an emptiness in her heart.
Of course, Zhan Lan knew why Zhan Hui was distancing himself from Chu Yin.
Zhan Hui, who loved but could not have, who loved but could not get close, was actually suffering more than Chu Yin.
Zhan Lan was certain that if the two truly loved each other, they would ultimately be together.
It just required an appropriate opportunity.
Anyway, now that the princess no longer intended to marry Zhan Hui, she did not need to pay special attention to Zhan Hui anymore and could look elsewhere!
Among the troops returning to Ding’an City this time, aside from Zhan Xincheng and his son.
To Zhan Lan’s surprise, her father Zhan Beicang also received the imperial command to return to the capital!
With the Western Rong severely weakened and Beiyue still lurking around, Emperor Xuanwu was unlikely to take action against the Zhan Family at this time.
In all likelihood, the Zhan Family could enjoy a few more years of good times.
However, for these two years, Zhan Lan must pave the way for the Zhan Family.
There must be no repeat of the tragedy of her past life!
A troop of people returned grandly to Ding’an City.
The citizens within the city were overjoyed, jostling one another to welcome Zhan Beicang and the Zhan Family Army.
With excited expressions, crowds lined the path to welcome them, "Welcome the triumphant return of the Zhan Family Army!"
"For the protection of our Nanjin people, the Zhan Family Army has fought a bloody battle and suffered hardships!" an elder lifted high a basket full of walnuts.
Another woman cradled a jar of wine, "Well done, Zhan Family Army, this is a little token of appreciation from all of us, please accept it!"
Zhan Lan, seeing the citizens, consciously made way, welcoming the triumphant return of the Zhan Family Army!
Her lips curved into a smile, very satisfied with Long Kong’s efficiency.
She had entrusted Long Kong to have the frontline battle stories turned into tales, so that storytellers could narrate the brave fighting stories of the Zhan Family Army daily in Ding’an City.
Particularly, how Zhan Beicang led the entire army in a valiant resistance, Zhan Hui nearly dying in the Western Rong army’s encirclement, and how he fought his way out through a bloody path.
Also, how the soldiers of the Zhan Family Army cried out on the battlefield, courageously fighting for the people of Nanjin.
And how the Zhan Family Army, with their flesh and blood, resisted the foreign enemy, such a tragic and moving scene!
These stories moved the citizens of Ding’an City to tears.
Hence, today when the citizens of Ding’an City learned of the triumphant return of the Zhan Family Army, they came to welcome their heroes home.
Zhan Lan deeply understood that in her previous life, the Zhan Family Army had met with calamity.
Not many citizens knew of the sacrifices made by the Zhan Family, because the Zhan people did much but spoke little!
This time, she wanted the Zhan Family Army to be known for their loyalty and as loving towards the people as their own relatives.
Zhan Lan wished for the people of Nanjin to remember this in their hearts!
Only then would they not be misled by Si Jun’s claim of the Zhan Family Army’s rebellion!
Seeing such enthusiastic citizens, even Zhan Beicang was taken aback.
His eyes watered, the wound at his eye corner suddenly split open again, he wiped away the bloody tears and gratefully bowed, "Thank you, everyone! Thank you!"
It was unknown who shouted out, "Well done, Zhan Family Army! I’ve also heard that Miss Zhan Lan went to the battlefield and even cut off the arm of the Western Rong’s Main General!"
Zhan Lan was startled!
She hadn’t told Long Kong to reveal her own deeds—how did this person come to know!
Moreover, this person obviously intended to inform the Western Rong that it was she who had injured the Western Rong’s Main General Asi Han!
Although she was aware that the Western Rong would sooner or later learn of her identity, it was too soon for the entire imperial city to know she went to the battlefield and injured the enemy’s Main General.
There must be a mastermind behind this person!
Zhan Lan’s pupils darkened, speculating that it might be Zhan Xincheng’s people!
Or was there someone else who had planted a spy within the Zhan Family Army?
Zhan Lan lifted the curtain, looking in the direction of the voice, but that person had already disappeared.
After stirring up trouble, he had left!
"Miss Zhan Lan, well done!"
"Truly a heroine not inferior to men!"
As people joined in the uproar, Zhan Lan closed the curtain, and turned to Chu Yin with furrowed brows, "Don’t worry, it’s nothing!"
Chu Yin nodded heavily.
Zhan Beicang offered a slight smile to the crowd and said aloud, "Indeed, what this brother said is true, the Zhan Family Army has done well!"
Zhan Beicang did not mention Zhan Lan’s deeds, for he too sensed the implication; bringing up Zhan Lan’s actions at this time undeniably meant someone intended to make enemies for her.
The Western Rong were searching for the person who injured Asi Han, and now someone had pointedly identified Zhan Lan.
Zhan Beicang’s eyes narrowed slightly; it seemed that there were those in the Zhan Family Army with ulterior motives.
