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Chapter 91: Chapter 91: Seeking a Husband for Zhan Lan
Zhan Lan returned to the General Mansion; she knew that her mother and grandfather must be at the main entrance to welcome them.
But at such a moment of glory, she did not wish to appear.
To the people of the General Mansion, they had won another battle for Nanjin, a cause for jubilation.
But for Zhan Lan, she had merely rewritten the immediate fates of her father and elder brother.
Next, she had to face another crisis.
Zhan Lan didn’t dare to let her guard down for a moment, either physically or mentally.
She arrived alone in the desolate backyard.
From a great distance, she saw Xiao Tao and Liu Xi waiting to greet her at the door.
"Miss! You’re finally back!" Xiao Tao hurried over and hugged Zhan Lan.
Liu Xi also gave Zhan Lan a slight smile, her eyes shining.
Zhan Lan felt warmth in her heart; thankfully, she still had loyal servants. She smiled and said, "You two must have had a hard time while I was away!"
Liu Xi bowed and said, "Miss, your safe return is more important than anything!"
The three entered the courtyard together, and Zhan Lan looked at Mistress Li.
Mistress Li was still unconscious, but her complexion was a bit rosier than before Zhan Lan had left.
It seemed her illness was slowly recovering.
Zhan Lan called the two into her room and asked, "Has anyone troubled you while I was away?"
"Miss, we..."
Just as Xiao Tao was about to speak, Liu Xi took over and said, "Zhan Qingqing came with people, but the elder brother who has been protecting us in secret drove them away!"
Zhan Lan knew Liu Xi’s nature, and seeing the unnatural expressions on both of their faces, something must have happened.
But Liu Xi was someone who disliked causing her trouble.
So, her words were half-true, half-false.
Zhan Lan looked at Xiao Tao, who could not hide her concern, "Xiao Tao, you speak!"
Xiao Tao glanced at Liu Xi and said indignantly, "Zhan Qingqing came and claimed that you would die on the battlefield, and she even hit Liu Xi!"
Liu Xi looked down, not speaking. Zhan Lan asked coldly, "Where did she hit you?"
Xiao Tao pulled Liu Xi’s hand over, and Zhan Lan saw Liu Xi’s fingertips all bore the marks of having been pierced by a sharp instrument; though the wounds had healed, the fingernails were deformed.
Xiao Tao stamped her foot in anger, "Miss, the person you arranged has protected us many times, but once Zhan Qingqing brought an expert who lured away that elder brother."
"So, Zhan Qingqing jabbed needles into Liu Xi’s flesh and pressured her to admit whether she had betrayed her a long time ago. Liu Xi would rather die than confess, and she even endured a whipping!"
Zhan Lan rolled up Liu Xi’s sleeves and saw the marks of the whip on her body.
Her gaze determined, she looked at Liu Xi, "Liu Xi, wait for me for a few more days, I will avenge you!"
"Miss, Zhan Qingqing’s cruelty is no different from her mother’s, this servant has been waiting for you to return..." Liu Xi said, choking up.
She knew Zhan Lan was someone of great deeds, and that her words would certainly be put into action.
Zhan Lan patted Liu Xi’s shoulder, "Take good rest; you need not worry about anything for a while."
Liu Xi knelt down in gratitude and kowtowed to Zhan Lan, who swiftly helped her up.
Xiao Tao wiped away her tears, and Zhan Lan’s heart was filled with mixed emotions.
After a short rest, Zhan Lan left the General Mansion, and neither Xiao Tao nor Liu Xi knew where she had gone.
However, they could feel the murderous aura radiating from their mistress.
That same day, another event occurred: Zhan Beicang entered the palace to report to Emperor Xuanwu the battle situation with the Western Rong.
But the Zhan Family Army had achieved a complete victory, driving back the Western Rong and annihilating their main force of two hundred thousand. Despite this, Emperor Xuanwu not only offered no rewards, but instead offset these successes with the affair involving Zhan Peng!
Zhan Beicang returned to the General Mansion with a sense of loss.
Inside the master’s house of the Zhan Family, Mrs. Wang came out from the inner room drying her tears.
Zhan Beicang had returned alive and well, but her son Zhan Xincheng had almost lost his life returning to the Zhan Family.
Mrs. Wang’s eyes were red as she looked up at Zhan Xinzhang who sat in the master’s seat and said, "Master, I’ve looked at Xincheng’s illness. I’m afraid he won’t be able to fight for five years!"
Zhan Xinzhang closed his eyes and said, "Tomorrow, I will invite an Imperial Physician from the palace with my calling card to help Xincheng recuperate. You shouldn’t be too sorrowful either!"
Wiping the hot tears from her eyes, Mrs. Wang replied, "Yes!"
Zhan Beicang, with a stern face, walked into the room. Zhan Xinzhang asked, "What’s wrong? Was your audience with His Majesty today successful?"
Zhan Beicang shook his head helplessly, "His Majesty has not let go of his anger regarding Zhan Peng. He said that this repulsion of the Western Rong army is merely an offset of merits and demerits!"
Mrs. Wang was shocked. She had not expected Emperor Xuanwu to give no consideration to the injured Zhan Xincheng.
Her son’s leg was injured, and he also had internal injuries at his heart.
The court did not even offer a bit of comfort or rewards, which was utterly disheartening!
Zhan Xinzhang set down the blue and white porcelain cup he was holding, and a wave of frustration spread through his heart.
Unexpectedly, Emperor Xuanwu was exploiting the situation again!
Last time, using Zhan Peng’s mistake, he had revoked Zhan Beicang’s military power.
This time, he went as far as to use Zhan Peng’s affair to nullify the contributions of the two hundred thousand soldiers of the Zhan Family Army!
How ridiculous!
Zhan Xinzhang understood the implication; unlike his predecessor, Emperor Xuanwu had begun to fear the power of the Zhan Family!
He consoled Zhan Beicang, "Beicang, take this time to rest well. Your second brother is also wounded, so take more care of the family affairs!"
Although neither father nor son mentioned Emperor Xuanwu directly, both had prepared for the possibility.
Perhaps, Emperor Xuanwu intended to weaken the military strength of the Zhan Family Army!
They would need to make some preparations as well.
Zhan Xinzhang lightened his brow and asked, "By the way, isn’t the birthday of Xuerou and Lan’er in three days’ time?"
Zhan Beicang nodded, "Indeed, Father. Since I am idle, I might as well celebrate these two juniors’ birthdays."
Zhan Xinzhang nodded and said, "I’ve heard about the fourth daughter’s performance in the army, very commendable. However, Zhan Lan is still a girl. When you have time, look for suitable families. It’s time to settle the marriage affairs of the two girls as well."
"Yes, Father!" Zhan Beicang complied, but deep down he did not want Zhan Xuerou to leave his side so soon to become someone else’s wife.
As for Zhan Lan, he understood what his father meant. He didn’t wish for Zhan Lan, a young lady, to go to the front lines to fight; he hoped that she would learn martial arts for self-defense and live a peaceful life.
...
Zhan Lan arrived alone at a small courtyard in the suburbs. The yard was not large, but it was clean.
As Zhan Lan walked into the courtyard, she saw a middle-aged man drawing water from a well.
Upon seeing Zhan Lan, he immediately put down the bucket.
With utmost respect, he greeted, "Miss Zhan, you’ve arrived!"
While walking further in, Zhan Lan asked, "How is your mother’s illness?"
The man nodded, "Thank you for your help, Miss. After taking the medicine you brought, my mother has been recuperating and can now open her eyes!"
Zhan Lan nodded. After visiting the elderly lady inside, she stepped out of the house.
In the courtyard, she spoke to the man, "Now, I need your help! Are you willing to do the thing I mentioned to you before?"
