Reborn to Become A Queen: The Real Heiress's Comeback-Chapter 253: I am the General! I’d rather die in battle than seek peace!

Chapter 253: Chapter 253: I am the General! I’d rather die in battle than seek peace!

Mu Yan got up and Vermilion Bird reported: "Master, the matter has been handled."

Mu Yan nodded and closed the door.

Vermilion Bird raised an eyebrow outside the door, recalling yesterday when Miss Zhan told the Master she was afraid of snakes.

The Master immediately had someone investigate which members of the Zhan Family often bullied Zhan Lan during their childhood.

So, he sent out the Hidden Guards to deliver surprises to Zhan Xuerou and Zhan Liluo overnight.

Although Vermilion Bird felt the Master was somewhat childish, unlike his usual decisive and ruthless style,

the Master himself certainly didn’t think so.

If it weren’t for the fact that those two ladies and the Madam were somewhat like sisters, the Master would probably really use poisonous snakes to bite the two women to death!

...

Early in the morning, Zhan Lan went to the Shen Family Rice and Wheat Store, where Shen Shan secretly brought her into a secret chamber.

Zhan Lan nodded and said, "Thank you, brother."

Shen Shan smiled, "No need to be polite, sister. This place is very safe."

Zhan Lan gave a faint smile, entered the secret chamber, and closed the door.

The man inside hid the longing in his eyes when he saw Zhan Lan, his blue robe accentuating his clear brow and handsome features.

"Miss Zhan, you are very punctual."

Zhan Lan smiled and sat down, not recognizing him immediately in that attire, "General Ye, I hope you’ve been well."

Ye Xiuhan nodded seriously and said, "You’re right, I met with Prince Xiao Luobai yesterday."

Zhan Lan stroked the edge of the teacup and said, "I’m relieved to hear that, General Ye. Be careful in everything since you’ve come here secretly with the envoy."

"Don’t worry, Miss Zhan. As an exchange, the task you asked of me has also been handled," Ye Xiuhan continued.

"Good," Zhan Lan’s lips curled up, raising her teacup, "Pleasant cooperation."

Ye Xiuhan clinked his cup with hers, "I hope the next time I see you, may we part only when drunk!"

Zhan Lan showed a bright smile, "There will be such a day."

After meeting with Zhan Lan, Ye Xiuhan left via the back door of the Shen Family Rice and Wheat Store, wearing a hooded cape.

...

The next morning, Zhan Lan was summoned into the palace by Emperor Xuanwu.

Emperor Xuanwu looked at her and said, "Zhan Lan, I have found a fine marriage for you."

Zhan Lan looked at Emperor Xuanwu, her expression calm and tranquil.

Emperor Xuanwu continued, "Beiyue hopes to strengthen relations between our nations. The Emperor of Beiyue has seen you and fallen in love at first sight, hoping you would become his Empress!"

Zhan Lan was shocked, furrowing her brows, "I have never met the Emperor of Beiyue!"

Emperor Xuanwu smiled slightly, "No matter, I will confer upon you the title of Princess He’an and have you marry the Emperor of Beiyue."

Zhan Lan looked up at Emperor Xuanwu, for the first time intimidating him with her gaze.

She stood there, neither servile nor overbearing, her presence exuding a pressing force, saying word by word, "I am a general! I would rather die in battle than marry for peace!"

Each word she spoke was resolute, echoing throughout the hall.

Emperor Xuanwu slammed his fist on the table, "Zhan Lan, how dare you!"

Zhan Lan met Emperor Xuanwu’s gaze, her expression resolute, "Then please, Your Majesty, grant me death!"

Emperor Xuanwu was so furious that his chest heaved violently, never before had someone dared to be so insolent in front of him!

"Guards! Zhan Lan has shown great disrespect, throw her into the Heavenly Prison!"

"Yes!"

Zhan Lan straightened his back and addressed all the surrounding Imperial Army soldiers, "I can walk by myself!"

Emperor Xuanwu was so infuriated by her defiant demeanor; he angrily decreed, "Give Zhan Lan thirty heavy lashes and lock her in the Heavenly Prison!"

Without looking back, Zhan Lan was then escorted by the Imperial Army at the front of the hall.

Emperor Xuanwu was so angry that he coughed, coughing up blood, and Eunuch Li quickly called for the Imperial Physician.

The executioner who flogged Zhan Lan hit her back and buttocks with the board, each strike resounding loudly; Zhan Lan gritted her teeth and didn’t make a sound.

By the last ten strikes, the executioner’s hands were trembling; he had never seen such a resilient woman before, for ordinary people would have already fainted.

Sweat covered Zhan Lan’s forehead, and finally, she was carried and taken into the Heavenly Prison.

Zhan Lan lay on the straw-covered ground, her back torn and lacerated, she toyed with a straw in her hand, a cold smile playing at the corner of her lips.

Suddenly, she heard hurried footsteps, and spotting someone’s robe, Zhan Lan looked up with a smile, "Lord Mu, to encounter you even here, what a coincidence!"

Mu Yan saw her tattered clothes and lacerated back; his eyes swirled with both murderous intent and heartache.

Despite being beaten so brutally, Zhan Lan still had the mood to jest with him.

"Unlock it!" Mu Yan said to the chief guard of Heavenly Prison.

The chief guard cautiously replied, "Seal Keeper Mu, without His Majesty’s decree, none of us can..."

The next moment, the chief guard felt a chill on his neck as a cold sword was placed against it.

"I’m opening the gate, I will..." fearing that any delay in fetching the keys would result in his beheading, the chief guard hurried.

The prison gate was opened by him, and Mu Yan, in white, strode in quickly and looked at Zhan Lan’s wounds with eyes full of sorrow; Zhan Lan was already in Ding’an City, by his side, yet he had let her get hurt.

"I’m sorry, I have failed to protect you..."

Looking into his eyes, Zhan Lan said, "Lord Mu, it was me who spoke against His Majesty, it has nothing to do with you!"

"Wait for me!" As Mu Yan rose to leave, he said to the prison chief, "If she suffers any more injuries, my sword will slide through this."

Mu Yan’s sword tip slid past the chief guard’s neck.

"Yes, yes, yes, Seal Keeper Mu, I will surely take good care of General Zhan, for sure!" Sweating profusely, the chief guard collapsed on the ground as soon as Mu Yan walked away.

Within a short period, everyone knew about Zhan Lan’s defiance against Emperor Xuanwu, receiving thirty lashes, and being imprisoned in Heavenly Prison.

Zhan Xuerou developed a sickness from fright, jumping up in her bed upon hearing about Zhan Lan’s situation.

Her heart was both thrilled and agitated; could it be that Emperor Xuanwu no longer trusted Zhan Lan, and she would spend the rest of her life in prison?

Excited, Zhan Xuerou eagerly grabbed Qiuyue’s hand, "Let’s go to the palace!"

Zhan Xuerou arrived at the Princess’s palace, where the princess said with a smile, "This matter with Zhan Lan was orchestrated by me. She still dreams of challenging me!"

Zhan Xuerou softly exclaimed, "Indeed, Princess, you are so wise and strategic, Zhan Lan is no match for you."

Si Yao fiddled with a jade pendant, "I heard that the Emperor of Beiyue is not a good person, with tendencies towards violence, if Zhan Lan were to marry him, what good days could she look forward to!"

Zhan Xuerou peeled a lychee for Si Yao, "So satisfying, what a brilliant plan from the Princess!"

The Princess took the lychee handed to her, took a bite, and said, "I have rid you of a major thorn in your side, how will you thank me?"

With a radiant smile, Zhan Xuerou replied, "Princess, I will always remember your favor this time and will surely repay it in the future."

Her words were subtle, but the Princess understood. After all, she wasn’t at a loss since Zhan Xuerou had the support of the Zhan family and her future husband could be a Prince or even an Emperor.

Making allies with Zhan Xuerou, she wouldn’t lose!

...

In the palace under the fierce sun, Zhan Xinzhang, who had never bent his knee or asked anything from Emperor Xuanwu in his life, knelt outside the hall pleading for Zhan Lan.

The ground tiles were so hot they burned to touch, Zhan Xinzhang knelt upright and motionless, yet, Emperor Xuanwu avoided meeting him.