Chapter 245 - 245 245 Zhan Xinzhang I kowtow to my ancestors

Words : 1567 Updated : Oct 3rd, 2025

Chapter 245: Chapter 245 Zhan Xinzhang: “I kowtow to my ancestors and pray for their blessings on your safe return! Chapter 245: Chapter 245 Zhan Xinzhang: “I kowtow to my ancestors and pray for their blessings on your safe return! Zhan Lan returned to the capital, her golden armor shining and her red cape fluttering in the wind, holding a silver spear in her hand as she journeyed along the long street, with citizens lining the sides to welcome her. Their enthusiasm surpassed even that of the last time she’d triumphed over the Western Rong. “Brave General!” “General Zhan!” The voices of the citizens rose and fell in her ears, and Zhan Lan smiled and nodded in response to them. “General Zhan looks even more beautiful than the last time we saw her, so valiant and refreshing to behold!” “General Zhan is truly the most remarkable female General in the history of Nanjin!” “It was thanks to General Zhan that Beiyue voluntarily retreated this time!” “The Emperor will surely grant General Zhan a reward!” The citizens discussed fervently, some even lifting baskets filled with seasonal fruits and various kinds of food. Zhan Lan bowed with her fists to thank each one. Among the crowd, Zhan Xuerou sat in the tearoom, gazing at Zhan Lan. Though Zhan Lan’s skin was not as fair as before, she appeared just like a budding flower about to bloom, stunning and dashing and catching the eye. Zhan Xuerou’s gaze was deep and dark. Zhan Lan had not died! And she had returned alive and well, in such glory! ... Adorned in bright clothes and astride a fiery horse, Zhan Lan first returned to the General Mansion. Zhan Heng and Zhan Rui rushed up to her as soon as she dismounted. “Mengmeng sister!” Zhan Rui threw herself onto Zhan Lan’s legs, and Zhan Lan, caressing her soft little face, said, “Rui’er, you’ve grown taller and almost reach your sister’s waist.” “Mengmeng sister, Zhan Rui is just short-legged, she barely reaches your thigh,” Zhan Heng’s small hand also grabbed onto Zhan Lan’s arm. “Hmph, I’m not talking to you anymore, you’re the short one!” Zhan Rui pouted with cheeks puffed up, hands on hips, glaring at Zhan Heng. “You’ve both grown taller, Rui’er isn’t short!” Zhan Lan smoothly pacified them both, pulling out two porcelain whistles from her bosom. “One for each of you!” After Zhan Rui received the colorful little bird-shaped porcelain whistle, her mood immediately brightened. Together, they started blowing the whistles. Qin Shuang and Zhan Beicang also came out to meet her. Almost three years had passed, and both had sprouted a few more strands of white hair and wrinkles on their faces. Zhan Lan’s throat tightened, and her nose tingled with the onset of emotion as she bowed and said, “I’m back!” Qin Shuang stepped forward and took Zhan Lan’s hand, noticing the calluses on her hand and the scars of two sword injuries. Her eyes full of heartache, she touched Zhan Lan’s cheek and said, “Lan’er, you’ve suffered.” Zhan Beicang looked at her and said, “Lan’er, let’s go home!” Zhan Lan, choked up with sobs, nodded her head, asking as they walked, “Where’s my older brother?” Qin Shuang replied with a smile, “Hui’er has been at the Shadow Sect for the past two years, saying he can’t lose to his sister!” Zhan Lan smiled and replied, “My big brother has always been so motivated!” Zhan Rui and Zhan Heng gleefully followed behind the three, blowing their whistles, as Zhan Lan step by step walked back to her own home with her parents. Passersby including the young male servants, maids, and Protectors all greeted Zhan Lan with respect. “Fourth Miss is back!” “Fourth Miss is good!” Zhan Lan could see from their eyes that some genuinely shared in her joy, while others tried to curry favor due to the change in her status. In these two lifetimes, Zhan Lan had seen all sorts of people and honed her ability to judge them. Whether sincere or feigned, she did not pay special attention to their intentions. After all, the people she cared about were just those few. Following her parents through the long corridor, passing the lotus pond, skirting around the artificial hill, Zhan Lan arrived at the main house. When Zhan Lan saw her grandfather Zhan Xinzhang in the hall, tears uncontrollably threatened to spill from her eyes. Grandfather sat in the main seat, but to my surprise, the ever particular about etiquette, he was sitting on the nanmu stool with his clothes disheveled. Unless, Grandfather had just been standing at the door watching them until he saw her, and then he hurried to the chair, forgetting even to straighten his clothes. Zhan Lan walked into the room, Grandfather’s hair was almost entirely white, and his thin hands carried more spots of age. The eyes set deep in their sockets were still clear, but at the sight of her, his pupils slightly dilated. Zhan Lan saw the movement in his throat as he struggled with a sob. Choked with emotion, Zhan Lan felt a lump in her throat, her nose sour, she tried to hold back the tears but they finally fought their way out. For a moment, she did not know if it was grievance or joy that overwhelmed her, like a child, she knelt down in front of Grandfather with a “thump”, tears uncontrollably streaming down as she called out, “Grandfather, I’m back!” Zhan Xinzhang rose from his seat, shaking hands helping Zhan Lan up. He looked up and fought back the tears, smiling as he said: “It’s good to be home!” “Beicang, quickly go and check if the meals are ready,” Zhan Xinzhang didn’t want his son and daughter-in-law to see his embarrassed state, so he turned his body and said, “I’ll take Lan’er to the yard!” “Alright, I’ll go and check now.” Beicang and Qin Shuang left. Zhan Xinzhang took Zhan Lan to the Zhan Family’s ancestral hall. The smoke of incense twisted up from the censer on the table, and Zhan Lan placed three sticks of incense before the clearly arranged spirit tablets of the Zhan Family Ancestors. “Zhan Lan, kneel down!” choked Zhan Xinzhang. Zhan Lan obediently knelt. Zhan Xinzhang, looking at the spirit tablets filling the ancestral hall, said, “Bow to our ancestors and thank them for your safe return!” Hearing Grandfather’s words, Zhan Lan’s heart was tightly clenched, leaving her sobbing uncontrollably. Every word from Grandfather was telling her: My poor granddaughter, I know who you are now. The candlelight shone upon Zhan Lan’s cheeks, her lips dry, throat tightening, tears flowed down her cheeks as if they would never cease. Zhan Xinzhang handed Zhan Lan a handkerchief, saying: “Good child, these years have been tough on you.” His granddaughter, steel through and through, Zhan Lan had not directly revealed her identity, but everything she did was proof that she was a descendant of the Zhan Family. She did not obsess over the identity of a legitimate daughter of the General Mansion like Zhan Xuerou, and had never taken pride in such status. Everything that Zhan Lan now possessed was earned by her own hands! Now, all that was left was finding a suitable moment to welcome Zhan Lan back home... Zhan Lan stood up, accepted the handkerchief, and wiped away her tears, smiling she said: “Grandfather, do we still have any Nu’er Hong? I want to drink some today!” Zhan Xinzhang’s nose turned red, his voice hoarse with emotion, he laughed: “You cheeky girl, of course, we’ve prepared it!” Zhan Lan, still smiling, escorted Grandfather back to the main house, and on the way through the courtyard, they encountered Zhan Xuerou. Zhan Xuerou greeted Zhan Lan with a smile: “Little sister Lan’er, you are back.” Zhan Lan’s smile did not reach her eyes, and seeing Zhan Lan supporting Zhan Xinzhang, Zhan Xuerou felt displeasure. She reached out, saying to Zhan Xinzhang: “Grandfather, let me assist you!” Zhan Xinzhang waved her off: “No need, Lan’er has just come back, let’s talk.” Zhan Xuerou felt the distance Grandfather was putting between them, both in his expressions and his words. “Yes, Grandfather!” Zhan Xuerou was upset inside but dared not show it outwardly, as Zhan Lan was no longer the person she used to be and could not be lightly offended. The family enjoyed a harmonious meal together, but Zhan Xuerou, unable to stand watching Zhan Xinzhang giving Zhan Lan special attention, complained of a stomachache midway and left. Zhan Lan could not care less about her attitude. After all, she came back this time to reclaim what was rightfully hers. Zhan Xuerou’s days of discomfort were yet to come! After dinner, Zhan Lan returned to her own residence. Just as she walked in, she saw Little Black sprint out with his hooves splayed. Little Black was now a full-grown dog, looking fierce as if he were a wolf. But when the ferocious Little Black saw her, he immediately rolled playfully on the ground! “Woof woof...” Zhan Lan squatted down and patted his sleek head: “Old Black, be a bit more dignified, I heard you’ve become a father!”

Chapter 245 - 245 245 Zhan Xinzhang I kowtow to my ancestors

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