Chapter 49 - 49 49 The Eldest Princess Visits the Mansion

Words : 1618 Updated : Sep 12th, 2025

Chapter 49: Chapter 49: The Eldest Princess Visits the Mansion Chapter 49: Chapter 49: The Eldest Princess Visits the Mansion Heavenly Person Pavilion, in reality, this place is where Si Jun recruits talented and extraordinary individuals from all over the world. With three floors from top to bottom, the furnishings are exquisite and elegant. Si Jun sits behind the screen, listening to scholars and literati argue over a point until their faces turn red and their necks swell. He listens there, his demeanor one of weariness. Ever since Alchemist Qi was rescued by someone, his asthma symptoms intermittently tormented him. Recently, Si Jun heard from his spies in the palace: Currently, Emperor Xuanwu is actually thinking of using the marriage of his legitimate daughter Si Yao, also his sister, to his advantage. His Majesty wants to marry Si Yao to Zhan Hui! It seems, his father the Emperor, is already planning to gradually dismantle the Zhan Family! Zhan Peng comes from outside the doors of Heavenly Person Pavilion and says to the Shopkeeper, “Please announce my arrival; I wish to see the master of Heavenly Person Pavilion!” Seeing Zhan Peng’s heroic appearance, the Shopkeeper deduces he must be an important figure and thus asks with a smile, “How may I address this distinguished guest?” Zhan Peng reports his name, and Si Jun, from above the second floor, hears Zhan Peng’s arrival and his lips curve into a slight smile. Zhan Peng, the illegitimate son from the main branch of the Zhan Family, is actually coming to seek refuge with him. Si Jun strokes his fingertips thinking, if he undermines the Zhan Family from within and helps his father the Emperor eliminate the Zhan Family, his father would surely regard him with new esteem! “Our master invites Mr. Zhan upstairs!” After the Shopkeeper conveys this, he immediately nods and bows, leading Zhan Peng up to a secret room on the second floor. Zhan Peng, upon seeing Si Jun, nods slightly and pays his respects, “Marquis is well I trust!” Si Jun lifts his gaze and pretends not to recognize him, countering with a question: “What brings you to seek this Marquis?” Zhan Peng takes out a painting from the bag behind him and presents it with both hands, “I come to offer my allegiance to the Marquis, hoping to lend my assistance!” Si Jun laughs with a cough, “Oh? And what, Mr. Zhan, can you help this Marquis with?” Zhan Peng’s eyes gleam as he lowers his voice, “The Zhan Family, I want to destroy the Zhan Family!” Si Jun’s eyes pierce Zhan Peng’s, his tone solemn yet commanding, “How bold, the Zhan Family is a hundred-year-old loyal clan, and yet you dare to utter such words!” Zhan Peng is not the least bit afraid; he seems to have seen through Si Jun. Si Jun, like him, has a glint in his eyes that reveals uncommon ambition. Zhan Peng continues, “The Zhan Family people killed my mother; I must avenge this or live in vain!” He lowers his voice, “I believe my goal aligns with the Marquis’, does it not?” Si Jun smirks with appreciation, now finding himself somewhat admiring Zhan Peng. The man before him, determined to break the cauldron and sink the boat, shows no fear of being reported to the General Mansion! Si Jun does not answer but counters with a question, “What’s that in your hand?” Zhan Peng unveils the scroll, “This is a portrait of Zhan Hui. I implore the Marquis to ensure it reaches the legitimate eldest daughter! The Marquis must have guessed, someone is deliberately obstructing Zhan Hui from meeting the legitimate eldest daughter!” Si Jun frowns, “Do you think the legitimate eldest daughter will fall for Zhan Hui!” Zhan Peng smiles, “With Zhan Hui’s handsome appearance, the legitimate eldest daughter may well take a liking to him, and even if she doesn’t, there might be ways to make her fond of him!” Si Jun clutches his chest, coughing once, and firmly says, “Leave the portrait here!” Zhan Peng sets down the portrait, “Marquis, the Zhan Family needs to be dismantled step by step, starting first with Zhan Hui. As long as they pay the price, I am willing to go through fire and water for the Marquis.” Zhan Peng thinks to himself: If all the men of the Zhan Family died, then he could become the sole General Zhan! But, Si Jun’s sights are set far beyond Zhan Peng’s; he merely needs Zhan Peng for now. When he eventually ascends the throne, he can dispatch this useful fool! Si Jun looks at Zhan Peng admiringly, nodding, “You may go back for now. Leave this matter to me to handle!” Zhan Peng is thrilled to have gained Si Jun’s trust, his blood boiling with excitement, and he bows, saying, “Yes, Master!” Zhan Peng left the Heavenly Person Pavilion, and Si Jun gazed at Zhan Hui’s portrait, lost in thought. “If Emperor Xuanwu wishes to dismantle the Zhan Family, then I shall go with the tide!” Si Jun sat straight on the nanmu chair and ordered, “Instruct the personal maid of the legitimate eldest daughter to frequently praise Zhan Hui’s virtues in front of her, and also secretly bring the portrait into the royal palace, allowing the legitimate eldest daughter to see it inadvertently!” “Yes, Master!” Si Jun’s confidant immediately left with the portrait. Two days later, Zhan Hui’s condition had improved slightly, but he still avoided seeing anyone. On the same day, a distinguished guest arrived at the General Mansion. Qin Shuang strode into Zhan Xuerou’s room with a wide smile on her face, “Rou’er, the legitimate eldest daughter heard that you’re ill. Someone from the palace said they would visit you in an hour!” Zhan Xuerou’s eyes brightened, and she threw back the covers filled with anticipation, “Mother, the legitimate eldest daughter is coming? I didn’t mishear you, did I?” Qin Shuang nodded, “Yes, mother is also somewhat surprised. The legitimate eldest daughter being willing to come means you should dress up a bit!” Zhan Xuerou struggled to get out of bed and took small steps toward the bronze mirror, “Mother, I remember meeting the legitimate eldest daughter only twice. It’s rare that she remembers me.” Qin Shuang replied with a smile, “The Emperor’s grace is immense. It’s also because your father and brother have been toiling at the frontier, hence His Majesty is considerate, and that’s why the legitimate eldest daughter is coming to visit you!” Zhan Xuerou nodded. Yes, if she weren’t the legitimate daughter of the General Mansion, perhaps the legitimate eldest daughter wouldn’t have come to see her in person! The Zhan Family went to meet the legitimate eldest daughter, while Zhan Xuerou, with her inconvenient health, sat and waited for the legitimate eldest daughter inside the house. The legitimate eldest daughter was protected by the Imperial Army and arrived at the General Mansion in a royal palanquin carried by ten men. The entourage of the legitimate eldest daughter was fully arrayed, for she is Emperor Xuanwu’s legitimate eldest daughter. During her first birthday grasp test, she surprisingly seized Emperor Xuanwu’s hand, and in his delight, he titled her the legitimate eldest daughter. Following a round of pleasantries with the Zhan Family, the legitimate eldest daughter Si Yao arrived at Zhan Xuerou’s residence. Before the legitimate eldest daughter even entered, the eunuch and the princess had already delivered a heap of gifts into the room, exciting Zhan Xuerou immensely. How revered the legitimate eldest daughter was! If she could become intimate friends with the legitimate eldest daughter, her status in Ding’an City would surely rise considerably. Zhan Xuerou slowly stepped out to greet her, and Si Yao, wearing heavy tassel pendants, supported Zhan Xuerou. “Take your time, sister Xuerou.” The voice of the legitimate eldest daughter wasn’t loud, but it carried a hint of regal authority, and within that authority was a touch of closeness. Zhan Xuerou’s eyes, gentle as water, glanced at Si Yao. The woman before her was slender, with delicate features, thin lips, and elongated eyes. Si Yao wasn’t an extreme beauty, but her noble demeanor made her seem inviolable. Zhan Xuerou bowed, “Forgive me, legitimate eldest daughter, for my illness prevents me from greeting you at the door in person.” Si Yao smiled gently and said, “What are you saying, sister Rou’er? Don’t you plan on inviting me into your room to sit?” Zhan Xuerou quickly replied with a laugh, “Your Highness, please come in.” Both the legitimate eldest daughter and Zhan Xuerou enjoyed poetry, and the two talked for a long time. The legitimate eldest daughter was in a very pleasant mood. Zhan Xuerou was equally thrilled, not expecting the legitimate eldest daughter to share her interests. As the legitimate eldest daughter was about to leave, she suddenly asked, “I’ve heard you have a brother who excels in both literature and martial arts, is that true?” Zhan Xuerou smiled, “Yes, my elder brother Zhan Hui is sixteen, yet he has already been to battle and earned military honors!” The legitimate eldest daughter’s lips curved slightly, “Oh, the men of the Zhan Family are truly pillars of the state.” Zhan Xuerou bowed again, “Thank you for your kind words, legitimate eldest daughter.” After the legitimate eldest daughter left with her entourage in a grand manner. Zhan Xuerou pondered in her heart, the legitimate eldest daughter’s last inquiry about brother Zhan Hui clearly had a deeper meaning!

Chapter 49 - 49 49 The Eldest Princess Visits the Mansion

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