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Chapter 55: The Return of Ying Lan

Ying Lan clung to Zhong Shan, wrapping her arms around his neck, rubbing her head against him joyfully. Seeing Ying Lan so comfortably and intimately clinging to Zhong Shan, Tian Ling'er felt a surge of dissatisfaction again.

For some reason, Tian Ling'er didn't want to see any other woman behaving so familiarly with Zhong Shan, not even this Ying Lan who called him "Granduncle."

"Alright, alright, it's good that you're back," Zhong Shan said with a happy face, hugged by Ying Lan.

"Zhong Shan, Zhong Shan," Tian Ling'er called out immediately, wanting Zhong Shan to let go of Ying Lan. It wasn't that Zhong Shan wasn't trying to let go, it was Ying Lan who was refusing to release her hold on him.

Hearing Tian Ling'er's call from behind, Zhong Shan spoke up, "Okay, Ying Lan, you need to let go now."

"No," Ying Lan said stubbornly, refusing to let go.

Ying Lan's response made Tian Ling'er even more frustrated. She didn't know where this anger came from, but she felt extremely displeased.

"Zhong Shan," Tian Ling'er called out again.

Zhong Shan, feeling very happy, realized now wasn't the time to enjoy this family reunion due to Tian Ling'er's repeated calls.

"Alright, Ying Lan, I'm finding it hard to breathe," Zhong Shan said.

"Then I'll loosen my grip a bit," Ying Lan said, holding on to Zhong Shan but not letting go.

Zhong Shan smiled helplessly.

"Alright, Ying Lan, we'll catch up later. We have a guest here," Zhong Shan said, shaking his head with a smile.

"Okay, fine," Ying Lan said, albeit reluctantly. However, even as she let go of Zhong Shan's neck, she immediately latched onto his arm, her ample bosom pressing tightly against Zhong Shan's left arm.

Seeing Ying Lan's reluctance to let go, Tian Ling'er felt another wave of irritation but didn't know what to do about it. She could only feign nonchalance and asked Zhong Shan, "Zhong Shan, who is she?"

However, anyone could tell from her tone that she was in a very bad mood.

Looking at Tian Ling'er and then at Ying Lan, Zhong Shan's previously joyful expression suddenly dimmed. "Ying Lan is Kui'er's younger brother's granddaughter."

Seeing Zhong Shan's expression darken, Ying Lan seemed to sense his sadness and gently shook his left arm.

Kui'er? Zhong Shan's wife? Kui'er's younger brother's granddaughter? Tian Ling'er looked at Ying Lan in surprise and then saw Zhong Shan's sorrowful expression, deciding not to ask any further questions.

"Granduncle, Grand-aunt has passed away. Please don't be sad anymore. We need to avenge her in the future," Ying Lan said softly, holding Zhong Shan's arm.

Hearing this, Zhong Shan turned to look at Ying Lan, nodded, and a tender smile appeared on his face. He gently reached out with his right hand and stroked Ying Lan's hair.

Ying Lan seemed to enjoy it immensely, letting Zhong Shan stroke her hair. Zhong Shan's face was full of affection, but Tian Ling'er, standing nearby, was not happy at all. She pouted, and her nose made a humming sound in annoyance.

"Granduncle, has Bao'er Grand-aunt returned?" Ying Lan asked again.

"Do you still remember Bao'er?" Zhong Shan asked Ying Lan with some confusion.

"Although Bao'er Grand-aunt left when I was very young, I still have some impressions of her. Besides, twelve years ago, when I left, Granduncle, you were always talking about her, so of course, I remember," Ying Lan replied immediately.

"She should be back soon," Zhong Shan said with a bitter smile.

Seeing Zhong Shan's expression, Ying Lan quickly understood the situation and tactfully didn't bring up the topic again. However, she looked at the humming Tian Ling'er with a hint of hostility.

"Granduncle, is she your new concubine?" Ying Lan asked tentatively.

"I am not!" Tian Ling'er immediately shouted, looking at Ying Lan with a face full of anger.

Zhong Shan turned to Tian Ling'er, shook his head, and smiled. "No, she's not."

Hearing Zhong Shan's denial, Tian Ling'er inexplicably felt a sense of disappointment, while Ying Lan's eyes lit up, and her smile grew even brighter. She cast a triumphant glance at Tian Ling'er, who gritted her teeth in frustration.

"Prepare a Golden Dragon Banquet. Celebrate within the Zhong Mansion, and reward everyone," Zhong Shan instructed a servant waiting in the corridor.

"Yes, sir," the servant replied respectfully before quickly leaving to carry out the orders.

The Golden Dragon Banquet was the highest standard of feast in the Zhong Mansion, only prepared for special occasions like Ying Lan's return.

That day, every servant in the Zhong Mansion was overjoyed, celebrating the rewards and the grand feast. Everyone got to enjoy the best food.

In the largest hall of the Zhong Mansion, eight tables were filled with dishes, but only Zhong Shan, Ying Lan, and Tian Ling'er were there to eat. Ying Lan was accustomed to this style of dining, carrying a small plate to pick her favorite dishes. Tian Ling'er, on the other hand, was experiencing this for the first time, her eyes wide with amazement at the abundance of food. Could three people really finish all these dishes?

Ying Lan was lively and active, picking dishes for herself and often serving Zhong Shan, chatting and laughing with him constantly. She stayed close to Zhong Shan the entire time.

Zhong Shan was overjoyed with the return of his family. As for Tian Ling'er, seeing Ying Lan staying close to Zhong Shan, she puffed up her cheeks in frustration and also stayed by Zhong Shan's side, refusing to leave.

The courtyards of the four great families—Zhao, Qian, Sun, and Li—were abuzz with tension.

"According to our spies, Zhong Manor is hosting a grand banquet today. Do we know why?" Patriarch Zhao asked, his brows furrowed.

"Zhong Shan is a man who is hard to fathom. A grand banquet at this time? Doesn't he know we are here?" Patriarch Qian responded, equally puzzled.

"With Zhong Shan's capabilities, he is surely aware of our presence in Xuancheng," Patriarch Zhao continued, his frown deepening as he pondered.

"Is he inviting allies to join the fight?" Patriarch Qian speculated, his expression tense.

"Allies? Even if he is inviting help, who could he possibly bring? Besides, on the day of the Longmen Conference, only his adopted son Zhong Tian resisted the temptation of the Immortal Gate. At most, he can only count on Zhong Tian. We four, along with our four ancestors, can handle whomever he brings," Patriarch Zhao mused, his face etched with thought.

"We must not underestimate Zhong Shan at any moment," Patriarch Qian cautioned.

"Indeed," Patriarch Zhao nodded in agreement.

After the grand banquet, in a secret chamber within Zhong Manor, only two figures sat—Zhong Shan and Ying Lan—cross-legged before a low table bearing a teapot and two cups.

Ying Lan poured tea into the cups and spoke thoughtfully, her brow furrowed. "Master, it's strange. Over these years, when your carriage took me to that place, was it another world? Here, including Da Kun Country, there are six nations, but in that place, there were only five nations, and they were at war every year." She handed a cup of clear tea to Zhong Shan.

"It's not another world, just a mortal kingdom separated by these towering mountains. Except for the people of the Immortal Gate, except for us, mortals cannot cross those mountains to reach another realm," Zhong Shan replied, taking a sip of tea.

"Master, you're truly amazing," Ying Lan admired, looking at Zhong Shan.

Zhong Shan smiled faintly and said, "You enjoy warfare, so I provided you with the source of great battles there. How did you fare?"

"Master, because of you, the Chat Kingdom could stand at the heart of the four nations. Without you, the Chat Kingdom would have declined within a few years and faced extinction. That day, when I was sixteen, I went to the declining Grand Tutor's Mansion with your token, where you used to reside. At that time, you didn't know, but as soon as someone informed them, the former lord of the kingdom hurried over without even putting on his shoes, begging and worshiping me. Then I took control of the military, commanding all three armies," Ying Lan exclaimed excitedly.

Glancing at Ying Lan with a smile, Zhong Shan took another sip of tea and listened intently.

"It seems that the people of the Chat Kingdom blindly worship you, Master. They didn't care that I was only sixteen at the time. Even the generals were convinced. And those who resisted were swiftly dealt with. With military authority in hand, I led the troops into battle."

"You, a woman leading troops into battle—what did others say about that?" Zhong Shan inquired.

"Of course, the generals were convinced, but the foot soldiers were not, at first. However, it didn't matter. Within a month, I had them all obedient. The Chat Kingdom is a land of constant warfare, surrounded by enemies on all sides. I was in dire straits at the time, but leading the troops, I conquered all opposition. After a few battles, no one dared to defy me," Ying Lan boasted proudly, her nose in the air.

"Is that so?" Zhong Shan chuckled.

"Of course! Everything I've achieved is thanks to your teachings, Master. If you don't believe in me, at least believe in yourself. Over these dozen years, I've brought prosperity to the Chat Kingdom, while the other three nations have been pushed back. In twelve years, the Chat Kingdom has become a superpower. As long as I'm there, with another opportunity, within four years, we'll conquer the other three nations. But if I leave, the Chat Kingdom will suffer again. It serves them right," Ying Lan said indignantly.

"Oh? Did the emperor of the Chat Kingdom offend our little princess?" Zhong Shan teased.

"What little princess? I don't want that title," Ying Lan blushed suddenly.

"Hahaha, alright, we won't use it then. Tell me, what happened next? I know that old emperor well. Even if he's clueless, he wouldn't dare to provoke you unless he dies and his third son succeeds him," Zhong Shan chuckled.

"Master, have you been there? How do you know the old emperor died and his third son succeeded him?" Ying Lan asked in amazement.

"The old emperor had four sons. The eldest was steady but lacked cunning. His mother, the empress, died early, leaving him with no backing. Although he was the crown prince, he was eventually framed and ousted. The second son, Tai Yin, was born under an evil star and was bold but foolish. He would surely commit some crime and be deposed. The fourth son was too timid. Unless the courtiers usurp the throne, it couldn't be him. Only the third son, he's cunning enough, but not clever. He has an advisor, though, and that's the key. This advisor may not have much talent, but he's good at deceiving, leading to your early departure," Zhong Shan explained with a smile.

Listening to Zhong Shan's analysis, Ying Lan's eyes sparkled. She had never doubted Zhong Shan, but his precise analysis of the Chat Kingdom's situation after his departure filled her with admiration once again.