Chapter 469: Chapter 469 A Secret
Zhan Xinzhang listened to Xiao Chen recount the entire course of events.
Zhan Xinzhang’s gaze towards Zhan Xincheng grew increasingly disappointed.
The Imperial Army found Zhan Xincheng’s writing in the study and some silver notes he embezzled. Lu Zhong entered the room to compare Zhan Xincheng’s handwriting with that of correspondence with Western Rong, reaching a conclusion.
“These treasonous letters are undoubtedly in Zhan Xincheng’s handwriting.”
“Unfilial son!” Zhan Xinzhang was so infuriated by Zhan Xincheng that he trembled all over.
Madam Wang knelt on the ground, clutching Zhan Xinzhang’s clothes, and said, “My lord, someone must be framing Xincheng. Please see clearly, my lord!”
When Zhan Xincheng saw Zhan Lan at that moment, he confirmed it was all Zhan Lan’s scheme.
But in the face of the absolute evidence Zhan Lan had prepared in advance, what else could he say?
If he did not confess, only torture awaited him, and he would still die in the end!
Zhan Xincheng’s dark gaze fell on Zhan Lan as he cursed internally: What a vicious girl!
Following Zhan Xincheng’s gaze, Madam Wang suddenly understood many things.
She stood up, pointed at Zhan Lan, and yelled, “Zhan Lan, was it you? Did you frame your second uncle, was it…”
Mu Yan glanced over coldly, and Madam Wang’s voice abruptly stopped.
Zhan Lan looked at Xiao Chen. Xiao Chen said, “Old General, the letters record that the Old Madam had long been aware of Zhan Xincheng’s treachery. Western Rong promised to make her a First-rank Imperial Decree lady once it succeeded.”
Xiao Chen picked up the Jade Pendant and said, “This is the Jade Pendant of the King of Western Rong. The person who just escaped was Baili Jiang of Western Rong.”
“Stop saying nonsense!” Madam Wang was instantly flustered and confused.
How could it involve her as well? How could a woman like her be involved in colluding with Western Rong to commit treason?
After examining the letters carefully, Lu Zhong looked at Zhan Xinzhang and said, “Old General, Zhan Xincheng’s letters did indeed mention this, repeatedly confirming with Western Rong how to protect his mother and wife’s, daughter’s lives.”
Lu Zhong added, “It did not mention you and the main branch of the Zhan Family.”
Zhong Xuanliang looked at Zhan Xincheng. He had long known that the Zhan Family, adhering to justice, would send Zhan Feng to the court to face death.
Zhan Xincheng must have intensely hated his father and the main branch of the Zhan Family, which is why he did this!
Zhong Xuanliang angrily said, “The Zhan Family has been a loyal and capable family for generations, but alas, how did it produce such a pair of father and son like Zhan Xincheng and Zhan Feng!”
After speaking, he glanced at Xiao Chen. This young man’s ability to handle cases was truly strong; he was able to uncover the cases of Zhan Xincheng’s rebellion and corruption today!
No wonder his daughter was interested in him!
Zhan Xinzhang looked weary. He should never have married Madam Wang back then and should have lived a solitary life, otherwise, the father and son, Wang and Zhan Xincheng, would not have ruined the Zhan Family’s century-old reputation as a military family.
When Zhan Feng rebelled back then, he had suspected whether his second son, Zhan Xincheng, was involved.
Now, with conclusive evidence, he could not help but look at Zhan Lan. Could it be that his granddaughter had known something from the beginning and thus distanced the main branch of the Zhan Family from Zhan Xincheng?
Perhaps Zhan Lan had seen through everything long ago.
Now, Zhan Xincheng had no way to argue. After a few cold laughs, he began to laugh hysterically as if he had gone mad.
He knew Zhan Lan had prepared thoroughly to eliminate everyone in the second branch, with Mu Yan guarding, two key ministers testifying, and Zhan Lan’s trusted Xiao Chen handling the case, along with Mu Yan’s man Yang Wu catching him in the act. No one would believe a word he said!
As Zhan Xincheng laughed, he wept, realizing he had been toyed with by a little girl!
His blood surged throughout, only feeling both pathetic and ridiculous. He pointed at everyone, “Hahaha… this is a conspiracy! A conspiracy you all are fully aware of!”
Zhan Lan’s gaze was cold and unwavering; perhaps in a past life, her father must have felt the same despair when he was framed for treason by Zhan Xincheng’s family and Si Jun!
Now she was merely seizing the right moment for an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth!
“Unrepentant to the end!” Zhan Xinzhang’s pupils were lined with red as his anger deepened.
Zhan Xincheng looked at Zhan Xinzhang and coldly laughed a few times, “Father, you are unfair! It’s all because of your unfairness! I am also a legitimate son, yet did you ever truly look at me? In your eyes, there’s only Zhan Beicang with his illustrious military achievements!”
Zhan Xincheng roared, “Your eyes only see the child you had with that woman! You have been unfair to my mother and unfair to me!”
A slap.
Zhan Xinzhang was enraged, delivering a heavy slap across Zhan Xincheng’s face.
His pupils vibrated fiercely, “That’s because you want too much, you’ve been jealous of your elder brother since you were young; did you think as a father, I wouldn’t feel it? You think you’re stronger than Zhan Beicang in every way. I’ve always tried to temper your character, but I didn’t expect you to become even worse!”
Zhan Xincheng stared dully at Zhan Xinzhang, the pain on his face was less than the pain in his heart; his father had actually hit him.
Zhan Xinzhang’s hands trembled, “You compete and fight for strength everywhere, secretly tampered with your brother’s battle spear when you were little, causing him injury. I thought it was just your mischief. Later, you both entered the military camp; your brother lived with common soldiers, never revealing his identity, gradually proving himself to become the Young General through his own abilities. And you, what did you do? You only played dirty tricks from the shadows. Did you think your father was blind and deaf without the slightest sight in the army?”
Zhan Xincheng blushed with shame under Zhan Xinzhang’s solemn reprimand.
Zhan Xinzhang shook his head, “The little tricks you’ve pulled, I thought as you grew up, married, and had children, you’d understand, but I never thought the evil was in your bones!”
Zhan Beicang watched Zhan Xincheng with an expressionless face.
At this moment, he didn’t know what to say, not realizing all these years that the other party did so many bad things out of jealousy of him.
Zhan Lan only now realized that her grandfather always knew what kind of person Zhan Xincheng was, and because Zhan Xincheng was his biological son, he chose to suppress him openly while silently tolerating him in his heart.
For parents, perhaps children are their greatest vulnerability.
Even someone with strong beliefs and will like her grandfather was no exception.
Madam Wang trembled all over; Zhan Xinzhang had never been so furious!
She wiped her tears and looked at Zhan Lan, preparing to shift the blame, “Zhan Lan, why do this to us, kill all of us in the second branch, what good does it do you!”
The accusation was aimed at Zhan Lan, who casually looked at Madam Wang, “What does Mr. Zhan’s actions have to do with me, Princess?”
Madam Wang let out a cold laugh, “It’s you! You incited Xincheng to separate from Zhan Beicang. You also pretended to give your second uncle an official position. You’re the worst! You wanted to ruin your second uncle’s reputation completely!”
“How could there be such an evil spawn like you!” Madam Wang lost all former affection, glaring viciously at Zhan Lan.
“Silence!” Zhan Beicang grabbed the ground-bound Madam Wang and coldly rebuked. He was infuriated. How dare Madam Wang insult his daughter like that?
Mu Yan noticed Zhan Beicang’s trembling hands, eager to strike Madam Wang.
Mu Yan gently held Zhan Lan’s hand, “Don’t listen to the barking of mad dogs.”
Zhan Lan smiled lightly, unconcerned.
“Filthy mouth, I see you’re senile!” Zhan Xinzhang sighed and looked at everyone, “How to handle this, I will not interfere. From now on, I sever relations with Madam Wang and Zhan Xincheng!”
Madam Wang watched her husband leave mercilessly. She had accompanied Zhan Xinzhang for many years, never imagining Zhan Xinzhang would cast her aside like an old shoe!
Involved in treason now, neither she nor Zhan Xincheng would survive.
Madam Wang suddenly laughed wildly, shouting at Zhan Xinzhang’s back, “My lord, do you want to know a secret!”