A Time-Traveling Zombie Romance (GL) - Chapter 11
Just as we were about to step into the Wang Mansion, two guards stopped us.
The two guards, holding their swords, blocked our path and asked, “Who goes there? Do you know this is the Xiaoyao Wang Mansion? No unauthorized persons may enter.”
“I know this is the Xiaoyao Wang Mansion. Allow me to report to Lord Wang that his son, Zhang Xiaoqi, has returned,” I said with a faint smile.
The guards exchanged glances and then asked, “Do you have proof that you are the heir?”
I took the white jade pendant hanging around my neck and handed it to one of the guards. “Give this jade pendant to Lord Wang, and he will know.”
“Please wait here, young master.” Saying this, the guard hurried off toward Lord Wang’s study with the jade pendant.
“Knock, knock, knock.” A series of knocks echoed from the study door.
“Enter.”
“Greetings, Lord Wang.” The guard bowed deeply with fists clasped as he approached Zhang Ming’s desk.
“What is it?” Zhang Ming, focused on his book, didn’t even look up.
“Reporting, Lord Wang: outside the mansion, a young master claims to be the heir and wishes to see you,” the guard said, still bowing.
“Oh? What proof does he have?” Zhang Ming finally lifted his head.
“He has a white jade pendant.”
“Quick, bring it to me,” Zhang Ming exclaimed, jumping up from his chair.
“Yes.” The guard handed the pendant to Zhang Ming, who was visibly moved. “Quickly, bring the heir to the front hall. Also, inform the lady of the house and the young lady that the heir has returned.”
“Yes.” The guard hurried out of the study.
Shortly after, Zhang Ming also left the study, walking briskly toward the front hall.
When the guards reached the mansion’s entrance, they knelt on one knee, clasped their fists, and said, “Greetings, Your Highness, welcome back to the mansion.” Other guards immediately followed suit, kneeling and repeating the same greeting.
“Hehe, no need for formalities,” I said, touching my nose and smiling.
“Thank you, Your Highness. Please allow us to lead you inside. Lord Wang wishes to see you,” one of the guards gestured politely.
“Mm.” I nodded slightly and held Yunxi’s hand as we entered the mansion.
As soon as we approached the front hall, I saw Zhang Ming’s figure. Excited, I ran to him and knelt down. “Father, I have been unfilial, away for ten years, causing worry to you and mother. Now I have returned.”
“Qi’er, you’ve finally come back. Come, stand so I can see you. Ten years have passed, and you are no longer the little child you once were. Taller than your father now, with broad shoulders and a handsome appearance. Truly a credit to your lineage,” Zhang Ming said, helping me up and spinning me around, patting my shoulders with admiration.
I noticed a few white hairs on his head and more wrinkles on his face. Feeling a pang of regret, tears welled up. “Father, I’ve been unfilial, making you and mother worry.”
“Hehe, it’s alright. As long as you are safe, we are at peace,” Zhang Ming said, his voice tinged with emotion. “You’ve probably endured much hardship these ten years.”
“Yes, it was tough at times, but I do not regret it. Master also taught me many skills—no matter the hardships, it was worth it.”
“Well done, well done, well done! This is the true descendant of the Zhang family,” Zhang Ming said again, patting my shoulders repeatedly.
“Eh? And this young lady is…” He suddenly noticed Yunxi behind me, surprised.
“Oh, Father, she is my senior sister, Yunxi. She came down the mountain with me to meet you,” I stepped back and introduced her.
Yunxi clasped her fists and said, “Greetings, Lord Wang.”
“Hehe, no need for formalities. Miss Yunxi, you are even more beautiful than Xi Shi herself. Qi’er is truly fortunate,” Zhang Ming said, eyes lighting up as he stroked his beard.
Hearing this, Yunxi and I both blushed, and Zhang Ming smiled even more playfully.
“Thank you, Lord Wang,” Yunxi replied politely.
“Qi’er!” Suddenly, a familiar voice called from nearby.
I immediately turned and saw my mother, Xiaoyun, rushing over with a group of maids.
Seeing her, I knelt down. “Mother, Qi’er has returned.”
“Qi’er! Qi’er! Is it really you? You’ve finally come back. Mother has been longing for you day and night. My Qi’er has finally grown up.” Xiaoyun helped me up and gently touched my face.
My mother… has aged as well. Tears fell again. “Mother.”
“You’re all grown and still crying,” Xiaoyun lightly scolded, wiping my tears with a handkerchief, though she herself couldn’t hold back tears.
“Qi’er.” Xiaoyun hugged me.
“Mother… sob sob sob~~~”
Everyone present was moved to tears by this touching scene, Yunxi included.
After crying with my mother, I turned to Yunxi and said, “Mother, this is my senior sister Yunxi. When I was young, she always took care of me.”
“Miss Yunxi, thank you for taking care of Qi’er,” Xiaoyun said, her eyes brightening.
“You’re welcome. It was my duty,” Yunxi replied with a faint smile that left everyone momentarily mesmerized.
Afterwards, Xiaoyun held my hand and led me to Zhang Ming, bowing to him. “Greetings, Lord Wang.”
“No need for formalities, my lady.” Zhang Ming helped her up. “Eh? Where is Qing’er?”
“Hehe, Qing’er got so excited hearing her brother returned that she went to her room to freshen up. She should be arriving soon,” Xiaoyun said with a gentle smile.
“Qing’er? Father, Mother, who is Qing’er?” I asked curiously.
“Hehe, Qi’er, Qing’er is your younger sister,” Zhang Ming said with a smile.
“Ah? My younger sister?” I was shocked. When did I get a sister? Could it be that Father and Mother had another child while I was training?
Yunxi also looked puzzled, as I had never mentioned a sister before.
Suddenly, a familiar voice called out from a distance, “Father, Mother.”
I saw a red figure rushing past me, holding Xiaoyun’s arm.
“Qing’er, your brother has returned. Come greet him,” Xiaoyun said, bringing Siqing in front of me and Yunxi.
“Brother!?” Siqing cried out happily. “Where is my brother?”
When our eyes met, both of us froze.
“You… you are here?”
“You… you are here?” Siqing and I said in unison, shocked.
“What? Qing’er, you know Qi’er?” Zhang Ming asked, noticing our reaction.
“Father, he… he’s the hooligan I met on the road today,” Siqing said.
“Impudent! Qing’er, don’t speak of your brother this way,” Zhang Ming frowned.
“What? He is my brother?”
“What? She is my sister?” Our minds went blank.
“Yes, quickly, call your brother,” Xiaoyun urged.
“Brother~” Reluctantly, Siqing said the word.
“Ahem… little sister,” I also regained composure from my shock.
“Lai Fu, prepare the evening banquet to welcome His Highness,” Zhang Ming instructed the steward.
“Yes, Lord Wang.”
“Father, Mother, how do I suddenly have a sister? What is going on?” I asked Zhang Ming and Xiaoyun. Yunxi also looked puzzled.
“Qi’er, listen carefully. Qing’er is not my biological daughter. She is the daughter of General Cao Yu. Nine years ago, for reasons unknown, General Cao and his family were wiped out overnight by a group of highly skilled men in black. Qing’er was only six then, hidden in the firewood shed by her wet nurse, the sole survivor of the Cao family. Seeing her alone and pitiful, and with you away training, we had no child at home for company. So we raised Siqing as our own daughter,” Zhang Ming sighed.
Hearing this, Yunxi and I couldn’t help but feel sympathy for Siqing. Such a small child, having endured so much. Siqing’s eyes were also reddened.
“Little sister, don’t be afraid. From now on, your brother will protect you. I promise you won’t be hurt again,” I said, patting my chest confidently.
“Brother,” Siqing said, looking at me blankly. Seeing my confident face, her heart raced uncontrollably. She blushed and lowered her head. “Yes, I believe you, brother.”
“Father, Mother, brother, I’ll go to my room first,” Siqing said, still lowering her head, not wanting anyone to see her flushed face, and hurriedly left.
Once inside her room, she leaned against the door, one hand covering her racing heart, the other covering her flushed cheeks.
I didn’t know why I had said that to Siqing—probably out of sympathy for her suffering.