Abandoning Wife and Selling Daughter? Turning Around to Marry a Powerful Minister and Wiping Out Your Entire Clan! - Chapter 31

It was still at Embroidered Dreams Workshop, still in that same tea room.

The difference was that the person following behind Zhang Xiaolan had changed to Han Changshu.

“Shopkeeper Hao, here are 200 taels. Please help me pass this to Mister Shi and ask them to inquire about Xiang Ning’s whereabouts during their travels.”

Zhang Xiaolan took the silver from Han Changshu and respectfully handed it to Shopkeeper Hao.

Shopkeeper Hao had someone accept it, feeling deep admiration in his heart.

It had only been a little over a month since the Zhang family moved out of the Tao residence, yet she could already take out 200 taels. Not to mention, she had also bought two people at a high price, hired a martial arts instructor to teach self-defense, and even purchased food from Fenghua Tower to support the Han family.

“Is Han Da here?” Shopkeeper Hao suddenly asked, making Zhang Xiaolan a little confused.

Han Changshu secretly tugged at her sleeve. “My eldest brother calls himself Han Da when he’s outside.”

So that was it. Then wouldn’t that make Han Changshu call himself Han Er?

Holding back her laughter, Zhang Xiaolan simply told Shopkeeper Hao that she had other arrangements for them.

Shopkeeper Hao had met the two before and was quite envious that Zhang Xiaolan had found such talented individuals.

“Han Da is steady, and Han Er is clever. I wonder how Lady Zhang plans to arrange them in the future?” Shopkeeper Hao stroked his beard. “If money is tight, why not let them work under me for some training?”

Zhang Xiaolan declined, “They have only been learning for just over a month. There’s still much more to learn.”

That was a refusal, and Shopkeeper Hao understood immediately.

Lady Zhang was clearly grooming these two as her trusted aides. If she succeeded in the future, these two would surely become her most loyal followers.

“If you ever need anything, feel free to come to me,” Shopkeeper Hao still wanted to form a good connection.

That was exactly what Zhang Xiaolan had been waiting for.

“Has there been any message from Mister Shi’s side?”

She remembered that Shopkeeper Hao had mentioned before that his daughter had gone missing. The merchant caravan had sent two men ahead to report back, while the others were still searching at the location.

Now that more than a month had passed, she wondered if there were any new updates.

Shopkeeper Hao knew her deep love for her daughter and admired how she never gave up searching.

“Some merchants returned today, but I haven’t spoken to them yet. Lady Zhang, would you like to hear from them together?”

Zhang Xiaolan was extremely grateful.

If she followed proper etiquette, she should avoid being in such situations. But she was desperate to find her daughter, so she thickened her skin and sat down to wait for the merchant.

A servant invited the person inside. Zhang Xiaolan’s emotions were in turmoil—both expectant and nervous. She unconsciously gripped the handkerchief in her hands.

The footsteps outside were clear and rhythmic. It seemed like the person paused briefly at the door before entering.

Zhang Xiaolan guessed he was a martial artist, but when she saw his face, she realized he looked like a young boy.

She glanced at Shopkeeper Hao, who was also looking surprised.

Was this not the usual messenger from the imperial merchants?

Shopkeeper Hao wouldn’t normally be shocked by someone from the imperial merchants, so this boy must have a special identity.

Zhang Xiaolan had her suspicions but didn’t show them.

The young man bowed and reported to Shopkeeper Hao about their search in the northern border.

Zhang Xiaolan listened carefully but didn’t hear any news of her daughter, making her feel disappointed.

However, Mister Shi was always thorough. It wasn’t his fault.

The young man looked weary from travel. His clothes were tattered, and there were bits of grass on his pant legs, showing that he had traveled through harsh conditions, sleeping outdoors and rushing back to report.

She was grateful and took out 20 taels of silver as a reward.

“I don’t know your name, but for your hard journey, please accept this silver.”

Zhang Xiaolan handed over the money with a warm and appreciative expression.

The young man raised his head, his eyes firm and bright. Zhang Xiaolan was startled but kept her composure.

Shopkeeper Hao introduced Zhang Xiaolan’s identity to the young man.

The boy’s face froze for a moment before he suddenly knelt heavily. “I dare not accept Lady Zhang’s silver. I failed to protect Xiang Ning.”

Zhang Xiaolan was so shocked that she took a step back, only to hear Shopkeeper Hao shout, “Young General Yan, what are you doing?”

Zhang Xiaolan turned away, and Han Changshu, following her silent instruction, quickly stepped forward and pulled the young general up with force.

Young General? Surname Yan?

Zhang Xiaolan quickly recalled and soon understood the boy’s background.

He was Yan Zheng, the Great General of Huaihua’s youngest son, Yan Yuyang, only twelve years old. No wonder Shopkeeper Hao was so surprised to see him, let alone his reaction when the boy knelt before her.

Zhang Xiaolan turned her back and stood still until Han Changshu signaled her.

Yan Yuyang sat in a chair to the side. Being young, his emotions came and went quickly. Now, seeing Zhang Xiaolan again, he felt his face burning.

“Young General, you must never act like this again. I cannot accept such a grand gesture, and my daughter has no connection to you.”

Zhang Xiaolan’s lack of proper respect was a minor issue. The real issue was Yan Yuyang calling Xiang Ning by name.

Even if two young people had mutual feelings, they couldn’t openly express them like this.

The difference in their statuses was too vast. If her daughter’s reputation was ruined, what then? Would she have to become his concubine?

Zhang Xiaolan cherished her daughter deeply, so her expression became serious and dignified.

“It was my mistake. Please forgive me, Lady Zhang,” Yan Yuyang realized his words were inappropriate and sincerely apologized.

He had spoken carelessly. Even if he had feelings, he should have kept them hidden. When Xiang Ning was found, he would properly inform his parents and formally propose according to custom.

“Enough. Young General, you have traveled far and wide to deliver this message. I am deeply grateful. Please accept this silver as thanks.” Zhang Xiaolan nodded to Shopkeeper Hao before preparing to leave.

Yan Yuyang grew anxious and quickly ran after her.

“Lady Zhang, please wait,” Yan Yuyang blocked her path and bowed. “Although we haven’t found your daughter, news from Anxi mentioned a ‘heavenly maiden’ seen after a tornado.”

Zhang Xiaolan’s heart leaped with joy. She grabbed Yan Yuyang’s hand. “Is this true?”

Yan Yuyang had blurted out uncertain information in his excitement.

But seeing Zhang Xiaolan’s teary eyes, he couldn’t bear to disappoint her.

“When I set out, Mister Shi had already sent people to verify the news.”

“Your daughter is blessed. She will surely be safe.”

Zhang Xiaolan knew Yan Yuyang might not have been allowed to reveal this, yet he still did. She was grateful.

“Young General Yan, I sincerely thank you for speaking up. Now that you are back in the capital, you should return home—your family must be worried about you.”

Right now, she only wanted to return home—or rather, find a temple to offer prayers!

The royal family revered Buddhism, and there were many temples around the capital.

Which one should she go to?

“Changshu, do you know which temple in the capital is the most effective?” Zhang Xiaolan asked Han Changshu. She had spent her days managing household affairs in the Zhou residence and had never had time for worship, let alone knowing which temple was best.

“Zhaoque Temple is grand and has a bell tower where worshippers can ring the bell for blessings. Dafu Xian Temple was built for the royal family and has exquisite Buddha statues. It is the preferred place for high-ranking officials to pray for good fortune.”