Chapter 470: Chapter 470: The Truth!
Zhan Xinzhang stopped upon hearing Wang’s words, and turned to look at her.
Zhan Lan immediately saw the red blood vessels in Zhan Xinzhang’s eyes; her grandfather certainly did not want to see Wang, who had been his companion for so many years, fall to such a state.
With tears in her eyes, Wang said word by word, “Master, your deceased wife was killed by you!”
Zhan Xinzhang’s pupils shook, and Wang said with a bitter smile, “The first wife often came to me for medical treatment back then.”
“Her body was very cold, and to ensure that the Zhan Family would have descendants, she used every possible method to secretly nurse herself back to health, waiting for the holiday when you would visit and she would finally conceive.”
Zhan Xinzhang’s body trembled slightly, and Wang continued, “She was trying hard to protect the pregnancy from the start, but you, you never spent a single day with her. She was very depressed, especially when she contracted an illness after childbirth. She came to my clinic saying that she wanted to die. Perhaps, for her, death was a kind of relief!”
With a cold laugh, Wang looked at the shocked face of Zhan Xinzhang, “You only cared about marching and fighting wars, never showed any concern for her since bringing her into your home. She secretly asked me to poison her little by little, and finally one day she never woke up from her sleep!”
Zhan Xinzhang nearly lost his footing upon hearing these things he never knew, holding onto the wall and looking at Wang.
Everyone was stunned by Wang’s words, even Zhan Lan couldn’t quite discern whether Wang was speaking the truth or lies.
The Zhan Family won many battles, but their little family could be said to be utterly defeated.
A soldier far from home, without family or clothing sent.
Every day, the General’s family lived in fear, afraid that the person they loved most would return in a coffin, as a cold corpse.
Not everyone can endure prolonged separation, waiting alone and afraid.
Seeing the distress on Zhan Xinzhang’s face, Wang laughed and said, “She woke up from nightmares every night, and every time you weren’t there. You were not a good husband!”
“Grandfather, don’t listen to her nonsense!” Zhan Lan coldly looked at Wang.
If Wang continued speaking like this, grandfather might mentally break down.
Zhan Lan sternly said, “My grandmother was an extremely warm person; she even prepared wedding gifts for her grandson and granddaughter. If it really was as you say, that grandmother died because of grandfather, then why did you dress as a man to enter the military camp as an army doctor, deliberately getting close to my grandfather? Isn’t it because you knew that being a General’s Wife means enduring loneliness and fear, but you couldn’t control your greed? You lusted for riches, glory, and fame!”
Wang was rendered speechless by Zhan Lan’s words, internally guilty.
Zhan Lan continued, “You know what you said to grandmother back then. When others save lives, you poison and harm; you’re simply the most malicious doctor! You say these things just to make grandfather live the rest of his life in guilt, to cover up the fact that you poisoned grandmother!”
Zhan Lan’s gaze turned completely cold, “Don’t tell me that you didn’t!”
Wang didn’t dare to look at Zhan Lan; she lifted her gaze to Zhan Xinzhang, whose aged back of the hand bulged with veins, chest heaving violently.
Before he could act, Zhan Beicang grabbed Wang and threw her against the wall.
“Ah!” Wang’s half-body slammed against the wall, leaving her head bleeding.
Zhan Beicang was seething with anger, “I can’t believe I’ve called you mother all these years!”
Zhan Xincheng looked at Wang in a daze, unable to believe his mother could be this person!
He had boldly questioned Zhan Xinzhang earlier but now didn’t dare say anything.
Zhan Xinzhang suddenly spat blood, and Zhan Lan quickly supported him, “Grandfather!”
She knew that Wang’s real purpose was to anger her grandfather to death.
Sure enough, Wang smiled with her face covered in blood, looking at Zhan Xinzhang, “If the first wife wanted to die, I assisted her. So what if I gave her slow poison! Isn’t there a reason for her death from you as well? You men who march and fight have pledged yourself to the country and should not marry and have children, deserved a lifetime of loneliness!”
Wang coughed blood while speaking, “Don’t say women are the biggest liars; you who march and fight understand every tactic perfectly but can’t manage the home well. Your Zhan Family got deceived by women only because you think only of the Nanjin people, not of family!”
Wang laughed maniacally, “Hahaha, Zhan Xinzhang, you deserve it; Zhan Beicang, you deserve it too!”
Mu Yan held Zhan Lan’s hand, Zhan Lan lowered her eyes in thought: Wang said the truth in some ways, as generals struggle to balance country and family.
Zhan Xinzhang wiped the blood from his lips, “Everyone, whatever you decide, I’ll leave it to you. I am unwell and must excuse myself.”
After saying this, Zhan Xinzhang attempted to leave, but as soon as he took a step, he collapsed.
Mu Yan quickly supported him.
“Grandfather!” Zhan Lan recalled that in the past life, grandfather was angered to death, likely due to Wang.
“Father!” Zhan Beicang no longer cared to deal with Wang.
Xiao Chen signaled, and the constables pinned Wang and Zhan Xincheng to the ground.
Seeing Zhan Xinzhang faint from anger, Wang coughed and spat blood.
“Mother!” Zhan Xincheng cried out desperately.
Everything is over!
Zhong Xuanliang, having listened to the Zhan Family’s affairs, suddenly understood these warriors: without them protecting the homeland, even the most brilliant civil officials couldn’t stand tall.
Lu Zhong thought silently: the Zhan Family has it incredibly difficult.
Zhan Beicang pressed forcefully on Zhan Xinzhang’s philtrum, and after a moment, Zhan Xinzhang regained consciousness.
Lu Zhong walked forward and bowed, “Old General, please take care. We heard nothing today.”
“Yes, then we will take our leave!” Zhong Xuanliang nodded as well.
Zhan Xinzhang nodded slightly, watching Wang and Zhan Xincheng being led away by Ministry of Justice officials, along with Zhang who was hiding behind the house in terror and Zhan Xincheng’s concubine, also taken away.
“Zhan Lan, come here!” Zhan Xinzhang looked at Zhan Lan.
Zhan Lan squatted down beside her grandfather.
“I have wronged you and your father, making you both suffer with me.”
Zhan Lan’s voice was soft, “What are you saying? No one’s life is without regrets; grandmother would not want to see you defeated in despair down below.”
Zhan Xinzhang smiled bitterly.
Zhan Beicang couldn’t help the tears in his eyes, “Lan’er, I’ve been blind, my heart elsewhere, not caring for the household, sorry to you and your mother!”
Zhan Lan glanced at Zhan Beicang and said with a light smile, “Then be good to my mother.”
“However, perhaps father will soon be busy again, maybe…”
Zhan Lan’s words ended there, and Zhan Beicang understood.
As a general, he could sense the air of impending war.
Perhaps there would soon be a tough battle to fight.
Zhan Lan’s gaze met Mu Yan’s; rather than waiting for the Western Rong to attack, they should prepare early!