It was just that Zhang Chen hadn’t yet figured out the logic behind it, when he was already dragged away by the master’s order.
The County Magistrate looked at Zhang Chen, smiling warmly: "Young Master Zhang, since you have Prince Pingbian’s backing, why didn’t you say so earlier? We almost had a big misunderstanding at the Dragon King Temple; how would we explain this to the madam then?"
Zhang Chen was taken aback when he heard the officer’s words. He had a connection with Prince Pingbian’s Mansion? Since when did he have a connection with Prince Pingbian’s Mansion?
Then a sudden flash of inspiration struck, and the image of a gentle woman appeared in his mind, making his expression somewhat odd, as he recalled the woman who had come to his house last time to deliver something, claiming also to be from Prince Pingbian’s Mansion?
He thought getting a beating was inevitable. Although he mastered the Blood Control Technique, making mere corporal punishment heal in a breath, who would want to endure pain if they could avoid it?
"Please follow me, the madam is waiting for you in the side chamber." The County Magistrate spoke very politely.
Zhang Chen glanced at the County Magistrate, cursing inwardly "dog official, I’ll have Fox Spirit steal all your family’s wealth someday! Use all your resources to support an old master like me!", while his face was full of smiles as he said, "Thank you for the trouble, sir."
Zhang Chen followed the County Magistrate to the side chamber and indeed saw Zhang Xiaolan.
"Madam, the person has been brought, how would you like to deal with him?" the County Magistrate respectfully saluted the lady.
The lady ignored the County Magistrate’s words, her expression tense, her heart wholly focused on Zhang Chen.
"Little brother."
The lady hurried forward upon seeing Zhang Chen, grasping and scrutinizing him. After a moment, seeing no injuries on Zhang Chen, she finally breathed a sigh of relief: "It’s good that you’re alright!"
Then she said to the County Magistrate: "I will take him away now."
"Madam, take care." The County Magistrate quickly bowed.
Zhang Xiaolan held Zhang Chen’s hand, walking out of the County Office and breathed a sigh of relief: "You’re really unfortunate, how did you get caught up in this? If Prince Pingbian’s Mansion hadn’t gotten the news on time, it would have been hard to get you out in time, and you would’ve surely suffered some punishment today."
Zhang Chen’s eyes were on Zhang Xiaolan, his face had a somewhat subtle expression, recalling Zhang Chen who was taken to the County Office’s dungeon for punishment, he suddenly didn’t know what to say.
"Don’t worry, with Prince Pingbian’s Mansion stepping in, everything will be fine." Then Zhang Xiaolan turned to the steward: "My brother rarely comes to town, you can head back first, I’ll take him around to try our county’s delicacies and buy some things for him."
The steward looked troubled, saying with a crying face: "Madam, you’re pregnant with the Prince’s child now. If anything happens, I’m afraid all our heads will roll. Please don’t make it difficult for me."
Zhang Xiaolan frowned: "What could happen with my brother and me walking around in the Prince’s territory? How about this, you send four people to follow us secretly, but don’t disturb my time shopping with my brother."
What could the steward say?
Prince Pingbian’s Mansion is being watched by the court, and whenever any of the madams get pregnant, there are either accidental miscarriages or child deaths, leading to a sparse number of offspring in Prince Pingbian’s Mansion. Now every bloodline is crucial, and any mistake could cost countless lives.
The steward looked at Zhang Xiaolan and could only helplessly nod in agreement.
Then Zhang Xiaolan took Zhang Chen’s hand and said, "I’ll take you for a stroll in the city. It’s been a while since I’ve had a leisurely walk here. Wait for me a moment; I’ll go to the carriage to change clothes!"
Zhang Xiaolan spoke to Zhang Chen, and without waiting for him to react, she went into the carriage to change her clothes. When Zhang Xiaolan came down again, she was dressed in simple cloth, looking like an ordinary person, and no longer stood out.
"Let’s go!" Zhang Xiaolan held Zhang Chen’s hand, her face full of joy.
The two blended into the crowd, completely unobtrusive. Facing the enthusiastic Zhang Xiaolan, Zhang Chen didn’t know what to do, as he wasn’t her real brother, just a fake one.
Zhang Xiaolan, now like a neighbor girl, bought some fried meatballs, handing a portion to Zhang Chen, then started eating, her mouth puffed up as she chewed, watching Zhang Chen with curiosity: "Little brother."
"Hmm?" Zhang Chen ate the meatball, somewhat absentmindedly.
"There are some things I should tell you." Zhang Xiaolan said.
Zhang Chen continued to eat the meatball, watching Zhang Xiaolan, uncertain of what she meant, so he didn’t dare readily respond and waited for her next words.
"Before telling you this, you need to change your name back." Zhang Xiaolan said.
Zhang Chen paused, not expecting the poor scholar Zhang Chen to have another name, clearly indicating that Zhang Chen was a later given name.
"The name ’Zhang Chen’ was given by our mother when she was alive, but it’s just a pseudonym. Your real name has significant origins; it relates to a major event." Zhang Xiaolan watched Zhang Chen, her eyes filled with tears.
"Pseudonym?" Zhang Chen pondered silently: "Unfortunately, I’m not the real Zhang Chen, and I don’t know what the previous Zhang Chen’s name was."
"Your real name is Zhang Xiaohua, and ’Zhang Xiaohua’ was personally given to you by Prince Pingbian himself. Before I came, the Prince instructed that you should revert your name back." The girl looked at Zhang Chen, her eyes filled with earnestness.
Zhang Chen stopped in his tracks, almost choking on the meatball in his mouth, then looked at the girl before him, wanting to ask if she was serious.
The name Zhang Xiaohua should never be used for a man in any circumstance.
And why would Prince Pingbian name him that? And moreover, such a girlish name?
"I know you despise this name, but it concerns your lineage. This name has great significance related to Prince Pingbian’s Mansion. Now that the Prince’s Mansion is nearing a major event, the pseudonym Zhang Chen is no longer needed, so you’re better off changing it back to your real name." Zhang Xiaolan looked at Zhang Chen.
"What significance?" Zhang Chen’s interest was piqued.
"When I came, the Prince instructed to tell you your origins. He specifically asked me to ensure you know everything this time." The girl looked at Zhang Chen:
"I am just an ordinary daughter of a wealthy family yet could go to the Prince’s Mansion as a concubine. That famous Mr. Wuliu, who in the Capital City was a honored guest among countless dignitaries, receiving their pursuit, left the Capital City ten years ago to settle here. What do you think is the reason? Moreover, when you left home and settled in that village, it was arranged by someone quietly; otherwise, how could you find that village? And how can I, as a concubine, freely leave the Prince’s Mansion to visit you in the deep mountains? Doesn’t that strike you as odd? Last time I said I was chosen to join Prince Pingbian’s Mansion, it was actually a lie; I had been working there long before! Even my entry into Prince Pingbian’s Mansion was because of you, and I’m just a hostage!" Zhang Xiaolan’s voice filled with seriousness, speaking rapidly, leaving no chance for Zhang Chen to react, like a machine gun she spoke:
"Moreover, your neighbor is called Zhang Chen, and your Mr. Wuliu coincidentally gave you the homophonous name Zhang Chen; doesn’t that strike you as odd?" Zhang Xiaolan said.
Zhang Chen was taken aback at her words; eating that information was like it came crashing on him.
Moreover, he sensed that there seemed to be a conspiracy netting him.
Being called Zhang Chen, with the scholar next door renamed Zhang Chen, their pronounced sounds so similar, even if he were foolish, Zhang Chen realized from Xiaolan’s words that it seemed like he had stepped into a conspiracy.
And that conspiracy seemed related to Prince Pingbian’s Mansion.
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