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Chapter 92: Chapter 92: You Rascal

"Good, good, using the people's hearts. Surrounding without attacking. Even if Zhong Mansion remains unyielding, the citizens won't endure it for long. Once they can't take it anymore, as long as someone incites them, the people will demand to leave the city, even sparking a rebellion from within. Even if we don't breach Zhong Mansion, people will leave the city, leading to its collapse. Then, with eight hundred thousand troops inside, even if we have to use human lives, we can fill Zhongshan's place." The head ancestor nodded approvingly, smiling.

Everyone nodded in agreement, while Wei Gonggong from the Su family's side couldn't help but narrow his eyes, nodding along with the others.

Outside the city, the enemy forces pressed on, while within the city, conflicts arose in the Zhong Mansion.

Outside Zhongshan's secluded courtyard, a large number of archers were arranged around by Yinglan, who glared angrily at the twenty-odd people before her.

These twenty-odd individuals were all gorgeously dressed, but their expressions varied. Some were more aggressive, shouting at Yinglan, while others echoed their sentiments, following the crowd. Of course, there were also those who remained silent, observing with cold eyes.

"Yinglan, who do you think you are to block us here? You're just your foster grandfather's granddaughter, and we are your uncles and uncles. What are you trying to do?" A fat man at the front angrily shouted.

"It's urgent now. Except for those of us who have returned, all our brothers have already died. Do you want to wait for the army to breach the city?" Another more aggressive man shouted.

"Listen up, uncles, you're going to hear this again. Granduncle is currently in seclusion. He instructed before closing off that no one is to disturb him. No one. Who dares to defy? Furthermore, you should all know that except for Granduncle's permission, no one is allowed to step foot in this courtyard. Do you all want to disobey Granduncle's orders?" Yinglan stared at the group of uncles, her eyes sharp.

"It depends on the situation. With the army pressing in and the survival of Zhong Mansion at stake, what rules are there to talk about now? Foster father doesn't understand the current situation, otherwise, he would definitely come out. You're being foolishly loyal. Not only are you delaying foster father's judgment, but you're also leading us to our deaths." The fat man shouted angrily again.

"Hmph, foolishly loyal? Foster father wants loyalty. I'll say it again, if anyone dares to step over that line, don't blame me for being rude." A trace of hostility flashed in Yinglan's eyes.

"Rude? You little brat, I've watched you grow up. What's wrong? You've received favor from foster father, so now you're arrogant?" The fat man said again.

"Archers, prepare. Anyone who dares to step over that line, shoot," Yinglan said ruthlessly. Even though these were her foster grandfather's disciples, Yinglan showed no mercy. For her foster grandfather, Yinglan was willing to bear the accusation of killing her uncles and elders.

"I'd like to see who dares? Steward, whose side are you on?" the fat man said fiercely.

The steward shook his head, looking at the fat man with a pained expression. "Young master, you should listen to Miss. Master instructed that no one is to disturb."

"Hmph, that's because you didn't inform foster father that the enemy was near. This conflict is entirely because of your incompetence. If foster father knew, would he still be in seclusion now? We've broken through this door today. Let's see who dares to shoot me," the fat man said angrily.

Taking a step forward, he crossed that line. The archers were hesitant, unsure whether to shoot or not.

Seeing their hesitation, the fat man became even more pleased. Behind him, some others also crossed the line, walking over. Now, the archers dared not shoot.

Yinglan looked at the uncles who crossed the forbidden line with even greater anger. These archers were unreliable now.

"Swish~~~" Yinglan quickly drew out a precious sword, blocking the entrance to the courtyard.

"No one is allowed to enter," Yinglan shouted again.

"Swish, swish, swish."

Following the fat man, two more people drew their swords, pointing them at Yinglan together.

"Yinglan, step aside quickly. This is a matter of life and death for Zhong Mansion. It's not child's play. Step aside quickly, or don't blame your uncles for being heartless," the fat man said coldly.

"Yinglan, we're speaking so loudly. Foster father should have heard us by now. Has something happened to foster father? Why hasn't foster father come out? We must go in today."

"With me here, no one is allowed to enter," Yinglan said coldly again, her long sword pointing directly at these former uncles.

Tensions were high, ready to explode. Outside Zhongshan's secluded courtyard, a suffocating atmosphere seemed to make everyone struggle to breathe. Yinglan stared at this group of people, her long sword poised as if they were about to engage in a life-or-death struggle.

The situation was extremely tense!

"The young master is back! The young master is back!" Suddenly, from afar, came a long cry, filled with joy.

The young master? Which young master?

Yinglan paused at first, then her face lit up with joy. Among the disciples, the fat man's expression changed, and the others had various expressions.

The young master? Zhong Tian, the eldest son of the Zhong family who had disappeared suddenly over a year ago, besides Zhong Shan, he held the highest authority in the Zhong family. He was the eldest among all the foster children—Zhong Tian.

Zhong Tian had just entered the city today and had seen the eighty thousand troops outside. Something major was happening in the Zhong family.

Without hesitation, he hurried toward the Zhong mansion. When he arrived at the mansion's gate, he saw that all the hidden guards around the Zhong mansion had been deployed. It was certain that something significant had happened.

A steward stood at the gate and immediately recognized Zhong Tian, despite his much younger appearance. "Young master," the steward exclaimed with joy. The guards at the gate naturally dared not stop him.

"What's going on at home?" Zhong Tian furrowed his brow.

"Hurry, hurry, Miss Yinglan and the young masters are about to fight in front of Master's seclusion courtyard," the steward quickly explained.

"What's happening?" Zhong Tian asked as he walked.

The steward dared not conceal anything and quickly recounted what had happened.

When Zhong Tian arrived at the courtyard, he saw a tense standoff. The steward's shout startled everyone.

"What the hell are you guys doing?" Zhong Tian roared angrily, glaring at the group.

"Big brother! Big brother!" The young masters immediately called out timidly. Obviously, besides Zhong Shan, no one in the Zhong family had as much prestige as Zhong Tian. Not even Yinglan had this authority.

"Do you not know where this is? Who gave you the courage to dare intrude into the forbidden courtyard?" Zhong Tian glared at them angrily.

"Big brother, you're back," Yinglan immediately exclaimed.

Turning his head to look at Yinglan, Zhong Tian pondered for a moment in his memory, finally confirming that she was indeed Yinglan. After all, when he had last seen her, she was just a teenager.

"So, you're Yinglan? Well done this time," Zhong Tian said immediately.

"Mm," Yinglan nodded, without much joy. After all, nothing mattered without her foster grandfather coming out.

"Big brother, the Zhong family's survival is at stake now. With foster father absent, we had no choice," the fat man hurriedly stepped forward and said.

"No choice? Hmph, didn't foster father instruct you that even if the sky were to fall, no one is allowed to enter this forbidden courtyard? Reflect on yourselves, and in half an hour, everyone is to gather at the 'Yilan Hall,'" Zhong Tian said sternly.

"Yes, big brother," the young masters could only nod in agreement.

After everyone had left, Zhong Tian looked at Yinglan and smiled gently. "It's been over a decade, and Yinglan has become such a young lady. If you hadn't called me, I might not have recognized you."

"Yes, I've slowly grown older, while Uncle and Foster Grandfather seem to be getting younger," Yinglan immediately replied with a smile. Since Zhong Tian had spoken so, it meant he was on her side, so naturally, they were much closer now.

"Is Foster Father okay now?" Zhong Tian glanced at the courtyard behind Yinglan and asked.

"Foster Grandfather has some minor external injuries and is currently recuperating. He instructed that no one should disturb him," Yinglan nodded.

"Okay, you did well earlier. Follow me to Yilan Hall later. Now, tell me what exactly happened. I've just returned and there are many things I don't understand," Zhong Tian said.

"Alright," Yinglan agreed.

Zhong Tian nodded and then looked at the archers around. "Remember, if anyone else comes, whether it's a young master or even me, if anyone crosses this line, shoot them. No one will blame you. If you fail to stop intruders, it will be considered neglect of duty according to the rules of the Zhong family."

"Yes," the archers replied obediently, understanding the seriousness of their duty now that they had received orders from the young master. Who would dare hesitate anymore?