Reborn to Become A Queen: The Real Heiress's Comeback
Chapter 324: The Night Before the Wedding

Chapter 324: Chapter 324: The Night Before the Wedding

The day before her grand wedding, Zhan Lan rose early to visit her own fiefdom, where the stone quarry had already begun operations.

She also provided work from the embroidery shop for the women in the village and the manors; under the personal guidance of Shen Shan’s embroideresses, they could now embroider some simple patterns.

As for the men, those with strength could work in the quarry or reclaim the saline-alkali land.

With silver in hand, everyone found motivation.

So, the people from several manors and Xiaohe Village got busy.

After arranging everything, Zhan Lan was about to leave when a woman from East Water Manor, panting with urgency, chased after her, "Prince, Prince!"

Zhan Lan turned to look at her, and with a mixture of nervousness and embarrassment, the woman brought out a pair of red shoe insoles and shakily handed them to Zhan Lan.

"Prince, I heard you’re getting married tomorrow. I’ve made these shoe insoles, if you don’t disdain them..."

"I just happen to need a pair!" Zhan Lan accepted the insoles and saw that they were embroidered with a pair of mandarin ducks. She sat down on a large stone at the entrance of the manor, unceremoniously took off her shoes, and stuffed the insoles inside.

After putting on both shoes, Zhan Lan took a few steps and then looked at the woman with a smile, saying, "They fit quite well and are very comfortable!"

The woman’s tense face broke into a smile, "As long as the Prince likes them!"

"You’ve got a good eye, recognizing my shoe size at a glance!" praised Zhan Lan.

The woman said with a smile, "I also make shoe insoles for my own daughter, and seeing that your feet and her feet are about the same size, I’m glad they fit."

Zhan Lan grinned and replied, "It’s a pity that your fine embroidery will be hidden under the sole of my foot."

The woman suddenly became embarrassed, "I have always enjoyed embroidery, but didn’t have a master to guide me. Now, with the master you’ve found, I’ve suddenly... well, as my son says, had an epiphany!"

Zhan Lan patted her shoulder and said, "Then you must learn well. Whoever among you becomes the best, will get to be in charge!"

The woman became excited and bowed, "Thank you, Prince, thank you so much!"

Zhan Lan looked toward the distance with a beaming smile at her subjects and waved before getting into the carriage.

The woman’s eyes and nose became sour, hot tears fell as the villagers gathered around.

"In just a few days, our lives have changed, all thanks to Prince Zhenbei."

"Prince Zhenbei really doesn’t act like a prince, there isn’t a trace of arrogance when he deals with us common folks."

"I can hardly believe it, a prince changing his shoe insoles right at the village entrance..."

Those living at the bottom often become deeply moved by the smallest of gestures from those in higher positions.

The woman dried her tears, having never felt so respected in her life.

Even when she made new shoes for her husband, eagerly awaiting his reaction, all he would do is dismissively wave his hand and say, "They’re just shoes, aren’t they? I’ll try them on another day!"

Comparing today’s experience, the scene of Prince Zhenbei changing into the shoe insoles right in front of her, likely would be something she would never forget for the rest of her life.

To be respected by someone felt like this.

...

Sitting in the carriage, Zhan Lan thought of her grandfather’s words in the ancestral hall that day and, looking out over the vast land, she found clarity.

Her grandfather did indeed love her dearly, but he had something to uphold.

Zhan Lan did not blame him, and even began to understand her grandfather.

However, as for not desiring the territory of Nanjin as promised, she had not forgotten her quest for revenge—her enemies still deserved to suffer a thousandfold!

Lost in these thoughts, Zhan Lan noticed a cluster of pale purple wildflowers by the roadside that looked exceptionally beautiful. She picked a few and held them in her hand.

She swung her feet, thinking of the woman’s sincere and excited expression. In this world, there are many beautiful sceneries and people, why bother dwelling on the unpleasant things.

She curled her lips into a light smile, closed her eyes to rest. Today, she would return and get a good sleep, then wait for Mu Yan to come marry her!

After returning to the mansion, Zhan Lan sat in the courtyard, admiring the stars in the sky.

She thought about every little thing between her and Mu Yan, leading up to today; she was going to marry Mu Yan.

Zhan Lan still remembered Mu Yan proposing a deal among the lotus flowers, asking her to marry him.

She also remembered how Mu Yan carried her on his back through the ten-mile street from the Heavenly Prison, telling him she was willing.

Up to this day, she still couldn’t discern whether their marriage was a transaction or if they both liked each other.

But now that they are married, she would be a good wife.

Perhaps, Mu Yan would also be a good husband.

Zhan Lan, with a smile in her eyes, propped her chin while looking at the starry sky, feeling delighted at the thought of Mu Yan; she liked being with him.

Mu Yan was far more effective than wine; he made her feel relaxed, happy.

Suddenly, Zhan Lan felt a gaze watching her from the shadows.

She abruptly looked towards the trees, feeling as if a familiar figure stood there, but then it vanished in an instant.

She murmured, "Mu Yan, is that you?"

No one answered.

She carefully thought that Mu Yan should be at the Regent Prince Mansion right now; he should be with Zhan Heng.

Zhan Lan let out a sigh of relief. She must be missing Mu Yan a little, so she had a hallucination, and she slowly made her way back to her room.

In the shadows, Mu Yan with a silver mask quietly watched Zhan Lan’s back. He had not seen Zhan Lan for just two days and wanted to come to see her.

Slipping in and out of the General Mansion was not easy; Mu Yan had gone to some lengths, carefully avoiding the guards and leaving.

...

Zhan Lan did not sleep well that night; she was going to get married in this lifetime, and her heart felt completely different from her previous life.

She wasn’t as excited, instead feeling a bit nervous, always feeling that such happiness seemed unreal, as if it didn’t belong to her.

In her past life, she married Si Jun full of anticipation, but on their wedding night, his asthma acted up, and they did not consummate the marriage.

Later on, he used his poor health as an excuse, saying the Imperial Physician had warned him against sexual activity, so he never touched her.

Thinking back, those words were probably just excuses he found, and perhaps he was already involved with Zhan Xuerou back then.

And she still played the role of the virtuous Empress, battling on his behalf, never suspecting it was all a conspiracy.

Anyone who saw those affectionate eyes Si Jun reserved even for a dog could probably be deceived!

Zhan Lan sneered; the greatest deceiver in the world was Si Jun. He deceived his emperor father, the people of the world, emotions, and hearts.

In this life, the man she was marrying was Mu Yan, and deep down, she hoped that Mu Yan would be the same before and after marriage.

So the sweet taste she was seeking wouldn’t turn even more bitter.

Zhan Lan didn’t know if her pre-marriage anxiety was influenced by her past life.

There was one thing she was certain of: it seemed, she was beginning to care about Mu Yan more and more...