Chapter 25: Counterattack!

Before Zhan Lan could speak, Zhan Xuerou sneered, "Don't talk about Lan like that, our General Mansion's kitchen can certainly afford to hire chefs."

Zhan Liluo chimed in, "Yes, although Lan can't compare with the pampered Xuerou, the General Mansion has never mistreated her and her mother."

Zhan Xuerou grabbed Zhan Lan, glaring coldly at Bai Lu, "Don't feel inferior, Lan. We are all family here, how can we let others speak nonsense?"

Bai Lu was at a loss for words. Zhan Xuerou was always like this, pretending to be kind on the surface, making herself seem like the villain.

But what can one do when the other is the legitimate daughter of the General Mansion?

There was nothing she could do but listen to her, though deep down, Bai Lu felt a subtle disgust towards Zhan Xuerou.

Zhan Lan smiled faintly, released Zhan Xuerou's hand, and looked at Si Jun who was about to stand up, her voice sweet, "Young Master Si Jun, I'll see you at Moran Pavilion in three days."

Si Jun looked at Zhan Lan, slightly startled, then smiled warmly, "Alright, Lan."

Upon hearing Young Master Si's words, the faces of several ladies collapsed instantly.

What place is Moran Pavilion? That's where the Great Scholar teaches!

They had no chance of getting in!

Moreover, only Zhan Lan had the privilege to call Young Master Si brother!

They didn't have that privilege.

Zhan Xuerou's hand slipped down from Zhan Lan's arm, feeling infuriated that Zhan Lan dared to embarrass her in public!

Bai Lu was so angry she almost crushed her teeth.

Zhan Liluo's face turned pale with anger, but her beloved was not Si Jun, so her reaction wasn't as strong as the others, yet she too was irritated by Zhan Lan's vexing words.

Their mutual accusations couldn't compare to the impact of Zhan Lan's remark.

Si Jun bowed his head in thought, Zhan Lan indeed had a sharp tongue, initially at a disadvantage, but her words turned the tables.

But he didn't know: Zhan Lan's skill in infuriating others was yet to come.

Zhan Lan looked at the changing faces of the ladies and added fuel to the fire, quickly catching up with Sun Yan who was about to leave, asking, "Mr. Sun, may I visit the Book Collection Pavilion?"

Sun Yan smiled and nodded, "You are a student of the Great Scholar, naturally, you can enter the Book Collection Pavilion."

"May I invite Miss Cui Ying to join me?"

Upon hearing this, Cui Ying, whose face was swollen from slaps, almost fainted.

Zhan Lan, what does this mean! She wasn't provoking her, could Zhan Lan not spare her?

The noble ladies stared at Cui Ying, unaware of when she had gotten so close with Zhan Lan!

Sun Yan, with his hands behind his back, said indifferently, "Other than the Great Scholar's students, no students without special permission can enter the Book Collection Pavilion."

Zhan Lan sighed regretfully, "Oh, no one else can go, what a pity!"

Sun Yan nodded.

This sentence was extremely insulting, and along with Cui Ying, Zhan Xuerou and others felt humiliated.

Their faces were as colorful as if they had opened a dye workshop.

"Sorry!" Zhan Lan stepped forward, patted Cui Ying's shoulder, and then walked away casually.

Cui Ying was filled with despair. What did Zhan Lan mean?

In front of so many people, what was her purpose!

Once she faced the hostile looks from the noble ladies, she finally understood.

Zhan Lan was making enemies for her!

"Listen to my explanation, I'm not close with Zhan Lan!"

But nobody believed her words; Bai Lu, having nowhere to vent, mocked Cui Ying coldly.

"I was wondering why Lady Cui didn't say a word just now, turns out she has already been good friends with Zhan Lan, Marquis Mansion's miss is really good at seeing which way the wind blows!"

After that, several noble ladies left angrily.

Leaving Cui Ying shocked, stomping her foot in anger.

Her her her... since when was she friends with Zhan Lan!

That was not true!

Zhan Lan, in a cheerful mood, was led by the Attendant Student into the Book Collection Pavilion.

The Book Collection Pavilion of the Yunyin Academy is said to contain treasures collected from various scholars, usually inaccessible to ordinary students.

In her past life as the Empress, Zhan Lan had no time to visit.

In this life, in her learning age, how could she miss the opportunity.

Upon reaching the second floor, Zhan Lan looked at the neatly arranged books in the nanmu cabinet, just like rows of soldiers.

Reborn into this life, she deeply understood: Knowledge is a weapon, and strategy is heavy artillery.

If used well, without expending a single soldier or piece of artillery, one can still conquer cities and seize territories.

Zhan Lan picked up a book titled "Strategy," a tome of cunning plots, its pages already yellowed but seemingly left untouched due to its dry content, after a few perusals by others.

Zhan Lan cherished it like a treasure, flipping through it by the window for half an hour.

Reflecting carefully, some of the events in the book were ones she had experienced in her previous life, only realizing them fully because she had been caught up in the midst of it all.

"You sure know how to pick your books!"

Zhan Lan was so engrossed that she didn't notice there was another person in the Book Collection Pavilion.

The only person who could approach her without a sound, aside from Mu Yan, was none other than Mu Yan himself.

Zhan Lan turned and looked up, and indeed, she saw Mu Yan, the Seal Keeper, his head cocked, gazing at her nonchalantly.

The sunlight cast upon his well-defined face creating a shadow on his cheek, his appearance devilishly handsome and peerless.

However, the murderous aura and oppressive air about him made one involuntarily shudder; if it wasn't for Zhan Lan, who was experienced on the battlefield, seeing him might have made her legs weak.

Zhan Lan bowed and said, "Lord Seal Keeper, being shallow and impoverished, I naturally need to read more. As the old saying goes, 'In books, one finds houses of gold.'"

"Sharp-tongued!" Mu Yan scoffed coldly, understanding that Zhan Lan was subtly hinting that he had seized the hidden gold coins she managed to save.

Zhan Lan closed the book, intending to stay away from this infamous playboy, but then heard Mu Yan ask, "Are you in such need of silver?"

Zhan Lan smiled lightly, "Lord Seal Keeper surely cannot understand the joy in being short of silver."

Mu Yan raised an eyebrow; Zhan Lan was the first woman to joke with him, indeed a daring one.

While sitting by the window, Mu Yan glanced at the book "Strategy" in Zhan Lan's hand and said, "Then you should read 'Business Theory.'"

Zhan Lan smiled awkwardly, bowed and said, "Thank you for the guidance, Lord Seal Keeper."

Having said that, she walked out of Mu Yan's sight.

She couldn't understand why the Seal Keeper of the formidable Xingtian Department, instead of being at his post, frequented the Book Collection Pavilion during broad daylight.

Thinking back to her previous life, Zhan Lan had few interactions with him, merely knowing him in passing, but in this life, she seemed to encounter him frequently.

Could it be that since he was the last person she saw before dying in her previous life, this twisted fate had ensued?

Zhan Lan looked at some commercial books for a while longer, finding Mu Yan utterly annoying. She decided to visit again when he was not around.

Watching her stride briskly out of the Book Collection Pavilion, Mu Yan ruminated. He had heard about the adopted daughter of General Mansion before.

Supposedly timid and cautious, and despite her skills, she was portrayed as somewhat slow-witted. Now, it seemed that she was nothing like the rumors.

Her demeanor and approach to matters were seasoned and merciless, cunning yet wise.

This made his normally dull days filled with curiosity and speculation.

Mu Yan picked up the book "Strategy" that Zhan Lan had been reading.

In his heart, he mused: A woman who not only needs money but also reads books generally preferred by men, what exactly is her purpose?

Then he mocked himself, "And what does it have to do with me?"

With Zhan Lan gone, he found solace in his solitude, free to read in peace.

...

At the side gate of Yunyin Academy.

As Zhan Lan walked out of the academy not too far, she heard Zhan Xuerou's voice as she was scolding Dugu Yan, who was playing with horses.

"Stupid creature, unaware of blessings!"

Holding back all this time, Dugu Yan finally exploded, "How dare you call me stupid! You don't command me, let's have a fight then see who's better!"

Dugu Yan was