"I want you to know. No matter who the clan leader is, this will always be your home. Remember that the clan leader and his people serve only you. You can mobilize anyone you want in the clan," said Old Master Zhan solemnly.
Zhan Yunge felt worried. Did the mysterious man make her ancestor promise to do this as well? Did her family dote on her simply because of a promise? In that case, it would make her seem like a fool for thinking they genuinely loved her.
"Don't overthink it. The mysterious man only told our ancestor to hand you the red box when you were 15 years old. The family came to this decision because you are our only girl. When our ancestor struck a deal with the man, the man mentioned you would be the only girl in the clan.
"Since you are our only girl, it is only right we protect you. How could our girl get bullied? Every clan leader and his family will remain on Mount Qingnan and await your arrival. After you are born, they will follow you wherever you go." Old Master Zhan knew what Zhan Yunge was thinking and quickly explained himself.
Zhan Yunge felt bad. She had misunderstood her ancestor and quietly apologized inside.
After contemplating briefly, she said solemnly, "Grandpa, why don't you remove this rule? Has anyone ever bullied me? People can count their lucky stars that I do not bully them. I see no reason to hold back the clan leader and his family."
She was speaking the truth. No one had ever bullied her and in all her lifetimes, even in her deaths, the people who killed her came to no good end. She was always nicknamed for her wit. In this lifetime, she had no intention of playing nice either.
Old Master Zhan laughed. "I am still hale and hearty for now, so nothing is going to change just yet. You will be heading to the capital tomorrow. I am just taking the opportunity to tell you about the clan's future plan. I want you to know that you are not alone and your family will always be with you. I want you to always hold your chin up high."
Zhan Yunge burst out laughing. "Grandpa, this sounds like the perfect recipe for making a bully."
Old Master Zhan burst out laughing. Even though they doted on Zhan Yunge, she had never made any real trouble before, so she was a sensible young woman behind her mischievous façade.
"Why are you laughing?" asked her cousins in unison, who were sitting closer to them and had no caught them laughing.
"I am laughing because Grandpa thinks someone will bully me." Zhan Yunge stood up. Since she was a little giddy, she swayed a little when she stood up.
Nangong Xuan wanted to stand up and help support her. Even though she was swaying, her feet were firm, so he did not continue to move to help her. It was her birthday today, so he wanted to give her more freedom.
"We would never let anyone bully you. All the boys have already talked about it. The eight of us who are married will stay home while the unmarried ones will go to the capital with you. If anyone dares to touch you, we will dig up their family graves and get back at them," said her thirteenth cousin as he rapped his finger on the table.
Zhan Yunge walked up to the empty space at the center of the hall. "Uh huh. There are 13 boys in the family, so I have nothing to fear."
"Aunt, I am around to help too," said a child-like voice.
Zhan Yunge looked down and saw a five-year-old boy patting his chest as he spoke solemnly. It was Zhan Qixing. He was her eldest cousin's son and he was the eldest child of his generation. Two of her four remaining nephews were three-years-old while the remaining two were two and one-years-old respectively. The other children were sleeping in their nannies' arms.
"Haha! Oh wow! Qixing is here to protect me too." Zhan Yunge suddenly felt the heavens were trying to make up for all her past suffering by sending her to the Zhan family in this lifetime.
"Wan Yu, give me the flute." Zhan Yunge reached her hand out.
Wan Yu hurriedly went over to Zhan Yunge holding the flute. She placed it in Zhan Yunge's hand before walking to the side.
Zhan Yunge waved at Zhan Qixing and said, "Come over."
Zhan Qixing ran over with his short legs. Zhan Yunge carried the boy and kissed him on his soft cheek. She waved the flute in her hand and said, "What do you want to hear?"
"Drunken Flowers." Zhan Qixing's eyes lit up excitedly as he spoke without hesitation.
"Sure. I will play you 'Drunken Flowers'." Zhan Yunge was in an excellent mood.
Zhan Yunge put down Zhan Qixing. She always loved flutes. Initially, she liked it because it was highly portable. Eventually, she fell for its cool and elegant sound quality. In her opinion, the sound quality of flutes resembled lofty snow lotuses which could only be found on icy mountain tops. It was low profile and sounded unique.
The flute was an all-rounded instrument with varied tonal qualities. It could sound bright and beautiful or saccharine sweet. It could also produce low pitches flawlessly and it was a very expressive instrument.