NOVEL NEXT Chapter 695: In My Next Life, I Want to Be Your Man
Mu Yan replied apologetically to Zhan Lan, "Bai Qi has always been cautious in his actions. He asked me to keep this matter confidential."
Zhan Lan continued to listen to him, "Bai Qi's true identity is Marquis Weiyuan of Zhongzhou, originally named Huo Zhenyuan. He worries about revealing his identity, so he has always used his mother's surname. Through his military achievements, he became Prince Zhen Nan and stayed in Nanjin, continuously planning to revive the Zhongzhou Kingdom."
"Moreover, Bai Qi is my mother's cousin, which makes him my uncle, and that's why Bai Chen calls me big brother."
Zhan Lan was so shocked by these revelations that she couldn't speak. Marquis Weiyuan! Huo Zhenyuan!
Indeed, after the fall of Zhongzhou, all the royal family members hid their true identities.
Thus, Bai Qi was just an alias, and the person he has always been loyal to must be Mu Yan!
No wonder Bai Qi took such good care of her in the military camp.
Also, Bai Qi's feigned death was to enable her to smoothly become the Main General!
This is why she couldn't conceive a child previously—Mu Yan said it was all his fault.
Mu Yan continued, "After Bai Qi's feigned death, he has been secretly leading Zhongzhou's rebel army in training soldiers. This is also why I can't expose him."
"It's not that I don't trust you, but some secrets can only be kept in the heart."
Zhan Lan understood; she, too, had a little stash she hadn't told Mu Yan about. Bai Qi's life or death actually had nothing to do with her, so Mu Yan keeping it from her wasn't deliberate concealment.
Mu Yan looked deeply at Zhan Lan. His initial support for her to quickly become the Main General of the Brave Army was because he saw Zhan Lan's urgent desire to achieve military accomplishments and save the Zhan Family.
Therefore, he facilitated Bai Qi's feigned death, allowing Zhan Lan, through exceptional military prowess and competence, to inevitably become the Main General of the Brave Army.
With command of the troops, she could gradually assist the Zhan Family and dismantle the control of the Si Family.
Suddenly, Zhan Lan recalled the previous life. Calculating the time, Bai Qi was probably faking death too!
And she naturally became the Main General!
At that time, her relationship with Mu Yan wasn't good, but in retrospect, Mu Yan was indeed helping her!
Her eyes suddenly moistened as memories from her past life surfaced.
Beiyue and Nanjin have been at war for years.
Mu Yan never expected her to go on an expedition after Bai Qi's feigned death. After the farewell banquet, when no one was around, Mu Yan reached out and grabbed her wrist, pulling her into a room, pinning her against the door. With eyes filled with hostility, he asked intensely, "Do you really want to defend Nanjin for Si Jun?"
At that time, she didn't understand why Mu Yan exerted so much force, causing her wrist to ache. She gritted her teeth and said, "Imperial Uncle, please respect yourself, let go!"
Mu Yan pushed her away, and she moved her wrist, confidently saying, "I'm not just helping my husband. His body is weak, suffering from illnesses. If the emperor can't go to battle, then I will. I am confident I can protect the people of Nanjin. Isn't this the duty of an empress, a general?"
Mu Yan's expression gradually calmed, "You say Si Jun is weak?"
She thought Mu Yan was feigning ignorance; everyone knew Si Jun's health was poor and he had been taking medication for years, suffering from asthma every night.
"His Majesty's health will improve; there's no need to worry, Uncle." Her tone was hard because she held little affection for Mu Yan in her past life, just as she thought Mu Yan didn't care for her either.
Mu Yan suddenly gripped her wrist again, his voice harsh, "Zhan Lan, in consideration of you calling me uncle, I have a word of advice: beware of Zhan Xuerou and Si Jun."
At that time, she didn't understand the hidden meaning in Mu Yan's words. She only thought Mu Yan was ambitious and surely coveted her husband's throne, perhaps even stirring discord between their marriage.
Unfazed, she met Mu Yan's gaze filled with overwhelming pressure, locked eyes with him, and asked, "What do you want? I'm perfectly clear!"
Mu Yan's eyes, like a deep well, suddenly shivered. In the enclosed room where they were alone, standing so close, his Adam's apple moved, and his gaze instantly avoided hers.
He sneered, "What I want, do not arrogantly assume, foolish without realizing!"
Then, she suddenly felt pain on her cheek because Mu Yan pinched her face, bending down to whisper in her ear, accompanied by warm breath and cruel words: "I've said everything I need to, I hope you don't regret your decision!"
At that time, the cold fragrance and the ambiguous proximity of Mu Yan left her dumbfounded, and Mu Yan released her, walking away coldly.
Looking back now, she realized how foolish she was. She thought Mu Yan wanted Si Jun's kingdom.
Perhaps Mu Yan wanted her.
...
"Lan'er, what's wrong?" Mu Yan's voice pulled her back from her thoughts.
Zhan Lan pursed her lips, "Nothing, I just suddenly understood many things."
Mu Yan saw she wasn't affected by Bai Qi's matter and smiled slightly.
Zhan Lan was intensely curious about what Mu Yan truly desired in the past life; was it really her?
She tentatively glanced at Mu Yan and asked, "Mu Yan, what if I had married Si Jun and you were my uncle, what would you do?"
Upon hearing Si Jun's name, Mu Yan immediately furrowed his brow, so Zhan Lan quickly added, "I mean what if!"
Mu Yan's gaze turned icy, speaking word by word, "Seize his kingdom by force and marry you as my empress."
"But you are my uncle. I'm your niece by marriage," Zhan Lan deliberately queried.
Mu Yan snorted coldly, "You've seen my rebellious streak. Even if you were married, I'd take you away. What's being a niece-in-law? Do you think I care about others' opinions?"
Zhan Lan's gaze trembled slightly, continuing, "What if I refused? I'm the type of stubborn fool who would cling to Si Jun, would die without him, would you still take me away?"