The princess regretted it.

Chapter 276 The Different Scenes of the Zhang and Wu Families

At the Grand Tutor's Mansion, Zhang Chengde didn't see his grandson among the returning generals. He was already certain that Zhang Zhenyuan was in grave danger! He hurried home and went straight to the Grand Tutor's study. There were many defense matters in the capital today, and there was a palace banquet tonight, so Zhang Hengyuan was not at home.

In the study, Zhang Chengde and his father had a long, secret conversation. No one knew what they talked about. However, after Zhang Chengde left the study, he arranged several things and released several carrier pigeons.

The servants in the mansion felt a different kind of oppression! Everyone was trembling with fear. It was completely different from the lively and cheerful atmosphere outside.

What is even more unique is the Jinwuhou Mansion. If the Prime Minister's Mansion is happy and the Grand Tutor's Mansion is worried, then the Jinwuhou Mansion is both happy and worried.

Wu Anshuo and his son Wu Changfeng did not get off the carriage at the gate of the mansion, but went directly back to the mansion through the side door.

Upon returning to the mansion, Wu Changfeng dismounted from the carriage and tried to find someone to carry Wu Anshuo back to his courtyard. He saw everyone in the mansion busy at work. He called the housekeeper and learned that Lanzhu was in labor. Most of the staff in the mansion were with her.

When the housekeeper heard that the marquis was seriously injured and needed someone to carry him back to the house, he quickly arranged for a few servants to come and carry Wu Anshuo back.

Wu Changfeng, however, was completely stunned by the housekeeper's words. He hadn't reacted yet. He followed the housekeeper to help get his father back to the courtyard. But his mind was filled with only one thought: Lanzhu was giving birth! His child! He was going to be a father!

However, when the Zhenbei Army returned in glory and many mansions were immersed in a festive atmosphere of reunion, two mansions presented a completely different scene.

A gloomy haze enveloped the Grand Tutor's Mansion. Zhang Chengde couldn't find his grandson among the returning mighty generals. At that moment, an ominous premonition washed over him like a tide: Zhang Zhenyuan was in grave danger!

His expression was solemn as he hurried back home, heading straight for the old Grand Tutor's study. The capital was busy with defense matters today due to the triumphant return of the Zhenbei Army, and there was also a palace banquet to be prepared for that evening, so Zhang Hengyuan was not at home at the moment.

In the quiet and slightly oppressive study, Zhang Chengde and his father engaged in a long and mysterious conversation. The tightly closed door, like a barrier, isolated everything within. No one knew what secrets they exchanged in that small world. Only the occasional low voice seemed to convey a sense of solemnity and unease.

After a long moment, Zhang Chengde slowly emerged from his study, his face stern and his eyes filled with an indescribable resolve. Then, he quickly and decisively arranged several tasks. Several carrier pigeons flapped their wings and flew out of the Grand Tutor's Mansion, soaring into the sky and disappearing into the distant clouds.

The servants within the mansion were acutely aware of this unusually oppressive atmosphere, and each one of them walked on thin ice, trembling with fear as they performed their tasks. The entire Grand Tutor's mansion formed a stark contrast with the bustling, cheerful, and joyful scene outside, overflowing with reunion joy. It was as if two completely different worlds existed.

What is even more unique is the Jinwuhou Mansion. If the Prime Minister's Mansion is full of the joy of reunion and the Grand Tutor's Mansion is mired in sorrow, then the Jinwuhou Mansion is a mixture of joy and sorrow.

The carriage carrying Wu Anshuo and his son Wu Changfeng slowly approached, but did not stop at the gate of the mansion. Instead, it went straight to the side door. The two of them were still sitting in the carriage, bumping all the way into the mansion.

As soon as he returned to the mansion, Wu Changfeng jumped off the carriage first. He was extremely anxious and wanted to immediately find someone to carefully carry the injured Wu Anshuo back to his yard so that he could take good care of him.

But when he looked up, he saw only the people in the mansion rushing about, a scene of bustling activity. Confused, he quickly called the housekeeper to inquire about the matter. Upon learning the full story, he realized—Lanzhu was pregnant, and now she had miscarried, possibly going into premature labor.

At that moment, most of the mansion's personnel were gathered there, working tirelessly to prepare for the arrival of a new life. Upon hearing that the Marquis was seriously injured and urgently needed to be carried back to the house, the housekeeper, fearing no delay, hurriedly arranged for several strong servants to rush over. Everyone worked together to carefully carry Wu Anshuo back to the courtyard.

Wu Changfeng, however, was completely stunned by the housekeeper's words. For a moment, he was dazed and hadn't fully reacted. His feet seemed to be out of his control as he subconsciously followed the housekeeper, mechanically helping to place his father back in the courtyard.

And in his mind, only one thought kept echoing: Lanzhu was pregnant! His child! He was about to become a father!

It wasn't until a servant hurried in to announce that Lanzhu had given birth to a premature boy that Wu Changfeng was suddenly awakened from his trance. His eyes lit up, and joy surged in his heart like a flood. He completely ignored his still-weak legs and hurried towards Lanzhu's yard.

When he arrived in a hurry, the midwife had just dressed the baby, gently and carefully wrapped it, and was carrying the baby out of the inner room to show it to Mrs. Fan. Wu Changfeng's eyes were instantly attracted by the tiny swaddling clothes. His breathing became rapid and his eyes were full of curiosity and excitement.

Seeing Wu Changfeng hurrying over, Mrs. Fan's eyes flashed with excitement, and she hurried forward. "Feng'er, you're back? What's wrong with you?" As she spoke, Mrs. Fan scrutinized Wu Changfeng, noticing how dusty he looked, his clothes a bit disheveled, his hair a bit unkempt, and his face untidy. He looked nothing like his usual neat and tidy self. "Did you just get home? Where's your father? Come, look! This is the son Lanzhu gave birth to you." Her words were filled with eagerness and joy, and she pulled him toward the swaddling clothes in the midwife's hands.

As Fan spoke, Wu Changfeng's gaze slowly shifted to the tiny, tightly swaddled child. The baby was incredibly small and frail, its face wrinkled and slightly crimson, its nose and mouth tiny—everything about it was so tender and fragile. The little one had his eyes closed, oblivious to his surroundings. Only his even, gentle breathing told everyone he was asleep.

Looking at this little life, connected to his blood, Wu Changfeng felt as if the softest strings in his heart had been touched. A strong and fiery emotion instantly surged in his heart, driving him to slowly reach out his hand. He wanted to hold that little life in his arms and fully experience the wonderful bond of blood.

However, Fan swiftly pulled the woman holding the child aside, deftly avoiding his touch. Seeing this, Wu Changfeng couldn't help but feel a bit confused, and looked at his mother with a look of confusion and disappointment on his face.