Chapter 288: We are the Zhuang family

The next day, Zhuang Yan and Zhuang Wei waited directly at the inn's gate, each with a horse. After last night, they finally accepted that the pale-faced Kang Yun was actually a woman.

The key is still the Regent's Consort!

Moreover, she is Miaomiao's niece, so calling them uncle is only natural, right?

See……

Before the two could finish speaking, Jiang Yunchu hurriedly said, "Uncles, after not seeing me for a whole night, have you forgotten who I am?"

As she spoke, she suddenly whistled; hearing it, Flame bolted out of the stables, came before Jiang Yunchu, raised its forelegs, and let out a neigh.

Under its neigh, the two horses that had just been standing tall suddenly dropped their forelegs to kneel……

"Hey hey hey?" Zhuang Yan grabbed his horse, nearly being toppled over.

He alone, paying respects to the Consort, that is fundamental.

No……

Does a single horse even need to pay respects?

Zhuang Wei's mouth also twitched; he meant, there's no need to do that.

Jiang Yunchu felt a bit embarrassed, then gently patted Flame, saying, "No mischief."

Flame gave a low snort as a reply, then snorted at the two horses; only then did they dare to stand, and even stepped back……

Afterward, Flame rubbed its face against Jiang Yunchu's, and she gently patted its head.

"These days have been hard on you; when we return to Jingdu, I'll feed you the finest horse feed, okay?"

These days, to save time, she has always ridden Flame; however, wherever Flame is present, Flame does not allow her to ride any other horse……

"Uncles, let's go." Jiang Yunchu leapt onto Flame; the moment she steadied herself, Flame shot forward like a blaze.

"Go slower; we'll run after we leave the city."

Jiang Yunchu gently stroked the hair on its neck, and Flame's speed slowed; yet no matter how slow Flame went, none of the horses beside it dared to overtake.

Once out of the city, Flame seemed to have its seal released, and it surged forward.

The two horses behind had already reached their top speed, yet they were still left far behind.

"Big brother, is the horse the Consort rides also a Consort?" Zhuang Wei's mouth twitched, then he looked at the person and horse racing ahead, feeling doubtful about life.

Zhuang Yan laughed twice, saying, "Flame is a fine horse."

"We'd better catch up quickly, or we'll fall too far behind."

The two said nothing more, hurriedly urging their horses to chase after.

Soon, the three arrived at the workshop.

The workshop is outside the city, but not far from it.

"Eldest young master, second young master."

The gatekeeper found it strange; usually the young masters come only once a month, wasn't it just yesterday they came? Today both young masters came together—what's happened?

"Tell everyone to put down their work and gather in the front courtyard."

Zhuang Yan looked at the gatekeeper and lightly gave an order.

Upon hearing, the gatekeeper hesitated not, sending a few able-bodied people to run to each courtyard and area.

Although they didn't know what had happened, since everyone was summoned, there must be something major.

Some came running, some walking; there were men and women, old and young.

However, every person's gaze carried a hint of anxiety.

How could they not know that this workshop doesn't make money, even loses it, yet they have already done their best, working diligently.

This workshop, to them, is home.

Who among them would want to leave here?

"Young masters, everyone is here." A person in charge came from inside, walked to their side, his expression also somewhat solemn.

But they could not resist; over the years, the Zhuang clan has barely managed to support them.

Since everyone is gathered, I will announce something." Zhuang Yan stood before the crowd, looking at familiar faces—some he had known since childhood, others who had joined the workshop later.

However, these people are all loyal to the Zhuang clan.

The Zhuang clan is also willing to support them for life.

"This workshop, the Zhuang clan will sell it."

As his words fell, many already wiped tears, yet no one became emotionally agitated, no one resisted, and there was no cursing.

This came as a surprise to Jiang Yunchu.

Every place seems to have a hothead who instinctively opposes, perhaps for some gain, perhaps just to oppose.

But……

Now, she glanced around; everyone had reddened eye rims, some wiped tears, some men lowered their heads, yet not a word was spoken.

Thus, the Zhuang clan's feeling toward them, and theirs toward the Zhuang clan, are the same.

How strong a sense of belonging must one have to achieve this?

"But!"

Zhuang Yan's heart also felt uneasy; his clenched fist trembled slightly.

Zhuang Wei's eye sockets were somewhat red; looking at each person, how could his heart feel any better?

"The person taking over the workshop is the young master beside me; he doesn't bear the Zhuang surname, but in my heart he is a Zhuang!" Zhuang Yan pointed at Jiang Yunchu, even if she is the Consort, what does it matter?

In his view, she was first Kang Yun, then Jiang Yunchu, then the Regent's Consort.

She is not a Zhuang, but in these days of interaction, she is no different from a Zhuang!

"She is a Zhuang." Zhuang Wei also said, his voice unusually loud.

Jiang Yunchu felt somewhat surprised, raising her head to look at the two uncles.

She...

At this time, her inner feelings — she herself could not describe them.

It was as if she were at a volcano's mouth, impulsive and surging.

"You used to be loyal to the Zhuang Clan, but from now on you only need to be loyal to her alone." Zhuang Yan continued.

The people below had just been sorrowful, but now they suddenly lifted their heads.

No...

They're all Zhuang Clan people — what's there to be sad about?

"You speak." Zhuang Yan directly gave the central position to Jiang Yunchu.

Jiang Yunchu looked at the people below — there were men and women, old and young; beside them, there was also a group of worried little dolls, each child not daring to speak, just staring.

Jiang Yunchu smiled and said, "I don't bear the surname Zhuang."

"But I have to admit, here I am a Zhuang Clan person."

As her words fell, Zhuang Yan and Zhuang Wei both burst into laughter, their eyes filled with tiny glints.

Jiang Yunchu swept her gaze over the crowd below and said, "I know, you are also Zhuang Clan people."

"……" The crowd below fell silent for a moment.

Just then, the person in charge looked toward Jiang Yunchu.

"Yes, we are Zhuang Clan people."

"We are Zhuang Clan people."

"Zhuang Clan people!"

In that moment, the scene began to shift again; everyone's emotions changed, no longer the previous sorrow, no longer the recent anxiety, but instead filled with a feeling of high-spirited determination.