Chapter 23
A week passed in smooth, uneventful travel.
No bandits dared approach the convoy. No beasts blocked the road. Even the weather seemed unusually favorable, as though the world itself avoided disturbing the Zan Family’s return.
Finally.
The familiar outline of Solhaven came into view.
But it was no longer the small village he once remembered.
Now it stood as a proper Solhaven City.
Stone walls surrounded it, merchant caravans moved in and out, and guards at the gate inspected traffic with disciplined efficiency. The once quiet farmland had transformed into a thriving regional hub.
Inside the carriage, Zan Tianming slowly opened his eyes as they passed through the gates.
His expression tightened slightly.
“It really changed this much?”
After passing through the city gate of Solhaven City, the convoy continued deeper along the newly paved main road.
Compared to the past, everything felt different now.
The once simple village paths had been replaced with orderly streets merchant stalls lined the sides.
The escort guards at the gate had already bowed respectfully when they saw the imperial convoy insignia, allowing them to pass without delay.
Zan Tianming quietly looked out at the familiar yet unfamiliar scenery.
Zan Moxuan leaned forward slightly.
“So this is Father’s hometown?”
Zan Yin nodded slowly.
“It doesn't feel like a village like Father said before.”
Shenyuu gently fanned herself beside them, her gaze calm as she observed the surroundings.
“It’s orderly,” she said lightly. “Whoever manages this place knows what they’re doing.”
Zan Tianming did not respond immediately.
Because he already knew the answer.
It wasn’t ‘whoever’. It was the Zan Family.
And more precisely.
His father.
Soon, the convoy turned from the main road into a quieter route leading toward the inner estate district.
The atmosphere gradually became more secluded.
Less noise.
Fewer people.
More trees, gardens, and cultivated land arranged in a deliberate formation.
Finally.
At the end of the road, it appeared.
The Zan Family Manor.
It stood larger and more refined than before, with expanded courtyards and reinforced gates, yet still carrying the same calm, restrained feeling of an ancient noble residence.
The convoy stopped.
Zan Tianming stepped down first, his gaze fixed on the manor entrance.
“…We’re here.”
Behind him, the rest of the family followed, their expressions a mix of curiosity and anticipation.
After the entire convoy disembarked, silence lingered over the entrance of the Zan Family Manor.
There was not a single person in sight.
Zan Tianming’s brows slowly furrowed.
“…Why is there no one here?”
He stepped forward slightly, scanning the surroundings more carefully.
Zan Moxuan and Zan Yin followed behind him, also becoming alert.
“Father, is this really the right place?” Zan Moxuan asked quietly.
Zan Tianming did not answer immediately.
Because he knew.
This was the right place.
But the emptiness was strange.
Even Shenyuu stopped fanning herself for a moment, her eyes narrowing slightly.
“This place is too quiet,” she said.
“Even noble estates should have at least attendants outside.”
Zan Yin nodded.
“Did something happen here?”
Zan Tianming finally stepped past the manor threshold.
His voice echoed through the quiet halls.
“Father… Mother… Zan Wei?”
Silence answered him.
Only the faint sound of wind moving through the open corridors returned, brushing against wooden beams and polished stone floors.
He frowned slightly.
“…Strange.”
Zan Moxuan and Zan Yin followed closely behind, their earlier curiosity now replaced with unease.
“Father, where is everyone?” Zan Moxuan asked.
Even Shenyuu lowered her fan, her expression turning more serious than before.
“This isn’t normal,” she murmured. “Even if they’re out, someone should be here.”
Zan Tianming did not reply immediately.
Just as the Zan family was settling into uneasy rest inside the manor, a sudden burst of excited voices echoed from outside the courtyard.
“Uncle Wei is here!”
“Uncle Wei! Uncle Wei!”
The previously quiet atmosphere instantly shifted.
Children who had been playing outside the estate gates ran back toward the manor with bright, excited expressions, pointing toward the road.
Even Ranxi, Zan Yin’s wife, who had been calmly holding her child, paused and turned her head slightly.
Then she smiled faintly.
“Oh, Uncle Wei is here.”
The moment that name was mentioned.
Zan Tianming, who had just been resting in the main hall, immediately stood up.
“Wei?”
Zan Moxuan blinked.
“Second Uncle?”
Zan Wei stepped into the courtyard with his usual relaxed expression, as if returning from nothing more than a routine trade run.
When he saw Zan Tianming, his eyes immediately brightened.
“Big brother.”
Without hesitation, he walked forward and gave him a brief, familiar embrace.
Zan Tianming, slightly stunned, still returned it.
But before anyone else could react, Zan Wei leaned closer and whispered casually into his ear:
“Our family relocated twelve years ago. So I'm here to bring you to a new home.”
The courtyard quickly filled with lively voices the moment Zan Wei appeared.
“Uncle Wei!”
“Uncle Wei!”
The children rushed forward excitedly, circling him with bright eyes as if he were some traveling hero returning with endless treasures.
Zan Wei’s usual calm expression softened slightly.
He crouched down and casually patted one child’s head.
“Still as noisy as ever,” he said with a faint smile.
Behind them, Zan Moxuan and Zan Yin exchanged a glance.
Then both stepped forward with their wives and respectfully bowed.
“Second Uncle.”
Their voices were steady, formal, carrying both respect and familiarity.
Their wives followed suit, giving polite greetings.
Zan Wei glanced at them, then sighed lightly as if he had aged several lifetimes just dealing with family formality.
“No need for that,” he said lazily, waving a hand.
“We’re at home. Not in court.”
Zan Moxuan straightened slightly.
“But etiquette.”
“Were family already don't be polite,” Zan Wei interrupted immediately.
Zan Yin’s wife couldn’t help but let out a small amused smile behind her sleeve.
Even Zan Tianming, watching from the side, rubbed his forehead slightly.
“…You really haven’t changed at all.”
Zan Wei stretched slightly, then clapped his hands once as if wrapping up the reunion.
“Alright, alright,” he said casually. “We should go now to the Zan Family grounds.”
The children immediately perked up again.
“The family grounds?” one of them asked excitedly.
Zan Moxuan frowned slightly.
“There’s still another place?”
Zan Yin also looked confused.
“We already entered the manor…”
Zan Wei waved his hand dismissively.
“This is just a vacation house.”
“The real core, where Father lives is further away from this place.”