A Time-Traveling Mishap: I Became an Ancient Nobleman

Chapter 3 Why Did You Treat Me Like a Man?

After clarifying the matter, Zhou Hanzhang felt much more relaxed, but he still had deep doubts in his heart.

Why do all the people here treat me like a man when I'm clearly a girl?

She opened her mouth, about to speak, but seeing Qiuyue still standing there, she said to her, "Qiuyue, I have something to say to my mother. Please go out for a moment."

Upon hearing this, Qiuyue gave the two a slight bow and then withdrew.

After Qiuyue left, Zhou Hanzhang looked at Madam Zhou in front of him and slowly asked the question that had been bothering him.

"Mother, I..."

"Hmm?" Seeing her hesitant expression, Madam Zhou smiled slightly. "Is there something you want to say to your mother in private?"

Zhou Hanzhang nodded. "Mother, what I want to ask is... I am clearly a girl, so why are you treating me like a man..."

Upon hearing what this was about, Madam Zhou looked around nervously, then opened the door and looked left and right again. After confirming that no one was there, she closed the door and came back to her side.

"You've forgotten about this too?"

Zhou Hanzhang nodded.

Mrs. Zhou carefully observed the expression on her face and found that she did indeed look confused, so she sat a little closer.

Have you said this to anyone else?

Seeing Madam Zhou's tense and fearful expression, Zhou Hanzhang couldn't help but swallow hard. "I know this matter is of great importance, and I have never told anyone outside of my mother."

Upon hearing this, Madam Zhou quickly patted her chest and said, "That's good."

“Zhang’er… this matter is truly unfair to you, it’s all your fault for that wretched father of yours, alas…”

As Madam Zhou's sorrowful voice rang out, Zhou Hanzhang learned that this identity was actually bestowed upon him by his deposed, adopted father.

"The royal family attaches great importance to your status, and I don't know why. When you were just pregnant, the emperor personally brought a Taoist priest to our house. After looking around, the emperor discussed with your father that no matter whether you are a boy or a girl in the future, you should be raised as a boy."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Hanzhang's doubts deepened. "Why is that?"

Madam Zhou shook her head. "I don't know the specific reason either. I have asked your father many times over the years, but he has never told me the truth."

Madam Zhou paused for a moment, then continued, "I suspect it's related to the fate of the nation. The Emperor was also very much looking forward to your arrival, but after you were born, he seemed somewhat disappointed to see that you were a girl."

"Am I connected to the fate of the nation?"

Zhou Hanzhang found it hard to believe that she, a young woman, could be involved in the fate of the nation.

Upon seeing her like this, Madam Zhou knew what she was thinking.

“I know you don’t believe me, and I feel the same way. But it’s the emperor’s order. Even if your father were still a prince, let alone a commoner who has been demoted, what could he possibly do?”

When Zhou's father was mentioned, a hint of disdain appeared on Mrs. Zhou's face.

"You don't know how I wished you were a boy that day, so you wouldn't have to suffer the pain of dressing as a boy. But it seems that heaven couldn't hear my prayers. You were born a fair-skinned and tender baby girl."

Madam Zhou continued, "You've never asked me these questions before. You were raised as a boy by your family since birth, and you only got the title of Little Prince. What good is that?"

As she spoke, Madam Zhou became increasingly disgusted.

"These empty titles they give you, they even have to hide your identity, I spit on them!"

Seeing his beautiful mother getting angrier and angrier, and even unconsciously uttering a vulgar word, Zhou Hanzhang couldn't help but chuckle. It seemed that his mother had a very strong opinion about this matter.

“I carried this delicate baby girl for ten months and finally gave birth to her, but they insist on raising her as a boy. They are so heartless. Your father is such a coward. Just thinking about him makes me angry.”

"Mother..." Zhou Hanzhang called out softly as she became more and more agitated.

"Oh dear, look at me, you're not feeling well right now, why should I tell you all this?"

Seeing that Zhou Hanzhang's forehead was covered in a fine sweat, Madam Zhou quickly took out a handkerchief and wiped it off for her.

"We said we would restore you to your female form when the time was right, but I don't know when that time will come."

After wiping her sweat, Madam Zhou called out to the outside, and Qiuyue came in.

"Qiuyue, it's hot today. Go find a fan for the young master and tell him to take a good rest."

Qiu Yue was quick and efficient; she soon found a banana leaf fan and stood by the bedside, gently fanning Zhou Hanzhang.

Just as Zhou Hanzhang was getting drowsy from Qiu Yue's fan, a noisy commotion came from the side, completely driving away the sleepiness she had managed to build up.

Hearing the commotion, Madam Zhou, who was about to leave, immediately darkened her face.

"Who sent her here to disturb the young master again?"

Zhou Hanzhang was about to get up when Madam Zhou pressed him down again, saying, "I'll handle this. Don't worry, just rest and don't worry about them."

How could Zhou Hanzhang lie there peacefully? She wasn't really in any serious condition; she had only pretended to faint in order to figure out the situation.

Given the current situation, she can take a look at what's going on and perhaps gain a deeper understanding of it.

She called out, "Mother, I feel much better now. Since they're already outside, let's call them in."

Madam Zhou gave Qiuyue a wink, and Qiuyue quickly put down her fan and went to open the door.

A pretty young woman was seen walking towards the door, calling out, "My brother was injured because of me, why did I come to check on him?!"

Behind her was a woman who looked to be around thirty years old. She was dressed in simple but neat clothes in light colors.

Her hair was neatly styled and secured with a simple wooden hairpin. While her appearance wasn't stunning, she possessed a refined and elegant charm.

If one's beautiful mother is a noble and gorgeous purple violet, then this woman is a secluded orchid in a secluded valley.

But now, this orchid in the secluded valley has lost a few stray hairs from her meticulously styled hair, and she doesn't even care.

All she wanted to do was hold onto the pretty woman tightly and prevent her from getting close to Zhou Hanzhang.

She cried out, "My ancestors! You've already caused the young master to fall and hit his head! What else do you want to do...?"

The pretty young woman was unhappy that the beautiful woman was pulling her along, but she didn't shake her off. She just frowned and said, "Auntie, I just came to see my brother. I don't want to do anything."

The beautiful woman didn't believe it at all and held on tightly, refusing to let go.

Seeing this scene, Madam Zhou felt a headache coming on. She rubbed her temples and said to the pretty woman, "Kezhen, what are you doing now?"

"Aunt Fang, let her go and see what she's up to," Madam Zhou continued, addressing Aunt Fang.

The beautiful woman, referred to as Aunt Fang, then released Zhou Kezhen and bowed to Madam Zhou.

Zhou Kezhen also bowed to Madam Zhou, saying, "Mother, I just wanted to come and see my brother, I don't want to do anything."

“Madam, I’m telling you, Kezhen is such a clueless girl. She caused the eldest young master to fall and injure his head, and now she still has to bother me. I’m telling you, she just doesn’t want to be locked up long enough.”

“Aunt! How can you be like this? Not only do you not help me, but you also speak to Mother like this.” Zhou Kezhen became anxious as soon as she heard Aunt Fang’s words.

“I already told you, I just wanted to see how my brother is doing, why don’t you believe me?”