Chapter 101
Chapter 101
For three whole hours. Shen Lang was tortured for three whole hours. He felt as if he had descended into hell and back, to a point where death seemed preferable. From this day forward, the mere mention of the term "Six Animals Frolics"—a health regimen for longevity involving dance-like movements mimicking a bear, bird, duck, monkey, owl, and tiger—would cause him to tremble and shrink back instinctively. The pain was enough to make him wish he were dead.
In the end, Mulan carried him to the top floor of the water pavilion. A medicinal bath had already been prepared, and Mulan intended to place Shen Lang inside.
"My lord, you enjoyed watching, didn't you? Now, you can bathe alone and look at your own body to your heart's content."
*Sob, sob, sob!* His wife grew crueler as time went on. She placed a screen less than five meters away from him and bathed on the other side. He could hear the soft splashing of water, even the sound of the warm liquid gliding over her snow-white skin.
Though only a screen separated them, Shen Lang lacked the strength to even lift his forearm, let alone walk over to her side. He barely had the power to lift something weighing less than half a catty.
"Hah, hah."
Shen Lang tried to blow on the screen with his breath to move it, then gave up. He cursed Mulan in his heart.
*Jin Mulan, where has your honesty gone? To think you were this kind of woman. So insidious and cunning.*
From the other side of the screen, Mulan's charming voice drifted over.
"My lord, I learned it from you. They say people change when they're influenced by those close to them."
*What?! When did this woman learn to read minds? At this rate, my life will be in danger if I ever have thoughts about another woman!*
***
While Shen Lang and Jin Mulan were having their "quality time" together, a new face appeared at the Count's estate. Mulan's master, Zhong Chuke, was a grandmaster of martial arts. Two days ago, he had traveled a great distance to the estate to examine Big Dummy's physique.
*A martial arts prodigy. The kind that appears once in a hundred years—no, one in ten thousand. His natural talent is so immense it's beyond imagination! In this regard, his innate ability surpasses even Mulan's.*
At that, Shen Lang approached the grandmaster with a look of eager anticipation and spoke pleadingly.
"Grandmaster, please examine me as well. Am I a martial arts prodigy, the kind that appears once in a millennium?"
At Shen Lang's request, Grandmaster Zhong Chuke gave him a look. The grandmaster's expression was peculiar. He seemed about to say something but then swallowed his words.
"Unfathomable, simply unfathomable. Even a grandmaster like myself cannot see through you."
That was the grandmaster's assessment. Shen Lang was overjoyed.
*My innate martial talent is truly extraordinary. So great that even a grandmaster cannot see through it.*
Of course, he didn't see his wife behind him, giving the grandmaster a pleading look just moments before. The grandmaster had been in a difficult position. He was not a man who lied, but thankfully, he was good with words. It was much like the experts on antique appraisal shows who, instead of calling something a fake, would simply say, "It's hard to tell, very hard to tell."
***
Another day passed! Everyone was waiting for the king to issue a decree on Li Wenzheng's fate. If Li Wenzheng was executed, the New Policies would be temporarily suspended. If he was spared, the New Policies would continue. The moment the king revealed his will, Zhu Rong, Zhang Chong, and their faction would transform into vicious tigers and tear into the Count of Xuanwu's Estate. The past few days of calm had passed in a flash. During their quiet seclusion, they must have been sharpening their claws. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the decree would likely arrive today!
Mulan was practicing her martial arts in the training grounds from early morning. The previous night, Mulan had put Shen Lang through a workout so grueling he thought he'd die, leaving his entire body feeling torn apart. But after soaking in the medicinal bath and a night's sleep, he was full of life again. Shen Lang couldn't help but marvel at his own recovery.
*I truly am a martial arts prodigy with potential so deep even a grandmaster cannot fathom it.*
After breakfast, Shen Lang changed into martial arts attire with sleeves and pants that weren't loose and flowing, and headed to the training grounds. When Shen Lang arrived at the courtyard where Big Dummy was staying, he witnessed the so-called once-in-a-century martial arts prodigy squatting on the ground, watching a line of ants march by. Seeing Shen Lang, Big Dummy quickly and affectionately called out.
"Little Dummy, come quick and watch the ants. It's so much fun. I'll give you a good spot."
Shen Lang spoke in a dismissive tone.
"Do you think I'm you? Why are you watching ants instead of practicing? This is no time for that. Men our age should be earning merits and building fortunes. Why are you wasting your time?!"
Big Dummy grumbled.
"If you don't want to watch, then don't. Why are you scolding me?"
After saying his piece, he returned his fascinated gaze to the ants, carefully shifting his position so as not to block their path.
Shen Lang left and strode purposefully into the training grounds.
"Wife, I want to learn martial arts too."
"What made you think of that, my lord?"
"A man must be strong on his own. Your martial skill is so exceptional, I have no choice but to keep pace with you. Otherwise, I won't even be able to catch a glimpse of your captivating rear."
Mulan pretended not to hear and asked, "So, what is your purpose for learning martial arts, my lord?"
Shen Lang recalled the previous night, pinned to the floor by his wife, forced to rub against the ground as he was ravaged for three hours doing the Six Animals Frolics. The pain was enough to make him wish for death! There were nine different horse stances alone, and every one of them felt like it was tearing the skin around his precious parts. It was too miserable! His tendons felt like they were about to snap, his muscles about to burst—an agonizing sensation.
*My purpose in learning martial arts is, of course, to get revenge on you. I'll pin my wife to the floor, grind her down, and ravage her a hundred times over. A hundred times!*
Shen Lang spoke with a righteous tone.
"My purpose in learning martial arts is, of course, to protect you, my wife, to protect my father-in-law and mother-in-law, and by extension, to protect the entire Count's estate!"
"Do you have any specific goals or requirements, my lord?"
"My request is simple. I want to practice for half a watch-period each day without too much effort and defeat any formidable foe within a year."
"The formidable foe you speak of wouldn't happen to be me, would it?"
A chill ran down Shen Lang's spine.
*This is bad, very bad. My wife is truly evolving; she can read minds now.*
"Of course not, how could that be? It's not that I can't defeat you, but even if I could, how could I ever harm a single hair on your head?"
Mulan again pretended she didn't understand. Shen Lang paused for a moment, then spoke again.
"Ahem, I misspoke. I take back what I just said."
Mulan took a deep breath.
*Patience. A woman of the Jin Clan does not strike her husband, does not strike her husband.*
"Wife, do you know of any earth-shattering secret techniques? You know, the kind where I can practice for half a watch-period a day and become as amazing as you within a year?"
"You have quite the imagination, my lord."
"How do you know I'm not a once-in-ten-thousand-years martial arts prodigy? Even the grandmaster said my potential was unfathomable and that he couldn't see through me."
Mulan shot him a sidelong glance.
"A rare martial arts prodigy often goes unrecognized by others. I might be just that kind of prodigy, where practicing comfortably for half a watch-period could grant me the same progress others achieve in three years."
Mulan didn't argue further. She simply said, "Very well, my lord. Then let's practice together."
And so, filled with grand ambition, Shen Lang began to practice martial arts with his wife.
***
Half a watch-period later.
It felt as though his arms and legs were about to fall off. The day felt like a year; it was incredibly difficult and agonizing. While holding a horse stance for half a watch-period, Shen Lang had taken thirteen breaks. Soon after, he decisively gave up.
"My, my dear wife, I just remembered that Big Dummy needed to see me about something important. I must be going. Let's do this again next time, yes, next time."
And with that, Shen Lang fled the training grounds.
As he passed by the courtyard where Big Dummy lived, Shen Lang once again found him squatting on the ground, watching the line of ants.
"Move over, move over."
Shen Lang brought over a stool, and the two dummy brothers watched the ants with great interest. A short while later, Jin Mucong passed by, and seeing the scene, he approached out of curiosity.
"What are you looking at?"
Jin Mucong started watching with them, and soon, three dummies were squatting together, all watching the ants.
"This ant procession is truly worth seeing!"
"Yes, yes. It's a grand spectacle."
"I don't know why, but I suddenly smell a strong scent of foolishness."
Just as Jin Mucong finished speaking!
*Rumble, crack!*
Suddenly, thunder and lightning split the sky. The once clear and cloudless sky was abruptly filled with dark clouds. A silent thunderclap echoed in everyone's ears!
***
Inside the Prefect's manor.
Li Wenzheng knelt on the floor, his hands bound in paper stocks. Only about ten days had passed since Shen Lang had framed him, but to him, each day had felt like a year. He had spent every day in endless fear, growing so thin he looked like nothing but skin and bones.
That night, Li Wenzheng hadn't slept a wink. Later, Zhang Chong had sent someone to bring him to the Prefect's manor. Consumed by ceaseless dread, he could barely manage to drink congee, let alone eat a proper meal. And today, the king's decree had finally arrived.
"The King proclaims: 'Li Wenzheng has conducted himself with debauchery and impropriety. As a warning, his salary shall be suspended for one year. Respect this!'"
Upon hearing the decree, Li Wenzheng was stunned.
*This… this punishment is far too light.*
He had been certain he would die. Yet, not only was his life spared, but his official post and titles remained intact. Wasn't this an even lighter punishment than being forced to drink three penalty cups of wine?
*Could it be that I, Li Wenzheng, am favored by the King?*
In that instant, all his fear vanished without a trace, replaced by an overwhelming sense of triumph.
*Hahahaha! The King thinks highly of me! Even though I was close to Prince Gong, he didn't have me killed! Who can stop me now? I, Li Wenzheng, am destined for a great career and immense power.*
*Shen Lang, just you wait. Now that I've survived this, you are a dead man! Count of Xuanwu, Jin Mulan, all of you, just you wait. I will show you what a gentleman's revenge looks like. A gentleman doesn't delay his revenge; he carries it out all day long!*
Behind the screen, Prefect Zhang Chong was puzzled. Whether Li Wenzheng lived or died was a crucial signal of the king's will. Yet, not only did the king not punish Li Wenzheng, but he allowed him to keep his position and titles. A mere one-year suspension of salary? This was like a fierce slap across the Count of Xuanwu's face. The signal was incredibly strong. The New Policies would not only continue but would be implemented with greater speed and ferocity than before.
This meant it was time for Zhang Chong, who had been lying low, to finally unsheathe the sharp blade he had been honing. It was time to brandish that sharp, merciless blade and let it dance.
*Our king is truly ruthless. The Count of Xuanwu surely rendered great service in uncovering Prince Gong's rebellion this time.*
The plan to attack the Count of Xuanwu's Estate from all sides would also proceed, and the assault would be even more relentless. Furthermore, the eunuch delivering the decree was a high-ranking official dressed in a vermilion robe. The eunuch smiled at Li Wenzheng.
"Lord Li, congratulations. It seems the King places great trust in you."
Li Wenzheng repeatedly kowtowed, his forehead nearly bleeding from hitting the floor. He said with a sob, "The King's grace is as vast as the sea. This humble subject could not repay it even if my bones were ground to dust."
After the eunuch departed, Prefect Zhang Chong walked out and bowed to Li Wenzheng.
"Lord Li, my congratulations. From this day on, you are a man favored by the King, a man on His Majesty's mind."
Though his clothes were disheveled, Li Wenzheng's confidence had returned, and his demeanor carried a faint air of arrogance, like a man capable of handling great matters.
"Prefect Zhang, you flatter me."
"Attendants, prepare a bath and a change of clothes for Lord Li at once."
Li Wenzheng clasped his hands in a gesture of courtesy, then walked away with a murderous glint in his stride.