Chapter 136
Chapter 136
Mulan had returned. She bathed first, scenting her body, before coming to see Shen Lang.
“My lady, is everything taken care of?”
Mulan nodded.
“I killed all the pirates and burned all the poisoned corpses. As for the contaminated wells, we added limestone, boiled the water, and then sealed them. But where is your frail-looking ex-wife?”
“She left.”
“Left? Did you do something to her?”
“Jin Mulan, do you have no faith in me? Am I that kind of person? Besides, she hadn’t bathed for two and a half days. She was starting to smell sour. Do you really think I would have laid a hand on her?”
Mulan stared at Shen Lang’s face for a long moment, then gave him a perfunctory peck on the lips.
“Alright, I’ll count it as you being good.”
Shen Lang was displeased.
‘How dare you let your mind wander with a handsome man like me right in front of you? Jin Mulan, what is wrong with you?’
“My lord, I want to kill Qiu Xiao. That man has no humanity. If his plan had succeeded this time, countless people in our fief would have died without even knowing why. And who knows how many poor women he violated, women who died with their eyes open.”
Shen Lang wrapped his arms around Mulan’s slender waist and soothed her in a gentle voice.
“Soon. He’ll be dead soon. He’s like a trump card, so we can’t kill him just yet. But I swear to you, it won’t be long before we can kill that bastard, and in the most painful way possible.”
Suddenly, his nose itched, and Shen Lang unconsciously raised a hand to it.
“Don’t touch your nose. I told you not to imitate Governor Kangli. You are you. The most handsome man in the world. Don’t copy others.”
Shen Lang replied helplessly.
“I… I was just going to pick my nose. It was a little itchy.”
Mulan extended a finger and lightly scratched the side of his nose. Then, she stuck out her small tongue and kissed the tip of his nose.
“My lord, is it still itchy?”
Shen Lang shot to his feet.
“I don’t know why, but now my balls are itchy.”
The next moment, Mulan used a joint-locking technique, twisting Shen Lang’s arm and pinning him to a chair. Shen Lang slapped the chair with his other hand and cried out pitifully.
“It hurts, it hurts, it hurts! I surrender! My lady, I was wrong! I was truly wrong!”
* * *
At dusk, an invitation arrived from Zhang Chong, the Prefect of Nujiang. He was inviting Shen Lang to the Prefect’s Mansion for a banquet to welcome the Fourth Prince. This time, however, Mulan was not invited—only Shen Lang. Shen Lang tapped the invitation in his hand and smiled.
“Interesting, very interesting.”
Once again, he dressed in resplendent silken robes and a golden coronet, and set off for the Prefect’s Mansion in a magnificent carriage. This time, Shen Lang had been even more extravagant, having five new sets of clothes made. His hairpins, belts, and shoes were adorned with either rare jade or pure gold; he wouldn’t even glance at silver ornaments. The clothes he wore were more expensive than those of his father-in-law, mother-in-law, wife, and brother-in-law combined. Looking at him, one would never guess that the Count of Xuanwu’s Estate was in a financial crisis.
* * *
Inside the Zhang family’s old residence.
Zhang Chong said, “Miss Chi will also be at the banquet tonight, so be on your best behavior.”
Miss Chi was Shu Tingyu’s cousin. Her family was known as the Spice Kings of the State of Yue, with a fortune that could rival the nation’s treasury. Barring any accidents, Miss Chi was set to become Zhang Jin’s new fiancée.
“Yes, Father. But why did you invite Shen Lang?”
“To probe for his strengths and weaknesses.”
“Is there really a need for that? The Count of Xuanwu’s Estate is bound to lose this dispute over Gold Mountain Island. Not even the gods can save them. They will lose all three contests; they don’t stand a chance.”
Zhang Chong rebuked him in a cool voice.
“Nothing in this world is ever certain. Remember this: strategically, you can look down on your enemy, but tactically, you must always prepare as if they are immensely capable. Never let your guard down, not even against a foe on the verge of death.”
“Yes, sir!”
“Have Chunhua come in.”
A moment later, Zhang Chunhua glided into the room. Tonight, she was so beautiful she seemed otherworldly, enough to steal a man’s very soul.
“Tonight, you must take Shen Lang. Can you do it?”
Without a word, Zhang Chunhua lifted her skirt and planted her slender, alluring right leg on a stool. The pose was both domineering and incredibly seductive. Unable to bear the sight of his own daughter in such a manner, Zhang Chong quickly closed his eyes.
* * *
Most of those arriving in grand, ornate carriages for the banquet were also Shen Lang’s enemies. Viscount Zhu Nanting of Nanshan and his son, Zhu Wenhua, were among them. Zhu Wenhua considered the incident where Shen Lang had blackmailed him into burning his own work, *Mandarin Duck Dream*, a great humiliation.
“Tonight, we will propose the marriage to Prefect Zhang Chong. We will finalize your engagement to Zhang Chunhua.”
Hearing Viscount Zhu Nanting’s words, Zhu Wenhua was ecstatic but also anxious.
“Thank you, Father. But I worry that Prefect Zhang might change his mind and refuse to marry Zhang Chunhua to me.”
“He won’t be able to. Because tonight, someone whom Prefect Zhang Chong cannot possibly refuse will propose the marriage on our behalf.”
“Who is it?”
“Governor Zhu Rong.”
Zhu Wenhua was overjoyed. Governor-General Zhu Rong was Zhang Chong’s benefactor. If he were to propose the marriage, Prefect Zhang Chong would never be able to refuse. Viscount Zhu Nanting cautioned his son.
“Be careful. Not a word of this must get out. Governor Zhu Rong always operates in secret, so much so that even Prefect Zhang is unaware. We must move so swiftly that Prefect Zhang has no time to react, ensuring the marriage is a success.”
Zhu Wenhua was overcome with emotion.
“And you must not think only of winning a beauty. Marrying you to Zhang Chunhua is for the benefit of our family. The fall of the Count of Xuanwu’s Estate is inevitable, and many will scramble to claim a piece of the Jin Clan’s corpse. Prefect Zhang Chong is overseeing this matter. Once we are related by marriage, he will grant us a significant share of the spoils.”
“I understand. When the time comes, can you hand Shen Lang over to me? I will personally tear his body to shreds.”
Zhu Nanting shook his head.
“Too many people want to tear him to shreds. It’s unlikely to be our turn. However, you might be able to get a few slashes in on his corpse.”
Zhu Wenhua’s expression turned vicious.
“Then I’ll castrate him.”
“It won’t be your turn for that either.”
Zhu Wenhua was stunned.
‘Just how many enemies has that bastard Shen Lang made?’
* * *
Shen Lang’s large carriage sped into Xuanwu City, drawing very close to the Prefect’s Mansion. Shen Lang steeled himself. Tonight, he had to be cautious and do nothing that would allow that cunning old fox, Prefect Zhang Chong, to discern the Count’s strategy. But just then, the scent of flowers filled the air, and the silhouette of a peerless beauty slipped into his carriage. The woman settled onto his lap, her arms slithering around his neck like a snake. It was the vixen, Zhang Chunhua.
“Shen Lang, save me, save me! Someone is trying to ruin my life tonight. Take me and run away. Let’s make our relationship a fact so I can’t marry anyone else.”
Zhang Chunhua moved wantonly, carefully observing Shen Lang’s every reaction. If he became arrogant and smug, it would mean he was confident about winning the Gold Mountain Island dispute, and her father would have to prepare accordingly. But if Shen Lang maintained a stern and solemn demeanor, rejecting her outright, it would also mean he was hiding something, which would also warrant preparation. This vixen intended to take him down before he even had a chance to react.
However, Shen Lang showed a flicker of surprise before his gaze met Zhang Chunhua’s, and his previously dazed eyes gradually grew hot. It was the perfect response. The slight surprise indicated he had been in a state of frightened stupor, while the dazed look confirmed his bleak state of mind. Finally, the shift to burning desire showed he was captivated by her beauty. This was a battle between two foxes; there was no room for error. The most awkward person in this situation was Jin Hui.
Jin Hui had a knife to Zhang Chunhua’s throat, but no one seemed to notice. The moment Zhang Chunhua had burst into the carriage, Jin Hui, tasked with protecting his young master, had immediately drawn his blade. But what was he to do now? Should he close his eyes first? Or should he sheathe his blade?
“Young Master…”
Jin Hui asked tentatively.
Shen Lang replied, “Keep going.”
“Understood.”
“Miss Zhang, what did you just say?”
“Shen Lang, save me, save me.”
“And the next part?”
“Someone is trying to ruin my life.”
“And after that?”
“Let’s make our relationship a fact.”
“Excellent, come here!”
Shen Lang’s hands moved to untie her sash. His voice trembled.
“Quickly, quickly! We’re less than two li from the Prefect’s Mansion. I’m not known for my stamina, so that should be enough time. We don’t have time to take off our clothes, let’s just do the deed.”
Zhang Chunhua was dumbfounded.
‘Ugh! Shen Lang, are you really this much of a degenerate? The Count of Xuanwu’s trusted man, Jin Hui, is right here, and you’re going to do something like that with another woman in front of him? Aren’t you afraid of being beaten to death by the Count and Jin Mulan?’
She quickly grabbed both of Shen Lang’s hands.
“Shen Lang, Jin Hui is outside.”
“It’s fine, he’s discreet. Jin Hui, you didn’t see anything, did you?”
The hair on Jin Hui’s neck stood on end.
“No, sir.”
“But we’re on a public road.”
“All the better, don’t you think? The air is fresh, and there’s something thrilling about doing it while hearing the hustle and bustle of people outside.”
Then, Shen Lang moved to kiss Zhang Chunhua.
“D-don’t do this.”
Zhang Chunhua quickly covered his mouth.
“Miss Zhang, you’ve always admired me, haven’t you? You even came to me with a poem, inviting me to meet you at the bridge. I intended to accept your invitation, but my wife stopped me and even gave me a beating.”
“Jin Mulan is that cruel to you?”
“She is. She hits and curses me at the slightest provocation. Just a moment ago, she nearly broke my arm, all because I misspoke one little word.”
Zhang Chunhua sobbed quietly.
“Shen Lang, I never knew you were living so miserably.”
“Aren’t all live-in sons-in-law the same? To live under someone else’s roof, you have to bow your head. For someone of my humble birth to get ahead, I must endure such humiliation.”
“Shen Lang, do you like me?”
“I do.”
“Do you want to be with me?”
“I want to right now.”
“Then how about you leave the Count of Xuanwu’s Estate and become our family’s son-in-law? Not a live-in one, a proper son-in-law. My father will find you a promising position where you can showcase your talents.”
Shen Lang shook his head.
“I can’t do that.”
“Why not?”
“I cannot leave the Count of Xuanwu’s Estate in its most perilous hour. If I did, wouldn’t I be an ungrateful scoundrel? I cannot do anything to wrong my wife!”
At that moment, Zhang Chunhua could no longer contain her disgust.
‘You’re holding another woman in your arms, yet with every other word, you say you can’t wrong your wife?’
Shen Lang said in a tender voice, “I love my wife dearly. That is why I cannot do anything to wrong her.”
“Then what are you doing right now?”
“I love my wife, but I also like you. How about this? If, in the future, a great misfortune befalls the Count of Xuanwu’s Estate, how about I marry you then?”
Zhang Chunhua understood. Shen Lang was saying that because the Count’s estate hadn’t fallen yet, he didn’t want to leave. But if one day it was destroyed, he would come and marry her.
‘I’ve seen many shameless men, but never one this shameless.’