Chapter 186
Chapter 186
With two days still remaining until the debt was due, another guest arrived at the Count of Xuanwu's estate. It was Xue Pan, the heir to the Count of Wuan. If his sister, Xue Li, was arrogant, he was the complete opposite. Xue Pan appeared exceedingly cautious, his face nearly devoid of expression. It was as if his features were carved from stone, belonging to a man who had never smiled in his life.
"My younger sister has been afflicted with an unspeakable illness, and it is unknown when she will recover. We cannot impede Young Master Jin Mucong's future prospects. Therefore, we wish to annul the previously arranged marriage."
At last, the engagement was officially broken. An unspeakable illness? She had simply contracted a disease down there. It would be fully healed in ten days, after which a layer of skin would peel off to reveal new, tender flesh. She would likely rejoice at her softened skin later. But for some unknown reason, Shen Lang noticed Xue Pan glance at him when he mentioned the "unspeakable illness."
*What are you looking at? It has nothing to do with me.*
Countess Su Peipei retrieved the marriage agreement and burned it in front of Xue Pan. He, in turn, took the copy held by the Xue clan and tore it to shreds. The Countess couldn't resist a parting shot.
"I hope the day never comes when the Xue clan regrets this."
Xue Pan replied.
"Haha, you jest, my lady. I heard Count Xuanwu is unwell. I would like to pay my respects on behalf of my father."
"He's not dead yet. Your respects are not needed. The sight of your face would only make my husband nauseous."
Xue Pan remained impassive at her words. Shen Lang spoke up from the side.
"Mother-in-law, I think our ancestor was too meddlesome in the past. He should have let the entire Xue clan perish. Then we wouldn't have this pack of crazed wolves trying to tear a bite out of us now."
Still feigning ignorance, Xue Pan bowed and departed from the estate.
* * *
No sooner had the heir of Wuan left than another visitor arrived in succession. It was Chi Yu, Zhang Jin's new fiancée and the daughter of the so-called King of Northern Spices, a man whose wealth was said to rival that of a nation. She greeted Shen Lang and Jin Mulan with impeccable courtesy. Her face betrayed no hint of gloating over the Count of Xuanwu's misfortune.
"Lin Mo is dead..."
"That has nothing to do with me."
Shen Lang felt as though he had said those words many times today. Chi Yu continued, "He was Xu Guangyun's business proxy, but now both the Xu and Lin clans have fallen. As a result, about half of the people in Tiannan Province who rely on sericulture for their livelihood will face hardship. Half the farmers in Xuanwu City also depend on it. If no merchant appears to buy their cocoons, it will be a devastating disaster for many."
"The Spring Festival is less than a month away. The spring silkworm season is still several months off. There's no need to rush."
"My Chi clan cannot bear to see a hundred thousand sericulturist families fall into misery. Therefore, we intend to acquire the workshops and stores of the Xu clan and the Golden Silk Pavilion, along with their entire silk business."
*Wow! What a grand scheme. With the fall of the Xu and Lin clans, only the Chi clan stands to profit. You're already the King of Northern Spices, and now you seek to monopolize the southern silk market. You're trying to devour both the north and the south.*
"If the Chi clan is acquiring the silk business, so be it. Why inform us? The Count of Xuanwu's estate is in dire straits; we are in no position to concern ourselves with your affairs. Did you come to tell me this so I would send a flower basket?"
"The Count of Xuanwu's estate possesses tens of thousands of acres of high-quality mulberry fields. If you would be willing to part with them, my Chi clan will purchase them at a high price. After all, the Count of Xuanwu's estate is in great need of money right now, is it not?"
Ah, another vulture swooping in to pick at the flesh. So, she had her eyes on their tens of thousands of acres of mulberry fields. Their family hadn't even collapsed yet, and she was already rushing in, unable to wait. Zhang Jin's new fiancée was certainly different from Xu Qianqian. She had the power to step forward and claim such a fat piece of meat for herself.
Originally, the Chi clan had no part in this grand affair. But after arranging a marriage with the Zhang clan, they had gained control of the southern silk market and were now trying to seize tens of thousands of acres of mulberry fields. With a single marriage, the Chi clan had made a fortune.
* * *
Just as Chi Yu was seen out, another guest arrived. It seemed the visitors were growing more and more prominent. This time, it was the King's Sixth Prince, Ning Jing. He was the son of Consort Su, making him Ning Zheng's full brother. At seventeen, he was handsome but carried an air of frivolity. He had unexpectedly bewitching eyes and a radiant complexion. His clothes were even more extravagant than Shen Lang's.
"Your Highness, the Sixth Prince!"
Countess Su Peipei led Jin Mucong, Jin Mulan, and Shen Lang in a respectful bow to Prince Ning Jing.
"Greetings, Aunt."
The Sixth Prince, Ning Jing, offered a casual salute, his eyes darting to Jin Mulan beside the Countess.
*Truly beautiful. And what a fiery figure. A pity. If the Crown Prince, my royal brother, hadn't set his sights on her, I would have made her mine. As the saying goes, nothing is tastier than dumplings, and nothing's more fun than your sister-in-law. Playing with a cousin wouldn't be so bad either.*
"I heard my uncle is gravely ill and came especially to see him."
As the prince spoke, he glanced around again. When his gaze fell upon Shen Lang, it turned cold.
*A mere live-in son-in-law, a person of humble birth, dares to wear such extravagant clothes? The rumors were true after all. A person of lowly origin should eat humble fare. How dare he enjoy wealth and glory so comfortably?*
The Countess asked him, "Your Highness, what brings you here?"
"I heard the Count of Xuanwu's estate is facing a financial crisis and owes an astronomical debt to the Hidden Yuan Society, with the repayment date just two days away. I was so anxious that I came personally to offer you some money, Aunt."
The Countess was taken aback. She had heard rumors about the Sixth Prince. Though young, he was favored by the King, and his maternal grandfather, Marquis Zhenyuan, Su Nan, treated his grandson like a treasure, eager to give him anything of value. As a result, the prince had grown up arrogant and unruly, a person who only ever took and never gave. For him to come bearing money out of kindness? It was utterly bizarre.
"Men, bring in the money."
Dozens of warriors carried in several dozen chests. So many chests must surely contain a significant sum. The Countess was stunned into a daze. But when the chests were opened, both she and Shen Lang nearly exploded with rage. Of the dozens of chests, only two contained silver coins; the rest were all filled with copper coins. The total amount was a few thousand silver taels and hundreds of thousands of copper coins. All told, it amounted to no more than a few hundred gold coins—an amount one would give to chase off a beggar. Shen Lang himself had once pulled a similar stunt, giving a eunuch who delivered an imperial edict a purse filled only with copper coins.
"This is all the money I have. I hope you will accept it, Aunt."
*What a joke. Who doesn't know that the Sixth Prince is the greediest man in the State of Yue? The only reason you're not vying for the throne is because everyone already pampers you, and you don't want to incur anyone's hatred. Thanks to that, you've accepted countless bribes over the years and amassed an immense fortune. And yet, you bring a few dozen chests of silver and copper coins? What is this if not a deliberate attempt to humiliate the Count of Xuanwu's estate!*
The Countess said to him, "One should not accept money without a proper reason."
"The Count of Xuanwu's estate is related to me, and you are my aunt. Xuanwu City is not far from the sea and the scenery is lovely; I am very fond of this place. Moreover, the Jin clan built this castle so sturdily, perched atop a mountain peak overlooking the common people. I like it especially. When I come of age, I will be enfeoffed and leave the royal palace. Since I cherish this castle so much, I intend to ask my royal father for it. So please, rest assured, Aunt. We are family. I will be sure to take good care of this two-hundred-year-old castle for you."
Upon hearing this, the Countess was on the verge of a complete meltdown.
*Sixth Prince, even if you are the King's son, you cannot behave with such outrageous arrogance. The Count of Xuanwu's estate has not yet fallen, yet you dare to covet our family's castle? The Hidden Yuan Society at least offered hundreds of thousands of gold coins to buy it, but you—you try to seize our family's ancestral home of over a century with just a few dozen chests of silver and copper? I have never seen or heard of anyone so arrogant in my entire life.*
Shen Lang watched the arrogant young man, his mind already calculating.
*This person could be useful in the future. If I use him well, he could drag a great many people down to their deaths.*
If parents had a troublesome child, he would be a source of constant headaches. But if such a person were an enemy, one could only hope he would cause even more trouble, bringing chaos and ruin to his own household.
"Aunt, I shall take my leave. Oh, and I'll be back in two days."
In two days, on the final day for the Count of Xuanwu's estate to repay its debt, there would be a great show to watch. How could Ning Jing possibly miss it?
* * *
There was still one day left until the debt was due. No more troublemakers came, and the Count of Xuanwu's estate was particularly quiet. Xuanwu City, however, was filled to the brim with people. Greedy vultures silently awaited the feast. Eyes bloodshot with avarice were fixed on the Count of Xuanwu's estate. Even those without the power to share in the spoils had gathered to witness the grand spectacle. It was a rare sight, one that might not occur once in a hundred years, and they were loath to miss it. Countless eyes stared at the Jin clan's castle, waiting for the morrow.
*Tomorrow, there will be a great show to watch!*
* * *
At last, the day the Count of Xuanwu was to repay his debt arrived. The sky was thick with dark clouds, obscuring the sun, but no rain fell. A procession of people entered the castle of the Count of Xuanwu with great pomp. Leading them was Shu Bota, an elder of the Hidden Yuan Society, followed by dozens of its members. Governor Zhu Rong of Tiannan Province, the Minister of Revenue of Yue, the Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate of Yue, and other personages of the highest station were all present. Prince Shu Ning Ji was also in attendance to oversee this great affair. As the main gates of the Count of Xuanwu's castle slowly opened, the curtain on the grand performance was officially raised!
Count Xuanwu, Jin Zhuo, led the members of his clan to receive them. It was his first appearance in months, and he looked like a completely different person, having lost well over thirty pounds. His complexion was ashen, completely devoid of color, and his gait was unsteady and staggering. His once smooth and clear forehead was now etched with several new wrinkles, and a third of his jet-black hair had turned white. It had not been easy to create this disguise. Shen Lang had spent a great deal of time and effort to make his father-in-law appear this way. The effect was astonishing. Compared to the Count Xuanwu of before, he looked over ten years older. His tragic appearance stirred the hearts of all who saw him.