Chapter 19
Chapter 19
Of the six young men, the least competitive—or rather, not competitive at all—was Shen Lang. In contrast, the most prominent candidate was Wang Lian. A distant relative of the Count of Xuanwu's Estate and a young registrar, Wang Lian sat in the study, trying to calm his racing heart, his tension unabated. He knew why he was here today. He had waited for this day for a very, very long time.
He was not from Nujiang Commandery. He should have been at home, dedicating himself to his studies for the imperial examinations, but he had deliberately come all the way to Xuanwu City to serve as a registrar overseeing punishments.
He knew Jin Mulan could not marry into another family and would have to take a live-in husband. This didn't bother him in the slightest, as his family already had two outstanding sons who had passed the military and civil service examinations.
Mulan was the woman he had loved from afar since childhood. She possessed a formidable background, but even without it, she shone with a brilliance all her own. If he could marry her… all of that would fall into his hands. The heir to the countship was incompetent, so it was clear that the future power of the estate would be wielded by Jin Mulan. In that case, her husband would effectively gain control of it all.
The Count of Xuanwu's Estate commanded a domain of thousands of square kilometers, a private army of two thousand soldiers, and an astronomical fortune. That was why Wang Lian was so determined to secure the position of live-in son-in-law. His strongest competitor was Mo Ye, who had passed the military examination, but since Jin Mulan was already a formidable martial artist, she would surely be better suited to a scholar like himself. Wang Lian was confident that he would emerge victorious.
Not only Wang Lian, but nearly everyone in the estate was certain of his victory. The Count's trusted aide, Jin Zhong, already regarded him as the future son-in-law of the estate.
* * *
When Jin Mulan entered the study where Wang Lian was waiting, he realized she was just a single screen away. He held his breath, his nerves tightening. If she chose him as her husband… the dream he had cherished for over a decade would come true, and he would have the honor of possessing the woman admired by every man in Xuanwu City.
Jin Mulan asked.
"Wang Lian, what can you give me in the future?"
Wang Lian calmed his surging emotions and replied.
"After we marry, I will pass the highest imperial examinations. Then, with your outstanding martial prowess and my years of scholarly pursuit, we will complement each other's civil and military talents and govern the Count of Xuanwu's Estate. If we do, the estate will surely prosper even more, and the Jin Clan's glory will extend beyond its hundred-year legacy to bless its descendants for a thousand, ten thousand years to come."
Wang Lian believed this was precisely what Jin Mulan wanted to hear. Indeed, the prosperity of the Count of Xuanwu's Estate and the continuation of the hundred-year legacy passed down by her ancestors were surely her life's pursuits.
"Thank you, brother."
With those words, Jin Mulan turned and walked out of the study.
* * *
Jin Mulan entered the second study, where Mo Ye, the military candidate, was waiting. Despite his formidable martial skill, Mo Ye appeared calm. His heart rate only quickened slightly when she entered. His feelings for Jin Mulan were no less intense than Wang Lian's.
Though a military candidate, he was from a common family. Thus, while his martial arts seemed impressive now, his growth had stagnated. To achieve great success as a warrior, one needed vast resources and ancient martial arts manuals. Such things were unattainable for someone from a common family, but a powerful noble house like the Jin Clan had them in abundance. And Jin Mulan's beauty and figure were something no man could refuse.
"Young Master Mo, if you were to become the live-in son-in-law of the estate, what could you give me in the future?"
Jin Mulan posed the same question to Mo Ye, and he presented what he believed to be the best possible answer.
"I will pass the highest military examinations, become one of the greatest masters in the realm, lead the estate's forces, and wage victorious campaigns in all directions, constantly accumulating merits. In doing so, I will elevate the status and power of the Jin Clan even further."
"Thank you, Young Master Mo."
Jin Mulan rose and walked out of the study.
Next, Jin Mulan entered the third, fourth, and fifth studies. She asked them the same question: If you were to marry into the estate, what could you give me in the future? The three men's answers were nearly identical. They offered loyalty. They pledged to serve Lady Jin Mulan with their lives, to go through fire and water for her. As talents nurtured by the estate since childhood, it was the only answer they could give.
* * *
Jin Mulan entered the final room. Separated by a single screen, Shen Lang could smell her fragrance. Focusing his gaze, he could make out the silhouette of her body through the partition. His eyes once again fell upon her chest. 75E! Suddenly, his heart began to beat faster.
"Shen Lang, if you were to marry into the estate, what could you give me in the future?"
"I'm sorry?"
Shen Lang asked.
*He really is a little fool.*
Jin Mulan thought with an inward smile, then asked again in a gentle tone.
"What is the most precious thing you can give me?"
*My virginity!*
Shen Lang's instincts screamed. Of course, he couldn't say that out loud. If he did, he would surely be beaten to death. So how should he answer? In truth, the current Shen Lang had a great deal to offer.
He was a physician second to none, and the laptop in his mind contained endless potential and secret formulas that could elevate the Count of Xuanwu's Estate to the next level. Beyond that, he possessed knowledge of tactical training and weapons forging that would make him the greatest artisan in this world. For Jin Mulan, who cherished the Count of Xuanwu's Estate, there could be no more suitable husband.
But Shen Lang knew that wasn't the right answer.
He could also guess what the previous five had said. Wang Lian would have spoken of complementing Mulan's martial skill with his civil talents to bring greater prosperity to the estate and ensure the Jin Clan's hundred-year legacy continued for generations. Mo Ye would have boasted of honing his martial arts, leading the estate's army to conquer all, achieving great merits, advancing the Jin Clan's enterprise, and perhaps even elevating their title to marquis.
The other three, having been raised by the estate, would have undoubtedly pledged their undying loyalty. So, what should Shen Lang say? What did Jin Mulan truly want to hear deep down?
Shen Lang remained silent, and Jin Mulan spoke again.
"It's alright, take your time to think before you answer. There's no hurry."
While she had been cool toward the others, Jin Mulan found herself being instinctively gentle with Shen Lang. He still felt like a weak, kind child who needed to be protected. After a moment's thought, Shen Lang found his answer.
"The most precious thing I can give you… is freedom. As long as you don't abandon me and fool around with other men, I will ask for nothing more."
Hearing this, Jin Mulan first went numb, then a fierce aura erupted from her as she glared at Shen Lang's silhouette on the other side of the screen. She wanted to storm over and strike him. Fooling around with other men? Did he see her, Jin Mulan, as such a shameless woman?
*What a fool. So thoughtless.*
With that thought, Jin Mulan left the study without another word. A triumphant smile, unseen by anyone, spread across Shen Lang's face. He realized that, barring any unforeseen circumstances, he would be the victor of this competition.
A moment ago, the point of her question had been to test the men's ambitions.
With the estate's heir being inadequate, if he were to succeed the Count of Xuanwu, the power of the estate would naturally fall into Jin Mulan's hands. What, then, was her greatest fear?
It was that her husband would be ambitious, seize control of the estate, and harm her younger brother. If that were to happen, she would be nothing less than a traitor to the Jin Clan. The most important quality for her husband was not outstanding talent, but a lack of ambition. Only then would he not bring disaster upon the estate.
For that reason, Wang Lian and Mo Ye could not be the husband she desired. Their intention to rule the estate alongside Jin Mulan was, to her, a great threat.
*In the end, you'd all hope her brother would just give up the title of Count, wouldn't you?*
Understanding this, Shen Lang had shown that he had no ambition whatsoever. He had found an answer that was almost perfectly what Jin Mulan wanted, and it was the truth.
* * *
Jin Mulan returned directly to the main hall where her father was waiting. Unable to hide his anxiety, the Count of Xuanwu asked as soon as he saw her.
"So soon?"
Not even a quarter of an hour had passed, but Jin Mulan's decision was made.
"Have you made your choice? If so, I will send out the invitations immediately and prepare for the wedding tonight."
"I have made my choice."
The Countess shot to her feet and asked.
"Who is it? Wang Lian or Mo Ye?"
"The man I have chosen for my husband… is Shen Lang."