Chapter 20
Chapter 20
"What?!"
The Count felt as if his hair was standing on end. The Countess thought she had misheard, and the Count’s trusted aide and advisor were utterly stunned.
The Count said.
"Mulan, what on earth are you thinking? Why choose Shen Lang when there are so many outstanding candidates?"
Everyone present stared at Jin Mulan in disbelief. Of the six candidates for son-in-law, Shen Lang was the least qualified. He couldn't compare to Wang Lian or Mo Ye, let alone the exceptional talents within the Count's estate. In fact, he was worse than an ordinary person. To choose a fool who couldn't even graduate from the town academy after ten years of study, a weakling who had never practiced martial arts.
The Count asked.
"Mulan, what is your reason? Wang Lian and Mo Ye are so distinguished. Why did you not choose one of them?"
"Father, they are both exceptional men. When I asked what they could give me in the future, one of them said he would govern the estate with me, our civil and martial skills complementing one another. The other said that with his formidable strength, he would lead the estate's army, conquering in all directions and achieving great merit."
Upon hearing this, the Count could only fall silent. Those beside him thought there was nothing wrong with their answers.
"While you are strong and healthy, Father, it is not a problem. But one day, when you pass away and my brother inherits the title of Count, what am I to do if my husband develops ambitions for the estate's power? And what of my brother then?"
Hearing this, the Count closed his eyes. Only then did the people around them realize how meticulous Jin Mulan's thoughts were. She was absolutely loyal to her family.
"Shen Lang, on the other hand, said he would give me freedom. He said I could do whatever I wanted, as long as I wasn't unfaithful."
The Count roared in anger.
"How dare he say such things! What does he take a daughter of our estate for! Mulan, I understand your heart, but you don't need to sacrifice yourself. It's fine if you don't choose Wang Lian or Mo Ye. Why not choose one of the three from our own estate?"
"No, I don't want to burden them. Besides, it would be awkward to suddenly become husband and wife with men I see every day."
The Countess said.
"Even so, Shen Lang is far too beneath you. It's not as if we don't know his reputation in Xuanwu City..."
"Shen Lang was the Xu Clan's son-in-law. If he joins our estate right after being kicked out of theirs... How could our Jin Clan hold its head high? This marriage concerns your lifelong happiness. I would rather marry you off to the promising Zhu Hongxue than push you into a pit of fire for the sake of the family."
"You're right, Shen Lang's reputation is terrible. But wouldn't that better appease Lord Zhu Lin? If I marry someone too outstanding, the Zhu Clan won't let it rest. If I marry a man with a bad reputation, they will hold less of a grudge against us. Everyone enjoys seeing their enemies suffer misfortune."
Her words made sense. Jin Mulan was brilliant, able to see right through people's hearts.
"I think Shen Lang is quite alright. In fact, there's only one thing I desire in a future husband: handsome looks. In that regard, Shen Lang is flawless."
"But, but..."
The Countess's heart ached as if pierced by a knife. Her son and heir was incompetent, and because of him, her daughter had to sacrifice herself, marrying a foolish and useless man. What sins had the Jin Clan of Xuanwu committed to deserve such karma?
The Count said.
"Mulan, won't you reconsider?"
"No. My mind is made up. Time is short, so please send out the invitations immediately. Prepare for the wedding at once, and make the ceremony as grand as possible. It would be best if we could arrange it so Lord Zhu Lin can attend when he arrives at the estate. Father, Mother. I've been busy leading soldiers outside recently, and I'm a bit tired. I will go and rest."
After speaking, she bowed and withdrew from the main hall. Faced with this completely unexpected situation, the Count of Xuanwu couldn't suppress the rage welling up from deep within him. In the end, his anger turned toward the one who could be called the root of all this trouble.
The Count said in a furious voice.
"Where is that unfilial son of mine?"
The advisor said.
"The Young Master is reading."
The Count said angrily.
"Reading? What reading? If he hasn't made any progress after more than ten years of study, it means his mind is elsewhere! Drag him out and make him kneel! That good-for-nothing. If he were even slightly competent, Mulan wouldn't have to make such a sacrifice!"
A trusted servant hurried to carry out the Count's order.
"No, I'll go myself. I must teach him a lesson today."
"My lord."
"Are you trying to stop me, my lady?"
"No. May I join you in this lesson?"
At that moment, in another study, a certain fatty had his head buried in a book, engrossed in his studies, and was inwardly moved by his own diligence.
As the heir to the Count's estate, the fact that he was trying so hard was worthy of great praise from anyone who saw it.
Just then, the Count and Countess burst into the study, and the fatty spoke to them proudly.
"Father, Mother. To think you've both come to praise me for waking up a little early to study. Your son has only done what he ought to do. As the heir to the Count of Xuanwu's Estate, it is only natural to be diligent."
The Count suddenly pulled out a whip.
"Praise?"
A moment later, a mournful scream echoed through the estate.
"Father, Mother, why are you hitting me? I haven't done anything wrong today! In fact, I woke up early to study!"
"Do I need a reason to teach you a lesson?"
The Count continued to swing the whip, while the Countess, standing beside him, fiercely struck their son's buttocks and thighs with a ruler.
"That's right, why do we need a reason to discipline a good-for-nothing like you?"
The heir of the Count's estate screamed.
"Ah... ah... ah... Sister, save me, save me!"
***
After learning the result, Shen Lang let out a long sigh of relief. He had finally succeeded. He had gone from being the son-in-law of one family to the son-in-law of another. From now on, he would eat well and enjoy a life of wealth and glory. What could be better in this world than living a life of leisure?
Once he became the son-in-law of the Count of Xuanwu's Estate, not even the Xu Clan, the Lin Clan, or Tian Heng would be able to touch him or his family.
‘Just you wait. I, Shen Lang, will teach you the meaning of revenge. Tian Heng, the Lin Clan, the Xu Clan—I won't spare a single one of you. If I don't bring your families to ruin, I'll change my name.’
***
The Count's trusted aide, Jin Zhong, stood before Shen Lang. His face was completely soured, as if he had just lent someone a thousand gold coins. Jin Zhong was born in the Count of Xuanwu's Estate. He was not just a servant of the Jin Clan, but also like family, and the most loyal person within the estate.
Moreover, he was someone who had watched Jin Mulan grow up from childhood to the present day. To him, Jin Mulan was like a daughter or a younger sister, so the thought of her marrying the piece of trash before him was infuriating.
However, as a loyal aide who had never once failed to carry out the Count's orders, he concealed his inner feelings and treated Shen Lang with courtesy. Of course, he couldn't help the cold and detached look in his eyes.
"Scholar Shen, follow me. I will show you to your room."
Shen Lang followed him for more than ten minutes before they reached the guest room.
‘The Count's estate is ridiculously huge.’
Even on modern-day Earth, a rich person possessing a mansion of this size would be rare.
"Oh, and if it isn't too much trouble, please send someone to my home so my parents won't worry."
"I have already sent word."
Jin Zhong replied coldly to Shen Lang's request.
"Could my parents and younger brother be brought here for the wedding tonight?"
"I will personally go with my men to bring your family here."
Jin Zhong, who couldn't stand the sight of Shen Lang's face for even a moment, was about to close the door and leave immediately.
"I'm sorry to trouble you, but could you go quickly? There are people who want to harm my family."
Jin Zhong's eyes turned cold. No matter how worthless Shen Lang was, he was now the son-in-law of the Count's estate. Who would dare harm his family? Did they have a death wish?
"Understood. I will ensure your family is brought here safely. Scholar Shen, you should rest and prepare for tonight's wedding."
***
At the same time, in the headquarters of the Black Clothes Gang, Tian Heng spoke calmly.
"It is time. Thirteen, take some men and capture Shen Lang's family. If he gives up the secret dye formula, kill them cleanly. If not, make their deaths painful."
"Understood!"
Thirteen rushed out of the Black Clothes Gang's headquarters with a dozen warriors and headed toward Shen Lang's house.