Chapter 23

While everyone was reeling from the sudden news of the wedding at the Count’s estate, Shen Lang was treated as if he didn’t exist, as if he were exiled to a lonely island. Aside from when his meals were brought, no one paid him any attention all day. Even when the food was delivered, not a single word was spoken to him. Neither the Count, the Countess, nor Lady Jin Mulan came to see him.

A fear even began to sprout in Shen Lang’s heart that the Count’s estate might be looking for a better son-in-law to replace him. Frankly, Shen Lang was no match for Jin Mulan of the Count of ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Xuanwu's Estate; she was, after all, the foremost goddess of Xuanwu City.

As the sun began to set, two maids—or more accurately, two middle-aged women—finally entered, carrying a red robe embroidered with gold thread, along with a groom's hat, belt, and shoes.

"Young Master Shen, please bathe and change. You must prepare for the wedding!"

* * *

Taking in a live-in son-in-law was similar to a man marrying into his wife's family, so the bride's side would present gifts to the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠groom's family, and the wedding would naturally be held at the bride's home.

In most weddings, the bride would wear a red veil and ride in a palanquin, circling the outside once before entering her home. However, in some more unique cases, the groom would ride in the palanquin, wearing a red veil, and be carried to the bride's house to hold the ceremony.

Coincidentally, Xuanwu City was a region with such a unique tradition. A man marrying into his wife's family didn't need to ride in a palanquin or wear a red veil, but he did have to wear a mask. Most people, however, considered this tradition a trampling of a man's dignity. Thus, many men in Xuanwu City would rather live as widowers than marry into their wife’s family.

At this moment, Shen Lang sat inside a palanquin, dressed in a red silk robe and wearing a silver mask. According to the ceremony, the palanquin carrying Shen Lang would first travel from ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the Count's estate to the ancestral shrine, then return to the hall for the wedding.

* * *

The Count of Xuanwu's Estate, decorated with all manner of lanterns and colorful silks, hosted about a hundred guests. More than half were members of the Count's household, while the other half consisted of Xuanwu City's prominent figures, scholars of renown, civil and military officials, and distinguished martial artists.

Ordinarily, if the precious daughter of the Count of Xuanwu's Estate were to marry, countless guests and well-wishes would pour in not only from Nujiang Commandery but also from the Governor-General's office; even the King would send an envoy. But today's wedding was arranged so hastily that many, including guests from Nujiang Commandery, couldn't arrive in time. This might go down as the most modest wedding in the estate's history.

Inside the grand hall, guests conversed with one another, but everyone's attention was already fixed on the main gate. They were all curious about the groom's identity.

Jin Mulan was the princess of Xuanwu City. Who could possibly be worthy of taking her as his wife? Where did he come from, how exceptional was he, and where had such a brilliant talent been hiding until now? The questions were about to burst forth. The young, unmarried men, in particular, turned pale and glared at the entrance as if they had forgotten how to breathe.

‘Who could it be? Who is worthy of Lady Jin Mulan?’

Though he hadn't received an invitation, Tian Heng, the leader of the Black Clothes Gang, had brazenly attended the wedding. He was incredibly tense, fearing the groom might be Shen Lang. Shen Lang becoming the live-in son-in-law of the Count of Xuanwu's Estate would be nothing short of a disaster for him.

Around him, people spoke of the Count of Xuanwu's illustrious family and the excellence of Lady Jin Mulan. He could hear numerous ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠prominent figures speculating about the groom. The names that left their lips were all renowned for their outstanding talent, at least Provincial Graduates in literary or martial arts.

"A Provincial Graduate? You jest. The groom must be at least a young man who has passed the Metropolitan Examinations."

"Indeed, the Count's family is unlike ordinary nobility, so that's certainly plausible. Few hold fiefs as large as theirs, so how many would covet the backing of the Count's power?"

While there was a belief during the Ming Dynasty in China that a live-in son-in-law could not take the civil service examinations, the State of Yue had no such regulation.

"That's right. Besides, isn't Lady Jin Mulan herself a rare talent and beauty in all the land? That's why so many people and families have coveted her. She is by no means someone an ordinary person could even dream of."

"Well said. To think of winning Lady Jin Mulan's hand without a metropolitan degree or official rank—one shouldn't even dream of it."

Not a single mention was made of Shen Lang's name. No, to be precise, there was no reason for a man like Shen Lang to be mentioned in this conversation. How could anyone imagine him marrying Lady Jin Mulan? It was completely absurd. Hearing their words, Tian Heng felt a little relieved.

Amidst the crowd, Zhang Jin stood with his mouth shut, a displeased expression on his face. Who was Jin Mulan? Wasn't she the woman every young man in Xuanwu City dreamed of? Zhang Jin was one of them. Moreover, he knew this wedding had been hastily arranged by the Count's estate to thwart the Zhu Clan's plans.

But Zhang Jin didn't mind that the Zhu Clan's marriage proposal had fallen through; he even felt a sense of relief. The thought of a peerless beauty like Jin Mulan marrying a fortunate fellow like Zhu Hongxue would have given him a lifelong stomachache.

Seeing that look in her fiancé's eyes, Xu Qianqian felt a pang of jealousy but showed none of it on the surface. Instead, she smiled playfully and made a joke.

"I'm so curious. I wonder what man is lucky enough to take Lady Jin Mulan as his wife."

As soon as Xu Qianqian finished speaking, the entire hall fell silent. The Count and Countess had appeared. Their entrance signified that the wedding ceremony was about to begin.

*Pop, pop, papapapop.*

The sound of firecrackers erupted outside. The groom had finally arrived! Under the watchful eyes of all, a palanquin slowly entered the gates of the Count's estate. The curtain was drawn, and the groom stepped out, walking with slow steps.

He wore a silver mask, obscuring his face. His build was slight, his posture gentle, and his hands were fair, suggesting he was a scholar. Everyone made their own guesses as to which talented man of the State of Yue he could be.

"The groom has arrived!"

Following the groom's entrance, Jin Mulan appeared. At this, the gazes of all the men turned to her, while the other women's eyes widened before they glared at her with envy. As she was taking a live-in son-in-law, Jin Mulan wore a silver wedding gown instead of a red one. The gown had a rather androgynous charm, more than a feminine one.

This wedding gown was a powerful symbol. It announced to everyone that Jin Mulan was a female general, that she would continue to fight for the Count of Xuanwu's Estate for the rest of her life, and that no one could make her take off her armor. Despite the message conveyed by the silver gown, it accentuated her stunning curves.

An astonishing bust, a charmingly supple waist, firm, high hips, and a pair of very long legs... The men could hardly breathe at the sight.

This only made all the men glare at the masked groom with even greater ferocity. Amidst this atmosphere, Jin Mulan's face remained devoid of emotion. For her family, she was willing to sacrifice her own happiness, and for the family's interests, she deemed it appropriate to take even someone like Shen Lang as a live-in son-in-law.

Despite these reasons, Jin Mulan's inner feelings were anything but pleasant. Shen Lang's reputation was abysmal, and his intelligence was lacking. He not only lacked the ability to support anyone but had also failed to graduate from even the elementary class at the academy despite ten years of study. Even with a heart willing to sacrifice for her family, how could she be happy marrying such a deficient man?

"The auspicious hour has arrived!"

Everyone stood in an orderly fashion.

"First, bow to Heaven and Earth."

"Second, bow to the parents."

"The couple bows to each other!"

"The ceremony is complete. You may enter the bridal chamber!"

The solemn but brief wedding ceremony was over. According to custom, the live-in son-in-law could not remove his mask until he entered the bridal chamber. Thus, the onlookers could only exchange frustrated glances, guessing at the face behind the mask. Just then, a voice was heard. The speaker was the Lord of Xuanwu City, Liu Chengyan.

"Your Excellency, tradition dictates that the groom only unmasks in the bridal chamber, but I and everyone here are terribly curious as to what brilliant talent has become Lady Mulan's match. Could you perhaps... satisfy our curiosity?"

Perhaps City Lord Liu Chengyan had spoken for everyone present. At that moment, another loud laugh echoed from outside, a laugh that sounded strangely cold.

"Hahahaha! I came to see the Count, and by a stroke of luck, I've arrived just in time for my virtuous niece's wedding."

The martial skill of the newcomer was so profound that his laughter pierced the ears, threatening to shatter eardrums. With the laughter, a large shadow slowly walked in. The Count of Xuanwu hurried forward to greet him. Everyone in the wedding hall bowed low.

"Greetings to Lord Zhu Lin!"

It was Zhu Lin, the younger brother of the Governor-General of Tiannan, Zhu Rong. He was the brother of the King's consort, the Grand General Who Pacifies the South of the State of Yue, the Central Commander of Baiyun Province, and concurrently the Prefect of Pingnan Pass. His power and prestige shook the entire nation.

His original purpose in coming here was to represent the Zhu Clan in proposing marriage to the Count of Xuanwu's Estate. He had traveled with great speed, but no one had expected him to arrive at the exact moment of Jin Mulan's wedding.

To announce the wedding today and hold the ceremony on the same day? What did that mean? Wasn't it obvious? The Count of Xuanwu's Estate did not wish to form a marriage alliance with the Zhu Clan, but unable to refuse outright, they had married Jin Mulan off to a live-in son-in-law before he could arrive.

"Count Xuanwu, you have no loyalty. Your niece is getting married, and you didn't even inform me. If I hadn't come to Xuanwu City on business, I would have missed the wedding, wouldn't I?"

Zhu Lin spoke with a smile on his face, but his eyes were as cold as ice.

"Just what outstanding talent has become the match for our niece Mulan? Take off your mask and let us have a look!"

"Yes, take off the mask!"

Everyone cried out, unable to contain themselves.

Jin Mulan looked at Shen Lang and nodded. Shen Lang immediately removed his mask. In that instant, many in the wedding hall cried out in astonishment.

But among them, the most shocked was the leader of the Black Clothes Gang, Tian Heng.

‘Shen Lang? Isn't this a complete disaster?’

Just as shocked as Tian Heng, who shared a bitter history with Shen Lang, was another person. It was Shen Lang's ex-wife, Xu Qianqian. Forgetting her dignified composure, she stared at Shen Lang in his groom's wedding robes, unable to even breathe properly, her shock unconcealed.