Chapter 26
Chapter 26
Words could not describe the astonishment Zhang Baiyan felt. Although he had never met Shen Lang personally, he had heard numerous rumors about his lack of intelligence. Yet, here he was, recognizing the Lesser Seal script that no one else could! Not only did he know its meaning, but he also knew how to pronounce it.
The scholar An Xiong chuckled beside him.
“Master, surely he’s just making it up, isn’t he?”
At this, everyone turned to look at Zhang Baiyan. Honestly, Zhang Baiyan wanted to deny Shen Lang's answer and declare it wrong. No one else knew this character, so it wouldn't be a problem if he claimed Shen Lang's answer was false. However, Zhang Baiyan was not the only one who knew the character. The two men who had excavated the stele with him also knew it. They were all highly respected scholars. The meaning of the character had been jointly confirmed when they studied the stele's inscription together. If he were to deny Shen Lang's answer here today, with so many people watching, his reputation and honor as a scholar would vanish like a puff of smoke.
It wasn't worth taking such a huge risk over someone like Shen Lang. Seeing the look on his master's face, the scholar An Xiong sensed something was amiss and asked with a heavy expression.
“Master, isn't it true that Shen Lang is lying? There's no way he could know the meaning of this character, right?”
An Xiong's tone strongly implied that his master should twist the truth and blame Shen Lang. Zhang Baiyan shot An Xiong a cold glare before forcing a smile.
“Young Master Shen is truly well-versed in letters. To be able to identify such an obscure seal script and even know its pronunciation… Truly, the younger generation is something to be admired!”
After Zhang Baiyan spoke, everyone at the wedding was stunned! No one present had recognized the character Zhang Baiyan had written. So how could Shen Lang, a man infamous for being a simpleton, not only know it but also read it? Wasn't he an uneducated, talentless fool?
Shen Lang looked at An Xiong and said.
“Brother An, you promised in front of everyone that if you lost to me, you would slap yourself. You are a distinguished scholar, the most outstanding talent from the Academy of Scholarly Refinement. You wouldn't go back on your word now, would you?”
At that, all eyes turned back to An Xiong. Everyone had wanted to see Shen Lang humiliated, but watching the scholar An Xiong slap himself seemed just as entertaining.
Had this been a private matter, An Xiong would have gone back on his promise, but everyone there was staring intently at him. Among them, the Count of Xuanwu was watching him with a smile, but his eyes were colder and sharper than ever.
“I will not forget what happened today, Shen Lang.”
An Xiong said coldly, then delivered a harsh slap to his own face.
*Smack!*
The scholar An Xiong had truly put his all into that slap. Looking at his red, swollen cheek, Shen Lang felt a sense of satisfaction.
“I’m leaving!”
Humiliated, An Xiong could not bear to stay any longer and left in a rage. Then, the Count of Xuanwu spoke.
“Shen Lang, you should take Mulan to greet your parents. Now, let the banquet begin!”
At the Count's command, fine wine and delicious dishes were brought out continuously, and the crowd began to take their seats. The only regrettable thing was that Shen Lang's rival in love, Wang Lian, the Magistrate of Xuanwu City, was not there to witness this scene. What would his reaction have been, he who was once Shen Lang's teacher? Unfortunately, we will never know.
* * *
Shen Lang led Jin Mulan toward the rear courtyard to see his parents.
“Wait!”
Lord Zhu Lin suddenly called out. As he was arguably the most distinguished person present, the Count of Xuanwu did not stop him, but simply watched.
“I've seen some truly interesting things today. I will remember your name.”
His words were not an explicit threat, but they certainly sounded like one. Being watched by a powerful figure from the Zhu Clan was not a pleasant feeling. Shen Lang pretended not to understand, bowing as he spoke.
“Thank you for your attention, my lord.”
“Hahaha.”
“What are you waiting for? Go and see your parents. Don't keep your elders waiting.”
The Count of Xuanwu said.
“Yes, Father-in-law.”
* * *
Shen Lang's parents had not appeared in the main hall, feeling that their poor family and humble status were out of place at the wedding of the Count of Xuanwu's Estate. Even though the Count's estate had prepared expensive silk clothes for them, which lay waiting nearby, they remained in their original attire.
Honestly, his younger brother Shen Jian had wanted to wear the silk clothes, but his parents stopped him. They believed that everyone has their own lot in life, and that silk clothes and palatial homes did not suit theirs.
His father, Shen Wan, still suffered from an inflammation in his lungs and let out a few dry coughs. Just then, Shen Lang entered the rear courtyard with Jin Mulan and immediately bowed.
“Your unfilial son greets his parents!”
His mother rushed forward to help Shen Lang up, but to her surprise, Jin Mulan bowed alongside him.
“Your daughter-in-law greets Father and Mother.”
At that moment, Shen Lang's entire family was left speechless, staring blankly at one another. Wasn't Jin Mulan the so-called princess of Xuanwu City, the precious daughter of a noble family with over a century of power? What had such a woman just said?
Furthermore, considering her status, she had no need to show such courtesy to the parents of a mere live-in son-in-law. Yet, she bowed respectfully, with no hint of reluctance. Seeing this, Shen Lang's fondness for Jin Mulan grew immensely.
“Please don't, please don't.”
Shen Lang's mother immediately stepped forward to help Jin Mulan up, but upon seeing her expensive silk clothes and fair hands, she didn't dare to touch her. Compared to Jin Mulan, Shen Lang's mother had worn-out clothes and hands with dark, rough skin. She couldn't bring herself to touch Jin Mulan with hands that looked as dark as mud, no matter how clean they were.
But seeing Shen Lang's mother hesitate, Jin Mulan reached out first, taking her hands and helping her up.
“Thank you, Mother.”
In an instant, the way Shen Lang's parents looked at Jin Mulan was filled with warmth.
*What a good young lady.*
“Come, let me offer Father and Mother a celebratory drink. However, since Father is unwell, may I offer sweet rice wine instead?”
“Yes, yes.”
After that, Jin Mulan poured full cups for them, then bowed again with Shen Lang before offering the celebratory drinks. It was just one celebratory drink, but the situation felt so unbelievable that Shen Lang's parents both felt as if they were intoxicated. His younger brother, Shen Jian, couldn't resist either and downed a cup of sweet rice wine himself. With a dazed expression, he mumbled to Jin Mulan.
“Sister-in-law, you're so beautiful.”
“Thank you.”
Jin Mulan replied gently, then looked at Shen Lang.
“You must have things to discuss with Father and Mother. I'll go out and greet the guests first.”
“Thank you for your consideration.”
Jin Mulan's thoughtfulness in creating a private moment for the family charmed everyone, including Shen Lang. Once she left, the dreamlike, fantastical atmosphere dissipated, and his parents' tension eased. No matter how kind and gentle she was to them, as the precious daughter of a count, a certain level of tension was unavoidable.
“Father, Mother. I'm sorry. I have disappointed you both.”
From the beginning, his parents had not wanted Shen Lang to become a live-in son-in-law anywhere. The status of a live-in son-in-law was only slightly better than a family servant; if he failed to earn the affection of his wife and father-in-law, he could be treated worse than a slave. Moreover, his parents wanted Shen Lang to continue the family line. If he had married the village widow, Mrs. Liu, their children would have carried the Shen name, and even if they lived in a thatched hut, he would not be dependent on others.
His father, Shen Wan, spoke in a sorrowful voice.
“No, son. If this was your choice, then there's nothing more to say. You did this for us, so it is we who should apologize to you.”
Shen Wan didn't know the specifics, but having seen Tian Thirteen bring men to their house to arrest Shen Lang that afternoon, he could guess the reason he had become a live-in son-in-law. As he spoke, tears welled up in Shen Wan's eyes. If only he weren't so incompetent, Shen Lang could have continued the family line and lived a life truly for himself…
“But isn't this a good thing? Sister-in-law is a good person, and she's so beautiful! There's probably no woman in Xuanwu City prettier than her. By the way, brother, there's something I wanted to discuss with you…”
“Go on.”
“Now that you're married, I was thinking of getting married myself. To the village widow, Mrs. Liu.”
At that, his mother could no longer hold back and smacked her younger son on the back of the head.
“Nonsense! Things may be like this now, but who knows if your brother might be sent home again, so stop your foolish talk! Besides, the widow Liu has long had feelings for your older brother. She wouldn't give you the time of day.”
Hearing his mother's words, Shen Jian just smiled awkwardly and scratched the back of his head.
“No matter how things turned out, seeing that you are well is enough for us. We should be getting back now.”
“Father, Mother, please stay the night. It's already so late.”
“No. This place is not for us. We'd rather sleep where we feel at ease.”
Hearing his father's words, Shen Lang didn't insist further and had Jin Zhong prepare two large carriages to take his parents home. As Shen Lang escorted them all the way to the departing carriages, his brother Shen Jian called out with a mischievous look.
“Brother, what's the groom doing out here on his wedding day! You should hurry to the bridal chamber. Your sister-in-law must be waiting. A spring night is as precious as a thousand pieces of gold!”
Shen Lang waved goodbye to his family, then walked toward the bridal chamber.