Chapter 27
Chapter 27
However, contrary to his younger brother Shen Jian’s words, Shen Lang did not get to light the wedding candles in the nuptial chamber and spent the night alone. He waited until just before dawn, but Jin Mulan never entered the room. They say an hour of a spring night is worth a thousand pieces of gold, but was he destined never to obtain that gold? Even for a live-in son-in-law, it was a proper wedding ceremony. To spend the very first night alone like this…
A tangle of complicated thoughts occupied his mind, his heart burning, and sleep would not come. Just then, Jin Mulan walked in.
"Please, sit here."
Jin Mulan sat across from him at the table. Today, her slender figure seemed particularly striking.
"I heard many rumors about you today. Some said you covet wealth and glory, others that you are a man of no learning or talent, and some even said you lacked intelligence. But the person you showed my father and me today was completely different from those rumors. My father was greatly pleased by it."
"I only did my best."
"Everyone who remembers when you entered the Xu Clan as a live-in son-in-law said you were ignorant and foolish, but the man you were tonight was completely different. How can that be? Please, tell me honestly."
"After I entered the Xu Clan, I fell gravely ill. It was so severe that I hovered between life and death. Having come that close to death's door, it was as if my once-closed mind had opened up a little. Isn't it a common story? A person changes after overcoming a brush with death."
At Shen Lang's answer, Jin Mulan watched him for a moment with a look of conflicting thoughts before finally speaking.
"Shen Lang, there is something I must make clear to you."
"Please, speak."
"I had originally resolved to never marry in my life and to dedicate everything to my family. However, because the Zhu Clan was pressuring us with a marriage proposal, I had no choice but to take you in as a live-in son-in-law."
Shen Lang knew what she was going to say, but he listened silently until the end. Jin Mulan continued.
"At the very least, the fact that we are husband and wife in name will never change for the rest of our lives. As long as you do not wish it, I will not cast you aside. However, as for marital duties… I hope you can forgive me, as I will be unable to fulfill them for the time being. I am truly sorry."
Her words meant she would not sleep with Shen Lang.
"I respect your wishes."
Jin Mulan hesitated for a moment at Shen Lang's smiling reply, unable to meet his eyes. In a small voice, different from before, she murmured.
"But… perhaps 'for the time being' could become a lifetime."
"Even so, I understand."
He was a live-in son-in-law of humble status, acquired through improvisation. How could a woman as noble and respected as she so easily sleep with such a man? Even if that man was her husband in name, it would be difficult to make up her mind so easily.
If he truly wished to embrace her and desire the harmony of a real married couple, he would first have to win her heart. In a way, Shen Lang had become the Count's live-in son-in-law not out of affection for her, but entirely for the well-being of his family and himself. In the end, it was a bond forged out of mutual need, so who could blame her for her choice?
"Thank you for understanding. From now on, as my husband, you may come and go freely within the Count's estate, and you will receive a monthly stipend. And of course, I will sincerely care for your parents. Naturally, you will always be my husband, anytime, anywhere. But we may never share a bed for the rest of our lives. Do you agree?"
Shen Lang nodded and said.
"If that is your wish, I agree."
"Thank you so much, Shen Lang. From today, we are husband and wife. Perhaps I have asked too much of you. Husband!"
Shen Lang shook his head and said.
"No. Not at all."
He remained calm throughout, showing no resentment over the matter. Seeing this, Jin Mulan offered a faint smile and spoke.
"Of course, I cannot be so selfish. Tonight is our first night, so I cannot let you spend it alone. Xiao Bing, come in!"
Jin Mulan called for someone. A girl dressed in red silk entered. She looked to be at an age where her beauty was just beginning to bloom.
Of course, she couldn't compare to Jin Mulan, but she possessed a beauty that would capture the heart of any man in Xuanwu City. What held Shen Lang's gaze, however, were her very pure, childlike eyes and her cute cheeks, which still held a trace of baby fat.
"Xiao Bing grew up with me since she was little; we are like sisters. She will be with you tonight. And she will probably be the one to bear and raise your children."
Shen Lang was stunned. He knew Jin Mulan was a bold and thorough woman, but he had never expected she would have made such preparations.
"Xiao Bing, tonight is the husband's wedding night. You must serve him well."
Xiao Bing's oval face flushed a deep red as she answered.
"Yes."
"Wait, I don't think this is right!"
Jin Mulan's expression turned serious.
"I cannot ask you to make all the sacrifices."
"No, that's not it. This is my choice."
Jin Mulan frowned slightly.
She wondered if Shen Lang had fallen for her, and that was why he wouldn't even look at another woman. But that was a situation Jin Mulan desperately wanted to avoid. Although she couldn't sleep with Shen Lang, she didn't want to prevent him from continuing his family line. Moreover, if Shen Lang were to only have eyes for her, Jin Mulan would live her entire life with a sense of guilt towards him.
Jin Mulan spoke earnestly.
"Husband, think carefully. If you hold even the slightest hope for me, please don't. My lifelong dream is to lead soldiers in war, expanding our territory for my family and my king. I am truly grateful that you like me. But you must not ruin your own happiness because of it. Spend the night with Xiao Bing and have a child quickly to show your parents."
Shen Lang glanced at Jin Mulan for a moment, then said.
"Very well. Since my wife is being so considerate, I will no longer refuse."
He looked at the beautiful handmaiden and said.
"Xiao Bing, they say an hour of a spring night is worth a thousand pieces of gold, so let's not delay any longer. Help me take off my clothes."
Jin Mulan was suddenly dumbfounded.
*What in the world? Of course, I was the one who suggested it, but to change his mind so quickly? And did he really have to be so blunt about it right in front of me?*
Flustered, Jin Mulan immediately left the room.
* * *
After Jin Mulan left, Shen Lang looked at Xiao Bing. Despite her small frame, her chest appeared to be at least a D-cup. You really can't judge a book by its cover. Such a cute, oval face with such a formidable chest.
"Yo-Young Master. Do I really have to attend to you in bed?"
Xiao Bing said, trembling.
"What did you just hear?"
He dropped the pretense. Now that he was the Count's live-in son-in-law, he had achieved his goal. It wasn't a major problem that Jin Mulan wouldn't sleep with him. Of course, Shen Lang liked Jin Mulan, with her beautiful face, excellent figure, and good personality. But she had clearly stated that while they were a fake couple, they should respect each other like guests. Should Shen Lang still pine for her, gaze at her longingly, and keep himself pure for her?
No, there was no need for that. From his time on modern Earth to now, he had been single for over forty years. Naturally, Jin Mulan had a great body and a beautiful face, so sleeping with her would surely be blissful. But Xiao Bing wasn't bad either. Once in bed with the lights out, how could one tell the difference between these women? Besides, considering his past life, how could he dare to be picky?
"Bing'er, it will be dawn soon. Let's go to bed!"
Shen Lang tried to speak calmly, but his vital part was already standing tall like an angry sword. Xiao Bing glanced at Shen Lang, then clenched her teeth and reached out to undo her clothes. Shen Lang's heart fluttered like a banner in the wind. The handmaiden, Xiao Bing, removed her clothes, one layer at a time.
Shen Lang narrowed his eyes.
*Finally, I'm about to lose the virginity I've kept for over forty years!*
But soon, Shen Lang noticed that as Xiao Bing slowly undressed, she was shedding pearl-like tears, one drop at a time.
At the sight of Xiao Bing's sudden tears, Shen Lang paused and asked her.
"Bing'er, do you perhaps not want this?"
Xiao Bing, her eyes red, said nothing and only cried harder. Shen Lang also said nothing. Did this girl not like him? Fine then. Shen Lang would rather wait another ten years than force himself on someone.
"Alright then, Bing'er. You can go sleep in the next room."
At his words, Xiao Bing immediately tried to slip out the door without hesitation. Shen Lang was momentarily taken aback and found himself stuttering.
"W-Wait a minute..."
At Shen Lang's call, Xiao Bing stopped moving and looked at him with a very complicated expression.
"Bing'er, if you don't want this, I have no intention of forcing you to sleep with me. I'm not the kind of person who forces himself on an unwilling woman."
At Shen Lang's words, Xiao Bing bowed her head respectfully.
"Yes."
"However… this is not something you can avoid forever just because you don't want to. I will give you some time, so prepare your heart. In the end, even if you don't want to, you will have to sleep with me someday. You may go!"
Xiao Bing practically flew out of the room. Shen Lang lowered his head, drew his sword (grabbing his vital part), looked around, and asked nonchalantly.
*Hey, Mulan's room is in the same courtyard, not far from here. What would happen if I rushed out and dove into her bed? I'd probably be killed. And my family jewels would be smashed, too!*
The thought made Shen Lang's spirit deflate instantly. Not long after getting into bed, he was fast asleep.
* * *
The next day, Shen Lang had breakfast with Jin Mulan, while Xiao Bing waited on them.
"Husband, I should be visiting my in-laws with you today, but I have military affairs to attend to and cannot go. Please take some gifts for them on my behalf in a little while."
"I will."
A moment later, Jin Mulan asked again.
"Husband, if you have any future plans or goals, please tell me."
"I don't have any goals to speak of yet."
"How can you not have any goals?"
"Well, if I had to name one, I suppose I have one very big goal."
"And what is that?"
"To annihilate the Xu Clan, make Xu Qianqian kneel before me, and make her weep."
"Ah..."
Mulan believed that most men harbored some grand ideal. But her husband held a petty grudge as if it were a grand ambition... Was this really alright?
"I understand how you feel, husband, but that won't be easy."
"Is there no way to annihilate the Xu Clan even with the power of the Count's Estate?"
"The Xu Clan is connected by marriage to the Zhang Clan, and Zhang Jin's father, Zhang Chong, is the Prefect of Nujiang Commandery. Behind them is the Zhu Clan, so the Count's Estate cannot touch them."
"Then what about Tian Heng, the leader of the Black Clothes Gang? He should be fine, right?"
Jin Mulan shook her head.
"That won't work either. Tian Heng holds the post of Commander of a Thousand for the Xuanwu City militia, placing him under the jurisdiction of the City Lord. Moreover, according to our sources, he has just pledged his allegiance to the Zhang Clan. If our Count's Estate were to touch him, we would be opposing the City Lord's administration and infringing upon its independent authority. Nobles cannot interfere in local government affairs."
"But with the authority and prestige of the Count's Estate, it should be more than possible, shouldn't it? To say that everything is impossible, well..."
"That... I'm truly sorry."
"Wife, then what if I, in my capacity as the Count's son-in-law, go to the Black Clothes Gang and humiliate Tian Heng? Don't tell me that's not allowed either. If we can't even trouble the leader of the Black Clothes Gang, it seems there's nothing our Count's Estate can do."
Jin Mulan looked at her husband with a troubled expression. For the first time, she began to doubt if she had chosen the wrong husband. But seeing the expectant look in Shen Lang's eyes, Jin Mulan, as if possessed, nodded her head and said.
"Yes, I think that would be fine."
Shen Lang pushed his bowl aside and said.
"I'm full. Please take your time, wife. I'll be heading out now."
Jin Mulan watched Shen Lang's rapidly departing figure with a look of pity in her eyes. *My husband's thirst for revenge is truly strong. He can't wait even for a moment.*