Chapter 318
Chapter 318
Lying alone in bed, Shen Lang couldn't sleep.
‘Heavens, this is frustrating. I haven't been with a woman in over a month. If I start sleeping with someone again in this state, won't I just make a fool of myself? Besides, with that divine lady in the next room, she'll hear everything I do. If I try to… console myself, it'll be incredibly awkward and shameful to face her, wouldn't it?’
And then, the heavens sent Shen Lang a beauty—a peerless one at that.
* * *
“Senior Sister Suo Yan, how did you come all this way? Last time you came to Raging River Commandery, but you didn't even stop by our home.”
Shen Lang offered a warm welcome, his eyes taking in Suo Yan’s face and figure.
‘Ha! Truly exceptional. A uniquely cold and arrogant allure. Such an outstanding beauty, it’s no wonder the Crown Prince keeps her as his mistress. But is she also intelligent? Why does the Crown Prince always send her to the forefront?’
Suo Yan said.
“Last time I was in Raging River Commandery, I intended to meet Junior Sister Mulan, but in the end, I couldn't. She was far too busy.”
“It’s a shame I wasn’t there. Otherwise, I would have gone to meet you, Senior Sister, no matter the distance.”
“As an envoy to the Qiang Kingdom this time, Sir Shen, you've worked a truly astonishing miracle. You've made everyone rub their eyes and take a second look. When you return to the capital, you're certain to be appointed to an important position. Does Sir Shen have any other plans in mind?”
“Senior Sister Suo Yan, has His Highness the Crown Prince perhaps taken an interest in me?”
Suo Yan lowered her gaze as she sipped her tea, concealing her look of disdain for Shen Lang within the reflection of her teacup. The question was too direct. How could he ask so bluntly when discussing politics? Such matters should be spoken of vaguely, with intentions only hinted at.
“His Highness the Crown Prince is indeed very fond of you.”
Since Shen Lang had asked directly, she gave a direct answer. Shen Lang sneered inwardly.
‘The Crown Prince isn't fond of me; he's very fond of my wife.’
Suo Yan said coolly.
“I hear you've been collaborating quite happily with the Heavenly Path Society. And that it's thanks to your glass mirrors that the Heavenly Path Society has made a huge fortune? They've reportedly reclaimed most of the East-West trade routes they had previously lost.”
Shen Lang had heard such rumors. Even after roughly three months, the Heavenly Path Society still wasn't selling the mirrors on a large scale. Instead, they were auctioning them everywhere, desperately building up their influence. The glass mirror had now become the most famous luxury item. It was an object that only the powerful could possess, and each one sold for an astronomical price. In reality, however, the Heavenly Path Society hadn't earned that much money.
The principle was one mentioned before. A Rolls-Royce sells for an exorbitant price, but its profitability is far lower than that of a BMW. The Heavenly Path Society never intended to use the glass mirrors to make a huge profit, at least not yet. Rather, they used them to regain strategic dominance over the East-West trade. In addition, the Jin Clan needed an astronomical amount of gold to renovate Raging Tide City and Thunder Continent Island and to relocate the people of their fief. The Heavenly Path Society didn't turn a blind eye, continuously lending the Jin Clan money without interest. Shen Lang had already spent every last bit of the money he was supposed to receive for the mirrors over the next ten-plus years.
Suo Yan said.
“When you invented the mirrors back then, Sir Shen, why didn't you come to our Hidden Yuan Society? Whatever the Heavenly Path Society can give you, our Hidden Yuan Society can give you more.”
Shen Lang said in a grief-stricken voice.
“I regret that we didn't meet sooner.”
“It's not too late. If Sir Shen gives us the secret formula for the glass mirrors, our Hidden Yuan Society will pay you three million gold coins over three years. Furthermore, His Highness the Crown Prince will place great trust in you.”
Shen Lang was taken aback.
‘Am I that worthless? They're trying to recruit me, yet they're asking me to pay the price?’
“To hear that His Highness the Crown Prince would trust me is truly moving. I will be sure to consider it carefully.”
* * *
In the capital.
The story of Shen Lang's mission to the Qiang Kingdom had sent the entire capital into an uproar. Not only did he make the Qiang Kingdom write a letter of apology, but he actually built one of their sacred temples in their heartland. And it didn't stop there; countless Qiang people had become followers of the temple. Day and night, scores of Qiang people went to the temple to bow, and the incense burned for the sages never ceased. The sacred temple was not just built on Qiang land; it took root in the hearts of countless Qiang people.
Though Shen Lang had not yet returned to the capital, every member of his envoy had dispatched scouts to send letters ahead, all telling the same tale of the strange events at the Qiang Kingdom temple. The moment the news arrived, the people of the Yue capital were in a frenzy, and Shen Lang became a complete celebrity.
‘That live-in son-in-law, he's actually strong and incredible. Everyone thought he'd have been eaten alive by the King of Qiang by now! And those two tasks were as difficult as ascending to the heavens. Who would have thought that Shen Lang, that pretty boy who looks like a gust of wind could knock him over, would actually complete the mission. And he completed it perfectly, exceeding all expectations. How on earth did he do it?’
In any case, what Shen Lang had done was an act that brought glory to the nation and greatly bolstered the king's authority. When had that insane country, the Qiang Kingdom, ever bowed to anyone? When had that tyrant, the King of Qiang, ever admitted he was wrong? And they had submitted to our State of Yue?
At that moment, the King of Yue desperately needed a victory, even if it was only a diplomatic one. The situation in the Southern Ou Kingdom was growing more tense, and the current conflict was on the verge of escalating. The Sand Barbarians were completely insane. How could they be so poor yet fight as if their lives meant nothing? Besides, wasn't the Southern Ou Kingdom the one that betrayed you Sand Barbarians?
It wasn't that the General of Southern Pacification, Zhu Lin, was fighting poorly, but that a constant stream of Sand Barbarian armies was pouring into the Southern Ou Kingdom, leading to the current situation. The Sand Barbarian army gathered in the tiny Southern Ou Kingdom had already surpassed one hundred and fifty thousand. Once the tide turned on the battlefield, the king's political reputation would also take a hit. Therefore, Shen Lang's victory in the Qiang Kingdom was like rain in a drought. The king would desperately spin the atmosphere, promoting this small diplomatic success as a great victory, the likes of which hadn't been seen in decades.
The people of Qiang regarded the young master as a god who could cure smallpox. This would be exaggerated to mean that the sages had enlightened the Qiang, and that the hearts of the Qiang people would soon turn to Yue. Thus, the greatest hero of this affair, Shen Lang, had become completely famous before he even returned to the capital. Everyone felt as if they were watching a new political star slowly rise. This was the reason Shen Lang hadn't been the least bit afraid when surrounded by the Sanyan Ya pirates, and why he could thrust his crotch and gesture that he would sleep with all their mothers.
‘The king is desperate for a victory. Su Nan, would you dare kill me within the borders of Yue?’
At that moment, though Shen Lang was still several hundred li from the capital, countless people were eagerly awaiting his return, preparing the grandest of scenes to welcome the hero's arrival.
* * *
After leaving Wanshan Commandery, they arrived in Huangliang Commandery, where Shen Lang was met by another mediator. An advisor to the Third Prince came and said something similar to what Suo Yan had.
‘The Third Prince holds you in high regard. If Sir Shen Lang does not enter the Third Prince's service and is later appointed to a high position, wouldn't His Highness be displeased?’
And, just like the Crown Prince's side, they still presented a condition.
‘Rather than enjoying the secret of making glass mirrors all by yourself, wouldn't it be better if everyone could enjoy it?’
How strange. Are you people truly trying to recruit me? You don't offer any official position, but instead demand I hand over the secret of the glass mirrors. What a bizarre way to handle people.
* * *
After leaving Huangliang Commandery, Shen Lang entered Lang Commandery, which was only about three hundred li from the capital. Once again, Shen Lang took over the entire official post house. He was still displeased, but he accepted Huang Feng's service as she washed his face. When Xiao Bing washed his face, she was so gentle, serving him with such devotion it was as if she regretted not being able to meticulously clean the inside of his ears. Huang Feng washing his face, on the other hand, was like scrubbing a wall with a mop. She washed his face so roughly it felt like she was trying to peel off a layer of skin, reminding Shen Lang of when his father used to wash his face as a child. It always stung so much.
“Feng, if you keep treating me so roughly, I'll tell Thirteen to marry another woman. Ahh!”
Shen Lang finally let out a bloodcurdling scream, because Huang Feng’s movements were too forceful as she washed his feet.
‘You must have been a rough masseuse in the foot massage industry in your past life.’
She pressed so hard on the soles of his feet that he felt like he was about to wet himself from the pain. Huang Feng said to him.
“Master, I am a martial artist, so this is the best I can do when serving you. Please don't cast me aside for it.”
Just then, Shen Shisan, who was outside, coughed. Shen Lang, thoroughly annoyed, said.
“What's with the coughing? Spit it out!”
“Master, Ha Wanwan is here to see you.”
Shen Lang was startled.
‘Ha Wanwan? Who’s that?’
He soon remembered who she was. The king's mistress. Shen Lang had used her to bring about Li Wenzheng's death, and he had also sold her a once-in-a-millennium masterpiece of a poem, allowing her to shine before the king and outdo the other famous courtesans. However, after the king favored her, he discovered her hymen was intact and had effectively placed her under house arrest in her hometown of Lang Commandery. Moreover, she was being watched at all times by the Blackwater Terrace and eunuchs.
Shen Lang said hurriedly.
“I'm not seeing her, I won't see her. Tell her I've already gone to sleep.”
“She’s already here.”
Shen Lang was shocked.
‘Why didn't you stop her? You couldn't stop one delicate woman?’
Shen Lang realized how dangerous her visit was. His sense for danger was astonishingly sharp. At times like this, he absolutely could not show the enemy the slightest opening. Without even stopping to put on his shoes, he ran straight to the next room and dived under the covers of the Divine Lady Xue Yin. Her fragrance instantly delighted his heart.
The Divine Lady Xue Yin was startled, then asked in a gentle voice.
“Lang’er, what's wrong?”
Shen Lang's hand inadvertently brushed against her fair, smooth skin.
‘Does the Divine Lady always wear so little when she sleeps?’
Just then, a woman's voice came from outside.
“This humble girl is Ha Wanwan. I wish to see Sir Shen.”
Shen Lang reached out, wrapped his arm around Xue Yin's neck, and said.
“Mistress Ha, I have already retired for the night and have a beauty in my arms. If you have something to say, let's do it tomorrow.”
Ha Wanwan said.
“This humble girl has heard that Sir Shen is a master of poetry and has come to admire him. Hearing that you were passing through my hometown, I came specifically to request a poem.”
“A poem, you say? Very well!
Bright moonlight before the bed, two pairs of shoes on the floor. I raise my head to see the bright moon, and lower my head to get busy with my wife.”
And at that moment, another woman's voice came from outside. Shen Lang's eyes filled with longing and a joyful smile spread across his face, which then turned to sheer terror.
“What a fine poem. My husband has truly composed a fine poem!”
‘Mulan, my love? You're here?! How did you get here? How can you be here? A-Am I being caught cheating in bed right now? What do I do? Somebody, help me!’