Chapter 448
Chapter 448
On the third night after leaving White Night County, Shen Lang received his first guest. It was Xue Pan, the heir to the Count of Wu'an's Estate, and beside him stood a young, peerless beauty. I say "young" because she looked no older than seventeen. With a terribly shy expression, she hesitated, constantly bowing her small head.
Shen Lang looked at Xue Pan. The man gazed at him with an intimate look, as if seeing a confidant or a long-lost friend, a complete change of face. A few months ago, when Xue Li came to the Count of Xuanwu's Estate to break off the engagement, Xue Pan had accompanied the Hidden Yuan Society, pressuring the Jin Clan to repay their debts and attempting to corner them.
Not only that, but twenty years ago, when Count Jinyu borrowed a million gold coins and hired an army of ten thousand and a fleet to annihilate the pirate Qiu Tianwei, the Xue Clan's betrayal led to the utter destruction of the count's army, bringing a fatal crisis upon the Jin Clan.
In terms of the depth of their grudge with the Jin Clan, the Xue Clan's was even greater than the Su Clan's. The Jin Clan had shown the Xue Clan immense kindness, yet they had betrayed them for no reason, and in the most shameless manner, driving the Jin Clan to their deaths. In contrast, the Su Clan's relationship with them only formally soured when they broke off the engagement with Mulan. Nevertheless, Shen Lang sought revenge on the Su Clan first for two reasons: one, Su Jianting had opportunely ambushed the Count of Xuanwu's Estate and injured his mother-in-law, and two, the King loathed Su Nan in his heart. The Xue Clan, however, had not yet fallen out of the King's favor.
The Count of Wu'an, Xue Che, was the King's closest confidant, responsible for gathering intelligence from all over the world. Yan Nanfei was also from the Xue Clan, though nominally he was one of the six grandmasters of Yue and the head of the South Sea Sword Sect. Moreover, the South Sea Sword Sect was like a branch of the Blackwater Terrace. Adding their absolute alliance with the Zhong Clan and the presence of the Third Prince, Ning Qi, the Xue Clan was an incredibly powerful family, deeply rooted in the State of Yue, even if they didn't flaunt their name.
The Su Clan was a powerful family both overtly and in reality, but the Xue Clan led their family quietly, not flaunting their strength as the Su Clan did. Their power was like the tip of an iceberg, with only a fraction visible above the surface, while the other ninety-nine percent seemed hidden beneath the waves. Shen Lang was determined to destroy the Xue Clan, but he judged it to be more difficult than eliminating the Su Clan. Previously, Xue Pan had been cold and arrogant before the Jin Clan, but today, though his face still showed a degree of self-satisfied pride, he wore a different kind of smile.
Xue Pan said.
"Brother-in-law, congratulations. You've achieved an immortal feat."
Shen Lang returned the smile but said nothing.
"Brother-in-law, you'll surely pass through Lang County on your way back to the capital this time."
That was true. The Third Prince, Ning Qi, was currently stationed in Lang County with an army of thirty thousand. This measure was originally intended to blockade Su Nan's rebel forces there, but with the Su Clan's rebels already annihilated, it was no longer necessary. Shen Lang nodded. Xue Pan continued.
"His Highness the Third Prince wishes to dine with you. He commanded me to come and personally extend this invitation."
"Must I go?"
"Of course not. It depends entirely on your own will. However, His Highness the Third Prince is truly thirsting for talent."
The last time Shen Lang went to the State of Qi as an envoy and successfully completed his mission, the Third Prince had also sent someone to recruit him, but the attitude was very insincere. In contrast, sending Xue Pan this time, a member of his true inner circle, showed considerable sincerity.
"Brother-in-law, I know I did something dishonorable before. But I had no choice. Our Xue Clan must completely obey His Highness's will, and we can only do as he commands."
*'Then was your Xue Clan's betrayal of our Jin Clan twenty years ago also in accordance with the King's will?'*
"Of course, I know it's difficult for you to be open with our Xue Clan. But won't our relationship improve over time? There's something you should know."
"You mean about Gao Douhuan assassinating my father-in-law?"
"Precisely. Do you know Gao Douhuan's true identity?"
"I'm listening."
"His name is Zhuo Yizhen, the sworn brother of Zhuo Xiao'an. This means he belongs to the Crown Prince, and the order to assassinate Marquis Jin Zhuo came from the Crown Prince."
Shen Lang asked in a surprised voice.
"Is that true?"
"It's undeniable."
Shen Lang said in a trembling voice.
"That's a shocking and terrifying story. The news that Gao Douhuan is one of the Crown Prince's men is too surprising. To think the Crown Prince sent someone to assassinate my father-in-law. From this day on, I cannot live under the same sky as him."
"Brother-in-law Shen, since we have a common enemy, why don't we become allies first? I know my sister Xue Li was immature and caused great pain to the Jin Clan. But the matter of the Xue and Jin clans becoming in-laws can still proceed. Mengmeng, come here."
The young, peerless beauty stepped forward.
"This is my sister, Xue Meng. She is of the direct Xue bloodline and is the apple of our father's eye."
Shen Lang observed the girl closely; in both looks and gentleness, she seemed superior to Xue Li.
"Heir Jin Mucong has displayed overflowing talent in the arts, making a name for himself throughout the State of Yue. My sister Xue Meng and he seem like a match made in heaven. What do you think of uniting them in marriage?"
Shen Lang smiled, looking as if his heart was moved.
"Miss Xue Meng, Jin Mucong isn't as handsome as I am. Are you truly willing to marry him?"
That was a truly shameless remark. Xue Meng said quietly.
"I've secretly gone to see the chubby young master. I... I quite like him."
"Then that's wonderful. However, I cannot make this decision. I must speak to my father-in-law and mother-in-law."
"Of course. His Highness the Third Prince will be waiting with a seat for you. You must stop by when you pass through Lang County."
"I'll do my best!"
"Then this brother will take his leave."
"Brother Xue, take care!"
The young, peerless beauty also spoke.
"Young Master Shen Lang, I'll see you again!"
Shen Lang said gently.
"Sister Xue Meng, let's meet again."
The young, peerless beauty waved to Shen Lang once more, and soon, Xue Pan left with his sister.
* * *
The next day, Shen Lang continued toward the capital, and when night fell, he once again booked an entire posthouse. Previously, whenever Shen Lang stayed at a posthouse, the officials working there would act as if he didn't exist, avoiding him as if he were a poisonous snake they dared not touch. This time, however, even before Shen Lang arrived, local officials flocked to him, fawning over him. An official from the posthouse came dozens of miles in advance to greet him, lavishing him with attention. Shen Lang received treatment that an ordinary prefect could never dream of.
After finishing dinner, Shen Lang was about to return to his room. The Sword King, Li Qianqiu, was staying in the room across from Shen Lang's and whispered quietly to him before he entered.
"There's a woman in your room."
Shen Lang was startled.
*'Could it be my beloved Mulan? Does she know how hard I've been holding back and came all this way to soothe my burning heart and emptiness?'*
Shen Lang had really endured for a long time this time. He had held back for almost a month and was on the verge of exploding. Pushing the door open, he saw a woman standing with her back to him. Her figure was utterly enchanting, with devilish curves. The woman turned and spoke.
"Young Master Shen, you've arrived? I've been waiting for quite some time."
It was the Crown Prince's mistress, Zhuo Xiao'an. She continued in a gentle tone.
"Didn't Xue Pan meet with you? But I'm certain you gave him no answer."
Shen Lang asked her.
"What brings Miss Zhuo here?"
"His Highness the Crown Prince holds you in very high regard. Truly. I know you've had some misunderstandings with His Highness in the past. But misunderstandings can be resolved, can't they?"
"Gao Douhuan came to assassinate my father-in-law, and the Crown Prince tried to take my wife, Jin Mulan, as his plaything. Can such great misunderstandings be resolved?"
Xiao'an spoke, still in a gentle tone.
"Of course, they can!"
She tugged lightly at her clothes, and the tight silk skirt fell to the floor. She wore nothing underneath, revealing a snow-white body without a single thread. Her pale arms coiled around Shen Lang like snakes, and the peerless beauty's face drew close as she spoke affectionately.
"Young Master Shen, they say an hour of a spring night is worth a thousand pieces of gold. So let's not waste this time. If you have something to say, we can talk later."
Zhuo Xiao'an was exceedingly beautiful, possessing a beauty that was enchanting, noble, and arrogant all at once. Shen Lang was a scumbag, and he had been holding back for over a month. So when she lunged in for a kiss, Shen Lang swiftly dodged her. The scumbag Shen Lang had slept with four women so far. Without exception, all four were noble and untainted. How could he possibly touch a woman like Zhuo Xiao'an?
"Why? Don't you find me beautiful enough?"
Zhuo Xiao'an asked in a seductive voice, to which Shen Lang sighed and shook his head.
"Miss Zhuo, you were my wife's senior martial sister. While that identity is quite appealing, I'm afraid you might have laced your petals with poison."
Hearing this, Zhuo Xiao'an's expression changed in an instant. His words were extremely vicious. She couldn't imagine how Shen Lang could utter something so malicious. It wasn't just a slap to the face that cost her dignity; it was as if he had torn her face right off. Ever since she had the Hidden Yuan Society backing her, Zhuo Xiao'an had never experienced such humiliation. Shen Lang's mouth was far more venomous than the thugs who spewed endless curses on the streets.
From this situation, Shen Lang could be almost certain that the woman before him was the Crown Prince's mistress in name only. Would a man as possessive as Crown Prince Ning Yi allow his woman to cuckold him? Absolutely not. He might cuckold others—in fact, he greatly enjoyed it—but he would never tolerate another man having an affair with his woman. Although Shen Lang had never had any contact with the Crown Prince, he had a general understanding of his nature. The Crown Prince was likely the son who most resembled the King in character among all his sons. Like the King, he was narcissistic, selfish, and malicious.
But the difference between the Crown Prince and the King was that he lacked Ning Yuanxian's romantic sentiments; instead, he had a violent temperament. As for Zhuo Xiao'an, Shen Lang knew more than just a little about her; he knew her quite deeply. First, she was a member of the Hidden Yuan Society. Not only that, but she was also a woman operating under a secret mission.