Chapter 5
Chapter 5
Once outside, Zhang Jin murmured to Xu Qianqian.
"We must seize this opportunity. The Zhu Clan is coming to the Count of Xuanwu's Estate to propose marriage. Since Zhu Rong and Jin Mulan are of high status, if their marriage goes through, our own wedding won't cause much of a stir."
"Jin Mulan of the Count of Xuanwu's Estate?"
A hint of complexity colored Xu Qianqian's tone.
"Yes. They call her the princess of Xuanwu City, don't they?"
Zhang Jin's voice also betrayed a mix of emotions.
"Qianqian, do you see her often? Is she really as beautiful, skilled in martial arts, and brilliant in military strategy as the rumors say?"
"That princess of Xuanwu City is too proud to attend our gatherings. They say she won't even spare a glance at an invitation from the Prefect's daughter."
"Her family is a prestigious noble house, centuries old. It's only natural they'd be arrogant. Oh, and this matter is confidential. You mustn't speak of it to anyone."
Xu Qianqian replied in a soft voice.
"My lord, I know that much."
Neither of them cared whether Shen Lang could hear their conversation.
* * *
After Zhang Jin and Xu Qianqian left, Shen Lang stood before the mirror again, a smirk playing on his lips. Rummaging through this body's memories, he realized Xu Qianqian had been dropping hints for over two months. She’d said things like they weren't fated to be, or that he must miss his parents dearly. But the original Shen Lang, with his limited intellect, couldn't grasp such subtleties, so he had continued living happily in the Xu household, completely unfazed.
In the end, just as the Daoist priest had said, Xu Qianqian's grave illness was transferred to Shen Lang. Fearing gossip if Shen Lang died immediately, the Xu family did their best to care for the ailing man, sparing no expense on doctors. But just as with Xu Qianqian, the doctors couldn't cure him. And so, the real Shen Lang of this world met his end.
But who could have predicted that Shen Lang from Earth would transcend time and space to take his place? Was it out of awe for the miracle of Shen Lang dying and coming back to life? Or was there another reason? Fortunately, the Xu family hadn't killed him.
Instead, the wealthy young master, Zhang Jin, had shown up to expose the truth and reveal Xu Qianqian's true colors. Zhang Jin had made her personally drive Shen Lang from the Xu household and sever their marital ties.
In this new world, his life as a live-in son-in-law had ended in less than an hour. It was a bit sudden, but not so bad. The current Shen Lang possessed the memories of a doctor from his past life and the function of an X-ray machine, so feeding himself and his family would be easy. If worst came to worst, he could just open a clinic.
However, in his past life, Shen Lang had spent every day treating illnesses and saving lives, leaving him mentally and physically exhausted. In this life, he wanted to enjoy wealth and luxury, to live a life of leisure. To be transmigrated with such great difficulty only to become a doctor again? That seemed far too unfair. Besides, he had finally regained his handsome looks; was there any reason to work as hard as he did in his previous life? That would be a betrayal of this face. It seemed like finding another great family and living as a live-in son-in-law wasn't a bad idea at all.
‘Hmph! Xu Qianqian, you cast me aside like I’m worthless? You, a mere merchant's daughter. A family like yours is beneath my notice. I, Shen Lang, will marry into a noble family with real power. But first, I need to build my reputation. I can't woo a beautiful noble lady with the label of a simpleton hanging over me.’
‘Who is the richest, most powerful, and unmarried young lady around here? Right, the daughter of the Count of Xuanwu, Jin Mulan. Yes, she’ll do. Xu Qianqian just said it herself. She’s the daughter of a noble family over a century old, the princess of Xuanwu City!’
Shen Lang hadn't brought anything of value to the Xu household, so he had nothing to pack and was ready to leave immediately.
*Bang!*
At that moment, the door was violently thrown open. The Xu family's steward entered with four martial-arts-trained servants, pointed at Shen Lang, and spoke fiercely.
"Shen Lang, you have some nerve. A dirt-poor country bumpkin like you marries into our family, steals our property, and even harasses the maids. Your crimes deserve death, but out of kindness, we will spare your wretched life. The master has ordered that your marriage to the young lady be annulled and that you be thrown out of this house at once!"
Shen Lang laughed inwardly. *Of course. They need a reason to kick me out, so they're trying to sling mud at me.* He had never even touched a silver coin since marrying into the Xu family, so how could he have stolen anything? And the accusation of harassing a maid was even more absurd.
"You know what you need to say when you get out of here if you want to keep you and your family alive, don't you?"
The steward said coldly.
"I almost forgot you're a simpleton. Remember this well. You must say that the reason you were kicked out was for stealing from our family and harassing a maid. If you say one word wrong, your family will suffer the consequences. Do you understand?"
"I understand."
"Then get lost."
"Then I'll be going."
Shen Lang walked out.
"Wait! Search him to see if he stole anything. We can't let him get away with even a single one of our silver coins."
At the steward's cold command, a few servants approached and frisked him, but they found nothing.
"That silk robe you're wearing alone could fetch a few silver coins. A dirt-poor wretch like you would never have had the chance to wear such clothes in your life, so count yourself lucky."
The steward waved his hand.
"Men, throw Shen Lang out."
And so, Shen Lang was driven out of the Xu family estate by the servants.
* * *
As Shen Lang was being thrown out of the Xu estate, the family's maids watched and whispered among themselves.
"That useless oaf is finally getting kicked out."
"For a dirt-poor bum like him, getting free meals here for a few months was a stroke of luck, wasn't it?"
"Our young lady is a person of stature. To have been his wife for months, even if only in name, has stained her reputation."
"But you have to admit, he's quite handsome."
"What good is being handsome? He's dumber than a pig, a complete idiot."
The Xu family estate was massive. It took a full few minutes to walk across the sprawling grounds, which covered dozens of acres.
"Get lost! Go back to whatever dog hole you crawled out of in your hometown."
A servant gave Shen Lang a hard shove from behind.
Shen Lang stumbled out of the Xu family's main gate.
*Bang!*
The gate slammed shut behind him. He looked up at the sky and saw a full moon. Searching his memory for the way home, he began walking northwest. His home was over forty *li* away, a long walk that meant he wouldn't arrive until the middle of the night.
After walking for some time, Shen Lang suddenly turned to look back toward the Xu family's courtyard.
He shared the same name and face as the previous occupant of this body. In his heart, Shen Lang already considered himself one and the same with the Shen Lang of this world. Recalling the humiliation he had suffered, his anger toward the Xu family's actions surged.
He would have his revenge. As soon as possible, he would make them bitterly regret abandoning him and inflicting this humiliation upon him. Even if they deemed him so insignificant that they erased him from their memories, he would never forget. A gentleman's revenge is never too late, even if it takes ten years.
Whether aware of his burning desire for vengeance or not, Xu Qianqian stood at the highest point of a pavilion, watching Shen Lang's departing figure.
"That boy has a long life ahead of him."
A middle-aged man's voice sounded beside her. It was the family head who had greatly expanded their enterprise, Xu Guangyun. Xu Qianqian frowned.
"Father, that was too blatant. It will damage our reputation."
"It couldn't be helped. Young Master Zhang Jin needed to see that scene. For our Xu family to continue to prosper, we need a powerful backer. You know how important Young Master Zhang Jin is to our family. Securing a result that satisfies him takes precedence over any immediate damage to our reputation."
To that, Xu Qianqian replied.
"Yes."
"Besides, that simpleton Shen Lang is very obedient. He won't say anything foolish when he gets back. Of course, if he does, his family will suffer for it."
Xu Qianqian frowned again, thinking her father shouldn't have spoken such words aloud.
* * *
In the quiet darkness, the moonlight was bright but cast an ethereal glow over the surroundings. As Shen Lang hurried his steps, recalling the path back to his hometown, several shadows appeared before him. Warriors, looking like assassins and carrying swords, surrounded him from both front and back. It was a desolate field, with no one else in sight.
"Young Master Shen, you'll be coming with us."
Despite the sudden turn of events, Shen Lang showed no reaction and followed their orders. Or rather, he knew resistance would be futile, so he had no choice but to comply.
His mouth was bound with a long strip of cloth, preventing him from making a sound, and his eyes were covered with another, blinding him completely. They led him deep into a forest, wandering for some time before finally stopping.
Someone untied the cloth from Shen Lang's eyes. He was in a chaotic graveyard, with four warriors standing before him. Four other men were busy digging a pit, already quite deep.
"Gang Leader, it's dug."
A husky voice echoed.
"Then begin! Escort Young Master Shen into the pit and cover it with dirt. When you're done, light a candle and burn some incense. We mustn't let Young Master Shen's journey be a lonely one."
Shen Lang, who had followed them meekly, realized this was a plot to bury him alive on someone's orders and his mind raced.
Although Shen Lang had no martial arts skills to overcome this crisis, he fortunately possessed the experience, wisdom, and ability to escape it.
"Wait! Your Gang Leader doesn't have long to live!"