Chapter 57
Chapter 57
“No, no. Do you see me as that kind of person? Serving my wife and feeling pained by her hardships—what reason could I possibly need for that?”
“You really don’t have anything to ask of me?”
“Well… there is one small favor, a very, very small one.”
“Go on. If it’s something I can do, I’ll certainly help. But if it’s something I can’t, then my hands are tied. For example, I can’t ask Father to lift your confinement. He spoke with me right after I returned to the estate yesterday. He said it’s too dangerous outside and that I must never let you leave.”
“Ugh…”
Shen Lang’s massaging hands came to a halt.
“My lady, please continue with your book. I have an important matter to attend to, so I must be going!”
He stopped mid-massage and walked out. Mulan was left speechless by her husband’s incredibly goal-oriented and pragmatic nature. His attitude changed the instant she couldn’t grant his request.
* * *
This time, Shen Lang appeared before his mother-in-law. His massaging hands were even more skillful now. His mother-in-law was enjoying a moment of unparalleled bliss; she was so comfortable that goosebumps rose on her skin. Not only that, but she also had a custom-made face mask from Shen Lang on her face to rejuvenate her skin.
“Mother-in-law, you should apply this face mask every day. Don’t leave it on for more than a quarter of an hour at a time. The most important things for a woman’s skin are hydration and sun protection. You look youthful enough as it is, but I will take responsibility for making sure you look the same ten, even twenty years from now. I made ten of these, and I’ll give six to you.”
“Then are you giving the remaining four to Mulan?”
“No, I’ll be using them myself.”
Shen Lang explained that the more handsome a man is, the more he must take care of his appearance.
‘Ugh!’
The Countess was a brilliant and witty woman, but at that moment, she had no idea how to respond to Shen Lang’s words. But whether he knew how she felt or not, Shen Lang focused on the massage, sincerely complimenting his mother-in-law on her youth and beauty.
“Even now, don’t strangers sometimes mistake you for Mulan’s older sister? But in ten years, that will never happen again.”
“Well, of course. After ten years, I’ll naturally be much older than I am now.”
“No, that wasn’t what I meant. What I meant was, when that time comes, some might even mistake you for Mulan’s younger sister. I will do my utmost to make you the protagonist of that miracle, just like in the saying, ‘Time flows in reverse.’”
With words as smooth as honey, Shen Lang showered her with flattery, finishing the massage a quarter of an hour later.
“Mother-in-law, how do you feel?”
“I feel healed, both in body and soul. It’s as if every bone and muscle in my body has opened up. They say a good son-in-law is better than ten sons, and now I’m experiencing it firsthand.”
“From the moment I first met you, Mother-in-law, I have thought of you as my own mother. So please, treat me as you would your own son.”
“It has been said since ancient times that a son-in-law should be treated as one’s own child. Now that you and Mulan are married, Lang, you are no different from my own flesh and blood.”
“Mother!”
“Yes, yes, you’re a good boy… But you can’t fool this old mother’s eyes. Lang, you came to me because you have a favor to ask, didn’t you?”
“Mother-in-law, you are not only wise but also remarkably perceptive.”
“Let me hear it then. What is it that my dear son-in-law desires?”
“I would like Father-in-law to lift my confinement. I have something I need to do outside.”
His mother-in-law’s expression turned solemn.
“Lang, must you really go out? Your father-in-law only confined you for your own safety.”
“Yes, but I must go.”
His mother-in-law thought for a long moment before speaking.
“Very well. I will go with you and speak to him.”
A quarter of an hour later, Shen Lang’s confinement was lifted. Indeed, there was nothing in the world that couldn’t be solved. It was merely a matter of not being in a position to solve it oneself. If one could just win over the person who could solve it… a problem that seemed impossible could be resolved with such ease. The food chain in the Count’s estate was currently very clear. Shen Lang listened to Mulan, Mulan listened to the Count, the Count listened to the Countess, and the Countess listened to Shen Lang.
Behold, a perfect food chain. What’s that? Where does Jin Mucong fit in? Apologies, but where would a fatty fit into such a high-class food chain? If he were in it at all, it would probably be at the very bottom. That was the fatty Jin Mucong’s place.
* * *
Inside the Xuanwu Prefectural Office, a confidant of Liu Chengyan rushed into the study.
“My lord, the Governor’s envoy has already departed from Nujiang City and will arrive at the Count of Xuanwu’s estate tonight. Furthermore, the Prefect himself is accompanying them this time.”
Prefect Liu Chengyan was overjoyed. Everything was ready; he was just waiting for the east wind to blow… and that wind was now blowing.
“Tell Tian Heng that we make our move tonight. Have him prepare immediately.”
“Yes, my lord!”
The confidant hurried away.
“Shen Lang, my target is the Count of Xuanwu’s estate, so this really had nothing to do with you. But you don’t know your place and have been running your mouth too much. I have no choice. This time, you will have to be the sacrificial lamb. Count of Xuanwu, let’s see how you navigate your way through this.”
* * *
Before leaving the estate, Shen Lang went to find Jin Hui and ask him a few questions.
“Did Song Yi go to Xuanwu City to find Tian Heng?”
“He did.”
After hearing Jin Hui’s answer, Shen Lang secretly left the Count’s estate and headed for his home. Or rather, not his home, but a thicket of dense trees where he hid himself.
“Sigh, what’s the most important thing for a person? Overcoming shame. To win against Tian Heng and Prefect Liu Chengyan, I must sacrifice my principles.”
Shen Lang endlessly tried to console himself.
‘It’s just women’s clothing. Even Sima Yi wore them, so why can’t I, Shen Lang?’
To kill Tian Heng, he had to pay this small price. There are times in life when one must break taboos, times when one must crack open the door to a new world. Shen Lang changed into one of Mulan’s blue cotton skirts and became a delicate and beautiful… man in drag.
* * *
Big Dummy’s father, Song Yi, was no ordinary commoner. He was a famous hunter and the leader of the Maple Leaf Village militia. Commanding a few dozen men, he was known to be quite formidable, at least within his village. So when he returned home to see his son’s face, swollen from Shen Lang’s kick, he was furious.
His first thought was to kick Shen Lang to death, but that was only possible in his imagination. Shen Lang was part of the Count of Xuanwu’s estate, and barging in there would be suicide. His next thought was to retaliate against Shen Lang’s parents and brother. But before he could even voice the idea, the village chief immediately stopped him. Harming them would be the same as harming the Count’s in-laws, a sure path to death.
Having thought it through, Song Yi felt completely isolated and helpless.
‘The heavens are truly unfair!’
He felt no guilt for his own wrongdoing. His eldest son was slow-witted and unremarkable, not fit to carry on the family name. His younger son, on the other hand, had been clever and ruthless since childhood, more than capable of inheriting his reputation and trade. He was practically the only bloodline to continue the family legacy. But now, that younger son’s precious parts had been shattered by Shen Lang’s kick, meaning he could no longer carry on the Song family line.
‘Shen Lang, even if you are the Count’s live-in son-in-law, I will have my revenge!’
Song Yi immediately took his son to Xuanwu City. He wanted to save his son and the family line, no matter the cost. But contrary to his hopes, the physician said his son’s private parts could not be saved and that if they were not removed immediately, his life would be in danger. Big Dummy’s younger brother, not yet having awakened to the ways of the world, wasn’t saddened when he learned his private parts had to be cut off. Instead, he gritted his teeth and told his father:
“Father, I will enter the palace and become a Grand Eunuch. Then I’ll kill that little fool Shen Lang and his entire family.”
Song Yi mulled over his younger son’s words and thought that perhaps it was a viable path. And so, holding back tears, he could only nod in agreement with the physician.
Afterward, Song Yi went to see Tian Heng and declared Shen Lang his enemy. Sharing a common foe, Tian Heng welcomed him gladly, and they agreed to cooperate to get revenge on Shen Lang.
Tian Heng asked, “Did your wife personally witness Shen Lang kick your son, Song Zhong?”
“She did.”
“And are you certain the villagers heard Shen Lang barge into your house, shouting and causing a disturbance?”
“Yes. They said they would be witnesses. My only concern is that since that scoundrel Shen Lang is the Count’s son-in-law, we won’t win even if we sue him at the magistrate’s office.”
Tian Heng sneered. You think you won’t win? Under normal circumstances, that would certainly be the case. But tonight, with two high-ranking officials gracing the Count of Xuanwu’s estate, the Count would have no say in the matter. Then, not only could they sue Shen Lang and bring him down, but they could also drag the entire Count’s estate into it.
“A life for a life is the law. Even those of royal blood are punished the same as commoners if they break the law, so what can a mere live-in son-in-law of a Count do? Find your witnesses, and someone will surely take your side and handle this matter. If the Count still sides with the murderer Shen Lang then… who knows what might happen. Heh heh heh, perhaps it might even incite a popular uprising.”
Song Yi was startled. Shen Lang had only kicked his son, ending his family line; he hadn’t killed anyone.
But regardless of Song Yi’s thoughts, Tian Heng just smiled quietly. Just a kick? That charge wasn’t enough. Someone had to die. Only by framing him for murder could they make Shen Lang pay with his life.
* * *
Big Dummy’s stepmother, Song Yi’s wife, had been caring for her son at a clinic in Xuanwu City when she was sent home last night for reasons unknown. It was as if someone had deliberately sent her back. Lying in bed, Mrs. Song had no appetite for food or drink.
With her son’s precious parts removed, the family line was broken. What was she to do now? Life had to go on. Maybe it was for the best if her son went to the palace and became a eunuch, just as he said. Who knew, he might rise to power on that path. Perhaps he would attain great influence and grant her a life of wealth and luxury. As for continuing the family line, she was still young. She could just have another child.
After sorting through her thoughts, Mrs. Song picked up the honey water by her bed and drank half of it. It tasted a bit strange, but she downed the rest in one gulp.
A moment later, she felt a splitting headache, as if a door to a new world had opened. Soon, the entire world began to look bizarre, filled with strange shapes and vibrant colors. She felt herself floating before she passed out.
* * *
She didn’t know how much time had passed, but when Mrs. Song awoke, she was still experiencing strange, colorful hallucinations. Because of this, everything around her suddenly seemed terrifying. Will-o'-the-wisps floated everywhere in her house, and she could hear the wailing of ghosts, making her blood run cold.
Just as she felt she was in a haunted house, a beautiful female ghost in a blue skirt came flying toward her. Mrs. Song was so frightened she felt her hair stand on end. It wasn’t walking, but floating—it had to be a ghost.
“Who… who are you?”
The trembling Mrs. Song tried to ask, but no sound came from her mouth. She couldn’t make a sound.
‘It… it really is a ghost. I can’t even speak.’
The female ghost spoke.
“You wicked woman, how dare you try to harm my son? Die!”