Chapter 27: Shen Lang’s New Realm
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
On the wedding night, Shen Lang waited in the empty room alone!
Even until the latter half of the night, Jin Mulan did not enter the room.
Of course, Shen Lang had expected this outcome, but he was still feeling a little discomposed and impatient. It was his wedding today, after all.
Just when Shen Lang was getting ready to put the lights out and sleep, Jin Mulan entered.
Upon seeing Shen Lang stand up, Jin Mulan said, “Do seat.”
Shen Lang sat down.
Jin Mulan sat on the opposite side of the table.
“I have heard many rumors about you today. Some people say that you are greedy and vain, some say you are incompetent, and some even say you are dimwitted,” Jin Mulan said, “but your performance tonight left me astonished and also made father very surprised.”
“You flatter me,” Shen Lang replied.
Jin Mulan said, “Then can you tell me, you were so muddle-headed back when you married into the Xu Family, why did you undergo such a drastic transformation tonight?”
Shen Lang replied, “I fell severely sick in the Xu Family and almost died. Then my brain seemed to have gained enlightenment, and I was no longer as stupid as before.” 2
Jin Mulan said, “Shen Lang, there’s something I must make clear to you.”
Shen Lang replied, “Do tell.”
Jin Mulan said, “I did not intend to marry anyone in my entire life. I was planning to give my everything to my family clan. However, due to pressure from the Zhu Family, I had no choice but to seek a husband to marry into my family.”
Shen Lang already knew what the other party would say, but he did not interrupt her.
Mulan continued, “We are husband and wife in name, and this will not change for eternity. I will also not marry anyone else but forgive me, I am unable to perform the duty as your wife for the time being. I am very sorry about that.”
Shen Lang wanted to smile. “I can understand.”
Mulan said, “This ‘for the time being,’ maybe for my entire life.”
Shen Lang replied, “I can still understand.”
How could a prideful woman like Jin Mulan easily compromise herself to a man? Even if he was her husband on paper.
Shen Lang did not marry into the Palace of the Earl because of his feelings after all. It was purely for the sake of protecting his family and his peace.
Thus, they were even.
Of course, ultimately, he still owed Jin Mulan since her choosing him as her husband had directly resolved the life-threatening crisis of the Shen Family.
“From today on, you may move freely in the Palace of the Earl and will be given money every month. I will also be filial to your parents. You may declare yourself as my husband on all occasions. However, nothing may ever happen between the two of us for the rest of our lives, and I may die alone. Do you agree with this?” Jin Mulan said.
Shen Lang nodded and said, “I agree.”
Jin Mulan said, “That’s great. Then from today on, we will be husband and wife. You’ve suffered wrongfully, husband!”
Shen Lang shook his head. “It’s still alright.”
He was very calm from start to end and did not show any signs of anger.
Jin Mulan said, “Of course, I must not be too selfish. I can die a lonely death, but you still need to carry on the ancestral lineage. Come in, Xiao Bing!”
Jin Mulan summoned.
Instantly, a girl donned in a red dress entered. She was probably 18 or 19 years of age with a beautiful face and still retained some baby fats.
“Xiao Bing had grown up with me since we were young, and we are like sisters. I shall betroth her to you.” Jin Mulan said, “From today on, she will spend her days with you. She will bear and raise your children.” 2
Shen Lang became stunned. Goddess Jin Mulan was so magnanimous to be so all-rounded in her considerations.
He really didn’t expect this, ah.
“Xiao Bing, I’ll leave it to you,” Jin Mulan said.
“Yes,” Xiao Bing responded; her face flushed red.
Shen Lang said, “This... this isn’t a good idea, isn’t it!”
Jin Mulan replied firmly, “I cannot be too selfish. I cannot hold you up for the rest of your life.”
Shen Lang said, “No, I did not suffer any wrongs, I am doing this willingly.”
Jin Mulan frowned slightly. Could it be that this Shen Lang was so foolishly in love with her and was unwilling to accept any other women? Don’t be like this, ah! Jin Mulan didn’t wish to become a real husband and wife with Shen Lang, but she also didn’t want to hold him up.
If Shen Lang was devoted to her, it would only make her feel more guilty.
“Shen Lang, listen to me.” Jin Mulan said solemnly, “You really mustn’t bear any fantasies of me. It is my dream to lead the army and fight battles while opening new territories for my family and the Monarch. I am extremely grateful that you like me, but please don’t hold up your own happiness. I’ll leave Xiao Bing to you. At least, you can answer to your parents.” 1
Shen Lang looked at Mulan for a whole minute. Then, he said, “Since my wife is so kind and generous, then it’ll be impolite of me to refuse.”
He looked at that petite maid and said, “Xiao Bing, the sun will rise soon. Hurry, let’s not delay anymore.” 2
Ah!?
Jin Mulan was instantly stunned.
“My magnanimity isn’t fake, but... Shen Lang, aren’t you a little too direct? You’re not even going to conceal it by pretending to reject it?” 1
Shen Lang wasn’t trying to be a hypocrite. His wishes had already been fulfilled when he successfully married into the Palace of the Earl.
However, since she had already made it clear that they would be a fake husband and wife, then was Shen Lang still supposed to continue chasing her and remain chaste for her sake?
Impossible. Shen Lang had already been single for four decades. How could he be willing to be mindlessly delayed?
“Then, goodnight.” Jin Mulan left.
***
“Xiao Bing, it’s getting late, let us rest!” Shen Lang said.
Xiao Bing glanced at Shen Lang; her tears falling as she undid her buttons. Ultimately, her tears began to pour out ceaselessly.
“W-What does this mean?”
“Why are you making it seem like you’re about to feed yourself to the tiger and walk into a fire pit?”
“I’m so handsome, though? Which part of me is not worthy of you?”
“Xiao Bing, are you not willing to do this?” Shen Lang asked.
Xiao Bing’s eyes were completely red. She didn’t speak, but she cried harder.
Shen Lang was speechless. “Don’t tell me this girl is dissatisfied with me?”
“Bing’er, are you dissatisfied with me?” Shen Lang asked.
Xiao Bing shook her head as she cried.
Shen Lang asked, “Then what do you mean with your tears?”
Xiao Bing sobbed. “I don’t know... I don’t know...”
“Forget it then. You can take a horse to the water, but you cannot make him drink.”
“Alright. Then go and sleep in the next room.” Shen Lang sighed.
Instantly, Xiao Bing’s petite frame quickly dashed out of the room.
“Wait...” Shen Lang said.
Xiao Bing stood rooted to the spot and looked at Shen Lang in fear.
Shen Lang said, “Xiao Bing, ah, I’m a very amicable person. I never force others. You’ll know after you spend some time interacting with me.”
“Yes.” Xiao Bing nodded with her head hung low.
“However, you can’t avoid something forever,” Shen Lang said. “I’ll give you some time to adjust, so you do some mental preparations.”
Xiao Bing ran away even more quickly.
***
The next day, Shen Lang and Jin Mulan ate breakfast together while Xiao Bing served them from the side.
Mulan said, “Husband, I should go and greet father and mother with you today, but I won’t be able to follow you home due to my military duties. Do help me bring some gifts back home later.”
“Sure,” said Shen Lang.
After a while, Mulan spoke again, “Husband, if you have any goals or aims in the future, you can let me know.”
“I don’t have any goals,” Shen Lang said.
Mulan asked, “How could I possibly believe that?”
Shen Lang replied, “Then I do have a very ambitious goal.”
“What?” Mulan asked.
Shen Lang said, “To crush the Xu Family and make Xu Qianqian beg before me.”
“Ah...” Mulan became shocked.
“Don’t men have lofty ideals and goals? No matter how magnanimous you pretend to be, is it truly alright of you to be so outrightly vengeful?”
Mulan said, “I can understand how you feel, but this wouldn’t be easy to achieve.”
Shen Lang asked, “Even with the power of the Palace of the Earl, there’s no way to crush the Xu Family?”
Mulan said, “Because of the marriage alliance between Xu Family and Zhang Family. Zhang Pu’s father, Zhang Chong, is the governor of Nujiang County, and they have support from the Zhu Family. With the power of the Palace of the Earl, we still cannot do anything to them,”
Shen Lang asked, “Then, can I go and kill Tian Heng first?”
Mulan said, “I’m afraid not. Tian Heng is the head of the civilian army of Xuanwu City and is still under the management of the City Lord of Xuanwu City. They had just joined the Zhang Family as well. If the Palace of the Earl touched him, it would mean a falling out with the City Lord. It’ll offend the new policies since the aristocrats are not allowed to intervene in regional government affairs.” 1
Shen Lang said, “Isn’t the Palace of the Earl formidable? Why is it that you can’t do anything, ah?”
Mulan replied, “Well... I’m really sorry.”
Shen Lang said, “Darling, then it should be alright if I go to the Black Clothes Gang to beat Tian Heng’s face with the status of the son-in-law of the Palace of the Earl, right? Don’t tell me I cannot even do something this small? To not even be able to bully the head of the Black Clothes Gang, wouldn’t the Palace of the Earl be too useless.” 1
Mulan perplexedly looked at her husband. For the first time, she doubted if she had picked the wrong husband.
Seeing Shen Lang’s expectant gaze, for some reason, Mulan nodded and said, “T-That is still allowed.”
Shen Lang pushed his bowl away. “I’m full, take your time to eat. I’ll bid my leave first.”
Mulan was stunned speechless while she watched Shen Lang’s figure vanish in a flash.
“Husband, your desire for vengeance is extreme, ah. You couldn’t even wait for a while?”
***
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