Chapter 17: The Great Undertaking of Marriage

For a long time, Lord Xuanwu calmed down and said, "The matter of the Zhu family seeking a marriage is extremely confidential, and even I didn't know about it. How did you find out? From whom did you hear it?"

Indeed, the gaze of several people present turned to Shen Lang. How could someone of his humble status know such a secretive matter?

Shen Lang replied, "The prospective fiance of the Xu family's daughter, Zhang Jin!"

"Zhang Jin?" Lord Xuanwu asked, "The new leader of the garrison in Xuanwu City?"

"Yes, that's him," Shen Lang said, "When I was married into the Xu family and was driven out by Xu Qianqian, Zhang Jin mentioned that they were planning to hold the wedding soon because the Zhu family was seeking a marriage alliance with your family. Zhu Hongxue wants to marry Miss Jin Mulan. At that time, he thought I was a fool and let it slip, and he even instructed Xu Qianqian not to reveal it."

At this moment, a confidant of Lord Xuanwu whispered something in his ear, apparently informing him of Shen Lang's background.

In Xuanwu City, Shen Lang was a well-known figure. When everyone hesitated to marry into the Xu family, he took the initiative, for which he became famous in Xuanwu City.

Everyone knew that a waste like Shen Lang had married into the Xu family. All of Shen Lang's background was exposed, including his nearly ten years of study without completing even elementary education, and the fact that he had some mental deficiencies.

"Just two days ago, the Xu family publicly announced that their son-in-law Shen Lang had stolen property from the family and harassed a maidservant, and was therefore driven out of the Xu family," the confidant finally added, slightly raising his voice, presumably to ensure Shen Lang heard it.

Upon hearing these words, Lord Xuanwu frowned deeply. He was inclined to disbelieve whether Shen Lang had stolen from the Xu family or harassed their maidservants.

However, it was undeniable that Shen Lang had spent nearly ten years studying without even completing elementary education, which was disappointing. Moreover, in everyone's eyes, he had married into the Xu family purely out of vanity. Lord Xuanwu despised young people who were lazy and greedy, and his opinion of Shen Lang was not favourable.

If it had been a regular situation, he would have certainly educated Shen Lang. However, there was no time for that now, as the matter Shen Lang had revealed was too crucial and directly related to the fate of Lord Xuanwu's estate.

Moreover, he immediately judged that Shen Lang's words were basically true. The Zhang family was a rising aristocratic family in the Yue Kingdom, and their backing was the Zhu family.

It was not surprising at all that Zhang Jin knew the Zhu family's secret.

As for Zhang Jin, Lord Xuanwu, Jin Zhuo, understood him, and even the dignitaries in Xuanwu City were somewhat astonished at how financially strapped the Zhang family was. After all, the son of a prefect marrying a wealthy merchant's daughter who had previously sought a son-in-law was quite scandalous.

Jin Zhuo could understand this. The Zhang family had risen too fast, with an unstable foundation, and needed a great deal of money to continue growing. However, since everyone was focused on the Zhang family, they couldn't be seen to be pursuing money, so it was extremely necessary for them to seek a marriage alliance with a very wealthy family.

Thus, the alliance between the Zhang and Xu families was a typical power and money union.

"Immediately dispatch several teams of men to search the various official roads. Once any members of the Zhu family are found, they must report back immediately," Lord Xuanwu ordered, "Right now, the key is to determine where the representatives of the Zhu family seeking a marriage alliance have reached."

"Yes, sir!" A henchman ran out and would personally lead men to investigate the representatives of the Zhu family.

After that, Lord Xuanwu said to Shen Lang, "Young man, my impression of you is not favorable. However, the matter you have informed us of is extremely important, and you have made a huge contribution. I will certainly reward you. Tell me what you want, as long as it does not violate the laws of the country or moral principles, I can promise it."

Shen Lang's good impression of Lord Xuanwu immediately rose once again.

He was straightforward. The matter had not been verified, yet he was already offering a great reward.

It was very apparent that Lord Xuanwu was willing to solve any trouble for Shen Lang, no matter the cost. This meant that the crisis facing Shen Lang's family from the Xu and Tian families could be quickly resolved.

What Shen Lang wanted, however, was not just that. Such a crucial bargaining chip, exchanged merely for resolving this crisis and dealing with the Xu and Tian families, seemed too cheap.

What he wanted was to stay in Lord Xuanwu's estate and find a way to get close to Jin Mulan, constantly impressing and making his presence known, ultimately marrying... the goddess.

Shen Lang swore that with his outstanding talent and handsome appearance, he would leave a profound impression on the goddess in at most half a month.

"I want to stay in Lord Xuanwu's estate and find a job," Shen Lang said, bending down.

Upon hearing this, Lord Xuanwu immediately frowned. He already had a very unfavorable impression of Shen Lang. Not only was a young man like him lazy and didn't study well, but he also became a son-in-law to the Xu family, showing only a liking for vanity. This was a significant lack of filial piety.

Moreover, he thought that Shen Lang's desire to stay in the Earl's Mansion was entirely with ill intentions. In fact, the Earl's judgment was very sharp.

However, since he had already spoken, he would definitely agree.

Besides, Shen Lang was still young, even if he had any bad habits, under the strict discipline in the Earl's Mansion, he could be straightened out.

The Earl said, "Since you want to seek a job within the Earl's Mansion, I can agree, and since you have rendered an important service, I will definitely not let you become a servant, but..."

The Earl's tone became severe as he continued, "However, staying in my Earl's Mansion is not for indulgence, and I won't allow you to be lazy; instead, I will discipline you very strictly. Can you endure this hardship?"

Endure hardship?!

In that case, forget it. The last thing Shen Lang wanted in his life was to endure hardship and toil.

But for the sake of his goddess, enduring a few days of hardship temporarily was acceptable, of course, only for a few days, and he couldn't bear it any longer.

"Yes!" Shen Lang promptly agreed.

Then, the Earl walked forward and patted Shen Lang on the shoulder, shaking his head, "Your physical condition is too poor, and at your age, it's better to focus on studying. From now on, you will follow the young master to study. Your parents spoil you, but my Earl's Mansion won't. I will groom you to become competent."

Shen Lang couldn't help but feel stunned. Wasn't this just like the advanced study companion in "Flirting Scholar"?

"Alright, you have injuries to your body after all, go rest for now. I will send someone to inform your parents, and also send some gold coins over tomorrow," the Earl said. "If you have any trouble, I will solve it for you."

See, this nobleman is so generous.

"Yes, my lord," Shen Lang replied.

The Countess said, "Jin Zhong, go to the tailor in the mansion and have Shen Lang measured for new clothes."

"Yes," the old servant replied.

Shen Lang felt a surge of warmth in his heart. The Earl and his wife were truly nice people.

"My lord, lady, miss, I will take my leave now," Shen Lang bowed and then exited.

However, before he could even reach the door, someone rushed in. It was the confidant of the Earl, who had just left to investigate the whereabouts of the Zhus' family in the city, and hurryingly returned in less than a quarter of an hour.

"Master, something big has happened!" the confidant knelt down and said, "We just received a message from our scouts in Nujiang County. Yesterday night, a prominent figure from the Zhus' family had already arrived in Nujiang City, and the direction is our Xuanwu Earl's Mansion!"

"What?" the Earl exclaimed.

"What?" Shen Lang exclaimed in his heart.

This was bad!

He had successfully implemented the first step, which was to stay in the Earl's Mansion.

In the next few days, he was supposed to execute the second step, to constantly perform and make his presence felt.

Then, it would be the third step, to find a way to marry into the Earl's Mansion.

Yes, to marry into it.

Because the current situation was simple: Jin Mulan would never marry outside.

However, a prominent figure from the Zhus’ family had already arrived in Nujiang City, and that person would come to the Xuanwu Earl's Mansion tonight to propose to Jin Mulan, which meant that there was simply no time.

No time to constantly perform, no time to make his presence felt.

Damn it, not even half a month, not even three days, not even a day!

In other words, Jin Mulan would be getting married today, leaving Shen Lang with at most two or three hours!

Otherwise, his goddess would belong to someone else, and his wealth and glory would evaporate.

No, my goddess is mine!

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