Chapter 20: Shocked by the crowd, it's a foregone conclusion

"What?!"

Upon hearing Mulan's words, the count's head almost stood up.

Countess completely thought she had misheard, and the count's confidants and aides beside him were also completely astonished.

"Mulan, are you crazy?" the count said, "You didn't choose any of the others, who are much more outstanding, and instead chose Shen Lang?"

Everyone present dared not to believe these words from Mulan.

Among these six people, Shen Lang was the worst, not to mention competing with Wang Lian and Mo Ye, let alone the five outstanding talents of the count's mansion. He couldn't even compare to an ordinary person. He couldn't carry anything, couldn't lift anything, and couldn't even take care of himself.

"Father, why did you do this?" the count said, "Wang Lian and Mo Ye are both outstanding. Why didn't you choose one of them?"

Mulan said: "Father, the other two are indeed outstanding. I asked them what they could bring to me in the future. One said he wanted to complement me in civil and martial matters, to manage the count's mansion. The other said he excelled in martial arts and wanted to lead the count's mansion's army to conquer, and make great achievements!"

Upon hearing this, the count fell silent.

The others felt that the answer was not a problem, it was a good answer.

Mulan said: "If father were still alive, of course there would be no problem. However, if one day you are not here, and my brother inherits the position of the count, what should I do if my husband becomes ambitious for the power of the count's mansion? What should my brother do?"

At these words, the count fell silent, and those around him also suddenly understood.

It has to be said that Mulan was very thoughtful and absolutely loyal to the family.

"I feel that Shen Lang is good," Mulan continued, "In fact, I have only one requirement for a future husband, and that is to be good-looking. In this respect, Shen Lang is undoubtedly the best!"

"However, this Shen Lang is too inferior," the countess said, "Don't you know his reputation in Xuanwu City?"

The count said: "He was once the son-in-law of the Xu family, and after being expelled from the family, he immediately became the son-in-law of our count's mansion. This...how can our Jin family hold our heads up? This concerns your lifelong happiness. As a father, I would rather you marry someone like Zhu Hongxue, a proud son of heaven, than sacrifice yourself for the family, and push yourself into a fire pit."

"This is true," Mulan said, "Shen Lang has a very bad reputation, which makes Lord Zhu Lin feel relieved, right? If I marry someone too good, I am afraid the Zhu family will not be willing to let it go. If I marry someone with a bad reputation, the grudge of the Zhu family against us will be slightly lower. After all, seeing an enemy in trouble is always a happy thing."

This was a very reasonable argument, Mulan was very clever and understood the human heart very well.

Mulan continued: "I think Shen Lang is quite good. In fact, I only have one requirement for a future husband, and that is to be good-looking. In this respect, Shen Lang is undoubtedly the best!"

"However, however..." the countess felt as if her heart had been cut, her son had no prospects, and she had to sacrifice her daughter's happiness, by accepting such a worthless person to be her son-in-law.

The count said: "Mulan, why don't you think about it again?"

"No, it's settled," Mulan said, "Time is running out. Father, prepare the wedding immediately, and try to make the ceremony as grand as possible. It would be best if Lord Zhu Lin arrives at the count's mansion just in time to attend the wedding."

"Father, mother, I have been leading troops and traveling outside these days, and I am a little tired. I will go and rest now."

Then she bowed, and left.

The count felt uncomfortable in his heart, but could not vent it. He could not take it out on Shen Lang, so he could only take his anger out on his own son.

"What about that unfilial son?" the count roared.

"The heir is studying," the aide said.

"What is he studying? He has been studying for more than ten years and is still a waste, drag him over and make him kneel outside," the count bellowed, "If he had made some progress, my Mulan would not have made such a big sacrifice."

"Yes!" The attendants hurriedly left.

"No, I'll go myself," the count said, "Where is the whip? Today, I am determined to beat him severely."

"Husband," the countess said.

"Wife, are you trying to stop me?" the count asked.

"I'll go with you to beat him!" the countess said.

In another study, a chubby boy was studying hard, feeling moved in his heart.

As the heir of the Count's mansion, I should be diligent and get up early to study. When my parents see this, they will be especially pleased and will surely praise me.

At this time, the count and countess burst into the room.

"Father, mother, what are you doing? I just got up early to study, and you, the elders, specially came to praise me," the son said. "As the heir of the Xuanwu Count's mansion, I should be diligent like this."

"Praise?" the count suddenly pulled out a whip.

A moment later, the Count's mansion heard a series of wailing screams.

"Father, mother, why are you beating me? I didn't do anything wrong today, I got up early to study!"

"Why do I need a reason to hit you?" the Count said, continuing to whip.

The Countess held a ruler and fiercely whipped her son's buttocks and thighs, saying, "Yes, do I need a reason to hit such a worthless person like you?"

"Ah...ah...ah..." the heir to the Count's household wailed, "Sis, save me, save me!"

...

After learning of the result, Shen Lang let out a long sigh of relief.

Finally, he succeeded, transitioning from being a useless son-in-law to another one.

From then on, he lived a life of luxury and prosperity.

What's better than living off someone else's fortune in this world? Nothing!

He was originally facing a predicament, with the Xu family, Lin family, and Tian Heng joining forces to kill him.

Now, this crisis was completely obliterated.

After becoming the son-in-law of the Baron of Xuanwu Manor, whether it was the Xu family, Lin family, or Tian Heng, even if they had the guts as big as the sky, they wouldn't dare to lay a hand on him and his family.

Wait for me, I will make you all understand the meaning of retaliation.

Tian Heng, the Lin family, and the Xu family, I won't let any of you off. If your families are ruined and lives lost, my surname is not Shen.

...

The Baron's confidant, Jin Zhong, stood in front of Shen Lang.

His expression was sour, as if someone owed him a thousand gold coins.

Jin Zhong had been in Xuanwu Manor since he was born, not only as a servant but also as a family member, the most loyal person of the Jin clan.

And he had watched Miss Jin Mulan grow up since she was young. Now, this phoenix was being forced to marry this raggedy man in front of him, how could he not be angry?

After all, he was a loyal servant of a hundred-year-old aristocratic family, so even if he was very angry, even if he looked down on Shen Lang, he wouldn't be disrespectful and his attitude was cold but polite.

"Shen Shusheng, come with me, I'll take you to the guest room."

Then, Shen Lang followed him and walked for more than ten minutes before reaching the guest room. He had only one thing on his mind.

This manor, damn, it's huge.

In modern Earth, even the wealthiest person wouldn't have such a grand mansion.

"By the way, please send someone to my house and let my parents know not to worry," Shen Lang said.

"It's already been done," Jin Zhong said coldly.

Shen Lang continued, "Can you also bring my parents and younger brother over for tonight's wedding?"

"I will personally bring people to escort your family here," Jin Zhong said, then left, not wanting to look at Shen Lang's face for even half a minute.

Shen Lang said, "Please hurry, because someone is trying to harm my family."

Jin Zhong's eyes turned cold. Although Shen Lang was a worthless son-in-law, he was still the master of the Baron's Manor. Now, someone wanted to harm Shen Lang's family in Xuanwu City? Did they have the nerve?

"I understand, I will ensure the safety of your family. Shen Shusheng, rest well and prepare for the wedding tonight."

...

At the same time, within the Black Cloth Gang!

Tian Heng said indifferently, "It's time. Shi San, take people and bring Shen Lang's family here. If he hands over the dye formula, kill them quickly. If not, kill them painfully."

"Yes!" Shi San said.

Then, he led a dozen warriors out of the Black Cloth Gang, heading toward Shen Lang's family's direction.

...

Note: My friends, I earnestly request your recommendation votes to boost my spirits.