Shen Lang Bows in Marriage

Don't even mention anyone else—even Shen Lang himself deeply doubted whether he was truly the groom getting married tonight.

For the entire day, aside from meals being delivered, no one paid him any attention. Even the people delivering food had not spoken a single word to him.

The Earl had not seen him, the Earl's Wife had not seen him, Lady MuLan had not seen him, and even Jin Zhong had not come to see him. It was as though he had been completely forgotten in this guest room.

He even suspected that the Earl's Manor had found a better candidate. From a certain perspective, there were far too many men in all of Xuanwu City more suitable than him. Who knew how many young men would willingly brave fire and flood for Jin MuLan?

Finally, at dusk, two maidservants entered—or, more accurately, two middle-aged women. They carried a crimson robe embroidered with gold, along with a groom's hat, belt, boots, and more.

"Young Master Shen, bathe and change. Prepare for the wedding!"

Taking in a Live-in Son-in-Law was, in some ways, no different from marrying a wife. The woman's family had to go to the man's home to present the betrothal gifts, and naturally, the wedding was held at the woman's home.

Most of the time, the bride wore a veil and rode in a bridal sedan around outside before returning home.

In more extreme cases, the groom even had to sit in the bridal sedan, wear a veil, and be carried to the woman's home for the wedding rites.

Very unfortunately, Xuanwu City belonged to one of those more extreme regions. A Live-in Son-in-Law had to ride in a bridal sedan. He did not need to wear a veil, but he had to wear a mask.

Even so, many viewed it as a trampling of a man's dignity.

Thus, many men in Xuanwu City would rather remain lifelong bachelors than become Live-in Sons-in-Law.

At this moment, Shen Lang wore a red brocade robe and a silver mask as he sat inside the sedan.

He would first be carried from the Earl's Manor to the temple, then carried back for the wedding ceremony.

The entire Xuanwu Earl's Manor was decked with lanterns and colored silk, servants streaming everywhere.

There were not many guests, only a little over a hundred.

More than half were people from the Earl's Manor itself. The remaining minority were Xuanwu City's notable figures: scholars with official degrees, serving civil and military officials, outstanding martial artists, and so on.

Ordinarily, many guests would have attended the marriage of the Xuanwu Earl's Manor's daughter. Not only from Nujiang Prefecture—even the Governor's Manor and the Monarch would have sent representatives.

But today's wedding had been arranged far too hastily. Even guests from Nujiang Prefecture had been unable to arrive in time.

This could be considered the most modest wedding in the Earl's Manor's history.

Though the guests in the grand Great Hall chatted among themselves, their minds were not on the conversation. Every gaze kept drifting toward the entrance.

Everyone was incomparably curious and expectant. Who would tonight's groom be?

Jin MuLan was Xuanwu City's princess. What kind of extraordinary man could marry her? How outstanding did he have to be? Even if he was marrying into her family, it was enough to make others jealous until their livers ached.

Especially the unmarried young talents—their faces had turned livid as they held their breath and stared fixedly at the door.

Who exactly was it? Who could be worthy of Lady MuLan? Though he had not received an invitation, Tian Heng, leader of the Black Clothes Gang, had come shamelessly anyway. He was incomparably nervous, terrified that the groom might be Shen Lang. That would be a disaster.

At this moment, however, he listened from the side as others spoke of how illustrious the Xuanwu Earl's Manor was and how exceptional Lady MuLan was.

Moreover, the many dignitaries were all guessing at the groom's identity. Every name they mentioned belonged to a brilliant young talent, at the very least a Recommended Man—either a civil Recommended Man or a martial Recommended Man.

"A Recommended Man? Don't joke around. The groom must at least be a Presented Scholar."

"Exactly. The Jin Clan is no ordinary nobility. They are nobles with a true great fief. Quite a few Presented Scholars may be brimming with talent but lack powerful backing. What would be wrong with marrying into the Xuanwu Earl's Manor and gaining wealth and glory out of thin air?"

In the Ming Dynasty, Live-in Sons-in-Law were barred from taking the imperial examinations, but Yue Kingdom had no such rule.

"Exactly. Besides, Lady MuLan is so beautiful, so exceptional. Who knows how many people covet her?"

"Right. Without the degree of Presented Scholar, don't even dream of marrying Lady MuLan."

As for Shen Lang, no one even mentioned half a word about him. How could that possibly happen? He was a toad and she was a swan.

Thus, Tian Heng relaxed slightly.

At this moment, Zhang Jin also stared at the entrance. He, too, was jealous of tonight's groom.

Who was Jin MuLan? She was practically the dream lover of every young man within hundreds of li, Zhang Jin included.

He knew why this wedding had been arranged in such haste. The Xuanwu Earl's Manor did not wish to marry their daughter off, while the Zhu Family's marriage proposal party was already on the road.

Zhang Jin did not care about any of that. He even felt somewhat pleased. A peerless beauty like Jin MuLan had, in the end, not fallen into the hands of that heaven-favored son Zhu Hongxue. Why should all the good fortune go to you?

Seeing that look in her fiancé's eyes, Xu Qianqian could not help feeling jealous. Yet she showed none of it, instead smiling sweetly. "I'm truly so curious. Which man is so fortunate as to marry Lady MuLan?"

Just then, the entire hall suddenly fell silent.

Because the Earl and the Earl's Wife had appeared and taken their seats at the place of honor.

A plump young man stood beside them, his face full of displeasure. He was the Young Lord of the Earl's Manor.

Everyone stiffened. The wedding rites were about to begin, and the groom's identity would soon be revealed.

"Pop, pop, pop..."

At that moment, the sound of firecrackers rang out from outside.

The groom had arrived!

Everyone surged forward, eager to see this heaven-damned lucky bastard.

Under everyone's watchful gaze, a bridal sedan was slowly carried to the entrance. The curtain was lifted, and the groom stepped inside.

He wore a silver mask, so his face could not be seen. He looked somewhat thin and frail, but he was tall and slender, with fair hands. He was likely a scholar.

Everyone began guessing which great talent of Yue Kingdom he might be.

"The bride arrives!"

Jin MuLan appeared as well! Nearly every man caught his breath, while all the women opened their eyes wide before revealing gazes of overwhelming jealousy.

Since Jin MuLan was taking in a Live-in Son-in-Law, she did not wear a crimson gown. Instead, she wore a silver dress.

The dress was somewhat androgynous and tightly fitted, making her look valiant and heroic.

This was a powerful signal to everyone: Jin MuLan was a female general, and she would spend her life fighting for the Xuanwu Earl's Manor. No one could ever make her lay down her armor.

That silver gown also set off her devilish figure in a way that was utterly soul-stirring.

Stunning beyond compare, dazzling in every direction.

At once, every man grew even more crazed with jealousy toward the masked groom.

Jin MuLan's expression held neither joy nor sorrow. For the sake of her family, she was entirely willing to sacrifice her own happiness. And a mayfly-like figure such as Shen Lang becoming a Live-in Son-in-Law was actually more in line with the family's interests.

But Shen Lang was, after all, a man with a thoroughly ruined reputation.

Low intelligence, unable to manage his own life, unable to graduate from the Academy's beginner class even after ten years of studying, and so on.

Thus, even if it was a sacrifice for her family, it was impossible for Jin MuLan not to feel sorrow at marrying such a man.

"The auspicious hour has arrived!"

Everyone rose neatly to their feet.

"First bow to Heaven and Earth!"

"Second bow to the parents!"

"Husband and wife bow to each other!"

"The rites are complete. Escort them into the bridal chamber!"

The wedding ceremony was solemn and brief.

As a Live-in Son-in-Law, he had to be like a bride and could only remove his mask after entering the bridal chamber.

This was simply unbearable! Suddenly, a voice rang out. It was Liu Chengyan, the Lord of Xuanwu City.

"Earl, though tradition dictates that a Live-in Son-in-Law may only reveal his face after entering the bridal chamber, we are truly curious what kind of outstanding talent could be worthy of Lady MuLan. Could you satisfy this official's curiosity?"

City Lord Liu Chengyan had practically spoken everyone's innermost thoughts.

Just then, laughter rang out from outside, though there was a chill in it.

"Ha ha ha ha! I had come to pay the Earl a visit, never expecting to happen upon my worthy niece's wedding by chance."

The laughter drilled into everyone's ears, nearly splitting their eardrums.

The newcomer's Martial Arts were formidable! Accompanied by that laughter, a tall figure slowly walked in.

The Xuanwu Earl hurriedly rose and went forward to greet him.

Everyone present bowed deeply!

"Greetings, Lord Zhu Lin!"

This man was Zhu Lin, younger brother of Zhu Rong, the Governor-General of the South, and younger brother of the Monarch's wife. He was Yue Kingdom's Great General Who Pacifies the South, Central Governor of White Cloud Province, and concurrently the Prefect of Pingnan Pass. His power was immense, his prestige shook an entire region.

He had originally come on behalf of the Zhu Family to propose marriage to the Xuanwu Earl's Manor. He had already traveled with utmost speed, covering two or three hundred li per day, yet he had not expected to arrive directly at Jin MuLan's wedding.

They announced it today and held the wedding today? What did that mean? Was it not perfectly obvious?

They did not wish to form a marriage alliance with the Zhu Family, yet did not want to reject them outright. Therefore, before he arrived, they had married Jin MuLan off—and taken in a Live-in Son-in-Law at that.

"The Xuanwu Earl lacks loyalty indeed. Your worthy niece gets married, yet you did not even notify me. Had I not come to Xuanwu City on official business, would I not have missed it?" Zhu Lin's eyes were icy, though he wore a smile. "What kind of young talent is worthy of my niece MuLan? Remove the mask and let us see!"

"Yes, remove it and let us see!" everyone could not help shouting.

Jin MuLan glanced at Shen Lang and nodded.

Shen Lang directly lifted the mask from his face!

At once, many people in the hall let out startled cries.

Tian Heng's eyes flew wide open, and his entire body turned ice-cold.

It really was... Shen Lang?! This was serious trouble!

But none were more shocked than Xu Qianqian and Zhang Jin.

At this moment, Xu Qianqian could no longer restrain herself. Forgetting the bearing of a dignified gentlewoman, she stared in disbelief at Shen Lang's handsome face and let out a cry of shock!...

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