Shen Lang's New Realm

On their wedding night, Shen Lang kept the empty room all to himself!

By the latter half of the night, Jin MuLan still had not entered the room.

Of course, Shen Lang had already expected this outcome, but he still felt restless. After all, today was his wedding day.

Just as Shen Lang was about to extinguish the lamp and sleep, Jin MuLan walked in.

Seeing Shen Lang rise, Jin MuLan said, "Sit down."

Shen Lang sat down.

Jin MuLan took a seat across the table from him.

"Today, I heard many rumors about you. Some said you coveted vanity and riches, some said you were ignorant and incapable, and others said you were intellectually deficient." Jin MuLan said, "But your performance tonight greatly surprised me, and it also delighted Father."

"You flatter me," Shen Lang said.

Jin MuLan said, "Can you tell me why you were muddleheaded when you married into the Xu Family, yet changed so greatly tonight?"

Shen Lang said, "I fell seriously ill at the Xu Family and nearly died once. Then my mind finally cleared up a little, and I stopped being as stupid as a pig."

Jin MuLan said, "Shen Lang, there are some things I want to make clear to you."

Shen Lang said, "Go ahead."

Jin MuLan said, "I never planned to marry in this lifetime. I intended to devote everything I had to the family. But because the Zhu Clan forced this marriage upon me, I had no choice but to take in a husband."

Shen Lang already knew what she was going to say, but he did not interrupt.

MuLan continued, "We are husband and wife in name, and that will never change for the rest of our lives. Nor will I ever marry another man. But please forgive me, I cannot fulfill the duties of a wife for the time being. I am deeply sorry."

Shen Lang forced a smile. "I understand."

MuLan said, "This 'for the time being' may last a lifetime."

Shen Lang said, "I still understand."

How could a proud woman like Jin MuLan possibly yield herself so casually to a man, even if he was her husband in name?

To some extent, Shen Lang had not married into the Earl's Manor for love either. It was entirely to protect his family and secure peace for himself.

Thus, neither of them owed the other anything.

Of course, in the end, he still owed Jin MuLan. After all, her taking Shen Lang in as a husband had directly resolved the Shen Family's fatal crisis.

"From now on, you may come and go freely in the Earl's Manor. You will receive a monthly allowance, and I will support and honor your parents. In any setting, you may claim to be my husband." Jin MuLan said, "But perhaps nothing will ever happen between us for the rest of our lives. I will die alone. Do you agree?"

Shen Lang nodded. "I agree."

Jin MuLan said, "Then from this day forward, we are husband and wife. You have suffered a grievance, Husband!"

Shen Lang shook his head. "It's fine."

He remained calm throughout, showing none of the righteous indignation one might have expected.

Jin MuLan said, "Of course, I cannot be too selfish. I can live and die alone, but you must carry on your family line. Xiao Bing, come in!"

At Jin MuLan's call—

A girl in a red dress immediately entered. She was only eighteen or nineteen, with a pure and lovely face, a touch of baby fat on her cheeks, and an exquisite appearance.

"Xiao Bing grew up with me. We are as close as sisters, so I am giving her to you." Jin MuLan said, "From now on, she will live with you and bear you sons and daughters."

Shen Lang froze. Jin MuLan the Goddess was truly so magnanimous and thoughtful.

He had never expected this.

"Xiao Bing, I leave him to you," Jin MuLan said.

"Yes," Xiao Bing replied, her cheeks flushed red.

Shen Lang said, "Th-this isn't appropriate, is it?"

Jin MuLan said solemnly, "I cannot be too selfish. I cannot delay the rest of your life."

Shen Lang said, "No, I have no grievance at all. I am entirely willing."

Jin MuLan's brows faintly furrowed. Could it be that Shen Lang remained unwaveringly devoted to her and was unwilling to accept another woman? Don't be like this. Jin MuLan did not want to become true husband and wife with Shen Lang, but neither did she want to ruin his life.

If Shen Lang fixated on her so devotedly, it would only make her feel even more guilty and unsettled.

"Shen Lang, listen to me." Jin MuLan said earnestly, "You truly must not harbor any fantasies about me. My dream in this life is to lead troops into battle, to expand territory for my family and for the Monarch. I am deeply grateful that you like me. But do not, under any circumstances, delay your own happiness. I leave Xiao Bing to you. This will also give your parents an explanation."

Shen Lang looked at MuLan for a full minute, then said, "Since my wife has shown me such generosity, then I shall accept without further ceremony."

Then he turned to the pretty maid and said, "Xiao Bing, dawn is almost here. Hurry up, let's not waste time."

Ah?!

Jin MuLan was instantly dumbfounded.

It was true that she was being very generous, but... Shen Lang, weren't you being a little too direct? Couldn't you at least refuse or put on some pretense? Shen Lang was not pretending at all. Once he had successfully married into the Earl's Manor, his wish had already been fulfilled.

But she had made it crystal clear: they would be a fake couple, respecting each other like honored guests. Was Shen Lang supposed to keep pursuing her with longing eyes and preserve his chastity for her? Impossible. He had been single for over forty years; where did he have the time to waste pointlessly?

"Well then, good night." Jin MuLan left.

"Xiao Bing, it's getting late. Let's rest," Shen Lang said.

Xiao Bing glanced at Shen Lang. As she undid her buttons, tears fell from her eyes one by one, until they poured down like rain.

Wh-what did this mean? Why did she look like she was offering herself to a tiger? As if she were about to step into a pit of fire? Was Shen Lang really that handsome? Where was he unworthy of her?

"Xiao Bing, you're unwilling?" Shen Lang asked.

Xiao Bing's eyes were red. She said nothing, while her tears flowed even more fiercely.

Shen Lang was speechless. Did this little girl really look down on him?

"Bing'er, you look down on me?" Shen Lang asked.

Xiao Bing shook her head as she cried.

Shen Lang said, "Then what do you mean?"

Xiao Bing cried, "I don't know, I don't know..."

Then forget it. A forcibly twisted melon was never sweet.

"Fine, go to the room next door," Shen Lang sighed.

Immediately, Xiao Bing's dainty figure fled out at top speed.

"Wait..." Shen Lang said.

Xiao Bing stopped where she was and looked at Shen Lang nervously.

Shen Lang said, "Xiao Bing, I am a very kind and approachable person. I never force anyone. You'll understand once we've spent more time together."

"Mm." Xiao Bing lowered her head in reply.

"But some things can be avoided on the first day, yet not on the fifteenth." Shen Lang said, "I'll give you some time to adjust. Prepare yourself mentally."

Xiao Bing ran away even faster than before.

The next day, Shen Lang and Jin MuLan ate breakfast together while Xiao Bing attended them from the side.

MuLan said, "Husband, I should have gone home with you today to pay respects to Father and Mother, but military duties prevent me from doing so. Later, help me bring several gifts home."

"Alright," Shen Lang said.

After a while, MuLan said again, "Husband, if you have any plans or goals for the future, you may tell me."

"I don't have any goals," Shen Lang said.

MuLan said again, "How can you have no goals?"

Shen Lang said, "Then I do have one enormous goal."

"What is it?" MuLan asked.

Shen Lang said, "Destroy the Xu Family and make Xu Qianqian kneel before me, wailing and begging for mercy."

"Ah..." MuLan was stunned.

Didn't men all have lofty ambitions? Whether true or false, shouldn't they at least put on an appearance of magnanimity? Husband, was it really alright for you to be so direct about repaying every grievance, down to the smallest detail? MuLan said, "I can understand Husband's feelings, but I am afraid that will not be easy to accomplish."

Shen Lang said, "Even with the Earl's Manor's power, we cannot destroy the Xu Family?"

MuLan said, "The Xu Family is connected to the Zhang Family by marriage. Zhang Jin's father, Zhang Chong, is the Nujiang Prefect, and the Zhu Family stands behind them. Even the Earl's Manor cannot touch them."

Shen Lang said, "Then can I kill Tian Heng first?"

MuLan said, "I'm afraid not. Tian Heng is a Thousand Commander of the Xuanwu City Militia, under Xuanwu City's jurisdiction. Moreover, he has just pledged himself to the Zhang Family. If our Earl's Manor moves against him, it would mean falling out with the City Lord's Manor and violating the New Policy, because nobles may not interfere in local government affairs."

Shen Lang said, "Isn't the Earl's Manor supposed to be awesome? How come it can't do this or that?"

MuLan said, "Then... I truly am sorry."

Shen Lang said, "Wife, can I use my status as the Earl's Manor's son-in-law to go to the Black Clothes Gang and slap Tian Heng in the face? Don't tell me even that is impossible? If our Earl's Manor cannot even bully a gang boss, wouldn't we be far too pathetic?"

MuLan looked at her husband helplessly. For the first time, she wondered whether she had chosen the wrong husband. Seeing the expectant look in Shen Lang's eyes, MuLan nodded as if possessed. "Th-then, that is possible."

Shen Lang pushed away his bowl. "I'm full. Wife, eat slowly. I'll take my leave first."

MuLan watched Shen Lang's swiftly departing back, too astonished for words.

Husband, your thirst for revenge is truly too strong. Couldn't you even wait a quarter of an hour?

Note: Before release, there will be two updates daily totaling five to six thousand characters, one at noon and one at night. After release, there will be more updates. Thank you, everyone!