Despicable and Shameless

The couple looked at each other, wondering if their daughter had already learned of this and detained the chief envoy for the wedding?

Peng Yulan couldn't help but ask, "Who is the chief envoy? Could it be Lan Ruoting?"

Yuan Gang said, "It's Prince's accompanying pháp sư, Niu Youdao!"

Niu Youdao? The couple fell silent. After a moment, Feng Lingbo frowned and said, "What nonsense!" It was unclear if she was referring to Feng Ruonan or Niu Youdao.

Peng Yulan, however, immediately looked back and called out, "Bai Yao, take two people and go see immediately. Bring him here and don't let that girl make trouble."

Behind them, a middle-aged man with his arms crossed leaned against a pillar, a sword cradled in his arms. He didn't look old, but his hair was completely white, like silver frost. He nodded calmly and quickly left the main hall. Outside, he called for two people, and they immediately took to the air, landing on the rooftop.

The three ascended to a high vantage point and left the Prefect's Mansion. They flew across the rooftops of the commandery city's streets and alleys, as light as swallows. Few passersby on the street even noticed them. Before long, the three landed on an open space outside the barracks, striding into the military camp.

Although the barracks guards did not stop them, Bai Yao still flashed his token of passage before leading the group inside.

They headed straight for the central command tent and barged in without the guards announcing them, fearing Feng Ruonan might do something foolish and kill the chief envoy. Upon entering, they saw Feng Ruonan inside the tent, wearing armor and looking at a map on the tent wall with her hands behind her back.

"General..." the guards who followed in said somewhat awkwardly, as they hadn't announced their arrival in time.

Feng Ruonan turned around, surprised by the sight. She waved for the guards to leave and asked curiously, "Uncle Bai, why are you here?"

Bai Yao asked, "Did you detain Niu Youdao?"

Feng Ruonan was taken aback again and nodded, "Yes! What's wrong?"

Bai Yao looked around and asked, "Where is he?"

Feng Ruonan replied, "He's being held in the tent next door..."

Before she could finish, Bai Yao turned and left. He looked around outside and saw a tent to his left with a guard at the entrance. He immediately strode over. The guard dared not stop him and let him lift the tent curtain and enter. Bai Yao went inside and saw Niu Youdao sitting leisurely, drinking tea, with Lan, dressed in black and carrying a sword, standing guard quietly.

"Martial Uncle!" Mei quickly cupped her fists in greeting.

Bai Yao ignored her, scrutinizing Niu Youdao from head to toe before asking, "Are you Niu Youdao?"

Niu Youdao slowly stood up, a smile appearing on his face. He cupped his fists and said, "Indeed, it is I. May I ask what guidance you have?"

At that moment, Feng Ruonan also lifted the tent curtain and entered. She was surprised, but then saw Bai Yao gesturing to Niu Youdao, "Come with me."

Niu Youdao, not caring who the person was, was very agreeable. He smiled and nodded, "Alright!"

"Wait!" Feng Ruonan immediately glared and stopped him, "Uncle Bai, he can't leave. I have something for him to do."

Bai Yao calmly replied, "Your mother wants to see him. Whatever it is, we can discuss it after he has seen your mother."

Upon hearing this, Niu Youdao's smile widened. He could confirm that Yuan Gang had successfully met the target. He had confidence in Yuan Gang's work.

Feng Ruonan's expression contorted, and she stubbornly said, "No, he still owes me money. He can't leave."

Can money be compared to seeing your mother? Bai Yao frowned, staring at her as if she were being unreasonable. He said sternly, "We'll talk about the money later."

Feng Ruonan added, "Uncle Bai, we're having a bet. He can't leave now."

Niu Youdao suddenly sighed, "General, I don't default on my debts, and I can't run away."

With his assurance, Bai Yao stopped wasting words and tilted his head towards Niu Youdao, "Come with me!"

Niu Youdao cupped his fists at him and followed behind. As he passed Feng Ruonan, the corner of his mouth curled into a sly smile.

Feng Ruonan was furious but couldn't stop Bai Yao from taking him away. She followed them out of the tent and shouted, "Niu Youdao, if you dare short me even a fraction, I'll make you pay!"

Niu Youdao turned back, cupped his fists in farewell, and left with a hearty laugh, his laughter unrestrained and full of joy.

"I'll let you laugh now, and see how you cry later!" Feng Ruonan gritted her teeth. Just as she was about to order someone to go to the Prefect's Mansion to inquire about what was happening, Ju returned in a hurry.

Feng Ruonan temporarily put aside her inquiry and asked Ju, who was approaching, "Did you find out what's going on?"

Ju's expression was a bit strange, with a hint of amused exasperation. "That Yuan Gang took people to the Prefect's Mansion to propose marriage."

"Propose marriage?" Feng Ruonan was stunned. "Propose marriage for what?"

Ju lightly patted her mouth, as if chiding herself for speaking incorrectly, and explained, "It's not exactly a proposal, but he went directly to the house to pick up the bride for Shang Chaozong."

"Pick up the bride?" Feng Ruonan was curious. "Is Shang Chaozong marrying one of the daughters in the family? Who is he marrying? How could I not have heard about such a big event?"

Ju was speechless, realizing that Feng Ruonan still hadn't grasped the situation. With a bitter expression, she said, "General, he's marrying you! Yuan Gang bought a lot of wedding gifts and went to the Prefect's Mansion to ask for your hand in marriage for Shang Chaozong!"

"..." Feng Ruonan was dumbfounded. Her mind couldn't process it for a long time. She stared at Ju blankly, "Are you confused? Shang Chaozong marrying me? How is that possible?"

Mei and Lan behind her were also bewildered, clearly finding it impossible.

Ju stomped her foot. "General, it's true! Yuan Gang announced it loudly in front of all the city's citizens. This matter will likely spread throughout the city soon. I saw it with my own eyes and heard it with my own ears, there's no mistake."

Feng Ruonan suddenly felt a chill, a sense of unease. She tried to comfort herself, "Even if it's true, Father and Mother won't agree. They won't marry me off to that doomed man, Shang Chaozong, they won't!"

Ju shook her head. "I don't know about that. I'm not clear on what Yuan Gang discussed specifically with the Prefect and his wife. However, from the looks of it, this matter seems negotiable."

"Impossible!" Feng Ruonan flatly denied it. She suddenly understood something. She understood why Niu Youdao had proposed that bet earlier, the bet on whether she would let him go within an hour. He knew her family would send someone to fetch him, knew she couldn't stop them, and had set a trap for her to fall into, clearly intending to renege on his debt!

Thinking of the ten thousand gold coins, she quickly asked, "Where is the money he borrowed? Take people and try to steal it back secretly!"

Ju was stunned. She had been confused by the marriage proposal. Reminded, her thoughts returned to the money. She almost jumped up and exclaimed, "I'm afraid it can't be retrieved. Yuan Gang used the borrowed money to buy a large amount of wedding gifts and has already sent them to the Prefect's Mansion!"

Feng Ruonan immediately cried out in shock, "What? He used my borrowed money to buy wedding gifts..." She couldn't finish the sentence about marrying her, her eyes wide open.

Ju nodded with a bitter face.

Mei also exclaimed, "Despicable and shameless!"

Lan gritted her teeth and said hatefully, "I've met shameless people before, but never anyone this shameless!"

The few women clearly detested this kind of behavior.

"Ah!" Feng Ruonan, snapping back to reality, let out a yelp. She covered her face with both hands, so mortified she felt like there was nowhere for her face to go. She had wanted to trick him, wanting both his money and him. But he truly wanted both her money and her. She had lost face so badly. It wasn't that she had never been embarrassed before, but she had never been this embarrassed. She was practically an idiot. To think she had believed everything was under her control!

She was so angry she felt faint. She stomped her feet repeatedly to vent her boundless frustration. Then she suddenly looked up, her helmet almost exploding from anger, and she sternly shouted, "Gather the troops! Follow me to kill the bandits!"

A hundred cavalry quickly assembled and thundered away. Feng Ruonan was truly furious this time, charging through the city like a wild bull. Chaos erupted wherever she went.

Zhu, waiting by the roadside, personally witnessed Feng Ruonan and her group depart in a frantic rush. She was surprised and didn't quite understand what was happening. She was still waiting there with her people, preparing to set up obstacles to prevent Niu Youdao from returning on time to repay the money...

Niu Youdao followed Bai Yao to the Prefect's Mansion. With Bai Yao leading the way, their path was completely unobstructed, leading them directly to the main hall.

The gazes of Feng Lingbo and the others instantly focused on Niu Youdao as he entered. Their shared impression was: young!

News from Nanshan Temple had also arrived. The image of the person who had easily defeated Song Yanqing and the other two was difficult to reconcile with the person before them.

Bai Yao walked back behind Peng Yulan, leaning against a pillar with his sword.

Niu Youdao's gaze swept over the people present, lingering slightly on Peng Yulan. He mused to himself, No wonder Feng Ruonan is so tall; it must be genetic. His gaze finally settled on Yuan Gang, who was bound tightly. He frowned slightly, ignoring everyone else, and asked Yuan Gang, "Are you alright?"

Yuan Gang shook his head slightly. Seeing him arrive, he felt relieved.

Niu Youdao reached out and pulled at the knot, untying the ropes. In full view of everyone, as if no one else were there, he first unbound Yuan Gang. Then, he cupped his hands in a salute to Feng Lingbo and Peng Yulan, who stood in the main seats, saying, "Niu Youdao pays his respects to the Prefect and the Madam!"

Feng Lingbo asked coldly, "Are you the chief envoy sent by Shang Chaozong for the marriage proposal?"

"Indeed!" Niu Youdao replied, then corrected himself, "It's not a proposal, but a wedding. There's no need to delay this matter. My Prince is eager and it would be best to get married as soon as possible."

Did I agree to marry my daughter to Shang Chaozong? Feng Lingbo felt like spitting in his face, but the main issue was more important. Otherwise, they wouldn't have summoned him so urgently. He raised the gift list in his hand and said gravely, "Are you aware of the so-called valuable gifts on this list?"

Niu Youdao looked around and noticed that besides the couple, there were several other people, all seemingly cultivators. He hesitated, "Is this an appropriate place to discuss this matter?"

Peng Yulan spoke up, "Don't worry, these are all trustworthy people. Feel free to speak." These cultivators were all her sect brothers and sisters. The matter they were discussing was of great importance, and they needed to gain the support of the Tianyu Sect. Otherwise, they, as a couple, couldn't make the decision themselves.

Only then did Niu Youdao nod and say, "My Prince discussed this with me beforehand, so naturally, I am aware."

Feng Lingbo shook the gift list again. "How do I know if the items on this list are real or fake?"

Niu Youdao chuckled. "Whether they are real or not, I believe the Prefect already has his own judgment. Why ask a question you already know the answer to?"

Feng Lingbo retorted impatiently, "Nonsense! How am I supposed to judge?"