Both Feng Lingbo and his wife fell silent. Shang Chaozong had already made it perfectly clear what sort of partner he wanted to marry—Chicheng. It was not because he was deeply enamored of her, but because he could rely on her side's power to secure a thread of survival. However, their daughter was one of the major generals their side relied on, so sending her off in marriage so easily seemed somewhat improper. Then again, if things truly were as the other party claimed, and the hundred thousand Crow Generals could be held in their hands as leverage, the pressure from the Imperial Court would inevitably ease. Perhaps marrying off their daughter would not be so bad after all.
"You're a disciple of the Shangqing Sect, and your reputation doesn't seem much better than Prince Ning's. Setting aside whether Shang Chaozong will accept you, there hardly seems to be any need to provide you with protection, does there?"
Bai Yao, who had been leaning against the supporting pillar behind them, suddenly tossed out a careless remark. "General."
Niu Youdao turned his head and casually blocked him off. "I've already been expelled from the Shangqing Sect. I have nothing to do with the Shangqing Sect anymore!"
Everyone present froze. Other things could be said recklessly, but in the cultivation world, claiming to have severed ties with one's sect carried the suspicion of betraying one's master and ancestors. No one dared to say such a thing carelessly. Could Song Yanqing's ambush have something to do with this?
Bai Yao slowly emphasized once more, "I, Tianyu Sect, don't want to get involved in your affairs with the Song Family." He meant the same thing as before: Tianyu Sect had no need to shelter him. He could fend for himself.
Niu Youdao didn't take it seriously. What a joke. When he had bid farewell to Shang Chaozong and the others at Nanshan Temple, he had already mentioned the Song Family's retaliation. He had said he would resolve the matter himself. Now that he had come here, how could he leave empty-handed? Facing Feng Lingbo, he smiled and said, "I forgot to inform you, Prefect. My master's name was Dongguo Haoran. I'm the only disciple remaining under my master's tutelage. The hundred thousand Crow Generals refined by Prince Ning were entirely his handiwork. I may be able to help with the search for them! If you don't need my assistance, I'll leave of my own accord and won't trouble you any further!" His unspoken meaning was: You decide what to do.
This man is actually Dongguo Haoran's disciple? Everyone was speechless. If it was true, then it really was possible. The relationship between Prince Ning and Dongguo Haoran was no secret.
Bai Yao slowly closed his eyes, rendered speechless.
Feng Lingbo, however, was somewhat puzzled. "Setting aside Shang Chaozong's character, his current situation hardly makes him a wise ruler. Why are you exerting yourself to follow him so devotedly?"
Niu Youdao did not so much as blink. "I recognize heroes and honor worthy men!" It seemed to be a response to what he had said earlier when persuading Feng Ruonan.
Feng Lingbo gave a cold snort and cast him a sidelong glance. "I know a little about Shang Chaozong. Though he isn't a good-for-nothing, he's inferior to his father and lacks his father's foresight. Otherwise, he wouldn't have fallen into that trap and ended up in prison. Was it Luo Shaofu's disciple, Lan Ruoting, who made these arrangements and sent you here as a persuader?"
Luo Shaofu was Lan Ruoting's mentor, Prince Ning's trusted aide, and the foremost strategist under Prince Ning. Prince Ning had been able to endure and remain standing for so many years despite such dire circumstances largely because of Luo Shaofu's contributions. His name was known throughout the land.
Niu Youdao had never been one to seek the limelight. Even in peaceful times, he had disliked attracting attention, so why would he do so in this chaotic age? He immediately nodded. "I wouldn't dare conceal it. It was Mr. Lan's suggestion!"
"Lan Ruoting... truly, a renowned teacher produces a distinguished disciple!" Feng Lingbo sighed with feeling, then looked at Niu Youdao. "Would you be willing to serve under me?" He had taken a fancy to him. He was not blind; the other man's glib tongue, which had been chattering away in the hall, was a skill in itself. He was clearly a talent.
His gaze drifted toward Yuan Gang again. He had discovered that Shang Chaozong had quite a few capable people under him: Niu Youdao, who had a slick tongue, Lan Ruoting, who was adept at strategy, and that Yuan Gang, who was not bad either. He wondered whether there were any others. He rather looked forward to finding out. If he could truly take Shang Chaozong's entire group under his wing, it might not be a bad thing.
Niu Youdao smiled. "The Prefect and the Commandery Prince will be family from now on. Serving the Commandery Prince will naturally mean serving the Prefect, so there's no difference. Should you give an order in the future, how would I dare disobey?" He made it sound as though Shang Chaozong had already married Feng Ruonan.
Peng Yulan could not help cursing, "What a silver tongue!"
Niu Youdao met her with a smile and cupped his hands again. "Madam, you flatter me. But I sincerely do hope you can become the mother of a Princess Consort soon!" His gaze turned to Feng Lingbo again, waiting for his definite reply.
The words "Princess Consort" stirred Peng Yulan's heart once more, but her mood immediately grew extraordinarily complicated. Sending her daughter off in marriage like this seemed...
"I'll give this matter further consideration," Feng Lingbo murmured slowly.
Now that things had reached this point and Feng Lingbo's attitude had softened so greatly, Niu Youdao knew the matter was already nine-tenths settled. However, this was a serious affair. Feng Lingbo could not make the decision alone; he would probably have to seek instructions from Tianyu Sect behind him.
Niu Youdao did not embarrass him. Instead, he reminded him, "There's one matter I must bring to your attention, Prefect. The Commandery Prince is still waiting for news at Nanshan Temple. With such a great commotion surrounding the wedding here, the Imperial Court's people have probably already learned of it and reported back. It's hard to say whether there are not cultivators and experts from the Imperial Court tailing the Commandery Prince along the way. If we delay too long, he may be in danger. Whether you agree or not, I hope you can send people to escort him, so he won't fall victim to foul play!"
Feng Lingbo and Peng Yulan's expressions immediately turned solemn.
Peng Yulan said, "Serves him right! Who told you to make such a huge commotion?"
Niu Youdao thought, If I didn't make it known to everyone that Shang Chaozong was marrying Feng Ruonan and borrowing the power of Guangyi Commandery, how would I make the Imperial Court wary? If you quietly took control of us here, wouldn't that create another complication? Naturally, I had to cut off any improper thoughts you might have first.
He could only smile it away and continue urging them. "The Commandery Prince must not be delayed. Delay invites trouble!"
Feng Lingbo immediately looked toward the old man who had just returned and said in a deep voice, "Shou Nian, take several experts to Nanshan Temple yourself and escort them back. The rest of the escort forces will follow shortly!"
Niu Youdao glanced at the old man who had just attacked Yuan Gang and memorized his name.
"Yes!" the old man answered. He turned and strode out. At the doorway, he extended a hand and somehow flung out a Precious Sword. With a smack, he caught it in his hand. The aura of his entire back changed. He no longer looked anything like a respectfully servile old retainer.
Niu Youdao narrowed his eyes slightly. It seemed there were quite a few experts within the Prefect's Mansion. Even an apparently ordinary old servant was no simple character.
Still, it was understandable. If Feng Lingbo had not possessed such strength, the Imperial Court's people would probably have killed him long ago.
When Shou Nian left through the side gate, four men in black were already following behind him. The five mounted their horses and rode away together.
Once they left the city gate, the five immediately spurred their horses into a gallop, charging wildly ahead. Shou Nian rode in front, his broad sleeves billowing in the wind and his robes snapping fiercely.
Not long after the five left the city, five hundred armored cavalrymen thundered out, galloping in the same direction.
The five men had gone ahead because there were mounts to change at the relay stations along the way. The five hundred cavalrymen behind them certainly would not find so many horses to change, so it was only natural that they could not match their speed.
Before long, another rider left the city. It was a personal guard whom Niu Youdao had arranged to go ahead and deliver the news. Shang Chaozong's side knew nothing about it, and he feared some misunderstanding might arise.
By then, the sky was gradually darkening...
Within Guangyi Commandery City, people were discussing the matter everywhere. The city's commoners were all talking about Feng Ruonan marrying Shang Chaozong.
At the Prefect's Mansion, the message for Tianyu Sect had already been sent. They were quietly awaiting Tianyu Sect's reply.
Inside the study, candlelight swayed across the walls. Feng Lingbo paced back and forth, then asked pensively, "Madam, do you think Tianyu Sect will agree?"
Peng Yulan, sitting nearby, set down her teacup. "Everything Niu Youdao said is perfectly reasonable. Tianyu Sect has no reason to miss the opportunity to strengthen itself. This matter is entirely worth Tianyu Sect secretly exerting its influence over. There shouldn't be any accidents."
"I think so too. It's just that, regarding Ruonan..." Feng Lingbo had not finished speaking when a servant arrived from outside and presented him with a secret letter.
Feng Lingbo accepted the letter and read it. After giving a cold laugh, he turned and instructed the servant, "Pass word to the people in the Capital City. Have them keep a low profile for the time being."
"Yes!" The servant acknowledged the order and left.
Peng Yulan rose and walked over. "What happened in the Capital City?"
"Wang Heng! Niu Youdao killed his son-in-law. What else could it be?" Feng Lingbo handed her the secret letter.
Peng Yulan took it and read it. The contents said that Wang Heng hoped Feng Lingbo's side would help detain Niu Youdao and send him to the Capital City, saying that Wang Heng would owe Feng Lingbo a favor for this.
Compared with the hundred thousand Crow Generals, Wang Heng's favor was rather insignificant. When Feng Lingbo told the people in the Capital City to keep their heads down, Peng Yulan understood her husband's attitude. She asked, "How should we reply to Wang Heng?"
"The wedding has caused such a huge commotion. Wang Heng will learn of it soon enough. Is there any need to reply?" Feng Lingbo waved his hand, refusing to discuss the matter further. Instead, he sighed. "Ruonan isn't young anymore. She should have married long ago. This has become a source of worry for me. But she looks down on one person to the east and another to the west. Where in this world is there a perfect man? Ultimately, she's still somewhat ashamed of herself, merely putting on a tough front and pretending otherwise. You'll still have to persuade Ruonan, as her mother. Women can speak more easily with women. Be patient and explain the reasoning to her properly... Sigh, to be honest, marrying Ruonan off like this is indeed somewhat improper. But then again, once Shang Chaozong relies on our side, he'll have to look to us for every move he makes. That's still better than marrying her to someone we can't control. With our daughter married to him, we can rest easy. At the very least, we won't lose out. Talk to her properly."
"Sigh!" Peng Yulan let out a sigh and nodded. She knew very well that if Tianyu Sect truly made the decision, their daughter would have no choice but to agree.
Then again, her daughter was too formidable, and she truly was not particularly delicate or charming in appearance. Ordinary men did not dare marry her. As the years dragged on, she had long passed the age suitable for marriage, and Peng Yulan was anxious as well. Although she knew that Niu Youdao was a silver-tongued persuader, upon closer thought, what he had said was not without reason. There was nothing bad about marrying Shang Chaozong. Her daughter might as well not marry, but once she did, she would become a Princess Consort. Such an outcome was actually the best possible one, and Peng Yulan truly had nothing to be dissatisfied about. She could fully understand Shang Chaozong's interests as well. There were some things she understood perfectly well: given her daughter's looks, personality, and temper, the men who genuinely wanted to marry her were probably all drawn by the Feng Family's background. The same applied to Shang Chaozong.
"I'll go see that girl." Peng Yulan left with a long sigh. Every household had its own difficult scripture to recite.
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