Soon as the words left his soft lips, the people present were stunned. Shock filled them whole and unable to respond. Shen Lang surprised them.
Then, Count Jin’s aura suddenly grew fierce. Shen Lang’s statement antagonized him and his whole body quivered from fuming anger.
Not only the Count, others present somehow felt the itch to break his body till he was a lump of flattened meat.
You, a lowly dog marry the goddess?
Yes, you’re charming and handsome, but you’re more suitable to marry a duck instead of such wishful thinking.
What is your family background? A poor villager living in a broken thatched hut!
Of course, one can’t choose how they were born. It is all dependent on the threads of fate. If you are good enough, the Count might consider you a candidate.
But Shen Lang, you are unworthy!
Ten years of schooling and you’ve yet to graduate. Instead, you were expelled!
Such were the thoughts spreading from their minds.
In modern earth, ten years of study was equivalent to a highly professional career but yet, Shen Lang’s yet to graduate from primary school. He’s from a poor family. He should work harder than anyone else given his current plight yet all he could do was remain a lazy, unfilial son. The whole of Xuanwu City knows he’s suffering from brain damage. His lack of intelligence and awareness proved it so. Compared to the five candidates, Shen Lang was a dull and worthless comparison. Either they’re a talented scholar or a skilled martial artist, whereas Shen Lang was a useless gem without much worth to give the goddess.
What’s worse, what they could not bear was him being driven out of the Xu Family house. He wished to live high and comfortably that he willingly abandoned his parents for such a lifestyle. Now Xu Qianqian abandoned him so he wants to kiss up to Jin Mulan?
What does he think of the Count’s Palace?
The Count’s despondent mood hinted exasperated acrimony of displeasure.
What do you think my daughter is in your eyes? You really want to eat swan meat! Ungrateful!
The Countess stepped forward and soothed her husband’s back. “Dear, don’t be angry. This Shen Lang isn’t perfect. His mind is like that of a child. Adult standards can’t be used on him.”
Count Jin breathed deeply.
Yes, this young man is mentally retarded and acts like a child. Why am I getting heated up? Hahaha….
“Go and bring Shen Lang home first. Give him ten gold coins. Ah, give it to his parents, not him. Be sure of that. Tomorrow, send someone to pick him up. He’ll be properly disciplined and taught well from then on.”
“Yes, My Lord!” Two warriors came forward and grabbed Shen Lang’s arm, dragging him out forcibly.
“Miss Mulan…” Shen Lang said tenderly. “I believe that I am far more suitable than those five people to be your husband. Do I not have the qualifications to compete?”
Jin Mulan’s enchanting eyes looked at Shen Lang for a short while before her soft, supple lips parted. “I remember… I went out hunting three years ago. I accidentally hit you. You were a fool…”
My goddess… if you talk like that you’ll hurt my heart…
Ah, yes… Shen Lang’s a village boy. None played around with him. The villagers outcast-ed him, wanting nothing to do with him. His only friend was the second fool, Da Sha. Upon injuring Shen Lang, Jin Mulan immediately headed towards the village he lived in. She grabbed Da Sha, the first man she saw and asked the name and home of the fainted lotus she injured. The other side answered, “second fool”.
The Countess’ countenance changed upon hearing “second fool”.
“Miss Mulan…” Shen Lang called out softly. “I want to marry you. I will never let you down.”
Jin Mulan’s eyes towards Shen Lang were of softness, even a little gentle. Three years ago, when she heard of his story, she grew sympathetic towards him. She’d gone over several times to check his condition, even sending the best physician to treat him. Jin Mulan looked at him as if she was looking at a pure, innocent child. Wasn’t Shen Lang’s mindset equivalent of a child at the time?
She was disappointed by the veiled deception of the adult world, but gentle and friendly to the simplicity of children.
“Okay.” She smiled softly. “I’ll add you to the list. You can compete fairly.”
The whole world might despise him, discriminate against him, and more, but she would never.
Count Jin readily mouthed words of disapproval but was silenced by his daughter.
“Father, what are you worried about?” She smiled.
The Count mocked himself.
Yes, what am I worry about? Mulan is a kind and sympathetic daughter of mine. She would, of course, put Shen Lang on the list, but it’s impossible that she’d choose him. I have to stop worrying. Hahaha….
“Take Shen Lang to the sixth study room.” Count Jin ordered.
……
One hour later.
The rest of the five joyous candidates were swiftly brought to the Count’s Palace and into their respective study rooms. Shen Lang was in the sixth. They’ve not seen each other nor do they know who their competitors are.
Jin Mulan would personally speak to them one by one, choosing who would become her husband.
Time is closing in.
She needed to marry by the evening hours.
Jin Mulan entered the first study room.
The selection of the Count’s son-in-law and Jin Mulan’s husband has officially begun.\n