“What?!” All others present aside from Jin Mulan shouted in shock, their hearts in disarray and the hairs on their body stood erect.
The Countess thought she misheard what her daughter spoke. She asked once more for confirmation. Unexpectedly, Jin Mulan said Shen Lang’s name once again.
“Mulan, dear daughter of mine, are you crazy?! Y-y-you… why aren’t you choosing the other candidates? They’re good for you! To think you chose Shen Lang instead…” Said Count Jin. His lips quivered from the awe inspiring shock Jin Mulan gave him.
Of the six candidates, Shen Lang was the worst. Not mentioning Wang Lian and Mo Ye, the other three candidates of the Count’s Palace were also phenomenal candidates. Shen Lang can’t compare to them. Ah… he’s a mentally retarded fool. Ten years of study and he’s yet to graduate from Hanshui School. He’ll never amount to anything much less an ordinary success.
“Mulan, why…?” Said the Count exasperatedly. “Wang Lian and Mo Ye are good contenders. Why did you not choose one of them?”
“Father, the two men are excellent. This I cannot deny. Did you know… I asked them what they can give me as my husband. One answered they’d make our military more superior than all others, said that they’d manage our civil affairs. He said he and I complement each other. The other said he’d lead our army and fight all enemies. He said we’d make great achievements, reaching new levels of heights.”
The Count grew silent upon hearing his daughter’s reasoning. Others saw nothing wrong. Matter of fact, their answer was good. Bring greater glory to the Count’s Palace? Who would not want such glory?
“If father is alive, there would be no problems. However, on the day you are no longer with us, my little brother will inherit the title of Count. Father, what should I do if my husband has the ambitions… no… desires and lusts after the power of the Count ? What then would become of my brother? Tell me?
Soon as she this, the Count grew eerily silent. Several others nearby suddenly realized the issue. Mulan is truly thoughtful and loyal to the family.
“Shen Lang’s answer is to give me freedom, whatever I desire I can have. So long as I don’t… coughs… umm… with men… I can do anything!” Said Jin Mulan, her cheeks slightly red.
“Sigh…Mulan, I understand. But this Shen Lang isn’t really good. He’ll be a hindrance. Mulan, dear daughter, you know your father’s heart… even if you don’t choose Wang Lian or Mo Ye, why not the people of our Count’s Palace?”
“No, I can’t delay this matter any further. Besides, they are my subordinates. It’s weird.”
“What is Shen Lang’s reputation in Xuanwu City?” The Countess questioned.
“He used to be the Xu Family’s son-in-law. After he was kicked out, he dares to come to our Count’s Palace immediately.This… how does this make the Jin Family look in the eyes of our people? But this doesn’t matter! Daughter, this is related to your lifelong happiness. As your father, I’d rather you marry a good man like Zhu Hongxue than to sacrifice your happiness for the sake of your family. I don’t want to see you struggling in the pits of fire.” The Count sighed solemnly. He’s disorentied, depressed by the current situation.
“Shen Lang has a bad reputation, this I am well aware of. Won’t this make General Zhu Lin relieved? If I marry too well, the Zhu Family won’t give up. If I marry a notorious man like Shen Lang, sure the Zhu Family would hold less resentment towards us. After all, it is always a please to see their enemy suffer from misfortune.”
Makes sense. Jin Mulan is intelligent and capable. She knows the hearts of people.
Then, she looked at the eyes of everyone present and smiled softly. “Besides, I think Shen Lang is very good. I only have one requirement of my husband, that is… he must be good looking! In this case, Shen Lang is the best candidate worthy of my attention.”
“But… but…” The Countess’ felt a feeling of loss that cuts just like a knife in her heart. If her own son had no future, was he willing to sacrifice his sister’s happiness and marry a waste like Shen Lang Lang? What evil and misfortunes did her husband meet?
Count Jin sighed. “Mulan, would you like to think about this?”
“No. This matter is settled. Time is pressing. Father, immediately send out the invitations and prepare the wedding. Make it grand and wondrous. It is better that General Zhu Lin attends the wedding after arriving at our Count’s Palace. That aside, father, mother, I have been running around with our soldiers these days. I’m a little tired so I’ll go ahead and rest for a short while.” Jin Mulan bowed with due respect before excusing herself.
The Count fumed with anger, eyes seething hot with fire. His knuckles turned white from clenching his fist tight. He knows he’s unable to vent his anger towards Shen Lang. The white lotus face is innocent in the matter, this he knows fairly well. What he can do, could do is vent his anger towards his own son.
“What of that brat?! What of my unfilial son?!” The Count roared.
“The young master is reading, My Lord.” Said one of the servant.
“Reading what? After reading for more than ten years that brat is still a waste! Punish him!” Anger boiled deep within his system. It churned within, hungry for destruction. “If he did make progress, why then would my daughter need to make such a great sacrifice?!”
“Yes, My Lord!” The servant bowed, cold sweat suddenly forming.
“No, I’ll go myself.” Said Count Jin bitterly. “Where is the whip? I must smoke his ass today.”