Chapter 237 - 238: Reminiscing through Objects
Zhu Minglang had many doubts in his heart.
Meng Bingci, who had always been indifferent to worldly affairs, why did she care about who Princess Luoshui’s final husband would be?
Was there something special about this Princess Luoshui?
“Why do you want me to marry a princess?” Zhu Minglang asked.
“To be a son-in-law by marriage for ten years, the choice is yours,” Meng Bingci did not intend to tell Zhu Minglang the reason.
Zhu Minglang pretended to fall into contemplation, but his peripheral vision was scanning the surroundings, trying to decide which route would be the best escape.
After all, now that he had obtained what he came for, as long as he could leave the Miao Mountain Sword Sect…
Zhu Minglang’s footsteps moved slightly, and suddenly, he saw the silver waterfall that hung from the twilight had at some point turned into a silver sword, suspended amid the mountains before him, majestic and imposing, as if a divine weapon from the Immortal Realm had fallen into this mortal world!
Zhu Minglang took a sharp intake of breath.
When he looked again, the waterfall was still a waterfall, a magnificent cascade falling from the twilight and the mountains, a breathtaking sight. Yet, for some reason, this twilight waterfall instilled Zhu Minglang with a fear that lingered in his mind, unable to be dispelled.
Zhu Minglang gave a bitter smile.
His intention to escape had been seen through.
Furthermore, the extent of Meng Bingci’s realm was unfathomable, and it seemed unlikely that he could slip through her fingers.
He had thought Meng Bingci had suddenly developed a conscience, wanting to see her son whom she hadn’t seen for many years, but in the end, she wanted to force him into becoming a prince consort. It turned out that the family no longer harbored any affection, and suggesting to Zhu Heavenly Officer to find another was indeed a wise choice.
Zhu Minglang didn’t expect to play the emotional card with this cold-hearted woman. After hesitating for a while, Zhu Minglang asked, “If I become the prince consort in name but don’t fulfill the role, would that be acceptable?”
“Yes,” Meng Bingci said.
“Then there’s no problem,” Zhu Minglang nodded.
“After the matter is settled, I will tell you the whereabouts of another piece of Ancient Lantern Jade,” Meng Bingci said.
“Great!” Zhu Minglang was overjoyed inside, not expecting this additional gain.
In fact, after stealing the piece of Ancient Lantern Jade from the Miao Mountain Sword Sect, Zhu Minglang had already planned to hold the princess hostage and take the piece of lantern jade jewelry she wore as well. To restore Li Yunzi to her former state, he would need at least four pieces of Ancient Lantern Jade.
That is to say, once he had possession of the Princess of Miao Kingdom, he would have two pieces of Ancient Lantern Jade, in addition to the exact location of another.
“Han Wu, escort Zhu Minglang down the mountain,” Meng Bingci said.
Meng Han Wu came over and summoned a Spirit Bird raised by the Miao Mountain Sword Sect.
Approaching the Spirit Bird, Zhu Minglang hesitated for a moment, then gave a bow to his elder, before he mounted the creature.
Meng Bingci still had that same demeanor.
Not a hint of joy, nor a trace of resentment.
Zhu Minglang was already used to it; if it weren’t for their somewhat similar features, he would have long accepted that perhaps he was the one who had been picked up.
After coming down the mountain, Zhu Minglang returned to the fragrant inn. The night in the capital was like a grand festival, with flowers, lanterns, colored ribbons, branches, and maple leaves seen everywhere, all symbolizing beautiful things.
“You can go back,” Zhu Minglang said to Meng Han Wu.
“I’ll keep an eye on you,” Meng Han Wu said.
“After all, we’re family. How can there be absolutely no basic trust?” Zhu Minglang raised his eyebrows and glared as he spoke.
Meng Hanwu didn’t say anything, just headed to the counter herself, asked the shopkeeper for a room, and then, with her sword in hand, went straight to the newly opened guest room.
Zhu Minglang ignored her and made his way to Nan Ling Sha’s room.
After knocking on the door, Zhu Minglang intended to explain his participation in the contest for the son-in-law position, to avoid any misunderstandings by his sisters-in-law that he was a heartless scoundrel!
Entering the room, both the elder sister and the younger sister were there, but the problem was Zhu Minglang couldn’t tell which was which in the moment, so he awkwardly waited for them to speak first.
“Why the long face?” Li Xinghua asked, puzzled.
Zhu Minglang recounted the conversation he had with Meng Bingci at the waterfall house.
“Isn’t that a good thing?” Nan Yuso laughed, her little demon aura spreading instantly.
“Did the Divine Jade have any effect?” Zhu Minglang was most concerned about that.
If it couldn’t restore Li Yunzi’s soul, then all these days would have truly been in vain.
“Significantly, and there were also some unexpected effects,” Li Xinghua said.
They were descendants of the goddess. At first, they didn’t quite understand why the Li Family’s Old Grandmother kept reminding them to search for the words of the Ancient Lantern Jade, but now, after a brief nourishment from the Divine Jade, Li Yunzi’s condition not only recovered, but it seemed her cultivation base had also greatly improved.
It appeared that the Ancient Lantern Jade was a tremendous boost to their inherent strengths.
“That’s great, I’ll make a trip to the Princess Manor tomorrow, but Miss Xinghua, Miss Yuso, and Miss Lingsha, you all have to testify for me that I’m entering the competition for the son-in-law position for the Ancient Lantern Jade, and absolutely not because I’m coveting the beauty of Princess Luoshui,” Zhu Minglang said.
“Actually, you don’t have to restrain yourself so much,” Nan Yuso said with a brilliant smile, as if she particularly hoped to see Zhu Minglang swept away by the princess.
“I’ve held back for so long already, not going to falter now,” Zhu Minglang said.
Compared to the allure of his three sisters-in-law, what did this one Princess Luoshui count for?
“You have worked hard, Young Master,” Li Xinghua spoke softly.
“The affairs of the mortal realm are also a form of cultivation,” Zhu Minglang said.
“Well then, Mr. Zhu, you better perform well in these next days. The women in Miao Kingdom are all very picky,” Nan Yuso was already looking forward to Zhu Minglang’s earnest performance!
“Miss Yuso, rest assured, no matter how outstanding other men are, they’re but mere flickers of fireflies at dusk, remarkable but not exceptional. As for your brother-in-law here, I am akin to the bright moon shining across the sky, my radiance spilling over the land. No yearning girl can resist falling in love or becoming infatuated. When the time comes, Miss Yuso just has to hold herself back, don’t get lost in emotion. After all, we will have to continue seeing each other frequently, and it would just hurt Miss Yuso’s kind feelings,” Zhu Minglang couldn’t help but laugh, taking the opportunity to tease his little sister-in-law.
Nan Yuso’s beautiful eyes widened in shock.
She had never seen such a shameless person!
“Me, infatuated with you? If you dare to glance my way again, I’ll gouge out your eyes on the spot!” Nan Yuso said, her cheeks turning bright red, like a fierce little kitten ready to pounce!
“I was only looking for Yunzi’s image, after all, one is reminded of love by the things around them,” Zhu Minglang said solemnly.
Reminder of love!
These words seemed to have struck right on Nan Yuso’s tail, making her stomp her feet in anger.
“You… you… you big cloven hoof!” Unable to find any words to retort, Nan Yuso resorted to direct name-calling.
Li Xinghua picked up the clear water in front of her and took a gentle sip, listening to their daily banter. Then, a strange scene flashed through her mind.
It seemed that a certain prophecy was beginning to slip from her control.