He almost lost his composure and flew into a rage. This was unbearable, and there were signs of him going berserk.
Normally speaking, retainers were considered subordinates. Although this retainer's situation wasn't the same. Because of his limited strength, he couldn't restrict the retainer at all. But on the surface, his status was still there. Had he ever seen a subordinate like this? He actually dared to help the master marry without informing her about such a big matter. What was the difference between this and selling the master out?
That personal guard finally understood. It seemed like the Prince really didn't know about this!
Lan Ruoting stroked his beard and waved his hand, indicating that personal guard to leave. Slowly, he said, "Prince, don't be angry. I'm afraid this matter is to borrow troops!"
Shang Shuqing nodded slightly. "Brother, what Mister said makes sense. Marrying and borrowing troops aren't mutually exclusive. In fact, it might even be beneficial. Do you still remember that before he left, he said that he might let you suffer a little? Maybe it's because of this! "
Shang Chaozong tried hard to calm himself down. The anger on his face slowly subsided. After regaining some rationality, he said in a low voice, "Feng Ruonan is one of Feng Lingbo's generals. How could she marry someone else, not to mention me? Marrying someone else's daughter and borrowing troops, do you think that's possible?"
This matter made the two feel a little strange. Marrying someone else's daughter just to borrow troops? Feng Lingbo wasn't an idiot. Besides, with Shang Chaozong's current condition, how could Feng Lingbo marry her daughter to Shang Chaozong? Impossible plus another impossible made it absolutely impossible. This matter made people confused and unable to figure it out.
Shang Shuqing said in a low voice, "Logically speaking, Feng Lingbo definitely wouldn't marry her daughter to brother. But looking at the situation of these two people, even the housekeeper of the Feng Manor came personally. It seems possible."
If it was impossible, then it was fine. Shang Chaozong was afraid of this possibility. Wasn't this a joke? He gritted his teeth and said, "Have any of you seen Feng Ruonan? I heard that this woman is even more muscular than men. I don't know if it's true or not. "
The corners of Lan Ruoting's mouth twitched. Shang Shuqing asked softly, "Brother, is appearance really that important?"
"… …" Shang Chaozong was stunned, and hurriedly explained: "That's not what I meant, I just don't think Feng Lingbo will agree." He blamed himself for saying those words and forgetting his sister's feelings. After all, his sister's appearance …
They couldn't figure out the truth no matter how much they guessed, so they decided to go to the county capital and find out the truth.
The troops gathered in front of the new grave and said their goodbyes. Together with Shou Nian and the others, they left the mountain, mounted the official road, and galloped away.
Along the way, Shang Chaozong was filled with melancholy. Actually, he didn't really care about Feng Ruonan's looks. Of course, if they really wanted to marry, who wouldn't want to marry a beautiful wife? The key was that he knew his own limitations. At his stage, he no longer had the qualifications to be picky. As long as he could lead everyone down this path, let everyone have a path of survival, and fight for a future for everyone, his personal gains and losses were no longer important. He had already given up on extravagant hopes of romantic relationships.
After his anger subsided, he calmed down and thought about it. Now, he actually hoped that Niu Youdao wouldn't let him down. As long as he could succeed, even if he had to marry a female yaksha, he would accept it!
Amidst the rumbling sounds of hooves, Shang Shuqing, who was moving up and down on the horse's back, would occasionally tilt her head to look at her melancholy brother.
She also understood that if Feng Ruonan was really as the rumors said, it would indeed be a grievance for her brother's family background. However, she didn't advise, nor did she comfort, nor did she express sympathy. This was because she was very clear that the siblings had no other choice now that they had come this far. At this stage, it wasn't just the siblings' business anymore. The people who followed them had already entrusted their lives to them. They weren't ordinary people, and personal honor was no longer important. Not to mention her brother marrying Feng Ruonan, even if Feng Lingbo wanted to take her as a concubine, she would grit her teeth and accept it. However, her ghostly face could ward off evil, and the moment she lifted her veil, it would give people a fright. There probably wouldn't be any man who would take a fancy to her!
Shou Nian, who was escorting them, would occasionally turn his head back to take a look. There were more than twenty monks following behind them, all of whom had changed into casual clothes and wore felt hats to conceal their bald heads. Each of them carried large and small bags of scriptures on their backs. Shou Nian was puzzled. Why did the Shang Dynasty bring this group of monks?
Halfway through the long journey, they met up with the five hundred cavalry sent by Guang Yi prefecture. Both sides formed an even larger cavalry formation.
Shou Nian also noticed that occasionally, Shang Chaozong's subordinates would run out from the forests on both sides to join them.
The progress of this trip was clearly slower than during the birthday celebration. They changed horses non-stop at the relay station.
It was already late, and the lanterns in the governor's manor were lit. After receiving the news that Shang Chaozong and his entourage would only reach the prefecture capital in another four hours, Niu Youdao decided to go to the city gates to welcome them. There were some matters that were better explained to Shang Chaozong and the rest outside the governor's manor. If Shang Chaozong was stubborn and refused to comply, he would have to think of a way to escape. It wouldn't be easy to escape from the governor's manor where there were so many experts.
He sent someone to ask Feng Lingbo for instructions. It was proper for a monk to welcome his master, and Feng Lingbo didn't stop him.
With permission, just as Niu Youdao and Yuan Gang walked out of the guest courtyard, they saw a group of people blocking their way. It was Peng Yulan and a few people blocking their way.
"Greetings, Madam!" Niu Youdao greeted cheerfully.
"If your eyes aren't blurry, take a look yourself." Peng Yulan casually took out a piece of paper and asked someone beside her to pass it to Niu Youdao.
Niu Youdao took the paper and looked at it under the light. He instantly broke out in a sweat. Wasn't this the wager between him and Feng Ruonan? It even had his, Feng Ruonan's and Yuan Gang's signatures on it. He had a part of the wager as well. Needless to think, Feng Ruonan must have told his mother everything. He was still hoping that Feng Ruonan would care about her face and be too embarrassed to tell others. He didn't expect that this burly woman really wasn't afraid of embarrassment!
Yuan Gang glanced at the handwriting on the paper and also recognized it.
Niu Youdao said cheerfully, "Your daughter is so mischievous!"
He wanted to keep the wager, but Peng Yulan hooked her finger. Niu Youdao had no choice but to return it obediently. If he dared to be forceful in front of others, he probably wouldn't be able to get beaten up. A wise man knows when to fight when the odds are against him!
Peng Yulan waved the wager and asked coldly, "I've seen shameless people, but I've never seen someone as shameless as you guys. You even dare to do such a shameless thing!"
After knowing the truth from her daughter, she was shocked. They actually borrowed her daughter's money … No, it should be said that they cheated her daughter's money to buy betrothal gifts to propose marriage to her daughter. This matter was a tongue-twister, but someone actually did it. How could a person be so shameless? Feng Ruonan was also embarrassed and indignant. She even had the thought of banging her head against the wall. However, she hadn't gotten her revenge yet. If she banged her head against the wall and died, wouldn't that be letting those bastards off lightly!
Feng Lingbo also found out about this matter afterwards and told Peng Yulan to forget about it. Compared to the things that needed to be done through the marriage, this bit of money was nothing. Men were more ambitious. However, Peng Yulan couldn't swallow this. Her daughter had already suffered enough. How could she marry her daughter off like this? She had to help her daughter seek justice.
Niu Youdao sighed and said, "Furen, there's really no other way. I'm sure Furen has heard of the Regional Prince's current situation. He's really short of money. Yes, short of money and it's not good to propose marriage empty-handed. Thus, Mister Lan had no choice but to use this method!" Previously, didn't Feng Lingbo ask him if this was Lan Ruoting's scheme? This was the advantage of not being in the limelight and keeping a low profile. Right now, he could push all the blame onto Lan Ruoting.
Peng Yulan's face was cold as she said, "I don't care if he's Mister Lan or Mister Zi. I'll look for whoever signed the wager. This one hundred thousand gold coins and him …" She lifted her chin at Yuan Gang, "When are you going to give it to me?"
If it was just money, Niu Youdao could still push the blame onto Shang Chaozong. However, how could he agree to it when it was Yuan Gang? He could only be shameless for once and immediately put on a straight face, "Furen, if you put it like this, then it's a little unreasonable."
"Oh?" Peng Yulan chuckled coldly and waved the wager in her hand, "I'm unreasonable? Could it be that the black and white words are fake? "
Niu Youdao waved his hand and said with a solemn expression, "It's true that it's fake, but the problem is, if we really go by the terms of the wager, I haven't lost. Who dares to say that I can't return the money within two hours? The crux of the problem is that before two hours are up, I've already been captured and brought to the Prefecture Governor's residence. If your daughter and the Prefecture Governor's residence were to join forces to make such a wager, there's no way you'll lose. However, this is unreasonable no matter how you put it, isn't it too much of a bully? "
These words were originally used to prevent him from reasoning with Feng Ruo Nan. He didn't expect that it would be used on Feng Ruo Nan's mother.
"…" Peng Yulan was speechless. She thought for a while and realized that it was indeed reasonable. However, after some thought, it wasn't right. This was obviously a trap. In an instant, she was so angry that she laughed instead, "Alright, let's not talk about the wager anymore. What about the ten thousand gold coins? Are you not going to return it as well? "
Niu Youdao nodded his head repeatedly, "How can I not return it? I'll return it, I'll definitely return it!"
Peng Yulan shouted, "When are you returning it?"
Niu Youdao said decisively, "When the Prince returns, I'll immediately get the Prince to return it!" He wasn't going to shoulder this debt.
"Alright! I'll wait. If you dare to go back on your words, I'll see how you do it! " Peng Yulan threw down these harsh words and turned to leave. She was certain that the other party couldn't afford to return the money at the moment. If he could fork out this sum of money, he wouldn't have to resort to such underhanded means. She was prepared to use this to embarrass that Lan Ruoting who came up with such a rotten idea. Whether to return the money immediately or give him more time to pay the wager, it was up to him! With her watching, she could guarantee that no one in the entire Guangyi Prefecture would dare to lend money to Shang Chaozong. She had made up her mind to stand up for her daughter. If she didn't vent her anger, it would be too much of a bully!
After she left, Bai Yao, who was carrying a sword in his arms, stayed behind. He indifferently tilted his head and gestured, "I heard that you're going to welcome the Regional King. The Prefect has asked me to accompany you." He was protecting the Song family from any evil schemes and was also keeping an eye on them. There was no helping it. This fellow was Dongguo Haoran's disciple. Perhaps he would be of help in finding the Hundred Thousand Crow Generals.
Niu Youdao saw the disdain in the other party's eyes and laughed dryly, "It's true that a poor man's ambition is stunted. I've made a fool of myself in front of Senior."
Bai Yao indifferently said, "You are indeed a little shameless!"
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