Chapter 26.1: Good Wife, Jin Mulan

It seemed hopeless and out of question to describe the shock coursing within Zhang Bo Yan's mind and body. Though he'd never seen Shen Lang prior to the wedding, he'd heard the many rumors of the white lotus' notorious reputation as that a wastrel trash.

None of the scholars and talents could decipher the meaning and p.r.o.nunciation of the ancient inscription, yet here stands Shen Lang freely doing so.

This… this is too… evil…

Yan Xion laughed bitterly  and looked at his teacher. "Master, is he making up a lie?"

The crowd eagerly awaited Zhang Bo Yan's answer.

Zhang Bo Yan was caught in a dilemma.

On one hand, he intended to deny Shen Lang's accuracy, that he was wrong. His scholarly reputation would lead many to believe the white lotus had been bluffing all along. No one would be able to cover for Shen Lang at this point.

However, there is one error in this. There was two other highly respected scholar present who knows of the ancient inscription. The meaning of the ancient inscription had also been confirmed by reputed scholars throughout the Great Yan.

We're he to deny Shen Lang the answer, he'd only lose face and his reputation damaged to ruins.

Was it worth the risk?

Seeing Zhang Bo Yan's hesitance, Yan Xiong felt something ominous. He leaned forward. "Teacher… is Shen Lang making up a story? Isn't it that he doesn't understand the meaning of the word at all?"

Yan Xiong's questioning guided Zhang Bo Yan to reply against Shen Lang without thoughts.

Zhang Bo Yan stared coldly at Yan Xiong. Then, bellowed out in full laughter. "Student Shen is truly proficient in the scholarly ways! He can even recognize a rare word from the ancient inscriptions. He also knows how to p.r.o.nounce them! It's good for this generation to have a mind like that of a genius."

The crowds fell in a state of shock.

What? Shen Lang? A genius? 

Isn't he trash?

Why do you praise him so high?

Everyone thought Zhang Bo Yan was joking.

Senior Zhang… are you pulling our leg?

Shen Lang's eye twinkled. He turned to Yan Xiong. "Brother Yan, just now you said in front of everyone if I won, you'd slap your face silly. You're a brilliant and humble scholar, this I know well. You've always stayed true to your words. I remember it well. That time in Hanshui Town School, you were always the brightest star and I… only a speck of dust."

All eyes were locked on Yan Xiong. Though it'd be nice to see Shen Lang humiliated, seeing Yan Xiong slap himself would be just as well. Who said human nature was good?

If he could relive this moment, Yan Xiong would willingly repent. We're he given a second chance, he'd choose not to be rash and think through the matter before acting. But 'alas, such is not the way of life. He slowly raised his head, feeling the eyes of the crowd locked on him.

The Count also looked at him with a light smile.

"Shen Lang, this enmity, I will remember!" Yan Xiong said coldly.

Thereafter, he proceeded to slap his face 'till it turned blue and purple.

Smack!

A crisp sound echoed in the room.

The crowd's mouth drooped and their eyes bulged.

This… this… this Yan Xiong is really sincere and true to his words… he's hurting himself so hard… maybe he's thinking that it's the face of Shen Lang he's slapping…?

Shen Lang breathed the air.

The sound felt… comfortable.

"Farewell!" Yan Xiong no longer had the courage to dawdle in the Count's Palace any longer and left immediately amidst the presence of all eager eyes.

Then, all was silent.

Count Jin broke the eerie silence.

"Shen Lang, you should go and introduce Mulan to your parents." He smiled lightly before waving his hand, a sign of instruction. "Prepare the feast!"

Soon, feasts wine and delicious delicacies came flooding in like a waterfall. Many servants came to tend to the guests present. It was a merry time, but however, there one person who wasn't present during the marriage ceremony, and that was w.a.n.g Lian, Shen Lang's rival.

Originally the favorite pick of candidacy for marriage, he was eager and overjoyed. Now left in the dust, he had not the face to attend the wedding between Shen Lang and Jin Mulan.