Chapter 45: Shameless and Despicable! |
The couple exchanged glances. Could their daughter already know about the betrothal?
Peng Yu Lan could not help but ask, "Who is the chief envoy? Is it Lan Ruo Ting?"
Yuan Gang: "The Guardian-Mentor of the Prince, Niu You Dao!"
"— Niu You Dao?" The couple exchanged glances again.
Then Feng Lin Bo, frowning, uttered, "Parasite!"
It was unclear whether he was referring to his daughter or Niu You Dao.
Peng Yu Lan immediately looked back and waved her hand. "Bai Yao, take two men, go see what's happening over there, and bring that person here. And tell the girl not to make noise."
From behind, a man leaning against the main beam, with his arms crossed over his chest, drew his sword and, with a nod, left the hall. It couldn't be said that the man was old; he had silver-streaked hair. As soon as he exited the main hall, he called out to two others and immediately soared onto the roof.
The three men left the governor's palace and headed towards the camp across the rooftops. They moved as nimbly as swallows. Few on the street would have noticed people moving above them on the roofs. Not long after, the three men leaped down from the roof and stopped before the camp. They strode purposefully inside.
They then proceeded to the central tent and entered without alerting the guards. Bai Yao feared that the general would immediately kill the chief envoy as soon as she learned of their arrival. Upon entering, he saw Feng Ru Nan, clad in armor, standing with her back to him, one hand behind her back, gazing at a map.
"— General..." A guard rushed in and awkwardly reported to Feng Ru Nan, ashamed that he hadn't reported earlier.
Feng Ru Nan froze the moment she turned around. Waving the guard away, she asked in surprise, "Uncle Bai, why have you come?"
Bai Yao asked, "Did you capture Niu You Dao?"
Feng Ru Nan froze, then nodded. "Yes! Why do you ask?"
Bai Yao looked around and asked, "Where is he?"
Feng Ru Nan: "In the neighboring tent, being guard..."
Without waiting for her reply, Bai Yao turned his head and left. He looked around and spotted a tent nearby. Ignoring the guards, he walked straight in, and the guards dared not obstruct him. As soon as Bai Yao entered, he saw Niu You Dao sitting leisurely at a table, sipping tea. Lan, dressed in dark clothes with a sword on her back, stood quietly, observing him.
"— Uncle!" Another girl named Mei, cupping her hands, greeted Bai Yao.
Bai Yao paid no attention to her. Looking at Niu You Dao, he asked, "Are you Niu You Dao?"
Niu You Dao slowly stood up and, with a faint smile, replied, "That is correct. This humble one does not know what I owe this visit to?"
At that moment, Feng Ru Nan also entered and witnessed the strange scene. Bai Yao extended a hand towards Niu You Dao and said, "Follow me."
Niu You Dao, paying no mind to who had come for him, obediently nodded his head. "Very well!"
"— Wait!" Feng Ru Nan cried out. "Uncle Bai, he cannot leave. I have business with him."
Bai Yao calmly replied, "Your mother wishes to see him. Whatever business you have, you can discuss it later."
Niu You Dao chuckled faintly; it seemed Yuan Gang had done everything correctly. He had, after all, never worried about Yuan Gang's capabilities.
Feng Ru Nan's face twitched. She insisted, "No, he owes me money. He cannot leave."
"— Can a matter of money be more important than speaking with your mother?" Bai Yao frowned, glaring at her. "Discuss the money later."
Feng Ru Nan: "Uncle Bai, I have a wager with him; he cannot leave right now."
Niu You Dao suddenly sighed and said, "General, I do not shirk my debts."
After these words, Bai Yao turned back to Niu You Dao and said, "Follow me!"
Niu You Dao cupped his hands and followed him, and as he passed Feng Ru Nan, he smiled faintly.
Feng Ru Nan wanted to erupt in anger, but she dared not gainsay Bai Yao. She merely stepped out of the tent and cried out, "Niu You Dao, just you try to hide!"
Niu You Dao simply turned to her and, smiling, waved his hand. He clearly looked pleased.
"— Laugh now? Let's see how you'll cry later!" Feng Ru Nan uttered, gritting her teeth. She was about to give the order for them to go to the governor's palace, but at that moment, Chu returned.
As soon as Feng Ru Nan saw her, she immediately asked, "What happened?"
Chu's mood was strange. She smiled a little bitterly and said, "That Yuan Gang and his people bought some things, or rather, gifts, and went to the governor's residence as a matchmaker."
"— A matchmaker?" Feng Ru Nan was surprised. "What kind of matchmaker?"
Chu covered her mouth with her hand and explained, "Not exactly a matchmaker himself. He came to propose marriage for Shang Chao Zong."
"— Propose marriage?" Feng Ru Nan was astonished. "Which sister is Shang Chao Zong planning to marry? Why do I not know about such an important matter?"
Chu was at a loss for words. Then she collected herself and said:
"— General, it's *you* they're proposing for!" Chu blurted. "Yuan Gang bought gifts and went to propose marriage for Shang Chao Zong... for you!"
Feng Ru Nan froze. It was as if everything in her mind had stopped. Then she shook her head. "What are you saying? How could Shang Chao Zong take me as his wife?"
Behind her, Mei and Lan also clearly disbelieved what they heard.
Chu still replied, "General, it's true. Yuan Gang shouted it out before everyone. Most likely, the entire city is talking about it now. I saw and heard it myself. It cannot be a mistake."
Feng Ru Nan involuntarily sensed that something was amiss. She continually consoled herself: "Even if it's true, my parents won't agree. They won't marry me off to that doomed Shang Chao Zong. It's impossible!"
Chu shook her head. "That, I don't know. Yuan Gang personally spoke with the County Ruler and Madame. I don't know what they discussed. However, it seems they are currently consulting."
"— Impossible!" Feng Ru Nan vehemently denied it, and only now did she understand why Niu You Dao had chosen to argue with her. He hadn't worried about her releasing him within an hour because he knew someone from her household would be sent for him. And she certainly wouldn't resist them. Perhaps he wouldn't even want to return the debt.
Thinking of the ten thousand gold coins, she immediately asked, "Where is the borrowed money? Did you manage to get it back?!"
Chu froze. The matter of the betrothal had made her completely forget about the money. However, she immediately said:
"— I'm afraid the money won't be returned now. Yuan Gang used it to buy betrothal gifts and has already delivered them to the governor's palace!"
Feng Ru Nan was utterly lost. "WHAT! He bought gifts with *my* money..."
Chu merely widened her eyes and fell silent. She simply nodded.
Mei said indignantly, "What a shameless wretch!"
Lan, gritting her teeth, muttered, "I've seen scoundrels, but *this* kind?!"
The few girls already felt disgust towards Niu You Dao.
"— Aaah!" Feng Ru Nan sighed and covered her face with her hands. She had completely lost her composure. She herself had intended to trick them, wanting both their money and their people. Yet, in the end, she had fallen for the trap herself!
Then Feng Ru Nan stamped her foot and said, "Gather the men and follow me. We'll kill that swindler!"
Very quickly, the cavalry assembled and rode out. Feng Ru Nan was truly enraged and ready to wreak havoc.
Chu didn't understand why Feng Ru Nan was so enraged. They still needed to block his path, to ensure Niu You Dao couldn't simply disappear without repaying his debt...
Niu You Dao calmly followed Bai Yao, and thus they arrived at the main hall.
As soon as he entered the hall, Feng Lin Bo and the others immediately scrutinized him, discovering he was very young.
According to news from the Southern Mountain Monastery, that young man had defeated Song Yang Qing and the others. Yet, it was difficult to reconcile this with Niu You Dao's appearance.
Bai Yao walked over and stood behind Peng Yu Lan, leaning against a pillar.
Niu You Dao, in turn, looked at the others, his gaze pausing briefly on Peng Yu Lan. No wonder Feng Ru Nan possessed such a robust and tall stature.
Then he saw Yuan Gang with his hands bound. Ignoring the others, he asked, "Are you alright?"
Yuan Gang nodded his head. His arrival was already a good sign.
Before everyone's eyes, Niu You Dao first untied Yuan Gang's hands. Only after Yuan Gang was freed did he look at Feng Lin Bo and, cupping his hands, said, "Niu You Dao greets the County Ruler and Madame!"
Feng Lin Bo calmly asked, "Are you the chief envoy for Shang Chao Zong's marriage proposal?"
"— Indeed!" Niu You Dao replied, then added, "Not merely to propose marriage, but to receive the bride. My Prince is in a hurry; he needs everything done quickly."
"— Did I ever agree to give my daughter away?" Feng Lin Bo was enraged, yet he restrained himself and, picking up a list, asked, "Do you know about the most important gift?"
Niu You Dao glanced around and realized that besides the couple, there were several other cultivators present. Thus, he said, "Is it convenient to speak here?"
Peng Yu Lan said, "Don't worry, everyone here is trustworthy. Speak your mind."
These few cultivators were her fellow disciples from the Heavenly Jade Sect, and they needed to know certain things. Otherwise, the couple wouldn't be able to act as masters here.
Niu You Dao merely nodded and said, "The Prince consulted with me first, so of course, I know."
Feng Lin Bo glanced through the list once more and asked, "How will I know if this item is authentic?"
Niu You Dao chuckled. "Authentic or not, the County Ruler will be able to determine it himself."
Feng Lin Bo: "Nonsense! How could I determine it?"