"Of course I'm going!"
Shen Zhao answered decisively after downing a mouthful of wine.
"I've invested a lot of effort and resources in that girl. If I don't get her on the Empress's throne, wouldn't it all be for naught? I can't do a losing business deal. Before this is done, no one can escape my grasp."
"So, when do you plan to leave?"
"I'll wait a few days. I have some small matters to handle. Then, Liang Hao, you'll come with me to the Su Clan in the Southern Region!"
As soon as the words left his mouth, Dugu Xin volunteered, "Great Elder, since we've just joined the Public Arbitration Council and haven't made any contributions, could we accompany you?"
Shen Zhao directly refused, "The three of you should sit this one out for now. Since you've already joined the Public Arbitration Council, go do something for me.
The membership fees for last year and this year haven't been paid yet. You go to the Public Arbitration Council headquarters and pay the fees for me."
Dugu Xin immediately asked, "May I ask, Great Elder, how many spirit stones are needed?"
"The annual fee is five hundred low-grade spirit stones."
"I thought it would be more. Don't worry, I'll handle this small matter. I'll pay for thirty years in advance, so I don't have to keep running back and forth."
Anyway, Dugu Xin had gained quite a bit from participating in the Northern Region suppression of the rebellion, so he didn't mind spending a bit of it on the membership fees.
Shen Zhao was very satisfied. This guy really knew how to play the game.
"Also, go to the Artifact Refining Pavilion and buy everyone a flying artifact. Relying on rented flying beasts all the time isn't convenient.\n\nNow that everyone's status is different, we need to pay attention to appearances when we're out and about."
Dugu Xin nodded, "Leave it to me. I'll cover the cost of the flying artifacts, Elder. Just rest assured."
"Alright!"
After giving instructions, Shen Zhao pointed at the Dragon Throne made from Zi Yun Ore, which had been stolen from the imperial palace treasury, and said directly, "Secretary Ding, to be honest, I want this chair, so get off it immediately."
Without a word, Secretary Ding immediately stood up, wiped the armrest with his sleeve, and greeted with a flattering smile, "There aren't many things that can interest Master Shen. Alright, this chair is all yours, Master Shen."
Shen Zhao didn't stand on ceremony and sat down directly.
"Comfortable, damn comfortable!"
Shen Zhao lazily stretched, then got up and walked out of the hall.
"Where is Master Shen going?"
"Repair the Imperial Seal!"
When Shen Zhao was using the Purple Star Emperor Qi to repair the Mountains and Rivers Seal in the Azure Cloud Immortal Palace, the young lady, the daughter of the local tyrant Wang Changgui, finally found a satisfactory son-in-law.
"Such beautiful spring, better to dream it, the scent of grass in the dream..."
Only a day later, the Wang family held the wedding in a grand manner. They also hired a band with a modern entertainment style, blowing trumpets and beating drums to attract attention.
At the same time, Wang Changgui set up hundreds of tables for a banquet. Regardless of their status, any commoner who came to offer congratulations could attend and enjoy a few bites of the wedding feast.
It wasn't that Wang Changgui was some great philanthropist. It was simply that his daughter, Wang Cuihua, was... remarkably, profoundly, shockingly... unique.
So shocking, in fact, that she could make teenage boys, who supplemented their spiritual deficiencies with Japanese adult films, collectively flock to online abstinence forums.
She could make serial rapists turn themselves in, sobbing and begging to be executed.
She could make a playboy with hundreds of women renounce the world, become a monk, and travel west as a penitent.
Some people, after just one glance at Wang Cuihua, would immediately castrate themselves without a second thought.
So, when news spread that Wang Cuihua was getting married, every unmarried man within miles breathed a collective sigh of relief.
Finally, they wouldn't have to worry about being targeted. They had to thank the brave soul who shouldered this burden for them.
His dauntless spirit deserved to be honored with incense and offerings.
But none of this mattered to Tang Ran.
As he put it, how could the thoughts of a bunch of ants compare to a dragon king as awesome as him?
As a professional live-in son-in-law, handling this kind of thing was a piece of cake, wasn't it?
After the wedding reception ended that night, Tang Ran, still in his wedding attire, stumbled into the bridal chamber, pushed along by the servants.
When he saw his bride sitting on the edge of the bed, wearing a red veil and built like a water tank, Tang Ran's soul trembled.
"Holy crap, this is a high-stakes game."
He tried to calm himself, repeatedly telling himself not to panic. He was an old hand at this, not the first time he'd been a live-in son-in-law.
So, he sighed helplessly and said directly to Wang Cuihua, "My lady, I know there's no emotional foundation between us,
"Rest assured, I won't touch you before you truly accept me, my lady. I'll wait until you are willing."
After saying that, he quickly prepared to go to the study next door.
"What did you say!"
As a result, these words provoked Wang Cuihua's strong dissatisfaction. She directly ripped off her veil, stood up, and shouted, "Where are you going? It's a day of great joy, are you planning to abandon the bride?"
Tang Ran looked back, and immediately shivered all over, almost collapsing to the ground.
He widened his eyes, staring incredulously at the woman in front of him, as if he had seen the most anthropomorphic creature in the world.
His throat tightened, but he couldn't organize effective words to describe her appearance.
Wang Cuihua's hair was messy, piled on her head like a pile of weeds, sparse, yellow, and a bit bald.
Her face was covered in wrinkles and spots, her skin was loose, and her eyes sometimes narrowed so much they were barely visible, and sometimes widened like copper bells.
In addition, her nose was flat, her lips were thick, and her teeth were crooked, black, and yellow, making one think of Gollum from Lord of the Rings.
What was most striking was her body, which was like an ocean. If she were to spread out, she could easily make a four-person mahjong table, with room for a tea table as well.
Add to that her tight-fitting wedding dress, and it seemed like it would tear at any moment.
Tang Ran's heart was pounding. He wanted to escape from this woman's sight as soon as possible, but he felt his legs become unusually heavy, unable to move a single step.
He could only stand there, staring blankly as the woman slowly approached until she stopped in front of him.
Wang Cuihua raised her head and looked at him with what she thought were gentle eyes, her small, large eyes sparkling, as if expecting something.
At this moment, Tang Ran's mind was blank. He didn't know what she wanted, nor did he want to know. He only hoped she would leave quickly and not come any closer.
However, Wang Cuihua didn't leave. Instead, she reached out and gently placed a hand on his shoulder.
Instantly, he felt a chill. He wanted to push her hand away, but he didn't have the courage.
Wang Cuihua looked at Tang Ran, her eyes filled with greed. Then, she revealed an expression uglier than a ghost and tried to sound seductive, saying, "Husband, we're married now. They say a spring dawn moment is worth a thousand gold. Quickly drink this nuptial wine and rest early!"
Tang Ran's face turned pale, and he trembled with fear, quickly trying to decline, "Wife, I think this is too hasty. How about we get to know each other first?"
Upon hearing this, Wang Cuihua's face immediately turned cold. She directly pulled Tang Ran to the table and forced him to sit down.
"Hmph! Tang, you seem to have forgotten your place! You're a son-in-law of my Wang family. It's your and your father's good fortune, beggars that you are, to even enter my Wang family's doors.
It's only the first day of the wedding, and you already want to push your luck? It seems like I need to set some rules for you today, so you know how strict my Wang family's discipline is!"
After speaking, she slapped him twice on the spot, then forced a pot of wine down Tang Ran's throat.
Tang Ran's cultivation was completely ruined, and with his injuries, he could only be at her mercy, constantly opening his mouth to beg for mercy.
After being tormented by Wang Cuihua, he immediately felt a burning pain in his internal organs.
After a pot of wine was finished, Wang Cuihua threw Tang Ran onto the bed like he was a little chick, then began to undress him.
"No, you, what are you going to do!"
"What am I going to do? We're husband and wife, of course, it's the wedding night, hehehe!"
"Don't, don't come over!"
Tang Ran kept shrinking towards the corner of the bed, just like a poor and helpless virgin, while Wang Cuihua, as the bride, kept licking her tongue, but instead looked more like a bandit hooligan trying to occupy a good woman.
Now he seemed to understand that the current situation was completely different from the Pang Clan's.
"Stop acting so high and mighty! Get over here and serve this young miss!"
"No, my lady, calm down! This is a very sacred and pure act, it absolutely can't be done so casually!"
"Stop pretending! Do you think this lady doesn't know about your men's dirty little secrets? Quickly take off your clothes! This lady wants to taste what it's like to be with a man today, hahaha~"
"Help! Father, help me! I don't want to be a son-in-law anymore! Come save me~~"
"No~~~"
The next moment, the room's lights went out, followed by Tang Ran's pig-like groans, truly moving those who heard it and causing tears to flow.
Not far outside the door, Tang Hao held a half-eaten chicken leg, hiccuping, and silently watched the bridal chamber.
After a long while, he sighed softly, muttering, "Son, you must endure for the sake of our future, so that we, father and son, can make a name for ourselves."
With that, he took a large bite out of the chicken leg in his hand.
That night, Tang Ran experienced despair for the first time in his life.
After it was over, Tang Ran felt utterly exhausted and weak, and the greasiness on his body made him extremely uncomfortable.
Listening to Wang Cuihua's thunderous snoring beside him, and recalling the hellish experience of the first half of the night, Tang Ran finally couldn't help but shed tears.
Men don't cry easily, but only when they are truly heartbroken.
His most precious possession as a man had been forcibly taken away by this ugly, obese woman.
This feeling was anything but pleasant. It was as disgusting as being rooted by a pig, and he was forced to endure it a dozen times, his spirit and energy completely drained.
What a humiliation, truly a humiliation!
This night was destined to be a nightmare that Tang Ran would never escape.
Three days later, Azure Cloud Immortal Palace.
"Love and hate, waxing and waning, pause and look back, I'll go with you!
Thoughts, never extinguished, through the mortal world, unwilling to forget each other.
Soaring to the heavens then falling a thousand feet, I'll risk it all for you."
"If you are alone in the distance, who will look at me?"
"Love and hate, ebb and flow, stop and look back, I will go with you.
Thoughts, never die, tread through the mortal world, unwilling to forget each other.
Late night drizzle asks the Azure Night Begonia Tree, with eternal time~
Side by side with you, to enjoy this human world's scenery!"
Shen Zhao, who had successfully obtained a large sum of money, was in an excellent mood. Standing at the highest point of the Azure Cloud Immortal Palace, and feeling the beautiful scenery around him, Shen Zhao couldn't help but sing out loud.
His singing was like a long river, flowing through every corner of the Azure Cloud Immortal Palace, attracting countless people to listen.
After finishing the song, Shen Zhao stretched his arms, preparing to say goodbye to Mu Qiuyao and set off for the Southern Region.
He didn't expect to turn around and see Yu Xiyan silently gazing at him not far behind.
It had to be said, Yu Xiyan would become the center of attention wherever she appeared.
Her exquisite face, delicate figure, and noble, aloof temperament were like a beautiful and elegant painting, the dream partner of countless men.
The former Shen Zhao had also been infatuated with Yu Xiyan, wanting nothing more than to give her his heart.
But now, it was all in the past…
Shen Zhao simply nodded politely, then walked directly down the mountain.
"Shen Zhao!"
Yu Xiyan called out to him.
"Let's talk."
Shen Zhao stopped. "The Imperial Seal has been repaired. Your Majesty should return to the palace now."
Yu Xiyan said, "Do you have to be this way?"
Shen Zhao was puzzled. "What's wrong? Is there a problem with the repaired Imperial Seal?"
"Shen Zhao, you know I'm not talking about the Imperial Seal. I just want to know, what do you want me to do before you'll return to Chang'an?"
"I think I made myself clear enough on that point back at the Heavenly Severing Holy Land. I don't want to repeat myself. It's getting late, Your Majesty. You should set off soon. There are probably many things waiting for you to handle in the court."
With that, he turned and walked away.
"Shen Zhao, I want the Azure Night Begonia Tree. Can you plant it back for me?"
Shen Zhao was stunned when he heard this.
So, she had also returned.
And Shen Zhao's expression at that moment made Yu Xiyan realize that he was very likely, like herself, reborn.
This explained why Shen Zhao, who had always obeyed her, had fled Chang'an on the day of her ascension to the throne.
Why his attitude was no longer as flattering as before.
Why his eyes no longer held that tenderness.
Now, it all made sense.
Since Luo Pianhong, Mu Qiuyao, and even himself could be reborn, why couldn't Shen Zhao?
She should have realized it sooner.
"Shen Zhao, you've returned too, haven't you?"
This light question instantly brought back to Shen Zhao the humiliation and grievances he had endured throughout these nine lives.
He really wanted to turn around and roar at Yu Xiyan, venting all his emotions.
But then, he thought, what was the point of doing that?
"Heh..."
Shen Zhao chuckled softly, looked at the ice-cold beauty standing so close, and shook his head, saying, "Let the past be the past. I don't want to bring up the past again; it's not a memory I cherish."
In a single sentence, Yu Xiyan got the answer she wanted.
For a moment, she didn't know how to face Shen Zhao, feeling a little awkward and lost.
"I'm sorry."
After a long pause, she could only lower her head and slowly utter those three words.
"Not accepted!"
Shen Zhao's response made Yu Xiyan's heart tremble.
She suddenly raised her head, meeting Shen Zhao's red eyes.
"You, what did you say..."
"I said, I don't accept your apology, and you don't need to put on such a pitiful act. I still prefer the way Empress Yintian was, high above, trampling me underfoot and tormenting me."
"Shen Zhao, listen to me. I know I did a lot of things to hurt you, and you must have resentment towards me.
But I really didn't mean to. Can you give me a chance to make it up to you?"
"No need. Besides, what can you even compensate me with? And what position do you have to say such ridiculous things to me?
When you and Lin Feng schemed to kill me, why didn't you think about how to compensate me?"
"Shen Zhao, don't be like this. I regretted it after you died. It was all my fault. I shouldn't have listened to Lin Feng's words..."
"Don't say it, I don't want to hear it!"
Shen Zhao directly interrupted Yu Xiyan.
He was already trying his best to restrain himself from losing control, but Yu Xiyan kept reopening old wounds.
So, he decided to take the initiative.
"Are you trying to say that everything was Lin Feng's conspiracy, that he instructed you to do all this?"
"Are you trying to say that what you did to me wasn't your true intention, that you were just bewitched by Lin Feng?"
Yu Xiyan was stunned, unsure how to respond.
"Don't put all the blame on him. Lin Feng is a waste, that's true, but do you know how much you cared about, how much you loved that waste?"
"I'll just mention one thing, see if you remember."
"Do you remember the night you found out Lin Feng was having an affair with the eldest daughter of the Taiqing Sect, even witnessing their illicit affair, and then got drunk and came to the Pojun Manor looking for me?"
Yu Xiyan trembled at the words, her body shaking uncontrollably.
-----------------------
Completed English PDF of this fan-fic on my Patreon shop if you want to support and own the full fan-fic in one go. Just grab the PDF and binge the entire story from start to finish!
Guys, I've uploaded some High Quality english translated fanfic on my Patreon shop! Feel free to check it out-if you're interested, you can grab a copy and support me there.
Here are a few titles of recently uploaded fanfics:
New Addition:
" You Refused to Side with the Villain—So Why Cry When I Let You Go? (18+) "
" Succubus Physique: I Really Am Surrounded by Beauties (18+) "
" Many Children, Many Blessings—Starting with the Willow Deity (18+) "
" My Filial Piety Could Never Possibly Go Wrong (18+) "
" I'm Clearly the Villain—Why Are All the Heroines Throwing Themselves at Me? (18+) "
" Trapped in Enemy Territory, the Female General Tells Me to Open My Mouth (18+) "
" Douluo: Flame Lance Chongli and Fallen Heart Flame Cheat (18+) "
" Adult Urban: Starting with Qiao Yingzi's Flaw (18+) "
" The Heavenly Demon Begins with Attribute (18+) "
" The Empress Granted Me a Marriage—The Yandere's Favorability (18+) "
" Oh No—The Monster Girl I Picked Up Can Only Recover Mana Through Me (18+) "
" It's Really Hard to Date a Senior (18+) "
Your support means a lot-thanks in advance, legends!
many more are available 55+
patreon.com/RoyalStories
(End of Chapter)