Chapter 48: Every Family Has Its Troubles

Feng Lingbo and Peng Yulan both fell silent.

What kind of "sincerity" Shang Chaozong had in marrying Feng Ruonan had already been made perfectly clear. It was not that he loved her deeply. He wanted to rely on the Feng family's power to gain a chance at survival.

Feng Ruonan, however, was one of their most important commanders. Marrying her away so casually seemed inappropriate. Then again, if things truly unfolded as Niu Youdao claimed, and the hundred thousand Crow Generals could be held as leverage, the imperial court's pressure on Guangyi Commandery would certainly lessen. In that case, marrying their daughter away might still be acceptable.

"You are a disciple of the Shangqing Sect. Your sect's reputation isn't much better than Prince Ning's. Whether we accept Shang Chaozong is one matter, but it seems the Tianyu Sect has no reason to shelter you."

Bai Yao, still leaning lazily against the supporting pillar behind them, suddenly tossed out the remark.

Niu Youdao turned his head and answered casually, "I've already been expelled from the Shangqing Sect. I have nothing to do with the Shangqing Sect anymore."

Everyone in the hall froze.

Other things could be said carelessly, but in the cultivation world, claiming to have left one's sect could easily be taken as betraying one's master and ancestors. No one spoke such words lightly. Could Song Yanqing's attempt to kill him have been connected to this? Bai Yao slowly repeated his point.

"The Tianyu Sect has no wish to become involved in your affair with the Song clan."

The meaning remained the same.

The Tianyu Sect had no reason to protect him.

He was on his own.

Niu Youdao did not care in the slightest. What kind of joke was this? When he had said farewell to Shang Chaozong and the others at Nanshan Temple, he had already mentioned the Song clan's retaliation and said he would handle it himself.

Now that he had come all the way here, did anyone think he had made the trip for nothing?

He smiled at Feng Lingbo.

"I forgot to tell the Commandery Governor something. My master was Dong Guo Haoran. I am the only disciple of my master who remains. The matter of Prince Ning refining the hundred thousand Crow Generals was personally handled by my master from beginning to end. When it comes time to search for those hundred thousand Crow Generals, perhaps I can be of some assistance. If my help is unnecessary, then naturally I will leave. I certainly won't trouble anyone."

The implication was obvious.

The choice was theirs.

So this fellow was actually Dong Guo Haoran's disciple? The cultivators present were left speechless. If that was true, then it genuinely was possible he could help. Prince Ning's relationship with Dong Guo Haoran had never been any secret. Bai Yao slowly closed his eyes. There was nothing more for him to say. Feng Lingbo, however, looked somewhat curious.

"Leaving aside what kind of man Shang Chaozong is, his present circumstances hardly make him a wise lord worth following. Why are you working so hard for him?"

Niu Youdao's expression did not change.

"I recognize heroes and value true men!"

It sounded very much like an echo of what he had just said while praising Shang Chaozong to Feng Ruonan. Feng Lingbo gave a cold, amused snort and looked at him sidelong.

"I know a little about Shang Chaozong. He isn't useless, but he doesn't compare with his father. His schemes do not run this deep. Otherwise, he would never have fallen into a trap and ended up imprisoned in the first place. This entire arrangement—was it suggested by Lan Ruoting, disciple of Luo Shaofu?"

Luo Shaofu was Lan Ruoting's teacher. He had been Prince Ning's closest confidant and the foremost strategist under Prince Ning's command. That Prince Ning had survived for so many years under such adverse circumstances owed much to Luo Shaofu's efforts. His name was known throughout the realm. Niu Youdao had never been a man who enjoyed standing in the spotlight.

Even in peaceful times, he had disliked drawing attention to himself. In an age this chaotic, he had even less reason to do so.

So he nodded immediately.

"I wouldn't dare conceal it. It was indeed Mr. Lan's suggestion."

"Lan Ruoting..."

Feng Lingbo sighed with considerable emotion.

"A worthy student from a famous teacher."

Then he studied Niu Youdao again.

"Would you be willing to enter my service?"

He had taken something of a liking to the man.

Feng Lingbo was not blind.

The glib, persuasive tongue Niu Youdao had displayed in this hall was an ability in its own right. The man counted as talent. His gaze drifted toward Yuan Gang as well. Feng Lingbo was beginning to think Shang Chaozong actually had quite a few capable people around him.

There was Niu Youdao, whose tongue could turn black into white; Lan Ruoting, skilled in strategy; and Yuan Gang, who was clearly no ordinary man either. He wondered whether there were more.

If he could absorb Shang Chaozong's entire group into his own camp, perhaps that would not be a bad thing.

Niu Youdao smiled.

"Once the Commandery Governor and His Highness become one family, serving His Highness will naturally be the same as serving the Commandery Governor. There will be no difference. If the Commandery Governor has orders in the future, how would I dare refuse?"

He spoke as though Shang Chaozong had already married Feng Ruonan.

Peng Yulan could not help cursing, "What a sharp tongue!"

Niu Youdao answered her with a smile and cupped his hands again.

"Madam flatters me. But it is true that I sincerely hope Madam will soon become the mother of a Princess Consort!"

His gaze shifted back to Feng Lingbo, waiting for a definite answer.

The words "Princess Consort" stirred Peng Yulan again.

Then her mood became complicated.

Marrying her daughter off in this manner still felt...

"I need more time to consider this matter," Feng Lingbo said slowly.

At this point, with Feng Lingbo's attitude already so much softer, Niu Youdao knew the matter was nearly settled. It was simply too important for Feng Lingbo to decide alone. He would almost certainly need to ask the Tianyu Sect behind him. Niu Youdao did not embarrass him.

Instead, he offered a reminder.

"There is one matter I should bring to the Commandery Governor's attention. His Highness is still waiting at Nanshan Temple for news. The commotion surrounding this bridal procession has been far too large. The imperial court's people have likely already heard about it and sent reports. His Highness may well have expert cultivators from the court shadowing him along the road. If we delay too long, His Highness could be in danger. Whether the Commandery Governor ultimately agrees to this marriage or refuses, I hope you will first send people to receive and protect him, lest someone strike against His Highness."

That made Feng Lingbo's and Peng Yulan's expressions turn serious.

Peng Yulan snapped, "Serves you right! Who told you to create such a huge spectacle?"

Niu Youdao thought to himself that without making the matter public enough for everyone to know Shang Chaozong was marrying Feng Ruonan and borrowing Guangyi Commandery's power, how could the imperial court be made wary?

And if the Feng family quietly seized control of Shang Chaozong's group instead, that would create entirely different complications. Of course he had needed to cut off that possibility first.

Outwardly, he merely smiled.

"His Highness's side cannot afford much delay. If we wait too long, unexpected changes may arise."

Feng Lingbo immediately looked toward the elderly man who had just returned.

"Shounian, take several experts personally and go to Nanshan Temple to receive them. The rest of the escort force will follow afterward."

Niu Youdao glanced toward the old man who had struck Yuan Gang earlier. He silently committed the name to memory.

"Yes!"

Shounian accepted the order and strode out.

At the doorway he extended one hand. A treasured sword came flying from somewhere and landed in his grip with a smack. In an instant, the aura of his entire figure changed. He no longer resembled a deferential old servant in the slightest. Niu Youdao narrowed his eyes slightly. It seemed the Commandery Governor's residence contained quite a few experts. Even an old servant who appeared entirely ordinary was no simple man.

Then again, it was understandable.

Without such protection, Feng Lingbo would probably have been assassinated by the imperial court long ago. By the time Shounian exited through a side gate, four black-clad men were already following behind him. The five mounted and rode away together. Once beyond the city gates, they immediately drove their horses into a full gallop. Shounian rode at the front, his broad sleeves filled by the wind, robes snapping loudly behind him.

Not long after the five left the city, five hundred iron cavalry thundered out after them, heading in the same direction. The first five men had access to relay stations along the route and could change mounts.

There was no chance the five hundred riders behind them would find enough replacement horses at every station, so naturally they could not match the smaller group's speed. Before much longer, another lone rider left the city. This was one of the personal guards Niu Youdao had arranged to ride ahead and deliver the news. Shang Chaozong knew nothing of what was happening here. Without warning, misunderstandings could easily arise. By then, the sky was gradually darkening...

Inside Guangyi Commandery's capital, discussion spread everywhere. The common people throughout the city were talking about Feng Ruonan marrying Shang Chaozong.

At the Commandery Governor's residence, a message had already been sent to the Tianyu Sect. Now they could only wait for the sect's reply.

Inside the study, candlelight swayed.

Feng Lingbo paced back and forth before finally asking, "Madam, do you think the Tianyu Sect will agree?"

Peng Yulan, seated nearby, set down her teacup.

"Everything Niu Youdao said is reasonable. The Tianyu Sect has no reason to pass up an opportunity to strengthen itself. This matter is entirely worth maneuvering over in secret. There shouldn't be any major obstacle."

"I think the same."

Feng Lingbo sighed.

"It's only Ruonan..."

Before he could finish, a servant arrived outside and presented a secret letter. Feng Lingbo took it and read. Then he gave a cold laugh and turned toward the servant.

"Send word to our people in the capital. Have them keep their heads down for the time being."

"Yes!"

The servant withdrew.

Peng Yulan rose and walked over.

"What happened in the capital?"

"Wang Heng. Niu Youdao killed his son-in-law. What else could it be?"

Feng Lingbo casually handed her the secret letter.

Peng Yulan read it.

Wang Heng wanted Feng Lingbo to help detain Niu Youdao and send him under escort to the capital. In return, Wang Heng claimed he would owe Feng Lingbo a favor. Compared with the hundred thousand Crow Generals, a favor from Wang Heng was almost negligible. The moment Feng Lingbo told his people in the capital to lie low, Peng Yulan understood his position.

"How will you reply to Wang Heng?"

"The marriage commotion is already this large. Wang Heng will learn of it soon enough. Is there any need to reply?"

Feng Lingbo waved the matter aside, then sighed.

"Ruonan isn't young anymore. She should have married years ago. This has become a knot in my heart. But she looks down on this man, then that man. Where beneath Heaven is there a perfect husband? In the end, she is still somewhat ashamed of herself. She only acts fierce and strong on the surface to cover it up. You are her mother. You'll still need to persuade her. Women can speak more easily among themselves. Be patient with her and explain the reasoning properly. To tell the truth, marrying Ruonan off this way really is somewhat inappropriate. But look at it from another angle. Once Shang Chaozong depends on us, he will have to watch our expressions and follow our lead. That is better than marrying her to someone beyond our control. If our daughter marries him, we can at least rest easy. She certainly won't be bullied. Talk to her properly."

"Ah..."

Peng Yulan sighed and nodded.

She understood perfectly well that if the Tianyu Sect truly made the decision, their daughter would have no room to refuse.

And there was another truth.

Her daughter was simply too formidable. Add the fact that she was hardly delicate or conventionally feminine in appearance, and normal men were intimidated from the start. Year after year had passed until she was already well beyond the usual age for marriage. Peng Yulan had been anxious for a long time.

She knew Niu Youdao was a silver-tongued lobbyist, but when she thought carefully about his words, they were not without reason. Marrying Shang Chaozong was hardly a bad outcome.

If her daughter did not marry, that was one thing. But if she did, she would become a Princess Consort in a single step. In truth, Peng Yulan could hardly ask for a better result. Nor did she find Shang Chaozong's practical motives difficult to understand.

Some things were obvious enough.

Given her daughter's appearance, temperament, and personality, any man truly willing to marry her would probably be doing so largely because of the Feng family's background. Shang Chaozong was no different in that regard.

"I'll go see that girl."

Peng Yulan walked away with another sigh. Every family had its own troubles.

[End of Chapter 48]