Chapter 19: Having a Good Father
Qi Haoran was also hearing this news for the first time.
Even though he usually maintained a calm mindset, at this moment he could not restrain himself, his fists clenched unconsciously, and his breathing grew rapid.
Zhao Qingchan—such a woman, bright and flawless like the moon in the heavens, aloof and independent of the world—how could she possibly marry a wastrel like Shen Yanzhou?
If she became the Crown Princess, perhaps he could still console himself and accept it.
“Shen Yanzhou, what nonsense are you spouting?”
“Senior Sister Zhao’s reputation is not something you can slander.”
Qi Haoran spoke coldly, his scholarly aura surging, faint ink fragrance drifting about his body, and above his head, a canopy-like cloud faintly appeared.
As a Confucian cultivator who had just stepped into the sixth rank, the initial stage of the Literary Heart Realm, though he had yet to reach the level of words becoming law, if he truly wished to teach Shen Yanzhou a lesson, it would be effortless.
“Brother Qi, don’t be impulsive. With your identity, you cannot make a move against him.”
Liu Zian, who had been fuming with anger just now, hurriedly interjected upon seeing this.
Now it was his turn to hold back Qi Haoran, lest he lose control.
Qi Haoran was merely a hostage prince of a vassal state.
Even as a royal prince, before Shen Yanzhou, the legitimate heir of a first-rank title, he was still as lowly as a servant.
If conflict broke out between the two, and Shen Yanzhou sent his retainers to beat him to death, the state of Qi behind him might even have to step forward to apologize.
“Heh, so much for a man of letters cultivating self-restraint. How can you be so easily provoked?”
“Chunchao, if he dares so much as to harm a single hair of this young master, what should you do?”
Shen Yanzhou shook his head lightly, still with that look of adding fuel to the fire.
Chunchao replied crisply, “Cut him down.”
As soon as her words fell, the long sword in her arms rang as it unsheathed.
A biting gleam burst forth like a silver bottle shattering, and an invisible chill swept over them.
Many of the onlooking students suddenly felt a cold shiver down their backs.
Those with keener vision narrowed their eyes, inwardly astonished.
This red-clothed young girl, at such a young age, possessed such profound swordsmanship, yet she had not entered the Sword Court within the Dragon-Tiger Institute to cultivate.
Could it be that she hailed from the Ten-Thousand-Mile Sword Court of the North Sea, or perhaps the Sword Lodge in Qilin City?
Yes.
The Demon Suppression Princess Consort was the daughter of the City Lord of Qilin City.
With how much she doted on Shen Yanzhou, arranging such a beautiful and powerful maid by his side was no surprise.
For a moment, many noble heirs felt envy and jealousy stirring in their hearts.
Negative emotions from Xia Song +5 +7 +8 +9…
Negative emotions from Qi Haoran +20 +21 +24…
“You…”
In the end, Qi Haoran did not act rashly.
He only clenched his fists tighter.
A wave of helplessness rose in his heart.
If he had not been sent as a hostage prince, could he have boldly pursued Zhao Qingchan, instead of watching helplessly as she was forced into a political marriage, given away to a wastrel like Shen Yanzhou?
“As if you even had the courage to act.”
Shen Yanzhou still smiled leisurely, while inwardly tallying the stream of negative emotions pouring in.
At present, neither the Demon Suppression Prince’s Mansion nor the Divine Martial Marquis’ Residence had leaked even the slightest word.
His decision to expose this matter early was intentional.
Not only was it to rattle the mindset of these so-called prodigies before the Dragon-Tiger Institute, but more importantly, it was to let the noble clans and great houses of the capital know of this, triggering subsequent chain reactions.
How many people would be unable to sleep tonight was none of his concern.
After all, he was merely a wastrel heir, loose-tongued and boastful, who happened to hear this news by chance from the Demon Suppression King and could not wait to spread it everywhere.
Wasn’t that perfectly reasonable?
After all, it was Zhao Qingchan he was to marry—the moonlight in the hearts of countless young men in the capital.
Before the Dragon-Tiger Institute, the emotions of many young students were in turmoil.
Many secretly scoffed.
If what Shen Yanzhou said was true, then this was most likely a matter agreed upon between the Divine Martial Marquis and the Demon Suppression King, perhaps not even finalized yet.
But in his excitement, he rushed to brag about it…
Afterwards, whether the marriage alliance would still go through was uncertain.
“It’s Senior Sister Zhao…”
Suddenly, a voice of surprise rang out.
The previously noisy entrance of the Dragon-Tiger Institute instantly fell silent, and all gazes turned.
Even the indignant Qi Haoran was stunned.
Looking towards the gate, he saw a young woman approaching slowly.
Her black hair cascaded like a waterfall, falling freely.
Without any makeup, her bare face was flawless like a perfect piece of jade.
Clad in a plain long robe, with no adornments or weapons upon her, she carried nothing.
Of course, she needed no embellishment.
Just standing there gracefully, her slender and elegant figure naturally exuded an aura of detachment, serene and pure, holy and cold.
Like a bright moon breaking through the clouds, shining upon all.
“Greetings, Senior Sister Zhao.”
Many students bowed in greeting.
Within the Dragon-Tiger Institute, the rules were strict and hierarchy rigid.
As one of the outstanding figures of the inner court, Zhao Qingchan’s status and position were not even inferior to many of the teachers.
Many were surprised.
Zhao Qingchan was rarely seen even within the inner court, yet today she actually appeared here.
What shocked them even more was that after stepping out of the gate, Zhao Qingchan walked straight towards Shen Yanzhou.
“Could it be that Senior Sister Zhao came out especially to see that wastrel?”
Many young students’ emotions surged, feeling a stifling discomfort.
Could it be that the marriage alliance between the Demon Suppression Prince’s Mansion and the Divine Martial Marquis’ Residence was true?
“Senior Sister Zhao…”
Qi Haoran wanted to greet Zhao Qingchan, but to his dismay, she, cold and aloof, seemed not to notice him, and walked straight past.
The words he wanted to say froze in his throat, and his fists clenched tighter.
Even Shen Yanzhou was a little surprised.
He had not come to the Dragon-Tiger Institute to see Zhao Qingchan.
But at this moment, he quickly gathered his composure, put on a smile, and greeted, “Zhao Qingchan…”
“Uncle Jingxiao has already told you about the marriage alliance?”
But Zhao Qingchan cut him off first, her tone calm and elegant, her eyes, clear as the moon, scrutinizing him.
Shen Yanzhou smiled.
“Of course, Mother told me.”
In truth, the Demon Suppression Consort herself might not have been very clear about this matter.
The marriage alliance had been decided by the Demon Suppression King and the Divine Martial Marquis.
Zhao Qingchan did not doubt him.
She nodded lightly.
“Father has already informed me. Since it is a family alliance, a decision of our elders, I will not refuse.”
“Only, I hope you will change some of your former temperament and habits.”
As soon as she said this, the front of the Dragon-Tiger Institute fell into dead silence again.
Many students and noble youths had their mouths agape, as if hearing something unbelievable.
Even Zhao Qingchan herself admitted to the marriage alliance, without resistance?
And her attitude towards this wastrel was far too good.
“How could this be…”
Qi Haoran felt a lump in his chest, his throat tight.
The stack of books in his arms was nearly crushed in his grip.
Shen Yanzhou felt the envious, jealous gazes all around him, while another wave of negative emotions flowed into his account.
He smiled calmly.
“No problem. Since you are my future wife, whatever you want me to change, I will change.”
Zhao Qingchan was slightly surprised.
She had not expected Shen Yanzhou to agree so easily this time.
Still, his calling her “future wife” so brazenly made her feel somewhat uncomfortable.
She quickly composed herself, nodded slightly, and asked, “Did you come here for me?”
Of course Shen Yanzhou would not admit he came to leech benefits.
With a smile, he replied, “I was thinking, you probably wouldn’t come out to see me.”
He deliberately stressed the words “wife.”
Although they both lived in the capital, they had rarely met before.
With the original Shen Yanzhou’s temperament, he only dared to tease some timid noblewomen.
As for a prodigy like Zhao Qingchan, if he ever dared set his sights on her, never mind the Crown Prince—even countless young nobles in the capital would secretly teach him a lesson.
In a sense, this was the first time the two had truly spoken.
Zhao Qingchan stared intently at Shen Yanzhou, her eyes as clear as a lake reflecting his handsome face.
Regarding the family-arranged marriage, though she felt some resistance in her heart, she also knew it was her fate.
As Shen Yanzhou so bluntly took advantage of her, she could only endure it.
“Are you worried I will resist this marriage?” she asked.
Shen Yanzhou thought of the descriptions of Zhao Qingchan in the original plot: outwardly cold and detached, but inwardly ambitious.
Yet in the end, because the Divine Martial Marquis colluded with the Demon Suppression King, when the Demon Suppression King’s coup failed and the Divine Martial Marquis’ residence was raided, she refused to be sent to the Court of Entertainments and ended her life with a slender string in her chamber.
“That’s part of the reason.”
Shen Yanzhou still replied with a smile.
Zhao Qingchan, whether in talent or cultivation, was among the foremost of the younger generation in the capital.
If she could be of use to him, the role she could play in the future would be beyond imagination.
“Wife, will you walk with me?”
Sensing Zhao Qingchan was not very resistant to him, Shen Yanzhou simply took the initiative, unwilling to waste this encounter.
Zhao Qingchan seemed to hesitate for a moment, then nodded lightly.
“Alright.”
Before the Dragon-Tiger Institute, the gathered noble students looked on in shock and disbelief.
The Senior Sister Zhao they held in such esteem was actually willing to accompany that wastrel for a stroll along Vermilion Bird Street?
Even the Crown Prince had once invited Zhao Qingchan to admire the Lantern Festival, yet she had declined, saying cultivation was her priority.
What virtue or ability did this wastrel have? Shamelessly calling her “wife” over and over.
For a moment, many hearts soured with jealousy.
In the end, they could only chalk it up to the fact that Shen Yanzhou had a good father, and the Divine Martial Marquis’ Residence was close with the Demon Suppression Prince’s Mansion.
“Senior Sister Zhao…”
Qi Haoran stared blankly at their retreating figures for a long while before coming to his senses.
Though he was not skilled in martial arts, his clenched fists bulged with veins, showing how much strength he used.
“Bah…”
“That wastrel only has a good face and a good father.”
Liu Zian spat bitterly.
Even though he hated to admit it, looking at their backs disappearing down Vermilion Bird Street, he had to admit they looked oddly matched, like a pair of jade companions.
…
“Why did you deliberately provoke the students of the Dragon-Tiger Institute? What good does it do you?”
Zhao Qingchan did not walk side by side with Shen Yanzhou, but slightly behind him.
Although she had only come out after receiving the news, she was already aware of everything that had happened at the gate.
From her perspective, Shen Yanzhou’s actions seemed baseless.
Otherwise, why would he speak such words to deliberately anger everyone? This only accumulated hatred against him, with no tangible benefit.
The tip of Shen Yanzhou’s nose was filled with a faint, pleasant fragrance.
At her words, he casually retorted, “I did nothing at all. Just by standing there, they despised me. That Liu Zian even threatened to beat me. Could it be I’m not even allowed to stroll by the Dragon-Tiger Institute’s gate?”
Zhao Qingchan thought: If not for your vile past behavior, hated by all, this would never have happened.
“You know full well why they dislike you.” She shook her head lightly.
Shen Yanzhou chuckled.
“Of course I know. They all envy me. Envy me for having a good father.”
“…”
Zhao Qingchan could not tell if he was being serious.
She recalled her father, the Divine Martial Marquis, saying:
How could a man like the Demon Suppression King allow his son to be nothing but a wastrel?
Perhaps Shen Yanzhou was not as simple as he appeared.
In the swirling vortex of power that was the capital, surviving was no easy matter.
But upon meeting him now, aside from an attractive face and the habit of constantly mentioning his “father,” she saw nothing remarkable.
Carrying the thought that perhaps she should observe him further, Zhao Qingchan continued to follow behind him as they walked down Vermilion Bird Street.
“Candied hawthorn, sweet and delicious candied hawthorn, made with honey dates from the ancient red trees of the Southern Frontier, blended with the Myriad Blossom Honey brewed by the Hundred Flower Palace. Tasty and affordable!”
As they passed a candied haw vendor, Shen Yanzhou casually picked up a skewer and asked offhandedly, “Wife, do you want some candied haw?”
“Do not call me ‘wife.’ Though the elders have discussed the marriage, it has not been finalized. You and I have not yet wed.” Zhao Qingchan’s brows furrowed slightly.
“Alright, understood. Wife, do you want some candied haw?”
“…”
Zhao Qingchan was momentarily at a loss for words.
“If you don’t want it, never mind.” Shen Yanzhou shoved the candied haw into his mouth.
Watching him swagger off, Zhao Qingchan frowned, glanced at the conflicted vendor, and retrieved a few copper coins from her Sumeru pouch to pay.
Soon after, she saw Shen Yanzhou at a honey date stall, picking and tasting freely.
After a few bites, he seemed dissatisfied, spitting them out with a few “ptui” sounds, then sauntering away nonchalantly.
“Truly a wastrel?”
Zhao Qingchan walked over and paid for him again, her steps reluctant.
If Shen Yanzhou truly was a wastrel inside and out, utterly without merit, then there would be no need to keep observing him.
After marriage, she naturally would have no great expectations.
Shen Yanzhou had no awareness of paying.
The original Shen Yanzhou also lacked such habits—whenever he went out, it was always his lackeys who paid.
Often, small vendors who recognized him would greet him cheerfully, even offering small gifts proactively.
Though, in his memories, the original Shen Yanzhou never made things difficult for such vendors.
Whenever he took something, he would instruct his lackeys to pay afterwards.