Chapter 84: Chapter 35: Groom Selection

Xiao Chengyi was slightly taken aback, then handed the medicine bowl to Lv Zhu beside him, and gently said to Ning Zhen, “Zhen’er, I have something to take care of outside, I’ll be back soon.”

Ning Zhen bit her lip tightly, a bitterness flashing in her eyes, she tried hard to keep her voice from trembling, responding softly, “You go ahead.”

Xiao Chengyi walked out of the room, Shi Tou hurried forward, lowered his voice, “Young General, regarding the matter of the Young Madam…”

“Hush, let’s talk over there.” Xiao Chengyi gestured for Shi Tou to walk over to the side with him.

Shi Tou reported in a low voice, “Young General, the Shen Family is selecting a husband, I saw six or seven young masters have already gone to the Shen Mansion, it’s quite bustling at the entrance.”

Upon hearing this news, Xiao Chengyi’s expression changed abruptly, he was just about to leave but then thought of something, and turned back into the room.

Approaching Ning Zhen’s bedside, he said in a low voice, “Zhen’er, there’s a small issue at the Patrol Camp, I need to go over for a bit.”

Ning Zhen quietly gazed at Xiao Chengyi, making him feel somewhat guilty, but he still mustered up the courage to ask, “Why are you looking at me like that?”

Ning Zhen lowered her eyes, hiding the mockery in them, and said blandly, “It’s nothing, go on!”

“I’ll be back soon.”

With that, Xiao Chengyi turned and left, his steps appearing somewhat hurried.

Inadvertently, he even stumbled over a nearby chair but didn’t mind, vanishing from the room in a few strides.

Outside the room, his hurried footsteps gradually faded away, the corner of Ning Zhen’s mouth curled into a mocking smile, yet tears uncontrollably slid from the corners of her eyes.

Inside the Shen Mansion’s main hall, Xu Ji warmly greeted every young master who came to the banquet, leading them to their seats.

Though the Yang Family and Zou Family had just received the news not long ago, their preparations were thorough.

At present, the smiles on their faces were as bright as spring, even more enthusiastic than Shen Ruoxi who was about to become the center of attention.

“Gentlemen, please make yourselves at home, Ruoxi might be a little late, I’ll go check on her,” Yang Family said softly, her face brimming with joy and expectation.

“Cousin-in-law, you go ahead, leave this to me,” Xu Ji assured with a confident pat to his chest.

Even though those present today were the legitimate sons of prominent families, not everyone was as Shen Ruoxi might have imagined.

Regarding the matter of entering into her family, although it seemed somewhat disgraceful to outsiders, the allure of a marquis title made several young masters discuss it with their families each night.

After all, being ennobled as a marquis didn’t mean one couldn’t return home to inherit the family business, and the two families could freely interact with each other, everything was negotiable.

Some even proposed a compromise: if the first son born in the future takes the surname Shen, then the second son could follow their own surname.

Such conditions undoubtedly made the “benefits” of marrying Shen Ruoxi extremely enticing.

Imagine, once becoming the son-in-law of the Shen family, one could not only inherit the Marquis of Loyalty’s hereditary title but also forge a strong bond with the Duke Xu Mansion, truly killing two birds with one stone and rising swiftly through the ranks.

Although Shen Ruoxi was remarried, she and Xiao Chengyi had never shared the same bed.

Furthermore, it was heard that those fortunate enough to witness her true appearance spoke highly of her, describing her beauty as peerless, enough to captivate the world.

People couldn’t help but be curious, what kind of extraordinary beauty did this legendary lady possess?

“Young Master Xu, Prince Lan and Prince Pei have arrived,” a servant of the Shen Mansion hurriedly came to report to Xu Ji.

Xu Ji felt a twinge of doubt, wondering why his cousin and Xuan would come uninvited?

After a brief thought, he understood they must have come upon hearing the news, wanting to join in the merriment.

“Gentlemen, please enjoy yourselves. Some esteemed guests have arrived outside, I’ll excuse myself for a moment,” Xu Ji said with a cupped fist.

The crowd didn’t mind, all indicating there was no need to take offense.

Seeing the host of the Shen Mansion temporarily leave, several acquainted young masters gathered together and started chatting.

“Young Master Chen also came today, what a pleasure,”

said a young master dressed in a blue brocade robe, his posture upright, his features handsome and sternly composed.

He was the Young General of Literary and Martial talents, the Heir of Marquis Wuyong, Wu An.

And the mentioned Young Master Chen, aged no more than eighteen or nineteen, wearing a white brocade robe, had eyes that smiled like peach blossoms. Although not as extraordinary as Wu An, he too was handsome and could be considered quite a beauty.

He was the son of the Minister of Revenue, Chen Lang.

“With Prince Wu here, we are but foils,” Chen Lang remarked with a modest smile.

Wu An jests, half-seriously, “In that case, Young Master Chen, why not leave first?”

Chen Lang hesitated briefly, then his mouth lifted into a smile, revealing a pair of charming tiger teeth, “Prince Wu, as they say, to each his own, who can predict if Marquis Shen might favor someone like me? Besides, as an heir, wouldn’t entering the Shen family lower your status?”

In Wu An’s mind, the image of Shen Ruoxi vaguely surfaced, they had met once, at that time she was still slightly naive, yet her beauty overshadowed all else, a beauty he still found unforgettable.

Last night, he discussed the matter with his parents, his mother naturally unwilling for him to enter another family, but his father sternly advised, “An, the entire Dayi Country owes the Shen family a son, if Shen Ruoxi favors you, I hope you’ll agree to it, it’s an honor.”

His mother was anxious but was harshly rebuked by his father, who emphasized that this was a matter for men to decide, women should not interfere.

At that moment, Wu An felt the weight of responsibility.

The Shen family’s men had sacrificed for the country for five years, yet the young generation seemed to gradually forget.

Only the older generation like his father still remembered their heroism.

They were the true heroes of Dayi Country, forgetting them would be a great shame!

Therefore, today he was determined to succeed.

Among the ten who came today, his biggest competitors were Chen Lang and Guan Qizhe.

Though Chen Lang’s looks were not as striking, his cheerful personality made him the most formidable competitor to Lan Jue in this Spring Examination; he was exceptionally talented and renowned.

As for Guan Qizhe, son of General Guan, he was dashing and his martial arts skills were exceptional.

He usually didn’t smile much, but that aloofness attracted countless young women.

Knowing your opponent ensures victory, and so Wu An was probing Chen Lang.

He said lightly, “Young Master Chen, you are the only legitimate son of the Chen family, why are you here to join in the fun?”

Chen Lang smiled slyly, responding, “If Prince Wu can be here, why can’t I be here?”

Wu An nodded, “Alright, let’s each showcase our abilities and speak with true skills.”

Chen Lang replied calmly, “Of course.”

Wu An’s gaze then shifted to Guan Qizhe, who sat alone in a brown outfit, his eyes cold, expressionless, exuding a proud aura that made Wu An squint his eyes slightly.

Outside, Xu Ji warmly welcomed Lan Jue and Pei Xuan into the Shen Mansion, smiling broadly, “Why have you two also come?”

Pei Xuan glared at him unhappily, jesting, “How could I miss such an event?”

Swallowing his bitterness, Lan Jue responded calmly, “As Ruoxi’s cousin, how could I not come to scrutinize? This time, we must let her find a satisfactory husband.”

Just as he finished speaking, a panicked guard hurried to the three of them, his expression tense, stumbling over his words, “Three… three young masters, His Majesty… His Majesty, he…”

Before he could finish, the sharp voice of an eunuch rang throughout the entire Shen Mansion courtyard, “His Majesty has arrived!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep