Dragon Tamer

55 million gold, a sum that some countries might not amass in a year of tax revenue, was, in Miao Kingdom, merely for the pleasure of a game for the powerful.

No subsequent bid reached this number.

And thus, Zhu Minglang had become this year’s national son-in-law.

Although Zhu Minglang knew this was inseparably tied to his identity, it was equally related to his commanding presence, extraordinary handsomeness, exceptional poetic talent, outstanding swordsmanship, and his adeptness in dragon training!

The son-in-law selection festival also came to a gradual close with the final few outstanding son-in-laws making high bids, the most astonishing, of course, still being Zhu Minglang’s, which far exceeded those of the other competitors.

As night fell, Zhu Minglang had already been invited into the palace.

This was so swift that Zhu Minglang was still somewhat unaccustomed, not having expected that Miao Kingdom’s son-in-law selection would be this hurried. Shouldn’t there be more time to get to know each other before proceeding with the evening’s events?

Or was it that once purchased, a son-in-law was to be hidden away, never to show his face again?

That would be fine, too. Having obtained the jade ornaments, he could simply vanish into thin air, and the exorbitant dowry given by the princess could be returned intact.

The royal banquet was grand; Zhu Minglang drank several rounds and was quietly waiting inside the Princess’s Chamber in the Palace. In Miao Kingdom, women wielded the power of speech, even within the palace, and it was rare for men of special status to move about.

Zhu Minglang wasn’t in any hurry; come the intimate hours of the bridal chamber, he would naturally get what he wanted.

Gold and silver treasures were brought in chests to the courtyard; Zhu Minglang was attended to by a group of eccentric maids who groomed and dressed him…

He hadn’t expected to be deprived of experiencing the pride of a bridegroom on his wedding night; instead, he found himself prematurely treated to the delicate and luxurious grooming befitting of a newlywed bride.

Finally, as the moon crested the treetops, Zhu Minglang sensed an ominous stillness in the palace and was suddenly gripped by a forbidding premonition.

Could it be that Princess Luoshui would arrive utterly inebriated, push open the door, and then commence upon improper acts?

The escape route had been planned; once he secured the Silver Jade Ornament, Zhu Minglang would incapacitate the princess and then immediately leave Miao Kingdom. Yet this Princess Luoshui was nowhere to be seen!

“Princess!”

“Princess Luoshui, Mr. Zhu has been awaiting you in the sleeping chamber for quite some time.”

“Congratulations to you, Princess.”

The voices of several maids reached him, and Zhu Minglang’s eyes lit up; he set down the grapes he was holding and sat up straight.

Little Miss Tease, finally, you’ve come!

The doors were gently opened by two maids, and it was evident that Princess Luoshui had also undergone meticulous adornment. Her silk clothes clung tightly to her exquisite body, making one imagine the silky smoothness and softness of her skin.

Her hair, akin to platinum silk, took on an even more noble and alluring sheen under the moonlight and festive lanterns. As for the Silver Jade Ornament, it added a touch of mystery, sanctity, and allure to her appearance.

“No one has ever seen the princess’s true face, is that true?” Zhu Minglang had poured a stronger serving of distilled wine and handed it to the elegantly approaching Princess of Miao Kingdom.

“Do you want to see?” Princess Luoshui asked with a smile, her tone teasing, “Share a cup of cross-cupped wine with me.”

Sharing a cup meant their faces would be very, very close together.

Princess Luoshui reached out slowly, her hand gliding through the crook of Zhu Minglang’s arm, then little by little, drew Zhu Minglang’s face nearer to hers.

Zhu Minglang didn’t mind; it was all just an act. Sharing cross-cupped wine was not a loss of honor, so he let Princess Luoshui draw her face closer to his.

Feeling her warm breath, laced with a hint of drunken fragrance, Zhu Minglang tried to maintain his composure, yet something felt amiss.

“Won’t you help me take it off?” Princess Luoshui’s breathed out, her voice sweet as an orchid.

As stoic as an ascetic monk, Zhu Minglang drank the spiked wine and reached out his hand…

It’s not as if I’m undressing her, no need to be nervous.

With the removal of her Silver Jade Ornament, I gave the princess an “I’m sorry, my love, but it’s not you” gentleman’s smile, then knocked her out, slipped past those two hidden guards, and fled far away with my little aunts!

The Silver Jade Ornament was removed slowly, out of pure curiosity, Zhu Minglang still took a glance at the mysterious princess who made the hearts of all the men in the nation itch…

Below the ornament, indeed, was a beauty, likewise, her appearance was even more breathtaking than imagined once the ornament was gone.

Zhu Minglang looked at her, lost in thought, and at the same time, his body trembled lightly as if electrified!

“This… this… this…” Zhu Minglang couldn’t speak for a long time, staring at the Princess Luoshui, his mind went completely blank!

Outside the palace, Wu Feng, with his face covered, was quietly waiting for Zhu Minglang outside the palace walls.

Wu Feng knew about Zhu Minglang’s plan; as his senior brother, he should offer his full support in Zhu Minglang’s escape from marriage. Yet, the delay in Zhu Minglang’s appearance gave Wu Feng an ominous premonition.

“Ladies, don’t worry, perhaps the younger brother has encountered some tricky matter,” Wu Feng said.

“Indeed, the princess is too alluring; getting up from her jade bed must be really tough for him,” Nan Yuso said with a laugh.

“Yuso!” Li Xinghua frowned and spoke.

“Sister, it’s almost dawn. We might as well go back to rest first. Tomorrow morning, sister can stew some deer antler soup and send it to the palace, lest Mr. Zhu exhaust himself from toiling all night,” Nan Yuso said.

Li Xinghua was also puzzled, unable to understand why Zhu Minglang hadn’t shown up.

Could it be that he ultimately fell for that temptation?

“Let’s wait a little longer. I am clear about the younger brother’s character; he will absolutely not betray you ladies,” Wu Feng said with sincerity.

“We are pure and innocent with him; however he wants to be with the princess is his business, what does it have to do with us? We can find the Ancient Lantern Jade ourselves,” Nan Yuso said with a cold snort.

Li Xinghua didn’t say anything.

How Zhu Minglang would decide was not something they could influence.

However, considering what Yuso mentioned, that Li Yunzi briefly awakened today, showing no signs of backing down, it inevitably made her feelings complicated.

The Princess’s Chamber in the Palace

The moon was bright and the stars sparse, sachets hung from the tips of maple trees, swaying gently with the breeze, filling the entire courtyard with a pleasant fragrance.

On Zhu Minglang’s forehead, fine beads of sweat appeared; he held the Silver Jade Ornament tightly, his gaze fixated on Princess Luoshui…

Princess Luoshui was not at the most beautiful age, which many people knew, but that did not hinder her renowned reputation throughout the Miao Kingdom.

Her appearance was sacred and secret, even the people in the palace might not be clear about it.

Indeed, there were a few moments when Zhu Minglang vaguely felt like he had heard Princess Luoshui’s voice somewhere before, but he could not link these two people together.

Worthily, as he lifted the Silver Jade Ornament from her forehead and witnessed her true face, Zhu Minglang wanted to give himself a big slap.

“Wen Lingfei!” Zhu Minglang struggled to utter the name.

“So Head Meng never told you, did he?” said Princess Luoshui, revealing her true face with a laugh, her eyes like the autumn moon.

This Princess Luoshui was no other than the youngest sect leader of the Miao Mountain Sword Sect, Wen Lingfei!

This woman, how on earth could one knock her out?!!