Volume 1: Swan Goose Chapter 112: Tonight is as Long as Last Night (3)
There was an autumn rain and a cold, it rained all night last night, and the air in the early morning was fresh and cool. In front of a lattice window on the third floor of the Xiaoxiang Villa, a tall but lonely figure was leaning against.
The breeze swirled, blowing up his sleeves, and the bells under the eaves swayed gently, making a beautiful sound. Yu Fengjin was looking at the mottled bamboo shadows on the wall in trance.
A burst of noise interrupted his thoughts, and he looked up with raised eyebrows: at some point in front of the gate of Zhuanglou opposite, a group of carriages clad in red and colorful decorations and people looking forward to it had gathered. They stood outside the door in an orderly manner, waiting to be invited. Go in the door.
Is there a happy event for the caravan? He couldn't hear clearly what the characters were saying, so he could only guess out of thin air.
"Your Highness, why did you get up so late today? I've been here a few times and I've seen you sleeping." Hua Fangyi walked into the house softly carrying the handmade handiwork.
"Well, I slept a little late last night." Yu Fengjin looked away, turned around and sat on the bamboo couch, raised her hand and pinched her swollen temples.
He didn't tell the truth - it wasn't that he slept late last night, but that he didn't fall asleep at all. Because whenever he closed his eyes, he heard what Lu Ning said, "If you want to be with the same person, we will never be apart until we grow old together." It lingers in my ears like a curse.
"Let me press it for you." Hua Fangyi warmed her hands and walked over to massage him.
There was a sudden noise outside the window, which sounded like a group of people quarreling. Yu Fengjin closed her eyes and frowned: "What are you doing outside? Why is it so noisy?"
Hua Fangyi hurriedly walked over and closed the window: "It's just a jianghu to recruit a bride, and it must be known to the world! The caravan really likes to put on airs!"
Yu Fengjin was slightly startled and asked calmly: "What kind of jianghu is it to recruit a bride?"
"Didn't the leader of the Lu Gang tell His Highness? A few days ago, the horse gang issued a marriage recruitment order in the Jianghu, saying that the young gang leader was looking for a good son-in-law. No, as soon as the marriage recruitment order was issued, all the sects and major business houses in the Jianghu came one after another. "Look at this scene, it's really spectacular." Hua Fangyi mocked in a weird way.
"Recently, the emperor is looking for young ladies, and all the common people who are capable have gone to match them. It's not surprising that the caravans are doing this." Yu Fengjin said indifferently.
Hua Fangyi looked at him and couldn't help but test: "Your Highness, aren't you going to join in the fun? In order to avoid the draft this time, the leader of the Lu Gang spent a lot of money. In the recruitment order, she said that she was willing to work with her future husband. Caravan! When you approached the leader of the Lu Gang, wasn't it just to win over the old gang leader? Now is a good opportunity!"
"No need." Yu Fengjin refused simply.
Hua Fangyi fiddled with her fingers and asked resentfully: "Your Highness, for so many years, you have only had revenge in your heart, and you have used any means to achieve your goals. Now you have voluntarily given up this only opportunity. Is it because... you fell in love with Lu?" Gang leader. So, you can’t bear to deceive her and use her anymore?”
Yu Fengjin's brows twitched, and her eyes gradually deepened: "I just don't like to join in the fun."
"Your Highness." Hua Fangyi picked up the teapot and poured him a cup of hot tea, and said tentatively: "If the leader of the Lu Gang was arrested and sent to prison, would you kill Ruan Lang immediately? You must not have the heart to let her Are you going to be tortured in there?"
Yu Fengjin raised his eyes and stared at her, and scolded coldly: "Fangyi, you spoke so strangely today, did you do it on purpose to make me angry?"
"Dare not." A trace of pain flashed across Hua Fangyi's eyes: "Your Highness and the leader of the Lu Gang's one-night stand have been widely spread for a long time. But now that she is recruiting a bride with great fanfare, Your Highness is indifferent to it. I can't understand it.
I can't guess what's going on in His Highness's mind." After that, she turned and left sadly.
The sound of the door closing made Yu Fengjin's heart tremble. He slowly stood up and walked to the window, staring at the bustle across the street, with a faint gloom in his brows.
Compared with the silence of the annex, today's Zhuang Tower is extremely busy: no one expected that as soon as the Jianghu marriage order was issued, within three days, the streets in front of the house were blocked by people who came to seek marriage.
Gao Yao, Fan Tong, Hu Lai and Su Bing were guarding the door early in the morning, registering people who came while maintaining order, and sometimes managing those who jumped in line and argued. It was not yet noon, and the voices of the four people
It's all smoking.
There are many martial artists in the team
The well-known and decent families, famous business houses, escort agencies, and even some officials' children also came to join in the fun.
Large and small wooden boxes containing priceless betrothal gifts have been piled up in the yard. The names of various businesses are labeled on the boxes. It is clear at a glance who is rich and who is shabby.
Even the yard in front of the embroidered building is occupied by all kinds of suitors: some are dancing with swords and guns, some are reciting poems and writing poems, some are playing the piano and flute, and some are performing calligraphy with both hands on the stone table...
…Whether he is a scholar in brocade clothes and a jade belt, a feather fan and a turban, or a martial arts practitioner in a blue shirt with leggings and a chivalrous face, all are here to show off their talents in order to leave a good impression.
The window of Xiulou was half open, and two pairs of eyes were hiding in the window, looking at everyone in the yard.
"Master, is this your idea?" Lu Ning pointed out the window and asked angrily: "Look, it's still a baby, and the clothes on it are older than him. And the old man is older than his adoptive father.
Da, we are getting married, does he have the nerve to call his adoptive father father-in-law? And that pretty boy with oily hair and powdery face, his eyes keep rolling around, and he is not a good person at first glance! The man next to him is honest, but I can't tell him just by looking at him.
I've had nightmares for a year, and I can just use it as a door god. And, and..."
"Okay, okay!" Mr. Murong interrupted her rudely: "Now your situation is to either go to the palace or choose one of these people to get married! I advise you that instead of complaining here, you should choose one as soon as possible.
It looks pleasing to the eye."
"What's the use even if it's pleasing to the eye!" Lu Ning pouted and muttered dissatisfiedly: "If you are not good at martial arts, you will still be compared to me! I think it's better to leave it to fate!"
"How can the young leader of the mafia caravan decide on a marriage by just a martial arts contest! You underestimate me!" Mr. Murong shook his feather fan lightly and snorted dissatisfied.
"Not a martial arts competition?" Lu Ning looked back at him and wondered, "Is it possible that we should also compete in poetry?"
"Writing poetry is only part of it!" Mr. Murong introduced proudly: "This recruitment will be assessed from several aspects such as wealth, culture, martial arts, business and character. Those who pass all will have a final interview.
You choose the person of your choice yourself!".
"What?" Lu Ning exclaimed and jumped up, angrily saying: "This is simply harder than taking the top exam! Master, do you want me to get married as soon as possible, or do you want me to live alone? Look at those things downstairs.
Do you think they can all pass? I was thinking of leaving it to fate! Only now do I realize that God can’t help me either!”
"What's the rush!" Mr. Murong rolled his eyes at her and said calmly: "There are shortcuts in any competition. Those you don't like, I will increase the difficulty of the exam so that they can be eliminated as soon as possible. Those you like, I will
We will appropriately reduce the difficulty of the exam so that you can pass it smoothly. This will ensure that you will like what is left in the end."
"Isn't this cheating? If word gets out, aren't you afraid of being ridiculed by others?" Lu Ning's eyes widened in surprise, with a look of disbelief on his face.
Mr. Murong said nonchalantly: "Humph, being a son-in-law of a caravan is not that easy! What is cheating? If I fail to please you, then I have already lost!"
Lu Ning sighed deeply, holding her chin up and looking at the candidates in the yard, with a look of despair on her face: The future is worrying! But the draft for the palace is imminent. Although Mr. Murong's ideas are a bit bad, she can only let them go.
Already.
"Don't worry. Just sit back and watch the show without worrying about anything. I guarantee that the final result will satisfy you!" Compared to Lu Ning's worries, Mr. Murong was full of confidence.
"Oh, by the way." Mr. Murong took out a piece of clothing and handed it to her and told her, "Put on this later, dress up a little, and come with me to meet them."
Lu Ning unfolded his clothes curiously and found that they were simple coarse linen clothes. He was even more puzzled: "Why should I dress like this?"
"Don't ask so many questions! Just listen to me later and do whatever I ask you to do!" Mr. Murong twisted his beard and smiled, with an unreadable expression on his face.
After everyone arrived, they were all summoned to wait in the meeting hall. It was inevitable that some of the people present knew each other or had close friendships with each other. Everyone was chatting with each other and testing each other, but they didn't feel lonely.
Just a moment
Son, Mr. Murong appeared at the door with Toto. He glanced at everyone, then cleared his throat vigorously, and there was silence inside.
"Everyone here is a well-known figure in the world. We, the caravan, are so lucky to have all these heroes gathered together. I believe that you all sincerely want to marry the caravan. So please follow the rules of recruiting, and if you have the ability, come all the way.
Those who make it to the end and win the favor of the young gang leader will have the opportunity to co-manage the caravan with the young gang leader!" Mr. Murong's impassioned speech won applause from the whole room.
"We all came all the way here! Let's talk about the rules of the competition quickly!" Some people were already getting impatient.
"Please be patient, I'm about to say what I'm about to say." Mr. Murong smiled slightly and said unhurriedly: "If you want to become the future son-in-law of the caravan, you must pass the test of culture, military, financial strength, business acumen and character!
Those who pass all the exams can have a face-to-face conversation with our young gang leader, who will ultimately choose the person they like!"
"Are you choosing the top pick or your husband? Why is it so difficult?"
"Everyone here is a hero! Probably very few people will pass these exams!"
"Everyone comes here sincerely, but the caravan is so insincere in doing this!"
"Is it possible that your young gang leader is a princess? You are so strict in choosing a husband, so you are not afraid of dying alone?"
The harsh and complicated conditions aroused everyone's dissatisfaction. Everyone pointed at Mr. Murong with their comments. Totuo was impatient and had already tightened his fists. He was about to take action but was held down by Mr. Murong.
"The young gang leader's future husband will run the caravan with her. There are many talents in the caravan, and the old gang leader is a former important minister in the court. How can he convince people if he doesn't have real ability in both civil and military affairs?"
Mr. Murong always had a casual smile on his face: "This is a caravan looking for a bride, and we will naturally set the conditions. If anyone thinks it's unfair, they can leave now. We will never force you!"
These words made everyone make calculations in their minds. After some quiet discussion, no one raised any objections and no one left the scene.
"Very good!" Mr. Murong smiled proudly: "Since everyone has no objections, the marriage competition has officially begun! Now we invite our young gang leader!"
Upon hearing this, all the candidates immediately straightened their clothes and stared at the door expectantly.
As heavy footsteps approached, a woman as wide as a barrel walked awkwardly through the door with Lu Ning's support.