Chapter 146: Zhanlu Manor

At these words, Hu Rui'an was momentarily stunned; after recovering, his old face flushed red, and he coughed hastily, saying:

"Your Highness jests. At my age, how could I possibly set aside my dignity to participate in some martial arts match for marriage?"

"Even taking ten thousand steps back, even if I had the heart to take a wife, I would absolutely never become Shen Liancheng's son-in-law."

Hearing this, Li Musheng nodded; it was best that the other party had no such thoughts.

Otherwise, given the other's age and appearance, wanting to eat tender grass with an old ox, he would feel too embarrassed to sit at the same table as him during the banquet later, let alone know him.

At this moment, Hu Rui'an's expression shifted slightly, and he said:

"If Your Highness is interested, you could try your hand on the martial arts arena."

"It is rumored that the Third Young Lady of Zhanlu Manor, not yet twenty years of age, has made a name for herself throughout the Great Li Jianghu; not only is she beautiful, but she is also a rare woman skilled in both civil and military arts, and the young talents in the Jianghu who pursue her are as numerous as carp crossing a river."

Li Musheng raised an eyebrow, glanced at the other party, and then said with deep meaning:

"Does my lord think I would go up to the arena to participate in a martial arts match for marriage?"

Hearing this, Hu Rui'an paused slightly, then frowned slightly and shook his head.

He merely thought that Li Musheng, relying on his status as an Imperial Prince of Great Li, simply looked down on a Jianghu woman like the Third Young Lady of Zhanlu Manor.

But in reality, Li Musheng felt that with his handsome face, why would he need a martial arts match?

He estimated that just by standing there, that Third Young Lady would be deeply captivated by his appearance.

At this time, Wu Shang and Cheng Zhong, riding the two fine horses of the black-clothed men and others, caught up with the carriage where Li Musheng was and reported:

"My lord, we have inquired; those people are all subordinates of the Shengzhou General, and they came to Zhanlu Manor specifically for the martial arts match for marriage."

"However, they are merely accompanying the Second Young Master of the Shengzhou General; although the other party claimed that guarding this place was their own initiative, we estimate it was likely instigated by that Second Young Master behind the scenes."

Hearing this, Hu Rui'an waved his hand, glanced at the Zhanlu Manor steward and others leading the way ahead, and said indifferently:

"This is Zhanlu Manor's territory; the other party could not possibly be unaware of this matter. Their ignoring it must be intentional, secretly screening qualifications for husbands for that Third Young Lady."

Speaking thus, Hu Rui'an showed a look of contemplation and said:

"The Shengzhou General and the Shengzhou Governor basically wear the same pair of pants; if possible, perhaps we can find an opportunity through that Second Young Master, which might become a breakthrough point for handling the affairs of Shengzhou next."

Hu Rui'an's words were naturally said deliberately for Li Musheng to hear; every word indicated that his choice to agree with that steward to go to Zhanlu Manor was actually a deep move for official business.

However, Li Musheng did not respond at all, seeming to have little interest in the matter.

Thus, Hu Rui'an could only suppress the topic and say no more.

About one stick of incense later, the Zhanlu Manor steward led the crowd to the foot of a huge manor.

The black iron gate, three zhang high, was entirely dark and gloomy; the door studs were cast from refined iron as Bi'an beast heads, fangs holding bronze rings, and above them were four large characters "Zhanlu Manor" carved in gilded script.

Standing before the gate were two bronze lions, about one zhang tall, with eyes inlaid with bright pearls and paws pressing on black jade bases, exuding immense majesty.

Looking out, the entire Zhanlu Manor occupied an area so vast it far exceeded a bustling small town.

When Li Musheng and others arrived, only occasional luxurious carriages or Jianghu figures riding fine horses entered before the manor gate; it did not look very lively, but rather somewhat desolate.

However, this was normal; after all, the black-clothed men and others had destroyed the bridge over the Giant Deer River and blocked the road, so ordinary Jianghu people without sufficient strength truly could not cross.

The manor steward led the old man in hemp clothes and Li Musheng and others into the manor, then gave instructions to the servants, ordering them to lead the horses to be settled and arrange courtyards and rooms for the group.

He then led Li Musheng and others further into the interior of Zhanlu Manor.

Not long after, a round of cheers came from ahead; after the manor steward led the crowd through a covered corridor, the view suddenly opened up.

Amidst the lush forests, a vast lake with shimmering waves appeared, and upon the lake surface stood over a dozen lake pavilions and a huge stone platform.

The stone platform, ten zhang in circumference, was built from bluish-gray basalt, located in the center of many lake pavilions, supported by nine large copper pillars inserted into the lake bottom.

Inside the lake pavilions, tables and chairs for banquets were set; some Jianghu figures sat around the tables, and everyone's gaze was fixed on the central stone platform.

At this moment, two young men, each holding a precious sword, were engaged in sword combat; in an instant, sword lights swirled, shadows piled thick, and the violent residual waves of martial Dao true energy scattered outward, stirring the lake surface into surging, churning waves.

The two young men on the stone platform were precisely the young talents participating in the martial arts match for marriage, while those seated in the lake pavilions were Wu Lingaoshou from all corners of the Jianghu.

These people had high martial Dao cultivation, yet when they saw something wonderful, they still spared no praise or cheers.

The manor steward led Li Musheng and others to a lake pavilion, politely arranged for everyone to sit at a banquet table, and said:

"Please, everyone, enjoy some wine and dishes; I will go immediately to inform the Manor Master."

Having spoken, he clasped his hands in a bow and took his leave.

Inside the lake pavilion, two tables of banquet were set; one table was already full with nine people, while the other had only two people seated, leaving seven spots empty.

Wu Shang and Cheng Zhong hurriedly moved stools for Li Musheng and Hu Rui'an, serving the two to sit.

On the other side, the little girl in pink clothes had already rushed eagerly to the table, her eyes shining as she gazed at the delicious delicacies on the table.

The old man in hemp clothes walked to the little girl's side, reached out to tear off a roasted chicken leg and handed it over; the other immediately licked her lips, took it, and happily began eating in large bites.

The other two young men and women originally seated at the table frowned slightly, both glancing at the old man in hemp clothes, but said nothing more.

People invited by Zhanlu Manor to this place were absolutely no ordinary folk; moreover, before they ventured into the Jianghu, their elders had long warned them that with old men like this, it was best not to provoke them if possible, as the other might be some kind of ancient monster.

Murong Xiaoya found a seat next to Li Musheng; she did not seem hungry, glanced at the dishes on the table with little interest, and then her gaze fell on the little girl beside her.

Seeing her eating the chicken leg with oil running from her mouth, and finding her very cute and well-behaved, she immediately took a handkerchief from her bosom and carefully wiped the other's mouth.

"Th-thank you, sister."

The little girl in pink clothes said politely, though her mouth was stuffed full, and she kept chewing continuously.

Murong Xiaoya's face flushed slightly, seeming somewhat embarrassed.

Hu Rui'an called Wu Shang and Cheng Zhong to sit at the table; Cao Gaoshan had gone with the manor servants to settle the carriages and was not present.

(End of this chapter)