Chapter 298: Sima Nan's Scheme: A Marriage Alliance with the Jiang Family?

Listening to his father's conversation with Zhao Hu.

Sima Xuan curled his lips, feeling annoyed.

His own aptitude was terribly poor, his cultivation speed extremely slow.

He could only indulge himself in pleasures day and night, visiting the pleasure houses to listen to songs whenever he had nothing to do.

Therefore, the people he hated most on ordinary days were precisely these cultivation geniuses.

Because compared with them, it was all the easier to make himself look like a good-for-nothing!

At this moment, he only heard Sima Nan say: "To have comprehended Sword Intent at merely the Postnatal realm—such heaven-defying talent, a sword prodigy the likes of which have never been seen before—how could we possibly let such a person slip by?"

"It just so happens that her reputation has not yet spread. If we seize the initiative now and turn her into one of our own, by the time she becomes famous, it will be enough to draw the attention of those great figures."

"If that Jiang Zhiwei's potential remains undiminished and she continues to surge forward, allowing us to forge ties with those great figures, the day we rise to greatness will be within reach........"

"What do you mean, my lord?"

Zhao Hu's gaze shifted slightly, and he instantly thought of something.

The next moment.

Sima Nan chuckled lightly: "Let us take our two families one step further. How about arranging a marriage between my Xuan'er and that Jiang Zhiwei? This woman will have to marry someone sooner or later. And as for me, Sima Nan, although I cannot claim to carry too much weight in the imperial court, here in Tiandou Prefecture, my word is absolute—none can defy it!"

"Since the Jiang family wishes to develop in Tiandou Prefecture, forming an in-law relationship with this Prefecture Lord is undoubtedly the best choice."

"Once the rice is cooked and an heir is born, heh heh, this Jiang Zhiwei will probably have to change her name to Sima Zhiwei."

"By then, let alone a mere Cangwu Jiang family, let alone a mere White-Robed Sword Marquis, what would there be worth caring about?"

The moment these words were spoken, an instinctive sense of foreboding rose within Zhao Hu, though he could not pinpoint exactly why.

But thinking that the Prefecture Lord was right before him, he could only cup his hands and chime in:

"This idea is truly excellent! Although that Jiang Zhiwei appears to be a few years younger than Young Master Xuan, her aptitude is outstanding and her potential immense—her future is boundless. She can indeed be considered a fine match."

Although Sima Xuan's character was known to one and all.

But in order to curry favor with the Prefecture Lord, he still chose to speak against his own conscience.

Sima Nan smiled: "Since that is the case, when the timing is right, I shall personally pay a visit to that Cangwu Mountain to propose on behalf of my son."

"The Prefecture Lord is wise!"

The moment Zhao Hu finished speaking.

Sima Xuan, on the contrary, was not pleased.

"Father! What if that Jiang Zhiwei turns out to be extremely ugly? I won't marry some hideous freak!"

He had always loathed these cultivation geniuses.

Added to that, he frequently visited the houses of pleasure day in and day out, and every woman he had seen was a bewitching beauty.

How could he possibly accept a marriage his father had so casually arranged for him?

Upon hearing this, Sima Nan's expression did not change, not the slightest hint of anger.

After all, his wife had passed away many years ago, and this son was his only child.

On ordinary days, he doted on him in every conceivable way, granting him whatever he desired.

How could he possibly blame his precious son for being unreasonable over such a matter?

Therefore, he looked toward Zhao Hu: "Commander Zhao, what does that Jiang Zhiwei look like?"

At this moment, although Zhao Hu inwardly despised Sima Xuan's behavior.

He could not help but acknowledge that the other man had been born with extraordinary luck—having a father who was the Prefecture Lord.

He could only employ his spiritual sense to sketch out a scene within the minds of the two men.

It was precisely the sight of Jiang Zhiwei practicing her sword in days gone by.

Gazing at this scene, Sima Nan nodded.

Such a charming appearance more than qualified her to become his Sima Nan's daughter-in-law!

And at this moment, seeing that this Jiang Zhiwei had delicate features, a dashing and valiant bearing, and an extraordinary temperament.

Coupled with her flawless bodily curves, Sima Xuan's heart beat uncontrollably, and he could not help but swallow his saliva.

Even without any cosmetics applied, she already surpassed every woman he had ever seen.'

That unique aura of keeping strangers at arm's length was all the more soul-stirring, igniting his desire to conquer her!

More importantly, at such an age she clearly had not yet fully blossomed.

If she grew a little more, what then?

Thinking of this, the corners of Sima Xuan's mouth unconsciously began to drool.

Immediately after, remembering that his father was still right before him, he hastily wiped the drool away with his sleeve.

His face wild with joy, he hurriedly said: "Father! It's her! I want her! Hurry and propose for me!"

Such a top-grade woman—his Young Master Xuan would absolutely have to take her into his tent, behold her beauty, and have a taste!

On the other side.

Witnessing Sima Xuan's lightning-speed change of face, as well as his current lecherous appearance.

Zhao Hu inwardly sneered all the more, secretly sighing that were it not for being the Prefecture Lord's only son, this man would likely never amount to anything in his entire life!

At this moment, seeing the satisfied look on his son's face, Sima Nan laughed: "Don't be impatient. This matter is as good as settled. That Jiang Zhiwei will be yours sooner or later—what are you rushing for?"

"Remember, you are the son of me, Sima Nan. Within this Tiandou Prefecture, we father and son are heaven itself!"

His own son was a lecher by nature, his reputation already in tatters; if he married early and settled down, it could be considered a good thing.

"Father, I understand."

Sima Xuan nodded.

His eyes grew brighter and brighter, his pupils filled with anticipation for the future!

At this moment, noticing that the Sima father and son were in high spirits.

Zhao Hu seized this opportunity and asked cautiously, "Prefecture Lord, since Ding Xuan refuses to take up the position of Green Vine City Lord..."

He had only spoken half the sentence.

Sima Nan had already guessed his intention.

He waved his hand and said softly:

"Commander Zhao, you were promoted by my own hand, and over these years, everything you have done, I have seen it all with my own eyes."

"Let me also speak some heartfelt words to you. You have always been the subordinate I value most in my heart. If not you, then who could possibly hold the position of Green Vine City Lord? Sooner or later, it will be yours..."

"But times are different now. The Jiang clan of Cangwu has suddenly risen to prominence, and recently the noble families and sects have been restless. Although my prefecture is not short of manpower, I am in urgent need of some reliable, trustworthy people — especially subordinates as close to my heart as you, who are truly beyond compare with anyone else."

"Right now, to me, you are my right and left arms. If you were to leave, what would I ever do?"

"Of course, if you wish to go take up a post in Green Vine City, I will absolutely not stop you. After all, over these many years, the things you have done for me are already more than enough. On the contrary, it is I who have always been reluctant to let you go, and have made such a selfish decision..."

Now, his own breakthrough to the Sun Wheel was imminent.

And Zhao Hu, as the foremost commander under his banner, had the hope of becoming a Moon Wheel powerhouse.

Moreover, he was simple-minded, and his wife was a planted agent arranged by Sima Nan himself, constantly whispering in his ear — extremely convenient to control. How could he possibly let such a man go so easily?

At this moment, accompanying Sima Nan's "words from the bottom of his heart,"

Zhao Hu recalled all the preferential treatment the Prefecture Lord had shown him over the years, and could not help but soften.

Especially thinking of the Prefecture Lord's high regard for him, he sighed softly and said in a deep voice, "Prefecture Lord, let us speak of the matter of Green Vine City another day. For now, I wish to stay and assist you."

Sima Nan's eyes flickered, and the corners of his mouth curved into a smile.

He said softly, "Commander Zhao, I knew I had not misjudged you. Rest assured, once I achieve the Sun Wheel and stabilize the situation, at that time, let alone the mere position of Green Vine City Lord, even the seat of Vice Prefecture Lord — there may yet be a chance..."

Once these words were spoken, it was like a single stone stirring up a thousand ripples!

Zhao Hu's heart jolted instantly, his pupils contracting sharply.

His face showed disbelief.

The Prefecture Lord truly treats me extremely well — to actually reserve such an important position for me!

Zhao Hu was overwhelmed with gratitude, and immediately kowtowed to give thanks: "Many thanks to the Prefecture Lord for the grace of recognition and patronage! In this life, Zhao Hu will surely spare no effort in assisting you to govern Tiandou Prefecture. Even if it costs me my life, I must repay your kindness!"

Seeing this, Sima Nan's face showed a look of satisfaction.

He sighed inwardly that the man was, as always, so easy to fool.