After the talk, the two smiled gladly. They were akin to old friends who had known each other for a long time. The relationship between them had not cooled from the conversation. Rather, it became much more candid, and the initial barrier between the two had vanished.
In the coming few days, they continued staying together all the time. Their relationship improved quickly, as though both were doing their best to adapt to their new identities.
One day, Old Urchin finally showed himself.
He brought Liang Zhuangmin and Wu Zhijun with him. As for Yang Lingdong, who had fallen under Xiang Shaoyun’s control, he was left behind. Both Liang Zhuangmin and Wu Zhijun were still completely confused, not understanding what was going on.
When they saw Xiang Shaoyun walking out with Tuoba Wan’er, their eyes lit up. When they saw Tuoba Wan’er, both were stunned by her captivating beauty.
“Big brother, sister-in-law, you’re here,” said Xiang Shaoyun happily.
These days, he had been thinking of leaving the palace to visit them. But he was afraid of attracting trouble to them and had been conflicted as to what to do. Now that Old Urchin was bringing them here, he was very happy. But he also knew that he had most likely gotten Liang Zhuangmin and Wu Zhijun involved with his affairs once again.
“Brother Yun,” Liang Zhuangmin said, but he did not know what else to say. He had a lot of questions, but before outsiders, he couldn’t voice them.
“Holy son-in-law, I did a great job, right? Look how I brought your brother and sister-in-law here!” said Old Urchin smugly.
“Thank you, Senior Urchin,” said Xiang Shaoyun with a smile. He said to Tuoba Wan’er, “Wan’er, can you take care of my big brother and sister-in-law for a bit? I need to have a talk with Senior Urchin.”
Tuoba Wan’er nodded and smiled. “Big brother, sister-in-law, please come with me. I’ll show you around.”
Liang Zhuangmin and Wu Zhijun still didn’t know the relationship between this woman and Xiang Shaoyun, but they could only do as told.
After they left, Xiang Shaoyun said, “Senior Urchin, I already completed your mission. What do you think you should do now?”
“Mission? What are you talking about?” asked Old Urchin shamelessly.
Xiang Shaoyun finally learned the extent of Old Urchin’s shamelessness. He said, “Senior Urchin, you said yourself that you would help me leave after I complete your mission. What is the meaning of you bringing my big brother and sister-in-law here? Are you reneging on your words?”
“Hey, hey, you’re now the holy son-in-law. You can naturally leave any time you want. Nobody is stopping you,” replied Old Urchin after taking a sip of tea.
Xiang Shaoyun sank into a momentary silence before he said, “You’re saying I can leave any time I want?”
“Yes, you can leave this palace any time you want,” answered Old Urchin.
Xiang Shaoyun said gloomily, “Senior Urchin, can you be serious for once? If I really go ahead and complete the act of a man and woman with Wan’er, it will be too late to change anything.”
“Haha, that’s even better! Excellent! That way, there will be some babies for me to look after. No, wait. Babies will shit and piss everywhere. I won’t be able to look after them. Yes, this is a job for someone else,” said Old Urchin, seemingly amused by his own ramblings.
Xiang Shaoyun was speechless. He cursed inwardly, Why did I even let myself fall for this old bastard’s scheme?
Looking at how Old Urchin was behaving, it was clear Old Urchin didn’t intend to fulfill his promise. There was nothing Xiang Shaoyun could do about it.
Looking at Xiang Shaoyun’s troubled expression, Old Urchin said unhappily, “Kid, learn to appreciate what you have. Our young lady is an unrivaled beauty. No men would dislike her. You’re actually being all grumpy here? Do you want me to teach you a lesson? You think I won’t dare to touch you now that you’re the holy son-in-law?”
Xiang Shaoyun laughed, “Hahaha. Come, then. Beat me up if you have the guts. Just watch out for what I will say in front of the hall master and first elder.”
“Kid, you think your position is all stable now?” said Old Urchin with a frown.
“You’re the one forcing my hand,” said Xiang Shaoyun, assuming an equally shameless stance.
“You think I’ll be afraid of your threats? I, Old Urchin, am not afraid of anything! Nobody can scare me! You, kid, need to be taught a lesson,” said Old Urchin as he pressed forth toward Xiang Shaoyun, preparing to attack.
As a response, Xiang Shaoyun stood there, looking every bit someone willing to take everything coming his way.
Old Urchin ultimately did not attack for real. Rather, he smiled. “Kid, you have backbone. But you’re quite stupid. With your current identity, so long as you complete the marriage with the young lady and obtain a Holy Hall Token for yourself, you can easily leave anytime you want. What is the point of going against me?”
Xiang Shaoyun had naturally thought of that solution long ago, but he did not wish to wait that long. He wouldn’t have wasted his breath talking with Old Urchin otherwise.
“Forget it. Seems like you’re really an unreliable geezer. I’ll have to think of something else,” said Xiang Shaoyun as he shook his head.
Old Urchin said unhappily, “Are you looking down on me?
“Exactly. You don’t seem that big of a deal in the Holy Earth Hall, after all.”
“Kid, you think you can make me work by reverse psychology? Dream on.”
“You think too highly of yourself. As you said, I am now the holy son-in-law. It won’t be hard for me to leave this place in the future. Furthermore, Wan’er seems to like me as well. What are you for me? I was merely testing you earlier. You are as disappointing as I thought you would be.”
“Hahaha, I can take you out right this moment, and nobody will find out!”
“What’s so amazing with taking me out? If you’re really so amazing, take my big brother and sister-in-law along as well.”
“You think I can’t do that?”
“Of course you can’t.”
…
The two bickered endlessly, neither willing to back off. They looked more like two street thugs engaged in a shouting match.
“If you can really bring us out before the engagement, I will acknowledge that you’re amazing,” said Xiang Shaoyun after ensuring that Old Urchin had properly taken the bait.
Alas, Old Urchin seemed to have smartened up at this moment as he said, “Kid, you really are treacherous. I nearly fall for your scheme! Since the young lady has fallen for you, just stay here obediently and wait until she willingly lets you go!”
He then ignored Xiang Shaoyun and left the palace. Watching Old Urchin depart, Xiang Shaoyun shook his head helplessly as he thought, This old geezer is really quite smart.
He then returned to the backyard, preparing to update Liang Zhuangmin and Wu Zhijun on what had happened. At least he could alleviate their worry that way.
