Chapter 228: Chapter 142: Who Said I Wanted to Marry You?
Besides, the Profound Yin Qi was nurtured in a secret place. If Chen Sheng wanted to take it, he would have to deal with her directly.
But if that were the case...
Wouldn’t that mean she and Chen Sheng would be forced into some grand game of avoidance?
’That would never do!’
At the thought, Wang Zilan’s brow furrowed deeply.
"Miss Wang, don’t forget my official position."
Chen Sheng gave a faint smile, offering no explanation.
Wang Zilan’s eyes flashed.
The Jingwu Bureau’s intelligence network did indeed span the entire Jianghu, but she was still rather shocked.
’Could it be? Has the Jingwu Bureau planted a spy within the Ning’an Wang Clan?’
After a moment of contemplation, as if something had occurred to her, Wang Zilan suddenly began to study Chen Sheng with a solemn expression. Only after a long while did a smile finally grace her lips.
"I never thought my humble appearance would catch your eye, Chen. But hearing this for the first time, I am naturally a bit flustered... and I’m not quite sure what to say."
At this, a flicker of hesitation crossed Wang Zilan’s eyes, but it vanished just as quickly. She nodded and said:
"Very well. If you are truly sincere, Chen, you may come to the Wang Family to propose marriage in the future. As long as the clan has no objections, Zhilan... Zhilan can give the matter serious consideration."
Compared to marrying Lu Maozhi, Wang Zilan weighed her options and concluded that Chen Sheng seemed like a very good choice.
Although he came from a Humble Family, he had powerful backers. He was also handsome and decisive. Combined with the extraordinary potential he displayed, she weighed her options and felt he was definitely worth considering.
After all, as someone born into a Noble Family, unless her own talent was absolutely peerless, a marriage alliance was inevitable.
Compared to marrying a man she disliked and found utterly repulsive, she much preferred to choose her own husband. And in Wang Zilan’s eyes, Chen Sheng was an excellent candidate.
As for her words about "serious consideration," they were just a pretense. After all, she was still a young woman; if she had agreed to his proposal without the slightest hesitation...
Wouldn’t that make her seem far too forward?
But hearing Wang Zilan’s words, a flash of astonishment appeared in Chen Sheng’s eyes.
"Has Miss Wang misunderstood something? I don’t recall ever saying I liked you, let alone that I wanted to take you as my wife, have I?"
’When did I ever say I wanted to marry Wang Zilan?’
’She’s really read this whole thing wrong.’
"You... You don’t want to marry me?!"
Wang Zilan’s face paled slightly.
"Of course."
Chen Sheng nodded solemnly and said, enunciating every word,
"I only want the Profound Yin Qi. To put it simply, this is merely a transaction between us. You provide the Profound Yin Qi, and in return, I will assist the Wang Family on Wushan Mountain. That is all."
The moment Chen Sheng finished speaking, the atmosphere in the room froze. A look of shame and anger flashed in Wang Zilan’s eyes. ’So, it was all a misunderstanding on my part?’
Taking a deep breath, Wang Zilan suppressed the turmoil in her heart and asked solemnly,
"Chen, do you know what it means to take the Profound Yin Qi?"
"We are people of the Jianghu. Why be bound by such trifles?"
Chen Sheng naturally understood what it would mean, but he only wanted the Profound Yin Qi. He had no desire to marry Wang Zilan, even though she was quite beautiful and came from a distinguished family.
But this woman was too shrewd. A transaction was fine, but discussing marriage was out of the question.
"Is it that Zhilan is truly not pleasing to your eyes, Chen?"
Wang Zilan couldn’t help but ask.
She, Wang Zilan, was the legitimate daughter of the Wang Family. Her talent was considerable; at only twenty-two, her Cultivation had already reached the peak of the Chaoyuan realm. Moreover, she was exceptionally beautiful and hailed as the "Pearl of the Wang Family."
’Could it be she wasn’t good enough for Chen Sheng, who came from a Humble Family?’
This immediately made her feel a pang of being looked down upon.
"Miss Zhilan, your beauty is considerable, but I currently have no intention of marrying. I only wish to make a transaction. Therefore... a marriage alliance is off the table." Chen Sheng stated his position once again.
With these words, the atmosphere in the room froze once more.
After a long pause, Wang Zilan composed herself slightly.
"Chen, besides the Profound Yin Qi, Zhilan can agree to any other price."
"I only want the Profound Yin Qi."
Chen Sheng’s expression was serious as he spoke, emphasizing each word.
He was backed by the two Governors, Sun Yuzhi and Nie Xuanfeng. Within the Jingwu Bureau, he had no lack of ordinary resources. Most of what the Wang Family could offer, the Jingwu Bureau could also provide.
But he had no interest in those things.
What he truly wanted were rare treasures that could enhance his Cultivation and talent.
But those were things that most people would never offer up.
"Is there no room for negotiation?"
"None."
Chen Sheng shook his head slightly.
"Miss Wang can go back and weigh this matter carefully. You can give me your reply then."
"Aren’t you afraid, Chen, that in a fit of anger, Zhilan might actually agree to the marriage alliance with the Lu Family?"
Wang Zilan’s voice hitched.
"If that happens, then I will certainly prepare a wedding gift. However, I’d like to remind Miss Wang that Young Master Lu is no fool. After what you’ve said and done today, he’ll likely figure it out eventually.
If you really do get married, heh... what if he ends up holding a grudge..."
"Besides, how does Miss Wang know that Lu Maozhi isn’t after the Profound Yin Qi himself?"
Hesitation and uncertainty flashed in Wang Zilan’s eyes.
"Zhilan will seriously consider your offer, Chen."
"After you return, Miss Zhilan, you can think it over carefully. After all, you wouldn’t want to marry Lu Maozhi, that good-for-nothing who’s now infamous throughout Ning’an Prefecture, would you?"
A smile never left Chen Sheng’s face as he upped the ante once more.
