Chapter 77: Shared Misfortunes
Translated by algoo | Proofread by algoo
For the latest updates, visit: ProNovels.com
Join our Discord for release updates: https://discord.gg/Eh2ayfR4FB
Zhao Residence.
Madam Ping’an didn’t understand Marquis Wu’an’s words. “Why? What does the marriage agreement between the Lin and Zhao families have to do with His Majesty?”
Marquis Wu’an sighed softly and explained, “Because His Majesty doesn’t want Lingjun to marry into other powerful families. Their strength and influence are too great. The Imperial Family has worked for many years to achieve a delicate balance in the court. If Lingjun marries into one of these families, this balance will be broken. This is what His Majesty wants to avoid.”
He looked at Madam Ping’an and asked, “Madam, do you think His Majesty would watch Lingjun marry into a Marquis or Duke’s family, a Prince’s family, or perhaps, one of his own sons?”
Zhou Jun was speechless.
Even with her slow reactions, she understood.
At this time, Baron Ping’an also let out a wry smile. “The Lin family is just a small family. Even if Lingjun marries in, it won’t affect the power balance in the capital. And the marriage agreement between the two families gives His Majesty a sufficient reason.”
Lin Xiu finally understood.
In the end, he had only lived an ordinary life before, at most just a wealthy second-generation. He didn’t understand the intricacies of a feudal dynasty and the balance of power.
But now he did.
Many powerful families in the capital wanted to marry Zhao Lingjun, but there was one person who absolutely didn’t want to see this outcome: the Emperor of Great Xia. Since ancient times, having too much merit or a subject whose power was too strong, threatening the ruler’s authority, was never allowed.
Other marriages between nobles were unavoidable. It wasn’t possible to force every noble’s child to marry a commoner. But Zhao Lingjun was different.
Her abilities were too strong, her talent too terrifying. Her future personal strength, coupled with the influence of a powerful family, could change the surname of the Great Xia Royal Family. If she married into a powerful family, could the Emperor sleep soundly at night?
The Lin family was different.
A single line of inheritance, no power or influence, neither military nor political power. The family’s rise and fall depended entirely on the Emperor’s grace. They were the ideal family in the Emperor’s mind for Zhao Lingjun.
Moreover, the two families had a marriage agreement, making it justifiable and in line with the Emperor’s wishes.
Anyone who wanted to cancel this agreement was going against the Emperor.
No wonder after he tricked the Emperor and the Noble Consort, the Emperor didn’t punish him at all. No wonder after hearing he was assassinated, he immediately sent two experts to protect him secretly. It turned out the Emperor didn’t want anything to happen to him more than he himself did.
Enjoying the translation? Stay updated with the latest chapters at ProNovels.com.
At this point, there was no need to continue discussing the topic.
Although the Zhao family were first-rank Marquises, this title was bestowed by the Emperor, not earned through their own strength. Their foundation couldn’t compare to other families, and they naturally didn’t have the power to defy the Emperor’s will.
The Lin family had even less power. The rise and fall of their family depended on the Emperor’s words. What could they use to resist the Emperor?
The family came full of expectation but left disappointed.
Lingyin’s parents wanted to keep them for dinner, but Baron and Madam Ping’an politely declined. After learning the truth, they had no appetite.
On the carriage home, the couple were downcast, but Lin Xiu’s mood hadn’t changed much.
Heaven had given him a second life, given him incredible otherworldly abilities, and most importantly, given him the warm family he had longed for. What more could he be dissatisfied with?
One had to be content.
Lin Xiu had already grasped the true meaning of life.
Life wasn’t always smooth sailing. There were no perfect things. Since he couldn’t resist, he might as well try to enjoy it. Since the marriage agreement couldn’t be canceled, then so be it.
If the Emperor wanted him to marry Chen Yuanyuan, that three-hundred-pound, old, ugly woman with peculiar tastes, he would take his family and leave Great Xia. He’d then focus on cultivating, and after many years, he’d rebel, seize the throne, and make a hundred old, ugly women humiliate the Emperor for a month to avenge this great injustice…
But in reality, he was to marry Zhao Lingjun, a beautiful, eighteen-year-old girl with extraordinary otherworldly abilities and exceptional talent. No matter how he looked at it, he had gotten the better end of the deal.
Not bad.
So, Lin Xiu took the initiative to comfort Baron and Madam Ping’an. “Father, Mother, what are you sad about? His Majesty has already sent experts to protect me secretly. We don’t have to worry about assassinations anymore. This marriage agreement is good for our family. Miss Zhao is so outstanding, the men who want to marry her in the capital could line up from the Zhao residence to the city gate. I’ve gotten such a great deal for free, I should be overjoyed…”
Baron and Madam Ping’an thought about it carefully and felt that Lin Xiu was right.
They went to the Zhao residence to break off the engagement because they were worried about Lin Xiu’s safety. As long as this problem was solved, this marriage was advantageous for their family no matter how they looked at it.
Inside the carriage, Lin Xiu put his arms around each of them, smiling. “Actually, since this marriage can’t be broken off, I’m secretly delighted. I wonder when my wife will return. I still want to get married soon…”
The trace of sadness in Zhou Jun’s heart had long since vanished because of Lin Xiu’s teasing. She poked Lin Xiu’s forehead with her finger. “That’s true. It’s your eight lifetimes of good fortune that Lingjun is marrying into our Lin family…”
…
Back at the Lin residence, after parting with his parents and returning to his room, the smile on Lin Xiu’s face gradually disappeared. He sighed softly.
Marriage was sacred and solemn in his heart.
His understanding of marriage was two people who loved each other, drawn together by love, ready to spend their lives together. It wasn’t about family reputation, much less political considerations.
Lin Xiu hadn’t met such a person in his past life, and it seemed he wouldn’t in this life either.
Before he transmigrated, the life of the Baron Ping’an’s son had already been arranged. He wanted to change it, but he was powerless.
Lin Xiu’s mind was a mess. He walked to the bed and fell asleep.
After a nap, Lin Xiu walked out of his room, full of energy again.
If he couldn’t resist life, then he would try to enjoy it. This was his life principle. Rather than dwelling on things he couldn’t change, it was better to learn to adapt in advance.
What if, besides her outstanding otherworldly talent, Miss Zhao was also well-educated, understanding, considerate, and caring, and their married life was harmonious and happy? What would he have to complain about then?
If she could be like his parents in this life, then marriage wouldn’t be a scary thing for him.
He could only comfort himself this way.
After sorting out his mood, Lin Xiu strolled out of the house. He saw the old beggar still leaning against the corner, but the peddler’s business had changed. He no longer sold pancakes but tea.
Selling tea required no skill. A small charcoal stove with a copper kettle on top, hot water inside. When a customer came, he grabbed a handful of tea leaves and poured hot water over them. That was it…
If he had started by selling tea, Lin Xiu wouldn’t have been suspicious.
Lin Xiu already had some understanding of their strength.
The old beggar was an Otherworldly Practitioner, no weaker than Lingyin, but not stronger than the Profound Rank. Lingyin’s strength was at the Upper Profound Rank, and this old beggar should be about the same.
As for the peddler, he felt much weaker than Instructor Sun and the Head of the Juying Academy, probably also at the Upper Profound Rank.
Whether it was Otherworldly Practitioners, Martial Artists, or even Otherworldly Beasts, the Earth Rank was a major dividing line. Those above the Earth Rank were called high-rank, and those below were all low-rank.
Considering the old man’s ability was the Golden Body, belonging to the tough and resilient type, and the martial artist’s combat power couldn’t be generalized, with these two protecting him, even if he encountered an Earth Rank expert, they could help him hold out for a while.
Judging by the deployment of these two secret agents, His Majesty was still very concerned about his safety. After all, if something happened to Lin Xiu, he would also have a big headache.
Today’s trip to the Zhao residence made Lin Xiu realize the importance of strength even more.
The reason why Zhao Lingjun was so valued was that she had already stepped into the Earth Rank at the age of eighteen. This kind of talent was unique in the capital, and even in the entire Great Xia.
If Lin Xiu was not a two-time Awakened but a five-time Awakened, even with the marriage agreement, the Emperor would not agree to this marriage.
He needed balance, not a powerful alliance.
Even so, Lin Xiu had to work hard to improve his strength.
He was still too weak, so weak that he couldn’t control his own life, so weak that even his marriage had to follow the wishes of others.
One day, he would have the power to surpass everything. At that time, no one would have the right to dictate his life.
Prince Qin’s Residence.
A carriage slowly arrived. Lin Xiu jumped off and said to the servant at the door, “Please inform His Highness Prince Qin that Lin Xiu has something to discuss with him.”
Because Prince Qin had no friends, there were usually no visitors to the residence. But seeing that this young gentleman had an extraordinary bearing, the gatekeeper respectfully bowed and said, “Please wait a moment, I’ll go and inform him immediately.”
Not long after the gatekeeper entered, Li Bozhang walked out quickly, surprised. “Brother Lin, why are you here?”
Lin Xiu saw that he didn’t invite him in and looked around. “I have something important to discuss with you. Should we talk here?”
Li Bozhang hesitated for a moment, then said, “Come in, let’s talk in my study.”
Prince Qin’s residence was more magnificent than any other residence Lin Xiu had seen. It occupied a vast area in the expensive East City and was invaluable.
Of course, this was because of his status. The residences of princes had certain regulations set by the court.
Just walking from the gate to Li Bozhang’s study, Lin Xiu had already passed through five gates. It seemed there were more to go. He had also seen dozens of servants. As he passed through another gate, Lin Xiu stopped.
There seemed to be some commotion ahead.
A maid was lying on the ground, two servants holding canes, hitting her back repeatedly. The maid clenched her teeth, sweat dripping from her forehead, but she didn’t dare make a sound.
A luxuriously dressed, dignified young woman stood in front, her face full of anger. “You wretch! Do you know that was my favorite glazed cup? Selling you wouldn’t be enough to buy another one! You actually broke it! Beat her hard!”
The woman was beautiful, exuding an innate nobility. But her furious expression was so狰狞fierce that it added a touch of malevolence to her dignified demeanor.
Li Bozhang’s face darkened, veins bulging on his forehead, but he restrained himself. “Enough!”
Seeing Li Bozhang, the woman’s anger instantly turned into a smile. She approached him. “Your Highness, this lowly maid broke my favorite glazed cup, so I had her punished. She did wrong and should be punished…”
Li Bozhang’s face was calm. “Have them stop. I have important matters to discuss with my friend. Don’t disturb us.”
The woman glanced indifferently at the maid on the ground. “Since His Highness is pleading for you, I will spare you this time. If you do this again, I will not be lenient.”
Li Bozhang took a deep breath. “Let’s go.”
Lin Xiu followed Li Bozhang into the innermost courtyard of the residence. Surprisingly, the entrance to this inner courtyard was guarded by four guards. He wondered who they were guarding against.
Lin Xiu glanced at Li Bozhang. “Who was that just now…?”
A deep weariness appeared in Li Bozhang’s eyes. “Princess Qin.”
Lin Xiu had previously asked Li Bozhang if he was married, and Li Bozhang had said no. Now it seemed he had lied.
Lin Xiu didn’t ask why, because he knew the reason.
He and Li Bozhang shared a common belief: the most important thing for a woman was her soul. No matter how beautiful a woman’s appearance, how good her figure, how outstanding her temperament, if her soul was impure, they wouldn’t give her a second glance.
The woman just now clearly had only outer beauty.
Her beautiful appearance couldn’t hide the malice in her heart.
Lin Xiu wouldn’t like such a woman, and neither would Li Bozhang. Lin Xiu finally understood the melancholy in Li Bozhang’s eyes when he sat by the lake, looking at the loving couples.
People often said that men were afraid of choosing the wrong profession, and women were afraid of marrying the wrong man. Actually, the harm of an unhappy marriage was the same for both men and women, but men were often overlooked.
Enjoying the translation? Stay updated with the latest chapters at ProNovels.com.
Lin Xiu patted Li Bozhang’s shoulder lightly, saying nothing. This was the unspoken understanding between men.
Li Bozhang smiled. “It’s alright, I’m used to it.”
He sighed. “Let’s not talk about this. What did you want to see me about?”
Lin Xiu asked, “Do you remember the fine wine you drank last time?”
Speaking of this, Li Bozhang’s eyes lit up. “Do you still have any of that wine?”
Lin Xiu said, “Although I don’t have any now, I’ve figured out how to brew it. As long as we want, we can have as much of that fine wine as we want.”
Li Bozhang said, “Then brew it quickly! Ever since I drank your wine last time, all other wines have been tasteless…”
Lin Xiu said, “I’m not looking for you to drink, but to partner with you in business. Since this wine is so good, we can open a few taverns and focus on selling it. We’ll definitely make a lot of money…”
Li Bozhang was stunned for a moment, then immediately said, “Yes! Once this wine comes out, no other wine on the market can compare. The profit will be huge. But why didn’t you approach the Zhao family for such a guaranteed profitable business, and instead came to me…”
Lin Xiu had his reasons for approaching Li Bozhang instead of the Zhao family.
Firstly, this business had huge profits and needed a reliable backer. Although the Zhao family were also influential, they were certainly not as powerful as Prince Qin.
The second, and most important reason, was that although the Lin and Zhao families were in-laws, their relationship was actually quite awkward. Lin Xiu didn’t want to be more deeply involved with them in business.
Of course, he couldn’t tell Li Bozhang these things. Lin Xiu looked at him and said as if suddenly realizing something, “Oh, right! I was thinking, you said last time that you were poor and couldn’t even take out a thousand taels of silver. You’re one of my few friends, and I wanted to help you get rich. Now I realize, why wouldn’t I go to my father-in-law’s family for such a good opportunity? Thank you for reminding me, Brother Li. I’ll go now. Farewell…”
He had just turned around when his wrist was tightly grasped.
Li Bozhang stopped him. “Brother Lin, wait, wait! There’s a big taboo in business, which is not to cooperate with people who are too close. If there’s any unpleasantness because of money, won’t it hurt our relationship?”
Lin Xiu smiled. “Aren’t you worried that you and I will hurt our relationship because of money?”
Li Bozhang just smiled. “Money is just a worldly possession for people like us. If such a day really comes, I’ll withdraw myself.”
Lin Xiu believed this, because what they pursued wasn’t money. Money was something you just needed enough of to spend. Any more than that was just a number.
Clearly, Lin Xiu didn’t have enough money to spend at the moment.
But what he didn’t expect was that Li Bozhang, a prince, would also be short of money.
He looked at Li Bozhang. “You’re a prince, your fief is so large, with countless incomes, how can you be short of money?”
Li Bozhang sighed. “You’re right, Prince Qin’s residence isn’t short of money, but I’ve never managed these matters. The financial affairs of the residence are all handled by the Princess.”
Lin Xiu understood. The financial power of the residence wasn’t in his hands.
Hearing this, he couldn’t help but feel some sympathy for Li Bozhang. As a prince, with such a noble status, he couldn’t even have the marriage he wanted, marrying a woman he didn’t like, and even the financial power was controlled by others…
Lin Xiu suddenly felt that compared to Li Bozhang, his situation wasn’t so bad.
Misery loves company. As long as someone was more miserable than him, he would feel better.
This friend was indeed worth having.
But he soon realized a problem and looked at Li Bozhang again, asking seriously, “How much do you know about Zhao Lingjun?”
Li Bozhang shook his head. “She used to cultivate outside and rarely returned to the capital. I’ve only met her a few times and don’t know her well. Why do you ask?”
Lin Xiu said worriedly, “I’m afraid her temperament is the same as Princess Qin’s, eccentric, tyrannical, and controlling. If I have to spend the rest of my life with such a woman, I’d rather die…”
Li Bozhang covered his mouth with his hand. “Don’t say it, don’t say it…”
…
At the gate of Prince Qin’s residence, Li Bozhang personally saw Lin Xiu off.
Actually, before today, their friendship wasn’t that deep. They were just two like-minded playboys who admired each other.
They had the same hobbies, the same aesthetic sense.
But after today, they had one more thing in common.
Shared misfortune.
Two men who yearned for a whole forest were both hanging from the same tree.
Li Bozhang’s marriage was unhappy, and Lin Xiu didn’t have much hope for his future family. The two, sharing their misfortunes, quickly established a deep revolutionary friendship.
Although Li Bozhang was Prince Qin, the financial power of the residence was controlled by the Princess. Therefore, when Lin Xiu offered to partner with him, he practically begged to join.
The two had reached a preliminary consensus on this cooperation.
Lin Xiu provided the technique, Li Bozhang provided the manpower and resources. Lin Xiu originally wanted a 50/50 split of the profits, but Li Bozhang insisted on 60/40 in Lin Xiu’s favor, so Lin Xiu agreed.
All he needed was one hundred thousand taels in the early stage to buy Origin Crystals and quickly raise his strength to the Profound Rank.
What Li Bozhang wanted was financial independence, and a 40% profit was enough for him.
Back at the Lin residence, Lin Xiu found Zhao Lingyin waiting for him in the courtyard.
Seeing him return, Zhao Lingyin frowned. “Where did you go again? What if you encounter assassins?”
Although her tone was a bit harsh, it revealed her concern for him. Lin Xiu knew better than anyone that it was a good thing to have someone care, it was sad to have no one care.
He walked over and explained, “Don’t worry, I didn’t go far, and there are two secret agents following me. Nothing will happen.”
Zhao Lingyin’s expression softened. “Come on, let’s go cultivate.”
On their way to the Otherworldly Practitioner’s courtyard, Zhao Lingyin remained silent until they reached the cold room in the Heaven Courtyard. “Now it’s settled. Whether you really wanted to break off the engagement or not, you can’t anymore…”
Lin Xiu consoled himself, “If it can’t be broken off, then so be it. I won’t lose out in this matter anyway.”
Although this was true, Zhao Lingyin was still speechless when she heard Lin Xiu say this. She glanced at him and pointed at the Profound Ice Bed. “Get up there.”
Lin Xiu was stunned. “Don’t I cultivate beside it?”
Zhao Lingyin said, “Your ability has awakened a second time. You can cultivate on it for a short time. After you get on, try to draw the cold energy into your body.”
Lin Xiu unconditionally trusted Lingyin in matters of cultivation. He took off his shoes and socks and sat cross-legged on the Profound Ice Bed. Cold air rose from beneath him, penetrating his bone marrow, making him shiver involuntarily.
He had guessed correctly. This bed was indeed freezing!
Lin Xiu only lasted for fifteen minutes before getting off the bed. The cultivation speed on it was very fast, although not as good as directly absorbing Origin Crystals, but much faster than cultivating on his own. No wonder Lingyin, at such a young age, had already awakened her abilities four times. The Profound Ice Bed probably played a significant role.
However, he couldn’t follow her path.
After all, her abilities awakened when she was very young, and she had only awakened four times so far. With normal cultivation, it would be at least ten years before he reached her current realm.
For him now, paying to win was the way to go.
For the latest updates, visit ProNovels.com. Join our Discord for release updates: https://discord.gg/Eh2ayfR4FB.
