For some people, rejecting another’s goodwill is the most difficult thing.
And this was precisely the situation Sauron faced.
King Bian had shown such profound favour, bestowing a marriage decree and promising to make Sauron the Prince Consort Regent in future.
Moreover, it had already been written into the royal testament.
This made it truly difficult for Sauron to resist. Yet Yan Naier was someone he absolutely could not let down.
The eunuch Gao Yu said, “Count Sauron, are you perhaps concerned about Miss Yan Naier’s feelings? You may rest assured on this point. His Majesty has taken Miss Yan as his adopted daughter and made her a lady-in-waiting to the princess. You should understand the implications of this. Furthermore, Miss Yan has already agreed.”
Upon hearing this, Sauron was even more astonished.
The king’s meaning was abundantly clear. He was actually proposing that both women marry Sauron together.
Of course, Yan Naier would have no status as wife, for in this world, in the vast majority of human kingdoms, a man could only take one wife. Moreover, the monogamous system was regarded as a symbol of civilisation and enlightenment.
As one of the Four Great Kingdoms, the Kingdom of Fury Waves naturally had to follow this system.
Thus for several generations, the kings had basically had only one wife, that is to say one queen. As for concubines and the like, there were none.
On the contrary, Jiang Shang of the Eastern Departure Kingdom not only had a queen, but also several royal consorts. And the Emperor of the Flame Empire, besides his empress, also had two concubines.
The Kingdom of Fury Waves and the Northern Court Kingdom, being newly established kingdoms, had kings who were rather more concerned with their image, and thus had only one wife.
And now the king was actually letting Princess Zhiyan and Yan Naier marry Sauron together.
Even though Yan Naier would only have the status of a concubine, this was already unprecedented.
When a princess married, it was basically equivalent to the prince consort marrying into the royal family.
A prince consort was half husband and half servant. The idea of him also taking a concubine was completely wishful thinking.
Such profound favour from the king truly made it impossible for Sauron to utter words of refusal.
But… Sauron still had to refuse.
Even though Naier had agreed, she must certainly be heartbroken inside.
She was a girl filled with absolute longing for love and absolute possessiveness. She did not want to share her beloved with other women at all, let alone become a concubine.
Moreover, up to now, Sauron owed the king nothing, nor did he owe Princess Zhiyan any favour.
But he owed Yan Naier far too much.
Without Naier, where would he have gotten his army? How would he have retaken Tianshui City?
Naier had given everything to help Sauron.
If Yan Yan had not doted on his daughter, how could he have abandoned the excellent foundation of Tianye City to lead an army of over ten thousand in loyalty to Sauron? He had been unwilling to pledge loyalty even to the king in his lifetime, let alone to someone as insignificant as Sauron.
Now that Sauron had retaken Tianshui City, to kick her aside would be something Sauron could not do. He was not so heartless.
Of course, on the surface, their love still had a result. But to make Yan Naier a concubine, what kind of humiliation was that?
Therefore, he could only appreciate the king’s goodwill in his heart.
This marriage decree, he absolutely had to refuse. The key was how to refuse.
At this time, displeasure was already showing on Gao Yu’s face. When the master is insulted, the servant must die. His Majesty had shown such profound grace, yet as a subject, Sauron not only failed to weep with gratitude, but instead hesitated so. This was completely trampling upon the king’s supreme dignity.
“Count Sauron, are you intending to defy the royal decree?” Gao Yu said coldly.
Sauron had originally been prostrate on the ground. Now he suddenly straightened his body, about to refuse this marriage arrangement.
Indeed, this was defying the decree. No matter how tactfully it was phrased, it was defying the decree.
And defying a decree was a grave crime that would plant a great thorn in the king’s heart.
Just at this moment, Princess Zhiyan suddenly knelt down and said, “Father, please withdraw the decree. Your daughter is not yet mentally prepared. Once Count Sauron and I are truly compatible in spirit, we shall again request Father’s decree of marriage.”
Zhiyan stepped forward before Sauron could defy the decree, avoiding the consequence of Sauron directly opposing the king’s will.
Seeing this scene, Gao Yu could not help but be slightly startled, and a slight sigh of relief rose in his heart.
Before bestowing the marriage, King Bian had asked Princess Zhiyan whether she was willing to marry Sauron.
At that time, Princess Zhiyan had nodded in agreement.
Now, she suddenly stepped forward to say she did not agree. It was not that she truly disagreed, but rather she was shielding Sauron from the crime of defying the decree.
It was better for the king’s own daughter to defy the decree than for an outsider to do so.
Gao Yu gazed at the two for a long while, his gaze towards Sauron growing several degrees colder and more displeased.
“If that is the case, then I shall report truthfully to His Majesty.” Gao Yu said冷淡ly, then turned and left directly.
…
Sauron and Princess Zhiyan remained in the chamber, both still kneeling prostrate on the ground in silent stillness.
When Sauron raised his head, Princess Zhiyan also raised hers.
She had basically never shown joy or sorrow before. Now, a trace of pain was contained in her gaze.
Sauron’s attitude, whilst it certainly protected Yan Naier, had hurt Zhiyan.
No matter how transcendent and detached from worldly desires she was, she would still care.
She was the legitimate eldest princess of one of the Four Great Kingdoms, the woman of highest status in this world. Apart from Princess Ji Xiuning of the Flame Empire and the eldest princess of the Eastern Departure Kingdom, virtually no one could be mentioned in the same breath as her.
Moreover, she was also the most beautiful woman in this world. Currently, only Ashi Liren could match her.
She was also the woman with the highest martial arts in this world. Again, only Ashi Liren could match her.
Whether in bloodline, status, martial arts, talent, wisdom, beauty, or figure, Zhiyan was without exception unrivalled in the world.
In terms of appearance alone, Yan Naier and Gui Qinshao fell half a point short of Zhiyan.
For such a woman to be willing to marry Sauron was completely Sauron reaching above his station.
Now the king had bestowed marriage, and the princess was willing, yet Sauron had actually refused.
What position did this place a young woman like her in?
“I am sorry.” Sauron said.
Princess Zhiyan shook her head and said nothing, her expression downcast.
Sauron said, “I shall still do my utmost to assist Your Highness the Princess.”
Princess Zhiyan nodded. Suddenly, her beautiful eyes fixed upon Sauron, for quite a long while, motionless.
Sauron rarely looked directly at Zhiyan. Now, meeting her gaze like this, he could not withstand it even for a brief moment.
Because this face was the very condensation of heaven and earth’s spiritual energy, so beautiful it made one’s heart tremble.
That otherworldly jade-like quality, that exquisite perfection, was truly something even Gui Qinshao could not achieve.
“Am I truly so… displeasing to you?” Princess Zhiyan asked.
“Your immortal aura is too heavy. I cannot bear to profane it.” Sauron said.
“It is not like that.” Zhiyan said, “It is only that I have been immersed in another world at the Divine Dragon Temple for too long, and detached from the secular world for too long. I am not someone who does not eat the fireworks of the mortal world. Once I have been in this mortal world for a long time, I shall become like other women.”
Sauron said nothing.
Zhiyan continued, “Sauron, if I fail to seize the throne, then naturally all discussion ceases. But if, by good fortune, we succeed. Then I must eventually marry someone. Even if only to produce an heir to the throne, I must marry. At that time, who would you have me marry?”
Sauron was silent, and once again prostrated himself on the ground.
…
Several hours later, Sauron led his cavalry to greet Prince Zhili outside the city, entirely according to the treatment of a vassal greeting the royal house.
And Zhili also assumed the posture of a royal family member visiting a vassal’s territory. What carriage he rode, how many guards he brought, what officials from the Crown Prince’s residence he brought, all conformed to ritual propriety.
And Sauron also paid his respects according to the rites of a vassal, bringing along his elder sister Suo Ningbing and his fiancee Yan Naier.
On the surface, it was entirely a picture of the lord being intimate with his subjects and the subjects being humble.
But everyone knew that just a few days before, the two sides had fought for several days, wishing nothing more than to put each other to death.
This surface performance lasted for more than an hour, before Sauron finally had a secret talk with Prince Zhili in the city lord’s residence.
In the entire council hall, there were only Sauron and Zhili.
The grand eunuch Li Chenglian, and Yan Naier, as bodyguards for both sides, stood outside the great hall.
At this time, both Sauron and Zhili had completely removed their masks.
Sauron no longer performed the rites of a subject, but simply stood facing him, completely speechless for a moment.
“Sauron, I truly never imagined I would lose so miserably.” Zhili said, “An army of over a hundred thousand, completely annihilated. And your army’s casualties were utterly negligible. Even if immortals had come to fight, it would have been the same situation. Sauron, you truly leave me speechless with admiration.”
Sauron shook his head and said, “It was merely by chance that I discovered a new type of oil.”
“I know, it is black oil.” Zhili said, “Ashi Luo sent word that this is black oil, hidden underground, inexhaustible in supply.”
Sauron trembled. The secret of this crude oil had been discovered so quickly.
This Ashi Luo, born of the Demon Continent, truly knew everything.
“It is a pity Ashi Luo did not accompany the army into battle. Otherwise we would not have lost.” Zhili said.
Sauron said nothing.
Zhili said, “Sauron, do you know that with this defeat, it means that from now on, my desire to resolve Tianshui City by military means has become completely impossible.”
Sauron nodded. Unless Zhili obtained the complete loyalty of the Sea Clan of Yingzhou, or the complete loyalty of the Demon King Yan. Otherwise, no single power could assemble tens of thousands of naval forces to play the pirate and attack Tianshui City.
Before the king died, wanting to attack Tianshui City from the ground was impossible.
Although the king had been abandoned by the nobles and vassals, he was still the king, holding supreme authority.
Perhaps if he issued a decree to some vassal or noble, the other party might not listen. But his Divine Dragon King’s Staff could kill anyone who offended the kingdom’s system.
It could be said that anyone who wished to lead troops to attack Tianshui City would immediately be struck dead by Gao Yin with the king’s staff.
Therefore, whilst Sauron was wholeheartedly assisting Zhiyan, King Bian was also protecting Tianshui City at every moment.
Without King Bian’s protection, in less than half a month, Tianshui City would become ruins, and the Suo Clan would be completely exterminated.
And just now, Sauron’s refusal of marriage, hopefully it would not leave a grievance in King Bian’s heart.
…
“Your Highness Zhili, you have come to my Tianshui City. Surely it was not merely to express your sentiments.” Sauron said.
Zhili said, “Sauron, after this great battle, do you think the balance of power between me and Zhiyan has changed in any way?”
Sauron shook his head and said, “No. Behind you still stand all the nobles and vassals, and even many commoner elites, with over a million troops in hand. And behind Princess Zhiyan, there is still only my Tianshui City. Of course, the king still has a royal palace guard in hand.”
Zhili said, “Correct. Because His Majesty wishes to let a woman ascend the throne as king, this has enraged all the nobles and vassals under heaven. No one will stand on his side. Moreover, when King Bian ascended the throne, he slaughtered on a grand scale, offending who knows how many nobles and vassals. After ascending, he vigorously promoted commoner elites and suppressed the noble class. The conflict between the two sides has become like fire and water. Now, he again wishes to support a woman as king, breaking the tradition of human kingdoms for thousands of years. This is completely wishful thinking. Even the commoner elites he promoted will oppose him.”
Sauron said, “Your move of taking Ling Ao as your attendant has already deceived the hearts of a great number of commoner elites. These foolish commoner elites will not know that your fundamental base, Your Highness Zhili, will always be the nobles and vassals.”
Zhili said, “Therefore, the probability of the king’s victory remains minuscule. Even, I need do nothing but wait for the king to die, and I can smoothly ascend the throne. And the king has already suffered a stroke and is paralysed. How long do you think he can still live? Sauron, you now have King Bian’s protection. But when the day comes that I ascend the throne as king, what will become of your Suo Clan?”
Sauron spread his hands and said nothing.
Zhili said, “How about this. From now on, you stand aside and remain neutral. And after I ascend the throne, you shall still be your City Lord of Tianshui, still a vassal of the kingdom. When I wish to attack the Barbarian Plains, you shall lend me the Barbarian Gorge to pass troops through.”
“Hehe…” Sauron smiled and did not answer.
Given Zhili’s temperament, once he ascended the throne as king, how could he possibly let Sauron go?
Zhili said, “You might think that given my temperament, once I ascend the throne as king, I will certainly exterminate your Suo Clan and destroy your Tianshui City. How could I possibly spare your life, correct?”
“Correct.” Sauron said.
Zhili said, “If this were before, certainly so. But now the situation has changed. Zhining is my only remaining blood relative, and she is carrying your child. Originally I tried every possible means to abort this child, but she escaped to the Flame Empire. Not only that, she also informed Prince Jimin of her pregnancy. Now my marriage alliance with the Flame Empire has fallen through.”
Hearing this, Sauron’s gaze trembled.
Speaking of which, Zhining was still the only woman he had truly slept with since coming to this world.
Zhili said, “Zhining can no longer marry Prince Jimin. You also know that the depth of her hatred for you equals the depth of her love. I shall grant her wish. As long as you remain strictly neutral, I shall bring Zhining back from the Flame Empire and send her to your side, marry her to you. Of course, I have said similar things before, about marrying Zhining to you and such, but that was false then. Now it is true.”
Sauron said nothing.
Zhili said, “To speak unpleasantly, Zhining is equivalent to your hostage. Even if I go mad after ascending the throne, I would not kill my own brother-in-law. And the future City Lord of Tianshui would be my nephew. Why would I move against the Suo Clan?”
Sauron still said nothing.
Zhili said, “From now on, you remain neutral and no longer interfere in the struggle between me and Zhiyan. And I shall marry Zhining to you as a hostage sent to you, guaranteeing that after I ascend the throne as king, I shall not pursue crimes against your Suo Clan. How about it?”
Sauron shook his head and said, “Firstly, I do not believe you. Secondly, I already have a fiancee. It is impossible for me to marry Zhining.”
Zhili said, “Yan Naier? Zhining’s status is more noble than hers by no less than a hundredfold.”
Sauron sneered and said, “Then compared to Zhining, what of Princess Zhiyan’s status?”
Zhili’s gaze trembled and he said, “The king bestowed marriage upon you? Married Zhiyan to you? That is impossible.”
Sauron said nothing.
Zhili said, “The king is cunning. His bestowal of marriage was entirely to buy people’s hearts. He knew you would refuse, which is why he bestowed the marriage. Not only did it show his profound favour towards you, but it also made you feel guilty, making you even more loyal to Zhiyan.”
Sauron shrugged his shoulders and said nothing.
Zhili said, “Moreover, when Princess Zhiyan was in Flame Capital, she had a close male friend, not a lover yet surpassing a lover. His status is ten times higher than yours, his martial arts a hundred times higher than yours. In talent, wisdom, appearance, and temperament, none fail to surpass you. Do you think Zhiyan would truly take a fancy to you?”
Having heard that the king had bestowed marriage upon Sauron, Zhili used all possible words and means to drive a wedge between them.
Seeing Sauron unmoved, Zhili’s face darkened and he said, “You are certain you wish to refuse my goodwill, correct?”
Sauron nodded.
Zhili said, “This is my last offer of goodwill. If you refuse, it means we are completely irreconcilable. When I ascend the throne in future, I shall exterminate your Suo Clan to the last person and completely destroy your Tianshui City.”
Sauron was speechless.
Zhili continued, “Moreover, even if I do nothing, I can still ascend the throne. Zhiyan has not the slightest chance. You are fighting a battle that is certain to lose.”
Sauron still said nothing, for this was Zhili’s probe, wishing to detect his future plans and movements from Sauron’s words.
“Hahaha…” Zhili laughed loudly and said, “You refuse my goodwill, so be it. The main reason I came this time was to make a transaction with you, a true transaction.”
Sauron at this time deeply felt how cunning this person Zhili was.
Just now his performance had been so genuine. Marrying Zhining to him, promising to let the Suo Clan go after ascending the throne, only requiring Sauron to remain neutral.
Everything was false. He could not possibly let the Suo Clan go. Moreover, he also knew Sauron would certainly refuse, yet he still performed with such deep emotion, making one feel it was incomparably real upon hearing it.
“Transaction? What transaction?” Sauron said.
“I wish to ransom two people, Tu Lingchen and City Lord Tuli Wen.” Zhili said.
Sauron shook his head and said, “I do not know what you are talking about. I have not seen these two people. Could it be they did not return to Luanyang City? Could it be they died in the great fire?”
Perhaps Sauron’s acting skills were insufficient. Zhili could not be bothered with his performance and said directly, “I shall also use two people to exchange for Tu Lingchen and City Lord Tuli Wen with you.”
Sauron sneered inwardly. In this world, there were not yet two people of such weight that could be used to exchange for Tu Lingchen and Tuli Wen.
Zhili said, “The first person is your biological mother, Fu Lingxi.”
Upon these words, Sauron’s heart trembled violently.
Sauron’s mother, was she not already dead?
Zhili said, “Of course, in your mind your mother died long ago, when you and Suo Ningbing were both very young. But in fact she did not die. Your father Suo Lun missed his old flame the Rock Queen day and night, even calling out her name in his dreams. When he was intimate with your mother, he also treated her as the Rock Queen. Over time, your mother’s heart turned cold. She abandoned you and your sister and left home. But this was a scandal of the Suo Clan, so your father told you from childhood that your mother Fu Lingxi had died.”
Sauron was greatly shocked.
Zhili continued, “The second person is… your daughter.”
Upon these words, Sauron was completely shaken.
Zhili was very satisfied with Sauron’s reaction and smiled, saying, “Correct. It is your biological daughter, Sauron.”
Sauron was only how old, yet he actually… had a daughter?
Zhili said, “This is yet another even more hidden scandal. At fifteen years of age, you went to Worship Fire City as a guest, that is to say, your maternal grandfather’s territory. Although Count Fu E was very averse to the Suo Clan because of your mother’s matter, you were after all his own grandson, so he was rather fond of you. But you… actually got his own granddaughter pregnant, that is to say, your cousin Fu Yaner.”
Sauron was at this time completely stunned.
“Moreover, she was betrothed at the time, and was to be married in a few months.” Zhili said, “The Fu Clan is a prestigious family of several hundred years. How could they endure such a scandal? Although Count Fu E could not kill you, he regarded you as an enemy and beat you half to death before sending you back to Tianshui City. As for your cousin Fu Yaner, her fate was tragic. A few days later, word spread that she had contracted a severe illness and suddenly died.”
What a sin. If this were true, then that bastard Sauron had truly sinned.
Zhili said, “Of course, Fu Yaner did not truly die. She was after all Count Fu E’s most doted-upon granddaughter. But she was driven out of her home, suffering all manner of hardship alone, and gave birth to a daughter. This girl is of course your daughter, Sauron, and is six years old this year.”
Sauron was completely, completely stunned.
Were Zhili’s words true or false? Why had Suo Ningbing never mentioned this matter?
Zhili said, “Now I shall use these two people to exchange for your two people. How about it?”
Sauron still had no reaction. He was completely stunned.
Zhili said, “It seems you still do not believe me? Then I shall let you see clearly whether this little girl is your daughter.”
Then, Zhili clapped his hands and said, “Bring her in!”