When Suo Lun returned home, it was already deep into the night.
He did not enter Zhi Yan’s room, but went into Zhi Ning and the baby’s room.
The baby was already sound asleep, his two chubby little hands hugging his head, his small body lying on his side.
Suo Lun had originally wanted to look at the baby and then immediately withdraw, but unexpectedly Zhi Ning grabbed his hand.
“Why aren’t you asleep yet?” Suo Lun asked.
“I slept until the afternoon before getting up today. I’m not sleepy now.” Zhi Ning said in a cloying voice: “Sister-in-law took care of the baby all morning. I was truly exhausted by you, my waist and back are sore.”
Suo Lun said: “The baby is sleeping on his stomach. This might not be very good.”
Zhi Ning said: “There’s no helping it. You just turn him over, and in a while he’ll be sleeping on his stomach again.”
“I need to leave for three days, to go to Tianshui City to get married.” Suo Lun said.
“Mm.” Zhi Ning said unnaturally: “Zhi Yan already mentioned it just now.”
“You’re unable to sleep because of this?” Suo Lun asked.
“No.” Zhi Ning said: “I slept too much during the day.”
“You can’t fool me. You’re unable to sleep precisely because of this matter.” Suo Lun said.
In the darkness, Zhi Ning’s beautiful eyes widened as she stared at Suo Lun for a long time. Then she said resentfully: “Yes, I am unable to sleep precisely because of this. You’re running off to get married, and I have already given birth to your son, yet I still have no name or status.”
Suo Lun lay down on the bed, kissed her small mouth and said: “Then when I return to the royal city, we will also hold a ceremony, like the kind Gui Qin Shao had.”
The wedding Suo Lun and Gui Qin Shao held was considered a private marriage!
This kind of wedding was not protected by the kingdom’s laws, and children born from it followed the mother’s surname, with no inheritance rights from the father’s family.
Moreover, the woman could not possess any of the man’s family property.
In short, this was a purely emotional wedding, not involving any property or laws.
However, this kind of wedding was recognised by the upper classes of the entire human kingdom. Once married, it was also a true husband-wife relationship.
Even, among nobles, private marriages were more affirmed than formal weddings.
Because in noble society, many men and women did not have genuine feelings, merely completing the family’s alliance task. After marriage, the man would have a private marriage with a woman he truly resonated with, and they would stay together for life.
After such a private marriage, whether it was Gui Qin Shao’s child or Zhi Ning’s child, they would follow their mother’s surname, not Suo Lun’s surname.
When grown up, Gui Qin Shao’s child would inherit the Tianshui City foundation, while Zhi Ning’s child would be a royal family member.
Of course, this kind of private marriage was a sign of corruption and degeneracy, but Suo Lun was also among its beneficiaries.
Hearing Suo Lun’s promise, joy shone in Zhi Ning’s beautiful eyes, and she said in a cloying voice: “Alright, you must make up the wedding ceremony for me. At that time, we will hold the ceremony while carrying the baby. That would be most interesting.”
In private marriages, holding the wedding ceremony while carrying the baby was indeed quite common.
Many men and women were together at first merely because of a sudden surge of emotion. But after giving birth to a child, they felt they could no longer separate, so they held a private marriage.
“Are you still going to Zhi Yan’s side tonight?” Zhi Ning asked.
“I’m not going. I’ll stay with you.” Suo Lun said.
“Then it’s agreed. Only sleeping, nothing else.” Zhi Ning said: “Yesterday I was truly exhausted. When I got up the next day, my entire body was sore everywhere.”
“Alright.” Suo Lun said.
Then he gently embraced her to sleep, his hands instinctively wandering over her voluptuous and captivating body, kissing her ears, lips, nose tip, and eyes.
As a result, when one hand wandered to her thigh, it was clamped tight by her and not released.
Then, whimpering sounds came from her nose again. Her delicate body began to gently twist and rub, her temperature starting to rise.
Suo Lun laughed in his heart. Women were all duplicitous. He deliberately continued kissing her unhurriedly.
Zhi Ning, unable to get satisfaction, sent her jade hand snaking into Suo Lun’s clothes like a snake, wandering downwards.
“What are you doing?” Suo Lun asked.
“Hurry up.” Zhi Ning trembled.
“Hurry up with what?” Suo Lun asked.
“You hateful thing.” Zhi Ning trembled: “I want…”
Suo Lun gently pulled down her nightgown. Zhi Ning turned her delicate body to the side, facing away from Suo Lun and forcefully sticking out her backside.
“You, be gentle with me. Don’t be so fierce.”
Zhi Ning trembled as she spoke, then turned her face to kiss Suo Lun.
…
Early the next morning, Suo Lun kissed Zhi Ning and their son before getting up. After washing up, he came to the courtyard in the central garden.
Fang Qing Zhuo had gotten up early to practice swordsmanship. She was rarely dressed in a tight-fitting outfit, making her voluptuous and proud body appear especially mature and alluring, like a peach ripened to the extreme, one bite and juice would splash everywhere.
Her two daughters also followed her to practice swordsmanship with sleepy eyes, yawning continuously as they practiced.
Upon seeing Suo Lun, the two little girls threw their small wooden swords on the ground and ran over to hug Suo Lun’s thighs.
“Uncle, uncle, are you returning to Tianshui City? Remember to bring me gifts!”
“When you come back, can you bring Qin Qin too?”
“A Shi Yuan Ba is not allowed to come. Little boys are the most hateful.”
“Uncle, I want to raise a puppy. Can you help me tell Mama?”
The two little girls chirped away like chatterboxes.
And if Suo Lun did not agree, they would hug his thighs and not let go.
“Alright, alright, I promise.” Suo Lun quickly said.
“Uncle, you are the best. We’ll go wake the baby up.” The two little girls released Suo Lun’s thighs, then took the opportunity to run off without a trace.
Two small wooden swords were casually thrown on the ground.
Fang Qing Zhuo looked at Suo Lun somewhat angrily and said: “Suo Lun, you can’t be like this. You spoil them rotten, and then I won’t be able to manage them.”
Suo Lun smiled and said: “Sister-in-law, your nature is so gentle. You can’t manage them.”
“Then what should I do?” Fang Qing Zhuo said: “Should I just let them become wild girls?”
Suo Lun said: “Listen to me. From now on, let Zhi Ning manage them. She is full of schemes and ruthless methods. I guarantee she will manage these two little girls into submission.”
Fang Qing Zhuo said: “You speak of her like that. Be careful she kicks you out of bed.”
After speaking, Fang Qing Zhuo also felt this sentence was too forward and ambiguous, not something she should have said. Instantly, her face flushed red, extremely bashful.
Suo Lun had originally wanted to tease a couple more sentences, but felt it was inappropriate. His expression turned serious as he said: “Sister-in-law, I am returning to Tianshui City to get married. For these three days, the family will be entrusted to you.”
“Mm, rest assured. I will certainly take good care of Zhi Ning and the baby.” Fang Qing Zhuo said gently yet seriously.
Half an hour later, Suo Lun formally bid farewell to Zhi Ning and Fang Qing Zhuo. Together with Zhi Yan, Zhuang Zhi Xuan, and Duke Zhi Ting, the four of them rode griffon beasts back to Tianshui City, for a simple yet important wedding!
After the wedding, Princess Zhi Yan would ascend the throne as king, and Suo Lun would also become the Regent Prince of the Furious Wave Kingdom!
…
Suo Lun, Princess Zhi Yan, and Duke Zhi Ting.
Palace eunuchs went respectively to Hei Mu’s residence, the Yan family clan residence, and Gui Xing Fu’s residence to deliver decrees.
Hei Mu, Minister of Personnel, was appointed Deputy Prime Minister of the kingdom’s cabinet. When the Prime Minister and Regent Duke were absent, he would temporarily lead the kingdom’s internal affairs.
Gui Xing Fu was appointed Minister of Punishments of the Furious Wave Kingdom, and concurrently a cabinet member.
Yan Wu Zhi was appointed Governor of Zhi Du, and concurrently a cabinet member.
The original Prime Minister Yan Wu Ji’s clan members, although they barely preserved their lives, had to surrender most of their family property. Important members of the clan who originally held high-ranking positions in the kingdom were all dismissed, waiting for the Furious Wave Kingdom’s next summons.
Moreover, Yan Wu Ji’s Prime Minister residence was also reclaimed by Suo Lun’s decree, and bestowed upon Yan Wu Zhi.
From then on, Yan Wu Zhi became the master of the Yan family clan.
After receiving the decree, he came before the ancestral tablets, knelt on the ground and wept uncontrollably.
How many years had it been?
Over thirty years!
Every time he came to the Yan residence, Yan Wu Zhi’s emotions were complex.
From childhood to adulthood, in every examination, whether literary or martial, he had surpassed his cousin Yan Wu Ji.
But since the age of ten, every time he saw Yan Wu Ji he had to salute. Every time there was a clan meeting, he had to stand at the back, while Yan Wu Ji could sit in the most core position.
Merely because Yan Wu Ji was born of the principal wife, while he was born of a concubine.
Before the age of fifty, Yan Wu Ji had become Cabinet Prime Minister.
And when Yan Wu Zhi was in his forties, he was merely Chief Scribe of the Southeast Province Governor’s Office, and this was already his limit. Of the kingdom’s eleven provincial governors, not one was his position.
Because every provincial governor must be of noble birth.
And throughout the entire Yan family clan, only one person had a noble title, and that was Yan Wu Ji.
Now, he, Yan Wu Zhi, had finally obtained all of this. Obtained a cabinet position, obtained the Yan family clan residence, and a noble title.
When Princess Zhi Yan ascended the throne as king, she would formally appoint Yan Wu Zhi as a Baron of the kingdom.
“Father, your son followed the right lord, and has finally achieved the lifelong wish you dared not even imagine.” Yan Wu Zhi knelt and kowtowed once more, his face covered in tears.
Kneeling before the tablets for a full quarter of an hour, Yan Wu Zhi stood up, wiped his tears, and walked outside.
Opening the door, the entire courtyard was filled with several hundred people, kneeling neatly and uniformly.
“Paying respects to the Family Head!”
“Paying respects to the Mentor!”
From now on, he, Yan Wu Zhi, was the sole and unique master of the Yan family clan, the highest leader of the Yan faction.
…
“This old servant Gui Xing Fu, kowtowing in thanks for the lord’s heaven-bestowed grace!”
Compared to Yan Wu Zhi’s magnificent mansion, Gui Xing Fu’s residence was somewhat inferior.
At this time within the royal city, the Linhai Earl’s residence still existed, occupying one to two hundred mu of land, magnificent and splendid. Servants and maids were still inside managing and tending to it.
However, this earl’s residence no longer belonged to Gui Xing Fu. Its current master was Gui Qin Shao and the child in her belly.
But at this time, Gui Xing Fu’s heart was filled with pride, without any regret.
He had formally received the decree. He would serve as the kingdom’s Minister of Punishments, and concurrently a cabinet member.
Of course, Yin Du, the junior minister of the Black Dragon Platform, had also been promoted one level, becoming Deputy Minister of Punishments.
When receiving the decree, Gui Xing Fu also could not help but burst into loud sobs.
Finally, he had also made something of himself.
From a prisoner who could be skinned and have his tendons pulled out at any moment, he had become a cabinet minister of the Furious Wave Kingdom. From hell, he had climbed to heaven.
Although, to a certain extent, the weight of a cabinet minister was not equal to that of a kingdom noble.
But he, Gui Xing Fu, had already been a kingdom noble. Now becoming a cabinet minister again, his actual power and position already surpassed when he previously served as Linhai City Lord.
He had already forged another path for the Gui family clan. He was fifty-six years old this year, and could still gallop within the cabinet for ten years.
These ten years were sufficient for him to cultivate his sons Gui Qin Qu and Gui Qin Zhong.
Gui Qin Qu would serve as a civil official, Gui Qin Zhong as a military official! One literary and one martial brother, and in ten years there would be another flourishing Gui family clan.
As for his once most outstanding eldest son Gui Qin Bi, he had already been abandoned.
Because Gui Qin Shao hated this eldest brother. This shameless eldest son had actually secretly molested his mother Tu Ling Si. He was simply worse than a beast.
Gui Qin Shao hated Gui Qin Bi, so Suo Lun definitely hated Gui Qin Bi.
And since Suo Lun hated Gui Qin Bi, Gui Xing Fu had to cast him into the eighteenth level of hell.
His other two sons, Gui Qin Qu and Gui Qin Zhong, although not as outstanding, excelled in steadiness.
Moreover, these two brothers were both filled with affection for their younger sister Gui Qin Shao. From childhood to adulthood, they had not known how much trouble they had taken the blame for on behalf of this sister.
Although at this time Gui Qin Qu and Gui Qin Zhong were still in prison, when Princess Zhi Yan ascended the throne, they would certainly be released.
At that time, with Gui Qin Shao casually blowing a few pillow words into Suo Lun’s ear, these two brothers would rise to prominence.
“Hahaha, at that time, my Gui family clan will produce two nobles in one generation, one branch as nobles, one branch in the court.” Gui Xing Fu said proudly in his heart: “Among all the powerful and noble families of the Furious Wave Kingdom, my Gui family clan will rank third!”
Indeed, Yan Wu Zhi was the Prime Minister in Suo Lun’s heart.
But this person was too aloof and proud, putting on an appearance of being loyal only to the kingdom, not to Suo Lun personally.
Gui Xing Fu was different. From beginning to end, he would only put on one posture: I am loyal only to Suo Lun.
In this way, five years later, the position of kingdom Prime Minister might not necessarily belong to whom.
Within the next month, Gui Xing Fu would have to meet Tu Ling Si no matter what, and formally handle the divorce.
This was a very special kind of divorce. Gui Xing Fu would expel himself from the Gui family clan, while Tu Ling Si would remain the mistress of the Gui family.
Then, Gui Xing Fu would immediately marry another wife.
Why do this?
First, it was to declare to the world that the orthodox line of the Linhai Gui family was now Gui Qin Shao, and that Gui Xing Fu would establish a brand new Gui family clan, with no relation to Linhai City.
Second, Gui Xing Fu’s thoughts were somewhat filthy.
He knew that although Tu Ling Si was already a woman of mature years, she was far more than just retaining her charm. She was simply still fiery and stunningly beautiful.
If there were any sparks between her and Suo Lun? Then he, Gui Xing Fu, should be sensible and completely draw a clear line with Tu Ling Si.
With one hour remaining before going to the cabinet to report for duty, Gui Xing Fu first went outside the princess residence, kneeling to see Suo Lun off as he left the royal city.
He did not enter the princess residence, but knelt outside, watching Suo Lun and Princess Zhi Yan ride griffon beasts away before he stood up and left.
Flattery was a long-term and meticulous project. One must be meticulous, and could not relax at any moment.
Then, he conveniently made a trip to the Black Dragon Platform prison to see someone.
His adopted son Ling Ao, once the favoured son of heaven, Gui Qin Shao’s fiance.
Of course, he had also first reported this matter to Suo Lun and obtained his consent.
At this time, in Suo Lun’s eyes, Ling Ao no longer existed. When Gui Xing Fu mentioned him, Suo Lun was even stunned for a moment before remembering this person.
After Zhi Li’s downfall, as his attendant, Ling Ao was arrested that very day, then locked in the Black Dragon Platform prison.
Indeed, it was the prison, not the heavenly prison.
With his status, he was not qualified to enter the heavenly prison!
Now, Ling Ao had been in the prison cell for over half a month. No one had inquired about him, and there had been no interrogations. It was as if everyone had forgotten this person.
How glorious had he once been?
The rising sun of the Furious Wave Kingdom, the youngest Dragon Warrior, the youngest commander of ten thousand cavalry, even praised as the future First Marshal.
However, facts proved how pitiful this rootless duckweed was.
Without his adoptive father Gui Xing Fu’s patronage, he was completely like a kite with a broken string, like a small boat that had lost its sail, drifting with the current at every moment.
Selling his body and dignity, becoming a male pet of an妖洲妖妇, taking妖洲奇药, not only fully recovering his martial arts, but once again becoming Zhi Li’s嫡系侍从.
But good times did not last long. Soon Zhi Li was defeated once more, and completely destroyed.
And that妖洲妖妇 was also completely expelled from the Furious Wave Kingdom.
He, Ling Ao, had degenerated into a prisoner.
Seeing Ling Ao again, Gui Xing Fu almost could not believe his eyes.
The person before him with messy hair, a face full of beard, lifeless eyes, an emaciated body, and tattered clothing, was this Ling Ao?
The once handsome and dashing, imposing and heroic Ling Ao?
Looking at him, he was completely no different from a beggar by the roadside. And he did not look like a young man in his twenties at all, completely like someone in his thirties or forties.
Merely imprisoned for over half a month, he seemed to have become somewhat numb. Seeing Gui Xing Fu’s appearance, his eyes actually fell into brief confusion, then he abruptly sat up, tears gushing out.
“Father, father…”
Ling Ao rushed over, stretching out his hands, desperately wanting to grab Gui Xing Fu.
Gui Xing Fu stepped forward, grabbing Ling Ao’s dirty and thin hands, his face twitching, trembling as he said: “Little Ao, you, you have disappointed me too much.”
…
Yanjing Temple!
Fierce flames instantly devoured Fu Ling Xi.
Soon, the clothes on her body were turned to ashes. Then her snow-white and graceful delicate body was also completely devoured by flames.
Boundless pain made her emit sounds of unimaginable misery.
Her full head of beautiful hair was instantly burned to ashes.
Immediately after, her entire body was charred, becoming like a lump of black charcoal.
But within the flames, Fu Ling Xi was actually still screaming.
Burned into charcoal, yet still screaming. And her eyes actually released a terrifying light.
Next, an even more bizarre scene appeared.
Fu Ling Xi’s body actually recovered inch by inch.
The newly grown skin was still smooth as snow.
But soon, these newly grown body parts were once again burned.
Not only her body, but also her hair.
Just burned to ashes, soon growing out anew again.
Like this, Fu Ling Xi’s body was being charred on one side, but on the other side was regrowing.
And her screams became increasingly mournful and terrifying.
Everyone present was completely, utterly stunned!
There was one thing that could make a person recover instantly no matter what harm they suffered, and that was demon blood.
But demon blood merely overdrew future vitality. If one was meant to die, one would still die.
And the Fu Ling Xi before them was actually an undying person!
If it were demon blood, Fu Ling Xi would have already been burned to death by now!
However, she was actually recovering again and again.
And with every recovery, she became even more stunningly beautiful.
“Ahh… ahh…”
And Fu Ling Xi’s mournful screams gradually turned into cold laughter, a sinister great laugh.
“Hahahaha… hahaha…”
Her laughter made everyone present feel a chill run down their spines.
Then, within the flames!
Half of Fu Ling Xi’s face was burned into charcoal, while half of her face had newly grown snow-white tender skin, stunningly beautiful.
So at this time, half of her was like a demon or ghost, while half was like a stunningly beautiful fairy.
Sighing lightly, Fu Ling Xi used a charming yet terrifying voice, slowly saying: “You wanted to sacrifice me, so you privately executed me by fire? But instead, you have seen things you should never have seen, and learned the highest secrets you should never have known. Everyone present, you are all dead, dead for certain!”