Tang Dynasty Bandits

Chapter 241 Game
After recovering his health, Shang Rang's wisdom and resourcefulness became quite consistent, and he soon showed Zhu Wen some interesting tricks.

During a banquet within the Zhenyi Alliance faction, Xu Tangju suddenly asked with a playful smile, "Alliance Leader Shang and your wife have such a good relationship. I wonder if your wife is pregnant?"

Wang Chongyin slammed his fist on the table and shouted, "We're still waiting to celebrate our nephew's one-month birthday!"

Shang Rang, looking calm and composed, held Zhuo Ying's hand in front of everyone, appearing to have a very good relationship with her: "To be honest, brothers, Ying'er and I are not yet husband and wife."

These words caused an uproar throughout the room.

Later, Zhu Wen was somewhat surprised to hear that Shang Rang had taken the initiative to expose the matter. Then he thought, keeping it a secret forever wasn't a good idea; what if others found out? Wouldn't his prestige collapse completely?
Shang Rang sighed to everyone again: "When I proposed to Ying'er, she told me about her troubles. When Ying'er was young, her family was involved in a major case and the entire family's property was confiscated. She was beaten and abused when she was a few years old, which left her with a chronic illness and almost cost her her life."

"After arriving at Mount Tai, I managed to stay alive by practicing a secret martial art. However, this also locked my life force and yin essence together. If I were to lose my virginity, I fear I would be in mortal danger."

When Zhuoying told Shang Rang, she claimed to have comprehended the Way of Heaven and was unwilling to engage in sexual relations. Shang Rang's version today is much more convincing.

There is a corresponding "Boyhood Skill" and a "Virgin's Skill," but the problem is that the Shadow Dancer's martial arts are originally quite ordinary. How can it be convincing to say that practicing the "Virgin's Skill" makes it impossible to have sex? As for comprehending the Dao of Heaven, that's not something a woman like her, who is obsessed with power struggles, would do.

Among all the sects and schools, none has collected the most complete collection of martial arts techniques in the world than the Zhenyi Alliance. As the true disciple of Alliance Leader Wang Xianzhi and the current leader of the Zhenyi Alliance, even if he were to casually fabricate a martial art, the world would still believe it.

Besides, there are so many examples of people in previous generations who practiced the Pure Maiden Technique. It doesn't seem strange that some strange illnesses could be suppressed by practicing the technique in conjunction with chastity.
"I never expected that Fairy Zhuoying would be afflicted with such a strange illness..." Geng Biao looked regretful: "Has Physician Luo examined her?"

Shang Rang's eyes dimmed: "The Immortal Doctor Luo can cure even the family secret poison of that scoundrel Shi Pu, but she has no way to cure Ying'er's chronic illness."

Cui Shou laughed and said, "The Fairy of Shadows, with her watery skin and jade-like bones, is naturally a celestial being. It is Heaven's will that she remain untouched by worldly affairs, so how is that a misfortune?"

The assembled heroes felt that Cui Shou's words were excellent and echoed his sentiments.

Geng Biao added, "Although Alliance Leader Shang is deeply in love with Fairy Zhuoying, he will eventually be able to take her as a concubine to inherit the family line."

Shang Rang smiled and said, "I am still young and have no need to rush in the next year or two."

He used his knowledge of medicine in the language of Lazio as supporting evidence, and his explanation became increasingly detailed and persuasive.

To most people, it would seem that this couple truly had a deep and abiding love. No wonder Shang Rang was betrayed by Shi Pu, yet the Fairy of Shadows still kept her promise and married him; it turned out that Shang Rang didn't care about her pre-existing illness. They were truly devoted to each other, their kindness and affection touching and enviable.

As for the rumors that Fairy Zhuoying and her master Cao Zixiu might have had an affair, they seem increasingly absurd and ridiculous.

It's true that Cao Zixiu was lustful, but he wouldn't have ruined his best disciple for a moment's pleasure.

Even at twenty, the Fairy of Shadows remained a pure and innocent young woman. She had never entertained male guests, nor had she been toyed with by old fogies of the Taishan School like Cao Zixiu. This fact was completely believed by the heroes.

After all, she was physically weak. If she had been involved in sexual activity, she would have died. How could she have survived until today?
This evokes both sympathy and the impression that she is an untainted fairy amidst the glitz and glamour. Men, after all, always crave stories of pure white lotuses blooming unsullied from the mud.

The truth is that Cao Zixiu wanted to keep the Red Pill with the shadow of the protagonist and sell it to an extremely powerful buyer. Shi Pu's level was not high enough; only a military governor of a region would be of Cao Zixiu's interest.

As a result, Cao Zixiu was betrayed by Zhuoying and then killed by Tian Jun with a spear.

However, Cao Zixiu betrayed Wang Xianzhi and the Cao army. When Zhu Wen set out to deal with him, Cao Zixiu's demise was already sealed. Zhuo Ying simply seized the opportunity to secure the greatest benefit for himself.

After returning to the inner chamber, Zhuoying immediately withdrew the jade hand from Shang Rang's grasp.

Shang Rang smiled calmly, "I didn't expect you to throw a tantrum."

Zhuoying turned her back: "The Alliance Leader is so dignified and imposing, how could I dare to have any complaints?" During Shang Rang's most difficult days, Zhuoying managed the Zhenyi Alliance for him. Now that Shang Rang has just recovered from the poison, she has plotted to seize back power and has even created a deeply affectionate image for herself.

If it weren't revealed that the two were not husband and wife in reality, and he was allowed to take a concubine in the future, others might think that he was not satisfied with such a beautiful and virtuous wife, and that he was bringing a vixen into the house before he was even thirty years old.

Revealing this matter makes it seem that Shang Rang's reluctance to take a concubine stemmed from his deep affection for Zhuo Ying.

The two were cooperating for mutual benefit, so it was inevitable that they would scheme against each other.

Besides, couples who have sex every day and seem to be inseparable, how few of them don't scheme against each other?
"No matter what, we'll probably see each other all the time for the rest of our lives," Shang Rang said. "If you like women, I won't force you. At least you won't hate me too much."

Chuo Ying covered her mouth and chuckled, then turned around: "That's quite a statement."

“You’ve always been gentle, and even in private, there are some things you can’t say out loud. Let me say it for you,” Shang Rang said calmly. “If I were to force myself on you, you would most likely pretend to comply, but in reality, you would hate me to the core. After you give birth to our child, you would instill that hatred in him, and when he grows up, you would make him kill me with his own hands.”

This has happened many times in history.

Some men believe that once they have a woman's body, they can conquer her, which is a rather naive idea.

For women who don't care, their bodies are just a useful tool.

For example, when Shang Rang was fifteen, he had his first time with a woman who was three years older than him and had a wonderful figure.

Because Shang Rang is Wang Mengzhu's true disciple, and the other party wants to climb the ranks, it's a win-win situation.

Before the age of twenty, Shang Rang was obsessed with women for several years and could not extricate himself. His martial arts skills also lagged far behind his elder brother, Shang Junzhang.

But after turning twenty, I suddenly realized that power struggles and military strategies are much more interesting than women.

Shang Rang was not an ambitious person by nature.

The desire for power is human nature, especially for intelligent people.

He proposed to Chiao Ying because she was capable and shrewd enough to support him.

I admire her beauty, of course. But whether I can have her body is not that important.

The desire to possess a particular man or woman is itself a form of obsession. Shang Rang, however, is a person without any obsession whatsoever.

"You'll still be in charge of the accounts. I'll check them periodically." Shang Rang paused, then added, "I trust you."

As he spoke, he moved next to Chuoying and took her small hand in his.

If Shang Rang wants Chuo Ying to continue acting as his female strategist, filling in the gaps in his plans, he must relinquish some of his power.

Shang Rang and Zhuo Ying are both mild-mannered people. They may play games, but it's rare for them to get into a heated argument.

It seems that their respectful relationship can last for a long time.

(End of this chapter)