Chapter 6 - Meeting The In-laws

A week had passed since the wedding between Rong Yuhang and Luo Mingli occurred.

The news of their wedding became a hot topic for gossip for the idle and bored.

One of the two involved in the gossips was currently inside the Seventh prince's mansion's courtyard, named Fushang mansion. It was located in Yingshu County closeby a mountain.

Sitting under an umbrella, Luo Mingli prepared a set of hot tea. Adjusting to his new life was easy, the servants avoided him and they would only interact when necessary while he hadn't seen the Seventh prince's shadow since he first appeared on the wedding night.

As he was about to drink his tea, a figure cladded in black and red robes descended from the sky.

Luo Mingli didn't even react, calmly staring at Rong Yuhang who had come.

Rong Yuhang sat opposite him and poured himself a cup of tea.

"Is something the matter your highness?" Luo Mingli asked politely.

Rong Yuhang smiled with meaning and replied. "Yes."

Luo Mingli waited for him to speak.

"We're going to go over to the Zheng family!" He declared. There was a flash of intent in his eyes and he gave Luo Mingli a knowing look.

Of course, Luo Mingli understood. During marriage, there was a three day visit to deepen the bond and celebrate their wedding for the relationship between the family.

But...

Luo Mingli smiled mildly and did not answer.

Rong Yuhang spoke. "I don't remember where the Zheng family is so guide me there."

"I do not possess any cultivation your highness." There was no fluctuations in his voice. It was a complete statement and fact when he said that.

Rong Yuhang glanced over at him indifferently and remembered the rumours of him being a waste. "There's no need, I'll just carry you over."

"We can also take a carriage." Luo Mingli insipidly added.

But would Rong Yuhang really use such a slow and boring transport method?

And as if on cue, Rong Yuhang picked Luo Mingli up and carried him away without giving any thoughts of protest.

Holding Luo Mingli was the same as holding a feather, only the shape and size was different.

As Luo Mingli was telling Rong Yuhang the direction and place, Rong Yuhang just realised he didn't know the other's name.

"What's your name?"

"Luo Mingli."

"Not Zheng Mingli?" He asked off handedly.

"I'm not from the Zheng family." After Luo Mingli said that, his voice held a bit of distaste. "I was adopted and so do not identify with the surname Zheng."

To this, Rong Yuhang chuckled albeit mockingly. "Seems you've had a great experience enjoying the familial love of the Zhengs."

"Thank you very much for your concern." Luo Mingli smiled noncommittal.

"I will be sure to repay them for their care in the future."

Rong Yuhang curiously asked. "Oh? How do you plan to do that?"

Luo Mingli gave Ring Yuhang a kind smile and said one word. "Secret."

Rong Yuhang raised a brow and didn't bother asking more.

……

Rong Yuhang landed at the front gates of the Zheng Family's Estate in Lingyu County.

Rong Yuhang didn't announce his arrival beforehand, there were only guards around the gate and no reception to welcome them.

The guards were foundation establishment realm cultivators and were highly arrogant when they saw two people land in front of them.

Rong Yuhang released his cultivation base and the aura of a golden core realm sweeped over and pressed down bodies.

The faces of the guards paled and one of them went to go inform the master of the home.

Rong Yuhang was famous and well known for his horrible reputation of killing but few had actually seen his appearance since he hardly liked to go out and would spend time in his mansion or go out deep into the mountains to slay beasts where other people wouldn't go to.

So while the two guards didn't recognise the Seventh Prince, they certainly recognised Luo Mingli who had just been put down on the ground by Rong Yuhang.

However, judging by association, the guards could infer that the man in black robes could only be the Seventh Prince.

The change in their expressions were vivid and they were trying hard not to be too obvious, in the end, failing even that.

Luo Mingli decided to speak instead, knowing that these idiotic guards would be too afraid to speak any further. "This is his highness, the seventh Prince. Open the gates."

Rong Yuhang on the other hand, didn't care. He walked forward using his qi to open the door and walked inside leisurely as if the Zheng's estate was his own backyard.

The guards didn't dare to stop Rong Yuhang. They were horrified to find out that it was the seventh Prince and were afraid of his brutal methods.

They could insult and mock Luo Mingli without any repercussions before but in front of the Seventh Prince? It would be the same as slapping his face.

Luo Mingli didn't say anything more, following along and walked next to Rong Yuhang.

Rong Yuhang saw this and smirked. "Do you think you're worthy of walking beside this Prince?"

There was no change on Luo Mingli's expression and he questioned back. "Do you think partners are not worthy of walking beside each other?"

Rong Yuhang, "When did we become partners?"

Luo Mingli, "Yesterday."

Rong Yuhang snorted coldly, "You would've died if it wasn't for me. We're only a couple in name."

Luo Mingli didn't get offended and gave him smile. "You're correct. But I must say I'm afraid your highness wouldn't be able to find a suitable marriage partner."

Rong Yuhang's mouth twitched and he laughed a bit darkly. "Should I just strangle you here and now? Why don't I kill you in front of the Zheng's and see how they react?"

"A wise man does not use violence to fight but with reason and words." Then he added unhurriedly. "Your highness is wise and will definitely understand that the worth of my meager life is unable to faze even the servants, much less the Zhengs."

A faint smile hung on Rong Yuhang's face.

The servants who saw Rong Yuhang was surprised, to be so bold as to enter the Zheng's household so flamboyantly. It was just begging to be beaten.

But when they saw Luo Mingli, they all held traced of disgust and contempt but dare not to reveal it so blatantly due to the appearance of Rong Yuhang, who they begun to guess the identity of.

Zheng Yingwen, the first son, had heard the commotion as soon as he came back and intercepted Rong Yuhang and Luo Mingli.

He clasped his hands politely. "The first son, Zheng Yingwen greets the seventh Prince."

Rong Yuhang looked down at Zheng Yingwen condescendingly, his expressions were always looking down on people, no matter their status.

Although he was part of the Zheng family, Zheng Yingwen cared more about his cultivation and travelled a lot, rarely coming back to visit.

Today just happened to be the day he came back to visit.

Rong Yuhang didn't speak which made it awkward so once again, Luo Mingli had to speak on his behalf.

"We came to visit."

Hearing this answer, Zheng Yingwen nodded and replied. "Mind me for my speech but I have just come back so I was unaware of your arrival. Follow me."

Of course he wouldn't have known, not even Luo Mingki himself knew until he was whisked away right as he was informed.

Luo Mingli didn't have any memories of Zheng Yingwen. Therefore, he crossed him out of his death list but if he ever went against him, he would kill without hesitation.

......

In the main hall, the madam of the Zheng family, Jingshang Yu, was sat all poised and elegant. As her fingers glided across the air, she grasped the handle of the tea cup gracefully.

She saw Zheng Yingwen walking and smiled very brightly yet still remained that eloquence. "A'Wen. When did you come back? It's been so long since mother has seen you. How have your travels been? "

Zheng Yingwen nodded and walked to his mother's side. "I have just arrived home and am doing well mother. I will discuss this with you later however."

Then he turned his head and Jingshang Yu also noticed the guests. When she saw their faces, her gentle smile almost cracked.

She quickly concealed the shock and contempt when she saw Luo Mingli. She was stunned to find that maggot still alive. The person next to him she didn't know so she signaled for her son to explain.

"Mother, they said they came to visit." Then he introduced. "This is the seventh Prince and..."

Zheng Yingwen didn't recognise Luo Mingli so he didn't know what to say. Luo Mingli knew he didn't recognise him, he had been bullied and treated as an outcast so of course whenever Zheng Yingwen came back, they would never meet each other.

"Zheng Zhushang is my deceased elder." Luo Mingli introduced himself in such a way that startled Zheng Yingwen.

"Apologies little brother, I didn't recognise you." Zheng Yingwen was very sincere. Luo Mingli could tell he was being serious and didn't mind. "It's fine."

"Oh...I see." Jingshang Yu put on a fake polite smile and spoke. "Welcome your highness. What brings you to our household? We apologies for being unable to see to our guests the highest level of respect they deserve as we were unaware of your arrival."

Meaning: You came here out of nowhere so don't expect any hospitality from us and if there's nothing, get lost.

Luo Mingli was indifferent to Jingshang Yu. He was going to slowly torture her as well since she was also an instigator, finding him an eyesore as well but on the outside, he was completely calm and pretended to be a bit dull.

Rong Yuhang on the other hand, just smiled seemingly and said, "I came to visit my new in-laws."

Both Jingshang Yu and Zheng Yingwen froze. Jingshang Yu was slightly stiff while Zheng Yingwen was surprised that the seventh Prince was married to someone from their family.

"This madam... Understands." She faltered in her words but picked it up again, trying not to sound too awkward.

"What? Are we not welcomed?" Rong Yuhang naturally picked up the pause in her words and gave a slightly contemptuous glance.

Jingshang Yu obviously didn't want to go against Rong Yuhang. She laughed dryly. "Of course not your highness. As a member of our family, we welcome you with open arms. It's just that the patriarch is unable to come greet you personally as he is away in retreat currently, I hope you can pardon this."

"I came because I wanted to greet my new family." Rong Yuhang said slowly. "Xiao Ming was also excited to see his family so we had to come as quickly as possible. You don't mind do you? We are newly weds after all."

Luo Mingli gave him a hidden glance and resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Calling him Xiao Ming disgusted him.

"Why would we mind your highness? Let's stop talking about this. We bless you a happy marriage with Mingli." Jingshang Yu smiled.

In that moment, Rong Yuhang laughed and asked. "Oh yes, I asked Xiao Ming if he had his dowry but he told me that he didn't have any. What does this mean?"

Jingshang Yu stiffened again and finally managed to squeeze out some words. "Dowry is only meant for girls so we didn't prepare any for Mingli."

Rong Yuhang didn't relent even after this. "But he's still a member of your family. Surely you can give him something similar to a dowry."

Jingshang Yu was very reluctant to give anything to Luo Mingli. If anything, she hated how he hadn't died at all!! Luo Mingli was just a waste so there was no way he could get rid of the spell and no one would enter the wedding chamber of the seventh Prince unless they were crazy.

So the answer was simple, the seventh Prince did it. The only reason she could think of why Luo Mingli would still be alive was for today's purpose. So that he could righteously take some of their wealth.

"That..." Jingshang Yu was rapidly thinking of something to dodge this but Rong Yuhang wouldn't give her a single chance.

"Surely you're not thinking of not giving anything? How can someone get married and have no dowry? Even if they didn't, they should at least be given some congratulatory gifts." Then Rong Yuhang gave a very thoughtful look and exclaimed.

"It couldn't be that the Zheng family is currently lacking finance so badly that they can't even send anything when their son is getting married?" Rong Yuhang's voice was incredulous and it caused not only Jingshang Yu, but also Zheng Yingwen to have ugly expressions.

" If people found out about this, it definitely wouldn't be good." The words were spoken as if Rong Yuhang was concerned about their reputation but the evil curl on his lips gave him away. Of course, he didn't even try to hide it in the first place.

To make matters worse, Rong Yuhang also mentioned." Didn't I have someone else as my fiancée before? It was a female wasn't it?"

Jungshang Yu had a bad feeling about what Rong Yuhang would say next. And she was right.

"If I married her instead, wouldn't she be shamed for having no dowry? She would become the biggest joke of the century. I'm curious to how she would think. Is she here?"

Seeing such a fake look of concern on his face as if his words were actually sincere, Jingshang Yu really wanted to tell him to get lost but dared not do so.

"A'qiao isn't here at the moment. So your highness would not be able to meet her. " then she reluctantly added. "Mingli certainly won't be treated unjustly. Our Zheng family is not lacking in finances. The gifts will be given as soon as possible."

To add salt to injury, Rong Yuhang added. "Xiao Ming's dowry cannot have worth below ten thousand spiritual stones or else others will really suspect your Zheng family."

He feigned a worried tone. "I'm doing this for the Zheng family. You cannot be slighted in the least!"

Right now, Jingshang Yu couldn't help choking at how shamelessly Rong Yuhang was speaking.

Zheng Yingwen wasn't really good with words and he didn't talk much but that didn't mean he didn't understand what was happening. His expression was a bit wrong and he saw his mother's gloomy look.

She could only pretend to be happy but inside, she was vomiting litres of blood. Jingshang Yu concealed the resentment and hatred in her heart and managed to spew out a few word with difficulty. "Then it's settled. Mingli can expect his own dowry to come."

At this point, Rong Yuhang had satisfactorily accomplished his goal and was ready to leave but Luo Mingli stopped him and asked. "Your highness, would you like to come with me to visit my adopted father's grave?"

Rong Yuhang had an inquisitive gaze on his face but saw Luo Mingli giving him a certain look so he snapped his fingers. "Alright. I'll go with you."

Then he declared to the two awkward as chalkboards while making his way out, following Luo Mingli. "This royal highness wants some alone time with his wife so we don't want to be bothered."

_________

Author: releasing the knowledge of the cultivation bases so that you don't get confused :)

Cultivation levels:

Stage 1: Qi condensation

Stage 2: foundation establishment

Stage 3: core formation

Stage 4: golden core

Stage 5: soul condensation

Stage 6: nascent soul

Stage 7: Spiritual body

Stage 8: emperor

Stage 9: astral spirit

Stage 10: Void spirit

Stage 11: Heavenly spirit

Stage 12: immortal spirit

Stage 13: supreme Ascension