Dragon Tamer

Chapter 241 - 242: Competing for Supremacy

Chapter 241: Chapter 242: Competing for Supremacy

Translator: 549690339

In the capital of Miao Kingdom, some households were still bustling with activity, as countless elegant young men were jostling for a chance to see the official’s daughter once more.

At the front of some houses, even after presenting scented maple flowers, there still wasn’t a soul in sight, leaving some heroic women so frustrated that they tore off their veils and dragged the handsome young men off the street and into their courtyards by force.

The time to choose son-in-laws during the autumn festival when flowers bloom was drawing near to the final day of buying husbands.

Zhu Minglang had great confidence in himself—he had indeed written his name on many a young lady’s red love leaf, making him an outstanding prospective son-in-law without surprise.

The more premium the national son-in-law, the later they appear, as after all, some young men couldn’t resist the generous offers and the charm of the beauties and had already pledged themselves to the arms of powerful women. The final contest was left to those who received the most love leaves and were favorites among the various influential ladies…

On the day of the competition, Zhu Minglang took special care to groom himself. After looking in the mirror, he couldn’t help but smile at the sight of his handsome and dashing reflection, when Fang Niannian glanced at him with a strange look.

Though she didn’t utter a word, her eyes said it all: You finally went down this road.

“Shut up!” Zhu Minglang glared at the girl in annoyance.

“I didn’t say anything!” Fang Niannian retorted, not satisfied, yet her cheeks betrayed her with a mischievous grin.

From the first moment I saw you, I knew you were a man who liked being kept.

And now, you’re being kept to the level of a national son-in-law, truly a top-tier kept man!

Wu Feng, Yun Zhonghe, and Shao Ying were all baffled by Zhu Minglang’s participation in the son-in-law contest, having seen the stunning beauties Li Xinghua and Nan Lingsha. Could they really not satisfy Zhu Minglang’s appetite, or was Princess Luoshui not breathtaking enough to compare?

Perhaps that’s just the way a scoundrel is, never satisfied, always craving something new.

“President Wu.” Mr. Jinli roamed on the table, staring at Zhu Minglang with an expression of grave seriousness as he spoke.

“What is it, Mr. Jinli?” Wu Feng asked.

“What kind of feed do you usually buy at Yaoshan Sword Sect, that can turn a fifteen or sixteen-year-old boy into someone so mature?” Mr. Jinli was baffled beyond words.

Before heading to the palace, the area below was already overflowing with people, mostly women, as many fine men do not venture outside.

With the scent of women like warblers and swallows in the air, Zhu Minglang walked towards the National Son-in-law Stage in front of the palace. Facing the sea of people, he fell into deep thought.

He reminisced about his days wandering near the painting boat at the Dragon Taming Academy. In the end, he had still embarked on this path, only now, instead of being on the small painting boat, he was in the vast capital of Miao Kingdom.

Calm, composed, and with a smile on his face, he exuded the air of a man who played with worldly affairs disdainfully, Zhu Minglang tried to appear familiar with the process… No, this was his first time competing on the stage!

“Zhu Minglang, Zhu Minglang, your sister here has taken a fancy to you!” At this moment, the sexy Ding Dragon Lady from the Dragon Girl Palace called out.

“When it comes to financial power, there aren’t many forces that can compete with my Hua Family. It seems like sister is going to have a hard time parting with her beloved.” The pure and innocent Floral Dragon Maiden giggled, looking as though she already had Zhu Minglang in the bag.

The matters of the Miao Mountain Sword Sect quickly spread throughout the kingdom. Lately, thanks to the various Female Prefects, Female Marquises, and Female City Lords talking about it, everyone knew how easily Zhu Minglang had defeated the Discipline Hall Master of the Miao Mountain Sword Sect. This time, at the husband auction, these female nobles were the main force, and it was expected that they wouldn’t be stingy with their Silver Taels.

“You all just love these pretty young men. As for me, I still have a thing for polite and amiable older gentlemen. No one will compete with this prefect for Tu Wenhe, right? Though he has never visited my residence, I have my eyes set on him!” a resplendent, unmasked Commandery Princess said.

“Stop arguing, everyone. In the end, the princesses will pick the Champion Son-in-law first. It’s only after they’ve made their choice that we sisters can pick,” a charming Female Marquis said with a smile.

“That’s right, we shouldn’t overlook the ladies from other countries who might step in,” someone added.

At the husband auction, even visiting ladies could participate. As long as they were willing to bid, gold and silver jewelry, silk and satin, Land Deeds and Spiritual Treasures were all acceptable. Miao Kingdom itself revered wealth, and every woman had a fondness for collecting jewels.

The eligible husbands were presented one by one for bidding by the ladies who had written down their names on maple leaves. Of course, those who hadn’t written down names could also participate, but in such cases, the eligible husbands had the right to refuse.

This rule was somewhat rational.

After all, being written down usually meant the man had personally visited the bidder’s residence.

If the bidder had never met the man or if he was of a particularly disagreeable sort, it would be quite unacceptable to simply snatch him away with wealth.

One after another, bids were placed for most of the eligible husbands, as they were generally favored by daughters of prominent households.

Half of the bid price went to the palace, while the other half belonged to the man. Zhu Minglang did feel somewhat impressed seeing those handsome young lords being auctioned off for hundreds of thousands of gold, realizing that in Miao Kingdom, it was indeed easy for a man to make money, as long as he was willing to forgo what little dignity he had.

Zhu Minglang’s attention, however, was primarily on Princess Luoshui.

Many eligible and fine husbands were previously presented, and most Commandery Princesses made symbolic bids.

In the eyes of these noble prefects, having more choices was always good. Even if they already had an ideal candidate in mind, they would bid multiple times. Even if they inadvertently bought several sons-in-law, they would choose the best among them without minding the expense, for their wealth was vast, and they didn’t mind splurging for handsome men.

Of course, those unmasked female nobles would bid on any they fancied. After all, having them in their own chambers, why would they ever think it was too many?

“Ahem, Sister Ding, I’m a bit puzzled. Look at those noblewomen; they keep so many men and surely share their bed with them, right? If they have children, how do they determine who the father is, and what surname will the child take?” Yun Zhonghe quietly inquired of the lady from the Dragon Girl Palace, Ding Dragon Lady.

Both Ding Dragon Lady and Floral Dragon Maiden gave Yun Zhonghe a look as if he were simple-minded.

“Of course they take the noble women’s surnames,” Ding Dragon Lady said.

“Er, there’s no need to figure out who the father is?”

“Is there a need?” Ding Dragon Lady replied.

“Alright, forget I asked,” Yun Zhonghe said with a troubled face, deciding not to inquire further.

“What is Yun Brother so worried about? Afraid that some undesirable offspring might result? Don’t worry, even if the female nobles have a large male harem, each one of those men is top-notch. They wouldn’t let just any man catch their eye. Like me, for example, I also keep men. Mr. Zhu is the kind I fancy. As for someone like you, Yun Brother – no offense, but intimate pleasures carry risks. I wouldn’t want my offspring to be as unremarkable as you,” Ding Dragon Lady stated.