Chapter 33.1: Forget It

The Count opened the Golden Training Manual book and looked at it pa.s.sionately. "Although this belongs to the past, I often go through the pages, slowly reading and digesting the words so as to not forget and lose my direction. Shen Lang, you are half my son and my daughter's husband. You have the right and obligation to learn this book."

"Yes, father-in-law." Shen Lang accepted the book generously.

Count Jin continued. "Each and every man of the House of Jin are required to recite the Golden Training Manual. Shen Lang, once you're able to recite this book, I will lift the ban. You will then be able to go wherever you want to go."

"Ah…" Shen Lang was shocked. "Father-in-law… h-how many words does the book have…?"

The thick pages frightened him so.

"Only 50,000 words. Not much," Count Jin shrugged. "It had taken me a month long to recite the book. Mulan is a smart woman. It took her only 23 days to recite the book."

Count Jin left out his own son's name on purpose. He was a hopeless case.

"You have to memorize every word before you're able to leave the room. Do you understand?"

My G.o.d… are you trying to kill me, father-in-law?! 50,000 words?! Do I have to recite them without missing a beat?! Am I a monster?! No! Look at me! I'm handsome!

No… I shouldn't be doing this… someone like me shouldn't be doing this…

Oh great university professors… scholars… how long did it take you to recite 50,000 words…?

Though Shen Lang had an almost eidetic memory, it had taken him half a day's worth of effort to recite an article worth over 1000 words during his school days.

The more the words, the more difficult to memorize. It must be a painful memory for every generation of children in the House of Jin as they were forced to recite the Golden Training Manual.

Shen Lang was hurt. Count Jin could see it in his eyes. He tried to smile it away but there were some things that could not be disguised.

Inwardly, Count Jin's heart was full of joy.

There will always be one person better than the other.

Any young person can be disciplined obedience unto them and you, Shen Lang, are no exception.

"Father-in-law, what you said… do you mean it? After I recite the Golden Training Manual, you'll set me free?" Shen Lang asked, eyes big and innocent.

"Of course. I keep my words," Count Jin boasted. "You must recite the words well and not leave out any steps. Every day, you will be given a meal and new pairs of clothing to change into."

It'll take you a minimum of a month to memorize the thick book. You won't even have a chance to go out tomorrow to fool around.

"Jin Zhong, did you hear that? Before Shen Lang is able to recite the book, he is not allowed to step one foot outside the room!" The Count ordered once more.

"Yes, Master!" Jin Zhong shouted.

The Count turned around and left.

Shen Lang, do your best.

In Shen Lang's study room.

Jin Mulan walked in with food ready in hand.

She's a good woman, Shen Lang thought.

She never once put any airs in front of him from beginning to end despite her n.o.ble status.

A good woman.

Though she had other dreams to tend to, unable to share a room with him and fulfill the role of a wife, she did try her best to fulfill the duty of a good wife meticulously.

"Husband, your Elder Brother's life is out of danger. Doctor An said he would wake up in two or three days time."

Shen Lang smiled. "Wife, I'll correct it again. His name is Da Sha and he's not my Elder Brother."

"His name is fool and you're a fool. If you aren't brothers, then what?"

Shen Lang was speechless.

Ah, that's right. Da Sha's name meant big fool.

Oh beautiful G.o.ddess, you're right about everything!

"Husband, how did he get hurt and why was his treatment delayed for this long?" Jin Mulan asked. "Doctor An said that had it been one or two hours later, he might not have been able to save him."

Shen Lang told Jin Mulan about Da Sha's bittersweet life experience.

"How can such a father exist? No better than a beast!" Jin Mulan's serene countenance exploded with anger. "Don't worry, husband, we will do our very best to cure the fool. We'll make sure he won't end like this."

Shen Lang smiled lightly and looked at her gently. "Thank you, Mulan."

Somewhat uncomfortable from the look he gave her, Jin Mulan cleared her throat and changed the topic. "What were you doing just now?"

"Oh, that… haha…" Shen Lang scratched his head and chuckled softly. "Father-in-law forbade me to go out. I have to recite this book before he sets me free. For now, I'm locked in the cage."

Jin Mulan smiled softly. "It was a nightmare for every son of Jin to recite this book. I remember how it took me 23 days…"

She said it with pride, an achievement worthy of praise in the House of Jin.

Then, she said in a positive tone, "Husband is in a hurry to go out?"

Shen Lang sighed inwardly. Of course. He's anxious to go out and fulfill the promise he gave to Tian Heng else he'd lose face.

"Then… I'll go and plead to father to remove the ban," Jin Mulan said.