noffsinger Chapter 77 "Your Highness, what are you doing sitting on my bed?"
Chapter 77 "Your Highness, what are you doing sitting on my bed?"
The solemn and dignified shouts reverberated in all directions, the blazing torches swayed violently, and the light and shadow swept across the faces of the crowd.
Fan Zhou, wearing a golden crown, stood beside Chen Xing. All the Gumi tribe members bowed respectfully to him, feeling a strange emotion welling up inside them, as if their whole being was radiating light.
Is this what it feels like to be crowned with glory?
Fan Zhou couldn't help but grin, then said to Chen Xing beside him:
"Thank you for your appreciation, Your Highness. I was quite offensive during the banquet earlier, and I am truly ashamed."
Chen Xing lowered his hand and said sincerely:
"It was all my oversight; I shouldn't have rewarded your bravery with fame and fortune."
"Ha ha."
Fan Zhouqian chuckled twice, thinking to himself, 'Actually, rewarding me with fame and fortune wouldn't be so bad.'
Lou Zhenqing walked over at this moment and bowed to Princess Chenxing, saying:
"Gu Mie is willing to become friends with Jianlu, and Zhenqing is very grateful. He will personally report this matter to the sect leader when he returns to Tonglu Mountain another day."
Chen Xing nodded slightly. "My father has always admired the reputation of the Sword Furnace. If Doctor Lou has some free time in the future, please come to Golden City for a few days to enjoy it."
"Definitely, definitely."
Lou Zhenqing smiled and agreed, glancing at Fan Zhou, who was dressed in rags, and then at Chen Chan, whose face was deathly pale. He took out two bottles of pills from his storage bag and handed them to Elder Chen Qing.
"My disciple was reckless and injured two of your noble family's direct descendants in this competition. Here are two bottles of Golden Pool Jade Dew Pills as an apology."
Elder Chen Qing accepted the jade bottle and said politely:
"This is their own doing. Their defeat at the hands of your disciple will teach them that there are always people more capable than themselves."
She also took out a square wooden box and handed it to Fan Zhou:
"This contains a Golden Serpent Blood Pill, which can heal your injuries."
Fan Zhou took the wooden box, glanced at his master's expression, and bowed to Elder Chen Qing, saying:
"Thank you for the pill, Elder."
With that, the matter came to an end. Lou Zhenqing, along with Fan Zhou, bid farewell to Princess Chenxing and the others.
"Your Highness is just recovering from your injuries, please rest early. I will come again tomorrow morning to bid you farewell."
"Dr. Lou, please."
Elder Chenqing saw the princess off on her behalf and escorted Lou Zhenqing to the outside of the camp.
Lou Zhenqing bowed in gratitude and led Fan Zhou and the others back to the market.
Once back in the market area, the atmosphere immediately relaxed, and everyone chatted and laughed, discussing Fan Zhou's performance in the two matches.
Manager Lu of Qingfeng Ridge praised:
"Congratulations, Doctor Lou, on taking on such a talented disciple. With the talent and strength that young friend Fan displayed tonight, he is sure to achieve great things in the future."
The manager of Baihualou, Haitang, also smiled and said:
"Brother Fan has now been appreciated by Princess Chenxing. He should seize the opportunity and try to get His Highness to help arrange a marriage. The daughter of the Gumi clan is not only very beautiful, but also has a very generous dowry."
Several shopkeepers who had previously been skeptical of Fan Zhou quickly offered their congratulations in an attempt to improve their relationship.
"Manager Haitang, you are mistaken. With a talent like that of young friend Fan, there will surely be no shortage of wealthy and powerful families who want to marry their daughters off in the future. Why bother with a girl from a humble background?"
"That's right, it's just that I have no daughters, otherwise I would propose marriage to Doctor Lou right now."
"Haha, you don't have a daughter, but I do. She's exactly sixteen this year, a perfect match for young friend Fan. What do you think, Doctor Lou?"
Fan Zhou turned around and glanced at the man in surprise. "Are you serious?"
Lou Zhenqing paused, turned to look at the shopkeepers, and calmly smiled:
"My disciple is not yet capable enough; it is too early to discuss marriage with him."
The shopkeepers, who had been chatting happily just moments before, suddenly looked flustered and became embarrassed.
Qin Zhiyuan spoke in a cool and indifferent tone:
"We are heading back to the workshop, so please don't bother seeing us off."
"Then I shall take my leave."
Manager Lu of Qingfengling immediately responded, bowed, and turned to leave.
"I won't disturb you any longer."
Shopkeeper Haitang gave Fan Zhou a charming smile, bowed gracefully, and then rode away on a cloud of mist.
The remaining shopkeepers did not dare to linger and all bowed and took their leave.
After they had all gone far away, Qin Zhiyuan stroked his beard and praised Fan Zhou:
"A-Zhou, you've really had a glorious moment this time. Not only did you defeat the direct disciple of the Gumi clan, but Princess Chenxing also gave you her golden crown and treated you as a friend. This is an extraordinary honor."
Fan Zhou touched the golden crown on his head and said:
"I never expected Her Highness to give me such a valuable gift. I just hoped she wouldn't be angry because of what happened tonight."
Shen Yusheng stroked his beard and said, "Princess Chenxing promised to be on good terms with the Sword Furnace, which will be of great help to what we are going to do next. You have made a great contribution."
Lou Zhenqing patted Fan Zhou on the shoulder and said with satisfaction:
"I will report this matter to King Yue and my master, and you will certainly be rewarded handsomely."
Fan Zhou said happily, "Then Master, you must put in a good word for me."
Lou Zhenqing laughed heartily, "Of course, I'll definitely get you a rank of nobility then."
Fan Zhou smiled, seemingly unconcerned about the title.
He removed the golden crown from his head and said to Lou Zhenqing:
"Master, you should keep this golden crown for me. It's not safe for me to keep it."
Lou Zhenqing took the golden crown and examined it carefully.
"This was crafted from [Tai Geng Gold Essence] and imbued with witchcraft, which brings good fortune and power."
"Since they gave it to you, you should keep it safe."
Lou Zhenqing channeled his inner energy, inserting several talismans into the golden crown, transforming it into a ring, which he then returned to Fan Zhou.
The golden crown was originally shaped like a feathered serpent with its tail in its mouth, so it was also very suitable as a ring. Fan Zhou put it on the middle finger of his left hand.
Qin Zhiyuan then remembered something and said:
"Ah Zhou, you have quite a few good things on you now. If you keep living outside, they might get stolen one day."
"I've arranged a place for you to stay in the workshop's courtyard. You can move in tomorrow."
Fan Zhou's eyes lit up. "Can I have my own little courtyard too?"
Qin Zhiyuan nodded with a smile, "Of course, there's also a protective array."
"marvelous!"
Fan Zhou was overjoyed and cheered.
Seeing his pale face, Lou Zhenqing instructed him:
"Alright, you should hurry back and heal your wounds. Take the Golden Serpent True Blood Pill that Elder Chen Qing gave you."
"Yes, Master."
Fan Zhou bid farewell to Lou Zhenqing and the other two, and happily headed home.
"We can move into the villa tomorrow!"
Fan Zhou hummed a tune all the way back to his little house.
When he pushed open the door, he was surprised to find someone sitting on his bed.
"Your Highness, what are you doing sitting on my bed?"
Chen Xing changed into a snow-white long dress, exuding an ethereal and outstanding aura, like a mountain spirit.
She sat on Fan Zhou's bed, staring blankly at the stars outside the window.
Upon seeing Fan Zhou return, Chen Xing turned her face, her golden eyes shining brightly.
Her voice was soft, yet her words carried an undeniable sense of pressure:
"Tell me, who killed Zhai Yao?"