I Have a Date with a Thousand-year-old Female Corpse-Chapter 1811 - 1812: I Want Both

However, Zhen Luo didn’t answer you. Only then did you lower your head to discover that Zhen Luo had already fallen asleep.

After being abducted by Cao Pi, Zhen Luo had been highly tense. Once you helped her onto the horse, although the ride was quite bumpy, she couldn’t resist falling into slumber in your warm and comforting embrace as she relaxed.

Beneath the bright moonlight, you looked at the beauty in your arms, feeling a flutter of emotion. Knowing that Zhen Luo fell asleep from exhaustion, you were unwilling to wake her. Just as you were about to turn the horse around to find lodging in a nearby village, the city walls were suddenly lit with torchlight. Not long after, dozens of people appeared atop the walls, all holding torches aloft.

"Is it Li Zhuangshi and the Second Miss Zhen down there?" A young-sounding man’s voice called out from the tower.

"It is." You tried to control your tone.

"Open the gate!" The man was straightforward, instructing his subordinates to verify your identities before opening the city gates directly.

As you controlled the horse’s pace, you looked around cautiously. As the saying goes, "Better safe than sorry." You dared not relax without understanding the other party’s intentions, especially since you had no escape at that moment, and Zhen Luo was in your arms. You could endure injury, but Zhen Luo could not suffer any harm.

Upon entering the city, rows of people lined the streets, holding torches. The dazzling light made Zhen Luo turn slightly in her sleep, allowing herself to rest more comfortably. In your embrace, she felt unprecedented comfort and warmth, subconsciously considering this her safest harbor. Though the surroundings were noisy, Zhen Luo continued to sleep soundly.

"Li..."

A handsome young noble descended from the tower, about to speak, when you cut him off: "Hush. She’s asleep already. Let’s discuss any matters tomorrow, but thank you for your assistance."

You recognized him as the dashing general from whom you had previously seized a white horse.

The handsome man nodded, smiling, and whispered, "I will be awaiting your esteemed presence at noon tomorrow at the Drunken Wind Pavilion. Please be punctual, Hero Yang."

"Certainly!"

You were favorably impressed by this handsome man. Meanwhile, Zhen Luo’s veil had slipped off in your embrace, her stunning visage attracting the gaze of nearby soldiers, their heads craned high. However, the handsome man merely cast a glance her way; though initially surprised by her beauty, upon seeing your intimacy with Zhen Luo, he refrained from looking further. This alone affirmed that he could be a worthy friend, despite his name remaining unknown to you.

Parting with the handsome man, you leisurely approached the Zhen Mansion. The mansion’s gates were wide open, with two house servants resting just outside. One was clearly asleep, but the other, though weary, kept his eyes wide open, quickly noticing you. Seeing you, he exclaimed, "Old Shu returns! Old Shu has brought back the Second Miss!"

His shout alerted his companion and also awakened Zhen Luo in your embrace. Zhen Luo, rubbing her sleepy eyes, looked around, realizing she was already at her doorstep.

Lightly, you leaped down from the horse and, opening your arms, smiled at Zhen Luo, "Come down now."

In private, Zhen Luo would comfortably nestle in your embrace, but hesitating due to the two servants present, and others in the mansion likely to appear soon, she dared not linger too obviously in your arms. After all, she was a distinguished lady, still unwed, unable to exhibit overt intimacy with you regardless of her feelings.

Zhen Luo glanced at the spot where the servant stood; you spontaneously understood her hesitance. But you disregarded it, and since Zhen Luo would not dismount, you simply lifted her off the horse, still holding her aloft as you entered the Zhen Mansion openly.

At this moment, Zhen Luo felt so embarrassed she would rather hide. She buried her face against your chest, choosing not to see or dwell on the moment.

"The Second Miss is back!"

"The Second Miss is back!"

The Zhen Mansion came alive with excitement, your and Zhen Luo’s return akin to resurrection from the grave.

"Second Sister!"

Carrying Zhen Luo into the hall, you immediately saw Zhen Dao and Zhen Rong rush over. Watching you holding Zhen Luo, they exchanged a knowing look before standing aside with mischievous grins.

"Put me down quickly." Zhen Luo’s soft, bashful voice like a mosquito’s buzz.

Your face could deflect an armor-piercing bullet, so you confidently continued into the hall. At the head of the room, Mrs. Zhang sat with a stern expression, while Zhen Jiang sat to her lower left. Initially cheerful upon hearing of your and Zhen Luo’s return, Zhen Jiang’s face turned sorrowful upon seeing you holding Zhen Luo.

Zhen Jiang’s thoughts were simple: after enduring hardship together, you and her sister Zhen Luo had grown close, meaning she lost her place in your heart. Throughout her life, she never managed to surpass Zhen Luo in anything; this pattern continued even now.

With this realization, Zhen Jiang’s eyes reddened, yet she forced composure. After all, she should be glad for her sister’s safe return.

Only Mrs. Zhang remained stern-faced in the entire hall. Mrs. Zhang fixed her gaze on you, as you unflinchingly met her stare without the slightest retreat.

"Everyone except Zhen Jiang, leave!" With Mrs. Zhang’s words, the servants, realizing the gravity of the situation, hurriedly exited, with Zhen Dao and Zhen Rong closing the door behind them.

"Luo’er, come down!" Mrs. Zhang’s voice was extremely stern.

Although reluctant, Zhen Luo obediently struggled free from your embrace. You exercised no force, aware that you were about to face your future mother-in-law. For countless Chinese men, a mother-in-law is a more terrifying figure than King Yama himself.

"Li Muyun, for safely escorting Zhen Luo back, I offer my thanks." Mrs. Zhang rose, bowing to you.

Your expression remained neutral at Mrs. Zhang’s gesture, knowing her actions were a strategy you would not indulge. Looking at her, you directly spoke, "Old Lady, how about we lay everything on the table?"

"Alright!" Mrs. Zhang, surprised by your straightforwardness, clapped the table and said, "I’m keen to hear what you have to say!"

You shrugged, smiling as you replied, "What else is there? I share a deep and heartfelt connection with both your daughters, bonded closely, our feelings as valuable as gold and our affection as deep as the sea..."

"Stop there! Speak plainly! Don’t give me any of that pointless drivel!" Mrs. Zhang was direct, unlike those pedantic old ladies. Back in her heyday on the commercial seas, you weren’t even born.

"Oh, it’s quite simple. I shared the most intimate connection with your elder daughter during a time of affection, so I decided to marry her and take responsibility; similarly, I have mutual feelings with your second daughter. Even without oaths of eternal love, we have faced life and death, so I decided to marry her as well to protect her for a lifetime."

"Dream on!" Mrs. Zhang decisively rebuked.

"Of course, for ordinary people, I would indeed be dreaming. But I’ve never been ordinary, nor normal, as Li Muyun."

With your smiling gaze on Mrs. Zhang, both Zhen Luo and Zhen Jiang shifted uneasily. They knew their mother’s temperament well. Though she rarely revealed her shrewdness, once serious, she outmatched anyone.

By claiming both Zhen sisters for marriage, including the Zhen family head, Zhang herself, you dared to propose the impossible. Even someone else would disagree upon hearing it, not to mention Mrs. Zhang remained unimpressed by your lack of sincerity.

In general, although Mrs. Zhang valued you highly, she found you a bit immature, overly arrogant, and rash. If marrying Zhen Luo, you’d potentially inherit a substantial portion of the family wealth. Zhen Dao and Zhen Rong were too young, and neither had the temperament for business, which was why Mrs. Zhang designated Zhen Luo to eventually take charge.

Fixing her gaze on you, Mrs. Zhang spoke in a deep tone: "Li Muyun, let’s come to the point. Since you claim a desire to marry both my daughters, as their elder, I will set three conditions. If you meet these conditions, you shall have my permission to marry them both."

Nodding, you remained silent, awaiting Mrs. Zhang’s terms. Regardless of what she asks, you are determined to fulfill them, and promptly at that.

Mrs. Zhang extended three fingers: "First, you must possess an enterprise of your own. Given your nature, I doubt you wish to become a live-in son-in-law of the Zhen family, do you?"