Chapter 1452: Proposal of Marriage, Visit the Inspection Institute

After not seeing each other for a long time, Zhou Chen and Zhuang Mohan were very happy to see each other again.

Especially Zhuang Mohan, he regards Zhou Chen as his confidant. He has not had many confidants in his life, so he cares more about Zhou Chen, his friend who has been with him for many years.

The two chatted for a long time, and Zhan Pianpian stayed aside. After a while, he came over to pour tea and water, and then secretly took two snacks and put them in his mouth. He stared at Zhou Chen with big eyes and blinked, and from time to time he said: He let out a silly chuckle, not knowing what he was happy about.

Zhou Chen saw that Zhuang Mohan was hesitant to speak several times, so he said, "Mr. Zhuang, there is no one else here. If you have anything to say, just tell me directly. There is no need to be so hostile between us."

"well."

Zhuang Mohan sighed heavily.

"You are so smart, you must have guessed that I came to Kyoto, Qing Dynasty with the mission this time, not to participate in negotiations. I actually came here with my own selfish motives."

Zhou Chen said: "Mr. Zhuang, you don't have to be like this. Everyone has selfish motives. Just say it. As long as I can help, I will definitely help."

He knew that Zhuang Mohan's purpose in coming to Kyoto was to save his brother Xiao En, and for this reason, he was willing to be the sword of the eldest princess Li Yunrui.

Zhuang Mohan was silent for a while and said again: "Have you heard of Sean?"

"I heard that the former intelligence chief of Northern Qi, who was as famous as Chen Pingping, was captured by Chen Pingping twenty years ago and imprisoned in the deepest part of the dungeon of the Inspection Institute. It seems that Chen Pingping's legs were also destroyed because of him."

Sean was also a well-known ninth-level master at that time. He and Chen Pingping were really good at it for a while. Unfortunately, he lost to Chen Pingping in the end and was captured alive by Chen Pingping. However, he also disabled Chen Pingping's legs. It can only be said that he was just one move away from Chen Pingping. .

"He is my biological brother."

Zhuang Mohan told about his relationship with Xiao En. Seeing that Zhou Chen didn't show any surprise or strange expression, he felt confused instead.

"You knew already?"

Zhou Chen shook his head and said: "I don't know, but I don't find it strange. Sean is regarded as a big devil by the Qing people, but to Beiqi, he is a strong man and respected by others. Such a figure is Mr. Zhuang's younger brother. I don’t think it’s surprising.”

"So, Mr. Zhuang came to Kyoto this time just for Sean?"

"yes."

Zhuang Mohan said: "Of course there will be officials involved in the peace talks. My biggest purpose in coming to Kyoto is for Xiao Xiao. I know that you have a respected position in Kyoto, so I came to you to ask you to help me and let me meet Xiao Xiao." Well, maybe, this may be the last time.”

The tone of his voice sounded a bit pleading. As someone who was regarded as a teacher by scholars all over the world, the only thing in the world that could make him travel thousands of miles away, even at the expense of his own reputation, was probably only family affection.

Zhou Chen didn't hesitate at all and replied directly: "No problem, I have met Chen Pingping and we have some friendship. He should be able to sell me this face."

Zhuang Mohan stood up and saluted Zhou Chen very solemnly.

"Thank you."

Zhou Chen hurriedly helped him up, feeling uncomfortable in his heart.

"Mr. Zhuang, you don't have to be like this. Although you and I have known each other for a short time, we are close friends. I may have many friends, but I have few close friends. There is no need for this to happen between you and me."

Zhan Pianpian also hurried over and helped her teacher sit down.

"Teacher, if Zhou Chen says to help, he will definitely be able to help. He never breaks his promise. I believe in him the most."

Zhuang Mohan nodded. He naturally believed in Zhou Chen, but he felt that his request was a bit excessive and might cause trouble to Zhou Chen, so he felt guilty.

"I came this time and brought many precious rare books. If you don't mind, just accept them."

Zhou Chen immediately responded: "Okay, I will study it carefully."

"I'm going to see Chen Pingping today. If nothing happens, I can take you to the forensic institute tomorrow."

I added in my mind, even if there is an accident, I can take you to the forensic institute tomorrow, but one will go politely, and the other will forcefully break in.

After receiving a definite reply from Zhou Chen, Zhuang Mohan had lunch with Zhou Chen before leaving the Zhou Mansion, but Zhan Pianpian, who came with him, stayed.

With only herself and Zhou Chen left, Zhan Pianpian felt much more at ease. She sat in front of her, propped up the table, held her chin, and looked at Zhou Chen with a smile on her face.

"Why are you looking at me like this? I've changed?"

"No, I just haven't seen you for a long time and I miss you very much. You don't know how to go to the capital to see me."

Zhou Chen smiled and said: "Actually, if you don't come with Mr. Zhuang this time, I will go to the capital to see you in a while."

"Really?" Zhan Pianpian asked happily.

"Of course, I'm not only going to see you, I'm also going to propose marriage to your emperor and queen mother and ask them to marry you to me."

"ah?"

The sudden proposal of marriage made Zhan Pianpian lose her composure instantly. She blushed, covered her face with her hands, and said coquettishly: "What are you talking about?"

But Zhou Chen said with a serious face: "I'm not talking nonsense, I'm very serious. I just plan to go to your country of Qi to propose marriage. No matter how you say it, I have already passed the age of crowning. I have reached the age of marrying a wife, and there are no elders in my family. So I can only propose marriage in person.”

Zhan Pianpian didn't dare to look at Zhou Chen: "Then, then, don't say it in front of me. It's so, so embarrassing."

But she was very happy in her heart. Although she had already identified Zhou Chen, both the emperor and the queen mother also recognized her choice, but after all, Zhou Chen never mentioned it, it was just what they thought about.

So Zhou Chen expressed his feelings in front of her. He was excited, but also extremely shy. After all, she was only a girl in her teens.

Zhou Chen smiled slightly, pulled her hand off her face, and gently held it in his hand.

"Pian Pian, I am very serious. I think very clearly that if I, Zhou Chen, want to marry, that person must be you. I, I have decided on you."

The shy Zhan Pian Pian blushed and stared at Zhou Chen in a daze. Suddenly, she was not so shy.

"Me too."

The voice was very low, but Zhou Chen heard it very clearly, so he smiled even more brightly, holding Zhan Pian Pian's hand, with ten fingers together, as if they were one person.

"With your words, I feel relieved. I promise you that you will be my wife, and no one can stop you."

"Yes."

Zhan Pian Pian's heart was very sweet. The feelings of a girl are always poetic. She felt that meeting Zhou Chen was the best thing in her life, more beautiful than the most moving poem in the world.

Looking at the happy Zhan Pian Pian, Zhou Chen was also very happy, and just accompanied her quietly.

After a long while, he spoke again: "Pian Pian, there is something I want to tell you first."

Zhan Pian Pian tilted her head and asked: "What is it?"

Zhou Chen knew that it was not a good time to talk about Sang Wen at this moment, but Zhan Pian Pian had already come to the mansion, so it was impossible to hide Sang Wen's affairs from her.

"There is a person in my mansion, her name is Sang Wen, she has been back to the mansion with me for several months, she..."

Listening to Zhou Chen carefully, Zhan Pian Pian nodded: "Oh."

Seeing Zhan Pian Pian's reaction was so small, Zhou Chen was surprised: "Oh, nothing else?"

Zhan Pian Pian's little face was puzzled: "What else?"

"It's Sang Wen, my relationship with her, I brought her back to the mansion, I didn't tell you, just this matter, don't you have anything to say?"

"What are you talking about? Is there any problem?"

Zhan Pian Pian still looked puzzled, looking at Zhou Chen's expression, suddenly reacted.

"Oh, I understand. Don't worry. I heard you say that Miss Sang Wen is very pitiful. I will definitely get along with her and treat her well in the future."

"Ah?"

Zhou Chen was even more surprised: "You don't mind?"

"I don't mind. Why should I mind? Didn't you say that Miss Sang Wen is a good girl and easy to get along with? I think we can definitely get along."

Looking at Zhan Pianpian's expression, Zhou Chen suddenly realized that he was overthinking.

In this feudal society, it is very normal to have three wives and four concubines. He just said that he wants to marry Zhan Pianpian. Although the two have not yet married, Zhan Pianpian has to be with him and put herself in the position of his wife.

She is a princess, but not a willful princess. Instead, she is a cute and simple princess without so many mixed thoughts.

Or, she feels that Sang Wen will not have any influence on her, so she has no opinion on Sang Wen, but thinks that they can get along well.

In short, Zhan Pianpian didn't think that he had another woman, which was something she couldn't stand. Instead, she thought it was normal and not worth making a fuss about. What she cared more about was whether she could get along well with Sang Wen.

This "evil" feudal society was really beautiful in some aspects.

Zhou Chen held her hand tightly and said, "I'll take you to meet Sang Wen, okay?"

"Okay."

Zhan Pianpian responded crisply. She also wanted to see if Sang Wen, whom Zhou Chen brought back to the mansion, was really good. She liked Zhou Chen and wanted to do good for Zhou Chen. As long as Zhou Chen thought it was good, she had no objection.

In the backyard, Zhou Chen took Zhan Pianpian to meet Sang Wen.

Compared with Zhan Pianpian, who was generous and elegant, Sang Wen was much more nervous. She seemed very cautious and kept her attitude very low, for fear of making Zhan Pianpian dissatisfied.

After all, the two people's backgrounds were too different. One was the eldest princess of a country, and the other was just a cheap prostitute in a place of fireworks.

It was just beyond her expectation that Zhan Pianpian was completely different from what she imagined. Although she looked a little pretentious, she was very easy to get along with and spoke very nicely. After just a while, she relaxed and had a good chat with Zhan Pianpian.

Seeing this harmonious scene, Zhou Chen was also relieved. He knew very well that once there were more women, there would be conflicts after all. This had nothing to do with love or not. The mode of getting along and the relationship between women were much more complicated than that of men.

But fortunately, Zhan Pianpian and Sang Wen got along very well.

Zhou Chen also found it funny. Zhan Pianpian, this silly girl, to put it nicely, is indeed a lady of the house, with a broad mind and a generous and sensible temperament; to put it bluntly, she is just a silly girl, sometimes really silly and cute.

But Zhou Chen likes her naivety, her frankness and cuteness, and likes to get along with her. This is why he thought of her without hesitation when marrying a wife.

Whether a girl likes you or not can be seen and felt. He can see through whether she is pretending at a glance.

At night, Zhou Chen accompanied Zhan Pianpian to appreciate the moon, just like last year in Shangjing City. This made Zhan Pianpian very happy, and she had to pull Zhou Chen to drink. After a glass of wine, her little face was flushed, which was very cute.

Although Zhan Pianpian stayed in the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion, Zhou Chen naturally would not do anything to her. He arranged her in another courtyard and let the maid serve her well.

This is a feudal society. Since he wants to marry Zhan Pianpian as his wife, he naturally has to respect her. In addition, Zhan Pianpian's status, so before the marriage, he will not touch Zhan Pianpian. The best should be saved for the best day.

After receiving the letter from Zhou Chen, Chen Pingping went to the palace to meet Emperor Qing.

After reading Zhou Chen's letter, Emperor Qing threw it aside.

"Zhou Chen has a good relationship with Zhuang Mohan, and he actually pleaded for Zhuang Mohan."

"Your Majesty, according to our previous intelligence, when the Duke of Zhenguo was in the capital of Northern Qi, he lived in Zhuang Mohan's mansion. The two of them seem to be close friends regardless of age, and have a very good relationship. Otherwise, the Duke of Zhenguo would not have come to me to ask for help for Zhuang Mohan."

Chen Pingping paid attention to the expression of Emperor Qing. It was obvious that when Emperor Qing mentioned Zhou Chen, he was not very happy.

"Sean is Zhuang Mohan's brother. It is reasonable for him to want to save him. In Kyoto, he only has a good relationship with the Duke of Zhenguo. Asking the Duke of Zhenguo for help is his only choice."

Emperor Qing asked: "Then what do you think, should he be allowed to see him?"

Chen Pingping pondered and said: "Listen to your majesty's decision."

Emperor Qing chuckled: "If I don't agree, will Zhou Chen break into the Inspection Institute? After all, he is so bold that he can do anything."

Chen Pingping lowered his head and did not respond, but he could hear how much resentment Emperor Qing had towards Zhou Chen. But what Emperor Qing said was not wrong. Zhou Chen might really do that.

In the imperial study, there was silence for a long time before Emperor Qing spoke again.

"Just agree to it. Anyway, Sean has to be released, but you have to keep an eye on me. I must know Sean's secret."

The reason why Sean was trapped for twenty years without being killed was because of the secrets about the temple that Sean hid.

If the Grandmaster is the person that Emperor Qing wants to get rid of the most, then the Temple is the greatest pursuit of Emperor Qing's life. If he finds the Temple and masters the secrets of the Temple, perhaps he can obtain the ability of immortality like Wu Zhu, and then the world will belong to him.

Yes, the biggest reason why he wants to find the Temple is Wu Zhu. For decades, Wu Zhu's face has not changed, which makes him extremely envious and eager.

The life span of the Grandmaster is much longer than that of ordinary people, but for him, it is still far from enough. He wants to achieve true immortality, and only the Temple can help him achieve it.

This is also the biggest reason why he imprisoned Sean and planned with Chen Pingping for many years.

"I obey your order."

The consent of Emperor Qing also made Chen Pingping relieved. Everyone said that he was the King of the Dark Night and was cold-blooded and ruthless, but he had a good impression of Zhou Chen, and Zhou Chen was a Grandmaster. If possible, he did not want to be an enemy of Zhou Chen.

Now that Emperor Qing allowed it, he did not have to conflict with Zhou Chen, which was the best result for him.

The next day, when Fan Xian came to the Inspection Institute to find Wang Qinian, he was surprised to find that the atmosphere in the Inspection Institute was not right today. Many people had serious expressions, and many people kept looking at the door of the Inspection Institute.

Fan Xian found Wang Qinian and asked curiously: "Why do I feel that the atmosphere in the Inspection Institute today is not right? What happened?"

Wang Qinian explained in a low voice: "The Duke of Zhenguo is coming to visit the Inspection Institute today, and Dean Chen is preparing to welcome him with his people. Although the Duke of Zhenguo is very famous in Kyoto, not many people have actually met the Duke of Zhenguo face to face, so everyone is very curious about what this young grandmaster looks like and what is so magical about him."

Zhou Chen may have a bad reputation in the eyes of many people, but for the martial artists in Qing Kingdom, Grandmaster Zhou Chen is a legendary figure, like a deification, and many martial artists want to see this legendary grandmaster.

Fan Xian was very surprised when he heard this: "The Duke of Zhenguo is coming? Is the Duke of Zhenguo still friends with Dean Chen?"

Wang Qinian recalled the scene when Zhou Chen came to the Inspection Institute last year, and said: "The Dean and the Duke of Zhenguo are really friends. It was me who brought him back then..."

He was about to brag to Fan Xian about how he brought Zhou Chen to the Inspection Institute when suddenly there was a commotion at the entrance of the Inspection Institute. Chen Pingping had already brought people to greet him at the entrance.

"The Duke of Zhenguo is here."

At the entrance of the Inspection Institute, a luxurious carriage slowly stopped, and Zhou Chen got off the carriage. With him came a man covered in a black cloak. This outfit was almost like a shadow, making it difficult to see his true face.

Although the people in the Inspection Institute were a little curious, most of their eyes were still on Zhou Chen.

Shadow pushed Chen Pingping forward and greeted him: "Duke Zhenguo."

Zhou Chen replied: "President Chen, long time no see. Last time you said you would invite me to a banquet, I never responded. Today I will come to your house in person."

Chen Pingping smiled and apologized: "It is indeed my fault. After today, I will definitely invite Duke Zhenguo to Chen Garden for a gathering. I hope you will do me a favor then."

"Definitely."

"Duke Zhenguo, please."

"President Chen, please."

Zhou Chen and Chen Pingping entered the Inspection Institute one after another. When passing by the people in the Inspection Institute, Chen Pingping introduced his subordinates to Zhou Chen.

"Duke Zhenguo, these are the backbones of my Inspection Institute. This is Zhu Ge, the head of the First Division, this is Yan Ruohai, the head of the Fourth Division, and this is Xuan, the head of the Eighth Division..."

The people introduced by Chen Pingping saluted Zhou Chen one after another, and Zhou Chen also politely returned the salute.

When passing by Fan Xian, Zhou Chen stopped and said hello.

"Fan Xian, you haven't been to my house recently. Did you not make any money?"

Fan Xian's face turned bitter. He had only paid back 10,000 taels of the 80,000 taels of silver so far, and he still had a debt of 70,000 taels. He was embarrassed to be mentioned in person by Zhou Chen.

"I have been working hard to make money, and I have to thank the Duke of Zhenguo for his leniency."

Zhou Chen smiled, then walked past him and followed Chen Pingping inside.

Fan Xian asked Wang Qinian curiously, "Who is the man behind the Duke of Zhenguo? Does the Grand Master have to bring bodyguards when he goes out?"

"Bodyguard?"

"It means guard."

"Oh, sir, let's not ask so many questions about the Grand Master."

"Just curious, in broad daylight, dressed like a shadow, do all the big shots like this kind of guard?"