Chapter 1910: Donât Be Scared, Wanru
Zu An was puzzled. He asked, âHonored mother-in-law, what did you just say?â
âNothing,â Qin Wanru replied, her face heating up.
If I really told you, wouldnât you really do it?
Dream on!
â¦
When Zu An entered the carriage, he sensed a unique aroma. It was a mix of a young ladyâs youthful scent with a mature womanâs sweetness.
Zu An sat down in a position close to the exit, making sure to stay some distance from the two of them. Even so, Chu Huanzhao was like a koala and moved closer to him on his own. She clung to his arm tightly. He could even feel her youthful and flexible body. Zu An couldn't push her away, but couldn't really let it continue eitherâ¦
When Qin Wanru saw that, she gave her daughter a glare. She said, âHuanzhao, come and sit over here. Youâre not little anymore. Are you trying to start a scandal by letting everyone see you act so familiar with your brother-in-law?â
However, Chu Huanzhao didnât move at all and retorted angrily, âMy relationship with my brother-in-law is good, though! I havenât seen him in so long and have so many things I want to say to him! Also, thereâs no one else here anyway.â
Qin Wanru was stunned.
Am I not a person in your eyes?
She was really about to blow her top. She had gone through so much effort to stop the two sisters from being served in the same pot to this man, and yet her own daughter was so earnestly hooking her own elbow around him, frantically giving herself out!
Zu An coughed lightly and tried to ease the awkwardness. He asked, âAhem, why donât I see respected father-in-law?â
âHe didnât come along to guard against everything being served,â Qin Wanru reflexively replied.
âEverything being served?â Zu An repeated, confused. Why did that phrase sound so weird?
Qin Wanruâs face heated up. Her head was so completely filled with that stuff that she ended up blurting it out! She quickly explained, âIf he remains in Brightmoon City, he can command the Red Cloak Army, so both of us will still be rather safe in the capital. If he comes to the capital too and gets ambushed, the Chu clan will be without a leader, and end up being destined for doom.â
âThatâs called not putting all of your eggs in one basket!â Chu Huanzhao corrected her mother with a big smile.
âAlright, alright, youâre the smart one,â Qin Wanru said, rolling her eyes.
You're the egg who's almost in the same basket as your big sister!
âDid mother-in-law come to the capital to visit the Qin clanâs state dukes?â Zu An asked.
Qin Wanru voiced her agreement. The smile on her face also gradually became serious as she said, âI heard that something happened to the Qin manor, so I was full of anxiety and rushed to the capital. Huanzhao insisted on coming, so I could only take her with me.â
âHmph, I begged you so many times, but you wouldnât let me come to the capital. And yet this time, you agreed immediately because something happened to the Qin manorâ¦â Chu Huanzhao grumbled softly.
Qin Wanru was stunned.
This girl hasnât even been married away yet, so why is she acting like water that's already been flung out?
This is only your brother-in-law, while if something happens to the Qin clan, thatâs your own grandfathers who will be in danger!
âRight, I wanted to take the chance to visit Youzhao along the way, but I heard the Qin manorâs people tell me that you brought her away. I then went to your marquis manor, but Youzhao wasnât there. After asking around, I heard that you would be at the morning court session today, so I waited by the gates. The heavens seemed to pity me and I finally found you," Qin Wanru said as she patted her chest. She asked, âJust where did you hide Youzhao?â
She suddenly thought to herself, Youzhaoâs crossdressing wasnât already exposed by him, right?
With this kidâs nature, will all three be served in the same pot?
At that point, wouldnât Zhongtian and I die from angerâ¦
I donât think thatâs the case! Thereâs no way! She has a special magic artifact on her, so unless she talks about it herself, no one else should know about it. Wasnât she doing fine all these years in the capital? I even heard that she's grown quite close to the Murong clanâs young lady.
âI moved her to the academyâs rear mountain. She's quite safe now,â Zu An replied.
âThe academyâs rear mountain?â Qin Wanru repeated as she tapped on the carriageâs wall to instruct Yue Shan to head to the academy. She wanted to reunite with her daughter first.
âThe academyâs rear mountain? That's a sacred place that countless students yearn for! Brother-in-law, you actually have the skill to hide Youzhao there?â Chu Huanzhao exclaimed, blinking. Even though she was a big dummy in academic terms, in the end, she was still a student of Brightmoon Academy. She had already heard about how amazing the Royal Academy was, so much that her ears had felt as if they were about to rot.
Only some of Brightmoon Cityâs most outstanding disciples would have a chance to enter the Royal Academy! As for the rear mountain, only if one was appreciated by those legendary teachers would they have the qualifications to go there. Every single individual who was able to enter the Royal Academy was a genius of their own homeland. Furthermore, to enter the rear mountain, they needed to stand out among countless other disciples. They were geniuses among geniuses! Her brother-in-law could enter the rear mountain whenever he wanted, and even keep someone there?
Heâs just too awesome!
Qin Wanru was also shocked. After thinking about it, she asked, âWhich teacher took you in as their disciple? Could it be that Principal Jiang?â
She had learned a bit about Jiang Luofu when she sent her daughter to Brightmoon Academy in the past. For some reason, she felt that an honorable academy principal wearing black silk stockings on those long legs was a bit unacceptable.
Sheâs clearly a virgin, and yet she gives off more mature appeal than this married madam!
Pah pah pah, why would I care about that kind of appeal?
Only later had her impression changed, when she heard from her daughter that even though the principal always wore those black silk stockings, she was an elegant and upright person who never spoke any unnecessary words to men. Later, however, when Zu An entered Brightmoon Academy, she learned that Jiang Luofu seemed to treat Zu An quite well. When those things happened to Zu An, she had also helped him quite a bit. Now, it seemed that Zu An had likely studied under her to enter the academyâs rear mountain.
âBig sis Jiang? I am pretty close to her,â Zu An said with a chuckle.
Qin Wanru immediately became vigilant when she heard him refer to Jiang Luofu so casually.
Is my daughter not enough for this kid? Heâs still causing trouble elsewhere?
Youâre eating out of your plate while looking at what else is in the pot? Absolutely preposterous!
Chu Huanzhao was more concerned about something else. She said, âRight, brother-in-law, I heard the Qin manor's people say that you seemed to have offended King Jin Manorâs people.â
Hearing that, Qin Wanru couldn't be bothered with the pots and plates. When she recalled the Qin manorâs ruined appearance, she couldn't help but feel a bit broken-hearted. After all, the Qin clan had been a first-rate influential clan! And yet now, the manor was overgrown with weeds, and even its people had scattered and left. The entire place had looked bleak and miserable.
Zu An replied, âThat is indeed the case. The Murong clanâs Miss Qinghe was fleeing as a refugee, so Youzhao tried to shelter her. Then, news of that leaked and King Jin Manorâs people went after them.â
âYouzhao has done well!â Qin Wanru smacked the chair and said with a proud expression. âAs expected of my dau⦠ahem, as expected of my child, someone from our clan of warriors! Whether it is the Chu clan or Qin clan, we separate our gratitudes and grudges clearly. We should offer assistance when our friends are in trouble, let alone that this is the one he likes!â
She couldn't help but feel a bit worried when she said that. After that, Murong Qinghe and Youzhaoâs feelings had probably advanced a step further. However, Youzhao was a crossdresser, so how were they going to deal with that in the future⦠They couldn't just have Murong Qinghe marry into the clan, right? That way, there would be no way to hide Youzhaoâs identity anymoreâ¦
Sigh, none of these daughters of mine seem to spare me from worry. This motherâs heart is about to shatter from worry!
Chu Huanzhao harrumphed and remarked, âYou sound all honorable right now, but didnât you still abandon brother-in-law when he was in trouble back then?â
Qin Wanruâs expression froze.
Did I really give birth to this kid myself?
Zu An felt warm inside. He gently rubbed the head of the young lady next to him, saying, âHuanzhao, I was the one who suggested we do that. In that kind of situation, if I hadnât immediately cut off my relationship with the Chu clan, it would only have caused the downfall of the entire Chu clan. Isnât the current situation pretty good? The Chu clan is safe, and Iâm fine and well too. If we let our emotions affect our decisions, I might have been fine, but the Chu clan would have been finished.â
âEven so, I just feel that our Chu clan has let you down somehow by doing thatâ¦â Chu Huanzhao muttered. âEven though I've never been good at cultivation ever since I was little, and Iâm not that smart either, mom and dad taught me to know our friends and enemies clearly. We shouldnât have abandoned you back then.â
Qin Wanru immediately felt her teeth ache.
I really shouldnât have brought this silly girl with me. Do you feel that there isnât enough trouble yet or something?
She was a bit worried about this matter being a thorn in Zu Anâs heart, and yet her daughter kept talking about that sore spot!
Zu An actually replied with a smile, âWho says you arenât smart? These eyes of yours are full of a purity that hasn't been contaminated by the pollution of knowledge yet.â
âReally?â Chu Huanzhao replied, her eyes lighting up. She immediately felt happier.
Qin Wanru was speechless.
This girl is beyond saving. Heâs calling you stupid, and yet you couldn't even tell.
No wonder you've always been a pig teammateâ¦
Zu An actually thought to himself that this girl Huanzhaoâs cultivation was a bit on the low side, so he had to help her out a bit. Otherwise, with that empty head of hers, she probably wouldn't be able to get anywhere in life.
Right, the shop feature seems to have some Marrow Cleansing Pills for purchase. Iâve never had a chance to use it. Even though this lass Huanzhao's aptitude isnât too good, her luck is really good. This shop system seems to have been made for her.
âHuanzhao, donât let that bother you. That matter in the past was my own choice, so how could I blame the Chu clan?â Zu An added to comfort her. âFurthermore, the Chu clan has you and Chuyan. Both of you areâ¦â
âAhem.â Qin Wanru coughed.
Zu An then quickly added, âThey also have respected mother and father-in-law, who have treated me quite well. Itâs like my own family. How could I be unhappy and dissatisfied with that?â
Qin Wanru sighed in relief. She felt much better.
âBrother-in-law, you really are a great person! Donât worry, I will compensate you properly!â Chu Huanzhao latched onto his arm and said with a big smile.
Qin Wanru was perplexed.
Just how are you prepared to compensate him?
She felt that they couldn't continue this topic, or else this lass really would end up giving herself away. She quickly changed the topic, saying, âRight, you offended King Jin Manorâs people. How did you deal with it after?â
âOh, King Jin Manor then sent people to my own manor,â Zu An said casually.
âThen what did you do then? He is a glorious king! I heard that he was even a prince adored by his majesty,â Qin Wanru said worriedly. She didnât only feel worried for her daughters, she even worried for Zu An. She didnât know what kind of pressure he had experienced while sheltering Youzhao.
âIt wasnât that big of a deal. I just killed him,â Zu An said with a chuckle.
Qin Wanru and Chu Huanzhao were both bewildered.
âYou killed King Jin Manorâs subordinates?â Qin Wanru asked in disbelief.
âI killed his subordinates, and then King Jin as well to save trouble,â Zu An replied.
âWhat?!â Qin Wanru exclaimed, her entire body shaking.
Chu Huanzhaoâs eyes actually lit up and she exclaimed, âBrother-in-law is so awesome! You could actually kill a king!â
Qin Wanru shot her daughter an annoyed look.
This girl is just too simple-minded, right? Do you understand just how severe the consequences are?
She suddenly felt a bit guilty. In the past, Brightmoon Cityâs Sang clan and Shi clan had both almost been done in by this youngster. The local clans had been left ruined and destitute to an even greater extent because of him. Now, he had actually just killed a king?
She suddenly remembered that she had previously bossed him around and criticized him constantly. Later, they had even severed their relationship with him to protect the Chu clan.
Even though he says he doesnât care on the surfaceâ¦
She couldn't help but feel alarmed.
Could it be that he actually carries a deep grudge, and in order to get revenge against me, he wants all three girls in one pot? Then, is he going to find a chance to drag me into the forest and⦠kill me too?
With his skills, these girls definitely wonât know a single thing. Theyâll even willingly cling to him after!
Ah⦠Why is this fate of mine so bitterâ¦
No! Iâm not scared of him! I am his mother-in-law, after all, so how could he possibly take the risk of killing me and being exposed for it?
Huanzhao is a foolish little girl, so sheâd probably even help him count the money after being scammed! There really is no hope for herâ¦
As for Youzhao, it's hard to say. I wonder if sheâs made any progress over the years.
However, Chuyan is smart. There's no way she would be so easily fooled by him!
Yeah, Wanru, donât be scared!