Chapter 1910: Don’t Be Scared, Wanru
Zu An was puzzled. He asked, “Honored mother-in-law, what did you just say?”
“Nothing,” Qin Wanru replied, her face heating up.
If I really told you, wouldn’t you really do it?
Dream on!
…
When Zu An entered the carriage, he sensed a unique aroma. It was a mix of a young lady’s youthful scent with a mature woman’s 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 either…
When Qin Wanru saw that, she gave her daughter a glare. She said, “Huanzhao, come and sit over here. You’re not little anymore. Are you trying to start a scandal by letting everyone see you act so familiar with your brother-in-law?”
However, Chu Huanzhao didn’t move at all and retorted angrily, “My relationship with my brother-in-law is good, though! I haven’t seen him in so long and have so many things I want to say to him! Also, there’s no one else here anyway.”
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, “Ahem, why don’t I see respected father-in-law?”
“He didn’t come along to guard against everything being served,” Qin Wanru reflexively replied.
“Everything being served?” Zu An repeated, confused. Why did that phrase sound so weird?
Qin Wanru’s face heated up. Her head was so completely filled with that stuff that she ended up blurting it out! She quickly explained, “If 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.”
“That’s called not putting all of your eggs in one basket!” Chu Huanzhao corrected her mother with a big smile.
“Alright, alright, you’re the smart one,” Qin Wanru said, rolling her eyes.
You're the egg who's almost in the same basket as your big sister!
“Did mother-in-law come to the capital to visit the Qin clan’s state dukes?” Zu An asked.
Qin Wanru voiced her agreement. The smile on her face also gradually became serious as she said, “I 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.”
“Hmph, I begged you so many times, but you wouldn’t let me come to the capital. And yet this time, you agreed immediately because something happened to the Qin manor…” Chu Huanzhao grumbled softly.
Qin Wanru was stunned.
This girl hasn’t 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, that’s your own grandfathers who will be in danger!
“Right, I wanted to take the chance to visit Youzhao along the way, but I heard the Qin manor’s people tell me that you brought her away. I then went to your marquis manor, but Youzhao wasn’t 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, “Just where did you hide Youzhao?”
She suddenly thought to herself, Youzhao’s crossdressing wasn’t already exposed by him, right?
With this kid’s nature, will all three be served in the same pot?
At that point, wouldn’t Zhongtian and I die from anger…
I don’t think that’s the case! There’s no way! She has a special magic artifact on her, so unless she talks about it herself, no one else should know about it. Wasn’t she doing fine all these years in the capital? I even heard that she's grown quite close to the Murong clan’s young lady.
“I moved her to the academy’s rear mountain. She's quite safe now,” Zu An replied.
“The academy’s rear mountain?” Qin Wanru repeated as she tapped on the carriage’s wall to instruct Yue Shan to head to the academy. She wanted to reunite with her daughter first.
“The academy’s rear mountain? That's a sacred place that countless students yearn for! Brother-in-law, you actually have the skill to hide Youzhao there?” 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 City’s 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?
He’s just too awesome!
Qin Wanru was also shocked. After thinking about it, she asked, “Which teacher took you in as their disciple? Could it be that Principal Jiang?”
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.
She’s 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 academy’s rear mountain.
“Big sis Jiang? I am pretty close to her,” 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? He’s still causing trouble elsewhere?
You’re 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, “Right, brother-in-law, I heard the Qin manor's people say that you seemed to have offended King Jin Manor’s people.”
Hearing that, Qin Wanru couldn't be bothered with the pots and plates. When she recalled the Qin manor’s 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, “That is indeed the case. The Murong clan’s Miss Qinghe was fleeing as a refugee, so Youzhao tried to shelter her. Then, news of that leaked and King Jin Manor’s people went after them.”
“Youzhao has done well!” Qin Wanru smacked the chair and said with a proud expression. “As 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!”
She couldn't help but feel a bit worried when she said that. After that, Murong Qinghe and Youzhao’s 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 Youzhao’s identity anymore…
Sigh, none of these daughters of mine seem to spare me from worry. This mother’s heart is about to shatter from worry!
Chu Huanzhao harrumphed and remarked, “You sound all honorable right now, but didn’t you still abandon brother-in-law when he was in trouble back then?”
Qin Wanru’s 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, “Huanzhao, I was the one who suggested we do that. In that kind of situation, if I hadn’t immediately cut off my relationship with the Chu clan, it would only have caused the downfall of the entire Chu clan. Isn’t the current situation pretty good? The Chu clan is safe, and I’m 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.”
“Even so, I just feel that our Chu clan has let you down somehow by doing that…” Chu Huanzhao muttered. “Even though I've never been good at cultivation ever since I was little, and I’m not that smart either, mom and dad taught me to know our friends and enemies clearly. We shouldn’t have abandoned you back then.”
Qin Wanru immediately felt her teeth ache.
I really shouldn’t have brought this silly girl with me. Do you feel that there isn’t enough trouble yet or something?
She was a bit worried about this matter being a thorn in Zu An’s heart, and yet her daughter kept talking about that sore spot!
Zu An actually replied with a smile, “Who says you aren’t smart? These eyes of yours are full of a purity that hasn't been contaminated by the pollution of knowledge yet.”
“Really?” Chu Huanzhao replied, her eyes lighting up. She immediately felt happier.
Qin Wanru was speechless.
This girl is beyond saving. He’s calling you stupid, and yet you couldn't even tell.
No wonder you've always been a pig teammate…
Zu An actually thought to himself that this girl Huanzhao’s 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. I’ve never had a chance to use it. Even though this lass Huanzhao's aptitude isn’t too good, her luck is really good. This shop system seems to have been made for her.
“Huanzhao, don’t let that bother you. That matter in the past was my own choice, so how could I blame the Chu clan?” Zu An added to comfort her. “Furthermore, the Chu clan has you and Chuyan. Both of you are…”
“Ahem.” Qin Wanru coughed.
Zu An then quickly added, “They also have respected mother and father-in-law, who have treated me quite well. It’s like my own family. How could I be unhappy and dissatisfied with that?”
Qin Wanru sighed in relief. She felt much better.
“Brother-in-law, you really are a great person! Don’t worry, I will compensate you properly!” 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, “Right, you offended King Jin Manor’s people. How did you deal with it after?”
“Oh, King Jin Manor then sent people to my own manor,” Zu An said casually.
“Then what did you do then? He is a glorious king! I heard that he was even a prince adored by his majesty,” Qin Wanru said worriedly. She didn’t only feel worried for her daughters, she even worried for Zu An. She didn’t know what kind of pressure he had experienced while sheltering Youzhao.
“It wasn’t that big of a deal. I just killed him,” Zu An said with a chuckle.
Qin Wanru and Chu Huanzhao were both bewildered.
“You killed King Jin Manor’s subordinates?” Qin Wanru asked in disbelief.
“I killed his subordinates, and then King Jin as well to save trouble,” Zu An replied.
“What?!” Qin Wanru exclaimed, her entire body shaking.
Chu Huanzhao’s eyes actually lit up and she exclaimed, “Brother-in-law is so awesome! You could actually kill a king!”
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 City’s 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 doesn’t care on the surface…
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 won’t know a single thing. They’ll even willingly cling to him after!
Ah… Why is this fate of mine so bitter…
No! I’m 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 she’d probably even help him count the money after being scammed! There really is no hope for her…
As for Youzhao, it's hard to say. I wonder if she’s made any progress over the years.
However, Chuyan is smart. There's no way she would be so easily fooled by him!
Yeah, Wanru, don’t be scared!
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