Chapter 1912: The Libationer Is My Son-in-law?
Just like that, the carriage entered the academy. After entering, Zu An was worried that Yue Shan wouldn’t know the way, so he sat in front as well to tell him the way.
Qin Wanru and Chu Huanzhao admired the scenery along the way through the curtains. After all, the royal academy was a holy land for the world’s cultivation scholars. This was the first time they had visited it.
Qin Wanru couldn't help but give her daughter a look.
If this lass could study here, maybe she would wake herself up from laughing in her dreams.
However, even enrolling her into Brightmoon Academy had resulted in her being at the bottom rung. She immediately gave up on that unrealistic thought.
“Huh? Why are they all looking at us?” Qin Wanru wondered as she quickly noticed something strange, which was that all of the students along the way were looking at them with admiration, and their attitude seemed to be one of deep respect.
“It’s probably because carriages are rarely allowed inside!” Chu Huanzhao said as she took in her surroundings excitedly.
I’ll definitely brag about this to my friends once I get back. Who said I'd never be able to go to the royal academy? Didn’t I still end up coming here in the end?
She had been able to reunite with her brother-in-law and had even entered the Royal Academy, so her mood was really great right now. She added, “Of course, it might be because they saw mom was so pretty that they couldn't help but give you a few more looks.”
“Aiya, this child only knows how to say random things. Wouldn’t they laugh at us if they heard what you said?” Qin Wanru replied, sounding bashful. However, the grin on her lips gave away her real thoughts.
…
Just like that, the carriage went straight to the rear mountain. There were fewer and fewer disciples in the surroundings, and the scenery also became more and more quiet and beautiful. The sound of the carriage’s wheels turning echoed through the valley.
No matter how ignorant Qin Wanru was, she still realized that something wasn’t quite right. She quickly raised the curtains and said to Zu An, “Ah Zu, we should still get off the carriage and walk. I heard that Mount Yuquan was the libationer’s place of cultivation, and it's also the place where his personal disciples cultivate in seclusion. It won’t be good if we end up offending them.”
After all, there is still Youzhao here to consider. Even though Principal Jiang is looking after her, she's still just a disciple, so we can’t make things too hard on her, right? Our Chu clan isn’t the type that doesn’t know any rules.
Zu An said with a smile, “Don’t worry, the libationer doesn’t mind.”
“But…” Qin Wanru began. She really found theose words a bit hard to believe. She felt as if they were being a bit too hasty. Even so, Zu An was firm in his attitude. After their eyes met, she discovered that she actually couldn't argue with him. She could only give in and return to the carriage.
A while later, she snapped out of her daze.
I didn’t get to properly express myself at all! What I said was clearly reasonable, so what am I scared of him for?!
Sigh, he’s definitely going to take advantage of me from now on and climb all over me.
She wanted to go out again and argue with him a bit, but when she remembered that he was the Fiend races’ Regent and even dared to fight King Jin, she became momentarily apprehensive.
…
Just like that, she became really nervous and was no longer as excited as she had been at first.
In contrast, Chu Huanzhao chattered endlessly along the way, making a big fuss over everything she saw. She asked Zu An where they were from time to time. Zu An was like a devoted tour guide, explaining details regarding the scenery and the corresponding defensive formations to her.
At first, Qin Wanru was a bit gloomy, but she was quickly drawn to his voice. She perked up her ears and listened.
As expected of the libationer’s place of cultivation! The scenery is so tranquil, and yet there are actually so many dangerous formations! I can't wander randomly here in the future. I’ll be done for if I end up setting off some formation!
Suddenly, there was an angry shout from the distance. “Who allowed you to drive a carriage up the mountain?!”
Qin Wanru’s face paled.
We’re finished! We’re done for! It really is what you’re most scared of that comes right for you!
We offended this distinguished individual from the rear mountain after all….
I even warned Ah Zu, but he didn’t treat it as a big deal at all.
She quickly pulled down the curtains, intending to apologize. She wondered just which sir it was on the other side.
His clothes were a checkered black and white, just like a chess board. He was likely the rumored fifth disciple of the libationer, Hei Baizi, right? The Xie clan’s young master seemed to be his disciple. When they had a gathering, Madam Xie had often bragged about that in front of the other ladies.
Hmph, she’s clearly incredibly proud, and yet she puts on that fretful look, saying that Hei Baizi’s temper isn’t good and she's worried that Xie Xiu will offend him.
Pah, who doesn’t know what you’re really thinking?
Even so, their clan alone had one child studying under this fifth disciple, and the other followed the great disciple, so they did have the right to show off.
Sigh, it’s nothing like my situation. I only have Chuyan who's still quite outstanding. Huanzhao is no good at studying at all, while the Qin clan tried to bring Youzhao into the Royal Academy, but she could only become an ordinary disciple. She had no chance of being a disciple of the teachers in the rear mountains at all.
“Sir fifth, we didn’t do this on purpose…” she began, trying to find a way to apologize to Hei Baizi, but her eyes suddenly widened.
It was because the furious Hei Baizi suddenly smiled widely. He broke out into a little run and came up to the carriage’s side, then greeted Zu An respectfully. “I pay my respects to Sir Libationer.”
Zu An chuckled and helped him back up, replying, “Didn’t I say things would just be the same as before? There’s no need for you to be this way.”
Hei Baizi said with a serious expression, “That won’t do. The proper etiquette has to be maintained. The academy’s libationer has a special status and can't be looked down on.” He then gave the carriage a look. When he saw the stunned beautiful madam, he asked curiously, “Is this the libationer’s new flame?”
She is quite pretty, but her age is a bit higher than I would have expected.
Could it be that the libationer likes the mature sort?
Qin Wanru’s face went completely red. However, because of Madam Xie’s portrayal of Hei Baizi over the past few years, she was worried about angering Hei Baizi and didn’t dare to retort.
Zu An frowned, saying, “That’s my mother-in-law, the Chu clan’s madam and wife of Brightmoon Duke; the Chu clan's third miss is still here. They came to the capital to visit their family, so I just brought them here in passing to pick up Youzhao.”
The late libationer’s disciples were geniuses, but they all seemed to be lacking a bit in restraint. They didn’t really conform to secular customs and dared to say whatever they wanted.
Hei Baizi was now a bit embarrassed. He exclaimed, “So it was Madam Chu! I didn’t expect you to look so young that I thought you were the libationer’s big sister, haha.”
Qin Wanru was immediately over the moon, her previous unhappiness disappearing without a trace.
So I was still that young and beautiful Wanru…
Hei Baizi’s gaze then moved to Chu Huanzhao, who had stuck out her head. When he saw that she was cute and lively, he couldn't help but say, “And this must be Miss Chu! Do you have any interest in learning chess from me?”
Qin Wanru was immediately overjoyed. If Huanzhao could take on Hei Baizi as her master, she could walk with her chin held high in Brightmoon City’s madam circles in the future!
Hmph, you all always mock our Huanzhao for being a dummy, but now you'll all see, right?
However, who would have thought that Chu Huanzhao would shake her head? She replied, “No way! Chess is so boring, I can’t even understand it at all. If I want to learn, I’ll just learn it from brother-in-law.”
Qin Wanru immediately felt a pain in her side.
Does this foolish daughter of mine know just what kind of opportunity she just refused?
Ahhhh! I’m so angry! I’m going to make sure to properly discipline this damn kid once we return.
She said with an apologetic smile, “Sir fifth, please don’t take it to heart. After all, children aren’t as sensible and their words carry no harm. If she could follow your respected self and learn chess, that would naturally be the best…”
However, who would have thought that Hei Baizi would shake his head, saying, “Forget it. She’ll have better prospects learning from her brother-in-law. I won’t try to steal someone else’s disciple.” He gave Zu An a look and added, “Since it seems that the libationer likely doesn’t have time to play a game with me, we’ll have to do it another day.” Then, with a wave of his hand, he gradually disappeared into the fields.
Qin Wanru couldn't help but pinch her daughter’s ear when she saw him leave. She said, “You damn brat, do you know what you just refused? You wouldn’t be able to get into the Royal Academy on your own even if you tried for this entire lifetime! And yet just now, that sir fifth was willing to take you in as a disciple for who knows what reason, but you actually refused!”
“Ah! It hurts! Brother-in-law, help me!” Chu Huanzhao cried as she quickly clung to Zu An. “Brother-in-law, why did that Hei Baizi call you the libationer?”
Qin Wanru was also stunned. She had been distracted by the misunderstanding and Huanzhao’s opportunity, but she now realized what had just happened. Hei Baizi had indeed called Zu An that.
Zu An chuckled, saying, “Because I am the academy’s libationer.”
Qin Wanru quickly covered his mouth, saying, “Ah Zu, you can’t speak recklessly! I heard that the libationer was an earth immortal and had incredible prowess! If you spoke recklessly in his territory, no one would be able to save you!”
Zu An sighed, saying, “I’m really not lying. I really am the libationer. There’s no way I colluded with Hei Baizi just to trick you, right?”
Qin Wanru became a bit absentminded. She asked, “But… But how can that be?” Everything that had just happened was really a bit outside her realm of understanding.
The legendary deity-like libationer is actually my son-in-law?
The holy land of countless cultivation students’ dreams is under my son-in-law’s management?
…
Apart from the sound of wheels rolling on the small mountain path, another rhythmic noise soon followed. Just the sound alone was enough for one to picture a pair of long legs in high heels, the slender heels making pa ta pa ta noises against the bluestone tiles.
A pleasantly surprised voice said, “Ah Zu, you’re back.”
Qin Wanru stared in that direction, and the first thing that entered her view was a pair of black stocking-covered legs that left her in endless envy. Only a woman like her knew just how difficult it was to have a pair of well-proportioned legs like that; a bit bigger would seem too chubby, and yet a bit smaller would seem too skinny.
“Principal Jiang!” Qin Wanru called out. When she finally saw a familiar face, she forgot about this virgin being more alluring than Brightmoon City’s madams. She couldn't help but say with a smile, “Ah Zu, you were joking with me after all. Principal Jiang didn’t call you the libationer! Tell me honestly, was that Hei Baizi just someone you found to play a trick on us?”
Jiang Luofu was stunned. She reflexively replied, “He is the libationer, though? It’s just that the two of us are so close and he's always been the one to greet me, so I find it a bit strange for me to greet him respectfully.”
“Huh?” Qin Wanru was stunned. Her head was ringing with noise.
Ah Zu really is the libationer?
Chu Huanzhao now jumped high up in the air and dangled from Zu An’s arm, saying, “Brother-in-law, you’re so amazing! What other identities do you have that I don’t know about? Hurry and tell me! I’m much better at taking things and I’m nowhere near as disappointing as mom.”
When she heard this, Qin Wanru shot her daughter a look.
This damn lass is making fun of me?
Jiang Luofu’s eyes shifted to the arm Chu Huanzhao was dangling off, noticing how her chest continued to move back and forth across it.
Isn’t their relationship a bit too good?
Qin Wanru quickly asked what she was most confused about. “However, wasn’t the libationer that daoist immortal-like elder…”
Jiang Luofu sighed, saying, “Something happened to teacher, and he has already passed away. He passed on the position of libationer to Ah Zu…”
Qin Wanru only heard those words clearly. She didn’t hear the words after that at all.
Ha ha ha! Ah Zu is the Royal Academy’s libationer!
My eyesight was good after all! I stood my ground against everyone’s opinions and gave Chuyan to him!
Brightmoon Academy’s people even laughed at me in my face back then, saying that marrying my daughter off to utter trash was a choice made after losing my mind.
Now, you all know who lost their minds, right?
Isn’t this madam’s eyesight better than all of you common folk?!
Hmph, it’s good that I was strict with him after he joined our clan back then. If not for my dedication, how could he have become so determined to succeed and grow to this extent?
He became the Fiend races’ Regent, earned the title of marquis through his own efforts, and became the Eastern Palace’s most favored minister... And now, he's even the Royal Academy’s libationer!
How I wish I could go back to Brightmoon City and start a few rounds of mahjong with those other madams right now! Madam Xie’s tail was already pointing at the skies just because her two babies entered the academy’s rear mountain.
But my son-in-law is the libationer! Do you all understand what kind of person the libationer is?!
I can pretend to not care that much in the future and seem to not do it on purpose either, but still be forced to speak about this as much as I want.
Who knew what kinds of interesting things she was thinking about; there was a silly smile plastered all over her face.
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