Chapter 124: Interrogation

"Thank you both very much," Zu An said, feeling quite good after earning a substantial sum from them and discovering a new use for Cheng Shouping.

Sang Qian and Zheng Dan exchanged a few pleasantries with him before leaving. The moment they were out of his sight, Sang Qian's smiling face turned grim. "I'm furious! Why on earth did I get it into my head to change his bet?"

Zheng Dan, standing nearby, forced a bitter smile. "Who would have thought a mere servant boy would be so audacious as to use his master's money to bet recklessly?"

A thought suddenly struck Sang Qian. "This is certainly illogical. Do you think Zu An instructed this, guessing that we would alter his plan, and so he deliberately feigned losing his bet, while simultaneously sending false information to the Yuan family?"

"If so, his cunning would be truly extraordinary," Zheng Dan said, frowning and shaking her head. "I don't think he guessed we would change his bet. I believe he initially intended to spend those ten thousand taels to mislead the Yuan family, and we just coincidentally changed it back."

"Damn it!" Sang Qian cursed, feeling that he was truly having a run of bad luck. His fortune was simply abysmal.

Rage from Sang Qian +999!

"The plan to change the betting slip has failed. What should we do now?" Zheng Dan took out the new betting slip she had just prepared from her embrace, and her slender fingers quickly tore it into pieces.

"It seems I'll have to trouble you again," Sang Qian said, looking at Zheng Dan.

Zheng Dan's brows furrowed, and her face instantly turned cold. "Are you going to make me use a honey trap again?"

Sang Qian gave an awkward laugh. "You're going to retrieve the 7.5 million tael IOU anyway, so we could just do it together this time..."

Zheng Dan cut him off directly, her face frosty. "Sang, why do you keep pushing your fiancée into other men's arms? Do you have some kind of peculiar fetish?"

Sang Qian immediately became flustered. "I'm not asking you to actually give yourself to him. Didn't you say he never took advantage of you? How does that become me pushing you into his arms?"

Zheng Dan looked as if she were on the verge of tears. "One who walks by the river often can't avoid getting their shoes wet. And this Zu An isn't as useless as the rumors say. What if he accidentally takes advantage of me? Then I couldn't live with myself."

In truth, from her previous interactions, she wasn't particularly against approaching Zu An again. However, she absolutely couldn't show that willingness. Only by making Sang Qian feel guilty and realize she was acting out of helplessness would he cherish her more, and he wouldn't bring this up against her after they married.

Seeing her pitiable, tearful expression, as if returning a precious pearl with tears in her eyes, Sang Qian's heart nearly broke. He quickly consoled her, "I know you've been wronged. Don't worry, I'll protect you. If that Zu fellow dares to bully you, I'll take his life!"

"Really?" Zheng Dan asked, her large, watery eyes fixed on him.

"Of course, it's true!" Sang Qian's heart softened as he looked at his beautiful fiancée. "Forget it, let's just forget about the 7.5 million taels. We won't deal with him."

Zheng Dan shook her head. "No, that 7.5 million taels is no small amount. Moreover, we also have our own one million taels involved this time. For our future, I must take this risk."

"I'm putting you through too much," Sang Qian said, looking at the gentle, classically beautiful woman before him, thinking how lucky he was to have found such a capable partner.

Meanwhile, Zheng Dan secretly pondered how she would approach Zu An next.

On the other side, Zu An sneezed loudly, rubbing his nose as he muttered, "Some young wife must be thinking of me again."

Cheng Shouping, standing by, agreed obsequiously. He had witnessed his young master's impressive display of power today, even defeating a fifth-rank master. Crucially, he had also won the clan competition for the Chu family. Clearly, his status in the family would skyrocket, and wouldn't Cheng Shouping's own position rise along with it?

At this point, let alone other people's wives thinking of his young master, Cheng Shouping would even wholeheartedly approve if his own wife thought of him.

"Aren't you afraid your own wife will hear that?" a playful voice chimed in just then, as Pei Mianman approached, bringing with her a subtle fragrance.

Zu An chuckled. "My wife said she doesn't mind if I find other women."

Pei Mianman was startled, not expecting such a bold assertion from him. "Chu Chuyan would say something like that?" It was difficult to reconcile that statement with her best friend.

"If you don't believe me, go ask her yourself," Zu An said, pointing at Chu Chuyan who was not far away. "How about it? Interested in being my woman? You and Chuyan are already good friends, so you'd definitely get along."

Cheng Shouping, standing by, looked utterly shocked. He thought to himself, *My young master is truly formidable. I really underestimated him before. How dare he flirt with his wife's best friend right in front of her? This, this... Oh, if only he could give me some pointers sometime.*

"You want to be my man?" Pei Mianman chuckled lightly, not showing any anger. "It's not impossible, but unfortunately, your current strength is far from enough."

Cheng Shouping glanced at her, then blushed and lowered his head, his heart pounding. *She's truly a temptress; her enchanting peach-blossom eyes were unbearable with just one glance. My young master is truly an extraordinary man, to be able to converse with her so calmly.*

"So when will it be 'enough'?" Zu An asked with a smile.

"You'll know when the time comes," Pei Mianman replied, noticing Chu Chuyan approaching. She clearly had no further interest in teasing him. "Alright, I'm leaving. Don't forget what we agreed upon."

With that, she gracefully departed, leaving only a lingering faint fragrance in the air.

"What did you two agree on?" Chu Chuyan asked, walking over and looking at him suspiciously.

"We agreed that she would be my concubine in the future," Zu An replied. Cheng Shouping, standing by, was utterly prostrate in admiration. *Truly, the young master is a brave man!*

Chu Chuyan was speechless, clearly not taking his words seriously. "Come with me quickly; everyone has a lot to say to you."

Zu An followed her back, where many from the Chu family had already swarmed around.

"Young Master, I didn't expect you to be so formidable! This is a special healing medicine from the Red Robe Army..."

"Our Young Master just easily defeated his opponent without a scratch. What would he need your medicine for?"

"It's not just for injuries; it also quickly restores vital energy. The Young Master just fought two battles, so he must have lost a lot of vital energy."

...

"A bunch of bootlickers!" Hong Xingying, not far away, watched them eagerly fawning over Zu An and couldn't help but spit in disgust.

Just a moment ago, many people were inquiring about his well-being, but now they were all rushing towards Zu An. How opportunistic!

Thinking of how Zu An had stolen the spotlight today and that his rise in the Chu family was now inevitable, Hong Xingying's face grew dark. *What would become of me now?*

Just then, his vision suddenly darkened. He looked up to see two servants carrying a table, standing directly in front of him and staring. He immediately flew into a rage. "What are you doing?"

*It's truly a tiger fallen into the plains, bullied by dogs. Can any Tom, Dick, or Harry provoke me now?*

"Who just said that if Brother-in-law won, he'd eat this table on the spot?" A giggling voice came, and Chu Huanzhao, sitting on a stretcher, swayed her slender, pale legs in the air. Although her arm was dislocated, she was clearly in a very good mood.

Normally, seeing this, Hong Xingying would only feel his heartstrings plucked by her swaying legs. But hearing her words now, his face instantly turned crimson.

Chu Huanzhao patted the table beside her. "I specifically chose a fine rosewood table. It's valuable, but its texture is softer than other tables. See how considerate I am? Oh, and I've prepared a pot of water for you. If it's not enough, I'll have them bring another. You can eat it with water, perhaps?"

"I..." Hong Xingying's mouth opened and closed, but he didn't know what to say. He almost regretted not feigning unconsciousness earlier to avoid this awkward situation.

It's all that Zu fellow's fault!

Rage from Hong Xingying +999!

Zu An, who was happily accepting gifts from the crowd, suddenly looked up towards Hong Xingying upon feeling the incoming rage value from his system. Seeing Chu Huanzhao directing servants to move a massive table almost right up to Hong Xingying's face, he couldn't help but be amused. *Is my sister-in-law getting revenge for me?*

At that moment, the Chu couple also noticed the unusual commotion. Seeing Hong Xingying's extreme discomfort, Chu Zhongtian glared at his daughter. "Nonsense!"

Chu Huanzhao pouted. "He just said it himself; I didn't force him. During Brother-in-law's match, he was clamoring that if Brother-in-law won, he'd eat the table on the spot. You all must have heard it, right?"

"Alright, alright, you're taking a joke too seriously," Qin Wanru said. With a single glance from her, the two servants carrying the table seemed to receive a great pardon and quickly carried it away. "We're all family. Young Hong was just speaking carelessly out of concern earlier. Don't cause any more trouble."

Whether it was for Steward Hong Zhong's sake or for Hong Xingying's diligent work for the Chu family in previous years, she had to save his face. However, she also harbored a little resentment, thinking that Young Hong was becoming less reliable than he used to be.

Chu Huanzhao wanted to say more, but her sister, beside her, pulled her hand to stop her. She could only pout and turn her face away, sulking by herself.

"Thank you, Master. Thank you, Madam," Hong Xingying quickly bowed and thanked them, but his heart was filled with unbearable pain. He could almost feel the strange looks from those around him, and he blamed everything on that Zu fellow.

Rage from Hong Xingying +999!

Zu An suddenly felt a pang of discomfort. *He's mad at me for this too?*

Since that was the case, it was clear that their relationship couldn't be reconciled, and there was no reason not to earn rage points. He suddenly spoke, "Actually, eating a table isn't that difficult. You can soak it in water for a few days to soften it, or grind it into powder and swallow it with water. If it tastes bland, you could even mix in some breadcrumbs and deep-fry it until golden brown. You might just cry from how delicious it is."

Hong Xingying: "..."

Chu Zhongtian: "..."

Qin Wanru: "..."

*What kind of person is this? What sane person would research how to eat a table?*

Qin Wanru snorted. "Someone, send the injured back first."

She was worried that if Hong Xingying stayed, the two sides would cause more trouble, so she quickly separated them.

Zu An, seeing a continuous stream of "666" rage points in his system, was already quite satisfied. Earning these points still required a sustainable approach; Hong's head was already steaming, and if he kept pushing him, it wouldn't be fun anymore once he broke.

After Hong Xingying and the other injured were sent away, the rest of the Chu family also hurried back to the Chu manor.

Upon returning to the Chu manor, the Chu couple had everyone else wait outside and then summoned Zu An alone to the study.

The other Chu family members discussed amongst themselves, all feeling that Zu An had finally distinguished himself. They pondered how to get closer to him in the future, and those who had offended him secretly regretted it, wondering how to make amends.

After the door closed, Zu An chuckled. "Actually, you don't have to thank me too much. Chuyan is my wife, after all, and it's only right for me to contribute to the Chu family. Of course, if you really want to reward me with hundreds of thousands of taels, I wouldn't mind. I'm not picky about rare treasures, or even if you arrange a few beautiful maids for me."

Chu Zhongtian: "..."

Qin Wanru: "..."

Chu Chuyan: "..."

"Still thinking about beautiful maids!" Qin Wanru finally couldn't hold back, slamming her hand heavily on the table. "Tell me, who sent you?!"

---

When the book was released yesterday, my mood was like that of an ancient groom entering the bridal chamber: before going in, you don't know if the bride is beautiful. On one hand, you hope for a fairy, and on the other, you fear a monster, so your heart is extremely anxious.

Fortunately, I received strong support from all my readers. The 'bridal chamber' experience yesterday was quite good (*￣︶￣*). Here, I truly want to thank everyone again.

As a token of my gratitude, I will update three chapters today. The specific update times are yet to be determined...