Chapter 1560: Don't Lead Brother Zu Astray

However, since it was her sect's secret mission, he couldn't inquire further, so he nodded, signaling her to go and return quickly.

Zu'an, meanwhile, was coerced into playing Gobang with Black and White Child, while Xie Xiu, feeling as if he had been granted a reprieve, served tea and water nearby.

Outside, the female disciples began discussing:

"Who is that man? Even Black and White Child is treating him with such solemnity."

"Could he be a master of chess?"

"How is that possible? No one in the world can beat Black and White Child at chess. Even the Libationer might not be his match in terms of skill."

"Oh, I just realized he's so handsome! He's almost as good-looking as Brother Xiu."

"You traitor! Brother Xiu is the most handsome man in the world."

"But this man is also very handsome, and his handsomeness is different from Brother Xiu's refined beauty. He seems more masculine…"

Before she could finish, another group of women verbally attacked her: "What, are you saying Brother Xiu isn't manly?"

"I... I didn't mean that."

"Haven't you heard? That's Zu'an, who just rendered great service. He's already a marquis at such a young age, and he's the Crown Prince's most favored official. His future is boundless."

"Oh, so it's him."

Hearing the discussions among the female disciples, Chu Chuyan couldn't help but smile. It was as if she had returned to her days at Brightmoon Academy.

Although she never participated in such conversations back then, her younger sister was quite interested in them, often chattering about similar topics in her ear, just like these girls now.

Hmph, as long as they aren't coveting Ah Zu.

No matter how many women liked Xie Xiu, it had nothing to do with her.

Just then, a figure hurried down from the mountain, moving so fast that if Chu Chuyan hadn't nimbly stepped aside, she would have been knocked into.

"I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry." The person was a woman, who quickly bent over to apologize. She had a delicate and elegant appearance, and even when rushing, she carried an indescribable scholarly air.

"Oh, Miss Xie?" Seeing the woman's face, Chu Chuyan exclaimed in surprise.

The woman paused, then looked up and saw Chu Chuyan, her whole body freezing in surprise: "Miss Chu?"

The person was, of course, Xie Daoyun. Hearing that Zu'an had come to the academy, she was overjoyed and rushed out from her calligraphy studio, unaware that she almost ran right into Chu Chuyan.

"Long time no see, Miss Xie. You're as graceful as ever." Meeting an old acquaintance in a distant place, Chu Chuyan was also quite pleased.

Within Brightmoon City's social circles back then, while they weren't inseparable best friends, they were certainly friends who admired each other's talents.

"Miss Chu, your elegance is truly captivating," Xie Daoyun sighed. Chu Chuyan had always been known as a fairy in Brightmoon City, but now, her ethereal aura was even more pronounced, exuding an admirable sense of otherworldly detachment.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Chu Chuyan recalled how Xie Daoyun had rushed over, knowing it was unlike her quiet nature, and couldn't help but chuckle: "Miss Xie, why were you running so fast just now? Were you perhaps going to meet a lover?"

She rarely made such jokes, but her good mood today made it just slip out.

Xie Daoyun's body trembled, and her delicate face visibly flushed. "Wh-what lover? Miss Chu, you've misunderstood."

Chu Chuyan merely smiled, saying nothing. As someone with experience, how could she not understand Xie Daoyun's reaction? Naturally, she didn't believe her explanation.

Xie Daoyun then composed herself and explained: "I just heard that my younger brother got into trouble again, so I rushed over to see what was happening."

"I see. That Xie Xiu is indeed just like he was back at Brightmoon Academy," Chu Chuyan chuckled. "Many female disciples are gathered over by Black and White Child; it seems they're all there because of him. Some even started fighting."

Xie Daoyun stomped her foot. "That boy never gives anyone a moment's peace. I'll go check on him first. We can catch up later, Miss Chu, if there's a chance."

With that, she lifted her skirt slightly and scurried towards the mountainside.

Watching her, still so gentle and elegant even when scurrying, Chu Chuyan wondered who in the academy would be fortunate enough to catch her eye.

As she mused, her smile suddenly froze. She abruptly turned to look in Zu'an's direction, but quickly shook her head. Those two had never had any dealings with each other; it was impossible. She shouldn't be so suspicious all the time.

Meanwhile, Zu'an resigned the game, saying, "Your Excellency is truly a grandmaster of chess to have found a way to win so quickly."

Black and White Child, across from him, stroked his small mustache with a hint of pride, but humbly replied, "You flatter me, Mr. Zu. Compared to your invention of a new form of chess, my skills are merely minor tricks."

The two exchanged pleasantries for a while, then Black and White Child left them to themselves, evidently eager to go somewhere and brag. Before leaving, he even helped shoo away the female disciples who were lingering nearby.

Xie Xiu brought out a large assortment of exotic fruits and flowers to entertain Zu'an. "Brother Zu, if you hadn't come today, I probably would have been skinned alive!"

Zu'an was amused. "What did you do to incur such wrath?"

Xie Xiu became a little dejected at this. "It all boils down to my master's distant niece. She insisted I meet her at night, claiming she'd drown herself if I didn't go. I thought she was just trying to scare me, but who knew she was serious? Fortunately, there are many capable people and unusual talents in the academy, and they managed to save her life. So, of course, my master is coming to settle accounts with me."

Zu'an said seriously, "Brother Xie, I have to say something about this. It's human nature for a gentleman to pursue a beautiful lady, but you can't just abandon her after starting things."

He recalled how, upon first entering Brightmoon Academy, he had seen a girl who was trying to kill herself after being abandoned by him. Combined with encountering two women fighting a duel over him just now on the mountain, he had already labeled him a scoundrel.

Xie Xiu immediately protested, "There was never any 'starting things,' so how could there be any 'abandoning'?"

"Heh heh~" Zu'an, however, knew his true nature. This fellow was a complete playboy, with romantic escapades everywhere he went. Compared to him, Zu'an felt like an innocent young virgin.

Seeing his expression, Xie Xiu knew Zu'an didn't believe him, and explained bitterly: "Brother Zu, although I'm promiscuous, I actually have very high standards. My master's niece is truly... difficult to describe. She's simply not my type. I've explicitly rejected her several times, but she wouldn't listen and kept threatening to kill herself. Because of my reputation in the academy, everyone thinks I abandoned her after leading her on."

He was so aggrieved speaking of it that he was almost in tears.

Zu'an couldn't help but chuckle silently, thinking of Black and White Child's appearance.

Just then, a cold snort was heard: "If you weren't constantly flirting in the academy, would your reputation be so bad?"

Although the voice was angry, it was exceptionally gentle and refined, allowing one to imagine a cultivated young lady from a scholarly family just by hearing it.

"Miss Xie." Zu'an nodded to Xie Daoyun.

Xie Daoyun's cheeks faintly flushed as she sweetly called out, "Brother Zu."

Xie Xiu couldn't help but feel depressed. "Isn't Zu'an the same? He has so many women around him, why don't you criticize him?"

"Is he like you?" Xie Daoyun huffed. "He treats people sincerely, never plays with others' feelings, and certainly doesn't lead them on and then abandon them."

Xie Xiu was dumbfounded. "So, you mean my method of ending one relationship before devotedly starting the next is inferior to his 'dating several people at once' approach?"

Zu'an almost choked on his tea. "Xiu'er, that's unfair of you! I was just comforting you!"

Xie Daoyun playfully flicked her brother on the head. "Don't make yourself out to be so good. Besides, have you seen how excellent the women around Brother Zu are? Do you think they're so blind they'd be deceived? Don't you dare lead Brother Zu astray!"

Xie Xiu felt a deep sting. "Sis, whose sister are you anyway?"

Meanwhile, at the top of the back mountain, Chu Chuyan curiously looked at a painting on the wall but quickly averted her gaze. "Senior Libationer, my sect asked me to deliver a message: they have agreed to the arrangement made years ago and will appear at the correct place at the correct time."