Chapter 293: Beautiful Man Strategy

"A strike?" Chu Chuyan's beautiful brows furrowed. In an instant, many possibilities flashed through her mind.

Qiu Honglei pursed her lips and smiled, "It seems Miss Chu will be very busy today. I'll take my leave now so as not to disturb you."

Chu Chuyan glanced at her strangely, keenly noticing the change in her address. Why wasn't this woman calling her 'sister' anymore? "There's no rush right now. Oh, by the way, when will Miss Qiu be moving in? Does Miss Qiu have any particular requests regarding that?"

"Let's discuss that in more detail later. After all, the Divine Immortal Pavilion has trained me for so many years, and I can't bear to leave them right away. It might take some time." Qiu Honglei's thoughts were flickering like lightning. She mused, "If Zu'an holds a high position in the Chu family and is in harmony with Chu Chuyan, then my previous plans will need to be re-evaluated."

Although surprised by her drastic change, Chu Chuyan felt much more at ease knowing she wouldn't have to welcome Qiu Honglei into the manor. "Then everything will be as Miss Qiu wishes," she said.

Qiu Honglei rose, bowed, and was about to leave. At the doorway, she suddenly turned back. "Oh, Miss Chu, I suppose I can return to the Divine Immortal Pavilion now, right?"

Yesterday, because she had witnessed Chu Chuyan's severe injury, the Chu family had kept her in the manor for secrecy. Now that Chu Chuyan was safe and sound, there was naturally no need for such secrecy.

Chu Chuyan, naturally understanding her father's intentions from yesterday, smiled slightly. "Of course!"

Qiu Honglei nodded, leaving behind a graceful figure that gradually disappeared into the distance.

Zu'an was dumbfounded. What was going on?

How could she leave without a word to him?

"Wife, are all women so fickle?" Zu'an asked, looking dejected.

Chu Chuyan let out a soft snort. "Who knows where you might have offended her."

Despite saying that, she was quite pleased inwardly. After all, Qiu Honglei was so beautiful that Chu Chuyan herself felt immense pressure.

However, she quickly composed herself. The important matter at hand still needed attention. "Ah Zu, come out with me."

"Oh~" Zu'an instinctively followed, still wondering what he had done to offend Qiu Honglei. Although he knew her initial demeanor was an act, her now dropping the pretense still left him feeling a little disappointed.

Ah, men are truly pathetic!

After leaving the Chu manor, Chu Chuyan did not go to the market where the merchants were causing trouble. Instead, she headed straight for the Zheng family.

Over the years, she had learned that to resolve an issue, one must find its root cause. It was clear that the Zheng family was most likely behind this group's troublemaking.

The two arrived at the Zheng family residence. Chu Chuyan requested to see Zheng Yutang, the head of the Zheng family, but the doorkeeper informed them that the master was not in.

"They're clearly refusing to see us. What can we do?" After being turned away, Zu'an couldn't help but feel anxious.

To his surprise, Chu Chuyan showed no trace of surprise on her face. "That's why I brought you."

"Brought me?" Zu'an was taken aback, not understanding what she meant for a moment.

Chu Chuyan gazed at the Zheng family's main gate, her crimson lips slightly parting. "You go over there and ask to see Miss Zheng. You saved her life, and she's sought you out several times, so she likely has a good impression of you. If you ask to see her, she should grant you an audience."

Zu'an immediately looked glum. "What kind of person do you take me for? Are you asking me to use my looks?"

Chu Chuyan snorted. "If I'm not afraid of being at a disadvantage, what are you afraid of? Go quickly!"

Zu'an, utterly confused, walked toward the Zheng family gate. He couldn't wrap his head around why Chu Chuyan would be the one at a disadvantage.

Upon hearing his request, the Zheng family doorkeepers exchanged glances. However, remembering that their master hadn't given specific instructions for such a situation, they had no choice but to go inside and announce his arrival.

After a short while, someone emerged and said, "Young Master, our young lady requests your presence."

Zu'an thought to himself, 'This Zheng Dan woman is decent; she didn't let me down.'

He quickly turned back to call Chu Chuyan to enter with him, but to his surprise, she shook her head slightly.

Just as he was about to go and persuade her, Chu Chuyan transmitted her voice through energy: "The Zheng family doesn't intend to see me; my presence inside would only cause more trouble. You go in. When you're there, tell her such-and-such..."

Zu'an committed her instructions to memory, then followed the Zheng family servant through the gate.

This was his first time visiting the Zheng family. He looked around. To some extent, the Zheng manor's courtyard was even more opulent and luxurious than the Chu family's, though upon closer inspection, he noticed it lacked a certain intangible grandeur.

He supposed this was the difference between a nouveau riche family and one with a true lineage of nobility stretching back many years.

After being led through several courtyards by a young servant, a maid took over as his guide.

Not long after, he faintly heard the clear, tranquil sound of a zither from a distance.

Zu'an couldn't help but exclaim, "Who is playing the zither? It sounds like quite a skillful performance."

"That would be our young lady, of course! Who else in our family has such skill?" the maid said with a proud expression.

"Zheng Dan?" The image of her classical beauty appeared in his mind, and he thought she indeed suited the guzheng perfectly.

The zither music grew clearer and clearer. Soon, he was led to an elegant embroidered building. Remembering his previous lesson, he instinctively looked up at the plaque above:

"Zhuluo Pavilion!"

"Young lady, Young Master Zu has arrived," the maid announced, bowing towards the upper floor.

"You may leave now." A gentle, fluid voice came from the pavilion. Zheng Dan was sitting by the window, leisurely playing the zither.

"Yes~" The maid curtsied and retreated with small, quick steps.

Zu'an couldn't help but chuckle. "It seems you manage your subordinates quite strictly. Even the maid doesn't dare approach your room casually."

Zheng Dan smiled faintly. "It's just that I dislike being disturbed when I play the zither, so she was being careful."

Zu'an sighed. "Then, haven't I come at an inconvenient time?"

"You're different," Zheng Dan said, a sweet smile gracing her lips. "Ah Zu, please come up."

Zu'an secretly marveled at his luck. Every woman he met seemed to be an Oscar-winning actress in terms of their acting skills.

After going upstairs, Zu'an remarked casually, "If General Sang were to hear what you just said, he might not be pleased."

Zheng Dan stopped playing the zither, her slender fingers resting gently on the instrument. Her bright, beautiful eyes gazed quietly at him. "Would you tell him?"

"Of course not." Zu'an's heart skipped a beat. This woman was definitely trying to seduce him!

"Then it's fine, isn't it?" Zheng Dan pursed her lips and smiled, then stood up to invite him to sit, simultaneously pouring him a pot of tea.

Zu'an watched the woman before him closely. Today, she wore a blue-and-white porcelain-patterned dress, and her every movement exuded an elegant charm. Watching her pour tea was truly a delight.

"Miss Chu is quite generous, sending you in here," Zheng Dan suddenly said.

Zu'an did not deny it. "Miss Zheng is truly intelligent."

Zheng Dan looked him over with a smile. "Isn't she afraid I'll eat you up?"

Zu'an chuckled. "I don't know if she's afraid, but I would certainly agree wholeheartedly."

A faint blush appeared on Zheng Dan's face at just the right moment. "Since you agree, why don't you come to our Zheng family in the future? Our family definitely wouldn't treat you like the Chu family does."

"Unless I come to the Zheng family as a son-in-law, I'm not interested," Zu'an shook his head.

"Alright then," Zheng Dan readily agreed.

"But if I'm not mistaken, you have an engagement with General Sang, don't you?" Zu'an thought to himself that if it were any other young man, he would have long been completely infatuated by this woman.

Zheng Dan smiled faintly. "It's just an engagement; we haven't officially married yet, so there's still time for everything. Even if we were to take a step back and assume we did get married, if the groom isn't you, the child will definitely be yours."