Chapter 340

Zu'an was startled, then couldn't help but laugh. "What do you think is going on between us?"

Chu Chuyan looked embarrassed. "I also think it's unlikely, but I just feel that you two are much closer than I imagined."

"I wish something was going on between us, but unfortunately, her long legs could kick me to death," Zu'an said with a regretful expression. "The reason we're close is, first, because of the deal I made with her regarding the Plum Blossom Gang incident. Second, of course, is that your husband, me, is exceptionally talented. She could tell at a glance that I possess extraordinary qualities and am the perfect candidate to save the world... Hey, wife, why are you walking away?... Oh, what's wrong with the world these days? No one believes the truth anymore."

Next, the two arrived at the Wang family residence.

After some pleasantries, Wang Fu looked troubled. "Niece, by rights, with Zhongtian's predicament, I should certainly help without hesitation. However, you know the situation of our Wang family this year; we truly don't have the capacity to support you."

Chu Chuyan said apologetically, "Uncle, I certainly understand the Wang family's difficulties. I didn't come here for that purpose this time."

"Oh, then what is it about?" Wang Fu was a little surprised.

Chu Chuyan said, "Mainly, I wanted to inquire about the salt certificates incident. How many people in the Wang family were aware of it?"

Wang Fu's expression changed. "Niece, are you suggesting that we leaked the secret, thus causing Duke Mingyue's incident?"

Chu Chuyan apologized, "That's not what I meant. We certainly wouldn't suspect you, Uncle. It's just that the Sang family's spies are everywhere, and it's possible that others might have unintentionally leaked information."

"Absolutely no such possibility!" Wang Fu stated emphatically. "When the salt certificates were last robbed, most of the Wang family's accompanying guards were killed or injured. Only I, Yuanlong, the butler, and two other individuals know about this matter. Every one of them has served the Wang family for decades; I trust them completely."

Hearing his reply, Chu Chuyan smiled slightly. "It seems I misunderstood."

"By the way, Uncle, do you have any suggestions regarding the current situation of the Chu family? Also, do you have any connections in Sunstone City who might be able to help us smooth things over concerning this matter?"

Wang Fu quickly replied, "Of course, I know some people. However, this incident has caused too much uproar; I don't know if they can be of any help..."

After leaving the Wang residence, Zu'an couldn't help but say, "I heard you mention before that Wang Fu suggested the misappropriation of salt certificates for the next few years. Could it be that he had already joined Sang Hong and intentionally set up this scheme together?"

Chu Chuyan shook her head slightly. "The Wang and Chu families have had a friendship for hundreds of years, and their private relations are quite deep; it shouldn't be the case. Of course, I can't rule out the possibility you mentioned... but unfortunately, investigating those matters now is pointless. The immediate priority is how to help the Chu family overcome this crisis."

"That's true," Zu'an hummed. "Where to next?"

"To the Xie family!" Chu Chuyan said in a low voice.

Zu'an thought about it; among the powerful families who could help the Chu family, the Yuan and Zheng families had always been adversaries of the Chu family. And there was the Wu family from the neighboring prefecture; it was impossible to seek help from them. So, only the Xie family remained.

The reason Chu Chuyan didn't approach the Xie family first was likely because she was wary of Prince Qi's influence behind them.

However, now at a dead end, they still needed to try.

The two arrived at the Xie family residence. After the servant went to announce them, he came out with an apologetic expression and said, "Miss Chu, our master went out on business and hasn't returned yet."

Chu Chuyan frowned. "Do you know where Lord Xie went, and roughly when he'll be back?"

The servant shook his head. "Miss Chu, please forgive me, but that's not something we servants can inquire about."

Chu Chuyan looked disappointed. "Thank you for your trouble." She then turned and left.

Watching her departing figure, the servant secretly marveled: Miss Chu is even more beautiful than the rumors say, and she's so humble and polite. Just exchanging a few words with her today is enough for me to brag about to my buddies for a lifetime.

"Just leaving like that?" Zu'an couldn't help but ask.

"What else can we do?" Chu Chuyan sighed. "Whether City Lord Xie genuinely went out or used it as an excuse not to see us, his attitude has been clearly expressed."

"Actually, it's not that difficult to enter the Xie mansion," Zu'an said after a moment's hesitation.

Chu Chuyan was startled. "You have a way?"

Zu'an smiled mysteriously. "Watch me!"

He walked towards the main gate. The servant saw him and quickly waved his hand, saying, "I already told you our master isn't home." The servant thought, *This guy doesn't even look handsomer than me, so why did he get to marry Miss Chu?*

Zu'an subtly slipped a silver ingot to him. "I'm not here for Lord Xie; I'm here for your young lady."

He had learned earlier when he went to the academy that Xie Daoyun hadn't attended classes today.

In fact, for noble children like them, attending classes was often a matter of personal preference. They would typically only attend classes that interested them, and if a class wasn't appealing or they had other engagements, they simply wouldn't go.

Clutching the heavy silver in his hand, the servant's eyes lit up. "Alright, I'll go inform our young lady for you, sir. But she might not necessarily see you."

Zu'an smiled slightly. "Just tell her who I am."

The servant nodded and quickly ran through the gate. After a short while, he ran back out. "Our young lady invites you in, sir."

He was utterly astonished. He knew that their young lady rarely met outsiders, yet she had readily agreed to see Zu'an. He had never seen her so delighted and eager before.

Zu'an waved at Chu Chuyan, signaling her to come in with him.

The servant looked a bit troubled. "Our young lady didn't say..."

Before he could finish, Zu'an interrupted him, "She also didn't say not to see her, did she?"

The servant was startled. "No, she didn't."

"There you go, they're actually quite good friends privately." Zu'an took Chu Chuyan's hand and directly entered the Xie mansion.

The Xie family servants found it inconvenient to turn them away again, thinking that they were just going to see their own young lady anyway.

On the way, Chu Chuyan quietly tugged at Zu'an's sleeve. "Why are you so familiar with Miss Xie?"

Living in Moonbright City, she knew Xie Daoyun's personality well. Although Xie Daoyun often attended various poetry gatherings outside, Chu Chuyan had never heard of her receiving any man at home.

Zu'an smiled faintly. "When you're handsome, it's inevitable that you'll have better luck with women."

Chu Chuyan: "..."

She suddenly felt a sense of déjà vu. It was the same last time at the Zheng family's residence; he had similarly managed to charm Miss Zheng then.

It seemed all the beautiful young ladies in Moonbright City had some kind of intricate connection with him.

Thinking of this, she couldn't help but become a little wary. "A'Zu, are you hiding a lot of things from me?"

Zu'an spread his hands. "I've told you many things already; it's just that you yourselves didn't believe me."

Chu Chuyan was about to press further when she saw Xie Daoyun coming out to greet them.

Xie Daoyun, who had been smiling, stiffened slightly when she saw Chu Chuyan, but quickly recovered. "I was wondering why Young Master Zu had time to visit me. So, you're here as an advocate for this lovely lady."

Zu'an clasped his hands apologetically. "We wished to see your esteemed father, but unfortunately, he chose not to meet us. We had no choice but to resort to this, and we hope Miss Xie can assist us."

Xie Daoyun hummed, then stepped forward, took Chu Chuyan's hand, and said softly, "I've also heard about Duke Mingyue's situation. You don't need to worry too much; after all, he's a dignified Duke, and the Prefect wouldn't dare do anything to him."

Chu Chuyan quickly thanked her. Both women were daughters of prominent families in Moonbright City and also classmates, so they were quite familiar with each other and soon fell into conversation.

Zu'an secretly curled his lip. These two were typical "plastic sisters," seemingly acting like best friends despite not having a very deep relationship.

After a while, Xie Daoyun smiled slightly. "How about this? I'll take you to find Father. He should be back by now."

She wasn't foolish; naturally, she wouldn't openly expose her father's previous excuse.

Chu Chuyan's heart leaped with joy. "Thank you very much!"

"You're welcome," Xie Daoyun nodded to her, then took a moment to come close to Zu'an and whispered, "You owe me a song, remember?"

Zu'an knew this was her condition, so he had no choice but to reply, "Alright!"

At the same time, he secretly wondered which song from his previous life he should plagiarize to satisfy her.

Although their voices were low, they did not escape Chu Chuyan's ears.

She maintained a calm exterior, but inwardly, her thoughts were in turmoil.

Had A'Zu become this familiar with Xie Daoyun?

Qiu Honglei showing up earlier had already been shocking, but later, there seemed to be no more news from Qiu Honglei's side. Chu Chuyan had simply assumed that the other party had ulterior motives and didn't genuinely like Zu'an.

However, what she witnessed today was that Principal Jiang and Xie Daoyun both had significant relationships with him, not to mention Ji Xiaoxi, Zheng Dan, and Instructor Shang from the academy, whom she already knew about...

What kind of magic did this guy possess?

She had previously agreed not to mind him having other women, but did he really have to gather such a large collection all at once?

At this moment, Xie Yi, who was leisurely reading in his study, learned that his daughter was about to bring the two of them to see him, and the smile on his face immediately froze.

After a long pause, he finally let out a sigh. "Indeed, having daughters always means losing money!"

He had originally thought the timing wasn't right and that he should only step in when the Chu family was even more desperate. Xie Daoyun's intervention, however, had completely disrupted his plans, so how could he not be annoyed?