Chapter 347: Status Change

"What!" Zu'an exclaimed in surprise. He quickly grabbed Wei Hongde's hands. "Brother Wei, do you have a solution?"

Wei Hongde smiled faintly. "Actually, it's not me who has a solution, but my father. As for the specific method, I'm not clear on it."

Zu'an looked dejected. "Aren't you just toying with me?"

Wei Hongde explained, "Brother Zu, you've misunderstood. The reason I sought you out is because of your friendship with Wei Suo. It makes us willing to trust you, so no one is more suitable to be an intermediary than you. However, the specific solution is not something that juniors like you and I can decide."

Zu'an couldn't help but say, "Why do I feel like I'm being looked down upon?"

It was clear the other party felt he wasn't qualified to discuss it; the true head of the Chu family needed to speak with Wei Dabao.

Wei Hongde smiled faintly. "Because you are friends with Wei Suo, I'm being frank with you. If I've offended you with my words, I hope Brother Zu will forgive me."

Zu'an snorted. "But you have to tell me something! Otherwise, if I know nothing, how can I go back and talk to the Chu family?"

Wei Hongde hesitated, then said, "I hear the Chu family is currently in urgent need of funds. We can provide some assistance in that regard. As for anything more specific, I truly don't know."

Zu'an's heart skipped a beat. It sounded like they were loan sharks.

The Wei family had always maintained a low profile in Brightmoon City. Everyone only knew that some members of their clan held official positions in the capital, and they even seemed to have connections within the imperial palace. Beyond that, little was known.

Their family rarely involved themselves in the affairs of Brightmoon City, almost as if they didn't exist. However, given their background, no one was willing to offend them.

Consequently, for many years, the Wei family had been virtually invisible, and now, they were suddenly re-emerging.

After bidding farewell to Wei Hongde, Zu'an hurried back to the Chu family and found Qin Wanru to report on the Wei family's offer.

As for the salt monopoly certificate, he had no leads yet, and since it involved Qiu Honglei, it was inconvenient to tell her about it.

After hearing him out, Qin Wanru immediately summoned the Chu family's confidantes, along with members of the second and third branches, for a discussion.

Zu'an was somewhat puzzled. "The people from the second and third branches are ambitious and treacherous. Why consult with them?"

Qin Wanru shook her head. "Although they each have their own agendas, they are still members of the Chu family. If the Chu family falls, they won't fare well either, so they will certainly help the family overcome this crisis."

Having seen countless instances of internal strife in history books in his previous life, Zu'an strongly disagreed with her theory.

However, her personality was always strong, and Zu'an wasn't foolish enough to provoke her.

Soon, a group of people rushed to the discussion hall upon hearing the news. Whether it was Chu Chuyan's instruction before she left or because Zu'an brought this information, Qin Wanru, for the first time, allowed him to participate in such important family matters.

Seeing Zu'an in the discussion hall, everyone, from Chu Tiesheng and Chu Yuepo to steward Hong Zhong and guard captain Yue Shan, was very surprised.

After all, this signified his formal entry into the Chu family's decision-making circle.

If he was merely an unnoticed live-in son-in-law before, after today, no one in the Chu family, from top to bottom, would dare to belittle him as they once did.

Chu Tiesheng was about to question it, but Chu Yuepo, standing beside him, pulled his arm and whispered to him using internal energy, "Big Brother isn't here, and Big Sister-in-law is alone now. She needs someone to support her. Just let her be."

Chu Tiesheng then gave up, but still asked, "Sister-in-law, why isn't Chuyan here?"

Not only him, but even Hong Zhong and Yue Shan looked over curiously.

Qin Wanru said, "Chuyan went out for something; she won't be coming today."

She didn't elaborate further, maintaining an air of mystery.

The few people in the hall exchanged glances, secretly wondering where Chu Chuyan had gone.

Qin Wanru cleared her throat, drawing everyone's attention back, and then recounted the Wei family's matter.

After hearing it, the hall instantly erupted in discussion.

Chu Tiesheng directly stated, "I think something's not right. The Wei family has been low-key for so many years, and now they're suddenly making a move. There must be an ulterior motive."

Chu Yuepo, however, had a different opinion. "To my knowledge, for many years, there has been an organization in Brightmoon City secretly providing loans to families in urgent need of money. At the time, their background seemed mysterious, but now I suspect it was mostly the Wei family. Since we currently need money, it might be good to borrow from them."

Qin Wanru remained noncommittal, instead looking at the steward beside her. "Elder Hong, what do you think?"

The Hong family had served the Chu family for generations, and Hong Zhong himself was intelligent and capable. He had even served the previous Chu family head, and his prestige within the household had always been high. The Chu couple also greatly respected him.

Hong Zhong said gravely, "My concern is something else. The Wei family has imperial palace connections. Could it be that they received instructions from the Emperor, and offering us loans is merely a pretense to seize an opportunity to deal with us?"

At his words, several people in the room nodded. Even Zu'an couldn't help but give him another look. As expected of the Chu family's head steward, his insight and demeanor far surpassed ordinary people.

What a pity he had a son like Hong Xingying.

Objectively speaking, Hong Xingying's qualities were decent among his peers, but his mindset was too restless, a far cry from his father's composure.

Speaking of which, it had been a long time since Zu'an had seen him. The guy was probably scared of him and had been living a secluded life at school, deliberately avoiding him every time.

While Zu'an's thoughts wandered, Chu Yuepo spoke again, "It may not necessarily be a conspiracy. To my knowledge, many high-ranking officials and nobles in the capital hold immense wealth but find it inconvenient to act openly, and regulations in the capital are strict. So, they often find 'white glove' agents to lend money at compound interest in other regions. In my opinion, the Wei family is likely doing the same. They do have people serving in the imperial palace, but it might not be the Emperor behind them. It could be some concubines, or a powerful eunuch, or even some influential noble families in the capital… In short, the probability of them being sent by the Emperor is very low."

Several people debated, and each point made some sense.

Zu'an glanced at Yue Shan curiously; he hadn't spoken a single word the entire time.

Indeed, his demeanor lived up to his name; he was as stable and reliable as a mountain. No wonder he had always been Chu Zhongtian's most trusted subordinate.

After much discussion, Qin Wanru finally made a decision: "It's truly difficult to know the Wei family's true intentions right now. However, our Chu family is indeed short on money, so it is necessary to establish contact with them."

She recalled how she and Chuyan had met with refusal everywhere when trying to borrow money recently, especially how the head of the Li family had been brazen enough to harbor covetous thoughts towards her. This thought infuriated her.

Seeing that the others were about to speak further, she raised a hand to stop them. "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. Contacting them doesn't necessarily mean we'll borrow money from them. Let's first see what their intentions are."

Only then did the others cease their objections.

After the meeting adjourned, Zu'an was about to leave but was asked by Qin Wanru to stay behind.

"Come with me to the Wei family!"