Chapter 351: Double Operation

This item most likely doesn't belong to Wei Dan, but to Old Man Mi!

No wonder Old Man Mi always had a strange odor about him; though it was always quite faint. At first, I attributed it to the faint scent that sometimes accompanies old age, so I didn't pay it much mind. Now, thinking back, it's remarkably similar to the smell in Wei Dan's room!

The reason Old Man Mi initially wanted me to get close to the Wei family was likely to inquire about Wei Dan's movements through him. Wei Dan must have only recently arrived in Mingyue City, and it now seems Old Man Mi is most likely his target. Old Man Mi must have escaped from the imperial palace years ago due to some incident, and to evade capture, he adopted a new identity and hid within the Chu family, becoming a flower farmer. But after all these years, people from the palace eventually found some clues, which is why Wei Dan came to Mingyue City. However, Wei Dan probably hasn't discovered his exact whereabouts yet; otherwise, he would have likely already made a move against Old Man Mi.

Recalling Wei Dan's somewhat strange expression when he looked at him before, Zu An suddenly had an epiphany. During the last clan competition with the Yuan family, he had publicly performed the Sunflower Phantasm. It was likely seen by someone with ulterior motives at that time, and the information then reached Wei Dan. Previously, the teachers at the academy frequently had dark circles under their eyes. Perhaps Wei Dan had been investigating the people around him. With the academy personnel thoroughly investigated, they would likely move on to investigate the Chu family next.

Thinking of Old Man Mi, who had been hiding his entire life, now having his whereabouts discovered because of himself, Zu An suddenly felt a pang of guilt. His first instinct was to warn Old Man Mi to be cautious, but remembering Old Man Mi's ambiguous nature, making it hard to tell if he was friend or foe, he hesitated. Never mind. It's better to adapt to circumstances.

"What's wrong?" Pei Mianman, who was beside him, saw his expression fluctuating and couldn't help but feel a little worried.

"Nothing," Zu An forced a smile. "It's just a pity I couldn't help you find the gold medallion this time."

"It was somewhat expected, actually," Pei Mianman sighed. "He would most likely carry something that important with him."

Zu An was startled. "Don't act impulsively. Since it's on him, you definitely can't just take it."

Pei Mianman smiled, pursing her lips. "Don't worry, I'm not that foolish. I certainly won't take unnecessary risks."

Hearing that her tone still suggested she hadn't given up on finding the gold medallion, Zu An hesitated, wanting to say something more. But he decided against it; there was no convincing her otherwise. Besides, with her intelligence, she wouldn't do something suicidal.

Pei Mianman was about to say something when she suddenly noticed Zu An picking up that item from the grass again. Her stomach churned. "Why are you picking that up?"

"Keeping it might be useful," Zu An smiled, and carefully placed the item into a box. He then tucked the box carefully into his clothes.

"Disgusting!" Pei Mianman cried out indignantly. Unable to bear it any longer, she pushed off with her toes and vanished into the night.

Zu An smiled faintly. There were many things he couldn't explain to her. Keeping this item might prove to be a crucial bargaining chip at a critical moment. How could he just throw it away?

After returning to the Chu family residence, night had already fallen. Zu An went to Qingyin Pavilion, but unfortunately, the beauty wasn't there. The vast Qingyin Pavilion felt even more desolate without her.

"Sigh~" Zu An let out a long sigh, missing the feeling of holding her fragrant body while sleeping. And Chu Chuyan likely wouldn't return for some time, so it seemed he would have to endure a period of celibacy.

...

Two uneventful days passed like this. On the third day, Zu An did not go to the academy. Instead, he privately sought out Qin Wanru. "Madam, there's something I need your help with."

"What is it?" Qin Wanru was somewhat surprised. What exactly was this fellow up to, being so secretive?

Zu An said, "I've found the whereabouts of the salt warrants that were robbed previously."

"What!" Qin Wanru sprang to her feet. The Chu family's current crisis stemmed entirely from those salt warrants, so how could she not be excited? "Where are those salt warrants? I'll immediately gather our forces and seize them back!"

Zu An was speechless.

After a long pause, he finally spoke. "The reason I didn't tell you earlier, Madam, is precisely because I feared you would mobilize so many people. If we gather a large force, the commotion would have scared them away long ago. Then where would we find those salt warrants?"

Qin Wanru frowned. "What do you mean?"

Zu An explained, "I have reliable information that those salt warrants will appear at a certain location tonight. However, if the Chu family dispatches a large force, it would surely alert them. It might not be so easy to find them again next time."

Qin Wanru's delicate brows furrowed slightly. His words reminded her of the implications. "Then what do you suggest we do?"

Zu An replied, "The two of us should go lightly equipped and discreetly. We'll find an opportunity to snatch those salt warrants without anyone being the wiser."

"Just the two of us?" Qin Wanru was startled.

Zu An hummed in agreement. "Originally, I could manage it by myself, but my cultivation is still a bit too low. So, it's safer to have an expert alongside me. After thinking it over, the most trustworthy person in the entire Chu manor is you, Madam."

Qin Wanru snorted. "If it weren't for needing me as your muscle, I doubt you would have told me about the salt warrants even now."

Zu An gave an awkward smile. "I was just worried about alerting the enemy, wasn't I?"

Qin Wanru then said, "But will the two of us be strong enough?" She knew that the force capable of seizing those salt warrants was no ordinary power. Although her cultivation was respectable, it wasn't enough to single-handedly intimidate the entire Mingyue City.

"Are you scared, Madam?" Zu An asked, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Qin Wanru said indignantly, "What a joke! Why would I be scared?"

Rage points from Qin Wanru +111!

Zu An chuckled wryly. This woman really has an impetuous temper. A single provocation, and she fell for it. "Madam, there's no need to worry. Too many people would alert them. Two people are just right. Besides, I have other arrangements."

"Other arrangements?" Qin Wanru was momentarily stunned.

"I'll explain more on the way," Zu An said. "Let's set off first."

"Alright!" Qin Wanru stood up to leave.

But Zu An stopped her. "Madam, your current attire might not be convenient for what we need to do." Qin Wanru was currently dressed in the grand attire of a duchess, which emphasized pomp and grandeur. In her current state, she would be the center of attention wherever she went. How could she possibly participate in any covert operation?

"Wait for me," Qin Wanru said, and then swiftly departed.

Not long after, as Zu An was starting to get bored waiting, her voice came from behind him. "Alright."

Zu An turned around and was momentarily stunned. Qin Wanru had changed into a form-fitting combat attire. She wore no jewelry at all. Even the phoenix hairpin she usually wore was removed. Her meticulously styled, luxurious bun was let down and tied up casually. She looked simple and unadorned. Compared to her usual elegant grandeur, she now exuded a more youthful and vibrant beauty. Moreover, this figure-hugging attire perfectly accentuated her graceful figure.

Qin Wanru frowned. "What are you staring at!"

Zu An smiled faintly. "This is the first time I've seen this side of you, Madam. If a stranger saw you, they might mistake you for Chu Chuyan and Xiao Zhao's elder sister."

"Smooth-talker. No wonder Chu Chuyan was taken in by you!" Qin Wanru snorted. However, a faint hint of pleasure still showed in her expression. What woman doesn't like being praised for being young and beautiful, especially since his words had sounded genuinely sincere?

To avoid attracting attention, the two did not leave through the main gate, but climbed over a secluded courtyard wall. Qin Wanru glanced around to ensure they hadn't been spotted. Only then did she turn back and ask, "Where are we going now?"

"The River Defense Barracks!" Zu An said in a low voice.

"The River Defense Barracks?" Qin Wanru's expression changed. "Are the salt warrants there?"

"Not exactly," Zu An shook his head. "Didn't you worry earlier, Madam, that the two of us wouldn't be enough? So, we need to leverage their strength."

Qin Wanru frowned. "Before, you wouldn't let me mobilize the Red Robe Army. Now you want to seek out the River Defense Barracks? Won't that also alert the enemy? Furthermore, those good-for-nothings at the River Defense Barracks are nowhere near as useful as the Chu family's Red Robe Army, are they?"