Chapter 360: Gift

"Why are you so excited about someone else getting married?" Qin Wanru said, annoyed, having just been startled by his reaction.

Zu'an also realized his impropriety and chuckled awkwardly, "I just didn't expect the esteemed Sang family to be so superstitious."

"While the idea of 'double happiness' is indeed vague, it's good to seek a favorable omen," Qin Wanru said. "Anyway, Sang Qian and Zheng Dan are engaged, so marrying sooner or later makes no difference."

"How can it be the same?" Zu'an retorted anxiously. According to Zheng Dan, the wedding was supposed to be about a year away, giving him time to grow stronger. Then, he would have the confidence to come back and claim her. But if the wedding were to happen now, he was well aware that his current strength was nowhere near enough to contend with the Sang family.

Qin Wanru looked at him in surprise, genuinely puzzled as to why he cared so much. No matter how imaginative she was, she couldn't possibly guess the true relationship between him and Zheng Dan.

"Compared to that, I'm more worried about something else," Qin Wanru said, her face clouded with concern. "That night, Sang Qian was injured by those black-clad figures while escorting the salt permits. Now, those permits are in our possession. If we use them to save Zhongtian, will Sang Hong misunderstand, thinking we were behind the attack that night? That would be an unending feud."

Zu'an thought to himself, *No wonder there's been no news of Chu Zhongtian's return after so many days; this must be the problem.* He asked, "Haven't they found out the identity of those black-clad figures? Didn't the Black Market investigate?"

Qin Wanru explained, "Of course they investigated. However, that night, many people saw the Black Market comply with the rules, allowing Sang Qian to take the goods without resistance. They also claimed to know nothing about what happened afterward. Although Sang Hong arrested some people, those individuals were genuinely unaware. Clearly, the Black Market was well-prepared."

Zu'an remembered that even Qiu Honglei had left, meaning important figures had probably withdrawn in advance. Naturally, Sang Hong wouldn't find anything.

"So, what do you plan to do, madam?" Zu'an asked.

Qin Wanru replied, "Initially, I was hesitant, but in the past two days, I've already mentioned the salt permits to Sang Hong through proper channels. That way, the crime Zhongtian was accused of no longer exists, and he'll naturally be released without charges. As for Sang Hong, though he might be suspicious, he should understand that our Chu family has no connection to the Black Market."

"Will it really go that smoothly...?" Zu'an felt a touch of worry, but he understood Qin Wanru's desire to rescue Chu Zhongtian quickly and spare him the hardship of imprisonment.

Next, Qin Wanru went to gather her trusted confidantes to discuss the specifics of rescuing Chu Zhongtian.

Zu'an was also concerned about Zheng Dan. Since it was inconvenient for him to go to the Zheng family residence, he went to the academy, hoping Zheng Dan would be there.

Upon arriving at the academy, he saw a group of people gathered around Zheng Dan in the distance, seemingly congratulating her. The two maids behind her were already laden with gifts.

"Thank you, everyone. I didn't expect to receive so many gifts," Zheng Dan said with a radiant smile, showing no hint of anything unusual in her expression.

"Student Zheng," Zu'an couldn't help but call out.

Zheng Dan turned and saw him, giving a slight smile. "Student Zu, this is probably my last time at the academy before I get married. You won't mind if I don't call you 'teacher,' will you?"

Zu'an couldn't help but say, "You seem quite happy?"

"I'm getting married soon, why wouldn't I be happy?" Zheng Dan replied with a strange look.

Zu'an was speechless.

With so many people watching, he couldn't reveal anything. "Then congratulations, Miss Zheng."

Zheng Dan extended a hand like white jade. "No sincerity at all? Didn't you prepare a wedding gift?"

Zu'an was speechless again.

"I came in a hurry, so I haven't had time to prepare one."

Zheng Dan smiled slightly. "It's fine, I was being impolite."

The people around couldn't help but admire her graciousness, while simultaneously despising Zu'an's stinginess.

Zu'an was frustrated, but with so many people around, there was much he couldn't say. He just pretended to leave.

Zheng Dan continued to bid farewell to other students, finally leaving the academy gates with a large pile of gifts.

Near the academy gate, she told her two maids to go ahead and organize her things. "I forgot to take care of something. Wait for me outside."

"Yes, Miss~" The two maids bowed and hurried out, carrying various gift boxes.

Zheng Dan, however, turned and walked down a shaded path nearby, soon arriving at a secluded, deserted spot.

"Oh, how did you know I'd be waiting for you here?" Zu'an emerged from behind a tree.

Zheng Dan snorted, "I'm at least a fifth-rank cultivator, you know. Besides, you kept winking at me earlier."

"I thought you weren't going to come see me," Zu'an said, unable to resist.

"There were so many people just now; what could I do?" Zheng Dan sighed.

"Are you really happy about getting married?" Zu'an asked, looking at her.

"What, are you jealous?" Zheng Dan smiled, pressing her lips together.

Zu'an felt a surge of anger. He grabbed her, pulled her over, placed her across his lap, and spanked her twice.

"Mm~" A sweet, lingering moan escaped Zheng Dan's throat, and her eyes immediately became watery. "Not here. It'll be trouble if someone sees us. Let's go to your dorm."

Zu'an's heart skipped a beat. This woman truly possessed a natural charm.

But he remembered the important matter. As they walked, he composed himself and asked, "How serious is Sang Qian's injury that he needs an early wedding for good fortune?"

A hint of worry appeared between Zheng Dan's brows. "It's not optimistic at all. I might become a widow right after entering the family."

"Isn't the Sang family openly pushing you into a pit of fire?" Zu'an immediately grew anxious. "Is the Zheng family just going to stand by and do nothing?"

"The Zheng family?" Zheng Dan gave a self-deprecating laugh. "I'm merely a pawn in an alliance between two families. They need to use my connection to attach themselves to the Sang family. As for whether the man I marry is tall or short, fat or thin, or even alive or dead—they don't care. Their biggest worry is that Sang Qian won't last until the wedding ceremony."

"Just like those classmates who gave me gifts earlier—their words were flowery, but in reality, they're probably mocking and pitying me in their hearts."

Seeing her downcast expression, Zu'an felt a rush of warmth and blurted out, "Why don't you just not marry him? I'll take you away."

Zheng Dan looked at him, somewhat surprised, her gaze softening even more. "What, have you developed feelings for me?"

Zu'an frowned. "You don't need to deliberately put yourself down like that. I don't believe you have no feelings in your heart."

Zheng Dan's face flushed slightly. "Regardless, your concern makes all my reckless efforts worthwhile... But I've grown up in the Zheng family since childhood, enjoying their lavish life and various cultivation resources. I can't just run away when it's time for me to contribute. I can't do such a thing."

Zu'an started to speak, then stopped. They had discussed this issue many times before, and he knew further words would be useless.

Zheng Dan took his hand, her face full of smiles. "I'm getting married; give me a gift to remember you by."

Zu'an looked annoyed. "You're marrying another man; why would I be so kind as to give you a gift?"

"No, this is a gift you'll definitely want to give," Zheng Dan said, noticing they were near the dormitories. She stood on her tiptoes and whispered into his ear, her breath like orchids, "Give me a child."

Zu'an's heart pounded. How could he resist? He pulled her directly into the room.

Perhaps it was the thought that this might be their last time, or the realization that there was no future for them, but they were more passionate than ever, entwined in each other's arms in the room until exhaustion.

***

Meanwhile, at the Sang residence, Sang Hong was meeting a man in a green robe in his study. The man respectfully asked, "How is the young master?"

"Whether he can survive this ordeal depends on his fate," Sang Hong said, looking much older than before.

The man in green said, "The young master is a fortunate man, Heaven will bless him. He will surely be fine."

Sang Hong was clearly numb to such pleasantries and waved his hand impatiently. "I called you here to discuss the Chu family matter. Qin Wanru has somehow acquired a batch of legitimate salt permits. I can only detain Chu Zhongtian for a few more days at most. Therefore, you must gain control of the Chu family before then."

The man in green said gravely, "That won't be easy."

"That's your problem," Sang Hong sneered. "You've been planning for so many years; I don't believe you have no preparations. Don't worry, I'll provide you with any help you need. This is the best and last chance; miss it, and there won't be another."

The man in green's expression flickered between shadow and light. After a long moment, he made up his mind and emphatically uttered a single word: "Good!"

---I had something to do today, so this is the only update. I'll make up for it tomorrow.