Chapter 399: You Should Call Me Uncle

Zu An chuckled, "There's a way you won't mess up your clothes or your hair."

Zheng Dan's heart fluttered. She gave him a sidelong glance, her eyes full of charm, but still moved closer.

---

Upon arriving at the Sang residence, Sang Hong was already waiting by the entrance. With his only son's life hanging in the balance, he disregarded his status, knowing he had to show utmost respect.

"It's quite an honor to have Governor Sang greet us personally," Zu An said, looking at the thin, middle-aged man with a goatee. He thought, *This guy looks refined, but he's actually like a poisonous snake.*

"Today, let's forget about official titles and just relax as if it were a family gathering," Sang Hong chuckled. "Indeed, a hero emerges from the youth. Duke Mingyue has found himself an excellent son-in-law."

Rage points from Sang Hong +444!

His various plans against the Chu clan were meticulously crafted, considering every factor, and he was absolutely confident. Yet, this "demon" appeared, causing almost every one of his plans to fail. Seeing the rage points he received in the background, and then noticing Sang Hong's beaming smile, Zu An cursed inwardly, *What a duplicitous old fox!*

So he also said with a grin, "Governor Sang has also found a wonderful daughter-in-law. Miss Zheng is truly remarkable."

Sang Hong paused, unsure why Zu An would use such peculiar words to describe Zheng Dan. Zheng Dan, standing nearby, blushed. She cursed Zu An internally. Knowing her future father-in-law was always meticulous, and fearing he might suspect something, she quickly curtsied: "Greetings, Uncle."

Sang Hong made a gesture as if to help her up from a distance. "Dan'er, you look exceptionally well today." Zheng Dan's complexion was indeed much rosier and more radiant than usual, likely due to her joy at the thought of Qian'er being saved. Zheng Dan bit her lip, not daring to say anything more, lest she reveal any flaws.

Zu An, unaccustomed to playing mind games with the old fox, said directly, "Governor Sang, let's not waste any more time. When can you release my father-in-law?"

Sang Hong smiled slightly. "Young man, you are indeed straightforward. Let's get straight to the point then. In fact, Duke Mingyue was released the moment you stepped through the gates of the Sang residence."

Zu An's eyes lit up. "Governor Sang is truly a man of his word. Since my father-in-law has been released, I should take my leave and go see him." He finished, turning to depart.

Sang Hong: "..."

*This fellow doesn't play by the rules.*

Rage points from Sang Hong +512!

He said coldly, "The journey from the provincial capital to Mingyue City is long, and the road isn't exactly peaceful."

Zu An immediately turned back. "I was just joking with Governor Sang, trying to lighten the mood. Since I'm here, how could I not go see Brother Sang?"

Zheng Dan, standing by, pursed her lips and secretly chuckled. *This guy is truly a rogue.* Given her upbringing and education, she had always detested such rogues. Yet, after several of his roguish acts towards her, she found herself gradually growing fond of the feeling.

Sang Hong said with a forced smile, "Thank you, young man."

Zu An followed him to a bedroom, and as soon as he entered, he was met with a strong smell of medicine. Sang Qian lay on the bed, no longer exhibiting his former vigor. He appeared emaciated, and with medicine applied all over his body, he looked even more haggard, as if he had aged ten years.

Sang Hong sighed. "I've exhausted every method, and I can only keep him barely alive. If you can save him, besides releasing Duke Mingyue, I promise never to act against the Chu clan again. Furthermore, you will gain my friendship. Feel free to ask for anything you desire."

Zu An thought, *I want your future daughter-in-law, can you agree to that?* He barely managed to suppress that suicidal impulse, and with a light cough, said, "I haven't thought of anything I want yet."

Sang Hong smiled slightly. "No matter, this condition will always be valid. As long as it's within my power, I will not refuse."

Zu An said with a half-smile, "To be honest, I'm a little worried Governor Sang might go back on his word later."

"That's easy," Sang Hong said, clearly having anticipated this concern. "I can swear an oath. I presume you understand the power of an oath in this world."

Zu An was taken aback, not expecting Sang Hong to actually dare to swear an oath. Seeing no objection, Sang Hong solemnly repeated his previous words as an oath. Only then did Zu An completely relax. "Governor Sang, there's no need for that. How could I ever doubt you, hahaha."

Sang Hong cursed inwardly, *Then why didn't you stop me when I was swearing just now? What a cunning little fox!* He snorted inwardly, but his expression remained impassive. "Please, young man."

Zu An couldn't be bothered to go closer. He simply pulled out a bottle of red liquid and tossed it into Sang Hong's hand. "Give him this to drink. It should save his life."

Receiving the bottle of red medicine, Sang Hong's breathing quickened; after all, his son's life depended on this. He gestured to the doctor standing nearby and handed him the bottle. The doctor took the bottle and was about to pour out a drop to test its properties when Zu An quickly stopped him. "Don't say I didn't warn you: this medicine is incredibly precious. It must all be consumed to be effective. If even a single drop is missing and he can't be saved, well..."

The doctor's hand trembled. How could he dare to test the medicine? If the young master couldn't be saved later and the Governor blamed him, he'd be finished. Sang Hong's brows furrowed, clearly weighing his options. Suspicious by nature, he still asked, "I just swore an oath to put your mind at ease. Could you perhaps do the same?"

Zu An sneered. "Your conditions can't be fulfilled immediately, so of course an oath is necessary. Mine will show results instantly, so why bother? If he can't be saved, you can just come find me for an accounting."

Sang Hong considered this. *Indeed, if he can't be saved, I'll flay this fellow alive immediately.* So he personally went over, took the medicine bottle, helped his son sit up, and fed the medicine into his mouth little by little. Under his precise control of vital energy, not a single drop was wasted. However, he didn't notice a faint tinge of green mixed with the red liquid in the bottle also being fed to his son.

After administering the medicine, he watched his son nervously, and even Zheng Dan on the side stood on tiptoe to look. At this moment, her heart was conflicted: she worried that Sang Hong would kill Zu An if Sang Qian didn't recover, but also worried about what their impending marriage would mean if Sang Qian *did* recover.

After a while, a flush of color spread across Sang Qian's face, and then his entire complexion visibly improved.

"A divine medicine, truly a divine medicine!" the doctor nearby exclaimed, dumbfounded.

Sang Hong was also very excited, his hands trembling slightly inside his sleeves. "Qian'er, Qian'er?"

After a moment, Sang Qian slowly opened his eyes. "Father!" Evidently, he had retained some awareness of his surroundings even while severely injured, though he couldn't fully wake up. After calling out, he suddenly felt he could move and instinctively climbed out of bed, startling the doctor nearby whose eyes almost popped out. The doctor knew very well that Sang Qian's life force could extinguish at any moment. Yet, now he looked no different from a normal person, just slightly weaker.

Sang Hong quickly asked, "Doctor, how is Qian'er's condition now?"

The doctor took Sang Qian's pulse, and after a moment, smiled and said, "Congratulations, Governor. The young master is out of danger. He will make a full recovery after a few days of rest."

"Good, good!" Sang Hong was immensely agitated and quickly turned to Zu An. "Thank you, young man!"

"It's you?" Sang Qian saw him and felt a surge of displeasure.

"Your father calls me 'young man,' so you should call me 'uncle'," Zu An said, picking at his ear with a slight look of displeasure.

Sang Qian: "..."Sang Hong: "..."Zheng Dan: "..."

Watching the continuous stream of rage points accumulating in the background, Zu An's face was practically splitting into a grin.

"You brat, what did you say!" Sang Qian already had a strained relationship with Zu An, and now, provoked, he was so angry he wanted to lunge at him.

Zu An sighed. "Is that how you speak to your savior?"

Sang Hong quickly intervened. "Qian'er, don't be rude! Quickly thank Young Master Zu. He saved your life, after all." He worried about a relapse in Sang Qian's condition later, so he dared not thoroughly offend Zu An at this moment.

Sang Qian grumbled, "Father!"

Sang Hong gave him a meaningful look. "Obey!"

Sang Qian then reluctantly cupped his hands in greeting to Zu An. "Thank you."

Zu An deliberately leaned his ear closer. "Thank me for what?"

Sang Qian: "..."

*How can this guy be so despicable?*

Rage points from Sang Qian +444!

Sang Hong also grew somewhat displeased. "Young Master Zu, Qian'er has just recovered from a serious illness and needs rest. Please don't provoke him further."

Zu An also worried that staying longer might result in being torn apart by the enraged Sang Qian and his father, so he simply stood up to take his leave. "Since things here are settled, I'll be going now."

Sang Hong nodded. "Dan'er, please see Young Master Zu out." He dared not call Zu An "young man" anymore, lest the rogue cause more trouble.

Zheng Dan rose and bowed with a smile. "Very well."

"Miss Zheng is so beautiful; to be escorted by such a beauty, I couldn't ask for more," Zu An said, his eyes openly ogling her, while simultaneously casting a triumphant glance at Sang Qian.

Sang Qian: "..."

*Why does this guy's gaze seem so ominous? It's like he's implying I'm being cuckolded.*

Zheng Dan was so unnerved by his gaze, fearing that the father and son nearby would notice any hint of their secret. Only Zu An had them figured out; the more he acted this way, the less those two would suspect, all while contributing to another wave of rage points.

Watching the two leave, Sang Qian's breathing quickened as he recalled Zheng Dan's graceful appearance just moments ago. He couldn't shake the feeling that his fiancée was far more alluring and charming than before. He swallowed, saying with some displeasure, "Father, why did you let Dan-dan see that guy out?" The thought of his beautiful fiancée seeing another man out made him extremely annoyed.

"It was merely to have Dan'er ensure he left; I don't trust anyone else," Sang Hong replied. "There are some things I need to discuss with you."