Chapter 403: Collision

Zu'an was startled. He was about to reprimand whichever student was being so impolite, but instead, he saw a cold and beautiful face.

"Principal... Principal Jiang?"

At that moment, many students in the classroom also recognized her, and the room immediately erupted. Some boys even excitedly whistled:

"Woah, we only get to see the principal on campus occasionally, but today we can see her this close!"

"Those legs are amazing. If I could just be held by those legs, I'd die happy."

"Look at you, you pervert. I'm different. I only want Principal Jiang herself."

"Damn it, you're the real pervert!"

...

Zu'an's face darkened as he listened. These guys were far too bold. They thought they were speaking softly, but even he could hear them. How could they possibly hide it from Jiang Luofu?

To his surprise, Jiang Luofu didn't even glance at them. She simply entered and said coldly, "This class is now self-study. Teacher Zu, come with me."

As soon as she finished speaking, she pulled Zu'an out without another word.

The classroom erupted even further:

"Wow, Teacher Zu actually managed to win over Principal Jiang? He's truly a role model for us."

"He's only been here for how long, and it seems like every woman on the school's beauty list is involved with him? What special quality does he have? I don't think I'm bad either."

"Hehehe, you're way off. According to those who returned from the secret realm last time, Teacher Zu really does have an unusual 'strength'..."

The girls nearby, who had initially been scoffing at the boys' collective lewdness, immediately perked up their ears when they heard this.

"Really?" they whispered. After hearing it clearly, they all gasped in shock, covering their mouths. Their faces flushed crimson with embarrassment.

After Jiang Luofu pulled Zu'an out of the classroom, feeling the soft, smooth skin of her hand, he couldn't help but say, "Beautiful Principal, you didn't have to be so hasty. You just needed to say the word, and I would have gladly come to your service. Doing this in front of the entire class, the rumors won't be good. After all, I am still a married man."

Jiang Luofu: "..."

"When will you stop spouting such nonsense?" she retorted. "The Chu family is in trouble, and you're still joking around."

Zu'an's smile froze on his face. "The Chu family is in trouble? What happened?"

Hadn't the previous unrest just been quelled? Even Chu Zhongtian had returned. What else could possibly go wrong?

Jiang Luofu's expression turned grave. "Earlier today, General Wei Liu Yao led a group of imperial guards into the city and went straight to the Chu family residence. It seems they're investigating something about deficits in the Salt Transport Bureau and allegations of bribery involving the Chu family..."

She briefly explained Liu Yao's identity and power, as well as the significance of the cavalry wearing bright yellow armor.

Zu'an's expression changed several times as he listened. He suddenly realized this must be Sang Hong's scheme!

Jiang Luofu continued, "They are currently arresting members of the Chu family everywhere. I imagine it won't be long before they come looking here. So, you should hide for now, and take Second Miss Chu with you."

"Okay, thank you, Principal!" Zu'an said solemnly.

"Don't mention it, we're friends after all," Jiang Luofu said. "Besides, the Chu family has always had a good relationship with the academy. Although my position often prevents me from directly stepping in to help, I can still do what's within my power. Oh, and do you have a place to hide right now?"

Zu'an hesitated. "I'm afraid I can only temporarily hide in Dragon's Concealment Mountain."

The Giant Whale Gang's base would actually be a good place; it's hidden enough. Or the red dragon's cave would also work. But if I hide in the mountains, I probably won't be able to keep up with developments in the city...

At this moment, Jiang Luofu said, "There are many inconveniences in the mountains. Why not continue to stay in the teacher's dormitory then?"

Zu'an hesitated. "Wouldn't that cause trouble for the academy?"

"Don't worry, the academy's status has always been quite detached," Jiang Luofu said. "Even if Liu Yao is a General Wei, he wouldn't dare trespass. Of course, you and Xiao Zhao shouldn't go out casually or give others reason to talk. Otherwise, it would be difficult for me to brush it off."

"Then thank you, beautiful Principal." Zu'an didn't politely refuse. He genuinely needed a safe place to hide right now; if it were just him, it would be fine, but the crucial thing was Chu Huanzhao.

Soon, he went to the Xuan-class and called Chu Huanzhao out. When she heard about the Chu family's trouble, she turned pale with fright, insisting on going back to see for herself.

"Xiao Zhao, don't be impulsive," Zu'an said gravely. "Everyone in the Chu family has been arrested. If you go back, you'll simply be handing yourself over; it's meaningless."

"But are we just going to live like this, hiding alone?" Chu Huanzhao said, looking up. "I'd rather face the Chu family's crisis with my parents."

Zu'an was taken aback. He hadn't expected this girl, who was usually so boisterous, to be so resolute deep down. "Don't worry for now," he said. "I'll go out and try to find a solution."

Chu Huanzhao's worries turned into joy. She hugged his arm and shook it, exclaiming, "Brother-in-law, you're the most capable! If you go, there definitely won't be a problem!"

Zu'an inwardly smiled bitterly. He wondered where this girl got her confidence, considering he himself had no clear plan.

After settling her in the teacher's dormitory and giving her some instructions, Zu'an quickly headed towards the Tian-class. He wanted to find Zheng Dan; this whole situation must have been orchestrated by Sang Hong, and he needed to confirm whether Zheng Dan knew about it.

To his surprise, Zheng Dan was nowhere to be found in the Tian-class. Instead, a chorus of jeers erupted.

Wu Qing's voice was the most grating: "I say, Teacher Zu, you can't just keep coming to find Miss Zheng on various pretexts just because she's pretty. It's not good for a young lady's reputation."

Pan Long and Fu Feng nearby quickly chimed in: "That's right, that's right. You're a married man now; you should uphold your marital duties."

"Miss Zheng is getting married tomorrow," another student added. "What kind of attitude is it for you to seek her out now?"

...

It was only then that Zu'an remembered Zheng Dan hadn't been coming to the academy for days. He had no time to deal with these noisy individuals and hurried out.

He deliberately showed his face at the academy gate, pretending to have left the academy. This way, Jiang Luofu would have an explanation later.

He made his way to the Zheng family's gate. There, he saw the Zheng residence adorned with lanterns and festive decorations everywhere. The large red characters for "囍" (double happiness) now seemed incredibly jarring to his eyes.

He let out a cold snort and walked directly towards the main gate.

Knowing his purpose, the gatekeeper stopped him. "The young mistress is getting married tomorrow," he said, "she won't be seeing any outside men at this time."

Zu'an's face was as calm as water. "I came here once before, you should remember," he said. "Tell her I'm here, and she'll see me."

"Well..." The man did remember. This person seemed to have a significant connection with his young mistress.

Zu'an directly slipped a silver ingot into his hand. The gatekeeper's face immediately broke into a wide grin. "Young Master, please wait," he said, "I'll inform her right away."

Soon, someone invited him in. Seeing the familiar Zhuluo Tower, Zu'an felt a momentary daze.

"A'Zu, why are you here?" Zheng Dan dismissed the maids and old women around her and looked at him with some surprise.

Zheng Dan was currently dressed in a vibrant red wedding gown, clearly trying on her attire for tomorrow.

Enhanced by the beautiful wedding gown, she was truly as radiant as a peach and plum blossom, stunningly beautiful. However, her eyes were a little red, clearly indicating she had cried recently.

"You look very beautiful today." Despite arriving with anger, a hint of amazement flashed in Zu'an's eyes.

Zheng Dan pursed her lips. Her eyes suddenly reddened. "I have some regrets," she said. "Why don't you take me away, let's elope."

Zu'an sighed. "I'm afraid we can't leave."

"What's wrong?" Noticing his distressed expression, Zheng Dan quickly asked.

Zu'an then recounted what had happened to the Chu family. Finally, he looked at her deeply and asked, "Sang Hong lied to me. Were you involved in this?"

Zheng Dan bit her lip until it was almost bleeding. "If you don't believe me," she declared, "I'll take you to confront the Sang family right now!"

With that, she pulled him and started walking out.

Just then, Zheng Yutang, the head of the Zheng family, blocked the doorway. "Dan'er, what are you doing?"

As he spoke, his eyes fell on their tightly clasped hands. His brows immediately furrowed.

"Father, I need to go to the Sang family residence for something," Zheng Dan said gravely.

"Nonsense!" Zheng Yutang immediately became angry. "You're getting married to Sang Qian tomorrow! It's unheard of to visit your future husband's family at this time; it's inauspicious!"

"I don't care," Zheng Dan said through clenched teeth. "I must go to the Sang family today!"

"No, you're not going anywhere today!" Zheng Yutang snapped. "Dan'er, you've always been obedient since childhood. What's wrong today?" He looked at Zu'an. "Could it be that this fellow has bewitched you?"

He had only known that his daughter was deliberately approaching him to get back the 7.5 million IOU. Now, however, it seemed their pretense had turned real.

This damned Zu'an, does he specifically target young ladies from prominent families?

Rage points from Zheng Yutang +432!

"It has nothing to do with him..." Zheng Dan quickly explained.

Zu'an interrupted. "It's fine, I believe what Miss Zheng said. I have other important matters to attend to, so I won't disturb you any further."

With that, he hurried out.

Zheng Dan quickly tried to follow him, but was stopped by her father. He said with a gloomy face, "Dan'er, shouldn't you tell me what's really going on?"

After leaving the Zheng residence, he completely calmed down. Confronting Sang Hong now would be pointless; he might even walk into a trap. The most urgent task was to figure out a way to rescue the Chu family.

Suddenly, an idea struck him. He quickly took out his audiovisual mirror and began to call Chu Chuyan.