Chapter 425: Vulnerability

The speakers were elder figures from various branches of the Chu family. Though not particularly capable, they held high seniority and were typically maintained in various sinecures within the Chu family's enterprises.

"Indeed, there hasn't been a day of peace in this household since Zu An arrived."

"The patriarch's decision to accept him as a son-in-law was far too rash."

…

Hearing the chorus of accusations and curses against Zu An, Qin Wanru's brows furrowed deeply. She stood up and retorted sternly, "If not for Ah Zu, our Chu family would have been annihilated long ago. Where would you all be to complain now?"

Someone mumbled, "Aren't we still facing destruction anyway? In comparison, it might have been better to let Second Master Chu succeed; after all, he's also a member of the Chu family."

Qin Wanru was enraged. "What did you say?!"

Just then, Chu Yuepo from the third branch quickly stepped forward to mediate. "Everyone here is for the Chu family's sake. The most urgent task right now is to figure out how to resolve our current predicament, not to engage in internal conflict."

Qin Wanru huffily sat back down. Unfortunately, the group discussed for a long time but failed to come up with any viable solutions.

Just as everyone was falling into despair, Chu Yuepo stood up and said, "Actually, I do have a solution, but I'm not sure if I should voice it."

Chu Zhongtian retorted impatiently, "What time is it, and you're still playing coy? Speak quickly!"

"The main reason is that saying it might upset the Mistress of the household," Chu Yuepo said with a hesitant expression.

The others immediately grew impatient. "Third Brother, when did you become so indecisive?"

Qin Wanru also huffed, "As long as it can help the Chu family escape this predicament, why would we get angry?"

Only then did Chu Yuepo say, "I previously noticed a loophole in that imperial decree. We can do this and that..."

Upon hearing the full plan, Qin Wanru immediately stood up. "No, I don't agree!"

Chu Zhongtian, who was beside her, also spoke, "That's right. Ah Zu has rendered great service to our Chu family; how can we treat him like this?"

Chu Yuepo sighed, "I know this might seem unreasonable, but the Chu family is facing a life-or-death situation right now. Master and Madam, as the heads of the family, you cannot let emotions cloud your judgment."

The others also chimed in agreement. Chu Zhongtian's expression shifted between conflicted emotions. Finally, he raised his hand to stop them from continuing the discussion. "No," he declared. "The fundamental principle of our Chu family's Red Robe Army is to never abandon anyone. If we do something like this now, it would dishearten our soldiers and undermine the Chu family's reputation, built over hundreds of years. In that case, the Chu family would still not endure for long."

"My husband~" Qin Wanru, standing beside him, looked at him with deep emotion. She had fallen in love with him years ago precisely because of his integrity, and she never imagined that after so many years, he would still be like his youthful self.

The others exchanged glances. Seeing that he spoke with such gravity, they were momentarily at a loss for how to persuade him.

It was Chu Yuepo whose mind worked quickly. He immediately said, "Master and Madam, you've misunderstood. What we're doing appears to be abandoning Zu An, but in reality, we're saving him."

Chu Zhongtian frowned. "What do you mean by that?"

Chu Yuepo explained, "Master, think about it: why, after thoroughly searching the entire Chu family and not finding Zu An, do they still demand that we hand him over within three days?"

"This..." Chu Zhongtian fell into deep thought, while Qin Wanru, standing by, also looked pensive.

Chu Yuepo continued, "That's because, on the surface, they are forcing us to hand over Zu An, but in reality, they are telling Zu An, who is hiding, that they are using us as a threat to compel him to reveal himself voluntarily."

Chu Zhongtian and Qin Wanru were startled. They weren't foolish people; it was just that their concern had previously clouded their judgment. Now, with this reminder, they immediately realized that it was indeed the case.

The two discussed it for a while, then Qin Wanru spoke first. "Alright, we'll do as you say!"

Three days quickly passed. All factions in Brightmoon City gathered near the Chu family estate, curious to see how the matter would conclude.

Even many common people rushed to witness the spectacle after hearing the news. Although the Chu family generally had a decent reputation, for most ordinary folk, if someone more powerful or wealthier than them suffered misfortune, they would often clap in glee. Few would delve into the true story behind it, and of course, with their limited capabilities, they couldn't possibly know the actual situation.

Zu An, meanwhile, put on a mask he had obtained from Chen Xuan and blended into the crowd, disguised as one of them.

Not long after, King Liang and Liu Yao returned to the Chu family estate with a large group of fierce, wolf-like subordinates. People beside them brought over a table with an incense burner placed upon it.

King Liang cleared his throat and then spoke, "When this stick of incense burns out, the three days will be up. If you still don't hand over Zu An, are you planning to face annihilation?"

With his grandmaster cultivation, although he didn't deliberately raise his voice, it was still loud enough for everyone in the noisy surroundings to hear his words clearly.

He had been very displeased these past few days, mainly because he had eagerly rushed to the Immortal's Abode for its courtesan, Qiu Honglei, only to find upon arrival that the beauty had already departed.

Although the other girls at the Immortal's Abode were also of good quality, not seeing the renowned beauty he had longed for still left him quite displeased.

Although he was already old and somewhat useless, he still had his hands and mouth, so his anger was unhindered.

Zu An frowned, genuinely unwilling to implicate the Chu family.

Just then, Chu Zhongtian said, "Since everyone is here today, I have something to announce."

Everyone was stunned, not understanding what matter could be so important that he would choose this moment to announce it.

King Liang sneered, "Now that things have come to this, I'm truly curious to see what tricks you plan to pull."

Ignoring King Liang, Chu Zhongtian stood on the high platform and announced loudly, "Zu An, the Chu family's live-in son-in-law, failed to cherish my daughter after marrying her. Instead, he constantly philandered outside and later even became intimately involved with women from pleasure quarters. He even attempted to take the courtesan of the Immortal's Abode as a concubine, leading her to cause a major scene at our mansion. This is truly a grave lack of husbandly virtue. Furthermore, his everyday conduct is morally deficient. Therefore, after our deliberation, we have formally issued a letter of divorce to sever his marriage with my daughter. From this day forward, he is no longer a member of the Chu family and has no relation to us whatsoever!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire audience erupted in an uproar. The ordinary commoners, in particular, were more interested in the scandalous news involving Zu An and the courtesan from the Immortal's Abode.

Many people already knew about the affair between Qiu Honglei of the Immortal's Abode and Zu An, but they hadn't expected it to progress to the point of marriage discussions, nor that Qiu Honglei would actively go to the Chu mansion to cause trouble.

Tsk, tsk, tsk. This guy truly has his eyes on the pot while eating from his bowl; not content with the fairy-like Young Mistress Chu, he even managed to hook up with Qiu Honglei.

Previously, everyone was merely indignant, but after hearing too many similar reports lately and becoming numb to them, everyone had begun to wonder what special qualities he possessed that made so many stunning beauties so devoted to him.

King Liang's eyelids twitched. He hadn't expected that the woman he had yearned for day and night but never obtained would actually proactively throw herself into Zu An's arms!

A mere country bumpkin dared to steal the first prize from a king like me! This is utterly preposterous!

Rage points from King Liang +999!

Seeing the rage point notification in the background, Zu An's brows slightly furrowed. Had he provoked King Liang somehow?

However, he didn't have time to concern himself with this matter now. Instead, he stared blankly at Chu Zhongtian.

He hadn't expected that after risking his life to return, this would be the outcome. For any other matter, perhaps he might have jokingly said things like "I've served the Chu family, I've bled for the Chu family," but now, he couldn't muster any feelings at all.

Ever since he transmigrated to this unfamiliar world, he had almost immediately been staying at the Chu mansion. Although many people there were quite unfriendly towards him, at least there were Chuyan and Huanzhao, and Chu Zhongtian and Madam Chu had always been kind to him. He had gradually come to consider the Chu family his own home.

He had returned this time to rescue the Chu family, only to find such an outcome awaiting him.

Just then, a gentle voice reached his ear: "Ah Zu, don't show yourself. They are deliberately using us as a threat to force you to come out."

Zu An was startled. He looked in the direction of the voice and saw Qin Wanru not far away, winking at him.

He was momentarily stunned, then suddenly realized. The mask he chose today was the one he wore when he last disguised himself with her. No wonder she recognized him.

A warmth spread through him as he thought of this, and he then understood that their letter of divorce was for this very reason.

At this moment, King Liang was furious. "Ridiculous! You think you can escape through such a trick? Do you take us all for fools?"

Then Chu Zhongtian calmly said, "Reporting to Your Highness, if I recall correctly, the imperial decree at the time stated that we were to hand over our son-in-law, Zu An. It did not say we were to hand over Zu An, the person. Now that Zu An is no longer our Chu family's son-in-law, he is naturally not bound by this imperial decree."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone was dumbfounded. Even Xie Yi couldn't help but glance at him several times. Was this still the straightforward, bushy-browed man they knew?

Chu Zhongtian continued, "It would still trouble Your Highness to painstakingly find that fellow. Speaking of which, our Chu family hates his guts. You must know that our kindness to him was as vast as a mountain, yet he not only betrayed my daughter but even harbored impure thoughts towards our second daughter! Little Zhao is still so young! He's truly a scoundrel."

Zu An: "..."