Chapter 56: Lower-Class Horse

Chu Chuyan’s face flushed slightly. Over the years, many had praised her beauty, but always behind her back or in very subtle ways when speaking directly. Unlike this man, whose straightforward enthusiasm made her feel quite uncomfortable.

Madam Chu, sitting on the side, frowned. This glib man, the more she looked at him, the more she disliked him.

Chu Zhongtian, sitting nearby, cleared his throat and reminded them, “One should not speak while eating or sleeping.”

Seeing an opportunity to retreat gracefully, Zu An stopped talking. The group ate in silence, finishing their meal quickly. Afterward, servants brought saltwater for rinsing and cleared away the dishes and chopsticks.

Zu An felt a bit strange. Previously, his meals had always been brought to his room. Today, however, he had been called to join them at the main table. Could it be that he, the live-in son-in-law, was finally gaining their approval and acceptance?

As he pondered this, Chu Zhongtian spoke, “Chuyan, how was your trip to Luling?”

Zu An was taken aback. It seemed they were about to discuss serious matters. Were they really including him in this conversation? Did they truly no longer consider him an outsider?

Chu Chuyan replied, “I investigated the matter. The batch of goods that was intercepted earlier was likely taken by the Black Wind Fortress bandits. Unfortunately, I led a sweep of their area, but they had vanished as if into thin air. There was no trace of them.”

“Black Wind Fortress?” Zu An was startled. He recalled that the last time he rescued Yu Yanluo in the valley outside the city, it was also the Black Wind Fortress bandits involved. He scoffed, getting irritated at the thought. That woman, Yu Yanluo, had simply left after giving him an empty promise. Was it true that the prettier a woman was, the more deceitful she tended to be?

Chu Zhongtian sighed. “That’s typical of the Black Wind Fortress bandits. They come and go like the wind. The moment our main forces arrive, they retreat into Dragon Concealment Mountain. We can’t possibly send a large escort every time we transport goods. It’s a real headache.”

He paused, then continued, “I heard they ambushed the Yu family’s convoy a few days ago, and many people died. I wonder if there’s an opportunity to join forces with the Yu family to thoroughly deal with the Black Wind Fortress, this persistent scourge.”

“I think you’re just pining after Yu Yanluo,” Madam Chu snorted. “The Yu family has plenty of their own problems right now. How could she possibly have the energy to deal with the Black Wind Fortress?”

Chu Zhongtian’s old face flushed. He quickly tugged at his wife’s sleeve. “It’s not what you think. Besides, the children are here…”

Madam Chu simply turned her head away, completely ignoring him.

Zu An’s face showed a knowing smile. So, it turned out that Master Chu had also pursued Yu Yanluo back in the day. It was no wonder; that woman was indeed unbelievably beautiful.

Chu Chuyan cleared her throat, stepping in to alleviate her father’s embarrassment. “Our family’s weapon forge business is facing some trouble now. The spiritual spring was polluted earlier, so the weapons we produce have lost their greatest advantage. The Yuan family seems to have recently found a formidable rune master. Their weapons are no worse in quality than ours, and they sell them for less, already capturing a significant portion of our market. If this continues, our foundation might be shaken.”

Zu An’s heart stirred upon hearing this. A rune master. He recalled seeing intricate patterns glowing with a faint blue light on Chu Chuyan’s and Yu Yanluo’s carriages. These must have been the work of the rune masters she spoke of, capable of adding many auxiliary functions. Weapons engraved with such runes would naturally be more powerful than ordinary ones.

The terrible school he attended only taught etiquette and laws every day. If they taught more of this kind of knowledge, he wouldn’t find it so boring.

In reality, he had misunderstood Brightmoon Academy. As the best school in the surrounding prefectures, its teachers for these subjects were top-notch. It was just that because he was in the “Yellow” class, such lessons were rare for him.

In any case, they had little talent for cultivation, so attending such classes would be a waste of time. Perhaps they had one or two cultivation lessons a week, just to give them some general knowledge.

In contrast, other classes, especially the “Heaven” class, primarily focused on cultivation, with very few etiquette or law-related courses.

“Where did the Yuan family find a rune master?” Madam Chu frowned. “Do they have such a background?”

Chu Chuyan replied, “They don’t, but the Wu family from the neighboring prefecture does. Their patriarch is also a duke, and they have always coveted our Chu family’s market share. I’ve also confirmed that the Wu family is secretly backing the Yuan family this time. Otherwise, they wouldn’t dare to be so blatant.”

“That’s right, that Yuan fellow at school today was so arrogant!” Chu Huanzhao, who had been anxiously waiting for a chance to speak, finally chimed in. “He even told brother-in-law that he was going to teach him a good lesson in the family competition!” Now that there was something she knew about, she eagerly jumped in to make her presence known.

“This Yuan family is simply going too far!” Madam Chu slammed the table, furious. “Even a servant or a dog of our Chu family shouldn’t be bullied by them! Let’s go, we’ll pay the Yuan family a visit and have a word with them!”

Zu An gave her a pointed look, signaling that he felt offended.

“Madam, calm down, please calm down,” Chu Zhongtian quickly pulled her back. “The new Prefect, Sang Hong, has just taken office, and he’s looking for excuses to deal with us. At this stage, a little impatience can ruin a great plan.”

Zu An’s eyebrows twitched upon hearing this. It seemed the Chu family’s prestige was only superficial, and they faced many underlying crises.

While calming his wife, Chu Zhongtian turned to Zu An. “Xiao An, that Yuan Wendong caused you trouble. Are you alright?”

Before Zu An could reply, Chu Huanzhao quickly interjected, “Not just Yuan Wendong, but even Hong Xingying went after him! He’s clearly one of our Chu family, yet he’s disloyal and treacherous! It’s outrageous!”

Seeing her indignant expression, Zu An was secretly touched. This sister-in-law cared for him more than his own wife.

“Hong Xingying?” Chu Zhongtian’s brows furrowed.

Madam Chu on the side spoke, “I know that boy. He’s always been proud, and he used to like your elder sister. So it’s natural he wouldn’t have a good impression of Zu An. Young people, it’s normal for them to be unable to control their temper.”

Chu Huanzhao became anxious. “But he…”

“Enough,” Madam Chu stopped her from continuing. “That boy has been diligent in the Chu family all these years, and his father has been loyal to our Chu family for decades. Don’t mention these minor matters again, lest you discourage them.”

Chu Huanzhao pouted, her cheeks puffing out. She was clearly very displeased, thinking, “You’re afraid of disheartening the Hong father and son, but aren’t you afraid of disheartening brother-in-law?”

Zu An, however, was indifferent. After all, a useless son-in-law was indeed less important than Butler Hong and his son in Madam Chu’s eyes. He recalled Cheng Shoubing mentioning a rumor in the manor that Madam Chu had originally intended to have Hong Xingying marry into the family. It seemed it wasn’t just an empty rumor after all.

He subconsciously glanced at Chu Chuyan next to him. Hmm, luckily, his nominal wife’s expression showed no change. Clearly, she had no interest in that Hong fellow.

Chu Chuyan finally spoke. “More than anything else, I’m concerned about the family competition in half a month.”

Madam Chu frowned. “Haven’t we always won every time before? Besides, with you there, who in the Yuan family could be your match?”

Chu Zhongtian shook his head. “The Yuan family’s strength is not weak. They are among the four great merchants, just like our Chu family. It’s just that without a corresponding noble title in the past, they didn’t dare to offend us too much, so the family competition was somewhat of a formality. But this time, with the Wu family’s backing, they will definitely go all out. And I suspect that members of the Wu family will secretly participate.”

He paused, then looked at Zu An with a complicated expression. “And this time, with him participating, we’ve already lost one round before the fight even begins.”

Zu An was dumbfounded. He was enjoying the drama perfectly well, so why was he suddenly dragged into it? “Um, I’m not a cultivator. Do I have to compete too?”

Chu Zhongtian replied, “According to the rules of the family competition, every family’s young talents must participate. You are, after all, our family’s son-in-law now. Even if we didn’t send you, the Wu and Yuan families wouldn’t agree, and the Prefect would also intervene. The reason we called you here today was to tell you this, so you can be mentally prepared.”

Chu Huanzhao immediately became anxious. “Today at the academy, Yuan Wendong kept saying he was going to cripple him! Sending brother-in-law onto the stage, isn’t that just sending him to his death?”

“That’s precisely the point,” Chu Chuyan replied.

Zu An was startled. He thought, “Even if you dislike me, you wouldn’t resort to murdering your own husband like this, would you?”

Chu Huanzhao also froze, looking at her with disbelief. “Sister, you…”

Chu Zhongtian, however, spoke, “Let her finish. Chuyan never speaks without reason.”

Chu Chuyan then slowly explained, “Among the Yuan family’s younger generation, Yuan Wendong is the most outstanding. I hear he’s recently broken through to the Fifth Rank. Although I’m not afraid of him, none of our other family members are his match. The Yuan family won’t be foolish enough to pit him against me, so he’s guaranteed to win one round. Instead of wasting other talented individuals, it’s better to send him—Zu An—up. No matter who he faces, he’s going to lose anyway. If he faces Yuan Wendong, he can at least help create opportunities for the rest of us.”

Zu An roughly understood. She was employing a strategy similar to Tian Ji’s Horse Racing: pitting their weakest against the opponent’s strongest… *Pah!* I’m certainly not the weakest horse! If she wanted a stud, I might reluctantly consider it.

Chu Huanzhao became anxious. “But wouldn’t that be very dangerous for him?”

Madam Chu on the side subtly frowned. Why was her second daughter showing so much excessive concern for that good-for-nothing today?

Chu Chuyan replied, “Don’t worry, I’ll arrange for him to compete last. By the time it’s his turn, the overall outcome will already be decided, so whether he competes or not won’t matter. That round naturally won’t need to be fought.”

Chu Huanzhao blinked. “But what if the outcome hasn’t been decided by the time it’s his turn?”

Chu Chuyan paused, then shook her head. “Don’t worry, it won’t be that coincidental.”

“Just jinx it then!”

While secretly complaining, Zu An still spoke, “Even if the outcome hasn’t been decided, it doesn’t matter. The protagonist always makes their grand entrance last. When the time comes, I will definitely bring a victory back to the Chu family.”

In just a few days, he had cultivated from a good-for-nothing to the Third Rank. With another half a month, his strength would surely increase further. Even if he couldn’t reach the Fifth Rank, with his "cheats," he could still devise a strategy to win.

Upon hearing his words, Madam Chu’s brows immediately furrowed. “Zu An, since Yan’er has already married you, I won’t say much about the past. But can you please change this bad habit of yours of boasting? A man isn’t feared for lacking ability, but for not being down-to-earth. Who is Yuan Wendong? He’s already reached Fifth Rank cultivation, a strong individual who can control elements. You still want to fight him, and even win? Hmph!”

With that, she simply flicked her sleeve and left.

Rage value from Qin Wanru +763!

Zu An shrugged, offering no defense.

It seemed Madam Chu still had a considerable prejudice against him. The thought made him wince slightly. People say that a mother-in-law grows fonder of her son-in-law the more she sees him, so why was it completely different for him?