Chapter 12: Keeping a Tight Lid

Upon hearing his wife’s words, Chu Zhongtian fell silent. The Great Zhou empire had been founded by the Founding Emperor, but all of his direct descendants had perished during the unification wars. Consequently, the Founding Emperor’s brother had adopted his second son, who was now the current Prince Qi, as his own heir.

During a brutal war, the Founding Emperor had perished along with a powerful foreign foe. As his adopted son was still young and the newly established empire remained unstable, the Founding Emperor, on his deathbed, passed the throne to his brother, who became Emperor Taizong.

Emperor Taizong inherited the Founding Emperor’s ambition, unifying the entire land. Unfortunately, due to numerous old wounds sustained on the battlefield, he too reached the end of his life after only a few years. However, he faced a difficult choice regarding his successor.

Logically, his throne had come from his elder brother’s lineage, and he had only taken over because Prince Qi was too young, for the sake of the family and the nation’s future. Now, the throne should be returned to the grown Prince Qi.

Yet, humans are prone to selfishness. Despite the fact that Prince Qi was also his biological son, he had been adopted into the Founding Emperor’s line, making him part of a different branch. Naturally, he could not compare to Taizong’s true eldest son, Prince Jin.

Therefore, Taizong resorted to a clever trick: he decreed that whoever first achieved the Earth Immortal realm would inherit the throne. At that time, Prince Jin was already much older than his second son, Prince Qi. Moreover, as emperor, Taizong commanded far more resources, and with his covert assistance, Prince Jin naturally achieved the Earth Immortal realm first, thereby smoothly inheriting the throne and becoming the current Emperor Gaozong.

However, many old officials loyal to the Founding Emperor’s lineage remained, and the Founding Emperor’s in-laws naturally supported Prince Qi. To appease these powerful factions, Taizong had ambiguously suggested that the throne should pass from elder brother to younger brother, which had quelled a period of unrest.

But a century passed, and Emperor Gaozong was also nearing the Five Decays of Heaven and Man. Yet, he named his own son as crown prince. This naturally drew dissatisfaction from Prince Qi’s faction. Furthermore, the Crown Prince was merely mediocre, far inferior to Prince Qi’s extraordinary talent, prompting many other court officials to reconsider their positions. However, Gaozong had reigned for over a hundred years, and his loyal forces were sufficiently powerful. For years, these two factions had engaged in overt and covert struggles.

The Chu family controlled the salt and iron industries, making them as rich as a nation. Such an influential family was naturally sought after by both sides. However, Chu Zhongtian was unwilling to be drawn into the imperial succession dispute and had always maintained neutrality. A few days prior, the imperial faction intended to propose a marriage alliance with the Chu family to fully secure them.

The Chu couple found themselves in a difficult position because the Chu family, unlike ordinary families, harbored a great secret that could not be known by outsiders. Moreover, Chu Chuyan had managed half of the Chu family’s affairs for years. If she were to be married off, the entire Chu family would immediately face the risk of being absorbed by others.

Chu Chuyan was well aware of all this, so she proactively suggested seeking a live-in son-in-law. She chose the most useless man in the city as her husband and hastily held the wedding, completely quashing any thoughts the Emperor’s and Prince Qi’s factions might have had. This was why Qin Wanru suspected that the damage to the spiritual spring was caused by someone sent by either the Emperor or Prince Qi.

“No matter which side it is, our days ahead won’t be easy,” Chu Zhongtian said gravely. “Sang Hong is about to take over as the Prefect of Linchuan Commandery.” Brightmoon City fell within Linchuan Commandery’s jurisdiction.

Qin Wanru’s expression changed slightly: “Sang Hong, the Assistant Minister of Agriculture!”

The Minister of Agriculture was one of the Nine Ministers, responsible for national finances, and the Assistant Minister of Agriculture was the second-in-command. Sang Hong had always overseen salt and iron, and was a close confidant of the Emperor. His appointment as Prefect of Linchuan Commandery clearly indicated he was coming for the Chu family.

“I’ve always heard he’s a ruthless man who shows no mercy, even to his own kin. For years, countless nobles in the capital have been ruined by him. This time, our Chu family is probably in danger,” Qin Wanru said with a worried expression.

Seeing his usually strong wife show a hint of vulnerability, Chu Zhongtian pulled her into his embrace. “When soldiers come, we’ll meet them with generals; when water comes, we’ll meet it with earth. Our Chu family is not to be trifled with. He, Sang Hong, is merely an eighth-rank official. It’s too soon to say who will emerge victorious.”

Qin Wanru rolled her eyes at her husband. “Whether someone is difficult to deal with isn’t solely based on their personal cultivation. Chen Xuan, the bandit leader from Dragon Concealment Mountain outside the city, is only a sixth-rank, yet you haven’t managed to eliminate him all these years.”

Chu Zhongtian snorted. “That Chen Xuan fellow is incredibly cunning, appearing and disappearing like a phantom. Every time I receive news and rush there, he’s already vanished without a trace. That’s why I suspect he has an inside informant in this city, warning him. Otherwise, how could he have eluded capture for so many years!”

Qin Wanru’s eyes sparkled. “These bandits not only smuggle salt but also rob passing caravans. Let’s throw this problem at Sang Hong. As the Prefect of the Commandery, he can’t just sit idly by, can he?”

Chu Zhongtian’s eyes lit up. “My dear wife, what a brilliant idea! Oh, by the way, I heard the Yu family’s caravan is coming to Brightmoon City soon. We should inform them to avoid being ambushed by Chen Xuan’s group… Ouch, ouch, ouch…”

Before he could finish, Qin Wanru pinched his ear. “I see you’re worried about their mistress, Yu Yanluo, aren’t you? Yu Yanluo, the most beautiful woman in the capital back then, you shamelessly pursued her, but unfortunately, she married the Duke of Yunzhong. What, are you trying to rekindle your old flame now?”

Chu Zhongtian quickly begged for mercy. “Wife, they’ve been married for so many years, how could I have any other thoughts? Don’t speak nonsense.”

Qin Wanru did not release him, merely huffing. “But as far as I know, the Duke of Yunzhong unexpectedly passed away a few days ago. Yu Yanluo is single now, you know.”

Chu Zhongtian’s eyes brightened. “Really?”

He immediately felt two murderous gazes from beside him and hastily corrected himself. “Wife, I didn’t even know any of that, which proves I’ve never paid attention to her! Besides, you know my situation; how could I have any other intentions?”

Seeing his downcast expression, Qin Wanru quickly released his ear. “Husband, I’m sorry.”

Chu Zhongtian shook his head. “I’m the one who should be sorry to you.”

Qin Wanru didn’t want to see him like this and quickly changed the subject. “By the way, where did Chuyan go?”

Chu Zhongtian replied, “She took Miss Pei for a stroll in the city.”

Qin Wanru frowned. “She’s from the Pei family, which means she should be from Prince Qi’s faction, right? Her sudden arrival to study at Brightmoon Academy feels a bit like she has ulterior motives.”

Chu Zhongtian laughed heartily. “Don’t worry, your Chuyan is so smart; she knows what she’s doing.”

Qin Wanru snorted. “That Pei Mianman, though young, looks like a mesmerizing vixen. Those alluring peach blossom eyes seem to be seducing men all the time. I don’t like her.”

Chu Zhongtian chuckled in amusement. “Are you worried she’ll steal a man from Chuyan?”

Thinking of Zu’an’s unfortunate demeanor, it was hard to imagine Pei Mianman falling for him. Qin Wanru couldn’t help but laugh. “If she really takes that scoundrel, I’d be thrilled.”

Zu’an sneezed violently, wondering which lady or young mistress was thinking of him.

“Young master, have you caught a cold? I’ll get you a thick coat right away,” a startled voice exclaimed. Before Zu’an could react, a figure quickly approached, holding a garment and wrapping it around him.

Zu’an stared, dumbfounded, at the young boy in front of him. He appeared to be fourteen or fifteen years old, dressed in blue, with two bun-like topknots on his head and a pair of large, bright eyes. His skin looked delicate and soft.

“No, wait, who are you, buddy?”

“Young master, you humble this servant. I am your study attendant.” The boy wore a fawning smile.

“Study attendant?” Zu’an was surprised at first, then realized it must be related to the previous mention of going to Brightmoon Academy. But it was just a family school; did he really need a dedicated study attendant for it?

It seemed this ducal mansion truly was a lavish household. *Hmm, I like it.*

“What did you call me just now?”

“Young master?”

“I didn’t hear you clearly. Louder?”

“Young master!”

“Not bad, not bad. You kid have a future.”

Zu’an’s face immediately broke into a wide grin. Ever since he arrived in this world, he hadn’t encountered a single pleasing thing. Although he was the Duke’s son-in-law, who in this mansion regarded him highly? Let alone proactively calling him “young master.” It was rare to find a little study attendant so sensible. Zu’an felt incredibly comfortable all over.

“By the way, what’s your name?”

The little study attendant perked up and hastily replied, “Reporting to young master, my name is Cheng Shoubing.”

“What ‘bing’?” Zu’an thought to himself that typical study attendants were usually named something like Lai Fu or Wang Cai, or at most Hua An – simple and easy to remember. Why did this fellow’s name sound so odd?

“Cheng Shoubing, as in ‘shou bing’ from ‘shou kou ru bing’ (keep it a secret)! The master himself bestowed this name upon me back then!” Speaking of this, the little study attendant puffed out his chest and spoke with a proud expression.

“Impressive, to be personally named by the master.” Although Zu’an didn’t know the customs of this world, he assumed it was the same in any world: a master bestowing a name was a great honor. Like Zheng Chenggong in his previous life, after the emperor bestowed the surname, everyone respectfully called him “Lord of the Imperial Surname.”

“Young master, you flatter me. I used to work by the master’s side and was very much liked by him. Later, I was transferred to the kitchen, and I thought I had displeased the master. But now I learn that I’ve been assigned as your study attendant, and only now do I understand the master’s painstaking effort. Those years must have been to temper me, to prepare me for a more important mission!” Cheng Shoubing’s eyes shone as he spoke, looking very excited.

“Wait a minute…” Zu’an felt increasingly that something was off. He knew exactly what kind of “young master” he was; did this guy really think it was a good assignment?

*It seems his intelligence isn’t very high.*

Moreover, this guy was initially working by Master Chu’s side; why was he relegated to a place like the kitchen? However, Zu’an clearly wasn’t very concerned about these matters; he was more interested in questions related to himself. “From what you just said, you must have been with the Chu family for a long time. You should know a lot, right?”

Cheng Shoubing patted his chest. “Of course. From the master and madam down to the cooks and servants, there’s nothing in this Chu mansion that I don’t know.”

Zu’an was about to inquire about the mansion’s intelligence. He had only been here for two days, and so many people already wanted to kill him, yet he still didn’t know where the problem lay, giving him a huge sense of crisis. He thought for a moment and asked, “Do you know why the Chu family chose me as their son-in-law?” This was his biggest confusion. Chu Chuyan was top-notch in terms of appearance, figure, and family background, while Zu’an in this world was a complete good-for-nothing from every angle. Normally, these two shouldn’t have had any intersection, yet they became husband and wife—it was truly too strange.

Hearing his question, Cheng Shoubing looked at him puzzled. “Isn’t it because young master is as handsome and dashing as a jade tree?”

Zu’an’s eyes widened. This guy’s talent for spouting serious nonsense truly resembled his own. “Ahem, although I know you’re telling the truth, are there any other reasons?”

“No, that’s it. Miss saw you were handsome and chose you.” Cheng Shoubing thought to himself, *Besides this point, can you find any other merits? Don’t you have some self-awareness?* Of course, he didn’t show any of these thoughts; his eyes and expression were as sincere as possible at that moment.

“Oh, you mean Miss personally chose me?” Zu’an keenly noticed the information revealed in his words.

“Yes, Madam wasn’t very satisfied at the time and advised her to think twice,” Cheng Shoubing replied.

Zu’an directly interrupted, “You don’t need to say those unimportant things anymore.”

He had initially guessed that Chu Chuyan was forced to marry him due to her parents’ wishes, which led to her dissatisfaction and murderous intent. But according to Cheng Shoubing, that possibility could be directly ruled out.

But why would Chu Chuyan choose him as her husband? That girl had bright eyes; she wasn’t blind. *Ptooey, ptooey, ptooey! It must be that she was captivated by my handsome face, craving my body.*