Chapter 1911: Is the Sacrificial Wine My Son-in-Law?

And so, the carriage drove straight into the academy. Zu An, worried that Yue Shan didn't know the way, also sat outside to give him directions.

Qin Wanru and Chu Huanzhao were enjoying the scenery along the way through the carriage windows. After all, the Imperial Academy was a sacred place in the hearts of cultivating students across the land, and it was their first time visiting.

Qin Wanru couldn't help but roll her eyes at her daughter. If this girl could study here, she'd probably wake up laughing in her dreams. However, the thought of her being at the bottom of her class even in Brightmoon Academy immediately dispelled that unrealistic notion.

“Huh, why is everyone looking at us?” Qin Wanru soon noticed something: students along the way were all staring at them, and their demeanor seemed quite respectful.

“Perhaps it’s rare for carriages to be allowed inside,” Chu Huanzhao said, excitedly observing the surroundings. She thought to herself, “I’ll have a great story to tell my sisters when I get back. Who said I could never enter the Imperial Academy? I’m in now, aren’t I?” Having reunited with her brother-in-law and entered the Imperial Academy, she was in high spirits. She added, “Of course, it could also be because Mother is so beautiful that they couldn’t help but take a few extra glances.”

“Oh, you child, you always talk nonsense. If anyone hears us, they’ll surely laugh at us,” Qin Wanru demurred, but the corners of her lips, turned upward, betrayed her true feelings.

The carriage continued its journey all the way to the back mountains. The number of students around them dwindled, and the scenery became increasingly serene. The sound of the carriage wheels turning echoed through the valley.

Even the usually unobservant Qin Wanru realized something was amiss. She quickly lifted the curtain and said to Zu An, “A’Zu, let’s get out and walk. I hear Jade Spring Mountain is where the Libationer meditates and also where some of his personal disciples seclude themselves. It wouldn’t be good if we disturbed them.” Youzhao is still here. Although Headmaster Jiang looks after her, she's still just one of the disciples. We shouldn't make things difficult for her. Our Chu family isn't one to disregard rules.

Zu An smiled. “Don’t worry, the Libationer won’t mind.”

“But…” Qin Wanru really couldn't believe him and felt it was too presumptuous. But Zu An's attitude was firm. When their eyes met, she found herself unable to argue with him and could only sheepishly retreat back into the carriage.

It was a while before she snapped back to reality. She hadn't performed well just now! Her reasoning was clearly sound, so why was she afraid of him? Oh dear, it seemed from now on he would only become more domineering towards her. She wanted to go out and argue with him again, but the thought that he was the Demon Race Regent, who even dared to beat Prince Jin, made her somewhat intimidated for a moment. She remained conflicted and anxious all the way, losing all the initial excitement.

Chu Huanzhao, on the other hand, chattered away the whole time, exclaiming at the beautiful scenery around them and constantly asking Zu An what each place was. Zu An, like a dedicated tour guide, explained each scenic spot and its corresponding defensive formations in detail. Qin Wanru was initially a bit depressed, but soon her attention was drawn by his voice, and she listened intently. It truly was worthy of being the Libationer’s meditation retreat. Although it looked calm along the way, so many formations and hidden dangers were secretly concealed. She resolved not to run around carelessly in these mountains in the future, lest she accidentally trigger a restriction and be doomed.

Just then, a furious shout suddenly came from a distance: “Who allowed you to drive a carriage up this mountain?!”

Qin Wanru’s face turned pale. Oh no, oh no, her fears had come true. As expected, they had offended a master from the back mountains. She had just reminded A’Zu, but he hadn't taken it seriously. She quickly lifted the carriage curtain, intending to apologize to the person, though she wasn't sure which master it was.

The person’s clothes were black and white, like a chessboard. It must be Black-White Child, the rumored fifth disciple of the Libationer. The Xie family's young master seemed to have apprenticed under him. Lady Xie never missed an opportunity to show off about it to other noblewomen during gatherings. Hmph, she was clearly smug, yet she pretended to be worried, saying that Black-White Child had a bad temper and she worried Xie Xiu might annoy him. Pah, who doesn't know your little schemes? However, her two children, one apprenticed under the Fifth Master and the other under the Grand Master, indeed had reason to boast. Unlike me, only Chuyan, one of her daughters, was considered outstanding. Huanzhao was a complete academic failure. And Youzhao had only gotten into the Imperial Academy through the Qin family's connections, and was merely an ordinary disciple, with no hope of becoming a student of these back-mountain masters.

“Fifth Master, we didn’t mean to…” She was just contemplating how to apologize to Black-White Child when she suddenly widened her eyes. Because she saw Black-White Child, who had initially been furious, suddenly break into a wide smile, trot all the way to the side of the carriage, and respectfully bow to Zu An, who was at the front of the carriage: “Greetings, Lord Libationer.”

Zu An smiled, lightly supporting him up. “Didn’t I say before that we should be informal with each other? There’s no need to be so solemn.”

Black-White Child said solemnly, “That won’t do. Proper etiquette must be observed. The Academy Libationer holds a special status and cannot be treated lightly.” He glanced into the carriage and saw a startled beautiful woman. He asked curiously, “Is this the Libationer’s new favorite?” She was quite beautiful, just a bit older. Could it be that the Libationer preferred this mature style?

Qin Wanru’s face flushed crimson, but because of Lady Xie’s descriptions over the years, she worried about offending Black-White Child and dared not refute him.

Zu An’s face darkened. “This is my mother-in-law, Lady and Miss Chu from the Duke of Brightmoon’s family. They came to the capital to visit their maternal relatives, and I brought them along to pick up Youzhao.” The old Libationer’s disciples were indeed all talented individuals, but they were also unconventional and disregarded worldly etiquette, daring to say anything.

Black-White Child was also a bit embarrassed. “So it’s Lady Chu! I didn’t expect you to be so young-looking. I even thought you might be the Libationer’s elder sister or something, haha.”

Qin Wanru was instantly overjoyed. The displeasure in her heart vanished. So she was still the young and beautiful Wanru after all!

Black-White Child’s gaze then fell upon Chu Huanzhao, who had poked her head out. Seeing that she was quite pretty and clever, he couldn't help but ask, “This must be Miss Chu, right? Are you interested in learning chess from me?”

Qin Wanru was instantly ecstatic. If Huanzhao could become Black-White Child’s disciple, she could walk with her nose in the air among the ladies of Brightmoon City. ‘You always mocked our Xiaozhao for being useless and a good-for-nothing. Now, see for yourselves!’ she thought.

To her surprise, Chu Huanzhao shook her head. “No, chess is the most boring thing ever. I can’t even understand it when I watch. If I’m going to learn, I’ll learn from Brother-in-law.”

Qin Wanru was so angry her liver ached. Did her foolish daughter even know what kind of opportunity she had just refused? Argh, I’m going to die of anger! When we get back, I’ll have to take out a stick and give this wretched girl a good beating.

She quickly gave a conciliatory smile. “Fifth Master, please don’t take it to heart. Children don’t know any better, and their words are harmless. Of course, it would be wonderful if she could learn from you…”

To her surprise, Black-White Child shook his head. “Never mind. Learning from her brother-in-law has more promise. I won’t take away what she loves.” He looked at Zu An. “It seems the Libationer won’t have time to play chess with me today. Another time, then.”

With a smile, he waved his hand, and his figure gradually disappeared into the mountains.

Seeing him leave, Qin Wanru couldn't help but pinch her daughter’s ear. “You wretched girl, do you have any idea what you just refused? On your own, you’d never have hoped to enter the Imperial Academy in this lifetime, yet you just got incredibly lucky, and the Fifth Master was willing to take you as a disciple, and you actually refused!”

“Ow, that hurts! Brother-in-law, help me!” Chu Huanzhao quickly hugged Zu An. “Brother-in-law, why did that Black-White Child call you Libationer just now?”

Qin Wanru was also stunned. Her attention had been diverted by the initial misunderstanding and Xiaozhao’s opportunity, and only now did she fully realize that Black-White Child had indeed addressed him that way.

Zu An smiled. “Because I am now the Libationer of this academy.”

Qin Wanru quickly covered his mouth. “A’Zu, don’t talk nonsense! I hear the Libationer is an Earth Immortal with heaven-shaking, earth-shattering power. If you speak carelessly and offend him on his territory, no one can save you.”

Zu An sighed. “I’m really not lying. I really am the Libationer now. It’s not like Black-White Child would conspire to trick me, too, is it?”

Qin Wanru was somewhat dazed. “But… how is this possible?” Everything before her eyes was simply beyond her comprehension. The legendary god-like Libationer had actually become her son-in-law?