Chapter 1917: Not All Things Can Wait for Justice

"What!" Qin Wanru and the other women were both shocked and furious. Who could be so cruel and vicious? This was a cultivation world where strength reigned supreme. Without one's cultivation, one would be at the mercy of others.

Even as a duke, various dangers would arise, and the title would be impossible to keep. Moreover, the physical decline of falling to the level of a common person was too immense for anyone to bear. The most obvious difference was in lifespan. For instance, Qin Zheng had been full of vigor and vitality, but now he resembled an old man on his last legs, ready to die at any moment.

The crying gradually awakened Qin Zheng. He opened his eyes groggily. "Is that Xiaoru? I think I hear Xiaoru's voice."

"Father, it's me." Qin Wanru knelt beside him, clutching his hand tightly, and began to sob uncontrollably.

"Maternal Grandfather!" Chu Huanzhao and Chu Youzhao also knelt before him with a thud, tears streaming down their faces as they surrounded him.

"Good, good..." Qin Zheng wept tears of joy. "I thought I'd never see you again in this life."

"Am I dreaming?" Qin Zheng could hardly believe it.

"No, it's not. Ah Zu and Principal Jiang brought us to see you. We came too late." Qin Wanru felt a pang of regret. If they hadn't gone to pick up Youzhao and had come straight here, they might have been able to save them.

"Ah Zu," Qin Zheng looked at Zu An, his expression complex. He recalled how he had initially looked down on Zu An when the latter first arrived in the capital, feeling indignant that his celestial granddaughter had married such a fellow. He never imagined Zu An would become increasingly powerful, to the point where Qin Zheng now needed him for rescue. "Thank you."

"It's only right," Zu An said gravely. "I'll go check on Second Master Qin."

Qin Zheng sighed, "He's probably in a similar state to me."

Zu An quickly went next door. As expected, Qin Se had also lost all his cultivation, no longer resembling his usual dashing self. He, too, had become a decrepit old man. When Zu An returned and informed everyone of the situation, Qin Wanru cried even more sorrowfully.

"Duke Chengguo, who did this to you?" Jiang Luofu's expression was icy. Earlier, she had boasted in front of everyone that she had entrusted people here to look after them, never expecting such an outcome. Her father was the current Imperial Commander, which meant someone clearly didn't respect them at all. What angered her more was that while the charges against the Qin and Murong families were still undecided, someone had already carried out a death penalty, showing utter disregard for the nation's laws!

Qin Se's gaze fell on Ye Ping. "He was the one who brought people here. The one who attacked was a black-robed person. I don't know their identity."

Everyone's eyes instantly converged on Ye Ping. Ye Ping's liver trembled, and he hastily said, "It has nothing to do with me! I was just following orders." He was completely different from his initial arrogant and domineering demeanor. Before he could finish speaking, Zu An had already choked him in mid-air, lifting him aloft.

Zu An said gravely, "Duke Chengguo, I'll kill this man first to avenge you. Then I'll go after the mastermind!"

Ye Ping was instantly terrified out of his wits. It seemed that Prince Jin had also been strangled in the street by Zu An previously. How could Ye Ping's status compare to Prince Jin's? He was so scared that he wet himself on the spot.

Just then, Qin Wanru cried out in alarm and quickly pulled Zu An's hand. "Ah Zu, no! He is, after all, the Vice Minister of Justice. Killing a court official without authorization is a grave crime." She didn't want to implicate her son-in-law because of her family's troubles. If he were forced to flee the world as well, she would truly have let Chu Yan and him down.

Jiang Luofu also advised, "That's right, Ah Zu. The incident with Prince Jin already caused a huge stir. If you kill the Vice Minister of Justice this time, it will likely provoke even greater public outrage. Even your status as a Grand Master might not be enough to protect you."

Zu An said gravely, "I've never relied on any status to do things. I am who I am." Ultimately, his personal strength was his greatest confidence. Even if he weren't a Grand Master or a Junior Counselor to the Crown Prince, he would fear nothing.

"Ah Zu, don't be impulsive," Qin Zheng spoke up then. "If you kill him here, our justified cause will become unjustified. In my opinion, it's better to use your status to report this to the imperial court. Justice is clear; I refuse to believe the court won't give us justice!"

Zu An frowned. "Duke, not all justice is served, and you are currently imprisoned precisely because you trusted the imperial court too much." With the military strength of the two Qin dukes, if they had been ambitious individuals carving out their own territory, the court would not have dared to touch them. But they were too loyal, making it too simple and easy for the court to deal with them.

Qin Zheng fell silent for a moment before saying, "I, Qin, have been loyal to the nation my entire life. I don't wish to lose my integrity at the end."

Zu An sighed. Although he didn't agree with Qin Zheng's way of thinking, he somewhat admired such a person. It was precisely because of these seemingly foolish convictions that so many legends of righteousness existed in the world.

"Since the Duke has spoken, I'll spare your life. But while you're spared from death, you won't escape punishment. I'll let you taste the suffering the Qin family endured." Zu An looked coldly at Ye Ping, waved his hand, and Ye Ping immediately screamed, falling from the air and rolling on the ground, clutching his legs. Blood seeped from his pant legs; clearly, both of his legs had been broken.

"Thank you for your leniency, Master Zu," Ye Ping said, trying to suppress his screams. He had thought he was doomed but had unexpectedly gotten his life back. Now, it almost felt like a gain? As a cultivator, his recovery ability was astonishing. His legs would recover within half a year of rest, and the other party hadn't left any hidden damage.

Zu An ignored him, took out a pill, gave it to Qin Zheng, and immediately began to channel energy to heal him. "Duke, your cultivation was just drained. I'm now protecting your Dantian and Qi Sea to prevent them from shrinking or collapsing. I'll also infuse a wisp of primal energy to nourish your body. We'll find a way to help you recover later."

Qin Zheng was both surprised and delighted. "There's still hope for recovery? Ah Zu, thank you so much!" Having lost all his cultivation, he had been utterly disheartened, only wishing for justice and vindication. He never imagined there was still a possibility of recovery. As a cultivator, who would want to be a mere mortal?

"There is indeed hope, but it will require some special elixirs and unique methods." A glint flashed in Zu An's eyes.

"That's wonderful!" Qin Wanru was so excited she almost jumped up. "Ah Zu, you're amazing!" This was the best news they had heard all day!

"Xiaozhao, Youzhao, quickly thank your brother-in-law for saving your maternal grandfather, and kowtow to him," Qin Wanru urged. She had almost instinctively knelt and kowtowed to him herself, but thankfully remembered in time that she was his elder, which would be inappropriate. So, the important task of kowtowing fell to her two daughters.

Chu Huanzhao and Chu Youzhao already liked their brother-in-law. Not to mention kowtowing, they would even be willing to kneel for him, especially since he had saved their maternal grandfather, cousin, and so many other members of the Qin family this time.

Zu An quickly helped the two young girls up. "It's alright, we're all family. There's no need for such a grand gesture." At this moment, Chu Huanzhao seized the opportunity to stand up and kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you, brother-in-law!"

Chu Youzhao watched, feeling a bit annoyed. She had wanted to kiss him too, but she was currently in a male body, and it would be inconvenient to do so in front of Murong Qinghe. Who knew her cunning second sister would make the first move?

Qin Zheng looked on in astonishment at the scene before him. Was this truly the relationship between a brother-in-law and his sisters-in-law? Not only did he abduct one of my granddaughters, but he wants to take them all?

Qin Wanru also had a headache. Normally, she would have reprimanded her daughter, but today Zu An had done such a great service to the Qin family that a kiss seemed almost deserved? She even felt that such a great kindness couldn't be repaid with just one kiss.

Zu An touched his cheek. The soft fragrance of the young girl's lips just now had truly made his heart pound. Noticing Jiang Luofu watching him with a faint smile, his face couldn't help but flush. "Ahem, I'll go treat Second Master Qin first." After saying that, he quickly hurried to the next room. Qin Wanru and the others also quickly followed to comfort their uncle.

Soon, Zu An, with practiced ease, finished treating Qin Se. Qin Se felt a warmth inside, as if he had recovered considerably, and burst into laughter. "Ah Zu, you're quite a fellow! It's a pity I don't have a beautiful daughter or granddaughter of my own, otherwise, I'd definitely marry her off to you."

Qin Wanru was speechless. Chu Huanzhao and Chu Youzhao also protested playfully, "Second Maternal Grandfather!"

Qin Se was startled for a moment, then burst into laughter. "It seems I don't need to. My elder brother certainly has good fortune. All those common people in the world want sons, but who knew having daughters was the real blessing?" Unlike the rigid Qin Zheng, Qin Se frequently visited pleasure houses and was a notorious playboy in his youth. His understanding of women naturally surpassed his elder brother's. He instantly saw what was on Chu Huanzhao and Chu Youzhao's minds. The three sisters might truly all be taken by this lad. Sisters... how many men dream of having sisters! He had the same dream back then, but unfortunately, it never came true. He never expected that someone else would ultimately realize it with the Qin family's daughters.

Feeling Qin Se's playful, teasing smile, Zu An couldn't quite handle it. "Ahem, I'm heading to the palace now to make the imperial court give the Qin family justice."

"Alright," Jiang Luofu said. "During this time, I'll have my father send some people to the Heavenly Prison, and I'll also personally stand guard here to ensure the safety of everyone from the Qin and Murong families."

Qin Wanru was instantly filled with gratitude, tightly gripping Jiang Luofu's hands. "Sister Jiang, I truly don't know how to thank you enough. I'll definitely introduce you to a suitable husband when the time comes!"

Jiang Luofu was unaccustomed to such enthusiasm and quickly pulled her hand back. "Madam Chu, you're too kind. It's my fault for not looking after them properly. We can't let the common people lose faith in the Great Zhou's laws."

Zu An came to her side. "Sister Jiang, this has nothing to do with you. No one expected Prince Dai and Meng Yi to resort to such despicable methods. You must be careful here; it's hard to guarantee they won't send more people."

"Don't worry," Jiang Luofu said, a hint of a smile appearing on her elegant and cold face. "I'm not some delicate woman. Protecting them won't be a problem." Recalling how fierce she was earlier, stomping on people with her high heels, Zu An realized she was right. Anyone who came would likely be in danger instead.

Subsequently, Qin Wanru and the other women stayed in the Heavenly Prison to care for the injured Qin family members, while Zu An took Ye Ping and others directly into the palace. Soon, the palace bells rang, summoning all court officials, causing apprehension among the major families throughout the capital. Hadn't the morning court assembly just concluded? Why were officials being summoned again? It was known that such bells were not to be rung casually unless it was an extremely urgent matter.