Chapter 1934: Thank You

Meanwhile, on the other side, Zu'an and Jiang Luofu chatted and laughed their way to the Imperial Prison to pick up the Qin family, as well as the Murong family and other families involved in the case.

After what had happened today, who would dare to stop him from picking them up?

To their surprise, when they arrived at the Imperial Prison, they found that the Qin and Murong families were gone, and even Qin Wanru, Chu Huanzhao, and Murong Qinghe were nowhere to be found.

Zu'an's expression darkened. Could someone truly be so reckless as to dare to lay a hand on them? Perhaps because he had killed many people that night, a violent surge of aggression welled up inside him, seemingly desperate for an outlet.

Jiang Luofu was startled. Just a few days prior, she had said that her contacts were looking after the Qin and Murong families, only for Prince Dai and the Meng family to enter and brutally mistreat the Qin family. Now, she had just stated that she had assigned people to care for them, and yet they were all gone. If something truly terrible had happened, she wouldn't be able to face anyone.

She quickly summoned her people who were stationed there and learned that the Crown Princess had personally come to take them away.

The person also felt wronged, saying, "The Crown Princess came to retrieve them herself, and we didn't dare to stop her. Moreover, she said she was releasing both families without charge and sending them home, so we had even less reason to interfere."

Jiang Luofu breathed a sigh of relief. Zu'an's expression also softened. "Then it should be fine. I'll go back to the Qin family first to check."

"Alright, I'll go with you." Jiang Luofu assented, needing to ensure their safety before she could truly rest assured.

Zu'an welcomed the company; after all, having a woman with long, slender legs in black stockings by his side was certainly a pleasant sight.

Soon, the two arrived at the Qin family residence. Unlike its dilapidated and desolate state during his previous visit, the Qin manor was now adorned with lanterns and festive decorations from outside to inside, and the air was filled with joyful laughter.

Upon learning of his arrival, the Qin family members came out to greet him. Though frail, the two Qin family patriarchs insisted on being wheeled out in their wheelchairs to personally thank Zu'an and Jiang Luofu.

After exchanging pleasantries and confirming their safety, Jiang Luofu returned their greetings and found an opportunity to take her leave.

In a place like the Qin family residence, she always felt like an outsider, somewhat out of place.

Zu'an offered to escort her, but she declined, saying, "You must have a lot to talk about with them, so don't bother."

She smiled, waved her hand casually, and, in her high heels, disappeared into the night.

Watching her receding figure, Qin Zheng sighed with emotion, "If Miss Jiang hadn't rejected the Crown Prince's marriage proposal back then, which made her status special and deterred other suitors, with her beauty and character, she would probably be married with a family by now."

Qin Wanru couldn't help but interject, "Father, why does she have to get married? Principal Jiang is doing very well as she is now. I even envy her, living so freely and unrestrainedly."

Qin Zheng rolled his eyes. "Do you think everyone is like you?"

Qin Wanru huffed sullenly.

Zu'an chuckled and said to the brothers Qin Zheng and Qin Se, "Both of you are weak now and need more rest. Don't stand out here in the cold wind."

The brothers agreed wholeheartedly. Before leaving, Qin Zheng instructed, "Wanru, make sure to entertain Ah Zu properly and don't neglect him."

"Yes." Qin Wanru felt deeply frustrated. She had said the same thing before, but they hadn't taken it seriously. Now that Ah Zu had said the exact same words, the two of them obediently complied. After telling Xiaozhao to escort their grandfathers back inside, she approached Zu'an:

"Ah Zu, thank you truly for this time."

Her expression was incredibly complex. The commotion from the battle at the Meng family mansion earlier had been heard even at the Imperial Prison. She and Jiang Luofu had come out to investigate, learning that Zu'an was fighting the Meng family to avenge the Qin family. She had even prepared to bring her subordinates to help. However, Jiang Luofu stopped her, and from a distance, she witnessed Zu'an single-handedly crushing various top experts in the air.

The shock in her heart was truly immeasurable. She had already been astonished to learn that he was the Grand Libation of the Imperial Academy, a favored minister of the Eastern Palace, and a Marquis of the court. Now, she realized he was hundreds or even thousands of times more powerful than that.

Had the man she once cursed like a dog in Brightmoon City truly grown to such an extent?

"Mother-in-law, we're all family. There's no need for such formalities," Zu'an said with a faint smile.

Qin Wanru pursed her lips, and finally, bracing herself, asked, "When I cursed you so harshly back then, did you resent me?"

"Oh no, oh no," she thought. "If he truly harbors resentment, not only will I be finished, but the entire Chu family will be doomed. What kind of apology could I possibly offer? But he's practically taken all my precious daughters, how am I supposed to compensate him for that?"

As she wrestled with her tangled thoughts, Zu'an let out a soft laugh. "Mother-in-law, you're overthinking it. What happened back then is all in the past."

While his experience back then had indeed been frustrating, he later learned that her strong insistence on his marriage to Chuyan was driven by her feeling of guilt towards her daughter and her disappointment that he seemed to be a lost cause. For these reasons, he had long since let go of any bitterness.

Qin Wanru's heart, however, pounded rapidly. "Oh no, oh no," she fretted. "He didn't say he *doesn't* mind; instead, he said it's 'in the past.' Doesn't that prove he still harbors some resentment?"

Just then, Chu Huanzhao returned, having finished escorting her grandfathers.

Concerned about her brother-in-law, she had pushed the wheelchair like a lightning bolt, giving the two old men an exhilarating and terrifying experience of a 'wheelchair speedster' that scared half the life out of them.

They had faced countless life-and-death situations on the battlefield throughout their lives, yet they had never been as terrified as they were today, as they were now just ordinary old men with completely lost cultivation.

"Brother-in-law, you're amazing!" Chu Huanzhao naturally linked her arm with Zu'an's, her face filled with admiration.

Qin Wanru raised an eyebrow, but at that moment, she wasn't in the mood to scold him.

Seeing the youthful and vibrant Xiaozhao, a warmth spread through Zu'an's heart. Back in Brightmoon City, she had always been able to provide endless motivation and encouragement in this way.

"How are you so incredibly strong? One punch takes down an expert! Those people could beat up my dad like he was their grandson..." Chu Huanzhao chattered, gesturing animatedly as she recounted the recent events.

Qin Wanru's face darkened with disapproval. "Who talks about their own father like that?"

It was Chu Youzhao who couldn't stand it any longer. "Second Sister, if Father hears that, you'll enrage him to death!"

Chu Huanzhao rolled her eyes. "If he doesn't agree, let him say it: which of the people Brother Zu defeated just now could he have beaten?"

Chu Youzhao and Qin Wanru both held their breath, acknowledging the undeniable logic in her words.

Ultimately, Chu Youzhao couldn't swallow her pride and retorted, "Father could at least beat those princely mansion's guest cultivators and guards, right?"

Qin Wanru slapped her forehead. "Are you praising your father or insulting him? Your father really did raise two wonderful daughters," she thought sarcastically.

"How could that be? I heard there were even Grandmaster-level experts among those guest cultivators. Wouldn't it be easy for them to pummel Dad?" Chu Huanzhao scoffed.

"That's because Father was injured before, isn't it? He wouldn't have been unable to fight if he wasn't injured!" Chu Youzhao retorted anxiously.

"I'm talking about now, not before. Besides, even back then, Father probably couldn't defeat a Grandmaster at their peak," Chu Huanzhao said, her sharp tongue leaving her sister completely overwhelmed.

While the two sisters were bickering heatedly, Murong Qinghe seized the opportunity to approach Zu'an. "Brother Zu, the Murong family was spared this time. I don't even know how to thank you."

The Murong family had initially believed they would be purged and eradicated, but to their surprise, things had taken a turn. The Crown Princess had even promised to reinstate them to their former positions, with only some symbolic penalties.

She knew, of course, that all of this was thanks to Zu'an.

Zu'an chuckled and said, "Sister Qinghe, you exaggerate. Apart from your connection with Youzhao, I feel a natural affinity with you yourself. And I admire Elder Murong's unyielding integrity. It was only natural for me to help if I could."

Murong Qinghe's heart immediately pounded. She ignored everything else, only remembering the phrase, "Brother Zu said he feels a natural affinity with me." What did he mean by that? Was he hinting at something?

But how could she possibly betray Brother Chu...?

At that moment, Chu Huanzhao's attention was drawn to their conversation. She leaned in and said, "Oh, by the way, it was the Crown Princess who saved us from the Imperial Prison today. She's really wonderful—not only kind but also incredibly beautiful. Brother-in-law, facing such a perfect superior every day, do you ever develop feelings for her?"

Zu'an: "..."

Qin Wanru was startled and rushed over to cover her mouth:

"You're asking for trouble! How dare you say such things? If outsiders heard that, it would be a huge disaster!"

Chu Huanzhao struggled free from her grasp. "What's there to be afraid of? With Brother-in-law here, who would dare bully us? Besides, the Crown Princess is so kind, why would she get angry over something so trivial?"

Chu Youzhao, standing nearby, then said coolly, "I don't think you're right. Brother-in-law is so handsome and powerful, it must be the Crown Princess who likes him. How could Brother-in-law be the one to make a move?"

Murong Qinghe agreed, "Exactly. I also think it's more likely the Crown Princess likes Brother Zu."

Hearing the young girls earnestly discussing such matters, Qin Wanru felt like her soul was about to leave her body:

"My dear little mistresses, please don't speak such nonsense!"

"Brother-in-law, I'll become your disciple from now on," Chu Huanzhao blurted out, then immediately regretted it. "Pah, pah, pah! I don't want you as my master! You're my brother-in-law, so what if you teach me cultivation?"

"Alright!" Zu'an had already intended to properly train her. This girl was simply too much of a slacker when it came to studies and cultivation; her current cultivation level was truly pitiful.

"Brother-in-law, I want to too," Chu Youzhao said, unwilling to be outdone.

Zu'an nodded. "Alright."

Youzhao was also good, and had been quite close to him since arriving in the capital. Naturally, he couldn't show favoritism.

"Brother Zu, could you take me as well?" Murong Qinghe's eyes sparkled with an enchanting light. She already enjoyed cultivation, and learning from someone so powerful would surely accelerate her progress.

"Alright..." Zu'an began to feel the pressure. But they were all so familiar now, it was hard to refuse.

Qin Wanru, standing by, opened her mouth. She was actually somewhat tempted herself, but ultimately couldn't bring herself to take her own son-in-law as her master. She could only stand there, silently fuming at her daughters.

Zu'an finally managed to extricate himself from the Qin family residence and went directly into the palace, arriving at the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace.

The Crown Princess gave an order: "Lord Zu and I need to discuss confidential matters. Everyone else, withdraw. Momo, you guard outside and don't allow anyone to enter."

"What if the Crown Prince or the Empress—" Rong Mo was interrupted before she could finish.

"I said *anyone*!" Bi Linglong cast a cold glance at her.

"Yes!" Rong Mo's heart skipped a beat. She quickly motioned for the others to withdraw, then stood guard outside herself.

In the past, Bi Linglong naturally wouldn't have dared to make such arrangements. Late at night, a man and a woman alone in a room would undoubtedly invite gossip.

Today, however, no one found anything amiss.

After all, Zu'an's actions at the Meng family estate earlier had been too sensational. Everyone understood that the Crown Princess would surely seize this opportunity to win over Lord Zu, and there would naturally be many confidential matters to discuss.

Furthermore, given Zu'an's earlier murderous aura, the eunuchs and palace maids now looked at him with a hint of fear. Almost no one would dare to think in *that* direction.

Inside the Crown Princess's bedchamber, Zu'an gazed at the beautiful young woman before him, dressed in casual clothes. Her fair, exquisite face was utterly flawless, and her silken long dress accentuated her graceful and enchanting figure.

The moment their eyes met, their young bodies embraced tightly.