Chapter 2266: The Only Choice

Zhang Zitong frowned slightly. "This isn't according to protocol..." She was about to refuse when Qin Wanru interjected, "Ah Zu is so drunk; it would be even more inconvenient for you to take him back. Plus, it's not close to the palace, and there could be an accident on the way, which would be dangerous. It's safer for him to stay with us. Besides, Ah Zu is already our Chu family son-in-law, not an outsider. Are you worried we might harm him?"

Zhang Zitong naturally understood the relationship between Zu An and the Chu family, but she was bound by her duty and dared not show any negligence. However, she had to admit Qin Wanru's point was valid; an attack on the way back to the palace would indeed be very dangerous.

While she was still hesitating, Zu An mumbled groggily, "It's fine... I'll just rest here for the night."

Seeing him agree, Zhang Zitong finally breathed a sigh of relief. "Then I'll trouble you, Madam."

She immediately dispatched imperial guards to strategic points throughout the residence, eliminating potential risks in advance.

Qin Wanru nodded and had a servant boy first escort Chu Zhongtian, who was also drunk from excessive joy, back to his room. Then, she woke up Chu Youzhao, who was similarly drunk and slumped over the table. "Wake up quickly, help your brother-in-law to bed."

"Oh, alright," Chu Youzhao rubbed her eyes and groggily lifted her head. Unlike Zu An, she hadn't been aiming to get drunk and hadn't consumed much alcohol, so she quickly sobered up after being called.

Zhang Zitong, standing nearby, couldn't help but glance at her a few more times, thinking how handsome the Chu family's heir was, even more beautiful than a woman at times. If not for her strict training as an Embroidered Envoy, she might have mistaken him for a woman disguised as a man. Little did she know, Chu Youzhao was using a special magical artifact to conceal her gender.

With the help of Chu Huanzhao and a maidservant, Chu Youzhao supported Zu An as they walked towards the inner quarters. Since Zu An was formerly the Chu family's son-in-law, no one found it unusual for him to enter the inner residence.

As Zhang Zitong assisted them, Qin Wanru said with a smile, "Miss Zhang must be tired after today. Come, have something to eat and rest a bit, lest people say our Chu family is unwelcoming."

Zhang Zitong shook her head slightly. "I must remain by His Highness's side."

Qin Wanru chuckled. "You're in the Chu residence; surely you don't think we'd sell him off, do you? Or perhaps ask Ah Zu if he wants you to work so hard. I recall he's quite chivalrous towards ladies."

Zhang Zitong's face flushed slightly, but she remained steadfast in her duty, staying by Zu An's side and refusing to leave him for even a step.

Seeing this, Qin Wanru did not press further and instructed the maidservants to prepare some food for her to take.

Zhang Zitong initially wanted to decline, as guards like them always carried dry rations and avoided eating outside food to prevent unforeseen incidents. However, considering Qin Wanru was His Highness's mother-in-law and she had already refused her several times today, declining again might cause offense, so she said nothing further.

Soon, Chu Youzhao and Chu Huanzhao, the sisters, helped Zu An arrive at a courtyard in the back residence.

Zhang Zitong waved her hand, and imperial guards quickly searched the courtyard. There was nothing unusual, though given the special circumstances, a "dig three feet deep" search was not feasible.

She glanced at the gaily decorated courtyard behind them, adorned with "囍" (double happiness) characters everywhere and numerous large red lanterns hanging high.

She was slightly surprised. "Oh, the bridal chamber is in the back."

Qin Wanru nodded with a smile. "Yes, these are the two best courtyards in the Chu residence. One is for the newlyweds, and the other, naturally, for Ah Zu."

Zhang Zitong didn't find anything wrong with that. Given Zu An's current status, only such a residence was truly befitting him.

Soon, she helped support Zu An into the room, watched as a maidservant helped him wash up, remove his coat and shoes, and get under the covers, finally exhaling in relief.

"Brother-in-law is so drunk; why don't I stay and take care of him?" Chu Huanzhao volunteered.

"Nonsense! How can a young lady like you stay here?" Qin Wanru glared at her, then turned to Zhang Zitong. "Thank you for your concern, Miss Zhang. I'll have a few maidservants wait outside, ready for any instructions."

"Thank you, Madam." Zhang Zitong had to admit that Qin Wanru's arrangements were indeed impeccable. She then smiled at Chu Youzhao. "Young Master, don't delay here. The bride is waiting for you in the bridal chamber."

Hearing this, Chu Youzhao's face flushed. She bowed to Zhang Zitong and then took her leave.

Chu Huanzhao also pouted as her mother led her away, and the entire courtyard became quiet.

Zhang Zitong arranged for guards to patrol and keep watch nearby, while she herself stood guard outside the door, ready to respond to Zu An's commands at any time.

In truth, everything she had just done was merely routine. She was well aware of His Highness's relationship with the Chu family; this place was like his own home, so there was little to guard against. The only real concern was people potentially entering from outside.

Moreover, with Zu An's current cultivation level, even though he was drunk, his body was protected by primal energy. Outsiders couldn't harm him at all. If anyone harbored ill intent towards him, his powerful spiritual senses would detect it, his primal energy would circulate, and his drunkenness would instantly clear.

Thinking this, Zhang Zitong chuckled self-deprecatingly, realizing she was indeed being a bit overly cautious.

After Qin Wanru and the others departed, she first sent Chu Huanzhao to bed.

Chu Huanzhao had been excited all day and was already quite tired. Moreover, without her brother-in-law nearby, she found it dull, so she grumbled and ran back to sleep.

Next, Qin Wanru dismissed the maidservants and servants. She exchanged a look with Chu Youzhao, and the room fell silent.

"Mother, is this really necessary?" Chu Youzhao hesitated slightly.

Qin Wanru sighed softly. "I don't want this either, but tonight is your wedding night. In the past, you could use a magical artifact to conceal your female identity, but how can you hide it tonight, sleeping in the same bed with your wife?"

Hearing this, Chu Youzhao's small face turned slightly pale. She was incredibly nervous; after all, this was her and the Chu family's greatest secret, one wrong move could lead to eternal damnation.

Qin Wanru continued, "Once Qinghe discovers the truth and runs back to the Qin family, not only will our two families fail to become in-laws, but we will become enemies. Everyone will then know that the Chu family has no heir, and we will become the sinners of the entire Chu clan."

"Even if Qinghe knew, she wouldn't publicize it," Chu Youzhao defended her childhood friend.

Qin Wanru shook her head slightly. "I know Qinghe is kind-hearted and has a good relationship with you. She likely wouldn't tell anyone, but we cannot take that risk."

Seeing the struggle on Chu Youzhao's face, Qin Wanru sighed and embraced her daughter. "Actually, just hiding it tonight means nothing. Even if Qinghe loves you enough to continue being your wife, a few years later, you will still face the issue of heirs."

"You won't be able to have children, so wouldn't the Chu family still be without an heir?" Qin Wanru asked. "If you truly don't want to do this tonight, then so be it. We can find someone else to borrow from in the future."

Chu Youzhao quickly shook her head. "No, if it were anyone else, Sister Qinghe would surely go mad. And there's no way I would ever agree to another man taking advantage of her."

"But if it's your brother-in-law, then you two are willing?" Qin Wanru's expression was a little strange.

"Brother-in-law is naturally an exception," Chu Youzhao's small face flushed, perhaps thinking of something. "I once privately asked Qinghe a similar question. She couldn't evade my probing and quietly admitted that if she hadn't met me first, she would most likely have fallen for brother-in-law. In fact, I can tell she already admires and likes him very much."

"That fellow certainly is popular with girls," Qin Wanru said with a hint of bitterness, though she had to concede Zu An's charm. Not to mention Chuyan, even Huanzhao, and Youzhao, harbored deep feelings for him. Even the esteemed Empress was utterly devoted to him. However, she hesitated for a moment and decided not to reveal Youzhao's feelings for Zu An under these circumstances.

Chu Youzhao took a deep breath, seemingly making her final decision. "If this is destined to happen, then it can only be brother-in-law!"