Chapter 296: Handsome Man Scheme

"A boycott?" Chu Chuyan frowned, instantly considering many possibilities.

Qiu Honglei smiled faintly. "It seems Miss Chu will be very busy today, so I'll take my leave now and won't bother you."

Chu Chuyan looked at her strangely, keenly noticing the change in her address. "Why isn't she calling me 'Elder Sister' anymore?" she wondered. "There's no hurry at the moment. By the way, when will we welcome Miss Qiu into the family? Does Miss Qiu have any specific requests?"

"Let's discuss that later," Qiu Honglei replied. "After all, Divine Immortal Residence has nurtured me for so many years, and I can't bear to leave immediately. It might be a while." At this moment, Qiu Honglei's thoughts flashed like lightning. She considered that if Zu An's status in the Chu family was high and he and Chu Chuyan were in perfect harmony, then her previous plans would need to be re-evaluated.

Although surprised by her significant change, Chu Chuyan felt much more at ease knowing she wouldn't have to welcome Qiu Honglei into the mansion immediately. "Then everything will be as Miss Qiu wishes."

Qiu Honglei rose, bowed, and prepared to leave. As she reached the door, she suddenly turned back. "Oh, Miss Chu, I should be able to return to Divine Immortal Residence now, shouldn't I?"

Yesterday, the Chu family had kept her at the mansion for secrecy, as she had witnessed Chu Chuyan's severe injuries.

Now that Chu Chuyan was safe and sound, there was naturally no longer any need for secrecy.

Chu Chuyan naturally understood her father's intentions from yesterday. She smiled faintly. "Of course!"

Qiu Honglei nodded, leaving behind an incredibly graceful figure as she gradually disappeared into the distance.

Zu An was dumbfounded. "What just happened?"

"Why did she leave without saying a word to me?"

"Wife, are all women so fickle?" Zu An asked, looking dejected.

Chu Chuyan scoffed softly. "Who knows how you managed to offend her."

Despite saying that, she was quite pleased inwardly. After all, Qiu Honglei was so beautiful that Chu Chuyan had felt immense pressure.

However, she quickly composed herself. Business was more important. "Zu An, come out with me."

"Oh." Zu An instinctively followed, still wondering what he had done to offend Qiu Honglei. Although he knew her initial demeanor was an act, her now dropping the pretense still left him feeling somewhat disappointed.

*Sigh*, men are truly pathetic!

After leaving the Chu family estate, Chu Chuyan did not head to the market where the merchants were causing trouble. Instead, she went straight to the Zheng family's residence.

Over the years, she had learned that to resolve an issue, one must find its root cause. It was clear that the Zheng family was likely behind the current commotion.

The two arrived at the Zheng family residence. Chu Chuyan requested an audience with Zheng Yutang, the head of the Zheng family, but the gatekeeper informed them that the patriarch was not present.

"They're clearly refusing to see us. What can we do?" Zu An asked, a little anxious after being turned away.

To his surprise, Chu Chuyan showed no sign of surprise. "That's why I brought you here," she said.

"Brought me here?" Zu An was taken aback, not immediately understanding her meaning.

Chu Chuyan looked at the Zheng family's main gate and parted her lips slightly. "You go over there and request to see Miss Zheng. You saved her life, and she has sought you out several times, so she probably has a good impression of you. If you go to see her, she should grant you an audience."

Zu An immediately looked dejected. "What do you take me for? Are you asking me to use my looks?"

Chu Chuyan scoffed. "I'm not afraid of taking a loss, so what are you afraid of? Go quickly!"

Zu An walked towards the Zheng family gate, utterly bewildered. He still couldn't understand why Chu Chuyan would be the one "taking a loss."

Upon learning his purpose, the Zheng family's gatekeepers exchanged glances. However, remembering that their master had not specifically given instructions for such a situation, they had no choice but to go in and announce him.

A moment later, someone emerged and said, "Young Master, our young lady requests your presence."

Zu An thought, "Zheng Dan, this woman is decent; she didn't let me down."

He hurriedly turned to call Chu Chuyan to enter with him, but Chu Chuyan merely shook her head slightly.

Just as he was about to go over and persuade her, Chu Chuyan transmitted her voice with vital energy: "The Zheng family has no intention of seeing me. My entering would only cause more trouble. You go in. When you're there, tell her this..."

Zu An committed her instructions to memory, then followed the Zheng family servant through the gate.

This was his first time at the Zheng family residence. He looked around and observed that, to some extent, the Zheng family's courtyards were even more splendid and luxurious than the Chu family's. However, upon closer inspection, one would notice they lacked a certain indefinable air.

He presumed this was the difference between new money and a truly long-established noble family.

A young attendant led him through several courtyards, after which a maid took over as his guide.

Before long, he heard the faint, serene sound of a zither drifting from a distance.

Zu An couldn't help but exclaim, "Who is playing the zither? It sounds quite masterful."

"Of course, it's our young lady," the maid said proudly. "Besides her, who else possesses such skill?"

"Zheng Dan?" The image of her classically beautiful face rose in his mind, and he thought that she truly suited the guqin.

The zither music grew clearer and clearer. Soon after, he was led to an elegant embroidered tower. Remembering his previous lesson, he instinctively looked up at the plaque above the entrance:

"Zhuluo Tower!"

"Miss, Young Master Zu has arrived," the maid announced, bowing towards the upper floor.

"You may go," a gentle, watery voice drifted from the upper floor. Zheng Dan was sitting by the window, leisurely playing her zither.

"Yes," the maid curtsied and retreated with small, quick steps.

Zu An couldn't help but laugh. "It seems you manage your subordinates quite strictly. Even your maids don't dare approach your room casually."

Zheng Dan smiled faintly. "It's just that I don't like to be disturbed when I'm playing the zither, so she's a bit more careful."

Zu An sighed. "Then I suppose I've come at a bad time?"

"You're different," Zheng Dan said, revealing a sweet smile. "Zu An, please come up."

Zu An sighed inwardly, lamenting his luck. Every woman he encountered seemed to have acting skills worthy of an Oscar-winning actress.

After going upstairs, Zu An seized the opportunity to say, "If General Sang were to hear that, I'm afraid he wouldn't be pleased."

Zheng Dan stopped playing the zither. Her slender fingers rested gently on the instrument as her bright, beautiful eyes gazed quietly at him. "Would you tell him?"

"Of course not." Zu An's heart skipped a beat. This woman was definitely trying to seduce him!

"Then it's fine," Zheng Dan said with a slight smile. She rose and gestured for him to sit down, pouring him a pot of tea at the same time.

Zu An observed the woman before him closely. Dressed in a blue-and-white porcelain print dress, her every movement exuded elegance. Watching her pour tea was truly a delight.

"Miss Chu is quite willing to let you in," Zheng Dan suddenly remarked.

Zu An did not deny it. "Miss Zheng is indeed exceptionally clever."

Zheng Dan smiled as she eyed him. "Isn't she afraid I'll devour you?"

Zu An laughed. "I don't know if she's afraid or not, but I'd certainly welcome it with open arms."

A hint of a blush appeared perfectly on Zheng Dan's face. "Since you're in favor, why don't you come live with the Zheng family then? Our family definitely wouldn't treat you like the Chu family does."

"Unless I come to the Zheng family as a son-in-law, I'm not interested," Zu An replied, shaking his head.

"Alright," Zheng Dan agreed readily.

"But if I'm not mistaken, don't you have a marriage engagement with General Sang?" Zu An thought to himself that if it were any other young man, he would have long been utterly captivated by this woman.

Zheng Dan smiled faintly. "It's just an engagement; we haven't officially married yet. There's still time for everything. To take a step back, even if we do get married, if the groom isn't you, the child will certainly be yours."