Chapter 315: Appointment

Zheng Dan sighed softly. "It's all for the family. For years, the Chu clan has monopolized the official salt market in Brightmoon City, relying on their ancestors' prestige. The rest of our families have been suffocated, forced to find other ways to survive.

"Back then, I was young and impetuous. Seeing my parents sighing all day, I wanted to ease their worries. I also had a restless spirit and wanted to try a different kind of life, so I gave it a shot. Unexpectedly, things spiraled out of control, and I ended up forming the Giant Whale Gang.

"Over the years, the Giant Whale Gang has earned a lot of money for the Zheng family and, to some extent, weakened the Chu clan. My parents smile more now, but I can't bring myself to be happy."

Zu An thought, *Indeed, different perspectives lead to different understandings of a problem.*

From the Chu clan's point of view, private salt was utterly detestable, and the Zheng family resorted to all sorts of despicable tactics.

But from the Zheng family's perspective, they resented the Chu clan's generational privileges and wondered if princes, nobles, generals, and ministers were inherently superior.

Zu An couldn't judge who was right or wrong; it simply depended on whose side one was on.

"Why aren't you happy?" Noticing the sorrow etched on her face, Zu An felt a pang of pity and instinctively reached out to smooth her furrowed brow.

"After all, the Giant Whale Gang deals in smuggled private salt, and it's inevitable that the River Defense Camp would target us. Our marriage alliance with the Sang family is largely for this reason. With their protection, we can smuggle private salt more securely; otherwise, the Giant Whale Gang would have been destroyed long ago," Zheng Dan explained.

In fact, when the Chu clan discovered that the Zheng family's steward was involved in private salt, they had already suspected the Sang family's involvement.

Now, it was finally confirmed.

Sang Hong was truly ruthless. To oppose the Chu clan, he risked getting involved in the private salt trade.

He knew that if this came to light, even if the emperor wanted to protect him, he would lose his position as Prefect.

Unfortunately, there was no evidence for any of this. He couldn't just drag Zheng Dan to implicate the Sang family, could he?

He couldn't bring himself to do something so heartless.

After a moment's thought, Zu An asked, "Do you like Sang Qian?"

Zheng Dan smiled subtly. "Are you jealous?"

Zu An scoffed. "Why would I be jealous of him? If anything, he should be jealous of me."

Zheng Dan naturally understood his meaning and cast a plaintive glance at him before saying, "In terms of appearance, family background, and ability, Sang Qian is an excellent match for our Zheng family. It's just that I don't have any special feelings for him. I agreed to this entirely because it benefits the family. Oh, no, actually, it wasn't even my decision; my family had already arranged it for me."

Sensing the self-pity in her voice, Zu An said, "If that's the case, then this engagement isn't worth keeping. Just come with me when the time comes."

"With you?" Zheng Dan's face held a half-smile. "To the Chu clan?"

Zu An's breath caught. Thinking of the animosity between the Chu and Zheng clans, he was momentarily at a loss for words.

Zheng Dan sighed. "Although I've always appeared gentle and quiet, I'm quite proud at heart. I've never considered becoming a concubine, not even for someone from a distinguished family like Sang Qian."

Seeing the troubled look on Zu An's face, she smiled faintly. "But you're different, Ah Zu. Actually, being your concubine... wouldn't be impossible."

Seeing the tenderness and affection in her eyes, Zu An tightly grasped her soft hand, momentarily speechless.

"But..." Zheng Dan's tone shifted. "I'm not alone. I have to consider my family. I can't selfishly bring about their utter ruin.

"This time, the Sang family represents the emperor's will. The Chu clan is completely defying heaven's decree and is destined to fail. Not to mention the long-standing feud between the Zheng and Chu families, I don't yet have the power to make decisions for the Zheng family."

Zu An couldn't help but say, "But given your current situation... how will you possibly marry into the Sang family then?"

"We can figure that out later. There's still some time until the wedding, so we'll surely find a way to deceive them." A flicker of worry crossed Zheng Dan's brow. The Sang family wasn't foolish, especially Sang Hong, who was exceptionally shrewd. It wouldn't be easy to fool them.

Zu An felt a bit dejected. "Are you really so set on marrying into the Sang family?"

Zheng Dan's soft, delicate fingers gently caressed his cheek. "Is my dear brother upset?"

Hearing "brother," and recalling the intimate words she'd whispered last night, both their hearts stirred.

"The main thing is that we're not strong enough yet; often, we can't control our own destinies," Zheng Dan sighed, but then quickly added, "But Ah Zu, don't worry about anything else. Even if I marry into the Sang family, I will always be yours. Whenever you want me, you can always come find me..."

Uttering such alluring words with her exceedingly dignified face created an indescribable sense of allure.

Zu An's heart skipped a beat, and he hastily said, "That's not what I'm after..."

Zheng Dan gently pressed a finger to his lips. "I know you're not that kind of person, but this is the only thing I can do for you.

"Since childhood, my family has provided me with a life of luxury. My parents and relatives have treated me wonderfully, giving me the best resources and education. I truly cannot abandon them. I hope you won't blame me, Ah Zu."

Zu An shook his head. "You chose this because you are deeply principled and emotional, filial and extremely responsible. How could I selfishly blame you? By the way, when are you and Sang Qian getting married?"

"Probably in about a year," Zheng Dan replied after a moment's thought.

Zu An said in a deep voice, "Alright, there's still time. When the day comes, I'll definitely take you back. Then you won't have to worry about your family or any other issues."

Zheng Dan's face broke into a radiant smile, and her luminous, moist eyes gazed at him affectionately. "Okay, I'll wait for you."

"But in the meantime, you absolutely cannot let that Sang fellow take advantage of you," Zu An said, his face serious.

Zheng Dan smiled subtly. "Don't worry. I haven't even let him hold my hand."

Zu An was a bit surprised. "Then when you came to me earlier..."

At that time, when she came to seduce him, she had been quite unreserved, so he had unconsciously assumed she was the same with her fiancé. If not for confirming her virginity this time, he might have speculated even more.

Zheng Dan gave him a wistful look. "You can talk! I don't know what it is, but every time I see you, I lose my composure. I was clearly trying to use a honey trap, but I accidentally lost both the lady and the troops."

Zu An chuckled. "It just proves we're meant for each other."

Zheng Dan smiled sweetly, pressing her cheek tightly against his chest.

"By the way, why did you approach me in the first place?" Zu An asked with some curiosity.

"It was for the Plum Blossom Gang's IOU of 7.5 million taels. The Plum Blossom Gang was a prize, and countless families in the city had their eyes on it," Zheng Dan said with an embarrassed laugh, especially remembering how she had deliberately tried to seduce him at first.

"It wasn't just the various families; even the academy was eyeing it." Zu An briefly explained his deal with the academy. They were so close now, there was no need to hide anything from her.

Zheng Dan was both embarrassed and exasperated. "Oh, really? So you already didn't have that 7.5 million taels from the start? All this time, I was just wasting my effort, and you deliberately didn't tell me!"

Zu An chuckled mischievously. "Back then, we were enemies, not friends, so why would I tell you? Besides, with such a beautiful woman willingly throwing herself into my arms, what man would be foolish enough to expose the truth?"

"Ahhh, I'll bite you to death, you scoundrel!" Zheng Dan lunged at him, clawing playfully, and Zu An hastily laughed and dodged.

For the next few days, the two remained there by mutual unspoken agreement. One reason was to recover from their injuries; the other was that this was their most private sanctuary, where they didn't have to consider responsibilities, family, or any other bothersome matters.

With a young man and woman alone together, even a brief exchange of glances was enough to ignite a passionate spark.

After Zheng Dan recovered from their passionate encounter, the two enjoyed a period of uninhibited sweet days.

From time to time, sounds emanated from the cave that would make even passing birds blush, along with intimate whispers between the lovers:

"If something unexpected happens in the future, and I can't steal you away in time, even if you marry into the Sang family, you can't let him touch you."

Zheng Dan giggled. "He'll be my lawful husband, you know. Aren't you being a bit unreasonable?"

"I don't care, it's just not allowed!"

"Then you'd better be on time to take me, otherwise, I can't guarantee such a difficult feat."

"You little rascal, you're deliberately trying to provoke me, aren't you?"

"Oh, good brother, have mercy!"

Unfortunately, happy times are always short-lived. A few days later, signs of soldiers searching the vicinity appeared.