Chapter 343: Compromised Goods

Zu An was startled, then couldn't help but smile, "What do you think there is between us?"

Chu Chuyan looked embarrassed. "I also think it's quite unlikely, but I just feel that you two are much closer than I imagined."

"I wish something could happen between us, but unfortunately, her long legs could kick me to death," Zu An said with a regretful expression. "The reason we're close is, first, because of the deal we made regarding the Plum Blossom Gang incident, and second, of course, because your husband here is exceptionally gifted. She saw at a glance that I have extraordinary potential and am the perfect person to save the world... Hey, wife, why are you leaving... Sigh, what's wrong with this world? Nobody believes the truth anymore."

Next, the two arrived at the Wang family residence.

After a round of pleasantries, Wang Fu looked troubled. "Niece, by rights, with Zhongtian's incident, I should certainly help without hesitation. However, you are aware of our Wang family's situation this year; we truly don't have the capacity to support you."

Chu Chuyan apologized, saying, "Uncle, I naturally understand the Wang family's difficulties. I didn't come here for that purpose this time."

"Oh, then what is it about?" Wang Fu was somewhat surprised.

Chu Chuyan said, "Mainly, I'm here to ask about the salt certificate incident. How many people in the Wang family were aware of it?"

Wang Fu's expression changed. "Niece, are you suspecting that we leaked the secret, causing Duke Mingyue's incident just now?"

Chu Chuyan replied apologetically, "That's not what I meant. Of course, we wouldn't suspect you, Uncle. It's just that the Sang family's spies are everywhere, and it's possible that others might have unconsciously leaked information."

"Absolutely impossible!" Wang Fu stated flatly. "When the salt certificates were last robbed, most of the Wang family's accompanying guards were killed or injured. This matter was only known to me, Yuanlong, the butler, and two other people. Every one of them has been with the Wang family for decades; I trust them completely."

Hearing his answer, Chu Chuyan smiled slightly: "It seems I misunderstood."

"By the way, Uncle, do you have any suggestions for the current situation of the Chu family? Also, do you have any influential connections in Sunflare City who might be able to help smooth things over regarding this matter?"

Wang Fu quickly replied, "Of course, I know some people, but this incident has become too big. I'm not sure if they can help..."

After leaving the Wang residence, Zu An couldn't help but say, "I've heard you mention before that it was Wang Fu who proposed advancing the salt certificates for the next few years. Could it be that he already sided with Sang Hong and deliberately set up this trap together?"

Chu Chuyan shook her head slightly. "The Wang and Chu families have had a friendship spanning several hundred years, and their private relations are very close; it shouldn't be the case. Of course, I can't rule out the possibility you mentioned... Unfortunately, pursuing these questions now is pointless. The immediate priority is how to help the Chu family overcome this crisis."

"That's true," Zu An hummed. "Where to next?"

"To the Xie family!" Chu Chuyan said in a deep voice.

Zu An realized she was right. Among the powerful aristocratic families capable of helping the Chu family, the Yuan family and the Zheng family had always been rivals, and there was also the Wu family from the neighboring county. It was impossible to seek help from them. That left only the Xie family.

The reason Chu Chuyan didn't approach the Xie family first was likely due to her apprehension about King Qi's influence behind them.

However, now at their wit's end, they ultimately had to give it a try.

The two arrived at the Xie residence. After the servant went to announce their arrival, he came out with an apologetic expression and said, "Miss Chu, our master has gone out on urgent business and has not yet returned."

Chu Chuyan frowned: "Do you know what Master Xie went to do, and when he might return?"

The servant shook his head: "Please forgive me, Miss Chu, but that's not something we servants are at liberty to ask."

Chu Chuyan looked disappointed: "Thank you for your trouble." With that, she turned and left.

Watching her departing figure, the servant secretly sighed: "Miss Chu is even more beautiful than the rumors say, and she's so humble and polite. Just exchanging a few words with her today is enough for me to brag about to my buddies for a lifetime."

"Just leaving like this?" Zu An couldn't help but ask.

"What else can we do?" Chu Chuyan sighed. "Whether City Lord Xie genuinely went out or used it as an excuse not to see us, he has already clearly expressed his stance."

"Actually, getting into the Xie mansion isn't that difficult," Zu An said after a moment's hesitation.

Chu Chuyan was surprised: "You have a way?"

Zu An smiled mysteriously: "Watch me!"

He walked towards the main gate. The servant, seeing him, quickly waved his hand and said, "I already told you our master isn't here."

Zu An quietly slipped him a silver ingot: "I'm not here for Master Xie; I'm here for your young lady."

He had learned earlier, when he went to the academy, that Xie Daoyun was not attending classes today. For children from prominent families like them, attending classes was often a matter of personal choice; they usually only attended courses they found interesting. If a class didn't appeal to them that day, or if they had other engagements, they simply wouldn't go.

Clutching the heavy silver in his hand, the servant's eyes lit up: "Alright, I'll go inform the young lady for you right away. However, our young lady may not necessarily see you."

Zu An smiled faintly: "Just tell her who I am."

The servant nodded and quickly ran through the gate. After a moment, he ran out again: "Our young lady invites you in, sir."

He was filled with disbelief. His young lady rarely saw outsiders, yet upon hearing that Zu An was looking for her, she immediately agreed. He had never seen her so delighted before.

Zu An, meanwhile, waved to Chu Chuyan, signaling her to come in with him.

The servant looked troubled: "Our young lady didn't say..."

He was interrupted by Zu An before he could finish: "And she didn't say she wouldn't see her either, did she?"

The servant was startled: "No, she didn't."

"Then it's fine. They actually have a good private relationship," Zu An said, pulling Chu Chuyan directly into the Xie mansion.

The Xie family's staff found it inconvenient to turn them away again, reasoning that they were going to see their own young lady anyway.

On the way, Chu Chuyan quietly tugged on Zu An's sleeve: "Why are you so familiar with Miss Xie?"

Living in Brightmoon City, she was well aware of Xie Daoyun's personality. Although Xie Daoyun frequently attended poetry gatherings and other events outside, Chu Chuyan had never heard of her receiving any men at home.

Zu An smiled faintly: "When one is handsome, it's inevitable to have a bit more luck with women."

Chu Chuyan: "..."

She suddenly felt a sense of déjà vu. It was the same last time at the Zheng family, when he had managed to charm the eldest daughter of the Zheng family in a similar way. It seemed all the beautiful young ladies in Brightmoon City had some intricate connection with him. Thinking of this, she couldn't help but become a little wary: "A'Zu, are you hiding a lot of things from me?"

Zu An spread his hands: "I've told you many things already; it's just that you don't believe me."

Chu Chuyan was about to press further when she saw Xie Daoyun coming out to greet them.

Xie Daoyun, who had been full of smiles, stiffened slightly when she saw Chu Chuyan, but quickly recovered: "I was wondering why Young Master Zu had time to visit me. So, he's here to advocate for a beauty."

Zu An bowed apologetically: "We wished to see your esteemed father, but unfortunately, he avoided us. We had no choice but to resort to this. We hope for Miss Xie's assistance."

Xie Daoyun hummed, then stepped forward, took Chu Chuyan's hand, and said softly, "I've also heard about Duke Mingyue's situation. You don't need to worry too much. After all, he's a dignified Duke, and the Prefect wouldn't dare to do anything to him."

Chu Chuyan quickly expressed her thanks. Both women, being daughters of prominent families in Brightmoon City and classmates, were actually quite familiar with each other and soon fell into conversation.

Zu An secretly curled his lip. These two were typical "plastic sisters"—their friendship wasn't that deep, yet now they were acting like best friends.

After a while, Xie Daoyun smiled faintly: "How about this? I'll take you to find Father. He should be back by now."

She wasn't foolish; naturally, she wouldn't openly expose her father's previous excuse.

Chu Chuyan was inwardly delighted: "Many thanks!"

"You're welcome," Xie Daoyun nodded to her. At the same time, she found an opportunity to approach Zu An and whispered, "You owe me a song, don't you?"

Zu An knew this was her condition, so he could only reply, "Okay!" Meanwhile, he secretly wondered which song from his previous life he should plagiarize to satisfy her.

Although their voices were low, they didn't escape Chu Chuyan's ears. On the surface, she remained calm, but inwardly, a storm raged. Had A'Zu become this close to Xie Daoyun? Qiu Honglei showing up at their door earlier had been shocking, but later, Qiu Honglei seemed to have disappeared, so Chu Chuyan had simply assumed the other woman had ulterior motives and didn't genuinely like Zu An. But what she saw today—Principal Jiang and Xie Daoyun both had deep connections with him, in addition to Ji Xiaoxi, Zheng Dan, and Instructor Shang from the academy, whom she already knew about... What kind of magic did this guy possess? She had agreed before that she wouldn't mind him having other women, but did he really need to bring back so many at once?

At this moment, Xie Yi, who was leisurely reading in his study, learned that his daughter was about to bring the two visitors to see him. The smile on his face immediately froze. After a long pause, he finally let out a sigh: "It's true that daughters are money pits!" He had originally thought the time wasn't ripe, and he needed the Chu family to suffer a bit more and become truly desperate before he would step in. Xie Daoyun's arrival, however, completely disrupted his plan, so how could he not be annoyed?