Chapter 350: Status Change

"What!" Zu An exclaimed in surprise, quickly grabbing his hands. "Brother Wei, do you have a solution?"

Wei Hongde smiled faintly. "Actually, it's not that I have a solution, but my father does. As for the specifics, I'm not entirely sure."

Zu An looked frustrated. "Aren't you just toying with me?"

Wei Hongde explained, "Brother Zu, you've misunderstood. The reason we sought you out is because of your friendship with Wei Suo, which makes us willing to trust you. No one is more suitable to be an intermediary than you. However, the specific resolution is not something that juniors like you and I can decide."

Zu An couldn't help but say, "It sounds like I'm being looked down upon."

It was clear that he wasn't qualified to discuss the matter; the true head of the Chu family needed to speak with Wei Dabao.

Wei Hongde smiled slightly. "Because you and Wei Suo are friends, I'm being direct with you. Please forgive me if my words were offensive, Brother Zu."

Zu An scoffed. "But you have to tell me something. Otherwise, if I know nothing, how can I go back and explain to the Chu family?"

Wei Hongde hesitated before saying, "I've heard the Chu family is currently in urgent need of funds. We can offer some assistance in that regard. As for anything more specific, I genuinely don't know."

Zu An's heart stirred. It sounded suspiciously like an offer for a high-interest loan.

The Wei family had always maintained a low profile in Mingyue City. People only knew that some of their clan members held official positions in the capital and even seemed to have connections within the imperial palace; beyond that, information was scarce. They generally did not get involved in Mingyue City's affairs, almost as if they didn't exist. However, given their family background, no one dared to offend them. For many years, the Wei family had been virtually invisible, but now they were suddenly emerging.

After bidding farewell to Wei Hongde, Zu An hurried back to the Chu family residence and found Qin Wanru to report on the Wei family's offer. As for the salt monopoly permits, he had no leads yet, and since Qiu Honglei was involved, it wasn't convenient to tell her about that.

After hearing his report, Qin Wanru quickly summoned trusted Chu family members, as well as those from the second and third branches, for a discussion.

Zu An was puzzled. "The people from the second and third branches are treacherous. Why would you still consult with them?"

Qin Wanru shook her head. "Although they each have their own agendas, they are still members of the Chu family. If the Chu family falls, they won't fare well either, so they will certainly help the family overcome this crisis."

Having witnessed various internal conflicts in history books in his previous life, Zu An found it hard to agree with her reasoning. However, her personality had always been strong, and Zu An wasn't foolish enough to cross her.

Soon, a group of people arrived at the council hall upon hearing the news. Whether it was Chu Chuyan's instruction before she left or because Zu An brought the information, Qin Wanru surprisingly allowed him to participate in such an important matter. Seeing Zu An in the council hall, everyone, from Chu Tiesheng and Chu Yuepo to steward Hong Zhong and guard captain Yue Shan, was very surprised. After all, this signified his formal entry into the Chu family's decision-making circle. If he had previously been merely an ignored live-in son-in-law, after today, no one in the Chu family should dare to belittle him as they once did.

Chu Tiesheng was about to voice his doubts, but Chu Yuepo, standing nearby, pulled his hand and transmitted a message to him with his vital energy: "Brother is not here, and Sister-in-law is alone now. She needs someone to support her. Just let her be."

Chu Tiesheng relented but still asked, "Sister-in-law, why isn't Chuyan here?"

Not only him, but Hong Zhong and Yue Shan also looked over curiously.

Qin Wanru said, "Chuyan went out on an errand and won't be coming today." She didn't elaborate, maintaining a mysterious demeanor. The few people in the hall exchanged glances, secretly wondering where Chu Chuyan had gone.

Qin Wanru cleared her throat, drawing everyone's attention back, and then recounted the matter concerning the Wei family. After listening, the hall immediately erupted in a commotion.

Chu Tiesheng immediately said, "I think something's amiss. The Wei family has been so low-key for so many years, and now they're suddenly making a move. There must be an ulterior motive."

Chu Yuepo, however, had a different opinion: "As far as I know, there has been an organization in Mingyue City secretly providing loans to families in urgent need of money for years. At the time, their background seemed mysterious, but now I suspect it was mostly the Wei family. Since we're in need of money right now, it might be good to borrow from them."

Qin Wanru neither confirmed nor denied, instead looking towards the steward beside her. "Elder Hong, what do you think?"

The Hong family had served the Chu family for generations. Hong Zhong was particularly astute and formidable, having even served the previous head of the Chu family. His prestige within the household had always been high, and the Chu couple consistently held him in great respect.

Hong Zhong said gravely, "My other concern is that the Wei family has imperial connections. Could it be that they've received the emperor's instruction? Perhaps offering us a loan is a pretense, and their real intention is to seize this opportunity to move against us?"

As soon as he spoke, several people in the room nodded. Even Zu An couldn't help but give him another look. He truly lived up to his reputation as the Chu family's chief steward; his insight and demeanor far surpassed that of ordinary people. What a pity he had a son like Hong Xingying. Objectively speaking, Hong Xingying's qualities in various aspects were decent among his peers, but his mindset was too restless, a far cry from his father's composure. Speaking of which, Zu An hadn't seen him in a long time. The guy was probably terrified of him, staying secluded at school and deliberately avoiding him every time.

While Zu An was lost in thought, Chu Yuepo spoke again: "It might not necessarily be a conspiracy. From what I know, the influential nobles in the capital hold vast wealth but find it inconvenient to operate openly, and the capital's regulations are strict. So, they often find 'white glove' representatives to lend money with compounded interest in other regions. In my opinion, the Wei family is likely doing the same. They do have officials serving in the imperial palace, but it's not necessarily the emperor behind them. It could be some concubines in the palace, or high-ranking eunuchs, or even some of the capital's esteemed families... In any case, the probability of them being sent by the emperor is very small."

The few people discussed animatedly, each of them making valid points. Zu An curiously glanced at Yue Shan, who hadn't uttered a single word from beginning to end. He truly lived up to his name; he was as steadfast and dependable as a mountain, no wonder he had always been Chu Zhongtian's most trusted subordinate.

After some discussion, Qin Wanru finally made her decision: "It's indeed difficult to know the Wei family's true intentions right now. However, our Chu family is genuinely short on funds, so it's necessary to make contact with them." She recalled hitting dead ends everywhere when she and Chuyan tried to borrow money recently, especially how the head of the Li family had audaciously harbored improper designs on her, which filled her with a fit of rage. Seeing that the others were about to speak further, she raised a hand to stop them. "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. Contacting them doesn't mean we'll definitely borrow money from them. Let's first see what their true intentions are." Only then did the others cease their objections.

After the meeting adjourned, Zu An was about to leave when Qin Wanru called him aside.

"Accompany me to the Wei family!"