Chapter 363: Gift

"Why are you so excited about someone else's wedding?" Qin Wanru asked, annoyed, having just been startled by his reaction.

Zu An also realized his gaffe and chuckled sheepishly, "I just didn't expect the esteemed Sang family to be so superstitious."

"The idea of a 'happiness-inducing wedding' is indeed vague, but seeking a good omen is not bad. Besides, Sang Qian and Zheng Dan are already engaged, so getting married sooner or later makes no difference," Qin Wanru said.

"How can it be the same?" Zu An retorted anxiously. If, as Zheng Dan had told him, the wedding was about a year away, he would have a year to grow stronger. By then, he would naturally have the confidence to return and claim her. But if the wedding happened now, he was self-aware enough to know that his current strength was nowhere near enough to contend with the Sang family.

Qin Wanru gave him a surprised look, genuinely puzzled why he cared so much. No matter how vivid her imagination, she couldn't have guessed the relationship between him and Zheng Dan.

"More than that, I'm worried about something else," Qin Wanru said with a troubled expression. "That night, Sang Qian was injured by those men in black while escorting the salt permits. Now, those permits are in our hands. If we use them to rescue Zhongtian, will Sang Hong misunderstand and think we were responsible for the attack that night? That would truly lead to an endless feud."

Zu An realized why he hadn't heard any news of Chu Zhongtian's return after so many days. "Haven't they found out the identity of those men in black yet? Didn't the black market investigate?" he wondered.

Qin Wanru explained, "Of course, they investigated. But that night, many people witnessed the black market operators allowing Sang Qian to take the goods in a law-abiding manner, without any resistance. They also claimed to be completely unaware of what happened afterward. Although Sang Hong arrested some people, they knew nothing. Clearly, the black market was well-prepared."

Zu An thought about how even Qiu Honglei had left, meaning important figures had probably withdrawn in advance. Naturally, Sang Hong wouldn't be able to find anything.

"So, what do you plan to do, Madam?" Zu An asked.

Qin Wanru replied, "Initially, I was hesitant, but these past two days, I've already mentioned the salt permits to Sang Hong through various channels. That way, the crime Zhongtian supposedly committed will cease to exist, and he'll naturally be acquitted. As for Sang Hong, even if he's suspicious, he should be clear that our Chu family has no connection to the black market."

"Will it really go so smoothly...?" Zu An was somewhat worried, but he understood Qin Wanru's desire to rescue Chu Zhongtian quickly and her reluctance to see him suffer in prison.

Next, Qin Wanru went to gather her trusted confidantes to discuss the specific details of rescuing Chu Zhongtian.

Zu An was also worried about Zheng Dan. Since it was inconvenient for him to go to the Zheng family to find her, he could only hurry to the school, hoping she would be there.

Upon arriving at the school, he saw a group of people gathered around Zheng Dan from a distance, seemingly congratulating her. The two maids behind her were already laden with gifts.

"Thank you, everyone. I didn't expect to receive so many gifts," Zheng Dan said with a radiant smile, her expression showing no trace of anything amiss.

"Student Zheng," Zu An called out, unable to help himself.

Zheng Dan turned and saw him, smiling faintly. "Student Zu, this should be my last time at school before my wedding. You won't mind if I don't call you 'teacher,' will you?"

"You seem quite happy," Zu An couldn't help but say.

"I'm getting married soon, why wouldn't I be happy?" Zheng Dan replied, looking puzzled.

Zu An was speechless.

With so many people watching, he couldn't reveal anything. "Then congratulations, Miss Zheng," he said.

Zheng Dan extended her jade-like hand. "That's not very sincere. Don't you have a wedding gift prepared?"

Zu An was speechless again.

"I came in a hurry, so I haven't had time to prepare anything."

Zheng Dan smiled faintly. "It's alright, I was being presumptuous."

Those around them couldn't help but praise her grace and understanding, while simultaneously despising Zu An's stinginess.

Zu An was frustrated. With so many people present, there were many things he couldn't say, so he pretended to leave.

Zheng Dan continued to bid farewell to other students, finally leaving the school gates with a large pile of gifts.

Near the school entrance, she asked her two maids to go out first and help her organize her things. "I forgot to take care of something. Please wait for me outside."

"Yes, Miss," the two maids bowed and hurried out, carrying various gift boxes.

Zheng Dan, however, turned and walked towards a nearby tree-lined path, quickly arriving at a secluded, empty spot.

"Oh, how did you know I was waiting for you here?" Zu An emerged from behind a tree.

Zheng Dan snorted. "I'm at least a fifth-grade practitioner, you know. Besides, you kept giving me glances just now."

"I thought you wouldn't come to see me," Zu An couldn't help but say.

"There were so many people just now. What could I do?" Zheng Dan sighed.

"Are you really happy about getting married?" Zu An asked, looking at her.

"What's wrong? Are you jealous?" Zheng Dan smiled, her lips pursed.

Zu An's temper flared. He grabbed her, pulled her over his knee, and spanked her twice.

"Mmm," Zheng Dan hummed sweetly, her eyes instantly becoming watery. "Not here. It'll be trouble if someone sees us. Let's go to your dorm."

Zu An's heart skipped a beat upon hearing her. This woman truly possessed a natural enchanting charm.

Still, he remembered the important matter at hand. As they walked, he composed himself and asked, "How serious are Sang Qian's injuries that he needs to marry early for 'happiness inducement'?"

A hint of worry appeared between Zheng Dan's brows. "It's not looking good. I might become a widow right after entering their home."

"Isn't the Sang family clearly pushing you into a pit of fire?" Zu An instantly became anxious. "Is the Zheng family just going to stand by and do nothing?"

"The Zheng family?" Zheng Dan gave a self-deprecating laugh. "I'm merely a pawn in an alliance between two families. They need to leverage my connection to align themselves with the Sang family. As for whether the husband I marry is tall or short, fat or thin, or even alive or dead, they don't care. Their biggest concern is that Sang Qian might die before we even complete the wedding ceremony. Just like those classmates who gave me gifts earlier – their words were all flowery and charming, but deep down, they're probably pitying and mocking me."

Seeing her downcast expression, a warmth surged in Zu An's heart, and he blurted out, "Don't marry him. I'll take you away."

Zheng Dan looked at him with a hint of surprise, her eyes softening. "What, are you developing feelings for me now?"

Zu An frowned. "You don't need to demean yourself by saying that. I don't believe you have no feelings in your heart."

Zheng Dan's face flushed slightly. "Regardless, your concern makes my reckless efforts these past days worthwhile... But I grew up in the Zheng family, enjoying their luxurious life and various cultivation resources. I can't just run away when it's time for me to contribute. I'm not capable of doing such a thing."

Zu An hesitated, wanting to speak but holding back. They had discussed this issue many times before and knew that further words would be futile.

Zheng Dan took his hand, her face full of smiles. "I'm getting married. Give me a gift as a keepsake."

Zu An looked annoyed. "You're marrying another man. I'm not kind enough to give a gift for that."

"No, you'll definitely be willing to give this gift," Zheng Dan said, noticing they had reached the dorms. She stood on tiptoe and whispered into his ear, her breath like orchids, "Give me a child."

Zu An's heart pounded. Unable to resist, he pulled her directly into the room.

Perhaps it was the thought that this might be their last time, or the realization of their destined lack of a future, but they were more passionate than ever, remaining intimately entwined in the room.

Meanwhile, at the Sang family estate, Sang Hong was meeting a man in a green robe in his study. The man respectfully asked, "How is the young master?"

"Whether he survives this ordeal depends on his fate," Sang Hong replied, looking significantly older than before.

The man in green said, "A fortunate person is always blessed by heaven. The young master will surely be fine."

Sang Hong was clearly numb to such pleasantries and waved his hand impatiently. "I called you here to discuss the Chu family matter. Qin Wanru somehow acquired a batch of legitimate salt permits. I can only detain Chu Zhongtian for a few more days, so you must gain control of the Chu family before then."

The man in green said gravely, "That won't be easy."

"That's your problem," Sang Hong sneered. "You've been plotting for so many years; I don't believe you're unprepared. Don't worry, I'll provide whatever help you need. This is the best and last chance you'll get. Miss it, and there won't be another."

The man in green's expression flickered between light and shadow. After a long moment, he made up his mind and emphatically uttered a single word: "Good!"

I had some matters today, so this is just one update. I'll make up for it tomorrow.