Chapter 380: Joy Turns to Sorrow

Zu'an had no time for him. He quickly sent someone to bring Qin Wanru back.

While waiting for news, Zu'an suddenly had an idea. He searched Chu Tiesheng's belongings and found two porcelain bottles. One white bottle had a red paper label that read "Bull's Milk." This was likely the poison Qin Wanru had been afflicted with, something even Ji Dengtu kept thinking about.

"Hmph, confiscated," he thought. "Otherwise, if that scoundrel Ji Dengtu gets his hands on it, who knows how many virtuous women he'll harm."

Next, he discovered a green porcelain bottle with a label that read "Forget-Sorrow Water."

"'Forget-Sorrow Water?'" Zu'an paused, puzzled. "What's this? The name sounds quite poetic, but I wonder what its effects are."

"Maybe I'll find Ji Xiaoxi to test the medicine next time?"

Ji Dengtu's ferocious, roaring face suddenly appeared in Zu'an's mind. If Ji Dengtu knew he was tormenting his beloved daughter like this, he would surely fight him to the death.

He shivered, quickly dismissed the thought, and put the bottle into the space of the Glazed Treasure Bottle, intending to investigate its effects later.

Meanwhile, when Qin Wanru saw the Chu family guards coming for her, her first reaction was that her hiding place had been exposed. Believing Zu'an's operation had failed, she worried for his safety.

Only after the messenger repeatedly assured her, and remembering his usual loyalty, did she cautiously follow them back to the Chu family mansion.

When the Chu family members saw Qin Wanru appear, the last heavy stone in their hearts finally lifted.

After all, Zu'an's previous words were merely his side of the story. Although he was the Chu family son-in-law, the true decision-makers in the Chu family were still the Master, Madam, and Eldest Young Lady.

Qin Wanru made various arrangements to handle the remaining Chu family affairs. Finding a free moment, she pulled Zu'an aside and looked at him in surprise: "How did you do it?"

"Do what?" Zu'an chuckled.

"Hong Zhong and Chu Tiesheng, of course!" Qin Wanru asked, full of doubt. "One is a seventh-rank, the other a sixth-rank—neither of them someone you could handle. Plus, they had countless guards with them. How did you manage to capture and kill them directly?"

Zu'an replied proudly, "Actually... I'm a master."

Qin Wanru naturally didn't believe him. She had seen Zu'an fight; while his cultivation was indeed good, it was nowhere near that level.

However, Hong Zhong and Chu Tiesheng's bodies were still there, leaving her no choice but to believe.

Recalling Chu Chuyan's instruction to trust Zu'an before she left, Qin Wanru secretly sighed, realizing how far she lagged behind Chuyan in discerning people.

However, she immediately thought of something else, and her expression instantly became awkward.

"How will I face my daughter now?" she wondered.

Just then, Chu Yuepo also ran over, his face beaming, to offer his regards: "Elder Sister-in-law, it's wonderful that you're unharmed. I've been so worried about you!"

Qin Wanru gathered her scattered thoughts. "Hmph, you must be very disappointed to see me back, aren't you? I didn't see you do anything when I was in trouble."

During Chu Tiesheng's rebellion, the third branch had remained completely silent, as if they hadn't witnessed any of it.

Chu Yuepo gave a wry smile. "Elder Sister-in-law, the family situation changed so suddenly, I hadn't even reacted when you all disappeared. At that time, Chu Tiesheng and Hong Zhong's alliance was too powerful. If I had dared to object, our entire family would surely have been killed by them."

"Circumstances were against us. I could only feign compliance with them while secretly preserving our strength, waiting for the right moment to welcome Big Brother and Elder Sister-in-law back."

Qin Wanru knew he was merely trying to save face. She sneered, "And what, pray tell, would be the 'right moment' in your words?"

Chu Yuepo replied with a fawning smile, "Like just now, for instance. If I hadn't sent people to assist, Ah Zu probably wouldn't have cleared out Hong Zhong and Chu Tiesheng's remaining forces so quickly."

Qin Wanru knew he was the type to adapt to the prevailing winds. At least he hadn't colluded with Chu Tiesheng from the start, so she didn't want to make things too difficult for him. She simply gave him a warning and sent him away.

Then she went to look for Chu Hanzhao, thinking how terrified she must have been these past two days.

However, when she found Chu Hanzhao, the girl was curled up asleep in Zu'an's arms, faint tear stains still visible at the corners of her eyes.

"Shhh," Zu'an immediately made a shushing gesture when he saw Qin Wanru approaching, motioning for her not to wake Xiaozhao.

Qin Wanru frowned, but seeing Xiaozhao tightly clinging to Zu'an's arm, she ultimately sighed inwardly, "Oh, what a karmic entanglement!"

After a moment, Zu'an carried Chu Hanzhao to her bed, covered her with a blanket, and then came out. "Madam, Xiaozhao has been worried about us for the past two days and barely slept. She just now finally relaxed completely."

A faint smile appeared on Qin Wanru's face. "This girl usually seems mischievous and playful, but I didn't expect her to be so filial. It's truly worth my affection for her."

Then her expression turned stern. "What exactly are your intentions towards Xiaozhao?"

Zu'an paused, surprised. "No intentions at all. I just see her as a lovely younger sister, a compatible friend."

"That's good," Qin Wanru's expression softened slightly. "However, you still need to be careful of your boundaries from now on. Although she's still young, she'll be getting married in a couple of years. If rumors spread about you constantly embracing her, it will damage her reputation, and no family will likely want her as a daughter-in-law."

Zu'an burst out laughing. "How could someone as cute as Xiaozhao be unwanted? If no one wants her, I will!"

Qin Wanru's face instantly flushed crimson. She grabbed a feather duster nearby and chased after him, hitting him.

"You scoundrel! I knew you were scheming something like this!"

Qin Wanru's rage skyrocketed.

Zu'an dodged while begging for mercy, "Madam, stop hitting me! It was just a joke, a joke..."

Old Mi, who was secretly observing the two, showed a playful smile on his face when he saw this scene.

"Not bad, not bad," he thought. "This boy is more capable than I imagined."

He had originally thought he would need to slowly establish himself in the mansion after taking over Zu'an's body. To his surprise, Zu'an was so clever and resourceful that he had already completely gained the Chu family's approval. Now, having accomplished such a great feat, his standing in the Chu family would only continue to rise.

What was even more unexpectedly delightful was that Zu'an had not only been accepted by the Eldest Young Lady but also had an excellent relationship with the Second Young Lady. In Old Mi's view, once he became Zu'an, with just a little cunning, the Second Young Lady would be his for the taking.

Even Madam Chu herself seemed to have a strange attitude towards him.

Having lived for so many years, although his body was failing, he had witnessed so much that his theoretical knowledge surpassed anyone else's.

He believed that with the right approach, even having an intimate moment with Madam Chu was not impossible.

At worst, he could just use that "Forget-Sorrow Water." Zu'an didn't know what it was for, but Old Mi knew perfectly well.

Perhaps due to his physical incapacitation and long-term suppression, Old Mi's desires in this area were stronger than anyone else's.

Moreover, as a man who had lived for a long time, he found mature women like Qin Wanru even more attractive.

Zu'an was indeed too young; he was still thinking about choosing. A true man, of course, wanted them all!

All the necessary materials were gathered; it would be in the next couple of days. He would perform the body-snatching ritual and gain a new life!

Thinking of the Chu family's wealth and all the beautiful wives and concubines that would be his, a fervent desire flashed in Old Mi's eyes.

He then sneered repeatedly. "That boy Zu'an actually tried to hide it from me, but how could he know I've already sensed the aura of my treasure!"

Previously, he had worried that he wouldn't be able to bury his original body intact after the body-snatching. Now, that last bit of concern was gone.

That brat Zu'an dared to deceive him, so being possessed was his deserved retribution.

"Hahahaha!" Back in his room, Old Mi could no longer suppress the triumph in his heart and burst into laughter, tilting his head back.

Just then, a coughing sound suddenly came from outside the window: "Little Yingzi, what's making you so happy?"