Chapter 404: Imperial Commissioner

After Zu An stubbornly kept her on a video call for a while longer, Chu Chuyan finally couldn't take it anymore: "You might have money, but I don't have enough elemental stones here!"

It would have been fine if he were discussing something important, but he was just chatting about everyday matters. Even though the Chu family had always been wealthy, she still felt a pang of heartache.

Seeing that Chu Chuyan was genuinely anxious, Zu An chuckled, "Say 'good hubby' for me, and I'll hang up."

"No, I won't," she retorted. "I can hang up myself."

"Can you really bear to disregard your dear husband's loving devotion?"

In the end, Chu Chuyan couldn't resist his relentless pestering and finally whispered, "Good... good hubby."

Zu An's face was practically splitting with a grin. He deliberately cupped an ear closer and said, "What was that? Your voice is too soft, I can't hear you. Louder!"

"Drop dead!" Chu Chuyan's face flushed crimson. Unable to bear it any longer, she immediately hung up the call.

Zu An was speechless for a moment. It seemed making a video call was such a luxury in this world; life was so much more convenient in his previous world.

However, individual combat prowess wasn't nearly as strong in that world. There's a trade-off for everything, he supposed.

Lying in bed, Zu An began to ponder what would happen next.

He had been back for so many days. While it was understandable that others didn't know the mysterious master's identity, the Wei family, however, couldn't possibly be unaware.

Yet there had been no movement from their side all these days. Were they perhaps brewing some major scheme?

Speaking of which, he still felt a bit apologetic, knowing that Wei Dan was Wei Suo's godfather.

Although Wei Dan hadn't died by his hand, the man's death was indirectly related to him.

What surprised him, however, was that when he had gone to school earlier, there was no trace of sorrow on Wei Suo's face; it was as if he were completely unaware of what had happened.

Perhaps Wei Dan's identity was too secret, and few even within the Wei family knew of his presence.

And then there was Sang Hong. Although the man had made an oath, Zu An always felt that the old fox was unlikely to give up so easily.

Ultimately, improving his own strength was paramount. It was a pity that a fifth-rank expert couldn't awaken elemental abilities. Especially if he had fire-type abilities, his cultivation speed could significantly increase.

Relying solely on earning Rage points to level up was just too slow.

It seemed the only person around who wielded fire was Pei Mianman. Speaking of which, he hadn't seen Big Manman in a long time.

And Qiu Honglei. He had visited Shenxianju again last time, but still found no news of her; it was as if she had vanished into thin air.

Suddenly, he felt a bit guilty and glanced around, muttering to himself, "Wifey Chuyan, it's not that I'm thinking about other women. It's mainly that your bed is too fragrant, and I can't help but let my imagination run wild."

Two days later, Chu Zhongtian finally returned.

The entire Chu family welcomed his return with lanterns and banners, and the whole household was filled with a joyous atmosphere.

Stepping down from the carriage, Chu Zhongtian looked a bit thinner than before. Although, given his status, he wouldn't have suffered any physical torture in prison before his guilt was determined, it was clear he had endured no small amount of mental torment.

After all, one misstep this time could have led to the Chu family's utter destruction, and he had been worried sick constantly.

Fortunately, his wife and Zu An had perfectly resolved the matter at home.

Thinking of Zu An, Chu Zhongtian's eyelids twitched. He recalled the discussion he'd overheard from several jailers drinking outside that night. Although they were far away, their conversation could not escape the ears and eyes of an eighth-rank expert.

"Did you hear? The Chu family is in turmoil."

"I heard that son-in-law, Zu An or whatever his name is, got involved with Madam Chu, and the Second Master Chu caught them."

"Wasn't it said that the son-in-law tried to have improper intentions with Madam Chu?"

"You're too naive. Of course, the Chu family would say that to the public. Some maids mentioned that the two were already close before. If Madam Chu hadn't given her approval, would that son-in-law have lost his mind to try anything with her?"

"You've got a point, man."

"It's no surprise for scandalous affairs to happen in these aristocratic families."

"Speaking of which, I'm most envious of that Zu An fellow. I heard that Miss Chu is a peerless beauty, and now he's even gotten involved with the alluring Madam Chu. Having both mother and daughter—what a stroke of luck with women!"

If someone had told Chu Zhongtian these things directly, he wouldn't have believed a single word. But this was something a group of jailers had said while drinking and gossiping, and it was from a distance, something he had actively eavesdropped on. People often deeply believe information they "acquire" themselves.

Therefore, he couldn't help but waver. Coupled with an old injury from years ago that had rendered him impotent, this matter had always been a long-standing pain in his heart.

Originally, he had believed his wife would never do such a thing, but then he considered that his wife was also a mature woman, and after so many years, it was inevitable she might feel some resentment...

Just then, Qin Wanru approached him with a beaming face, saying, "My lord, you're back."

Hearing his wife's tender address, Chu Zhongtian felt a warmth in his heart, and a faint smile appeared on his face.

However, noticing Qin Wanru's radiant face, her complexion unusually rosy and vibrant, his heart couldn't help but skip a beat.

Qin Wanru, unaware of his thoughts at the moment, had specifically set up a brazier at the main entrance. She pulled him towards it, saying, "My lord, step over the brazier to ward off ill fortune."

Chu Zhongtian snorted, "Why bother with such superstitious things?" With that, he did not step over the brazier but walked inside with a somber face.

Zu An also naturally went forward to greet him, "Greetings, Father-in-law."

"Oh," Chu Zhongtian replied indifferently, then directly entered the house.

[Rage points from Chu Zhongtian: 711!]Seeing this message, Zu An was stunned. What on earth?

Chu Zhongtian had always been an amiable man. Moreover, at that time, everyone in the Chu family had been unfriendly towards Zu An, yet Chu Zhongtian alone had been the kindest, rarely getting angry, let alone accumulating such a high amount of Rage points.

"Father, what's wrong?" Chu Huanzhao had also taken leave from the academy today, specifically to welcome her father's safe return at home.

"Nothing," Chu Zhongtian replied. "Little Zhao is still the most obedient." Seeing his daughter, a heartfelt smile appeared on Chu Zhongtian's face. It was a pity she had grown up and he couldn't pick her up and spin her around like when she was little.

At that moment, Qin Wanru walked over to Zu An and whispered, "A'Zu, don't you think your father-in-law is a bit strange since he returned this time?"

Zu An hummed in agreement, "He certainly is a bit strange."

The two's conversation did not escape the ears and eyes of Chu Zhongtian, who was walking ahead. He remembered that before he was imprisoned, his wife had found Zu An irritating in various ways, yet now they were so familiar and intimate. Could something scandalous truly have happened between them?

[Rage points from Chu Zhongtian: 110! 110! 110! ...]

Perhaps the previous instance was just an accident, but now Zu An dared not take it lightly; something was definitely wrong. His mind raced, and suddenly it dawned on him that Chu Zhongtian's Rage points only surged when Qin Wanru came close to him. He immediately sent a voice transmission to Qin Wanru.

After hearing his words, Qin Wanru's face instantly flushed crimson. So this was what her husband was agonizing over; no wonder he was acting so abnormally today. She immediately signaled for the prepared welcoming ceremonies to pause, then pulled Chu Zhongtian to the study for a detailed discussion.

"Hmph, your attitude towards Zu An certainly changed quickly," Chu Zhongtian remarked sourly once they were in the study.

Qin Wanru scoffed, "You old lecher, what nonsense are you thinking? I brought you in here precisely to tell you it's not what you imagine!"

She then meticulously explained everything that had happened that night. Chu Zhongtian's character was inherently upright and kind, and coupled with his deep affection for his wife over many years, all his doubts quickly vanished.

When the two reappeared, their past grievances had already been cleared. Chu Zhongtian even specifically apologized to Zu An: "A'Zu, we owe you a great deal for these past few days."

Zu An chuckled, "As long as Father-in-law doesn't blame me, that's enough."

Chu Zhongtian's old face flushed. "I was momentarily muddled. Now that I think back, that must have been a trick played by Sang Hong. That man is indeed exceptionally cunning, making people fall into his trap unknowingly."

Chu Huanzhao, standing nearby, was completely bewildered: "What trap?"

"Nothing!" Chu Zhongtian and Qin Wanru said in unison.

"Weird," Chu Huanzhao muttered, but quickly shifted her attention. "Father, the family has specially prepared a welcoming ceremony for you. Come quickly!"

Over the next few days, the entire Chu family was immersed in an ocean of joy.

However, the time of joy was short-lived. That day, a troop of cavalry wearing bright yellow armor suddenly barged directly into the Chu family estate.

"The Imperial Envoy has arrived!"