Chapter 406: Collision

Zu An was startled. He was about to scold whichever student was being so disrespectful when he saw an elegant, cold face.

"Principal Jiang... Jiang?"

The many students in the classroom also recognized her, and immediately the room erupted. Some boys even whistled excitedly:

"Wow, we only occasionally see the principal on campus, but today we're so close!"

"Those legs are incredible. If I could just be squeezed by them, I wouldn't regret dying."

"Look at you, you pervert. I'm different; I just want Principal Jiang's original silk stockings."

"Damn, *you're* the pervert!"

Zu An felt a vein throb. These guys were incredibly bold. They thought they were whispering, but even he could hear them, so how could they possibly hide anything from Jiang Luofu? To his surprise, Jiang Luofu didn't even glance at them. She simply walked in and said coldly, "This class is now self-study. Teacher Zu, come with me." As soon as she finished speaking, she pulled Zu An out without further explanation.

The classroom completely exploded into chatter:

"Holy cow, Teacher Zu actually managed to get Principal Jiang? He's a true role model for our generation!"

"How long has he even been here? Why does it seem like every woman on the school's beauty list has something to do with him? What's so special about him? I think I'm not bad either."

"Heh heh, you're miles away. According to those who returned from the last secret realm, Teacher Zu really *does* have an unusual 'specialty'..."

The girls nearby, who had initially looked scornfully at the boys' collective infatuation, suddenly perked up their ears when they heard this.

"Really?" After hearing clearly, they all gasped in shock, covering their mouths, their faces blushing crimson.

After Jiang Luofu pulled Zu An out of the classroom, he felt the smooth, delicate skin of her hand and couldn't help but say, "Beautiful Principal, you don't actually need to be so hasty. If you just say the word, I'd willingly come to your service. Doing this in front of the whole class will spread rumors, and that's not good, especially since I'm a married man."

Jiang Luofu: "..."

"When are you going to stop with your nonsensical chatter? The Chu family is in trouble, and you're still joking around."

Zu An's smile froze. "The Chu family is in trouble? What happened?" Hadn't the previous chaos just settled? Even Chu Zhongtian had returned. What else could have gone wrong?

Jiang Luofu's expression was grave. "Earlier today, General Liu Yao of the Imperial Guard led a troop of Ti cavalry into the city, heading straight for the Chu family. It seems they're investigating something about deficits in the Salt Transport Office and the Chu family's alleged bribery..." She briefly explained General Liu Yao's identity and power, as well as the significance of the cavalry wearing bright yellow armor.

Zu An's face changed several times as he listened. He suddenly realized: this must be Sang Hong's scheme!

Jiang Luofu continued, "They are now arresting members of the Chu family everywhere. It won't be long before they trace you here too. So, you should hide for now, and take Miss Chu Er with you."

"Okay, thank you, Principal!" Zu An said solemnly.

"Don't mention it; we're friends, after all. Besides, the Chu family has always maintained a good relationship with the academy. While my position often prevents me from directly stepping in to help, I can still do what's within my power," Jiang Luofu said. "By the way, do you have a place to hide right now?"

Zu An hesitated, "I'm afraid I can only temporarily hide in Dragon Concealment Mountain." The Giant Whale Gang's base would actually be good, quite secluded, or even the red dragon's cave. However, hiding deep in the mountains would mean he couldn't keep track of the changes in the city...

At this point, Jiang Luofu said, "There are many inconveniences in the mountains. Why not continue to stay in the teacher's dormitory?"

Zu An hesitated, "Wouldn't that bring trouble to the academy?"

"Don't worry, the academy's status has always been quite detached. Even if Liu Yao is a General of the Imperial Guard, he wouldn't dare trespass," Jiang Luofu said. "Of course, you and Xiao Zhao shouldn't go out freely and give people reason to talk; otherwise, it would be hard for me to explain."

"Then thank you, beautiful Principal." Zu An didn't feign politeness or refuse. He indeed needed a safe hiding place right now. If it were just him, it would be fine, but the key was Chu Huanzhao.

Soon, he went to the Xuan-class to call Chu Huanzhao out. When she heard about the Chu family's trouble, her face turned ashen with fright, and she insisted on going back to see.

"Xiao Zhao, don't be impulsive. Everyone in the Chu family has been arrested now. If you go back, you'll just be giving yourself up for nothing," Zu An said gravely.

"But are we just going to live like this, hiding alone? I'd rather face the Chu family's crisis with my parents," Chu Huanzhao said, looking up.

Zu An was taken aback. He hadn't expected this girl, who was usually so boisterous, to be so resolute at heart. "Don't worry yet. I'll go out for a bit and think of a way."

Only then did Chu Huanzhao's worry turn into joy. She grabbed his arm and shook it, "Brother-in-law, you're the most capable! If you go, everything will definitely be fine."

Zu An smiled bitterly to himself, wondering where this girl got her confidence from, especially since he himself had no real plan.

After settling her in the teacher's dormitory and giving her some instructions, Zu An quickly headed to the Tian-class. He needed to find Zheng Dan. This incident must have been orchestrated by Sang Hong, and he wanted to confirm whether she knew about it or not. To his surprise, Zheng Dan was nowhere to be found in the Tian-class. Instead, a chorus of jeers erupted.

Wu Qing's voice was the most grating: "I say, Teacher Zu, you can't just keep looking for Miss Zheng on various pretexts just because she's pretty. That's not good for a girl's reputation."

Pan Long and Fu Feng, who were nearby, chimed in, "Exactly, exactly. You're a married man; you should uphold your husband's principles."

"Miss Zheng is getting married tomorrow. What kind of mindset do you have, looking for her now?"

Zu An then remembered that Zheng Dan hadn't been coming to the academy for several days. He had no time to deal with these noisy individuals and hurried out. He deliberately showed his face at the academy gate, pretending to have left the academy, so Jiang Luofu would have an explanation later.

All the way to the Zheng family's gate, he saw lanterns and festive decorations everywhere. The large red '囍' characters (double happiness) now seemed incredibly dazzling in his eyes. He snorted coldly and walked directly towards the main gate.

Knowing his intention, the doorman stopped him. "The young lady is getting married tomorrow; she won't see any outside men at this time."

Zu An's face was grim. "I came here last time too. You should remember. Tell her I'm looking for her; she'll see me."

"Well..." The man did recall that this person seemed to have an unusual relationship with his young lady.

Zu An directly slipped a silver ingot into his hand. The doorman immediately beamed. "Young Master, please wait, I'll go inform her right away."

Soon someone invited him in. Seeing the familiar Zhuluo Tower, Zu An felt a momentary haze.

"Ah Zu, why are you here?" Zheng Dan dismissed the maids and old women around her, looking at him with some surprise. Zheng Dan was now dressed in a vibrant red wedding gown, clearly trying on her attire for tomorrow. Against the backdrop of the beautiful wedding dress, she truly was as radiant as a peach or plum blossom, dazzling beyond compare. However, her eyes were a bit red, indicating she had cried recently.

"You look very beautiful today." Despite arriving with anger, a flicker of awe still passed through Zu An's eyes.

Zheng Dan pursed her lips, and her eyes suddenly reddened. "I have some regrets. Why don't you take me away, and we can elope?"

Zu An sighed. "I'm afraid we can't leave."

"What's wrong?" Noticing his grim expression, Zheng Dan quickly asked.

Only then did Zu An recount what had happened to the Chu family. Finally, he looked at her deeply. "Sang Hong lied to me. Were you involved in this?"

Zheng Dan bit her lip until it almost bled. "If you don't believe me, I'll take you to confront the Sang family right now!" With that, she pulled him and started walking out.

Just then, Zheng Yu Tang, the Zheng family head, blocked the doorway. "Dan'er, what are you doing?" As he spoke, his gaze fell on their tightly clasped hands, and his brow instantly furrowed.

"Father, I have something important to do at the Sang family's," Zheng Dan said in a low voice.

"Nonsense!" Zheng Yu Tang immediately became angry. "You're getting married to Sang Qian tomorrow. What sense does it make to go to your husband's family at a time like this? It's inauspicious!"

"I don't care. I have to go to the Sang family today!" Zheng Dan said, gritting her teeth.

"No, you're not going anywhere today! Dan'er, you've always been obedient since you were little. What's gotten into you today?" Zheng Yu Tang looked at Zu An. "Could it be that this fellow has bewitched you?" Before, he only knew his daughter deliberately approached him to get the 7.5 million IOU. Now it looked like the fake act had become real. *This son of a bitch Zu An, does he specifically target young ladies from prominent families?*

Rage from Zheng Yu Tang +432!

"It has nothing to do with him..." Zheng Dan quickly explained.

Zu An interrupted, "Alright, I believe what Miss Zheng says. I have other important matters to attend to, so I won't trouble you any further." With that, he quickly left.

Zheng Dan quickly tried to follow, but her father stopped her. With a grim face, he said, "Dan'er, shouldn't you tell me what's really going on?"

After leaving the Zheng family, he completely calmed down. Confronting Sang Hong now would be pointless and might even lead him into a trap. The urgent priority was to find a way to save the Chu family. Suddenly, an idea struck him. He quickly took out his scrying mirror and began to call Chu Chuyan.