Chapter 428: Vulnerability

These were elder-level figures from various branches of the Chu family. Though none of them possessed great ability, they held high seniority and usually occupied various sinecures within the Chu family's businesses.

"Indeed, our household hasn't had a moment of peace since Zu'an joined the Chu family," one said."The patriarch's decision to take him on as a son-in-law was far too rash."

Hearing the chorus of accusations and curses against Zu'an, Qin Wanru's brows furrowed deeply. She stood up and retorted, "If it weren't for Ah Zu, our Chu family would have been wiped out long ago. You wouldn't be here complaining!"

Someone muttered, "We're still facing destruction now anyway. In comparison, it would have been better for Master Chu Er to succeed; at least he's also a Chu family member."

Qin Wanru flared up, "What did you say!"

At this point, Chu Yuepo from the third branch quickly stepped forward to mediate. "Everyone here is for the Chu family. Our top priority now is to figure out how to resolve the current predicament, not to be consumed by internal strife."

Qin Wanru huffily sat back down. Unfortunately, despite a long discussion, the group failed to come up with any solutions.

Just as everyone was despairing, Chu Yuepo rose and said, "Actually, I do have a suggestion, but I'm not sure if I should say it."

Chu Zhongtian snapped impatiently, "What's with the suspense at a time like this? Speak quickly."

"It's mainly that saying it might upset the Mistress of the household," Chu Yuepo said with hesitation.

The others immediately grew impatient. "Third Brother, when did you become so coy?"

Qin Wanru also snorted, "As long as it helps the Chu family escape this predicament, why would we be angry?"

Only then did Chu Yuepo say, "I previously noticed a loophole in that imperial decree. We can do it this way..."Before he could finish, Qin Wanru immediately stood up. "No, I don't agree!"

Chu Zhongtian, standing nearby, also said, "Exactly. Ah Zu has rendered great service to our Chu family. How can we treat him like this?"

Chu Yuepo sighed. "I know this might seem unreasonable, but the Chu family is on the brink of survival. As the patriarch and mistress, you cannot let emotions cloud your judgment."

The others chimed in with agreement. Chu Zhongtian's expression shifted between conflicted and resolved. Finally, he raised a hand to stop the discussion. "No. The foundation of our Chu family's Red Robe Army is never to abandon anyone. If we do something like this now, wouldn't it dishearten our soldiers and shake the Chu family's reputation, built over hundreds of years? In that case, the Chu family would still not last."

"Husband," Qin Wanru said, looking at him with emotion. She had fallen in love with him years ago precisely because of his integrity, and she was touched that he remained as principled as he was in his youth.

The others exchanged glances. Seeing how serious he was, they were at a loss for how to persuade him.

Chu Yuepo, whose mind worked quickly, immediately said, "Master, Mistress, you've misunderstood. On the surface, we'd be abandoning Zu'an, but in reality, we'd be saving him."

Chu Zhongtian frowned. "What do you mean by that?"

Chu Yuepo explained, "Master, think about it: why do they still demand that we hand over Zu'an within three days, even though they've thoroughly searched the entire Chu household and haven't found him?"

"This..." Chu Zhongtian fell into thought, and Qin Wanru beside him also looked pensive.

Chu Yuepo continued, "That's because they're not really forcing us to hand over Zu'an. They're actually telling Zu'an, who's hiding in the shadows, that they'll use us as leverage to compel him to come out willingly."

Chu Zhongtian and Qin Wanru were startled. They weren't foolish; they had simply been too anxious to think clearly before. Now, with this prompt, they immediately realized the truth of the situation.

After discussing it for a moment, Qin Wanru spoke first. "Alright, we'll do as you say!"

Three days quickly passed. Various factions from Brightmoon City gathered near the Chu family estate, all curious to see how the matter would conclude.

Even many common people flocked to witness the spectacle. Although the Chu family generally had a good reputation, most ordinary folk often celebrated when those wealthier or more powerful than themselves faced misfortune. Few bothered to delve into the underlying reasons, and given their limited means, it was impossible for them to know the true circumstances.

Meanwhile, Zu'an, wearing a mask he had obtained from Chen Xuan, disguised himself and blended into the crowd.

Soon after, Prince Liang and Liu Yao returned to the Chu family estate with a large group of fierce, wolf-like subordinates. Someone brought over a table on which an incense burner was placed.

Prince Liang cleared his throat before speaking. "When this stick of incense burns out, the three days will be over. If you still don't hand over Zu'an, are you prepared for your clan to be annihilated?"

Despite his cultivation as a Grandmaster, he didn't intentionally raise his voice, yet his words were clear enough for everyone in the noisy vicinity to hear.

He had been in a foul mood these past few days, mainly because he had eagerly gone to the Divine Immortal Residence to see its courtesan queen, Qiu Honglei, only to find that she had already left.

Although the other women at the Divine Immortal Residence were also beautiful, he was quite displeased not to have met the famous beauty he had sought for so long.

Though he was old and seemingly past his prime, he still had hands and a mouth, so his anger was not to be underestimated.

Zu'an frowned. He truly did not want to implicate the Chu family.

Just then, Chu Zhongtian spoke. "Since everyone is gathered here today, there's something I need to announce."

Everyone was stunned, not understanding what could be so important that he would announce it at such a moment.

Prince Liang sneered, "At this point, I'm truly curious to see what tricks you intend to pull."

Ignoring him, Chu Zhongtian stood on the high platform and declared in a clear voice, "Zu'an, the Chu family's live-in son-in-law, failed to cherish my daughter after marrying her. Instead, he constantly philandered outside, later even becoming intimately involved with women from pleasure quarters. He even attempted to take the courtesan queen of the Divine Immortal Residence as a concubine, causing her to storm our estate – a true failure of husbandly virtue. Furthermore, his conduct has been deficient in his daily life. Therefore, we have decided to issue a letter of divorce, severing his marriage with my daughter. From this day forward, he is no longer a member of the Chu family and has no connection to us whatsoever!"

These words caused an uproar throughout the crowd. The common people were more interested in the scandalous news concerning Zu'an and the courtesan queen of the Divine Immortal Residence.

Many already knew about the previous dealings between Qiu Honglei of the Divine Immortal Residence and Zu'an, but few expected it to escalate to discussions of marriage, and even less that Qiu Honglei would actively cause a scene at the Chu estate.

"Tsk, tsk," people murmured. "This fellow truly has an insatiable appetite. Not content with the fairy-like Miss Chu, he even managed to get involved with Qiu Honglei."

Previously, everyone had simply been indignant. But after hearing similar news so often recently that they became numb to it, people began to wonder what special qualities he possessed that made so many stunning beauties utterly devoted to him.

Prince Liang's eyelids twitched. He couldn't believe that the woman he had longed for but never obtained had actually thrown herself at Zu'an!

"A mere country bumpkin dared to steal my thunder, a prince's!" he fumed. "This is outrageous!"

Rage value from Prince Liang: 999!

Seeing the rage value notification, Zu'an slightly frowned. Had he somehow provoked the Prince?

However, he had no time to ponder that, as he stared blankly at Chu Zhongtian.

He hadn't expected to return risking his life only to hear this outcome. If it were anything else, perhaps he would have jokingly said something like, "I've served the Chu family, I've bled for the Chu family," but now, he couldn't muster any emotion whatsoever.

Since transmigrating to this unfamiliar world, he had been in the Chu estate almost from the very beginning. While many in the estate had been unfriendly towards him, at least Chu Chuyan and Chu Huanzhao, as well as Chu Zhongtian and Madame Chu, had been kind to him. He had gradually come to regard the Chu family as his own.

He had returned this time to save the Chu family, only to be met with such a conclusion.

Just then, a soft, alluring voice whispered in his ear, "Ah Zu, don't show yourself. They're deliberately using us to force you out."

Zu'an froze, then looked in the direction of the voice. Not far away, Qin Wanru was winking at him.

He was momentarily stunned, then suddenly realized that the mask he had chosen today was the same one he wore when they disguised themselves together previously. No wonder she recognized him.

A warmth spread through him at the thought, and he understood: their letter of divorce was for this very reason.

At this, Prince Liang raged, "What a joke! You think you can escape by pulling such a trick? Do you take us all for fools?"

Chu Zhongtian calmly replied, "Your Royal Highness, if I recall correctly, the Emperor's imperial decree stipulated that we hand over our son-in-law Zu'an. It did not say we must hand over Zu'an himself. Now that Zu'an is no longer our Chu family's son-in-law, he is naturally not bound by this decree."

Upon hearing these words, everyone was dumbfounded. Even Xie Yi couldn't help but give Chu Zhongtian a few extra glances, wondering if this was still the same straightforward man with thick brows and large eyes they once knew.

Chu Zhongtian continued, "We would also trouble Your Royal Highness to go to the effort of finding that fellow. Speaking of him, our Chu family also despises him. We showered him with immense kindness, yet he not only betrayed my daughter but even harbored vile intentions towards our second daughter. Little Zhao is still so young; he truly is a scoundrel."

Zu'an was speechless.