Chapter 53: Framing

As if understanding his disdain, Chu Huanzhao became indignant. "What exactly did you do to owe him so much money?"

Meihua Thirteen, standing nearby, breathed a sigh of relief. He had genuinely feared someone might help Zu An repay the debt, which would have complicated things. After all, his goal wasn't the money, but Zu An's life. "He came to our gambling house some time ago, and over time, he lost this much." Meihua Thirteen thought it better for this young beauty to know Zu An's true nature, hoping to prevent her from being blinded by love and paying off his debt. He then mused, "Hmm, this young girl looks a bit familiar."

"Zu An, you scoundrel! You actually gambled? Do you have any idea how much our Chu family abhors gambling? Just last year, one of our cousins went gambling and ended up with broken legs!" Chu Huanzhao immediately bristled.Meihua Thirteen was startled. It finally dawned on him that this young girl was the Chu family's Second Miss. "Strange," he thought, "wasn't Zu An, that good-for-nothing, supposed to be disfavored in the Chu family? This doesn't seem like it at all."

Zu An was also getting a headache from Meihua Thirteen's relentless badgering. "Stop hounding me like a ghost of death every day! I'll pay you back." With that, he pulled a pouch from his robe. "There are seven Yuan Stones in here. These are incredibly rare and valuable; they're worth at least eight hundred taels. And here's another hundred taels..."Cheng Shoubing, standing by, gaped. His son-in-law had been completely penniless just that morning, so how had he become so rich after just one day at school?

However, Zu An was currently a little awkward. He had cobbled together what he could, but he was still short by several dozen taels from the thousand. Fortunately, Chu Huanzhao, who was nearby, pulled out a Yuan Stone and tossed it over. "Here's another one. Consider the extra money a tip. Now get lost!"Meihua Thirteen took the pouch, a skeptical expression on his face. Inside, there were indeed genuine Yuan Stones. He couldn't help but be stunned. "Where did you get so many?"

"None of your business where I got them! Now hand over the IOU." Zu An extended his hand, palm up."Oh no, that won't do. What if you stole these from the academy? We don't accept stolen goods," Meihua Thirteen quickly retorted. Their objective was Zu An's life; they had never imagined he could actually repay the debt."Can't a handsome guy like me receive gifts? If you don't believe me, go ask at the academy yourself," Zu An scoffed. "You're dragging your feet and deliberately refusing to return my IOU. What exactly are you planning? Huanzhao, go back and tell our father that the Plum Blossom Gang is bullying our Chu family now!"

Meihua Thirteen's face contorted in discomfort. Other live-in sons-in-law were ashamed to admit their status, but this fellow brazenly claimed "our Chu family" and even called "our father." Didn't he have any shame? However, he also worried about alarming Duke Brightmoon. If Zu An still owed them money, it would be one thing, but with the debt repaid and them still holding on, anyone would suspect their ulterior motives."Alright, alright, here's your IOU." Meihua Thirteen pulled out the IOU, already regretting why he had brought it in the first place. He had intended to have it as proof, to prevent the academy staff from accusing them of causing trouble, but he hadn't expected to shoot himself in the foot.

Zu An took it and saw that it was indeed the original one. "Didn't you mention there was a copy? Bring that out too."Meihua Thirteen mumbled gruffly, "I only said that to trick you earlier. How could an IOU have a copy? Even if it did, it wouldn't have any legal effect."Zu An showed the IOU to Chu Huanzhao to confirm Meihua Thirteen wasn't lying. Then, with a flick of his wrist, he tore the IOU into tiny pieces, then rubbed them vigorously between his hands until they turned to powder.

He now possessed the strength of 143 adult men, so crushing a piece of paper was no challenge. However, he was still not entirely satisfied. He recalled the dark flames that had coiled around Pei Mianman; that power was truly cool. A simple flick of a finger to conjure a flame would solve the problem, rather than painstakingly grinding it down like an idiot.

"Since the IOU is destroyed, I'll be taking my leave," Meihua Thirteen said, thinking he needed to hurry back and consult with the gang leader. The IOU was no longer a viable method, so they had to find another way."Wait, don't go!" Zu An suddenly called out, stopping him. Meihua Thirteen was momentarily stunned. Before he could react, he heard Zu An yell, "Help! Someone! The Plum Blossom Gang is robbing us!"

Meihua Thirteen stared at him with a bewildered expression. What was this guy up to?He quickly understood, however, as a gust of wind swept past, and a middle-aged man with a balding crown appeared nearby, looking grimly at the group."What on earth is happening?" The newcomer was naturally Lu De, the academy's disciplinary director. He was responsible for maintaining order at the school gate after classes and had rushed over immediately upon hearing the commotion.

Zu An had intentionally yelled because he had just seen Lu De nearby. Seeing him indeed rush over, Zu An immediately rattled off, "Reporting, teacher! This person stole our Yuan Stones, the ones the academy issued to us."Meihua Thirteen, standing by, nearly coughed up blood in anger. He quickly defended himself, "You're lying! I did not!"

Zu An said, "If you don't believe me, teacher, you can check his bag. He just snatched our Yuan Stones, the ones issued by the academy. Each one has a serial number engraved on it."To prevent academies from embezzling funds, the imperial court had mandated specific resources for students of various aptitude levels. Furthermore, each Yuan Stone issued bore a recorded serial number, making it easy to trace in case of issues. Typically, in black market transactions involving such Yuan Stones, to avoid trouble, parties would either sign an agreement as proof or immediately erase the serial numbers upon transfer. Meihua Thirteen, however, was not a professional in this trade. His mind had been entirely preoccupied with returning to consult his gang leader on a countermeasure, which led to his oversight.

"You son of a bitch, you set me up!" By now, Meihua Thirteen fully understood what was happening. No wonder this fellow had been so quick to repay him; he had planned this from the very beginning.Zu An was tempted to retort, "So you just figured that out?" which would undoubtedly earn him another wave of anger points. But considering Lu De's presence, he instead adopted an extremely wronged expression. "You're trying to turn the tables on me! Fortunately, there are eyewitnesses here. Both of them saw everything from beginning to end and can testify for me!"

As he spoke, he pulled Cheng Shoubing closer. "Isn't that right?"Feeling the immense strength in his arm, Cheng Shoubing quickly caught on. "Yes, exactly! This fellow snatched our master's Yuan Stones. Oh, Master, why are you so unfortunate? You get bullied everywhere you go."Zu An's eyes widened. He had been worried this guy might mess up, but who knew he was a born actor? He decided to reward him with extra chicken drumsticks later.

"He's your servant, of course he'll testify for you!" Meihua Thirteen exclaimed, agitated. The shamelessness of this master and servant pair was truly cast from the same mold.Lu De indeed frowned, choosing not to question Cheng Shoubing, but instead turning to Chu Huanzhao. "Second Miss Chu, is this truly what happened?" While he could address her by name within the academy, outside its gates, he still had to show Duke Brightmoon proper respect.

"Yes, that's right. This person, Meihua, not only stole his Yuan Stones but mine as well. Teacher, if you don't believe me, you can check his bag; it also contains the serial number of my Yuan Stone..." Chu Huanzhao, articulate and quick-witted, embellished the recent events. Coupled with her beautiful appearance, her account evoked more pity and righteous indignation than Zu An's.Many students, released from classes, gathered around to watch. After hearing just a few sentences, they wished they could rush into the fray and tear Meihua Thirteen, the culprit, to shreds.

Zu An's jaw nearly hit the ground. He hadn't used any of the arguments he had prepared and had initially been a little worried, but who knew this sister-in-law would coordinate so seamlessly with him?Watching her pitifully recount to Lu De how she had been bullied, Zu An almost saw a pair of demonic horns faintly appearing above her head. He thought to himself that he could offend anyone else in the future, but he absolutely must not offend this girl.

Meihua Thirteen was practically spitting blood. The Second Miss Chu looked so elegant, yet she could spout lies without batting an eye. What about the etiquette noble ladies were supposed to uphold?Damn it, Foster Father was right after all: these so-called nobles are nothing but a bunch of immoral scoundrels.

Seeing Lu De turn to him, Meihua Thirteen hastily explained, "That's not how it happened..."He was cut off before he could finish. "There's no point in saying more," Lu De interrupted. "A check of your bag will reveal the truth."Meihua Thirteen tried to say something else, but the disciplinary rod pressed on his shoulder felt like a mountain. He could barely breathe, let alone resist.

He was inwardly horrified. He was the strongest among the Plum Blossom Gang's Thirteen Protectors, always victorious in underworld conflicts, essentially the gang's sharpest blade. Yet this bald man, with just a casual disciplinary rod, had rendered him utterly helpless. No wonder the gang leader had repeatedly warned them never to provoke anyone from the academy.But damn it, I didn't provoke anyone!

He had committed many wicked deeds in his life, never fearing to leave his name behind, but this time, he felt utterly stifled and wronged. It was all that blasted Zu An's fault.Zu An noticed Meihua Thirteen glaring at him. He quietly gave a shy smile, infuriating the man further.

Lu De spread out the eight Yuan Stones in his hand and coldly stared at Meihua Thirteen. "These Yuan Stones belong to the academy, and according to their serial numbers, they were just issued today. What do you have to say for yourself now?"Feeling the pressure of the disciplinary rod on his shoulder lessen slightly, Meihua Thirteen finally poured out his grievances. "I'm innocent! These were given to me as repayment! Zu An owes me a thousand taels in gambling debts, and they used these Yuan Stones to settle it!"

Zu An, standing nearby, said coldly, "You can't even come up with a decent lie! Who in Brightmoon City doesn't know that the Chu family strictly forbids gambling among its members? Just last year, someone who gambled had their legs broken by Duke Brightmoon. As a live-in son-in-law, do you really think I'd be so bold as to gamble? And owe a thousand taels in gambling debts?""Exactly, exactly!" Chu Huanzhao chimed in, hands on her hips. "Our Chu family is notoriously against gambling! If you're going to extort people, shouldn't you at least do your homework?""Damn it all!" Meihua Thirteen nearly spat out a mouthful of old blood. "These two conniving wretches!"