Chapter 67: Xie Xiu's Principles

But now, with the City Lord's son and the Young Miss of the Chu family also present and watching, no matter what ruling he made, he would offend one side or the other. It was truly a headache.

Just then, a wave of disciplined hoofbeats approached. Both Sang Qian and Mei Chaofeng's expressions subtly changed. In the entire Brightmoon City, who else but the Chu family possessed such a cavalry force?

Soon, a tower-like figure led a group of soldiers in a file. Each soldier wore golden armor and red robes, with fierce eyes. Upon entering the casino, the soldiers neatly formed two rows, surrounding everyone.

Accompanied by their sharp, synchronized footsteps, a chilling, lethal aura instantly filled the entire gambling hall.

“This is the Chu family's Red Robe Army. They truly look much more formidable than those guys from the River Defense Camp.”

“Shhh, keep your voice down, are you trying to get yourself killed?”

Hearing the whispers around him, Sang Qian's face twitched. He stepped forward and coldly demanded, “Yue Shan, what are you doing! Is your Chu family trying to rebel by mobilizing private troops without cause?”

Although he hadn't been in office for long, he still recognized this man as the Chu family's guard captain.

Yue Shan replied coldly, “We merely heard that Young Miss was being bullied, so we came to escort her. The Chu family still has that right, don't we?”

After speaking, he approached Chu Chuyan and respectfully bowed. “Greetings, Young Miss.”

Zu An, standing nearby, looked excited, thinking, *Wouldn't it be incredibly prestigious for him to address me as 'Young Master-in-law' in such a setting?* He was full of anticipation, but to his surprise, the other man glanced at him with a hesitant expression, ultimately saying nothing and completely ignoring his presence.

Chu Chuyan smiled faintly and gently motioned for him to rise.

Yue Shan continued, “Young Miss, the Master has spoken. He said that no matter how desolate the Chu family becomes, we are not to be bullied by a mere gang. With just one word from you, we will completely flatten the Plum Blossom Gang today!”

At these words, the entire hall erupted in an uproar. Mei Chaofeng, in particular, trembled violently. The Plum Blossom Gang had thrived over the years, not because of his high cultivation or the combat prowess of his subordinates, but primarily because other factions, to maintain balance, had tacitly acknowledged his existence.

If they truly turned hostile, he, a gang leader, even with the support of certain individuals behind him, was no match for a Duke's Residence.

Not to mention the Duke's eighth-grade cultivation, the Chu family's Red Robe Army alone could crush the entire Plum Blossom Gang.

He instinctively looked to Sang Qian for help. Sang Qian was clearly also extremely shocked and couldn't react immediately.

Noticing their expressions, Zu An felt a surge of satisfaction. This was more like it; it seemed he hadn't chosen the wrong powerful patron. Throwing one's weight around felt so good!

He completely forgot that he had just wanted to abandon this sinking ship.

It was Pang Chun who cleared his throat and cautiously said, “It seems rather inappropriate for the Chu family to interfere in local affairs like this.”

Sang Qian, startled as if waking from a dream, hurriedly added, “Exactly! Is your Chu family trying to rebel?”

Chu Chuyan took a step forward and coldly stated, “Is cleaning up a gang considered rebellion? Sir, you're quite skilled at fabricating accusations.”

Upon hearing the Young Miss speak, the Chu family's warriors all placed their hands on their sword hilts, as if ready to clear the hall at a single command.

Sang Qian swallowed hard and hurriedly said, “Whether the Plum Blossom Gang is a gang or not, and how they should be punished, are matters for the City Lord. Your Chu family's interference is a blatant defiance of the imperial court's regulations.”

“Very well, then we shall follow the imperial court's regulations,” Chu Chuyan said, her phoenix eyes glinting coldly. “My husb… my husband was first struck by lightning in the suburbs, a clear setup. Then he was almost assassinated outside the city. Following that, someone orchestrated a scheme for him to incur massive gambling debts, aiming to seize the opportunity to cripple him. Every one of these incidents is inextricably linked to the Plum Blossom Gang. I ask that you, Sir Pang, arrest and imprison Mei Chaofeng, his thirteen sworn sons, and all the mid to high-ranking members of the Plum Blossom Gang, and conduct a thorough investigation into these matters.”

“Ah, this…” Pang Chun was momentarily flustered and quickly looked towards Xie Xiu.

Xie Xiu also frowned slightly. He had heard various rumors that Zu An was not well-regarded in the Chu family. But judging by the current situation, could Young Miss Chu really be so fond of him that she would risk universal condemnation for him?

Thinking this, he couldn't help but feel a tinge of bitterness. Although he had a decent relationship with Zu An among the academy students, he was still a man. Any man seeing a stunning beauty like Chu Chuyan so devoted to another man would inevitably feel a bit displeased and jealous.

However, he quickly composed himself. An exceptional woman like Young Miss Chu was not his hunting target; no matter how perfect one woman was, she couldn't compare to the greater pleasure brought by a group of moderately attractive women.

This was his philosophy for pursuing women: never to get involved with extraordinary women. Each and every one of them came with a mountain of trouble. Furthermore, being with such a woman meant he couldn't freely indulge in other romantic interests. It was far better, like now, to find some less famous confidantes; he wouldn't need to consider anything else, and his life would be infinitely more comfortable.

Pang Chun had been about to ask for his opinion, but seeing the strange expressions on his face, Pang Chun was momentarily unsure of what to do.

At that moment, Chu Chuyan spoke again, “If Sir Pang is afraid of offending people, then I will personally lead my people to arrest them and deliver them to the yamen. How about that?”

“Young Miss Chu, please calm your anger, Young Miss Chu, please calm your anger,” Pang Chun pulled out a handkerchief and quickly wiped the fine sweat from his forehead. “This matter requires careful long-term consideration, careful long-term consideration.”

Sang Qian's expression also fluctuated between grim and uncertain. Involving the charge of plotting against the Duke's son-in-law, this matter could be treated as minor or major. Seeing Young Miss Chu's resolve and the murderous aura of the Red Robe Army in the room, he no longer dared to help as recklessly as before, lest he cause trouble for his father.

Mei Chaofeng's heart was also pounding wildly. Was he truly going to fall here today? A fierce glint flashed in his eyes at the thought. At worst, they would all go down together.

Just then, a soft voice whispered in his ear: “Write an IOU for 7.5 million taels to settle today's matter.”

Mei Chaofeng recognized Xue'er's secret message. Only then did he realize that the other side's strong stance ultimately hinged on these 7.5 million taels. But could such an IOU actually be written?

As if sensing his hesitation, Xue'er's voice came again: “Are you foolish? Even if you write the IOU, when to repay it, how to repay it, or even whether to repay it at all, can be figured out later. If the Chu family is truly forced to act today and wipe out your Plum Blossom Gang, the Young Master's years of planning will all be for naught!”

Mei Chaofeng frowned deeply and quickly replied via secret message, “But the Chu family clearly cannot interfere in local affairs. If they really act today, once the Prefect responds in a couple of days, they'll also be in deep trouble.”

“It's not that simple,” Xue'er's voice, tinged with anxiety and anger, retorted upon seeing his continued lack of understanding. “The City Lord is aligned with Prince Qi. When you people are thrown into jail, won't they seize this opportunity to relentlessly attack you while you're down? Has the Plum Blossom Gang done few wicked things over the years? If they truly investigate, who among you can escape!”

Mei Chaofeng gritted his teeth and finally made up his mind. He apologized to Chu Chuyan, saying, “Today, my gang was thoughtless and offended Young Miss Chu. I, Mei, apologize to Young Miss Chu here, and hope that in your generosity, you will not take it to heart.”

Saying these words in front of so many people, his face burned with pain. He could imagine that after tonight, he would become a laughingstock for these people's after-dinner conversations, and the powerful image he had built over many years would collapse.

But he had no choice. He truly didn't dare to gamble. What if the Chu family was truly determined and sent their army to wipe out the Plum Blossom Gang today? He would have nowhere to weep.

In truth, if he were truly acting alone, the ferocity of a jianghu figure would have made him fight back rather than endure such humiliation. However, the Plum Blossom Gang was not solely his decision.

The patron behind him had spent so much effort supporting him over the years. If he were to turn all of that into nothing overnight, even if he escaped tonight, he would ultimately die without a burial place.

Therefore, he could only swallow his pride and apologize to a young girl much younger than himself. In that instant, he felt the stares of the surrounding crowd as if they were tangible.

After apologizing, seeing that Chu Chuyan remained impassive, Mei Chaofeng gritted his teeth, knowing that mere words wouldn't suffice. “Someone, bring me paper and a brush,” he ordered.

Soon, a subordinate brought paper and a brush. He quickly wrote for a moment, then handed the IOU to Chu Chuyan. “Young Miss Chu, this is an IOU for 7.5 million taels of silver. We accept our defeat. However, we cannot produce such a large sum of money immediately. Presumably, no family in this world could come up with so much silver in a short amount of time. Therefore, I ask Young Miss Chu for a grace period. We will first pay the corresponding interest annually, and as for the principal, we will find other ways to manage it. What are your thoughts, Young Miss Chu?”

Here, he played a trick. The IOU stated that they owed Zu An 7.5 million taels, not the Chu family. If it were owed to the Chu family, it would indeed be difficult to default. But owing it to Zu An? There were many more ways to maneuver out of that.

Chu Chuyan also noticed the name on the IOU. However, since this was originally won by Zu An, she didn't want to take advantage. “What do you think?” she asked.

Seeing her consult his opinion, Zu An felt greatly pleased. He then pompously examined the IOU and said, “Oh dear, wouldn't it have been better if Gang Leader Mei had been this agreeable earlier? Why must you insist on refusing a toast and only accepting a penalty drink? How pathetic.”

Rage from Mei Chaofeng +888!

Mei Chaofeng was so enraged he nearly vomited blood on the spot. If not for the Chu family's backing, how dare a good-for-nothing like you flaunt your power in front of me!

He almost couldn't restrain himself from leaping up and pulverizing the brat on the spot. However, seeing Chu Chuyan and the Red Robe Army led by Yue Shan nearby, he could only forcefully swallow his anger.

Zu An took the IOU and glanced at it. “Hmm, only paying interest? Fine, I'm a magnanimous person, so I'll give you a grace period. And the interest will be calculated at ten percent. Not expensive, right?”

“Not expensive,” Mei Chaofeng gritted out. To be fair, ten percent interest was not expensive anywhere. His Plum Blossom Gang had previously offered usurious loans with several times that interest. Ten percent interest was practically giving money away.

But why did it make him so infuriated coming from this person's mouth? Especially seeing the other's condescending, benevolent expression, as if he was granting them a great favor.

Rage from Mei Chaofeng +345!

Hearing his words, Zu An extended his hand towards Mei Chaofeng. “Since you agree, let's settle the interest now. 7.5 million taels at ten percent interest is 750,000 taels. Cash or silver notes?”

Mei Chaofeng: “…”Sang Qian: “…”Xie Xiu: “…”Pang Chun: “…”