Chapter 68: Fiancée

Even the Chu family's Red-Robed Army cast sidelong glances at him, thinking their son-in-law was truly a bit shameless.

"Who charges interest immediately after lending money?" Mei Chaofeng fumed. "At least wait a year!"

[Mei Chaofeng's Rage +200!]

"Oh, really?" Zu An asked, looking around as if unfamiliar with the local customs.

Chu Chuyan felt an urge to palm her face. How had she ended up with such a scoundrel? "Typically, interest is indeed collected after a year. However, the Plum Blossom Gang's usual lending practices often follow the 'nine out, thirteen return' principle, so collecting 750,000 taels in advance is not entirely unreasonable."

The 'nine out, thirteen return' principle refers to usurious loans where, ostensibly, you borrow ten units of money with one unit of interest per month. In reality, you only receive nine units, and after three months, you must repay thirteen. This practice often leads to many people worldwide being ruined by such exorbitant interest rates.

Compared to the Plum Blossom Gang's usual practice of charging one percent interest monthly, collecting one percent annually was quite merciful. She would not have agreed to this repayment method if the sum of 7.5 million taels hadn't been so enormous.

Of course, she could tell Mei Chaofeng intended to default on the debt; 7.5 million taels was a sum the Plum Blossom Gang couldn't even raise if they sold everything they owned. Therefore, collecting anything now was better than nothing, to prevent further complications.

Mei Chaofeng gritted his teeth, knowing he wouldn't get away without paying something today. He waved a hand at his subordinates. "Someone, bring 100,000 taels in silver notes!"

Then he addressed Chu Chuyan, "I hope Miss Chu will forgive us, but we don't have that much cash on such short notice. For now, we'll offer 100,000 taels as a show of good faith. The remaining interest can be settled at the end of the year. What do you say, Miss Chu?"

He didn't even consult Zu An this time, knowing that scoundrel might pull another stunt. Besides, Chu Chuyan was the one truly in charge here.

Chu Chuyan hesitated, then finally nodded. 100,000 taels was likely the maximum they could quickly gather, and pressing them too hard would be counterproductive.

The Plum Blossom Gang's trusted aide brought the silver notes. Mei Chaofeng initially intended to hand them to Chu Chuyan, but then reconsidered, instead offering them to Zu An. "Would the young master care to count them?"

After all, once the silver was in Chu Chuyan's hands, it would be difficult to retrieve. But with Zu An, *hmph*, there would always be a way to make that brat cough it up.

"Yes, of course," Zu An replied. He took the silver notes, moistened his fingertip, and began counting them one by one. Each note was for 100 taels, and there were exactly 1,000 of them.

Mei Chaofeng's breath hitched. *I was just being polite*, he thought. *Who actually counts money in front of people?*

[Mei Chaofeng's Rage +111!]

Watching Zu An's money-grubbing manner as he counted, Sang Qian, who stood nearby, frowned. *How could the fairy-like Miss Chu choose such an uncouth fellow for a husband? It's like a beautiful flower planted in cow dung. Aren't I a hundred times better than him in every way?*

Many onlookers shared similar thoughts, and even several Chu family warriors felt the same, collectively contributing another surge of rage.

"Huh, is there one missing?" Just then, Zu An suddenly exclaimed, drawing everyone's attention to him.

Mei Chaofeng's face darkened. "How is that possible? With so many eyes watching, how could there be a shortage?"

Sensing everyone's gaze, Zu An shrugged. "I just said it to see if you were trying to cheat me."

Mei Chaofeng was speechless.

*So this fellow came here just to scam me?*

[Mei Chaofeng's Rage +211!]

Sang Qian, who stood by, finally couldn't bear the farce any longer. "Alright, alright, since the matter has been satisfactorily resolved, everyone can disperse."

Pang Chun also chuckled cheerfully. "Excellent, excellent. It's good that the matter is settled. Everyone, please disperse."

His heart had been in his throat moments ago. If the Chu family's army and the River Defense Camp clashed here, or if the Plum Blossom Gang resorted to desperate measures, a huge disaster could easily erupt, costing him his position as county magistrate.

With the two influential figures having spoken, the gamblers who had been watching felt as if granted a general pardon and scattered, rushing out. Who knew if staying longer would drag them into trouble?

Xie Xiu waved to Zu An. "Brother Zu, you've truly impressed me today. I'll invite you for a drink another time; there's much I'd like to consult you about."

Zu An also smiled cheerfully. "I also have many things I'd like to ask Brother Xie about, such as how to frequent flower beds and yet remain untainted."

"We'll discuss it another time, another time," Xie Xiu quickly replied, noticing Chu Chuyan's gloomy expression nearby. He chuckled awkwardly, thinking, *This guy really has some nerve, saying such things right in front of his wife.*

Fearing he might suffer an unwarranted misfortune, he quickly offered a couple of vague replies and made his escape.

Watching everyone leave, Zu An felt somewhat unsatisfied; he hadn't earned enough rage points. He turned back to Mei Chaofeng. "Gang Leader Mei, will your gambling house still be open in the future? Can I still come to gamble here?"

Mei Chaofeng was speechless.

*If you dare to come again, I'll skin you alive!*

[Mei Chaofeng's Rage +267!]

Chu Chuyan could no longer bear it. "Let's go," she said. Even with her typically calm and aloof nature, she couldn't tolerate his constant antics.

Yue Shan directly approached, taking Zu An by the arm and leading him out. Having served the Chu family for many years and being accustomed to aristocratic etiquette, he clearly couldn't stand Zu An's boorish behavior.

Mei Chaofeng watched their departing figures with a dark gaze, his fists audibly clenching.

"Gang Leader, are we truly going to repay that fellow 7.5 million taels?" an imprudent subordinate asked, voicing his concern.

"Repay your mother!" Mei Chaofeng roared, slapping him to the ground so hard he couldn't get up.

With a grim expression, he stormed back to the private room prepared for him in the gambling house, where a charming and graceful figure was already waiting.

"Miss Qiao, you made me sign this enormous IOU. How do you intend to handle the aftermath?" Mei Chaofeng asked, closing the door, his tone distinctly unfriendly.

"You were there, you know the situation," the young woman, who was naturally Xue'er, replied. "Could we have gotten through so smoothly without signing it?" Noticing Mei Chaofeng's facial muscles twitching, she added, "Don't worry, the IOU is in that good-for-nothing Zu An's hands. It'll be easy to get it back."

Mei Chaofeng frowned. "My only fear is that he might give the IOU to the Chu family."

Xue'er shook her head. "There's no need to worry. Chu Chuyan has always been aloof and would certainly not accept Zu An's money. As for Chu Zhongtian, he is upright, and the Chu family strictly forbids gambling, so he definitely wouldn't want this gambling debt. In fact, when Zu An returns this time, he won't be praised; instead, he will be severely punished by the Chu family for committing a strictly forbidden offense."

"Even severe punishment would only be family discipline," Mei Chaofeng said resentfully. "Are they going to kick Zu An out of the Chu family?"

Xue'er sighed. "Although 7.5 million taels is a significant sum, it wouldn't be unacceptable if it ensures Zu An's expulsion from the Chu family."

Mei Chaofeng was speechless.

He was utterly speechless. *It's not your money, so you don't care, do you?* he thought. *Do you, little girl, even comprehend the value of 7.5 million taels? One could hire countless assassins with that amount, perhaps even eliminate the Chu family head. Is it truly necessary to spend so much to deal with a mere good-for-nothing?*

Fortunately, Xue'er's next sentence placated him. "Don't worry," she said. "Tonight, I will personally intervene. Not only will I retrieve the IOU for you, but I'll also eliminate that brat, removing him as a future concern."

Mei Chaofeng was overjoyed. "Thank you, Miss Qiao," he said. In truth, with his cultivation, killing Zu An would be easier than crushing an ant. However, Zu An was always either in the City Lord's Mansion or within the Chu family compound, making it impossible for Mei Chaofeng to act. With Xue'er intervening from inside the Chu family, dealing with Zu An would be far more convenient than attempting it himself.

Meanwhile, not far from the Silver Hook Gambling House, a beautiful woman in a palace gown was meticulously preparing tea at the Zheng family residence. Her fair, translucent face, with its soft, flowing profile lines seemingly drawn with a single brushstroke, conveyed an expression of deep concentration. Her eyes, clear as a mountain spring, combined with her jade-like skin, made her truly stunning—a vision of bright eyes and snow-white skin, unparalleled in beauty.

"What's wrong, Young Master Sang? You look rather upset," the beautiful woman remarked as she gracefully presented a cup of tea to the man opposite her. Her every movement was exceptionally elegant, imbued with classical beauty.

The man seated opposite her was indeed Sang Qian, who had just come from the Silver Hook Gambling House.

"Miss Zheng, your tea-brewing skills are truly exquisite," Sang Qian complimented. Feeling her quiet and gentle demeanor, his agitated mood calmed considerably.

The beautiful woman smiled faintly. "After we are married, I can brew tea for you every day."

This beautiful woman was Zheng Dan, the esteemed daughter of the Zheng family, one of Mingyue City's four prominent aristocratic families. The Zheng family had already arranged a marriage with the Sang family, making her Sang Qian's fiancée.

Although he had seen her before, a trace of astonishment still flickered in Sang Qian's eyes. Initially, he had been quite unwilling when his father proposed a marriage alliance with the daughter of a merchant family from Mingyue City, leading to numerous arguments. However, after meeting Zheng Dan, all his resistance and hesitation vanished. The merchant's daughter he had once disdained was simply too beautiful; marrying such a woman seemed hardly a disadvantage.

"Thank you, Miss Zheng." As Sang Qian accepted the teacup, he attempted to discreetly touch her hand, but she subtly evaded his grasp.

Zheng Dan's crimson lips parted slightly. "Young Master Sang," she began, "after we are married, I will naturally comply with your wishes. However, for now..." Her unspoken message was clear: he should not make any presumptuous advances before their wedding.

A flicker of annoyance crossed Sang Qian's eyes, but he quickly masked it. The more she held back, the more his heart yearned, as if a cat were clawing at it. He even wondered if men were inherently perverse, often valuing less what they easily obtained, and obsessing over what remained just out of reach.

"Something happened at the Silver Hook Gambling House just now..." To mask his internal discomfort, Sang Qian briefly recounted the recent events.

A hint of surprise appeared on Zheng Dan's fair, flawless face. "Oh, the Silver Hook Gambling House actually let Zu An win 7.5 million taels? The rumors say this Chu family son-in-law is a good-for-nothing. It seems rumors are indeed untrustworthy."

Hearing the approving tone in her voice towards another man, Sang Qian felt a pang of discomfort. "Hmph, it was nothing but dumb luck," he scoffed. "He only gambled twice; it's a mystery how a blind cat managed to find a dead mouse."

Zheng Dan pursed her lips into a beautiful, subtle smile. Her rosy lips formed exquisite lines. She had guessed the man's thoughts and said nothing further to provoke him.

Sang Qian then continued, "Oh, right, I came here today because I have something I need your help with."