Chapter 723: Licking Until Nothing Is Left

Xie Daoyun, who had been listening intently to the commotion, flushed completely red. Annoyed and anxious, she pulled her brother back by his ear, saying, "You little rascal, what nonsense are you spouting?"

Although she had some favorable impressions of Zu An, it was certainly not to the extent of marrying him.

And saying this in front of Miss Chu — how am I supposed to face anyone after this?

Xie Xiu laughed, "It's just my old habit acting up again. Drink, drink!"

Fortunately, Murong Qinghe stepped in to defuse the awkwardness. She stood up, raised her cup to Zu An, and apologized, "Brother Zu, I know my grandfather must have troubled you a lot during this time. I hope you won't take it to heart; he's just set in his ways."

She planned to marry into the Chu family in the future, and currently, Miss Chu was in charge of the family. Furthermore, Brother Chu seemed to greatly trust and admire this brother-in-law. It would be best to get closer to him, or at least avoid offending him. Otherwise, if he whispered things in Miss Chu's ear, what would happen to her relationship with Brother Chu?

Zu An smiled slightly. "Qinghe, don't worry. As the saying goes, 'one must manage affairs in their position.' Your grandfather was doing his duty, not seeking personal revenge, so how could I blame you?"

That old man, Murong Tong, probably also had thoughts of seizing the opportunity for revenge, but ultimately, he didn't violate his principles, so it wasn't a major issue.

Murong Qinghe's humble stance was clearly for Youzhao's sake. It wouldn't be right for him to break up the couple.

Hearing him say this, Murong Qinghe breathed a sigh of relief. She drained her cup, her eyes curving into crescent moons as she smiled, "Thank you, Brother Zu!"

Amidst the clinking of cups, the atmosphere grew increasingly lively, and time quickly passed.

Seeing that it was getting late, Jiang Luofu and the Xie Xiu siblings took their leave.

Chu Youzhao and Murong Qinghe didn't leave, not because they wanted to stay, but because both had gotten drunk.

The two young girls had little experience with alcohol before. However, their spirits were high today, and they quickly became tipsy, drinking cup after cup.

That fellow Xie Xiu had taken a fancy to Murong Qinghe and constantly approached her during the banquet to flirt and encourage her to drink.

Chu Youzhao, naturally, wouldn't stand for it. Like someone protecting their food, she stood up to block the drinks, but she was no match for Xie Xiu, who frequented entertainment venues year-round, and soon couldn't hold on.

Murong Qinghe couldn't bear to see her Brother Chu being bullied. With her straightforward nature, she immediately stepped in to help.

Perhaps it was a family trait, but despite her young age, she had a considerable tolerance for alcohol. Combined with Chu Youzhao having already worn Xie Xiu down a bit, the two girls drank themselves to a mutual defeat. Both young girls naturally passed out, and Xie Xiu wasn't much better off; he needed the Xie family servants to help him walk.

Looking at Murong Qinghe, who was sprawled out and asleep on the table, Zu An mused, "She's quite the little firecracker. Xie Xiu really met his match today."

Chu Chuyan snorted, "That fellow had ill intentions, so he deserved to get drunk. It's just a pity for little Qinghe."

Knowing that she had an excellent relationship with her sister, Chu Chuyan naturally extended her affection, and her expression showed a great deal of pity.

She arranged for servants to clear the table while she helped Murong Qinghe to a room to rest.

As for Chu Youzhao, only Zu An could carry her. After all, she maintained a male persona in public, so it wouldn't be appropriate for her older sister to carry her.

Zu An picked up Chu Youzhao and followed behind Chu Chuyan, thinking, *This girl is truly boneless and soft. If anyone were to carry her, how could they still believe she's a man?*

"Mmm..." The deeply sleeping and intoxicated Chu Youzhao instinctively twisted her body, shifting into a more comfortable position. Her small, pink tongue lightly licked her rosy, cherry-like lips, as if she were still drinking in her dreams.

Zu An's face flushed, and he quickly averted his gaze, muttering, "Sin, sin."

"What are you doing in here?" Chu Chuyan suddenly turned back and looked at him reproachfully.

Zu An was a little distracted. "Aren't we putting them on the bed to rest?"

"But they can't sleep in the same room!" Chu Chuyan chided. "Even though we know they are both girls, others don't. This would ruin Qinghe's reputation."

"Oh..." Zu An snapped back to reality, having almost forgotten that point.

So he carried Chu Youzhao to the adjacent room and placed her on the bed, taking off her shoes as well.

Gazing at her dainty, exquisitely small feet and plump, cute toes, Zu An momentarily zoned out.

"Beast!"

He scorned himself, then picked up a thin blanket nearby and covered her with it.

Just as he was about to leave, he found his hand firmly grasped.

"Brother-in-law... brother-in-law..."

Zu An paused, "What is it?"

"Don't go..." Chu Youzhao murmured, her voice a little more charming than usual.

Zu An dotingly pinched her still-chubby cheek. "Alright, I won't go."

At the same time, he summoned a wisp of clear water to gently circulate around her cheeks, cleaning away the alcohol stains and providing a cold compress.

After a long moment, she still didn't respond. Zu An chuckled wryly, having thought she had woken up; it turned out she was just mumbling unconsciously in her sleep.

He wondered what she was dreaming about that he would appear in it.

A moment later, Chu Chuyan pushed the door open and entered. "I've sent the servants to the outer courtyard. No one will come here."

Since her sister was disguised as a man, it was naturally impossible to have male servants attend to her. But even female servants would be problematic. Now that she was drunk and unconscious, she wouldn't be on guard, and it would be troublesome if her female physical characteristics were discovered.

Seeing their hands tightly clasped, Chu Chuyan irritably said, "Youzhao is young, but you two are still of different genders. Please be more mindful in the future."

Zu An gave a wry smile. "She's holding my hand and won't let go. I can't exactly force her hand open, can I?"

Chu Chuyan snorted. "I don't know what magic you possess. Even Youzhao, who is quite temperamental, became incredibly close to you soon after meeting you."

Zu An chuckled, "I've told you before, my personal charm is immense. Everyone who sees me can't help but feel close to me. Aren't you the same?"

"Pah, shameless!" Chu Chuyan spat, her face flushed. Then, she seriously added, "It's one thing for others, but Youzhao is now the Chu family's heir. She cannot marry. You absolutely must not provoke her, or our Chu family's centuries-old foundation will likely be completely ruined."

Zu An's eyes lit up. "So, you're saying others are fair game?"

Chu Chuyan's delicate brows furrowed. "So you *do* harbor such intentions!"

[Rage points from Chu Chuyan +666666...]

Zu An quickly interjected, "Haha, just kidding."

He then frowned. "But wouldn't you be ruining Youzhao's entire life this way?"

Chu Chuyan also sighed softly. "What can be done? This is the fate of women in prominent families. From childhood, we've enjoyed the family's glory and wealth, and in return, we bear the family's responsibilities. Each of us has to make sacrifices, just as I chose you as..."

Her face flushed as she said this. Back then, choosing a useless person as her live-in husband indeed felt like sacrificing her lifelong happiness, though now, looking back, it seemed she had gotten a good deal and was still complaining.

Zu An chuckled, pulling her into his embrace. "What, marrying me was such a big sacrifice for you?"

Feeling his wandering hands, Chu Chuyan's body softened. "Isn't being 'ruined' by you like this a sacrifice?"

"Since you put it that way, I'd better properly 'ruin' the 'iceberg fairy' everyone has in mind." Zu An deliberately gave a mischievous smile. With just one hand, he rendered the renowned cultivation genius powerless.

"No... not here..." Feeling his intentions to draw closer, Chu Chuyan flushed and stopped him. Her sister was still nearby; even though she was drunk and asleep, Chu Chuyan, being thin-skinned, still felt uncomfortable.

"But Youzhao won't let go, and I'm afraid of hurting her," Zu An said, a little troubled.

Chu Youzhao's usually cool face now showed a faint flush, whether from the rising alcohol or a surge of emotion. Her eyes held a trace of charm as she said, "Before, I always felt a little shy when you wanted this from me, but after this recent turmoil, I've realized there are too many unexpected things in life. Since we're together now, I want to give you my best, so I don't regret it later."

After speaking, in Zu An's astonished gaze, she gently tucked her hair behind her ear and slowly lowered her head.

Zu An subconsciously grasped her hair, first tensing up, then letting out a long breath...

After an unknown period, when Chu Youzhao and Murong Qinghe sobered up, Chu Chuyan escorted them home.

At the entrance of the Murong family estate, they encountered a young nobleman, Murong Xiu, who was Murong Qinghe's cousin.

Chu Chuyan instinctively furrowed her delicate brows. This man frequently showed her excessive attention and was one of her former suitors. No matter how she rejected him, even after knowing she was married, it didn't deter his enthusiasm.

However, since he was Murong Qinghe's cousin, she couldn't afford to offend him too much.

After a round of pleasantries, Murong Xiu said in surprise, "Miss Chu, why is your voice a little hoarse?"

Chu Chuyan's face flushed slightly. "It's nothing serious, just a bit of a sore throat."

Murong Xiu quickly said:

"Have you taken any medicine?"

"Did you catch a cold because your clothes were too thin?"

"Don't eat anything greasy or spicy lately either."

"Be sure to keep warm in the cold mornings and evenings."

"Is your forehead hot?"

"Are there any other complications?"

"How about I take you to the Imperial Hospital for a check-up?"

"Don't worry, I'm familiar with the Imperial Hospital. Murong Xiu still has some pull there."

"And Miss Chu, whenever you need me, I'm available 24 hours a day."

Hearing his barrage of eager concern, Chu Chuyan felt extremely uncomfortable. She wanted to directly answer that it was because she had just for her husband... to completely dispel his delusion.

However, given her reserved and delicate nature, she ultimately felt too embarrassed to say such a thing.

In the end, she simply replied, "Thank you for your concern, Young Master Murong. It's nothing serious; I just need some rest."

Just as Murong Xiu opened his mouth to launch into another round of solicitous inquiries, Murong Qinghe finally couldn't take it anymore. "Ugh, cousin, aren't you annoying? You sound like a nagging old woman."