Chapter 93: Advance Competition

Zuan was utterly dumbfounded. Did this woman have the nose of a dog? She could even tell whose scent it was! He refused to give up, raising his sleeve to smell it himself, but could only faintly detect a fragrance. Don't all women smell pretty much the same? He couldn't tell the difference.

Chu Huanzhao immediately reached out and pinched his ear. "Quick, tell me, what exactly did you and that woman Zheng Dan do? Did you do something to betray my sister?"

"Let go, let go!" Zuan was in so much pain that tears nearly welled up. He had thought his sister-in-law had become kind and gentle, but it turned out she was still the same violent woman at heart. "I really didn't do anything. This scent must have rubbed off on me when she fell into my arms this morning."

The sight of them at that moment caused passing students to look on with curiosity. Many began to whisper:

"I thought things would be better for that Zuan guy after he became a teacher, but it turns out he still has no status at home."

"Yeah, look at how meek and submissive he is in front of Miss Chu Er, not daring to resist at all."

"Being a live-in son-in-law isn't easy. Living off a woman's money isn't easy."

"Actually, I think it's not bad. Being tugged around by such a pretty sister-in-law must be quite enjoyable."

"Ugh, stay away from me. Do you have some peculiar fetish?"

The voices of the surrounding students reached him. Zuan felt like crying but had no tears left. Being pulled around like this by a little girl—what about his image?

"Really?" Hearing his explanation, Chu Huanzhao skeptically released her grip. She then leaned her small head into his embrace and sniffed, her eyes full of suspicion. "How can the scent still be so strong after all this time?"

Zuan gave an awkward laugh. "I wouldn't know that."

Chu Huanzhao huffed discontentedly. "Sure enough, the lingering scent of a vixen takes a long time to fade."

"Uh..." Zuan couldn't help but say, "Where did a little girl like you learn such... colorful language? It's a bit bad for your image."

"Hmph, so I can't say it? Are you feeling sorry for her?" Chu Huanzhao shed her previously gentle, empathetic demeanor. It was as if she had reverted to her original mischievous imp self, clad in a tiny leather whip, ready to lash him. "My sister rarely comes to school, so while she's away, of course, I have to keep a close eye on you to prevent you from being seduced by other vixens and doing something that would betray her."

"I really didn't do anything, don't falsely accuse me, alright?" Zuan almost wanted to cry. *I want to too, but unfortunately my strength doesn't allow it! The Traceless Illusionary Lotus! This time, no matter what, I must get it from the secret realm, no matter the cost!*

"It's best if you haven't!" Chu Huanzhao huffed, her expression softening a little. "Brother-in-law, don't think I'm overreacting. You see, my sister is so dazzling at school, she's every man's dream girl. Naturally, this attracts jealousy from some women, and that Zheng Dan is one of them. Don't be fooled by her demeanor this morning; most likely, she deliberately approached you because she wants to snatch something from my sister."

Zuan was immediately displeased. "What kind of talk is that? Couldn't it be because my own charm made her approach me spontaneously?"

Chu Huanzhao looked him up and down. Finally, she shook her head and said, in all seriousness, "Absolutely no chance!"

Zuan felt a critical hit to his self-esteem. He really wanted to press this girl down on the table and give her a good spanking. How could anyone be so hurtful?

"Oh, brother-in-law, don't be angry. At least you already have my sister, isn't that enough?" Seeing his sullen face, Chu Huanzhao quickly smiled and comforted him. "You know how many people at this school envy you? If they could marry my sister, they'd probably be willing to shorten their lives by twenty years."

Zuan rolled his eyes. "Others might not know, but don't you understand my relationship with your sister? When did your sister become 'mine'?"

Chu Huanzhao gave an awkward laugh. She had indeed heard about their situation. "You have to give my sister some time. She has always been proud and ambitious, so it's normal for her to have trouble accepting this disparity all at once."

Zuan's face darkened. "Is this how you comfort someone? Am I really that bad?"

Chu Huanzhao hummed in affirmation. "The old you, let alone my sister, even I looked down on. But after interacting with you, I've found you're not quite like the rumors say. You actually have many good qualities. Once my sister gets to know you better, she'll definitely grow to like you too."

"Perhaps." Zuan actually didn't care about that at all anymore. What he cared about most now was the Traceless Illusionary Lotus. Otherwise, even if Chu Chuyan were to willingly throw herself into his arms right now, it would be useless.

Sensing the despondency in his tone and seeing his dejected back, Chu Huanzhao was momentarily startled. She thought, "Brother-in-law is truly pitiful. My sister doesn't like him, my parents don't favor him, and even some ignorant servants in the manor dare to disrespect him. He must be quite unhappy in the Chu family. From now on, I must be kinder to him and make him feel the warmth of a home."

Thinking this, she quickly ran up to him and sweetly called out, "Brother-in-law!"

Zuan was startled. "What is it?"

"Nothing, just calling your name." Chu Huanzhao's eyes curved into crescent moons as she smiled.

Zuan always felt his sister-in-law was a bit odd. While preoccupied with his own thoughts, he responded sporadically.

When the two left the academy, Cheng Shoubing and other Chu family servants were already waiting. Watching Miss Chu Er flutter around Zuan like a beautiful butterfly, Cheng Shoubing's eyes widened in amazement. *The son-in-law truly has some skill! Not only did he marry the eldest young lady, but he even managed to make the usually spoiled and unruly second young lady so docile. Hmm, I must discreetly ask the son-in-law how he did it. Even learning a trick or two would be enough to strut around confidently among the other housemen.*

They walked home in silence. Upon arriving home, Chu Zhongtian sent someone to call them for dinner. To his surprise, Chu Chuyan was also there when they arrived. Zuan was a bit uncertain about the whereabouts of his nominal wife.

Logically, she was also a student at Mingyue Academy and was required to attend classes. Yet, he hadn't encountered her even once during this period. From his sister-in-law's words, he could also deduce that she hadn't been attending classes.

He had no idea what she was busy with all day. It seemed she was often out and about, traveling far and wide. He'd heard Cheng Shoubing mention that she was now responsible for many of the Chu family's businesses. It seemed quite arduous to manage the family estate.

As soon as Chu Huanzhao entered the room and saw her sister, she gleefully ran over. "Father, Mother, Sister, you'll never guess what happened at school today! Zuan, he..."

Qin Wanru interrupted her. "Unimportant matters can wait. Let's discuss serious business first."

Chu Huanzhao could only shrug helplessly at Zuan. She then tilted her head and stuck out her tongue, looking incredibly cute.

Zuan felt a warmth in his heart; his sister-in-law was truly good to him. However, his mother-in-law's attitude was not commendable; it was clear she looked down on him. Qin Wanru was indeed beautiful—after all, her daughters were more stunning than the last—but her domineering personality was truly unpraiseworthy. Fortunately, her two daughters weren't like her. He wondered what was up with that Ji Dengtu guy, to even fantasize about a woman like that. Did he have some peculiar fetish?

If Qin Wanru knew Zuan was secretly slandering her like this, she would probably be so enraged that she'd ascend to the heavens. At this moment, she looked at her eldest daughter. "Chuyan, because the Yaoguang Secret Realm opened early, the family competition with the Yuan family has also been moved up to the day after tomorrow. How are your preparations?"

"Family competition?" Zuan's heart skipped a beat. Only then did he recall hearing them mention this some time ago. The Chu and Yuan families both dealt in weaponry, and their competition was quite fierce. But as nobles, they couldn't resort to all means necessary like common merchants, as it would be unsightly. Therefore, they decided to determine market shares for each district through a competition among their family disciples.

Firstly, it was considered a gentleman's competition, allowing them to coexist peacefully. Secondly, it encouraged the family disciples to cultivate diligently.

Zuan hadn't expected time to fly by so quickly, and that the family competition would arrive so soon.

"It should be fine," Chu Chuyan replied. "I've been training the Chu family disciples during this period. They've been quite diligent over the years, and based on past experience, it should be more than enough."

Chu Zhongtian's brows furrowed. "We can't rely on past experience. This time, the Yuan family has the Wu family's backing, so the people they send will definitely be stronger than in previous years."

Chu Huanzhao, standing nearby, couldn't help but say, "If the Yuan family can invite outside help, why can't we? Isn't it obvious we'll be at a disadvantage otherwise?"

"What do you know?" Chu Zhongtian snorted. "If I were to also invite outside help, wouldn't that prove our Chu family is afraid of their Wu family? What's more, your father has always been upright and never deigned to engage in such sneaky tactics."

Zuan, standing nearby, secretly chuckled. *Isn't this just a classic example of suffering for the sake of appearances? It's truly hard to associate a henpecked, submissive father-in-law with words like 'upright and unyielding'.*

Chu Chuyan replied, "Even if they enlist help from the Wu family, they won't be able to defeat me."

Zuan was shaken by her words. He hadn't expected his nominal wife to be so adept at posturing. The crucial part was that neither Chu Zhongtian and his wife nor Chu Huanzhao showed any doubt in their eyes, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

He heard she was now a fifth-rank cultivator, widely acknowledged as a cultivation genius in Mingyue City. He wondered who was stronger between her and Pei Mianman.

Zuan found it difficult to imagine Chu Chuyan's strength. He could only compare it to those he had fought. He had fought two fifth-rank cultivators, and each time he nearly lost his life.

Although Xue'er was fifth-rank, he imagined that no matter how strong she was, she probably couldn't compare to Chu Chuyan. However, that woman Pei Mianman had easily defeated Yuan Dong, also a fifth-rank, at the academy last time. Thinking of her strange black flames, he wondered who would gain the upper hand if she and Chu Chuyan were to fight.

Thinking of Pei Mianman, he involuntarily recalled the scene of the two of them grappling in Chu Chuyan's bedroom that night. That woman really had an incredible figure...

"Although you're sure to win one match, there will be ten matches in total. And a certain someone is destined to lose one, so I don't feel very confident this time." Qin Wanru said, glancing at Zuan, then subconsciously shook her head.

Among the ten matches, the direct descendants of both families were required to participate. Beyond that, the requirements for others weren't as strict. Whether they were collateral descendants or household servants born within the family, as long as they were strong enough, they could compete.

The Chu family's disadvantage lay with Zuan, their son-in-law. According to the rules, he had to participate, which clearly meant losing one match before it even began.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Zuan thought. "Do they look down on me that much?" Although he was displeased inwardly, he maintained a calm and composed expression. "Don't worry, I can definitely win one match."

However, his words were clearly not taken seriously by the others. Even Chu Huanzhao, who usually supported him, didn't believe he could win a match.

Chu Chuyan said indifferently, "Don't think about unrealistic things. Stick to the previous plan: you'll face Yuan Dong. Even if you lose, it will still contribute to the overall victory of our Chu family. To ensure Yuan Dong is willing to choose you, I'll go with you to school tomorrow. You need to find a way to irritate him again."