Chapter 951: Setting a Trap

"What do you mean?" Sang Qian asked, bewildered. She wondered if her sister-in-law or Zu'an was perhaps a long-lost blood relative of the Sang family.

Sang Hong slowly replied, "I secretly added something to the wine tonight."

"What? You poisoned Zu'an?" Sang Qian exclaimed, startled. She wondered if her father was angry and targeting Zu'an. Even though the man had some annoying habits, he didn't deserve to die, especially after helping the Sang family so much.

Just as she was about to persuade her father to change his mind, Sang Hong spoke, "Don't worry, it's not poison. It's a fertility pill I obtained at great expense recently. This pill is harmless to the body; in fact, it helps women conceive more easily."

"Oh!" Sang Qian gasped, a delightful blush spreading across her cheeks. "Father, why didn't you tell me? Now I've drunk it too."

She couldn't tell if it was psychological, but she felt a strong heat throughout her body.

Sang Hong looked at her, his expression somewhat complex. "If I had told you, it would have been easy for you to act suspiciously and make Zu'an wary. Don't worry, drinking this wine won't harm your body; it will actually benefit you."

As an unmarried young woman, Sang Qian was embarrassed to discuss such topics. She quickly said, "Father, you still haven't answered my question. Even if my sister-in-law gives birth, the child wouldn't be related to the Sang family."

Sang Hong looked at her and slowly stated, "What your sister-in-law gives birth to is indeed not related to the Sang family, but what you give birth to will be."

Sang Qian: "???"

She stared blankly, and just as she was about to ask another question, her body suddenly went limp. She slowly swayed backward, and someone caught her from behind. She looked up, saw the person's face clearly, and asked in shock, "Aunt Mu, what are you doing?"

This middle-aged woman served her father. Since her mother's passing, she had primarily managed her father's daily life. Although they weren't formally married, the Sang family members usually regarded her as Sang Hong's concubine and treated her with great respect. Sang Qian never expected her to act against her.

The middle-aged woman named Aunt Mu apologetically withdrew her gaze and looked at Sang Hong. "Master, do we really have to do this?"

Hesitation flickered across Sang Hong's face, but he eventually said, "Qian'er, don't blame your father. I'm doing this for the continuation of the Sang family."

He then waved his hand, signaling Aunt Mu to proceed with the plan.

If he could still father children, he wouldn't need to trouble his descendants, but he truly had no other option now.

Sang Qian looked utterly confused, unable to fathom why her father would say such a thing.

Aunt Mu then picked her up horizontally. Her steps were light as she quickly moved through the rooms.

Sang Qian began to panic. "Aunt Mu, where are you taking me?"

Aunt Mu didn't answer the question, only saying, "Qian'er, don't blame your father. He has no choice for the sake of the entire family."

"What exactly are you doing?" The more mysterious the other person sounded, the more flustered Sang Qian became.

By then, Aunt Mu had carried her to a residence. Sang Qian was startled. "Isn't this my sister-in-law's room?"

What struck her as odd was that there wasn't a single maid in the courtyard; they had clearly been dismissed earlier.

Aunt Mu didn't reply. She pushed the door open, laid Sang Qian on the bed, and reached out to unbutton her collar.

Sang Qian finally understood her father's plan. She was both embarrassed and furious. "What is Father thinking? I want to see Father! I'll talk to him myself!"

Aunt Mu sighed. "Your father is in a difficult position. He can't allow the Sang family line to end, so he has no choice but to inconvenience you. However, Aunt Mu has been secretly observing, and that man is exceptional in both character and ability. If you adjust your mindset, it's not such a bad deal for you."

Tears welled up in Sang Qian's eyes. "Is this really something you can talk about in terms of 'good deal' or 'bad deal'?"

Aunt Mu's hands were nimble. She quickly undressed Sang Qian, revealing her vibrant, youthful body. Aunt Mu couldn't help but praise, "Qian'er, you are truly beautiful."

Sang Qian didn't want to speak to her. She turned her head away, silently weeping.

Aunt Mu sighed, drew the bed curtains, blew out the lamp in the room, and then closed the door as she left.

Meanwhile, Zu'an watched Sang Hong stumble back, surprised. "Uncle, aren't you drunk?"

Beside them, Zheng Dan's cheeks were flushed. She thought to herself, *Good thing I hid quickly just now, otherwise, if Father-in-law saw us messing around, I'd die of embarrassment.*

Sang Hong waved his hand. "I'm not drunk. Let's keep drinking."

Zu'an looked around. "Hmm, where's little sister Qian?"

"She probably doesn't like drinking with us smelly men. She's already gone back to her room," Sang Hong said nonchalantly, refilling Zu'an's cup.

Zu'an quickly said, "I can't drink anymore, or I won't be able to walk back later."

With his cultivation, he could quickly dispel the effects of alcohol by circulating his internal energy, so he wouldn't get drunk. But what would be the point of drinking then?

Therefore, most cultivators don't deliberately control their alcohol intake when truly drinking; they let the alcohol stimulate their nerves and enjoy the pleasant tipsiness.

Sang Hong laughed. "It's late now, and it would be inconvenient for you to go back. Why don't you stay at the manor for the night? Don't mind that it's a bit old and worn."

*Just as I hoped,* Zu'an thought, smiling as he said, "Then I shall humbly accept."

As he spoke, he briefly glanced at Zheng Dan. She understood the meaning in his eyes, and her cheeks immediately flushed.

With Sang Qian gone, it was inconvenient for her, a lone woman, to remain. So she took the opportunity to excuse herself.

Zu'an didn't mind, secretly sending a message for her to wait for him that night.

Zheng Dan's departing figure stumbled, then she walked faster and faster.

Upon returning to her courtyard, her mind was still replaying Zu'an's teasing glance. *This guy is getting bolder and bolder, saying such nonsense right in front of Father-in-law...*

*Hmm, where are all the maids in the courtyard?*

Just as she was about to push the door open, a numbness spread across her back, and she collapsed.

Aunt Mu caught her, sighed, then carried her to Sang Qian's room, placed her on the bed, and covered her with a blanket.

Meanwhile, Sang Hong was enthusiastically urging Zu'an to drink, chatting about everything under the sun, from court politics to the personal affairs of various officials.

These were things no one outside would hear; if they spread, they would offend people or even incur the emperor's displeasure. Feeling the sincerity in Sang Hong's words, Zu'an knew Sang Hong truly regarded him as one of their own, and so he drank even more heartily.

He didn't know how long they drank, but Sang Hong was completely passed out. Zu'an, too, saw double. *This old man's alcohol tolerance is truly unbelievable; he actually managed to get me this drunk.*

At that moment, a middle-aged woman slowly approached. After checking on Sang Hong, she said to Zu'an, "Young Master Zu, I'll escort you to your rest."

"I wouldn't presume to trouble you, Madam," Zu'an replied. Having visited the Sang family many times, he naturally recognized Aunt Mu, who was considered half mistress of the house.

"You're too kind, Young Master; it's my duty," Aunt Mu said. Hearing the word "Madam," a hint of pleasure appeared in her eyes. *This young man is handsome and speaks so nicely; it's hard not to feel fond of him.*

After speaking, she personally led him to a side room. "Young Master, please rest well. I won't disturb you any further."

She then departed.

Zu'an found it a bit strange. *A maid could have done this; why did she need to escort me personally?*

However, with the alcohol clouding his mind, he simply assumed she was trying to show grand hospitality and didn't think too much of it.

He pretended to enter the room for a moment, then, estimating Aunt Mu had gone far, he stumbled out the window and groped his way towards Zheng Dan's room.

All the way, he felt lightheaded, and the path ahead seemed to split into several. He couldn't help but pat his head. *Why is the Sang family's wine so strong?*

However, with all the blood in his brain rushing to his lower dantian, he had no time to consider those subtle anomalies.

He skillfully made his way to Zheng Dan's room, lightly pressing on the window. Sure enough, it was slightly ajar. A wave of joy surged within him; Dan Dan had indeed left the door open for him.

He quietly slipped inside. No lights were on in the room, but he could vaguely see Zheng Dan sleeping on the bed, her figure appearing even more beautiful and soft through the bed curtains.

Whether it was the alcohol or some other reason, he felt an intense heat throughout his body. Unable to restrain himself, he quickly stripped off his clothes and slipped into the bed. "Dan Dan, have you been waiting long...?"