Zu An frowned slightly. He knew that what she said made sense. There was really no significance to the happiness of the younger generation in a marriage between clans. What was really important was that this marriage would join the two clans and that they could share honor and disgrace together. Still, that was a bit too unfair for Murong Qinghe.

However, he suddenly remembered hearing Murong Qinghe say that no matter what happened, she would always choose to be together with Chu Youzhao. As such, he just asked the one directly involved. “Youzhao, what do you think?”

Chu Youzhao pursed her lips. “I’ll listen to what the clan wants.”

“Then what about what you want?” Zu An continued.

After some hesitation, Chu Youzhao said in a voice that was as quiet as a mosquito’s squeak, “I want to be together with little sister Qinghe, and little sister Qinghe doesn’t want to marry anyone else either.”

Zu An was stunned.

These two seem to be even closer than I thought! Maybe I was overthinking all of this?

When he saw that she thought the same way as well, Zu An didn’t continue to chase the matter. “Since you're persisting with it, I can only wish you two the best. As for the palace bearing witness over this marriage, I'll arrange someone to take care of it.”

Chuyan was still suffering under the Bridge of Helplessness, so if he could help her clan out a bit more, he would do it.

Qin Wanru was overjoyed at the sudden good news. Having a high official oversee the wedding would bring much more glory than a normal marriage.

Chu Youzhao’s face reddened as well. She bowed toward Zu An and said, “Thank you, brother-in-law.”

With proper matters now taken care of, Chu Huanzhao immediately became high-spirited again and swayed Zu An’s arm back and forth. “Brother-in-law, brother-in-law! Where have you been all this time? We were all so worried about you!”

“Me? I went to fight the monsters.” Zu An really found Chu Huanzhao cute. His mood also improved, and he began to tell them about what had happened while he was gone.

When Qin Wanru saw how Huanzhao was grabbing Zu An’s arm and her body was almost sticking to his, she nearly called out to warn her daughter several times. She saw how natural they were around each other and how happy they were, how there were no reservations at all. But in the end, she gave up on saying anything.

Forget it, Huanzhao was close to Zu An when he first came to the Chu clan. Why should I be the villain here?

As she listened to all kinds of stories about experiences she had never heard of before, Chu Huanzhao shouted out in excitement. She even ran over to pour Zu An a cup of tea. “Brother-in-law, drink this for your throat. You don’t need to talk too fast either.”

Chu Youzhao also helped him massage his legs considerately, her beautiful eyes looking dazzling as she looked at him. His stories were clearly extremely alluring to the two young women.

Qin Wanru’s brows jumped when she saw her daughters crowding around Zu An, one serving him tea and the other massaging his legs.

These two have never even done this for me and their father before!

Girls of age must be married off after all!

Also, did I owe this brat Zu An something in my last life? Why are all of my daughters being stolen by him?

Even so, she was also quite interested as she listened. Forget about young ladies, such excited stories even left a madam like her, who usually stayed inside, amazed.

…

Time unknowingly passed by. As night fell, Bi Linglong found some free time to excuse herself for a bit.

When she saw how engrossed the three women were, she was a bit astonished as well. She frowned when she saw how intimately Chu Huanzhao held Zu An’s hand, and how she was almost pressed up against him. There was also the Chu clan’s young master; why was he acting like a young lady? Still, with his delicate features, he was quite pretty.

Don’t tell me Ah Zu likes this type too?

She immediately thought of many things, but she did her best to calm herself down. She said, “Ah Zu, I’ve already sorted out the Heart Nurturing Palace and changed everything inside. You can just stay there in the future.”

“Heart Nurturing Palace?” Qin Wanru was shocked. Almost everyone knew that palace was the emperor’s personal resting place. What was the real meaning behind this?

Zu An also frowned slightly. He intended to refuse because he didn’t want to live there.

As if guessing his thoughts, Bi Linglong continued, “Ah Zu, there can't be any cracks in authority. If you show any vulnerability, there will always be other forces trying to breach through. This is the only way for everyone to be convinced, so they won't have thoughts they shouldn’t have.”

“You’re right. Then I’ll just live there," Zu An said with a nod. He also knew that he could modestly decline in some situations, but other times, he couldn’t pass all responsibility to others. They weren’t in the most stable times, so there was a need to appease the various sides.

When she saw that he agreed, Bi Linglong smiled and said, “I still have many things to take care of, so I’ll be leaving first." She then turned around and nodded at Qin Wanru and the others before hurriedly leaving.

Zu An sighed when he saw her leave in a rush.

Thank goodness I have Linglong and Liu Ning, who have always dealt with governmental affairs. Otherwise, this current situation might really have left me in a terrible spot.

Suddenly, Chu Huanzhao stuck out her head and asked, “Brother-in-law, do you and the empress have that kind of relationship?”

Chu Youzhao also looked at him with interest, while Qin Wanru secretly gave her a thumbs up. She also wanted to know about that.

Hmph, I need to help Chu Chuyan watch her husband. Otherwise, there’ll be all sorts of vixens coming here to steal him away!

“What kind of relationship are you talking about?” Zu An teased.

“You know, that kind.” Chu Huanzhao’s face turned red. Even though she normally had a bold and lively personality, she was still a young lady. She was still a bit embarrassed when talking about that kind topic.

“I guess we do,” Zu An replied honestly. There wasn’t much to hide at this point. It was already spreading through the entire capital.

“Huh?!” The three women all cried out in alarm. Their mouths hung wide open.

Even though there had been rumors, the idea was just a bit too ridiculous. Bi Linglong was the glorious empress, so they had still carried a hint of hope that he would ‘keep his hands to himself’. And yet he'd immediately admitted to it!

This kid isn’t treating our Chuyan with any importance at all!

Qin Wanru immediately felt as if her daughter’s man had been stolen away by a scoundrel. She placed her hands at her hips, and was about to properly lecture him in Chuyan’s place. But when she looked into his eyes and remembered the power he had shown earlier, how even the emperor and several dukes had been killed just like that, she immediately felt her courage deflate.

You have successfully trolled Qin Wanru for +0 +0 +0..

Zu An was stunned. This was the first time he had ever seen such a thing. What in the world?

Qin Wanru suddenly realized that she looked a bit too cowardly, so she braced herself and asked, “Does Chuyan know about this?”

Zu An smiled and replied, “Chuyan’s place in my heart will never change.”

Even though she felt that his reply was a bit too slick, Qin Wanru was still happy to hear that.

Hmph, I’ll definitely show off to her about how much I tried to help her today.

When she realized those things, her mood immediately improved. She said, “It’s already late, so we ought to return.”

“Ah, we’re leaving so soon?” Chu Huanzhao and Chu Youzhao were both reluctant.

“The palace gates are closing!” Qin Wanru replied. Even though also wanted to continue listening, her reason still won out in the end.

Zu An chuckled. “It’s fine. I can have my subordinates arrange a courtyard for them in the palace.”

𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Chu Huanzhao and Chu Youzhao were both surprised. However, Qin Wanru quickly pulled them behind her. “No way! Staying in the Imperial Palace overnight will damage their reputations.”

This guy’s reputation in this aspect is already utterly terrible. If we stayed the night here, forget about my daughters, even my own reputation could be at stake!

Zu An was stunned. “It was my fault for not thinking things through. Alright, men, have someone see them out of the palace.”

“Brother-in-law, I’ll come to see you tomorrow!” Chu Huanzhao said while curling her lips. She waved at him reluctantly.

Chu Youzhao also kept turning around, making Qin Wanru feel a huge headache. The three sisters were clearly different in personalities and liked different things, and yet this was mysteriously the one aspect they were all unified in for some reason.

..

Meanwhile, Yun Jianyue followed Yun Yuqing to her palace. Once the maids and eunuchs were dismissed, she said with a sneer, “Back then, the Demon race came to ask me to help you, but they also told me to help King Wu ascend the throne. Who would’ve guessed, hm? You and Zu An were already a thing a long time ago.”

Yun Yuqing sighed. “Do we sisters really have to go tit for tat as soon as we meet again?”

Yun Jianyue turned her back with a wave of her sleeves. She felt really wronged right now.

How can I not go against you when you ended up together with my man?

And my relationship with him isn't even completely clear yet!

This is so annoying!

She took a deep breath and asked, “Since you're calling us sisters, how about you open up? Tell me when the two of you got together.”