Chapter 1913: Arresting a Scoundrel
“Did you bring them to see Youzhao?” Jiang Luofu asked with a smile.
Zu An nodded, saying, “Yup. They came to the capital to ask about the Qin clan’s people, and they came to bring Youzhao with them.”
Jiang Luofu nodded. She said, “I don’t have much going on these days, so I’ll keep you guys company.”
“Sure!” Zu An replied. He thought to himself that Jiang Luofu's father was the Commandant of Attendants, and thus basically the top dog of the Great Zhou Dynasty’s judicial system. Together with Principal Jiang herself specializing in law at the academy’s rear mountain, there were too many benefits to be had by having her with them.
A hint of a smile appeared on Jiang Luofu’s face. With a tap of her toes, she sat down right next to Zu An at the front of the carriage. Her black silk stocking covered legs swayed rhythmically in the air, making the hearts of the Chu clan’s guards sway along with them. Such pretty legs, paired with those black stockings… If one had no reaction to that, one simply wasn’t a man!
As Jiang Luofu sat there, Yue Shan tactfully leaped off the other side and led the horse from the front. At the same time, he sighed inwardly.
The young master really has become more and more formidable! People all said that smoke had to be coming out of the graves of the young master’s ancestors for him to be so fortunate in entering the Chu clan.
And yet now, it seems as if it's the Chu clan’s ancestors that are creating smoke…
Ah, pah pah pah, how can I be having such disgraceful thoughts?
Even so, Principal Jiang’s legs really are beautiful! Her relationship with the young master seems to be pretty good too… I wonder if she’ll become the first miss’ love rival in the future.
Chu Huanzhao clearly had similar thoughts. She crammed her way between the two of them and said, “I want to sit in the front too! It’s easier to see the scenery here.”
When she saw Huanzhao trying to separate her from Zu An as much as possible, Jiang Luofu smiled. She naturally guessed the young lady's thoughts, but she didn’t mind it either.
However, Qin Wanru was a bit embarrassed. She said, “Silly little girl, there’s only so much room over there. What are you trying to cram yourself in there for? Hurry and come inside!”
Even if Ah Zu is the libationer, he's still too young. He might not be able to fully convince those prideful and aloof teachers. It’s great that his relationship with Principal Jiang is good. With her support, it’ll make things much easier in the future.
Huanzhao really isn’t a thoughtful child!
Jiang Luofu said with a smile, “It’s fine. Have a seat.” Then, she consoled Qin Wanru. “Right, there's no need for you to worry, Madam Chu. My father has sent some of his people to watch over the Qin clan’s state dukes in prison, so they should be alright. We're just waiting for those at Violet Mountain to come back so that Violet Mountain’s affairs can be properly discussed and concluded.”
Qin Wanru immediately sighed in relief. She took Jiang Luofu's hand and said gratefully, “I really must thank you and your esteemed father. Without your care, who knows how much suffering my father and the others would have had to endure.”
“It’s the right thing to do. The state dukes have always been loyal to the empire, and they even fended off the Fiend races’ armies. They don't deserve this kind of treatment,” Jiang Luofu said seriously.
Qin Wanru’s favorability toward her immediately increased tremendously. She began to discuss matters of daily life, and eventually brought up the subject of matchmaking. “Principal Jiang, you are so pretty, so how can you have been single all these years? Big sis will definitely help you find a good man. Don’t worry, my eyesight in choosing husbands is first-rate! Just look at Chuyan’s husband. It was me who stood my ground against people’s opinions and chose…”
Chu Huanzhao wrinkled her nose.
Mom, are you really doing this to me right now? You just had to call yourself big sister so she’s now an entire generation above me…
Hm? Wait, is mom playing a big game of chess right now? This means Jiang Luofu is also brother-in-law’s senior! Doesn’t that mean she can’t do any of that sort of stuff with him anymore?
She couldn't help but give her mother a look. When she saw Qin Wanru's happy expression, she couldn't help but shake her head.
Mom’s intelligence is the same as mine. She’s definitely not that smart. It's probably just something she said without thinking.
Just then, Jiang Luofu gave Zu An a look and said with a smile, “Thank you for your good intentions, Madam Chu, but I would still like to choose the man I like myself.”
“I guess that’s reasonable,” Qin Wanru said with a nod. “Ah Zu, you should keep Principal Jiang in mind. Your circle is large now, so there should be many outstanding people around you.”
Zu An chuckled, saying, “Even so, no one around me is as outstanding as me, so introducing big sis Jiang just feels a bit embarrassing somehow.”
Qin Wanru shot him an annoyed look, retorting,“Look at how smug you’re acting. One can't be too arrogant in one's conduct, you know?”
Just then, Jiang Luofu nodded and said, “Even so, what Ah Zu says is right. Among his peers, there is no one as outstanding as him. Even if you include the generation before him, there aren’t many who can compare to him.”
When she heard what Jiang Luofu said, Qin Wanru finally became vigilant.
Why is this woman praising Ah Zu so much? She didn’t end up liking him, did she?
I can’t let this continue! I have to be more on guard in the future!
Everyone knows that men with money and influence will change for the worse. Even though I’m happy that Ah Zu has achieved such tremendous success, he’ll definitely have more thoughts of infidelity. He’ll definitely start having thoughts once he sees a pretty lady.
Chuyan is rarely at his side, so I have to help her keep a leash on him!
This Jiang Luofu is always wearing those black silk stockings so seductively, but she still has that unapproachable and aloof air to her, which is absolutely lethal for men. In the future, she might have that kind of relationship with Zu An! It’s too dangerous…
…
While she was thinking nonsense, the carriage arrived at Mount Yuquan. When she saw the pool of bright and colorful lotuses and the red carp freely swimming around, Qin Wanru immediately felt refreshed. She felt her youthful side overflow. She grabbed her daughter and left the carriage to admire them.
Soon after, Chu Youzhao heard the news and rushed out. She called out in happiness and surprise, “Mom, second sis!”
Qin Wanru turned around and saw her elegant and handsome young master-like daughter. She was also really happy, exclaiming, “Oh my, it’s my little darling!”
The two of them quickly hugged each other.
Chu Huanzhao curled her lips.
So if you don’t meet for a long time, it’s 'little darling'. And yet when you curse me, it’s 'dumb little girl'…
She couldn't help but size up her surroundings; she just happened to see the rather ill at ease Murong Qinghe. Her eyes couldn't help but light up.
This girl is so handsome!
Her face is a bit childish, and her body is tall and slender. Her tanned skin is really unique, giving her a kind of lively and energetic beauty. She’s completely different from those delicate misses who are raised in their lady’s chambers all day!
“Are you the Murong clan’s miss?” Chu Huanzhao asked curiously. She gave the two-piece spear at Murong Qinghe's waist a look and wondered when she could spar with her.
Which is stronger, her spear or my whip?
“Greetings, second sister!” Murong Qinghe reflexively shouted. She quickly blushed and changed her tone, saying, “Hello, Chu Second Miss; I am Murong Qinghe.”
She really wanted to run away and hide in embarrassment.
Big brother Chu and I haven't even entered a relationship yet, so why am I already calling her second sister?
She had never expected Madam Chu to come, so she was caught completely unprepared and felt the fear associated with meeting the parents-in-law so suddenly.
Qin Wanru noticed Murong Qinghe and walked over, remarking, “So this is little Qinghe, right? Youzhao often mentions you in his letters. You’re quite the cool beauty, aren’t you?”
She was very satisfied from the very first meeting.
Youzhao has quite good taste.
The only thing that she was worried about was that Youzhao wasn’t actually a man, so what would she do if they ended up getting married?
“I greet Madam Chu,” Murong Qinghe said. She was normally quite tough in the barracks, but when she met her future mother-in-law, she still couldn't help but feel a bit bashful, scared of leaving her with a bad impression.
“It’s our first meeting, but I didn’t prepare any gifts. How about I give you this bracelet? It's already accompanied me for many years, and it’s something I have to pass down from generation to generation,” Qin Wanru said while removing a green jade bracelet to give her.
“This is too precious! I wouldn’t dare to accept it!” Murong Qinghe exclaimed, waving her hands with a reddened face. The price was one thing, but the main reason was the implied meaning behind it.
This seems like something only the womenfolk of the Chu clan can wear, which means she's already giving it to her daughter-in-law! Big brother Chu and I may be each other’s sunshine, but…
“Just take it. What do you mean, precious? In the end, this jade bracelet is just a dead object, so how can it be as precious as a living person?” Qin Wanru replied; she didn’t give Murong Qinghe time to refuse and put it around her hand.
Murong Qinghe could no longer refuse it and said, “Then I’ll have to thank the madam.”
Her little face became red.
Does this mean the Chu clan has already approved of our relationship?
Big brother Chu always said his mother didn’t have a very good temper, but doesn’t it seem pretty good right now?
When she thought about how the Murong clan was now ruined and she was even a fugitive, and yet the other side didn’t seem to mind it at all, even passing down the bracelet representing her daughter-in-law, she was almost moved to tears. Her big brother Chu had taken a such a huge risk to shelter her, and Madam Chu didn’t look down on her status at all. There was also big brother Zu, who had even killed King Jin for her sake! In that instant, she made up her mind. No matter what happened in the future, she had to marry into the Chu clan! She would never leave her big brother Chu.
“Everyone’s here already, so let’s visit the imperial prison together,” Jiang Luofu said.
Murong Qinghe pursed her lips when she heard where they were going and said, “I… I want to see my dad and grandpa too.”
The Murong clan was also locked up in the imperial prison. She wondered how they were doing, and if they had suffered any hardships.
Jiang Luofu was a bit troubled, saying, “Your current status is still that of a court criminal. If we take you to the imperial prison…”
Murong Qinghe’s expression grew dim. She knew she probably wouldn’t be able to go down there. Not only would she end up in danger, she would even end up involving all of them.
Zu An said just then, “No problem. We'll just dress her up and disguise ourselves a bit.” He took out a paper-thin mask and handed it to her, explaining, “Put this on and change your clothes. Pretend to be our servant, and no one will recognize you.”
Murong Qinghe was shocked and overjoyed, exclaiming, “Thank you, big brother Zu!”
Big brother Chu’s brother-in-law really is awesome! If it weren’t because I met big brother Chu first, I might have ended up liking…
Pah pah pah, Murong Qinghe, do you know no sense of shame? That’s big brother Chu’s brother-in-law, so how can you have those kinds of thoughts?
She returned to her room and changed her outfit, then quickly came back out. Sure enough, that valiant, lively, and pretty young lady now looked just like an ordinary passer-by.
Jiang Luofu couldn't help but sigh in amazement, saying, “Ah Zu, this mask of yours really is quite incredible. If you used it while philandering, I reckon no one would even know it was you.”
Qin Wanru and the two sisters immediately perked up their ears.
Could it be that he really used this mask to do those bad things?
Zu An said with a scowl, “This is something that I inadvertently found and decided was useful for traveling through the world of warriors. How can it be something as despicable as you described?”
Jiang Luofu said with a smile, “Apologies; it must be a habit of my trade. I just happened to be investigating a case regarding a certain scoundrel and it ended up coming out here. Please don’t mind it too much.”
“Do you need help? Those scoundrels use all kinds of drugs, so you have to be careful,” Zu An immediately warned her. He had just come into contact with that Worries Be Gone Rosemary a few days before, which still made him feel some lingering fear even now.
Jiang Luofu twirled the pencil in her hands and said with a proud expression, “Don’t worry; for better or for worse, I am teacher’s personal disciple, the eighth student of the academy’s rear mountain. If even a trifling scoundrel could take me down, I might as well quit completely.”
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