After bidding farewell to Ji Xiaoxi, Zu An departed the area with Chu Chuyan. Since the academy had already granted them three days of leave, they decided to head back to the Chu Manor.

Chu Chuyan needed to report everything that had happened in the dungeon to her parents, especially the falling out with Shi Kun, so that they could take the necessary precautions.

As soon as they walked out of the academy, a short-haired woman suddenly leaped toward them with outstretched hands, shouting, “Big sister! Brother-in-law!”

Given how passionate his sister-in-law was, how could Zu An possibly not reciprocate? He stretched his arms out to hug her as he said, “What a good child our Huanzhao is~”

Aww, she’s still as adorable as ever. 

Chu Huanzhao’s face turned red. She completely ignored Zu An and leaped into Chu Chuyan’s embrace instead. “Big sister, you’re finally out! I heard rumors that the dungeon was far more dangerous than before, so I was really worried about you.”

Zu An froze, quite unsure how to recover.

In the end, he awkwardly pulled his arms back to his sides. Damn it, I shouldn’t have praised her.

All of a sudden, another person leaped into his embrace, crying in a choked-up voice, “Young master, I didn’t think that you would miss me so much! I’m moved to tears!”

The two buns on Cheng Shouping’s head tickled Zu An’s nose. He was momentarily stunned, then hurriedly pushed him away.

Why does he always act in such a manner… Could he really swing that way?!

Meanwhile, Chu Chuyan stroked her younger sister’s head dotingly and said, “We did encounter some danger in the dungeon, Come, let’s head back home first. I’ll share the details with you later on.”

“Alright!” Chu Huanzhao waved her fists around excitedly. “You must tell me every single detail, all right? It’s such a pity that I didn’t manage to join the dungeon expedition. I’ve already recovered from my wounds, but our mother simply wouldn’t allow me to go!”

“Our mother is just afraid that you’d run into danger inside. Besides, this dungeon was very different from before. If you have really gone in, something might have happened to you,” said Chu Chuyan, her face becoming red.

Needless to say, there was no way she was going to share every single detail with Chu Huanzhao, especially regarding that matter.

“What could possibly happen to me?” Chu Huanzhao thought nothing about it. She pointed a finger at Zu An and said, “Even someone of his caliber made it out safely. Why would it be any different for me?”

Zu An felt indignance bubbling up within him.

What do you mean by someone of my caliber?!

“Huanzhao, it’s only been a few days since we last saw each other, but it looks like you’re itching for a beating, huh?”

Chu Huanzhao immediately hid behind Chu Chuyan and exclaimed, “Big sister, look! He’s bullying me again!”

Chu Chuyan knew her younger sister’s personality well, so she smiled helplessly and said, “All right, you should stop messing around. He isn’t as weak as you think. Didn’t you see his performance in the Clans Tournament?”

“I did, but our mother said that he simply got lucky,” replied Chu Huanzhao. “So, big sister, does he really have any true capabilities?”

Zu An chuckled softly, knowing that Chu Huanzhao was intentionally asking this question to help strengthen his relationship with Chu Chuyan. That silly lass. She doesn’t know that I’ve already taken the last step with her older sister.

Chu Chuyan looked at Zu An with a weird expression before finally nodding in reply. “Yes, our mother seems to be mistaken. He’s pretty strong. He nearly killed Shi Kun with a single strike earlier.”

“Is our brother-in-law that formidabel?” Chu Huanzhao immediately ran up to Zu An and assessed him intently. “As expected of a man for whom I have high expectations. You were actually able to beat his ass up!”

Chu Chuyan frowned. “Huanzhao, you should watch your tone. A lady shouldn’t use… that sort of language!”

Chu Huanzhao shrugged nonchalantly. “Aiyo, it’s more than enough to have you around to act all demure and feminine. Just let me live however I want to, all right?”

Chu Chuyan was at a loss for words.

She knew her younger sister well enough to know that it was futile to tell her off. So, she could only heave a helpless sigh and let it slip.

Chu Huanzhao continued staring at Zu An intently, before suddenly stretching her hand forth and asking, “Give it to me.”

“What?” Zu An was stunned.

“My gift. Didn’t you promise to bring a gift back for me?” Chu Huanzhao frowned. “You can’t have forgotten about it, did you?”

“Well…” Zu An scratched his head awkwardly. He had really forgotten about this altogether, but it couldn’t have been helped. After all, he’d been put through a series of life-threatening situations ever since entering the dungeon, so there was no way he could have had any spare mental capacity left to remember this.

Chu Huanzhao could tell from his expression that Zu An had forgotten about it, and the expectant look on her face immediately crumbled. “Stinky brother-in-law, I won’t talk to you ever again!”

With a cold expression, she turned around and stomped off. No matter how Zu An shouted after her, she refused to turn her head around.

Watching the entire scene, Cheng Shouping shook his head. It looks like our young master really doesn’t understand a woman’s heart. How could he forget about something as important as this? I really have to give him some pointers in the future.

I should share with him the vast amount of knowledge I’ve amassed from reading those romance novels!

Chu Huanzhao ignored Zu An completely the entire journey back to the Chu Manor. She had intended to return to her room to sleep, but Chu Zhongtian and Qin Wanru suddenly started asking them about their experiences in the dungeon, and her curiosity compelled her to stay.

Chu Chuyan quickly shared everything that had happened in the dungeon, and Zu An supplemented some of the details. Somehow, the two of them shared the same idea not to mention that matter.

Chu Chuyan was simply embarrassed, whereas Zu An was afraid that Chu Zhongtian and Qin Wanru would tear him into shreds upon learning the truth. Qin Wanru had never had a good impression of him in the first place. Chu Zhongtian did treat him fairly well, but as a father, it was inevitable that he would be infuriated if he knew that his precious daughter had been taken advantage of by a good-for-nothing.

So, he decided to wait till he was more accepted by the family before announcing this joyous news.

Chu Zhongtian, Qin Wanru, and Chu Huanzhao didn’t notice them occasionally exchanging glances because of how shocking their experiences were, especially when they learned that Chu Chuyan’s ki meridians had collapsed at one point in time.

Even though it was a relief that Chu Chuyan was currently standing before them safe and sound, Chu Zhongtian and Qin Wanru still hurriedly got to their feet to check her pulse. It was only after confirming for themselves that she was really fine did they finally sigh in relief.

Qin Wanru shot a sharp glare at Zu An and bellowed, “Our Chuyan nearly got crippled in order to save you. You really are a curse on our family!”

You have successfully trolled QIn Wanru for 481 Rage points!

Zu An almost fell over in shock.

What in the freaking world? Why the hell are you blaming me for this? Were we nemeses in our past lives? Your Chu clan was the one who made enemies out of everyone; why the hell are you blaming me for everything that happens?

Chu Huanzhao was still angry at Zu An, but her mother’s words immediately drew her displeasure. “Mother, you’re going too far. What does this have to do with my brother-in-law?”

Qin Wanru looked at Chu Huanzhao and said, “Huanzhao, as the daughter of a ducal clan, you must learn to weigh the pros and cons of whatever you do. Not all lives in the world are equal. I’m not saying you shouldn’t help those in need, but if doing so places you in danger as well, you should prioritize your own safety instead.”

Chu Chuyan also frowned and remarked, “Mother, if Zu An hadn’t found the precious Evanescent Lotus and fed it to me, I might already be dead. On top of that, he even saved my life afterwards…”

“If not for him, you wouldn’t have been in danger in the first place! Isn’t it expected that he should save you?” Qin Wanru huffed angrily.

Chu Chuyan was slightly displeased by her mother’s statement. While she knew that her mother was a headstrong person, she never considered it much of an issue before. However, at this very moment, she felt that her mother was being a little too unreasonable.

Fortunately, Chu Zhongtian was around to mediate the situation. “Enough. The Evanescent Lotus did save Chuyan's life, and furthered her cultivation by an entire rank. We should be thanking Ah Zu instead. Ah Zu, don’t take your mother-in-law’s words to heart. She’s just a little anxious after hearing about the dangers Chuyan faced in the dungeon.”

Qin Wanru was unhappy with her husband’s words, but she chose not to refute him.

“Don’t worry, father-in-law. I understand.”

Zu An was frustrated at how Qin Wanru was pinning everything on him as if it was his fault, but he knew that he couldn’t do anything else other than to ignore her.

Qin Wanru was the mother of Chu Chuyan and Chu Huanzhao, after all.

… 

Meanwhile, in the governor’s residence, Sang Hong was listening to Zheng Dan’s report on the happenings within the dungeon.

Zheng Dan was extremely uptight in front of her future father-in-law, afraid that she would accidentally do something to offend him. She told him everything she knew, holding nothing back.

Sang Hong nodded silently, observing the gentle woman in front of him. Her appearance and disposition are top-notch. While her acting is a little over the top at times, it’s not a bad thing for her to be a little calculative. Her personality would complement my son’s recklessness.

After listening to the entire report, Sang Hong sighed deeply and said, “I thought that Shi Kun’s plan was too immature, but I turned a blind eye to it, since it would have been to everyone’s advantage if it worked out. I wouldn’t have had to dirty my hands. However, since he failed miserably, I have no choice but to personally make a move. Ahh. I really hoped that it wouldn’t have to come to this.”