Zu An patted her trembling body and said softly, “I’m fine. I’ve made it through the worst of it.”
Chu Youzhao felt her eyes go wide. Her big sister was always as cold as ice, and she always looked the part of a successful career woman. She supported half of the Chu clan on her shoulders all by herself! Who the heck is this weak and helpless girl?!
Murong Qinghe was also shocked by what she was seeing. Chu Chuyan had always been one of her greatest idols. She was always dressed in a stunning white, and her talent was exceptional. Murong Qinghe saw her as a role model, and had cultivated bitterly with the hope of surpassing Chu Chuyan when she got to her age, then gradually catching up to her.
However, she never expected the gap in their cultivations to be so huge. Wasn’t increasing one’s cultivation supposed to get harder as one progressed? She thought that she was on her way to catching up now that she had five ranks of cultivation, yet Chu Chuyan was already at the seventh rank!
Why would such a woman respond to a man this way?
Then again, she remembered her fight with him earlier, and decided that Zu An wasn’t as bad as the rumors put him out to be. Hmph, is that kid from the Shi clan blind? Why does he keep calling this guy trash?
Of course, he’s still worse than big brother Chu.
Her eyes quickly shifted to Chu Youzhao, and her clear, sharp eyes immediately glazed over.
Qin Zheng couldn’t keep watching this anymore. “The two of you are already divorced. What kind of scandal are you trying to start, holding each other like this? You’re making a joke out of yourselves in front of outsiders!”
Murong Qinghe was about to say something, but hesitated. I’m not an outsider… I’m going to marry big brother Chu sooner or later!
Chu Chuyan blushed. She gently pushed Zu An away before saying, “Grandfather, the reason we annulled the marriage was because Ah Zu was worried about our Chu clan getting involved. Since the matters have already been taken care of, we can go ahead and restore our marriage. Besides, a marriage agreement doesn’t mean much to me. In my eyes, he has always been my husband.”
Qin Zheng stared blankly at her. It seemed like he had traveled back in time. Back then, Qin Wanru had argued with him in the same manner. In the end, she had chosen that bastard Chu and eloped with him.
Hmph, it’s true that daughters only cause the clan to suffer losses!
He calmed down and said, “It doesn’t matter what you believe. What’s important is that the two of you are no longer husband and wife, and everyone else knows this as well. Your actions will only bring shame to the Chu clan and our Qin clan.”
Chu Chuyan curled her lips in contempt. She clearly did not agree, but was not about to argue with her grandfather over this.
Qin Zheng had not forgotten his reason for summoning her. “Make your decision. Are you going to stay in the Qin clan or let this rascal take you away?”
Chu Chuyan was confused by his question. Chu Youzhao quickly ran over to fill her in on what had happened.
After listening to what she had to say, Chu Chuyan replied, “Grandfather, may I speak privately with Ah Zu?”
Qin Zheng frowned. He waved his hand, letting them go ahead.
Chu Chuyan led Zu An out of the study and into her own room.
Zu An sighed. “I know what choice you will make, even if you don’t say anything. You’re someone who cares a lot about duty. How can you abandon the Qin clan just like that?”
Chu Chuyan looked apologetic. “I’m sorry, Ah Zu. My grandfather and my mother severed their relationship as father and daughter, and even though my mother never said anything, I know that she has always regretted her choice. Because of their stubborn nature, neither one of them is willing to submit, so it’s up to the younger generation—us—to ease their relationship. Youzhao has been under my grandfather’s care all these years, and that has gradually improved the relationship between the two clans. If I leave now, all of our efforts will amount to nothing, and there won’t be another chance to fix my grandfather and my mother’s relationship ever again. Besides, what will happen to Youzhao in the Qin clan?”
Zu An sighed. “You’re always thinking about others, but you never consider your own happiness. You’re always the one sacrificing for your clan…”
Chu Chuyan smiled. “If it wasn’t because of these sacrifices, how could I have met you?”
Given her beauty and cultivation, she had her pick of the outstanding men of the other great clans. However, for the sake of the Chu clan, she had had no choice but to settle for a randomly-chosen drafted son-in-law, and eventually found Zu An.
She had been willing to sacrifice a lifetime of happiness, but she never expected that she would stumble upon the perfect match for her.
Zu An didn’t expect her usually cold self to pour everything out. He took her into his arms and bent down to kiss her.
Chu Chuyan was embarrassed. “They’re still waiting for our reply.”
“Let them wait.” Zu An scoffed, and continued to kiss her.
Chu Chuyan relented. She gave a lot of consideration to her clan, yet she hadn’t given much consideration to her lover. She knew that she had made Zu An suffer. She felt like she had let him down, and therefore let him do as he pleased.
…
While the two of them were passionately engaged with each other, in another residence within the capital, the members of the Devil Sect were giving their reports to an incredibly charming woman. “Lady Saint, Lord Ding was killed by the Embroidered Envoy and the residence has been granted to another official.”
That woman snorted. “If the Embroidered Envoy lays their hands on our people, they’d better be prepared to pay the price. Kill the new owner of Ding Manor as a warning. We are not a force to be trifled with!”